There is a lot of transition happening in my world right now, but the thing I have to tell you about first, because I don’t want anyone to show up in February and be surprised, is the closing of the March Hare, our tiny toy shop in the East Village.
I visited the shop as a tourist from Atlantic Canada and truly felt like I met a celeb when I saw Mike working 😂. I was too starstruck to say anything but my little rainbow hot air balloon reminds me of my trip.
Mike would always tell me if people visited who were followers and where they were from. He got such a kick out of it. I was always like— I hope you were extra nice to my people!
I was sad when I saw the title but your explanation makes sense. Happy I was able to visit the store (and see Mike working). Plus, the announcement finally made me purchase the rainbow balloon that I’ve been looking at for ages. Have made so many Mommy Shorts connections when I wear the shirt.
Thank you for the purchase! You will be very happy with that balloon! Also, I LOVE the idea that wearing a March Hare shirt helped you connect with fellow Mommy Shorts followers!!!! What a funny wholesome thing to bond over.
We LOVED our visit when we went to NYC. We still love our treasures from your shop and it was super fun to meet Harlow when we stopped by. There is something real and fun about this chapter in your life and it was such a joy to share it with you. Thanks for making our NYC a little more personal and just such a joy. (I also made a friend connection when you re-shared my stories about the shop and we live close and meet up. The March Hare lore will live on!)
Oh that's awesome! I love that I helped make a friendship closer! And hearing you say that the shop made your NYC trip feel a little more personal really helps me make sense of the fact that so many out of towners stopped by. I always felt a tiny bit bad that everyone went out of their way for something so small and hoped they weren't disappointed!
How fitting that I happened to pick out my March Hare sweatshirt to wear today. 🥹
Your journey with the store was so fun to watch from afar, and I know Mazzy and Harlow are going to treasure the memories you all created, as you did something special for your neighborhood and community. I always hoped I would get a chance to stop in and say hi to Zoltar, but alas, my trip to NYC will not be until May. 🥲
Thank you for bringing us along on this adventure, Ilana!
I am wearing my sweatshirt today too! The kids were pretty bummed when we told them, but they understood. Harlow said, "I'm not cool anymore!" I guess it was pretty cool to say your family owned a toy shop.
This really seems like the best way to end this adventure with The March Hare. You accomplished what you set out to do and it’s heartwarming to know that another small business is moving in. Thank you for sharing this piece of your life with us. I always loved your March Hare posts!
Agreed! I was sad it ended way quicker than I was expecting, but now it feels like maybe it was better to rip the band aid off at once instead of a slow bleed where it starts to feel like more of a burden. It would be really depressing being in the shop for months debating when to tell people it was over and wondering if customers were noticing the dwindling inventory. Feels like we had a good final episode and went out on a high, instead of trying to cobble together a final season.
I always loved your transparency with the shop - you never made it out to be more than it was....a small, unassuming, financially conscience, family(s) owned toy shop supported by a community of people looking to help and feel a part of something meaningful. Congrats on the successful endeavor and good luck on the next one - I will be following:)
Thank you! That is a very nice compliment. I think I was very comfortable with that, but when we had to really think about what we could do to start to making this endeavor financially viable, that's when it made my stomach turn a bit.
Beautifully written, I’m happy that you took this on with every thing else in your life. I will definitly miss this cornrer of your life. Thank you for sharing, I had always wanted to visit but never got a chance to.
I’m glad I had a chance to visit the store AND I will wear my hoodie (and sweatshirt and t-shirts 🙊) with pride. They are collector’s items. I am sure it was an adventure and fully understand you « grew out » of it. You seem at ease with the decision and that is quite a luxury these days.
Thank you for sharing that beautifully written story. I admit, my mouth was agape when I saw the title of the article. I felt attached to the store, but as I read on, I understand how you came to your decision. What a wonderful period of time The March Hare storefront has been and now you can say you've been a shop owner! I wore my sweatshirt the other day, which I love, and my daughter has claimed the hoodie I received a few weeks ago. Congratulations on the new apartment and the next 20 in Tribeca!
I'm so glad I could venture over to the East Village and visit your shop in December! (And I'm quite honored that used my photo as the image on this post!) I fell in love with all the shops on the block and can easily see why you enjoyed calling it home for so long. I look forward to supporting you, the store, and your family in whatever way I can.
Ahhhh! I found it in my camera roll and couldn't remember who sent it! I always took photos of the shop from closer up, but for some reason this one from a bit of a distance seemed more appropriate. Thank you for taking it!
I visited the shop as a tourist from Atlantic Canada and truly felt like I met a celeb when I saw Mike working 😂. I was too starstruck to say anything but my little rainbow hot air balloon reminds me of my trip.
Mike would always tell me if people visited who were followers and where they were from. He got such a kick out of it. I was always like— I hope you were extra nice to my people!
Me too! From Ohio though :) We made a whole night of visiting the East Village and I loved it!
Beautiful article. This was a fun “life detour” to watch from my phone the past few years. ❤️
I was sad when I saw the title but your explanation makes sense. Happy I was able to visit the store (and see Mike working). Plus, the announcement finally made me purchase the rainbow balloon that I’ve been looking at for ages. Have made so many Mommy Shorts connections when I wear the shirt.
Thank you for the purchase! You will be very happy with that balloon! Also, I LOVE the idea that wearing a March Hare shirt helped you connect with fellow Mommy Shorts followers!!!! What a funny wholesome thing to bond over.
We LOVED our visit when we went to NYC. We still love our treasures from your shop and it was super fun to meet Harlow when we stopped by. There is something real and fun about this chapter in your life and it was such a joy to share it with you. Thanks for making our NYC a little more personal and just such a joy. (I also made a friend connection when you re-shared my stories about the shop and we live close and meet up. The March Hare lore will live on!)
Oh that's awesome! I love that I helped make a friendship closer! And hearing you say that the shop made your NYC trip feel a little more personal really helps me make sense of the fact that so many out of towners stopped by. I always felt a tiny bit bad that everyone went out of their way for something so small and hoped they weren't disappointed!
How fitting that I happened to pick out my March Hare sweatshirt to wear today. 🥹
Your journey with the store was so fun to watch from afar, and I know Mazzy and Harlow are going to treasure the memories you all created, as you did something special for your neighborhood and community. I always hoped I would get a chance to stop in and say hi to Zoltar, but alas, my trip to NYC will not be until May. 🥲
Thank you for bringing us along on this adventure, Ilana!
I am wearing my sweatshirt today too! The kids were pretty bummed when we told them, but they understood. Harlow said, "I'm not cool anymore!" I guess it was pretty cool to say your family owned a toy shop.
This really seems like the best way to end this adventure with The March Hare. You accomplished what you set out to do and it’s heartwarming to know that another small business is moving in. Thank you for sharing this piece of your life with us. I always loved your March Hare posts!
Agreed! I was sad it ended way quicker than I was expecting, but now it feels like maybe it was better to rip the band aid off at once instead of a slow bleed where it starts to feel like more of a burden. It would be really depressing being in the shop for months debating when to tell people it was over and wondering if customers were noticing the dwindling inventory. Feels like we had a good final episode and went out on a high, instead of trying to cobble together a final season.
Loved this story! I too am from Donegal, so I found the origin of the name so heart-warming 🥰
His piece of home away from home
I always loved your transparency with the shop - you never made it out to be more than it was....a small, unassuming, financially conscience, family(s) owned toy shop supported by a community of people looking to help and feel a part of something meaningful. Congrats on the successful endeavor and good luck on the next one - I will be following:)
Thank you! That is a very nice compliment. I think I was very comfortable with that, but when we had to really think about what we could do to start to making this endeavor financially viable, that's when it made my stomach turn a bit.
Beautifully written, I’m happy that you took this on with every thing else in your life. I will definitly miss this cornrer of your life. Thank you for sharing, I had always wanted to visit but never got a chance to.
I’m glad I had a chance to visit the store AND I will wear my hoodie (and sweatshirt and t-shirts 🙊) with pride. They are collector’s items. I am sure it was an adventure and fully understand you « grew out » of it. You seem at ease with the decision and that is quite a luxury these days.
That was so beautiful, and I am so happy you have been able to take these leaps and get so much love. Cheers to the next adventure.
Aw love this article. So glad I made it there a few months ago!
Thank you for sharing that beautifully written story. I admit, my mouth was agape when I saw the title of the article. I felt attached to the store, but as I read on, I understand how you came to your decision. What a wonderful period of time The March Hare storefront has been and now you can say you've been a shop owner! I wore my sweatshirt the other day, which I love, and my daughter has claimed the hoodie I received a few weeks ago. Congratulations on the new apartment and the next 20 in Tribeca!
I'm so glad I could venture over to the East Village and visit your shop in December! (And I'm quite honored that used my photo as the image on this post!) I fell in love with all the shops on the block and can easily see why you enjoyed calling it home for so long. I look forward to supporting you, the store, and your family in whatever way I can.
Ahhhh! I found it in my camera roll and couldn't remember who sent it! I always took photos of the shop from closer up, but for some reason this one from a bit of a distance seemed more appropriate. Thank you for taking it!
Bittersweet but it sounds like a fitting transition for a great store. We have loved the holiday boxes at Christmas and for Valentines day.
Sad I won’t be able to visit it in person if I ever make it back to NYC!
I'm so glad you liked them! They were so fun to put together!
I just got my March Hare sweatshirt last month! Oh well, it still looks cute.
I am wearing mine today and so is Harlow! They are still great sweatshirts in my opinion and come with a good story.
My cream sweatshirt is one of my favorites and I love when people ask me about it.