While Pearl River Mart is named for the Pearl River in southern China, it's a New Yorker through and through. So we can't help but have a soft spot in our hearts for other small businesses born and bred in the Big Apple.

Fashion

Founded by NYC artists Prisca Choe and Wynton Wong, Chaotic Neutral specializes in acrylic laser cut earrings with meaningful designs, such as lucky double knots, mahjong tiles, and beloved Studio Ghibli characters.

Based in Brooklyn, Pintrill offers a wide range of enamel pins inspired by pop culture, including contemporary artists like Basquiat and Keith Haring, Bruce Lee, and Snoopy.

Another small business located in Brooklyn is Maptote. Last year we had the pleasure of collaborating with Maptote on a collection of super fun tote bags. Finally, Piccoliny's pins, totes, and onesies celebrate a variety of quintessential New York snacks.

Books

In New York Nico's Guide to New York City, Nicholas Heller (the city's "unofficial talent scout") gathers 100 of his favorite small businesses — including Pearl River Mart! — and tells the stories behind these iconic establishments.

Kimberly Tso picture book, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, is inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York's Chinatown Fair arcade. 

The Monkey King by Jerry Ma (a twice-former Pearl River Mart artist-in-residence) is also set in Manhattan's Chinatown and is a modern retelling of the legendary Monkey King and his mythical cronies.

Food

Since its humble opening in 2005, Xi’an Famous Foods has expanded from one stall in Flushing to 14 locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Their chili crisp is one of the first we carried.

Queens native Cassandra Lam started Mama Lam's in 2016 with her mom and sister, and since then has launched an entire line of Malaysian-inspired hot oils and sauces as well as curry and satay pastes.

Forsyth Fire Escape started — you guessed it — on a fire escape on Forsyth Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 2021 chef Isabel Lee served her signature scallion pancake burritos from her fire escape as a safe and delicious way to bring the community together. Now they can be found in Olly Market in Chelsea.

Bessou began in 2016 as a cozy Japanese restaurant in downtown Manhattan, inspired by founder Maiko Kyogoku’s desire to share the soulful, everyday flavors she grew up with as a Japanese American in New York City. While that restaurant has since closed, Bessou currently has locations in Pier 57 in Chelsea and soon in JFK's terminal 4, as well as a line of popcorns and pantry essentials.

Made in Queens, Doosra specializes in highly addictive, sweet-and-savory snacks inspired by South Asian flavors. Founder Kartik Das was born in the South of India and grew up in Singapore, and now calls NYC home.

Check out even more gift ideas. And if you're putting in mail orders, please do so before Dec. 16. Orders placed after that date can't be guaranteed for delivery before Dec. 25. Thanks for your support!