Thursday, October 30, 2014

Halloween in Brooklyn, NY


Most people who aren't from Brooklyn or who have just moved to Brooklyn will ask you where the best places for Trick or Treating are.  Having lived in Brooklyn for my whole life, I feel pretty confident that I at least can recommend some of the best ones.  So on that note; here are my top five blocks for Trick or Treating in Brooklyn starting with #5.

5) The Park Slope Parade.  Since this year Halloween falls on a Friday expect this parade to be bigger than most years.  The parade begins at 6:30pm at 14th street and 7th avenue.  If you are going to walk in the parade, it is suggested to arrive at 5:30pm.

4) The Cobble Hill Halloween Parade.  Same situation as The Park Slope Parade since Halloween falls on a Friday this year!  The parade will begin at 4pm at the Cobble Hill Park and is one of the city's largest kids parades!

3) Court and Smith Streets.  These streets (along with the sides streets connecting them) are filled with stores, like ours, that hand out candy beginning around 3pm.  There is always lots of fun and laughter throughout the streets starting at Atlantic Avenue.  Residents on the sides streets connecting Smith and Court like to sit out on their stoops with decorations and candy waiting for Trick or Treaters.

2) Grace Court Alley off of Hicks Street between Remsen and Joralemon.  One of the epicenters for kids on Halloween in Brooklyn Heights.  When venturing down this street you will see almost every house decorated and almost every resident out on their stoop handing out candy to eager dressed up children enjoying this holiday.

1) Finally as the number 1 place to go trick or treating (in my book) is Garden Place off of Joralemon Street between Hicks and Henry.  This block is closed for the entirety of Halloween and is by far the most decorated block in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill that I have ever seen!  Every body decorates their house and tries to outdo their neighbor!  Candy keeps flowing the whole night as residents sit out on their stoops and hand out candy to eager children!


That is it for my suggestions of the best trick or treating places in Brooklyn.  Hope that everyone has a great time on Halloween and enjoys the weekend!


Thursday, October 2, 2014

PasParTou at the Dumbo Arts Festival 2014


Last weekend, PasParTou was invited to participate in the Little Poland Gallery at the Dumbo Arts Festival.  The gallery was run by the Polish Consulate in New York in order to showcase items either made in Poland or by Polish designers and artists.  We graciously accepted the consulate's invitation and set up a table for the two day show located at 160 Water Street in the heart of DUMBO.

Owner Gosia Rojek showing our collection of items to Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Polish Consul General

We decided to bring with us the works of many different Polish artists and designers.  We exhibited the beautiful jewelry of designers Marcin Zaremski and Marcin Gronkowski.  We also displayed a collection of Polish pottery otherwise known as Boleslawiec.  Visitors who came by our booth loved the small bowls and spoons as well as our collection of tea bag holders.

Exhibition of Polish Pottery

In our store, we feature a beautiful line of Polish whimsical kitchen textiles with various patterns on them.  We brought those down to DUMBO as well with us and they were a hit just as they are in our store in Cobble Hill.

Selection of whimsical kitchen linens

Finally we brought a beautiful collection of handmade and artist signed glass pieces from Velt Gallery.  These along with our personally designed Brooklyn t-shirts finished out our display nicely.

PasParTou designed Brooklyn t-shirts

Overall, we had a sucessful first experience at the Dumbo Arts Festival.  Not only did we get to exhibit and display our beautiful Polish made and inspired items, but we also got to catch up with a good friend of ours, the Polish Consul General.

Owner Gosia Rojek with Polish Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka

All participants of Little Poland Gallery with Polish Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka