 |
Fully equipped Bored by law-firm life, Navy vet becomes urban outfitter
Published By: New York Post Author: Linley Taber
Published on 4/16/2012 Posted on April 16, 2012 04:50:00PM
|
When Kevin Rosenberg left the Navy in 2003, his professional path seemed clear: He returned to Cardozo Law School to complete the degree he had started pre-9/11, passed the bar in New York and New Jersey and went on to land a job as an attorney.
But two months into his time at a city law firm, Rosenberg, 38, says he was “miserable.”
“I realized, I don’t want to have an office job the rest of my life,” says the Brooklyn native. “I wanted to do my own thing.”
Part of Rosenberg’s malaise was related to the monotony of a desk job. After a long Naval career that included flying jets, hunting submarines in the Persian Gulf and serving with a gunboat/coastal warfare unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he sorely missed the challenges and teamwork of his active duty days.
IMOGEN BROWN
PACK MAN: Unhappy in an office, Kevin Rosenberg opened Gear to Go Outfitters in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
He also already had an idea for a start-up that would provide the entrepreneurial challenge he craved: a full-service outfitter that rented, sold, and repaired outdoor gear, as well as offering guided trips.
“I felt like the outdoor community wasn’t being served properly,” says Rosenberg, an adventure buff ever since Ranger training as an ROTC cadet. “And I knew I could a get my own company started pretty much on the cheap.”
So Rosenberg took a small loan from a Navy friend, and set to work starting a Web site that sold and rented outdoor gear and offered citywide delivery. The site went live in March 2009.
“The military definitely gave me the confidence to have a goal and go towards it,” he says of his head-on approach. “You learn that as long as you work hard and think things through, you can do whatever you want.”
But the early venture, which operated entirely from his apartment, had only modest success, and Rosenberg knew he needed a real neighborhood presence to catapult his business off the ground.
So, with scant capital to put towards retail space — and no luck in securing a loan via the vet-friendly Patriot Express loan program — Rosenberg decided to take advantage of a state benefit that grants honorably-discharged veterans the near-exclusive right to vend on the street.
“I ended up making $500 of revenue in the first couple hours,” Rosenberg says of his initial experiment hawking his wares on a Park Slope street, “and I did even better the next day.”
Encouraged, he decided to design a “high-end street stand” complete with solar panels and outdoor lights, and ended up earning a local following within months.The experience wasn’t without challenges: extreme temperatures, shopkeepers who didn’t want him outside their stores and “near-physical altercations with other street vendors” required Rosenberg to exercise a Navy-trained resolve.
“There were so many times when I could have given up,” says Rosenberg. “What kept me going was that I believed in my idea.”
But his persistence paid off. After a year and half as a street vendor, Rosenberg had made enough money to open a storefront off Seventh Avenue, and Gear to Go Outfitters officially opened its doors last April.
“Having a shop now is huge,” says Rosenberg, who reports healthy business for both equipment sales and rentals, as well as a steady clientele for the wilderness tours he and his fellow guides lead. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
These days, he already has his eyes on a larger store space — and he says he one day hopes to replace behemoth outfitters like REI and EMS.
“It’s just about determination,” Rosenberg says of his success so far.
“It’s just doing whatever you have to do to get it done, and I think that comes from the military.” |
|
| |
 |
My Gear To Go Hiking Adventure
Published By: F'd In Park Slope Author: Vanessa Londono
Published on 10/11/2011 Posted on October 12, 2011 02:27:18PM
|
This past weekend I checked out one of Park Slope's Gear To Go Outfitters organized trips. Even though my outdoorsy experience as a kid was limited to backyard tents and a two hour trail into Appalachian Mountains, I was game for a new adventure.
This past Sunday morning I set out with 2 liters of water, sunscreen and a camera in a borrowed backpack. Aside from organized trips, Gear To Go Outfitters is the only full-service outfitter in the area that sells and rents everything you could possibly need for hiking and backpacking. I didn't need many supplies, for the nine mile trek along the Shawangunks was low on elevation change but long in distance.
 Kevin, our lead guide.
I met lead guide Kevin and his van at the Gear to Go outpost on 7th Avenue and Garfield. Along with gourmet lunch and licensed guides, Gear to Go also takes care of transportation. Day hike trips range from $65 to $75 and their overnight backpacking trips are $180-$250, depending on the location and duration. We picked up five other ladies and a second guide, Ki-Tae, before heading towards the Catskills. For hikes or backpacking trips, Kevin takes groups up to 12 people.
According to Kevin, smaller groups are more intimate and give people a chance to get to know one another. This is how I found out that I was the only newbie in a group made up of triathaletes and runners. I can bring it in spin class but the only running I ever do is to catch the B63 on 5th Ave. Still, I am competitive and was determined to hold my own with this group.
 Kevin and Ki-Tae cook up some lunch.
We started up the path about midmorning, stopping only a few times to take in the views of the Dwarf Pitch Pine Barrens. The wild blueberry bushes mentioned in the hike description were bare this time of year. We would later come across spilled blueberries along the trail, but spilled blueberries are like roadkill- not for eating.
We took a lunch break at High Point, which is 2250 feet above sea level. While we relaxed, Kevin and Ki-Tae cooked up some pasta with homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes and shaved parmasan. Just as we finished the filling meal, they started boiling water again for their Backcountry Tiramisu. The dessert was a layering of lady fingers with instant espresso mix, Kahlúa and cream cheese pudding mix (in lieu of mascarpone cheese) It had a dusting of cocoa powder on top. Any hesitations I had about the instant cream cheese pudding mix were gone with the first taste. Along with their wilderness skills, these guides knew how to cook.
 Cooling off at the top of Verkeeder Falls.After lunch, we headed for the Verkeeder Falls. After snapping a few shots of the double rainbows(!) over the waterfall, we made our way to the top of the cascade. Kevin had us take off our shoes for a refreshing foot bath in the chilled water. The spa-like treatment made a difference since we still had a while to go before reaching the ice caves.
It was around the 700th close call with a slippery rock that my enthusiasm started to falter. Tired, dizzy and still recovering from a sinus infection, I could feel the tears welled up inside.  My 127 Hours momemt.I was over this. That's when Kevin started with the pep talk. We were thisclose to the ice caves which I had been excited about for weeks. It's true -- when picking a trip, it was the description of the caves that won me over. Ok, I agreed, choking back the tears. With that, we were back on track and the push was worth it. The Ice Caves, an old tourist attraction, was a great ending to the hike. Usually iced over til August, the caves had a natural air conditioning climate that felt amazing after spending all afternoon in the sun.
Back in the van, we made a pit stop at a local drive through for some hard-earned fast food. An upside down banana ice cream treat turned out to be the only thing I couldn't finish that day.
If the only feeling of physical accomplishment lately is hauling several bags of groceries up a 4th floor walkup, I recommend checking out Gear To Go's trips. It's a great way to venture out of the city and your comfort zone. The price is reasonable considering renting a car alone would cost as much as an average day hike. Backpacking season is pretty much over til Spring, but shorter day trips will continue through the winter. In the next few weeks, trips include a Halloween night hike, a (shorter) family friendly hike, and a meteor shower hike. |
|
| |
 |
Ten things we love about Seventh Avenue
Published By: TimeOut NY Author: Amanda Waas
Published on 7/7/11 Posted on July 12, 2011 10:05:38AM
|
1. Affordable men’s kicks at DNA Footwear
Though the popular shoe chainlet has a location just a few blocks over on Fifth Avenue, it recently took over a grungy Laundromat and expanded its business to create a second Park Slope storefront. Polished hardwood floors and a spartan layout allows the men’s and women’s footwear displayed on the walls to be the center of attention, while leather ottomans provide comfy seating for trying pairs on. While there’s a ton of merch on offer for ladies, DNA boasts an impressive Americana selection for the guys. Stay classic by picking up a pair of Converse All-Star high-tops ($44), neutral-hued canvas Keds lace-ups ($55) or checkered Vans slip-ons ($39). If you’re looking to go granola for the summer, snag a pair of canvas TOMS ($44) instead. Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off all purchases (excludes TOMS and Uggs) through July 31. 230 Seventh Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts (718-965-1101, dnafootwear.com)
2. Locally produced stationery at Lion in the Sun
This upscale paperie sells the types of cards you won’t find at Duane Reade—namely, ones handmade by Brooklyn designers. We’re particularly fond of the ones from Walk Up Press’ Local series ($6 each), emblazoned with iconic city imagery such as water towers, rats and cockroaches. More literal depictions of Kings County are found in the form of blank photo cards from ESP Photos ($5 each), which feature breathtaking shots of Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel and the Great Lawn in Prospect Park. If you’re looking to keep your life on track, pick up Linda & Harriet letterpress postcard calendars ($32), which provide you with a stack of 12 colorful cards for each month of the year that you can tack up on a wall or bulletin board. Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off all purchases under $100 through July 31. 232 Seventh Ave at 4th St (718-369-4006, lioninthesunps.com)
3. Chocolate confections at Cocoa Bar
True to its name, this bustling café serves up countless chocolate treats. Whole slices of cake ($6–$7) are available, but you can just as easily sate your sweet tooth with various palm-size minicakes, like the white-chocolate-ganache-coated Triple Chocolate Mousse ($7), which features multiple layers of silky mousse in milk and bittersweet chocolate. You might mistake the handmade chocolate almond caramel biscotti clusters ($4 each) for truffles, but the round, cocoa-covered balls pack an unexpected crunch. If you’re looking to sip rather than nosh, try one of the specialty Chocolattes ($5), which combine espresso, steamed milk and your choice of chocolate (dark, white, mint, cinnamon or spicy) for a potable treat that’s thick and rich without being overwhelming. 228 Seventh Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts (718-499-4080, cocoabarnyc.com)
4. Whimsical housewares at Tarzian West
Packed to the brim with everything you need to add some kitsch to your kitchen, this is one place where the tight squeeze through the aisles is worth it. Everything on the shelves is bright and colorful, down to the silicone brushes ($8–$15) and Le Creuset pots ($130–$180). Tarzian also stocks, in addition to the cheerful basics, quirky indulgences like Boston Warehouse flower-shaped dish brushes ($15), ASA square porcelain teapots ($33) and Fred silicone ice-cube trays ($10) featuring UFO, smiley face and robot molds. Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off all purchases through July 24. 194 Seventh Ave at 2nd St (718-788-4213, tarzian-west.com)
5. Handcrafted jewelry at the Clay Pot
Established in 1969 as a ceramics studio by married couple Robert and Sally Silberberg, this brightly lit shop has been a Park Slope mainstay, even as the neighborhood transitioned over the years. Now helmed by the Silberberg’s daughter, Tara, the Clay Pot still features walls of pottery and unique housewares, but the main focus has become its handmade jewelry. Peruse the multiple glass cases that showcase an array of baubles from a mix of local and international designers to discover Laurel Denise’s cord-and-pendant hope bracelets ($36) and DA Metals colorful, stackable sterling-silver and enamel dot rings ($15 each). Typography fans will want to scoop up a few of Foundling’s letterpress necklaces (small pendant $24, large pendant $42), which feature individual letters from newspaper cutouts set in a bezel charm that hangs from a long chain. For a piece that offers more versatility, try Julie Rofman’s colorful beaded leather bracelets ($74–$145), guaranteed to look great with either a pair of jeans or a little black dress. Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off all purchases except bridal merchandise through July 31. 162 Seventh Ave between Garfield Pl and 1st St (718-788-6564, clay-pot.com)
6. Outdoorsy equipment at Gear to Go Outfitters
In April, owner and former naval officer Kevin Rosenberg expanded his thriving online business to open Gear to Go’s first-ever storefront, allowing urban adventurers the opportunity to rent gear that they wouldn’t have space for in their tiny New York apartments. You’ll find tons of equipment in the shop to purchase, too, like Gregory Active Trail backpacks (to buy $100; to rent for three days $17, plus a refundable $12 security deposit) that are small enough for an everyday trek on the subway but large enough to take on a hike. Primus LED lanterns ($66) and Sea to Summit pocket-size packs of biodegradable soap that develop suds when added to water ($4) are guaranteed to make any camping trip more comfortable, while Platypus PlatyPreserve collapsible wine caddies ($10) will ensure this summer’s outdoor festivals are well-lubricated (they hold an entire bottle of wine and fold flat in your bag when empty). Mention TONY for 10 percent off all purchases through July 31. 217 Garfield Pl between Seventh and Eighth Aves (718-399-7848, geartogooutfitters.com)
7. Customized facials at Elan Salon and Day Spa
You can indulge in a mani-pedi ($40) or Swedish massage (30 minutes, $50) at this full-service salon and spa, but Elan’s seemingly endless list of personalized facials has us coming back for more. On-the-go shoppers can revel in the Express facial ($45), which includes a cleansing customized masque that will have your visage toned and moisturized in an hour. But those looking for a more languid, relaxing experience can partake in the aromatherapy facial (75 minutes, $80), which uses fruit and vegetable oils to deep-clean your pores, or the Repechage Four-Layer facial ($85, 75 minutes), which harnesses the antiaging powers of fresh marine-harvested seaweed to hydrate and purify skin. Guys can even have their mugs tended to with the Men’s Sport facial (30 minutes, $45), featuring a pressure-point massage and a deep-cleansing and exfoliating scrub made specifically for male skin. 157 Seventh Ave between Carroll St and Garfield Pl (718-789-1700, elansalonandspa.com)
8. Organic beauty booty at Back to the Land
Don’t skip this massive organic grocer just because you’re not in the market for arugula—it features a surprisingly large all-natural beauty section that has everything from soaps and shampoos to lipsticks and bronzers. Clean up your act with Sappo Hill fragrance-free vegetable-oil soaps ($2) embedded with flecks of oatmeal to help slough off dead skin, or vegetable-based cleanser Weleda Birch Body Scrub ($16). Even tresses get the earth-friendly treatment, thanks to Giovanni Organic Straightening Elixir ($8), which tames unruly curls without relying on harsh chemicals. Burt’s Bees products, including its gentle Rosewater & Glycerin toner ($12), take up a lot of shelf space here, but you shouldn’t let that overshadow the Aubrey Organics section, where you’ll find tinted lipglosses ($8) and bronzers ($12) in every shade imaginable. 142 Seventh Ave between Carroll St and Garfield Pl (718-768-5654, backtothelandnaturalfoods.com)
9. Casual-cool threads at Kiwi
If your summer wardrobe is in need of a tune-up, head to this small, serene boutique to peruse the racks of breezy, high-quality staples. Add a pop of color to your closet with a pair of Billy Blues cotton cropped shorts ($98) or a Corey Lynn Calter silk patterned dresses ($195). You can also load up on lightweight cotton tops, including Michael Stars solid tanks ($48–$50) and slouchy, striped Daftbird tanks ($88) with uniquely askew chest pockets. Top it off with a brightly colored, floppy San Diego sun hat ($28–$33) that will keep rays out of your eyes all BBQ season. Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off all purchases through July 14. 119 Seventh Ave between Carroll and President Sts (718-622-5551, kiwidesignco.com)
10. One-of-a-kind gifts at Loom
The window displays at this well-curated store might lead you to believe that Loom is a handbag shop, but once inside, you’ll see that it has gifts galore for everyone on your list. Rib your high-maintenance brother by giving him a handsome Fossil canvas-and-leather blueprint tote ($118) featuring sketches of old-timey barbershop tools. Kitschy Thomas Paul iPad cases ($42) depicting an old computer setup from the 1980s will get a smile from your tech-addicted best friend. The next time you’re heading to a dinner party or housewarming, thank your hostess with an Izola NYC soap set ($18) of three individually wrapped triple-milled oatmeal soap bars in beautiful packaging, or long-burning, tangerine-teakwood-scented Illume decorative candles ($30) with etched gold-metal covers and painted patterned glass. 115 Seventh Ave between Carroll and President Sts (718-789-0061) |
|
| |
 |
A Hiker's Paradise: Gear to Go Outfitters offers the complete hiking experience
Published By: Park Slope Patch Author: Dan Myers
Published on June 19th, 2011 Posted on June 30, 2011 02:39:30PM
|
If you're planning to head out of the city for a hike anytime soon, there's one particular neighborhood storefront you'll need to know about: Gear to Go Outfitters, on Garfield Place just east of Seventh Avenue.
The shop is a well-curated boutique that sells the highest quality hiking and camping gear, but it's not just a store—it's an experience.
"I've set out to create a real community gathering place for everything camping-related," said owner Kevin Rosenberg, who was formerly a Navy pilot. "We've got a great selection of goods, but we do a lot more than just sell the gear."
To understand Gear to Go, we'll need to start at the beginning.
"Kevin hiked 1300 miles of the Appalachian Trail!," said Asa Merritt, an avid hiker who's one of Kevin's employees. "Hiking is his life, and he loves being able to share that with the neighborhood."
Rosenberg started an online store a few years ago, and it quickly became a major resource for everything outdoor-related. He set up a table on Seventh Avenue near Carroll Street around that time, selling some of the less cumbersome equipment. He also began leading expeditions into the wilderness with a team of highly-trained guides.
This past April, he was finally able to realize his dream and open the store.
"I replied to a Craigslist ad about two and a half years ago asking for hiking guides, but I wasn't expecting to be put through such extensive training," remarked Merritt. "We're the only outdoor store in the city that licenses our guides."
Along with working in the store, most of Gear to Go's employees also lead weekly hiking trips, and that's why they needed to be thoroughly trained. They took water safety courses, a Red Cross training program, and arduous New York State Guide Exams.
It's clear that Kevin and his employees really care about what they do, and are looking to deliver much more than just merchandise. Along with the weekly expeditions, they offer classes in the store's basement, and are planning backpacking trips later this year to Arizona and Iceland.
"You can go to lots of stores and find every hiking and camping item imaginable, but that's not what we do here," said Merritt. "We don't sell anything that sucks. We carry what we believe in." |
|
| |
 |
TRAIL MIX: Curated hikes within reach of the city
Published By: PureWow Author: Mina Hochberg
Published on 5/18/11 Posted on May 22, 2011 01:13:30PM
|
Planning a hike upstate can be tough, especially for the car-deprived. But if hiking in the Catskills has been on your to-do list since last spring, maybe it's time to let someone else handle the logistics.
Gear to Go Outfitters offers an array of year-round guided hikes, from the Hudson Highlands to the Berkshires, all of which include meals and round-trip transportation from Manhattan or Brooklyn. All you need to do is show up at the designated pick-up spot.
We like the popular (and not-too-taxing) Badlands and Verkeerder Falls Hike (May 29; $75), which winds through the Shawangunk Mountains and involves blueberry-picking, gushing waterfalls and perennial ice caves.
But we're also eager to try the Hudson Highlands Yoga Hike (May 21; $80), which includes a professional yoga class, and the Art Hike (June 25; $90), where participants follow in the footsteps of Thomas Cole and get a crash-course in watercolor painting.
Plus, Gear to Go has devised a high-end spring menu for their excursions. On tap this season: fresh Italian and Thai fare that will put your trail mix to shame. |
|
| |
 |
Ask A Shop Clerk
Published By: New York Magazine Author: Lauren Murrow
Published on 5/8/11 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:53:10PM
|
What got you into camping?
I was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Long Island, so before I joined the ROTC in college, I had never slept outside. Suddenly, I was carrying around a 75-pound pack through these beautiful places in the middle of the desert. I thought, Hey, I can do this without the M-16.
Do you prefer civilian camping gear or military?
Civilian. My favorite new product is the SteriPen, this portable ultraviolet light that purifies water ($100).
What’s your favorite place to camp in New York?
Harriman State Park gets really overcrowded; I prefer North-South Lake in the Catskills. Also the Adirondacks, but stay away until after the Fourth of July—the black flies there will actually draw blood. |
|
| |
 |
From Street Stand to Corner Store - Gear to Go Outfitters owner Kevin Rosenberg went from Seventh Avenue street vendor to Garfield Place's newest businessman.
Published By: Park Slope Patch Author: Alyssa Bereznak
Published on 5/2/11 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:45:23PM
|
Usually, a business starts like this: Find a space, and then fill it with merchandise. But Kevin Rosenberg — the owner of Gear To Go Outfitters, the newest storefront to grace Garfield Place — went from the inside out.
Two years ago, he decided to start his own outdoor equipment service. He launched a website, installed two shelves in the living room of his Park Slope apartment, and covered them in camping gear. Then he waited.
“I, like a lot of small business owners, had the field of dreams mentality, where if you build it, they will come,” Rosenberg, 37, said.
But no one came. So Rosenberg was forced to find a new strategy. Being a veteran, he was free to set up a street stand and sell his wares curbside. Two days before Christmas in 2009, he put some gear on a folding table, set up on the street, and — to his surprise — made $500. He soon became a fixture in the neighborhood, known to residents as that guy who sells backpacks and tents from a solar-powered point-of-sale device on Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place.
As his business picked up, Rosenberg began shopping around for a space. Now, thanks to a good deal from his landlord, Peter Muller of the neighboring Palma Chemist pharmacy, Rosenberg is now a permanent fixture at 217 Garfield Place.
In addition to renting, delivering and selling camping equipment, Rosenberg and his licensed guides lead day hikes and weekend trips on trails in the area. An avid cook, Rosenberg also plans gourmet menus for his hikes every season. His winter fare included a Moroccan fish tagine, double onion potato stew and nutty fudge cookies. For summer, Rosenberg will be serving tricolor rotini pasta with homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes, and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. For dessert, he’ll offer “backcountry tiramisu,” named so because mascarpone doesn’t hold up well on hikes, and must be replaced with cheesecake pudding.
Rosenberg was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Long Island. He said his love for the outdoors started in 1991, when, ten days after he turned 18, he drove out to Arizona and started an army ROTC program at the University of Arizona in Tuscan.
“I’d never really had much experience in the outdoors and all the sudden, a couple of weeks after I turned 18, I’m in the Arizona desert, carrying a 75-pound backpack, an M-16, and wearing grease paint and sleeping out underneath the stars,” he said. “I loved it.”
Though Rosenberg is technically considered a combat veteran, he’s never actually thrown a grenade or shot a gun in the battlefield. However, while camping, Rosenberg has collected his fair share of war stories. He’s encountered snakes and bears and Gila monsters. He’s found himself in the beginnings of hypothermia and heat exhaustion. Once, while hiking through the Appalachian Trail, he caught a parasite that the hospital later treated by administering him three IVs in one hour.
Rosenberg understands his fellow New Yorkers might not have his same sense of adventure, but he wants to inspire people to enjoy nature any way he can.
“I think a lot of people here have an adventurous soul, they just don’t know where to direct it,” he said. “I’m trying to make it as easy as possible to get out of the city.”
Last weekend, as Rosenberg awaited customers in his new shop, a passerby popped her head into the door to look around.
“Do you have anything going on on Sunday?" she asked.
“Slide Mountain and the Catskills,” Rosenberg replied. “We also do backpacking trips.”
“Oh, I don’t know anything about that,” she said. “I’m not an outdoorsy person. I’m like, ‘I want to go to nature, where is that place?’” |
|
| |
 |
Entrepreneurs use street stands to build brands
Published By: Crain's New York Business Author: Alec Foege
Published on 2/27/11 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:26:21PM
|
Kevin Rosenberg never planned to become a street vendor. Inspired by the backpacking trips he once arranged for his fellow students at Cardozo law school, he started his business, Gear To Go Outfitters, as a website in early 2009. But after nine months, Mr. Rosenberg said, he realized that the company “-wasn't growing like I needed it to.”
So he hit the streets. His status as a veteran—he served two tours in the Navy—qualified him for a hard-to-get New York street vendor license. Now, in addition to his website sales, he hawks outdoor equipment out of his Honda Element on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The 37-year-old owner, who continues to arrange all-inclusive hiking trips, reported “180% growth” for Gear To Go Outfitters in 2010.
His master plan includes opening a storefront in the neighborhood and building a national brand to rival EMS, “except that all the employees in my stores would be licensed guides,” Mr. Rosenberg said.
Most street vendors in the city are immigrants just trying to make a living, according to a study by the nonprofit Urban Justice Center. But a new crop, challenged by an economy in which expansion capital is scarce, views merchandise stands and food trucks as business incubators with the potential to grow into local or national brands.
“Some folks are realizing that these are viable businesses,” said Sean Basinski, a lawyer who runs the Street Vendor Project at the center, which provides legal services and other support to local residents. Few succeed in creating a well-known identity, “because it's a big jump,” Mr. Basinksi said.
Beer and chocolate
Thomas DeGeest is trying. In 2006, the native of Belgium chucked an engineering career at IBM to start Wafels & Dinges, selling topping-laden Belgian waffles and other gourmet desserts out of a truck downtown. He now has five vehicles and nearly 25 employees.
To further expand the enterprise, Mr. DeGeest sells Belgian products such as chocolate and beer on the company's website, and offers catering services. He also envisions drive-through waffle restaurants in New York and Los Angeles.
“I want to make them like In-N-Out Burger,” Mr. DeGeest said.
Meanwhile, his truck business remains a growing concern. With each vehicle generating $1,000 to $1,500 a day, total sales are projected to reach more than $2 million this year.
Cheikh Fall's experience as a street vendor may be more typical.
An immigrant who grew up in the Ivory Coast and later served in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Fall began selling bags, hats and sunglasses outside Bloomingdale's in Manhattan eight years ago.
He figured that he would do the street gig for about a year, but it continued. Eventually, Mr. Fall began importing unique, Italian-designed handbags that his regular customers had requested.
Finally, Mr. Fall saved enough to open a shop specializing in similar merchandise in a Harlem storefront last August. The shop, on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, is called Ob'Prama, after Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
Mr. Fall dreams of having another shop location. “I can't afford Times Square, but I'm very hopeful,” he said.
Conversely, entrepreneurs with traditional locations are turning to rolling outposts to grow their brands inexpensively.
The owners of Red Hook Lobster Pound had been selling Maine lobsters from a store in that neighborhood for two years when they began offering fresh lobster rolls at a stand in the Brooklyn Flea Market in 2009. The savory treats quickly garnered hundreds of fans.
Growth plans
Founders Susan Povich and her husband, Ralph Gorham, are now looking for another entrepreneur to partner with to procure a Manhattan street vendor license. They have also set up a food truck in Washington, D.C., and plan more trucks in other cities along the Eastern seaboard.
Red Hook Lobster Pound had 2010 revenues in the “seven digits,” said Ms. Povich, who forecasted 50% growth for this year. And, she boasted, the company doesn't have “a dime of debt.” |
|
| |
 |
With sour economy, white-collar entrepreneurs become street vendors, selling wares in all weather
Published By: NY Daily News Author: Angelia Kane
Published on 1/17/11 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:22:26PM
|
Days before Christmas 2009, Kevin Rosenberg unfolded a table on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, covered it with camping gear and raked in $500. For the ex-naval officer and former lawyer, it was the start of his career as a street vendor.
Borrowing from his experience leading nature hikes while studying law at Cardozo in Manhattan in March of that year, the 37-year-old launched Gear to Go Outfitters, a backpacking equipment retailer that also runs hikes led by licensed guides.
Although he wanted to set up shop in a traditional store, Rosenberg, like many entrepreneurs, couldn't pull together the money. Without a loan, street vending became a more practical alternative and, surprisingly lucrative, too.
On a good day, Gear to Go can generate around $1,000 in street vending sales. Its website features more than 500 products, also generating sales.
Though still a niche market, Rosenberg is part of a growing contingent of white-collar entrepreneurs turning to street vending to make a buck. But for these small business owners, overcoming obstacles is a daily challenge. Finding the right location is critical. The ideal spot should have high foot traffic, but not enough to crowd a display and weaken sales.
Vendors also need to be wary about stepping on other vendors' turf. Rosenberg has had more than a few battles with rival vendors over prime spots.
Setting up near jealous shopkeepers has posed problems. Although he's a licensed vendor, he's been accused of skirting the system because he doesn't pay rent. While he makes an effort to not carry the same products as neighboring retailers, he's occasionally been accused of trying to steal customers.
At the risk of being seen as a fly-by-night stoop sale, Rosenberg has tried to create a legitimate retail feel for his vending. He now favors an open-air store display - an upgrade from his folding table debut - accepts credit cards and uses a solar-powered point-of-sale system to manage his transactions.
But legitimacy has a price. Gear to Go's open-air store, which cost $150, takes 90 minutes to set up and breakdown. The solar panel and lithium battery, which Rosenberg snagged wholesale, set him back $390. The point-of-purchase system and bar code scanner, which normally retails for about $1,500, cost him just $500 with an Intuit promotion.
While street vending works well for Rosenberg and countless others, it surely isn't for everyone. Obstacles are plentiful, especially the weather. For Gear to Go, Rosenberg braves most conditions; cold can't mean closed.
Gear to Go can be found Thursday through Sunday afternoons on Seventh Avenue and Carroll Street (a block north of his original spot) in Park Slope. Rosenberg anticipates the opening of a storefront in the neighborhood by summer.
With Rosenberg's street vending experience, what business advice does he have for the average startup?
Beyond location and competition, being prepared to meet city licensing requirements was among the first hurdles he mentioned. He noted that licensing for food vendors can be especially intimidating.
"Make do with what you have and build it from there," he said. "A lot of people wait for the perfect moment to start a business. There is never going to be the perfect moment." |
|
| |
 |
The Leonids
Published By: Time Out NY Author: Mina Hochberg
Published on 11/9/09 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:18:17PM
|
The spectacular meteor shower happens just once a year-here's where to catch it.
Surf the sky
Head to the northernmost tip of Manhattan, where the Inwood Astronomy Project’s Jason Kendall will host a viewing in Inwood Hill Park (Payson and Beak Sts; 917-529-2359, inwoodastronomy.org; Tue 17 at 9pm, free). Telescopes will be available for ogling the Leonids, but Kendall recommends toting your own seating: “[Bring] a chair where you can lean back and look up—a beach lounge chair is best.” Inclement weather may affect his plans, so confirm the day of.
Satisfy your inner astronomer
The historic Floyd Bennett Field (50 Aviation Rd near Flatbush Ave, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn; 718-338-3799; field closes at dusk, call ahead for permission to be there after hours) is one of the darkest spots in the city, according to local astronomers (the Amateur Astronomers Association meets here regularly), making it an ideal location for gazing at the night sky. An after-hours permit ($50 per year) is required for stargazers; contact the visitor’s center to arrange your trip.
Heed the call of the wild
Gear to Go Outfitters (meet at 15th St and Union Sq West, 917-301-8238; 1:30–9:30pm, $54.95) will lead a leisurely hiking expedition to the Hudson Highlands, where you’ll get an unobstructed view of the meteors from a mountaintop. The trip includes transportation, head lamps and dinner, and it’s also a good opportunity to go on a trek without panicking that your journey will devolve into some kind of David Lynch–ian fantasy. “[Night hiking] is an activity that many people would love to try but are nervous about doing on their own,” says GTG organizer Kevin Rosenberg. Still, you might want to hold off on your Twin Peaks re-viewing until after the showers sparkle and fade.
The showers will likely peak for a few hours between 4:30 and 6pm, then continue more slowly through the evening.
“On a clear night, we would see streaks of light passing overhead,” says Richard Rosenberg, president of the Amateur Astronomers Association. “Out in the country, they look like fireflies.”
|
|
| |
 |
Your perfect Saturday
Published By: Time Out NY Author: Jonathan Shannon
Published on 8/15/09 Posted on May 09, 2011 05:13:34PM
|
Can you hear that? It's your musical perfect Saturday serenading you with its siren song. There's Hip Hop Karaoke, Brand Nubian at the Sound Liberation Festival 2009, Animal Collective and Zomby at Celebrate Brooklyn and the Overboard dance party.
If you're an audiophobe, head for the hills that are not alive with the sound of music, specifically the hills of Dwarf Pitch Pine Barrens of the Badlands and Verkeerder Falls for a day hike with Kevin Rosenberg of Gear to Go Outfitters.
Your perfect Saturday is in good voice. |
|
| |
Designed by: Lowebdesign
