It’s June, Bushwick. That means Pride month is here. In New York City, a city where the Stonewall Riots took place and the home of the biggest annual Pride parade in the United States, there are few neighborhoods with more LGBTQ+ businesses than Bushwick. Here are 9 businesses owned or managed by members of the LGBTQ+ community in and around the neighborhood to support this month and every month after.
This is an evolving list. To submit a business for consideration, email (Schroeder at bushwickdaily dot com)!
Seitan Rising is an employee-owned, vegan, queer deli and bakery on Morgan Avenue in Bushwick. Having opened last August, Seitan Rising bakes all its pastries every morning and makes everything in the store, except some of the cheeses and the breads, which they buy from Balthazar in Manhattan. Most of its meats are made with Seitan, which is wheat gluten. When asked if there was a mission statement for Seitan Rising, worker-owner Christina Verna told Bushwick Daily: “Keep it gay and keep it against capitalism.”
Location: 2 Morgan Ave.
3 Dollar Bill is a queer-owned and operated nightclub, bar and live performance and music venue on Meserole Street in Bushwick. The venue, which claims to be the “largest queer venue in Brooklyn,” offers a wide range of nightly events and performances, including everything from variety shows featuring axe juggling and strip teasing to DJ-led dance parties.
Location: 260 Meserole St.
BLK MKT Vintage is a Bed-Stuy-based (and online) antique and vintage clothing shop on the corner of Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Decatur Street. BLK MKT Vintage is full of collectibles and curiosities that “represent the richness of Black history and lived experience.” The store’s collection features a wide variety of goods, including vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing, art, decor, furniture and more.
Location: 465 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
Dyke Beer, a saison ale with notes of bubblegum and white pepper, was birthed in Brooklyn at the beginning of the pandemic when founders Loretta Andro Chung and Sarah Hallonquist decided that many of the lesbian bars in the city needed a good go-to craft beer. The Brooklyn-based beer is now sold throughout the city. In Bushwick, it is currently sold at Dromedary Urban Tiki Bar, Pine Box Rock Shop, Maite, Foster Sundry and Bodeguita BK. An updated list is available here.
Foster Sundry is a whole animal butcher, specialty grocer, artisan cheese counter and cafe that has sat on Knickerbocker Avenue since 2015. Although Foster Sundry is not LGBTQ+ owned, it is managed each day by Lila Dobbs and her wife Gizella Otterson. Foster Sundry is a spot to pick up something to grill or prepare at home or snag something quick and tasty to eat. In addition to the piled-up raw meats and cheeses available for purchase, Foster Sundry offers a wide range of ready-made items, including egg and meat biscuits, breakfast burritos and nearly a dozen different sandwiches.
Location: 215 Knickerbocker Ave.
Cult Party is a queer-women-and gender-non-conforming-run “intersectional feminist witchy boutique and gallery.” For years, Cult Party operated through a storefront at 53 Waterbury St. in Bushwick, which also served as an event space and center for the community. Currently, Cult Party is operating almost entirely online, with the exception of occasionally setting up stands at markets.
Location: Online
Fluide Beauty is a Brooklyn-based makeup and skin-care brand “designed for all skin shades and gender expressions.” Fluide offers a wide range of products for the eyes, lips, face and nails.
Location: Online
Queen is a Mediterranean bar and restaurant known for its falafel on the corner of Starr Street and Wyckoff Avenue. The spot is partially owned by Justin Ahiyon, an original founder of the nearby House of Yes and one of the masterminds behind Queen of Falafel. Noticeable due to its blue exterior, Queen has an extensive menu, full of affordable Mediterranean salads, shawarma and falafel sandwiches, dinner entrees and brunch items.
Location: 247 Starr St.
L’imprimerie is a queer-owned French bakery and cafe on Myrtle Avenue between Gates Avenue and Linden Street. Each day, L’imprimerie offers pastries and breads that are freshly baked in small batches throughout the day. Regularly, the bakery donates part of its sales to queer or minority causes. Additionally, L’imprimerie makes a point to use organic ingredients (whenever possible). According to its website, L’imprimerie has bees on the roof that supply extremely local honey!
Location: 1524 Myrtle Ave.