Organic Avenue
101 Stanton St., nr. Ludlow St.; 212-334-4593
This raw food store and eco-boutique is a one-stop source for vegan cuisine (made daily in the basement-level kitchen) and organic clothing, including surprisingly chic bamboo fleece jackets, organic French terry tanks, and zip-up peace-silk dresses. Even the space is environmentally sustainable, from the bamboo floors and non-toxic paint to the faux plastic utensils and bags made of corn and potato starch.
Urban Rustic
236 N. 12th St., nr. Union Ave., Brooklyn; 718-388-9444
The builders of this locally-sourced grocery store and café harvested the Adriondack wood for the floors, shelves, and counters themselves. Owner Luis Illades gets his organic, sustainable produce, cheese, and meat from around 20 small, local farms, stocking only items that that are currently in season to minimize the market’s carbon footprint.
Bettencourt Green Building Supplies
70 N. 6th St., nr. Kent Ave., Brooklyn; 718-218-6737
Green builders Matt Berk and Bart Bettencourt began Bettencourt as a design firm, until they realized they were selling more green materials than furniture. The company now carries a range of non-toxic paint, eco-friendly flooring, and paper-based countertops, where the pair organizes DIY classes with their all-natural wall plaster, American Clay.
Cardboardesign
410A West Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 212-343-9700
This 100-square-foot storefront is dedicated completely to furniture, housewares, and toys created from cardboard. The brainchild of graphic designer Cathy Henszey and printer Vahid Pourkay, the recyclable furniture is built from durable honeycomb cardboard (the chairs hold up to 600 lbs.) and chemical-free, vegetable-based glue.
3r Living
276 Fifth Ave., nr. 1st St., Brooklyn; 718-832-0951
Husband and wife founders Mark Caserta and Samantha Delman-Caserta stress fair trade practices and organic ingredients, filling their home décor store with all natural bed and bath products, tableware, and jewelry made of colorful recycled glass. The spot also includes an on-site recycling center for used ink cartridges, CDs, hand-held electronics, and crayons.
Ekovaruhuset, House of Organic
123 Ludlow St., at Rivington St.; 212-673-1753
Originally conceived in Sweden, this co-op of 13 east coast and international designers churns out sexy, eco-conscious apparel made exclusively of organic, chemical-free fabrics like linen, wool, hemp, and recycled fibers. The collaborative collection defies frumpy granola stereotypes, offering tanks with delicate crocheted necklines, backless cotton dresses, and fitted organic wool jackets.
Recycle-a-Bicycle
75 Ave. C, nr. 5th St.; 212-475-1655
35 Pearl St., nr. Plymouth St., Brooklyn; 718-858-2972
Part bike shop, part after-school program, Recycle-a-Bike salvages discarded and donated used bikes, saving around 1,500 from landfill fates each year. An eager staff of bike mechanics teaches public school students to tune-up and repair cycling relics, and revamped bikes are sold at discounted prices from Recycle-a-Bicycle’s DUMBO and East Village locations.
Hudson Furniture Inc.
433 W. 14th St., Ste 2F, nr. Washington St.; 212-645-7800
Barlas Baylar creates high-end custom made tables, beds, and chairs out of salvaged or storm damaged trees, eschewing wood from old growth forests. His spacious Meatpacking District showroom is an homage to his carefully preserved materials, with a focus on the hand-polished claro walnut, teak, and ash’s natural grain.