Photo by Hugh Gladstone
Amid social distancing regulations and temporary business shutdowns, Westchesterites’ summer social calendars may not be robust. As the weather heats up and friends and family reconnect, albeit from a distance, personal concierge company, Personal Attention, offers safe, luxurious picnics for those itching to get outside.
NYC-based Personal Attention’s services help run households and companies, offering travel and event planning, providing transportation, personalized shopping, and social activities, while matching clients with childcare services and household staff (chef, housekeeper, driver, etc.), but with social distancing restrictions in place, the company’s concierge service for personalized picnics is a unique draw.
The company offers picnic planning to the tristate area, including Westchester — setting up themed décor (picnic blanket, seating), a bouquet of fresh cut flowers, and after discussing a particular menu, a bespoke menu, which might include cheese and fruits, mini sandwiches, salads, wraps, small desserts (cupcakes and cookies), sparkling water, juice, and Prosecco (when the picnic takes place outside).
Mount Vernon resident and Personal Attention cofounder Laéthycia Simms says the inspiration for the business came from her and other cofounder Corinne Jox’s Parisian roots.
“Because we’re French we wanted to bring the picnic vibe to New Yorkers, but we wanted to add elements of luxury and an upscale touch,” she says. “Most of the time people think that when you [have a] picnic you have to choose between a nice setting and good food — maybe you have plastic cups and plastic plates, and we wanted to show that it is possible to do a nice set up that you could find in a restaurant, but in an outdoor setting.”
Simms says it was important to her to bring this service to Westchester. While picnics in New York City can be offered in public parks, Personal Attention can bring their services right to your backyard in Westchester, for clients who might want a more private experience. They can also be offered at the beach, rooftops, or any other space. (There is no added fee for Westchester events.) With backyard picnics, the concierge company can even provide alcohol for their client’s event.
“Most adults would love to have wine, because in your head when you have a picnic you have cheese and fruit and wine,” she says.
The luxurious service can provide an escape during these stressful times, after being inside for so long, as, according to Personal Attention, says outdoor picnics have been proven to reduce anxiety and decrease illness, continuing that “research verifies spending time in a natural setting is good for mental health… With social distancing measures in effect and gatherings at a minimum, picnics are the best and safest way to get together during these times.”
Pricing starts at $300 for a picnic for two people for two hours.
