EXPLORE YOUR BORO Velazquez is simply passionate about records, ever since his older sisters abandoned their Bob Dylan and Joan Baez albums and left them to him. The store has records from every era, past to present, including one of my favs—Blondie (“Parallel Lines” was my very first rock album). Besides mainstream music, Javi supports the local music scene wholeheartedly: “We wanted to have a local music hub where people could come together and exchange ideas, learn about music, promote and enrich these local bands and enrich their lives by knowing them.” Live, in-store performances have featured some of these very talented local indie artists such as The Gantry and Bria Monet. Every Sunday, Hi-Fi has a pop-up shop at Single Cut Brewery from noon to 5 p.m. with a live DJ complete with giveaways, raffles and albums for sale. You don’t own a turntable? That’s okay. Hi-Fi has audio equipment available too, to turn your home into (as Javi puts it) the “ultimate audio castle.” Now that we’ve gotten our music fix, mom and I are down for some more neighborhood shopping. I should mention that my “Queens mother” was actually born in the Bronx (sorry Queens peeps, she is still a devoted Yankees fan) but later moved to Queens and attended Jamaica High School. Nowadays she calls New Jersey home, but loves to visit me and always asks if we can “walk on the avenue” and by avenue, she means Ditmars Boulevard. My mom is the ultimate window shopper, and half the things she buys, she returns the next day (a retailer’s worst nightmare). Except, however, in the case of two exceptional stores: The Little Soap Shop (22-07b 36th St., www.thelittlesoapshop. net) and The Brass Owl (36-19 Ditmars Blvd., www.thebrassowl.com). Both are featuring excellent gifts for Mother’s Day. The Little Soap Shop has washcloth and soap sets for $15, as well as gift boxes with 36 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016 lotion, soap, lavender sachets and lip butter stick for $30. Custom-made baskets range from $40 to $75. All of these items are made from organic ingredients and are paraben free. (FYI, all soaps at this lovely shop are handmade, hand-cut and individually wrapped!) The Brass Owl has a pop-up shop the day before Mother’s Day from noon to 5 p.m. with three local artists, Single Girl Cookies and card artists Silly Reggie and Widy Cat. On Mother’s Day itself, The Brass Owl is giving 10 percent off all purchases for moms and a “candy bar” where you can create your own bag of complimentary sweets. Make sure to pick up your very own “I Represent Queens” T-shirt that mom and I are sporting in our photo. (Don’t we look super cute?) FREE mimosas will be provided on both days. What a great place to end our day with a champagne toast – my mom’s favorite. Bottoms up! What I love about all of these places is their commitment to bringing the community together, whether it’s through harnessing the multitude of local talent or hosting events that allow local residents to meet and get better acquainted. And that’s the best part of this Mother’s Day for me: exploring Queens with my beloved mom, and mixing with our people. My mom may have been born in the Bronx, but her heart (and mine) belong to Queens. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there, and make sure you say hello to us (or buy us a champagne) if you see us out and about! The Dog & Duck Hi-Fi
BM052016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above