Founded by Katherine Lewin, this is Big
Night's second location. Lewin, a former editorial
director, launched her first store in Greenpoint,
Brooklyn, in 2021 in a jewel box of a space of about
400 square feet. The West Village outlet features a
slightly larger selling space (roughly 500 feet) but
with the same fun, festive vibe and curated mix of
housewares and food items.
If you weren't planning to host a party
when you walked in, you might be mapping out
a guest list by the time you've finished browsing
the serving platters, candlestick holders, and hors
d'oeuvres. The West Village Big Night is divided
into sections based on different rooms, like kitchen
and bathroom. Spacious shelves artfully present
flatware; confetti cutting boards; artisan-designed
vases, wine glasses, and bowls; stylish cloth
napkins and dish towels; and even a "dinner party"
candle that gives off the homey scent of arugula,
basil, amber, and wood.
Packaged foods—mostly small bites, snack,
and appetizer options—are interspersed between the
housewares. These include tinned fish delicacies,
pasta and sauces, coffees and teas, cheeses, crackers
and spreads, nori nuts, maple syrup, and olive oil.
Big Night's website offers many items online for
those who can't make it to the store.
Prices for the pantry options are in line with
the prices of other specialty food stores. The home
goods can be pricey, as upscale products from
emerging or hard-to-find brands often are.
"We source our collection of glassware,
flatware, table linens, condiments, tinned fish,
olive oil, and so much more from all over the
country and world," Lewin says on the store's
website. "We have relationships with all of the
incredible people behind the brands we carry and
can't wait for you to meet their goods."
—Esther Crain
Big Night
236 WEST 10TH STREET
MANHATTAN
"Not every night is a dinner party night—but any
night can be a big night" is the mantra of this
colorful, cheerful store, which opened in May on
a pretty stretch of Manhattan's West Village. The
concept is unique but simple: it's a one-stop shop
for both party hosts and party guests filled with
delightful items themed around preparing, serving,
and eating.
PHOTOS: ESTHER CRAIN
16 SPECIALTY FOOD SPECIALTYFOOD.COM
STORE TOUR
