Nina Roberts
@ninaroberts.bsky.social
Journalist (words & photos) covering independent businesses, especially immigrant-owned, storefront retail and CPG. Try my newsletter NYC's Mercantile Mayhem here: https://ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/ and articles/photos here: https://ninaroberts.
Blessing of The Animals at Saint John the Divine, NYC.
October 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Blessing of The Animals at Saint John the Divine, NYC.
Statement from Harold Pettigrew, President and CEO of OFN (Opportunity Finance Network) re Trump's Executive Order to eliminate the CDFI Fund.
The CDFI programs "... are not subject to the executive order." www.ofn.org/.../ofn-stat...
The CDFI programs "... are not subject to the executive order." www.ofn.org/.../ofn-stat...
March 15, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Statement from Harold Pettigrew, President and CEO of OFN (Opportunity Finance Network) re Trump's Executive Order to eliminate the CDFI Fund.
The CDFI programs "... are not subject to the executive order." www.ofn.org/.../ofn-stat...
The CDFI programs "... are not subject to the executive order." www.ofn.org/.../ofn-stat...
Does anyone realize how catastrophic eliminating the CDFI Fund would be? The CDFI funds organizations that lend to people/businesses often overlooked by traditional lending institutions like banks.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
March 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Does anyone realize how catastrophic eliminating the CDFI Fund would be? The CDFI funds organizations that lend to people/businesses often overlooked by traditional lending institutions like banks.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Signed up for my local Patch newsletter.
March 6, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Signed up for my local Patch newsletter.
Throwback to the gorgeous DakhaBrakha show at Lincoln Center, July 2022, New York City.
March 1, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Throwback to the gorgeous DakhaBrakha show at Lincoln Center, July 2022, New York City.
The world is spinning out of control, please read about NYC's independent creative business owners (with a sprinkling from further away). These mighty entrepreneurs are creating jobs, paying taxes; every enterprise doesn't have to be a corporate entity. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
February 15, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The world is spinning out of control, please read about NYC's independent creative business owners (with a sprinkling from further away). These mighty entrepreneurs are creating jobs, paying taxes; every enterprise doesn't have to be a corporate entity. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
I also wrote about a Filipino Lunar New Year dinner in Long Island City in Mercantile Mayhem. I mean, look at the photos! ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
January 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I also wrote about a Filipino Lunar New Year dinner in Long Island City in Mercantile Mayhem. I mean, look at the photos! ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
Asking for help as an independent business owner, could you do it? I wrote about two such business owners in New York City in the latest Mercantile Mayhem. Hats off to them. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
January 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Asking for help as an independent business owner, could you do it? I wrote about two such business owners in New York City in the latest Mercantile Mayhem. Hats off to them. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
Want to know how independent businesses are faring in NYC? Read the latest Mercantile Mayhem, we are talking beignets, Broadway almost back save for suburbanites, a chat with DJ Darek Mazzone from Seattle, air roasted coffee and how to help Los Angeles.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
January 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Want to know how independent businesses are faring in NYC? Read the latest Mercantile Mayhem, we are talking beignets, Broadway almost back save for suburbanites, a chat with DJ Darek Mazzone from Seattle, air roasted coffee and how to help Los Angeles.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
Andrew's Honey now has a retail shop on the Upper West Side, but will still be selling at the Union Square Greenmarket, no need to get your knickers in a twist! Read about it on NYC's Mercantile Mayhem, it's freeee: ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
January 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Andrew's Honey now has a retail shop on the Upper West Side, but will still be selling at the Union Square Greenmarket, no need to get your knickers in a twist! Read about it on NYC's Mercantile Mayhem, it's freeee: ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
Is everyone ready for the price of food to shoot up when NYC congestion pricing goes into effect? Slated for Jan 5. Read about it on Mercantile Mayhem, it's freeee: ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
January 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Is everyone ready for the price of food to shoot up when NYC congestion pricing goes into effect? Slated for Jan 5. Read about it on Mercantile Mayhem, it's freeee: ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
Many independent stores in NYC to buy gifts, if you engage in gift giving. Check out all the wonderful stores, individually owned, not Amazon, not chain stores. These are primarily digestible gifts. Take a gander at Mercantile Mayhem's last gift guide:
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
December 23, 2024 at 12:05 AM
Many independent stores in NYC to buy gifts, if you engage in gift giving. Check out all the wonderful stores, individually owned, not Amazon, not chain stores. These are primarily digestible gifts. Take a gander at Mercantile Mayhem's last gift guide:
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
There's no kind way to say it, but some friends need to spice up their cooking a bit. There are numerous small, NYC-based spice companies, so gently nudge your friend with the gift of flavor.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
December 18, 2024 at 8:52 PM
There's no kind way to say it, but some friends need to spice up their cooking a bit. There are numerous small, NYC-based spice companies, so gently nudge your friend with the gift of flavor.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
And while you are there, might as well peruse NYC chocolate businesses for your favorite choco-fiend. It's been a rough year for chocolate businesses, the price of cacao went crazy, perhaps coming down?
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
December 18, 2024 at 8:45 PM
And while you are there, might as well peruse NYC chocolate businesses for your favorite choco-fiend. It's been a rough year for chocolate businesses, the price of cacao went crazy, perhaps coming down?
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
You know that friends needs a Djablo shirt, Brooklyn Delhi bag, Casa Magazines hat! Mercantile Mayhem's independent business gift (not grift!) guide featuring NYC's best merch.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
December 18, 2024 at 8:43 PM
You know that friends needs a Djablo shirt, Brooklyn Delhi bag, Casa Magazines hat! Mercantile Mayhem's independent business gift (not grift!) guide featuring NYC's best merch.
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/mercantile...
But wait, there's more! You know some friend and family need help boosting their caffeine intake, give the gift of jitters. (I am kidding of course but I happen to love coffee.) All NYC based businesses:
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
December 13, 2024 at 8:29 PM
But wait, there's more! You know some friend and family need help boosting their caffeine intake, give the gift of jitters. (I am kidding of course but I happen to love coffee.) All NYC based businesses:
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
Speaking of no dust collector pressies, check out the Sweet Spreads and Creamy Goodness list, all NYC businesses.
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
December 13, 2024 at 8:24 PM
Speaking of no dust collector pressies, check out the Sweet Spreads and Creamy Goodness list, all NYC businesses.
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
open.substack.com/pub/ninarobe...
The @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social Atlantic article about supermarket monopolies & the Robinson-Patman Act is a must read. I added my own shuttered shopping center photo in my latest Mercantile Mayhem, about the survival of NYC independent businesses. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
December 4, 2024 at 7:10 PM
The @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social Atlantic article about supermarket monopolies & the Robinson-Patman Act is a must read. I added my own shuttered shopping center photo in my latest Mercantile Mayhem, about the survival of NYC independent businesses. ninarobertsnyc.substack.com/p/nycs-merca...
The incredible hornets' nest I found today on the mean streets of New York City. Pretty much intact, fell from a Gingko tree. I think it's a bald-faced hornet nest.
November 24, 2024 at 5:42 AM
The incredible hornets' nest I found today on the mean streets of New York City. Pretty much intact, fell from a Gingko tree. I think it's a bald-faced hornet nest.
Delighted to see a new, independent business launch on the mean ol' streets of NYC. Today is the 1st day of Hani's Bakery, launched by Miro and Shilpa Uskokovic. Both born abroad, they're creating their own versions of American classics. I'll be writing an article-ette in the next Mercantile Mayhem.
November 20, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Delighted to see a new, independent business launch on the mean ol' streets of NYC. Today is the 1st day of Hani's Bakery, launched by Miro and Shilpa Uskokovic. Both born abroad, they're creating their own versions of American classics. I'll be writing an article-ette in the next Mercantile Mayhem.
La Esquina crew playing the mycelium at the Fable mushroom party, a piece by artist Roberta Trentin.
November 16, 2024 at 2:44 PM
La Esquina crew playing the mycelium at the Fable mushroom party, a piece by artist Roberta Trentin.
Sustainable fashion from Estonia: pioneer Reet Aus when she came through NYC. She is focused on how to scale using deadstock fabrics and upcycling so that each peiece isn't a bazillion dollars.
November 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Sustainable fashion from Estonia: pioneer Reet Aus when she came through NYC. She is focused on how to scale using deadstock fabrics and upcycling so that each peiece isn't a bazillion dollars.
One of the most civilized food funding events I've attended: Food Funded. It is a bicoastal organization helping food companies get investment, based on JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) principles.
November 16, 2024 at 2:32 PM
One of the most civilized food funding events I've attended: Food Funded. It is a bicoastal organization helping food companies get investment, based on JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) principles.