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Community Bookstore
What is Hygge? It is often considered synonymous with “coziness,” but it’s really more than that. The Danish word has become increasingly popular in recent years, but since there is no direct translation into English, it can often be misunderstood. In my recent post on Brooklyn Hygge, I defined it as the feeling of peace and contentment that comes from taking pleasure in the little things. Hygge is also found in our connections with other people. And while there are certain common experiences that are often considered hyggelig, I think it is important to note that people find hygge in different places, just as we find happiness in different ways.
Of course, for me, Denmark is one of the best places to find authentically hyggelig spaces. Not only because it’s the origin and very definition of hygge – with it’s small size and cozy vibes – but also because my mother and the rest of my lovely Danish family lives there. So I would ideally go to Denmark to be surrounded by family and hygge anytime I feel like it, but of course that isn’t possible. Fortunately, between trips to Denmark, I’ve found many opportunities for hygge right here in Brooklyn. And I always love seeing how my native Brooklyn – with it’s many unique neighborhoods and diverse character – interprets and reinvents hygge in new ways. These are just a few of my favorite places to find hygge in our Brooklyn community.
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Hygge in Bookstores
You may not find hygge in reading, in which case this option might not work for you. But if you also find shelves filled with books to be a comforting and joyful presence, then you can find hygge in almost any bookstore. And I think that Community Bookstore exudes hygge in a way that many independent bookstores strive for but few actually achieve. Not just because of the excellent selection of books (which yes, do give me that warm and fuzzy hyggelig feeling) or even the quintessential neighborhood bookstore vibe (like something out of a movie), but it’s the little details that go above and beyond the typical bookstore that really take me to that hygge state of mind…the cat who wanders the bookstore, sometimes sprawling across one of the narrow aisles and forcing you to take a detour, the children’s section in the back with the old wooden piano and cozy chairs and stained glass window, and the magical little backyard with a tiny pond and the turtle that resides there in the summer.
Community Bookstore
Other great local bookstores include Books are Magic, Greenlight Bookstore, Word, Unnameable Books, powerHouse Books, Molasses Books, McNally Jackson. I love exploring the many bookstores in the city; they each have their own unique character and approach to book selling. And independent bookstores appear to be thriving while the rest of retail is dying at least partly thanks to the busy calendar of events many of them host these days. They are bringing together the expansive Brooklyn community of readers and writers for readings and book clubs and other literary events (and getting them away from the internet and encouraging human connection), which is itself a way of creating and nurturing hygge.
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Hygge in Knitting and Crafting Stores
I find hygge in many creative activities, but the simple pleasure of knitting and crafting is particularly hyggelig. While this can often happen at home (alone or with others), I also find hygge in the knitting and crafting stores in our Brooklyn community. For me, walking into local yarn store String Thing Studio is like walking into a warm hug. Not only because of it’s petite size and the coziness of the colorful yarn lining it’s walls (and the potential for hyggelig moments of knitting contained within the yarn), but also because of the welcoming employees and clubhouse atmosphere. The friendly owner, Felicia, recently talked to me about her community-oriented vision for the store, saying “We are as much a community center/meet up space as we are a yarn shop!” They host a popular open “String Night” every Friday evening as well as Guys Knitting Nights and classes and other community events. What could be more hyggelig than a community coming together to enjoy each other’s company and knit together in a cozy store?
String Thing Studio
You can also check out Argyle Yarn Shop, Brooklyn General Store, Woolyn, Brooklyn Craft Company, and Make Workshop. Wherever you go, you may want to consider taking a class or attending their events to connect with a larger community of crafters and knitters.
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Hygge in Cafes and Bars
You probably get the idea – hygge can be found almost anywhere. But if you need a little help getting into that state of mind, and your home (or nature) isn’t working for you, there are plenty of hyggelig cafes, restaurants, and bars in Brooklyn where you can reconnect with an old friend or find a quiet moment to read a book or just reflect. One of my favorite local cafes is Cafe Martin, where you can find a charming old-fashioned aesthetic and that cozy “Cheers” atmosphere where everyone knows your name. Another perk is the fact that they do not provide WiFi, which forces customers to read books or one of the cafe’s magazines or newspapers or even (gasp!) talk to each other while they sip their cappuccinos. I have overheard many fascinating conversations take place in the intimate space. (It’s certainly not a good option for a private conversation.) Of course it hasn’t been quite the same since Martin himself retired, and I still miss seeing that gruff Irishman behind the counter, but his legacy continues to live on in the hyggelig business with its quirky regulars.
Other favorite hyggelig Brooklyn establishments include Cafe Regular, Urban Vintage, Primrose Cafe, Henry’s Local, The Black Flamingo, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, BKG Coffee Roasters, Bakeri, Troost, House of Small Wonder. If you’re looking for a stronger drink with your hygge, here are also many great hyggelig bars to be found including Brooklyn Inn, The Sackett, Henry Public, Black Mountain Wine House, Achilles Heel, and so many more.
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Hygge in Community
We’re really lucky to have so many great local businesses that embrace hygge while also celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of the Brooklyn community. And of course so many of those local businesses also become community spaces where we can connect and find hygge with others. As a stay-at-home mom who works from home, I don’t know what I would do without these community-oriented businesses that allow me to get out of the home and make small connections with other human beings. Hygge is all about the little things, whether it’s chatting with your local cafe’s barista or a quiet moment at the local bookstore, and these hyggelig moments in my community have become essential to my life as a parent and human being.
If you have a favorite local business that you feel is particularly hyggelig, please drop me a line with your suggestions. I’m always looking for new places to check out and I love spreading the word about interesting local businesses and community-oriented spaces in Brooklyn.
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Margel Nusbaumer is a local writer and mom in Brooklyn. Thoughts? Reach out to margel@achildgrows.com.
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