Your Friday in Greenpoint
Greenpoint is, hands down, one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant neighborhoods with its industrial waterfront, traditional Polish shops, charming aesthetic, and small businesses — the fabric of the community.
There’s nowhere quite like Greenpoint, a cozy neighborhood with a creative community that celebrates its industrial allure, history and architecture (think The Pencil Factory), and is adorned with charming townhouses and shops.
We’re lucky to be one of the lucky small businesses to call Greenpoint home. Thank you to our neighbors and clients who shop locally and support us - we cherish you!
Shopping locally benefits the community and everyone in it. It’s a personal investment in the long-term success of our neighborhood, local entrepreneurs, and all who live and work here. In fact, for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. That’s why when our clients ask for local recommendations, we’ve got their back!
We created a customized itinerary to spend a Friday in Greenpoint, featuring neighborhood gems, local favorites, and nearby hangouts:
Rise & Shine at Narayana (7:15 - 8:15 am)
Good morning, sunshine! Start your day fresh with grounding breathwork and gentle stretches at Naryana Integrative Center (191 Nassau Ave.), a holistic wellness space that integrates physical and spiritual practices to balance the mind, body, and soul.
Set an intention for the day during Sunrise Flow, a gentle yoga class that focuses on breathing exercises and asanas (yoga poses) that slowly build to a warm, energizing flow. The class closes with a brief meditation, allowing you to calm your mind and body before heading out to meet the day.
Did you know?: In addition to yoga, Narayana also offers workshops, Ayurvedic treatments, rolfing, Reiki, and space rentals for healers and practitioners.
Culinary & Coffee Fix at Ovenly (8:30 - 9:30 am)
Time for a piping hot cup of coffee (or tea!) and sweet-savory culinary treat at Ovenly (31 Greenpoint Ave.)! Who’s excited? This charming, award-winning bakery is known for its adventurous culinary tradition and unique flavor combinations, like pistachio cardamom cake and currant-rosemary scones.
Treat yourself! We remind ourselves that moderation is key (😍-style) , as we scan shelves of decadent cakes, pastries, and quiches. While each treat has its own flair, our personal favorite: the salted peanut butter cookie. Our suggestion is to save the cookie for an afternoon pick-me-up, and go with the quiche of the day, like the Goat Cheese, Spring Onion & Chive Quiche prepared with local eggs.
Ovenly has free WiFi and seating available, so take a moment to relax and nourish. Or if it’s nice weather, take it to go and eat at the waterfront park, WNYC Transmitter Park, just down the block.
How Ovenly Started: Owners Erin Patinkin and Agatha Kulaga, met in a food-focused bookclub and combined their love for savory-sweet baked goods, launching Ovenly in 2010. Their goods were so popular that they quit their day jobs to keep up!
Work Flow at green desk (10 am - 1 pm)
As a New Yorker, “Work hard, play hard” is strong in our vocabulary. Green Desk (42 West St. & 67 West St.), a growing Brooklyn-based coworking space, makes it easy to do both with 9 locations, two of which are here in Greenpoint.
Get some work done in a quiet, relaxing space. Green desk makes it easy to check your emails, host a meeting, or give a live presentation in a pinch with affordable, environmentally-friendly office rentals.
Come for the high-speed internet, stay for the freshly brewed coffee and fruit-infused water. We’re particularly fond of the amenities offered to members, including a complimentary weekly cleaning service, modern kitchenette, and an on-site community manager. Talk about a home away from home!
A huge perk? The nearby East River for when you need a quick stretch and breath of fresh air.
Lunch at Maman (1 - 2 pm)
Getting hungry? Just a couple of blocks away is Maman (80 Kent St.), a cafe, restaurant, and event space.
Maman opened its doors in Soho in 2014, and opened its Greenpoint location in 2016. Warm and rustic in feel, Maman is just as comfortable as is cute with wooden tables suspended by thick ropes and adorned with floral arrangements.
Lunchtime picks include hearty farm-fresh salads, quiches, sandwiches and soups. The Greenpoint menu offers salads like the charlotte (kale caesar salad with roasted chicken, parmesan, pickled eggs & homemade croutons), sandwiches like the andrea (smoked salmon with dill ricotta, capers & cucumber on seeded whole wheat bread), and quiches like the quiche esther (butternut squash & kale) that make it hard to pick just one. Don’t forget dessert! Fun fact: Maman’s nutty chocolate chip cookie was named one of Oprah’s ‘favorite things’ for 2017.
Bonus tip: Maman has an upstairs event space that can be rented for private events, such as rehearsal dinners and baby showers. Contact info@mamannyc.com for more info on events.
Re-Align With afternoon Self-Care (2:30 - 6:30 pm)
You’ve spent half a day in Greenpoint! Now, the really good stuff: self-care.
It’s no mistake that we’ve dedicated 4 hours to health and wellness, especially because it’s an area that often gets neglected. Very few of us actually schedule the time to take care of ourselves, so we did it for you. :)
Align at Zalla Pilates (2:30 - 3:30 PM)
Improve your posture and alignment, strengthen your body, and access your breath with a class at Zalla Pilates (37 Greenpoint Ave.), a fully-equipped, classical pilates studio that offers private lessons, semi-private lessons and group classes. The owner, Jessie, has a passion for movement, having taught pilates, dance, and anatomy for nearly 20 years.
Zalla’s teachers use mat and apparatus classes to help you find your best alignment, while integrating mind and body, and building strength, flexibility, and endurance. You’ll leave feeling confident, strong, and aligned. Check out new student offers here.
Rejuvenate at Massage Greenpoint (4 - 5 pm)
Did you know Massage Greenpoint is in the same building as Zalla, just downstairs? Needless to say, you’re getting a post-workout massage!
Before your session, your LMT will ask what’s going on in your body to customize the massage for you, whether you choose a deeply relaxing Swedish Massage or therapeutic Sports Therapy Massage. Relax. Take deep breath, while doing. absolutely. nothing.
Insider tip: Check your email! We send $20 birthday coupons during your birthday month. Or if it’s your first massage at Massage Greenpoint, let us know for $20 off. Book online here.
Revitalize with a Facial at Zoe’s (5:30-6:30 pm)
Next stop is Zoe’s Beauty (119 Greenpoint Ave.) for Zoe’s Signature Facial!
A neighborhood, family-owned staple for over 12 years, Zoe’s offers salon and spa services, as well as a boutique store with products to beautify and balance both body and mind without harming the environment.
Zoe’s Signature Facial is a wonderful way to eliminate the “forehead line” most massage clients dislike and focuses on deep-cleansing, hydrating, and balancing the skin. The service is customized to each skin type, combining high-quality vitamins, antioxidants, firming and toning botanics.
Treat Yourself Bonus: After your facial, try updating your look with a haircut in the salon. Or, check out Zoe’s beauty products and gift yourself a charcoal mask pack and Nest cashmere suede candle for a take-home treat.
Catch Dinner & A Show at BK Bazaar (7 - 10 pm)
You’ve been to cafes and bakeries, yoga and pilates studios, a co-working space, and likely encountered gorgeous architecture and caught a glimpse of the East River along the way. However, a day in Greenpoint wouldn’t be complete without patronizing a local music and art venue.
In 2016, Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave.) reopened in North Brooklyn at Greenpoint’s former Polish catering hall, Polonaise Terrace, as a three-level music hall and vendor space. Check their calendar for a myriad of activities, from live music and karaoke to movie screenings and special events (like the Brooklyn Mac & Cheese Takedown 2018).
Grab a date (or continue the “treating yourself!” mantra) at Super Burrito inside the Bazaar and choose from a selection of poblano pepper tacos, vegan burritos, and Mexican Hot Dogs. That’ll leave you with just enough time to rent a karaoke room and spit some verses, before the live music or movie screening begins, typically around 8pm. Upcoming shows and screenings include GRL PWR, The Nobodies, and Oldboy.
Bonus tip: Entry into the Bazaar is free, and live shows are ticketed.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR DAY IN GREENPOINT! LET US KNOW WHAT
YOU ENJOYED BEST, YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS, AND WHO/WHAT WE FORGOT.
