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In the late nineties, novelty designers Chris Bick and Keith Carollo were biking around Soho trying to sell their first creation to stores: disposable coasters. They eventually launched a website—Fredflare.com, named after dancer Fred Astaire—selling their own designs alongside giftable items like Jonathan Adler teapots, Betsey Johnson leg warmers, and Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew Cookbook. The pair opened up their first brick-and-mortar store in New York in 2008, showcasing the best-selling website items and an expanded selection of cheeky, cheerful merchandise. The store has a “country lodge” theme, with scenic mountains painted along the back wall and offerings like plaid flannel dresses, flickering fireplace videos, and log lamps. Tables and shelves are covered with colorful, kitschy items: oversize ice-cream cones, LED-light menorahs, candy-cane shot glasses, Band-Aids that look like bacon strips, and wallets resembling buttered toast. Cutesy wares from Fred Flare’s own line include heart-shaped sunglasses and guitar-pick earrings printed with phrases like “call me” and “rock it.” — Rachel Corbett