Courtesy of Yellow Monkey Collective
A combination health-and-wellness center, juice bar, and retail venue, the Yellow Monkey Collective is all you need for a curatorial one-stop shop in Northern Westchester.
Whether you’re looking for a space to shop vintage finds, a store that leans into sustainable merchandise, or a place to work in a gallery-like setting, you’ll find that and more in the charming Cross River building that houses what’s been dubbed the Yellow Monkey Collective. It’s the coming together of a group of women business owners who have forged a bond and brought new life to the area.
The businesses coalesced in the spring of 2022. Tia Cibani, who owns the building, had the TiA CiBAni showroom for her designer children’s-clothing line in the building for a number of years. While the showroom closed, she still fulfills orders from there. Her former tenant left, and, Cibani says, “I really wanted a like-minded tenant to co-exist with me.” What she got was four other like-minded tenants, all of whom bring “much needed energy” to the space.
“It’s really special being here with all other women-owned businesses; we support and encourage one another and bring like-minded ideas together.”
—Nicole Mata
The four businesses joining Cibani in the space in the Yellow Monkey Village are: This and That Vintage Frills, The Sustainable Haven, the Yellow Studio, and niconeco zakkaya. Nicole Mata, who owns This and That, says, “It’s really special being here with all other women-owned businesses; we support and encourage one another and bring like-minded ideas together.” This and That has a treasure trove of vintage clothing and accessories, while the Sustainable Haven’s niche is bringing local, small, and environmentally responsible merchandise to customers. Yellow Studio combines elements of a coworking space and a gallery, and recently became the second location of Picture Books, a small, independent bookstore. Niconeco zakkaya, which sells “inspirational” Japanese stationery and gifts, uses its space to fulfill online orders (there’s also a store in NYC).
“This was a sleepy little corner, and we’re working to resurrect the area,” says Cibani. The women of the Yellow Monkey Collective have already worked in conjunction with O2 Living Sanctuary, also in the complex, to have an outdoor event. “We’re looking to incorporate and engage the community as we bring the warm and welcoming energy to the area,” Mata says.
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