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By Melanie Gomez & Lula Aldunate
Illustrations by Maggie Ares
Elves are magical creatures found in Santa’s workshop. What we like and admire most about them is that they work hard, love what they do, and have an incredible talent for making toys.
But where do they come from?
Developmental Movement class at Caribou Baby. Photo by Eddy Vallante
In the last year, Williamsburg/Greenpoint’s population has continued to spawn. As the babies boom, so do the cool places to take the kids—whether it’s for a mixed-media art class or a scoop of pretzel-flavored ice cream.
YUMMIES
Melanie Gomez (left) and Lula Aldunate, recently opened their shop on North 3rd Street, offering a whimsical enclave of one-of-a-kind toy designs. Photo by Colby Blount (cblountphotography.com)
There are many unique children’s boutiques in the area, but Allegria takes the cake. In fact, their new store window on North 3rd Street is filled with impressive crochet-cakes handmade from wool sweaters; they’re soft, strange, and artfully crafted—a perfect preview of what’s inside.
The shop, which opened in September, is the love-child of Melanie Gomez, a designer who lived in France, and Lula Aldunate, a stylist who has worked for Elle and Barneys, but who found herself doing mostly nurseries and baby showers.
Developmental Movement class at Caribou Baby / photo by Eddy Vallante
Williamsburg and Greenpoint’s populations are getting younger—even the skinny 20-somethings look weathered compared to the growing population of 2- and 3-year-olds. So it’s no surprise that the neighborhood has begun to accommodate the diaper-clad and their families.
If you’re new to the area or new to the life-with-little-ones, or just desperately need some family-friendly activities, support or a used Ergo Carrier, here are some of your best, and newest, local resources.