A Memorable Year for Port Washington's Philanthropic Gift Shop

Port Washington’s philanthropic gift shop, wit & whim, had a “whirlwind of a year” after receiving several awards and recognitions, said store owner Laurie Scheinman.

The shop, which donates 100 percent of its proceeds to charity, was named one of the Top 50 Small Businesses in New York by 1010Wins.

This Port Washington store, located at 6 Carlton Ave., apparently had more nominations than almost any other small business, Scheinman said.

wit & whim was the recipient of a few other recognitions this year:

• “Best and Brightest Shops in America” by Home Accents Today Magazine
• “Community Events Finalist” in Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine’s annual awards

Scheinman described wit & whim as a “curiosity shop in the truest sense of the word.”

The store sells vintage, contemporary, Americana and global goods and all go towards a different charity every month.

Scheinman was able to take time out of her day to answer a few questions about what this unique shop in Port Washington has to offer:

• Patch: When did you find out that wit & whim was named one of the top 50 businesses in New York by 1010WINS?
• Scheinman: I found out towards the end of the summer that wit & whim was selected. They contacted me to do a radio spot which you can hear here,
• Patch: What is the best way to describe wit & whim? Can you talk about the philanthropy?
• Scheinman: wit & whim is a treasure house filled with curiosities for people of all ages. It’s eclectic style mixes vintage, contemporary, Americana and global goods. One added twist…wit & whim is committed to donating 100 percent of its profits to organizations that benefit individuals, communities and our world. It’s an original way to gift and give back! You can also check out our philanthropy page here.
• Patch: What makes it different from other stores?
• Scheinman: People love wit & whim because everything in the shop has a story. Customers drop by to hear about my latest treasure-seeking adventures. Whether it be fair trade necklaces made from melted bullet cases that support women from Ethiopia, shaving kits crafted by a firefighter made of recycled fire hoses, or a one-of-a-kind 1920s NYC courtroom table, our customers know they’ll find something they’ve never seen before. In addition, the entire shop reflects the spirit of an old-fashioned general store. Whimsical hang tags made from vintage playing cards and burlap gift sacks set the tone.
• Patch: What are some of your most popular items?
• Scheinman: We have become a destination location for our vintage goods. Rare glassware, hand painted porcelain curiosities and mid-century cufflinks are among our best sellers. We have a strong Fair Trade following as well. People like to know the provenance of our collections. It adds a fun perspective to the purchase.
• Patch: When did wit & whim open in Port Washington?
• Scheinman: wit & whim celebrated its third anniversary this past September. We opened in 2012.
• Patch: What inspired you to open a philanthropic gift shop?
• Scheinman: My husband Marty and I have always been involved in philanthropic causes. When the last of our five children graduated High School, we realized how lucky we were and decided it was time to do more and to celebrate the spirit of our community. More than just a shop, wit & whim is a fun community hub where children and adults gather for spirited cooking contests, window design craft projects and themed shopping nights. In addition, we proudly support and showcase the work of up and coming artists in our gallery.

Images via Laurie Scheinman