Help Ensure Beads of Paradise NYC Makes It To 40 (& Beyond!)
Beads of Paradise Needs Your Help!
Hello to all of our wonderful customers and friends! We know times are difficult for everyone right now in this uncertain world, and we cherish providing the vibrant, happy space you can come to when you need a little pick-me-up.Unfortunately, things are also pretty dire for small businesses, and we could use your help to ensure our ability to keep our doors open. For 39 years we’ve been honored to be a unique part of the NYC community, and we have every hope of continuing to be that little wonderland in your life for a long, long time.However, since the beginning of 2025, our business has been affected by the double whammy of a significant drop in income paired with rising costs. Despite our best efforts, we have found ourselves falling deeper and deeper into debt. This substantial decrease in day to day sales at our Union Square location is calling into question whether keeping our brick and mortar store open is sustainable.
Retablos (also known as láminas) are small oil paintings inspired by traditional Catholic church art depicting Christ, the Virgin Mother, and revered Saints brought to life on tin, wood and occasionally copper. The practice of creating retablos began in Spain hundreds of years ago, and then traveled to the Americas and into Mexico where it was adopted and evolved into an important form of folk art. Retablo were often displayed in homes of devout believers to honor their Patron Saints and were invoked to aid and remedy any number of situations.