Pop-Up Gift Store Opens for Holiday Shopping in Morningside Heights

Skipper's, a gift store featuring unique and fun finds with a special inventory of local New York City goods, has opened a pop-up location for the holiday season in Morningside Heights. 

The Skipper’s pop-up at 2876 Broadway (between West 111th and 112th Streets) features diverse offerings including barwares, books, candles, toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, and more. Skipper’s local New York City goods include products such as Harissa Hot Honey from Washington Heights and Boss Dotty Paper greeting cards from Williamsburg – as well as the store’s own line of trademarked Home Sweet Harlem merchandise, including tees, crop tops, ceramic mugs, snapback hats, and more.

“The mission of Skipper's is to provide the West Harlem community with a place to get special items and unique finds, but also a decent candle or LEGO® set without going down to Barnes and Noble or Columbus Circle,” said Claire Manship, Skipper’s proprietor and longtime West Harlem resident. “Our median price is $12, and I work really hard to wholesale source gifts that speak to New Yorkers that want to treat themselves, without budget guilt.” 

Initially, the brick and mortar store will operate as a holiday pop up running through January 4 – complemented by a companion online retail platform – with the possibility for extending the physical location in this or another nearby location based on interest collected during the pop up’s run.

“I've always loved living uptown, and wanted to build something for our community that brings positivity, features local vendors and artisans, and gives something back to the city that I love so much,” continued Manship.

Skipper’s is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Mondays). For more information, visit Skipper’s website, Instagram and TikTok.

Skipper’s pop-up location is in keeping with Columbia’s long-standing retail approach, which favors businesses that bring a variety of amenities and experiences to the diverse Columbia and local communities. Skipper’s joins several other local businesses that have recently opened or signed leases in Columbia buildings in Morningside Heights and Manhattanville, including Oasis Jimma Juice Bar, South of the Clouds, The U Bar and Grill, Upside Pizza, Haji’s Deli, HIIT The Deck, and Method Collective.