Every week, we are highlighting 5 local businesses you can support during this time!
Check out our previous small business highlights: April 14 | April 20 | April 27
If you are a local business that would like to be included, please email editor@chicpeajc.com.
Shehnaaz Dance Academy
Bio + how to support: Founded by Shehnaaz Jagasia, Shehnaaz Dance Academy is a Jersey City based Bollywood Dance Academy conducting Bollywood, Bhangra, Indian Folk, BollyHop and Semi-Classical Indian dances. We also conduct Enrichment Programs at Jersey City schools (PS16, PS5, and PS37) and other JC based schools such as Primary Prep and Stevens. Additionally, we conduct classes at the Performing Arts Workshop, Boys and Girls Club Hudson County and offer private lessons as well. We also conduct quarterly infant and toddler Move and Groove workshops at the Jersey City Public Library, Main Branch and Park View Academy. For adults, we have a weekly class BollyHIIT which is a workout plus choreography series and dance workshops which focus on different genre’s and dance styles. Currently, we are conducting all of our classes for kids and adults via Zoom and continue to provide a free BollyHIIT workout class via Instagram live to share our love and passion for dance with the world.
We are constantly running classes through this time virtually to benefit everyone – keep kids entertain, adult workouts and family entertainment with dance. We have been sharing Dance party tutorials with our families to provide them a fun activity to do with the kids. It would help us a lot if Chicpea JC can help us reach more people and grow our dance family at this difficult time. This week we will be donating all the proceeds from our lessons to meals for healthcare workers at Memorial Sloan Kettering (one of our team mates works at the hospital and we are proud to see her risk her health to test Covid-19 patient samples). We have also been working with the York Street Project to provide supplies to newborns and pregnant mothers at the shelter.
Where to find them:
Website: www.sdajc.com
YouTube Channel: Shehnaaz Dance Academy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shehnaazdanceacademy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shehnaazdanceacademy
Small business shoutouts: We are currently partnering with Tangle Time with Anushya by donating to her workshops (@tangletimewithanushya) to provide meals to JCMC staff. Shoutout to Choc-O-Pain for providing gift cards for our students, Luna De Papel for art and crafts and JC Public Library for programs and Love Laugh Mirch.
PoetryAndPins
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QlguplRLm/
Bio + how to support: Nisha is a creator who produces handmade items like nail sets and apparel. Approaching her 4th year of business, the clothing of Poetry and Pins has been seen on several website like The Shade Room, and Worldstar.
Where to find them: Instagram – @Nisha.Boo | @PoetryAndPins | @ItsTheClawset
DeCarlos Bespoke
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pac4SDSSN/
Bio + how to support: Born to a family of creators and self-taught craftsmen, DeCarlos Morse knew early on that menswear would be his life’s work. It became clear in his hometown of Charlottesville, VA, and a childhood of Sunday mornings spent at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where dressing and doing it right are serious sport. After years of moonlighting to learn the ins and outs of the trade, he made the leap with Southern heritage brands Kuppenheimer & Co. and Britches of Georgetowne. And then, the iconic luxury brand Alfred Dunhill of London came calling. There, he received an extensive education in classic English bespoke tailoring. In between and along the way, he got his “PhD” in bespoke, thanks to the instruction and wisdom of his beloved mentors, truly some of the best tailors in the world. Add in his go-to ’70s influences and you get suits and signature pieces that are classic yet always decidedly DeCarlos. With The Monument Avenue suit in hand, DeCarlos began building his brand in 2004.
Where to find them:
Website: https://www.decarlosbespoke.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decarlosbespoke/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decarlosbespoke
Wonder Bagels – Central Ave
Bio + how to support: Our location, 331 Central Ave in the Heights, is run by Steve Cuccinelli and Joe Castagna. Steve and Joe, both born and raised in Jersey City, went to Hudson Catholic together where they played basketball and football. They graduated in 1975 and have remained close friends ever since. Every year around Thanksgiving, they reunite with 20+ of their friends. One year, Joe mentioned his love for Wonder Bagels, and he and Steve began discussing the possibility of opening one together.
Why the Heights? At the time there were 5 WB stores in Jersey City, but none in the Heights. Steve grew up in the Heights at Congress and Webster. His dad used to own The Congress Tavern (which is still there but under a different family and name- the Corkscrew Bar and Grill). Not only was there a need for a bagel spot in the Heights, but they could do it in his childhood neighborhood, which made it all that sweeter.
They opened in July 2016 and have loved every second. Joe, who retired from the Jersey City Health Department, now manages and runs the store every day. Steve handles the finances and is there on weekends.
The satisfaction of seeing people’s faces light up when they get their bagels, the conversations with customers, seeing old and new faces, families enjoying breakfast together, and being partners with an old friend makes it much more than just another bagel store. It’s their dream come true.
Simply drawing awareness to the store and encouraging others to order is incredibly helpful. During times like this, we’re relying primarily on takeout/delivery. We’re available on most delivery platforms and offer take out until 3 pm daily. We’ve also taken many donations and delivered food to those working on the frontline, and plan to continue to do so until we reach the end. Along with paying bills and keeping the store open, we need to pay our hardworking employees. It’s a tough time but WB is tougher!! :)
Where to find them:
Instagram: @wbcentralave
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderbagels/
Small business shoutouts:
– Cafe Peanut
– Andrea Salumeria
– Exchange Physical Therapy
Pup Art
https://www.instagram.com/p/B–I_D4BuX5/
Bio + how to support: PUPART sells pop art inspired custom pet portraits for a great cause. It was originally created to help raise funds for local Jersey City non-profit community art programs at the annual Powerhouse Arts and Wine summer festival. After a successful weekend of raising money for a great cause and meeting tons of adorable pups, owners Morgan and Dave decided to keep PUPART alive- but this time around, they are giving back to the pups themselves. They are now operating as their own non-profit, raising funds for animals in need.
On the PUPART website, you will find a variety of original pop art styles to choose from. You can get your design on canvas, pillows, mugs and drink coasters. Once you place your order, you get instantly connected to the artist, Dave, via email. From there, you send him photos of your pet and work with him to customize your art piece. It is a very personal process and you can’t beat the price for that kind of leg work… plus the profits go to animals in need! If you are wondering if they do custom artwork for pets besides dogs… the answer is YES!
Where to find them:
Website: https://pupartnonprofit.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pup_art_nonprofit/
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