Out of the Box
Gift Box boutique sells goods from local makers
BY SABRINA MOSCOLA
Nestled on Broadway off of Crescent Street sits
Gift Box, a kitschy boutique with an interesting
beginning. Siblings and Astoria residents Anna
Buckland, Elena Albert and Tim Paz signed the
contract for the space in December 2020, just
months before COVID-19 forced NYC to shut
down. Buckland said that Gift Box was almost
ready to open, but then COVID-19 hit.
When neighbors told them, “I’m rooting for you,” the
sibling trio did not falter. In the months before the boutique
was able to open, the owners focused their energies
on building inventory, much of which came from
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EXPLORE YOUR BORO
makers local to Astoria and across New York City. They
also purchased tables and armoire from vintage stores,
jazzing them up to house and display the many gifts offered
in the shop. One chest, refurbished for the shop to
hold giftable products, is over 100 years old.
Buckland has been living in Astoria for over 15 years,
and her siblings have each been in the neighborhood for
more than a decade.
“I am happy to have the shop here,” Buckland said. “It’s
a wonderful community to live, shop and thrive.”
Here are some of the products by local artisans available
at Gift Box:
Jewelry by Clayful
Characters
@CLAYFULCHARACTERS
Clayful Characters makes
colorful, artful jewelry using
polymer clay in Astoria.
These bright and
quirky earrings are sure
to add positivity to your
day. Pair them with a bold,
mismatched outfit, or add
some pop to blacks and
neutrals.
Jewelry by The Society
@THESOCIETY
Slip into this handmade jewelry by a local
Astoria artisan. This brand of beaded
bracelets brings meaning and healing
with rose quartz, onyx, tiger’s eye and
more. Wear alone or stack together.