Astoria’s Independent Retailers Celebrate the 8th Annual Spring Retail Crawl

Astoria’s beloved small business community is coming together once again for the 8th Annual Spring Retail Crawl, taking place Friday, April 25 through Sunday, May 4. Organized by Shop Small Astoria—a coalition of 26 locally owned businesses—the event celebrates the power of shopping local and keeping dollars in the neighborhood.

In 2025, many small businesses are facing a decline in consumer spending, with some reporting decreases of 40%. This trend is driven by factors like inflation, increased tariffs, and consumer uncertainty. The Spring Retail Crawl is more important than ever. It’s a fun, feel-good way to support the heart of Astoria’s economy: its independent retailers.

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What’s New This Year

Thanks to feedback from the amazing community, they have added a few exciting updates to make this year’s crawl bigger, better, and more rewarding:

• Extended Shopping Window – You now have 10 days (instead of 7!) to complete your passport, giving you more flexibility to explore the neighborhood and discover new favorites at your own pace.
• Tiered Prizes – The more shops you visit, the more chances you have to win (all featuring our new exclusive Astoria design:
  • 5 stores = Coupon packed filled with savings from businesses all over Astoria
  • 8 stores = Canvas tote 
  • 10 stores = Candle made by Astoria candle maker 2nd Chance Candles
  • 12 stores = Exclusive one size fits all hat

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How It Works

• Dates: Friday, April 25 – Sunday, May 4
• How to Participate: Pick up a Retail Crawl passport at any participating business. Shop at 5, 8, 10, or 12+ stores during the event dates and get a stamp with each purchase.
• Where to Submit: Turn in completed passports to The Brass Owl by Friday, May 9 to claim your prize(s)!

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The Heart Behind the Crawl

Founded in 2015 by Nicole Panettieri, owner of The Brass Owl and The Tiny Owl, Shop Small Astoria began with just 11 stores. Today, it’s grown to 32—a reflection of the neighborhood’s strong community spirit and love for local businesses.

“When we started, there were just 11 stores participating,” says Panettieri, who also teaches Small Business at FIT. “Today, we’ve grown to 32—a testament to the strength of our community. This crawl is a celebration of that love and a vital way to support the local economy.”

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Why It Matters

For every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., roughly 67 cents stays in the local community. The Retail Crawl is more than a shopping trip—it’s a chance to invest in the businesses that make Astoria unique.

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Participating Stores Include:

(See full list below or visit  Instagram or Website page for updates.)

1. Anoria Boutique
2. The Astoria Bookshop
3. The Brass Owl
4. Broadway Silk
5. Chateau Le Woof
6. Disco Paws
7. Fern Botanica
8. Gamestoria NYC
9. Gift Box
10. Hara NYC
11. Hellenic Aesthetic
12. Honey House
13. Incasa Decor
14. Lockwood Gift
15. Lockwood Paper
16. Lockwood Style
17. LoveDay 31
18. Museum of Nostalgia
19. NY City Succulents
20. Pancakes Records
21. Pimbeche Vintage
22. Regal Beagle
23. Side B
24. Silver Age Comics
25. The Tiny Owl
26. Whiskers Pet Supply