{"id":50419,"date":"2025-11-24T15:53:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/50419\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T15:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:53:36","slug":"park-slope-gift-shop-rider-showcases-local-artisan-wares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/50419\/","title":{"rendered":"Park Slope Gift Shop Rider Showcases Local Artisan Wares"},"content":{"rendered":"

The three-year-old shop with two Park Slope locations carries home goods, art objects, children\u2019s items, and design-forward pieces.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"store\"store <\/p>\n

Rider, an independent gift shop in Park Slope with two locations, offers unique, thoughtful gifts, cards, and more. Photo by Chris Coe via Rider<\/p>\n

by Olivia Seaman, Brooklyn Paper<\/p>\n

In the heart of Park Slope, where small businesses help define the rhythm of everyday life, Rider has become a beloved local gem. Founded by Brooklyn resident Alma Lacour, the independent gift shop is not just a storefront, but a community space intentionally built to foster creativity and connection.<\/p>\n

Lacour\u2019s path to opening Rider<\/a> is deeply intertwined with her personal story and love for Brooklyn. She first moved to Park Slope eight years ago, settling into the neighborhood groove just before her son was born. The early pandemic months only deepened her relationship with the people around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the pandemic, I really developed a sense of community with the other neighbors in very close proximity to my own apartment and just felt like I was really dialed in and connected to the people in Park Slope,\u201d she told Brooklyn Paper.<\/p>\n

\"colalgeLacour left her job in advertising to raise her son and build Rider, which opened its first location in 2022. Photo by Chris Coe via Rider<\/p>\n

After years of working in advertising and experiential production, Lacour began to reassess her career. When a drycleaner just a half block from her home went out of business, she saw an opportunity she felt compelled to explore.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like I would be kicking myself if I didn\u2019t inquire,\u201d she continued. She found the landlord of the place was extremely community minded and helped her as a young mother.<\/p>\n

The landlord embraced the idea of a neighborhood mom opening a gift shop. That support helped Lacour take the leap. Even the store\u2019s name reflects her approach to life and business. \u201cRider, the name itself, is based on riding the wave of life,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

Inside the store at 1016 8th Avenue, Rider feels warm, whimsical, and deeply intentional. Lacour has curated a collection of home goods, art objects, children\u2019s items and design-forward pieces that appeal across ages and interests.<\/p>\n

\"shelvesLacour wants to expand her business with community partnerships, workshops, and more. Photo by Chris Coe via Rider<\/p>\n

\u201cI really believe in the power of gifting in general,\u201d Lacour said. \u201cI try to think about objects that not only would create great gifts, but are also a great story that can be told.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shop\u2019s curation prioritizes independent makers, especially those who are Brooklyn based, woman owned, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or committed to sustainable manufacturing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really try to seek out makers that I personally and philosophically want to promote and support,\u201d Lacour explained. \u201cThey\u2019ve already been vetted for the great creativity, but I also have to be able to support independent artists I believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The result is a store that feels personal, joyful, and highly discoverable \u2014 where customers often by one gift for a loved one and one for themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite often, I\u2019ll have customers that come in and they\u2019ll buy two things, one for themselves and one for someone else,\u201d she added with a laugh.<\/p>\n

That mix of intention and delight has resonated widely. Since Lacour opened Rider\u2019s second location at 347 5th Avenue and expanded into e-commerce<\/a>, customer support has only grown.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible, honestly, I\u2019ve been really shocked at how embraced we\u2019ve been,\u201d Lacour said.<\/p>\n

Rider now has countless regulars, many of whom live just blocks from the shops. Local kids know Lacour by name. Families treat the store as a safe, welcoming stop on daily walks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe accept dogs, strollers, and kids of all ages,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re a safe space for a lot of different people in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Personally, Lacour\u2019s journey in the small business sector has been shaped by motherhood, grief, and a desire for fulfillment after her mother\u2019s passing in 2020.<\/p>\n

\"storeRIDER\u2019s interior. Photo by Chris Coe via Rider<\/p>\n

\u201cMy old system wasn\u2019t working for me anymore,\u201d she reflected. \u201cI wanted to create something for my family where I could call the shots.\u201d Rider has allowed her to spend more time with her now seven-year-old son and connect with the community.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Lacour envisions deeper programming, more workshops, community partnerships, and even developing in-house products with local artists. The store is a platform for artists and has also acted as a donation drop-off point.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the opportunity to build on what we\u2019ve done here as a brand,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are a lot of people in need right now in our community. I just want as many people as possible to know that this is the way we operate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: A version of this story originally ran in Brooklyn Paper. Click here<\/a> to see the original story.<\/p>\n

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