Our Atlanta grocery tote was just featured in EnRoute magazine as a ‘map-inspired’ item to bring with you on your next trip! Check out the other map-inspired products that they recommend!

This store spotlight feature takes us to Bonton, an almost dream-like escape of a children’s store in Paris, France! Curated to perfection, Bonton has an amazing selection of clothes and accessories (including Maptotes!), with a design aesthetic that transports you to another world entirely. This concept store also features a cooking class for kids as well as a hair cutting studio – it makes buying new shoes an all day event!

Q: Please describe your store aesthetic:
A: Inspired by the big concept store from America, where stores are more a way of life than a selling place.

Q: Can you tell us any fun or interesting store facts?:
A: We have a hair cut inside the store, to have a complete way of life for kids. And also kitchen class for children.

Q: Tell us about Paris and why you love it:
A: Because neighborhood mix perfectly shopping, cafe, circus, playground, grocery store. It’s a place to live for families…

Q: When not in your store, where is the next most likely place you’d be?:
A: MERCI 111 bd Beaumarchais 75003 Paris.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Paris?:
A: GRAZIE 91 bd Beaumarchais 75003 Paris and MARCEL 1 villa Leandre 75018 Paris.

Q: If there is 1 thing someone ‘must do’ when visiting your area, what would you recommend?:
A: Le cirque d’hiver. It’s a circus just like you can imagine it! Wonderful…

Q: What was your inspiration to open Bonton?:
A: We just had a kid, we worked with Thomas’ parents at Bonpoint, so it was the new generation of parents and the beginning of the concept stores so we decided to open the first concept store for kids.

Q: How did you come up with the name Bonton?:
A: We wanted to have a little connection with Bonpoint (Thomas’ parents stores) and that has to do with colors…

‘Bonton’ means ‘the good color’ in French.

Q: What is next for Bonton?:
A: Opening in other countries…

Q: Are there any blogs or magazines that you follow and draw inspiration from?:
A: Pepito Mi Corazon, Le Dans La, and Cinq Mai.

Q: Where do you find your products?:
A: All around the world…

If you don’t plan on visiting Paris anytime soon, be sure to check out Bonton’s website, their fascinating blog, follow them on Pinterest, or friend them on Facebook!

We have expanded our popular denim line to include San Francisco, so be sure to pick one up for yourself or a friend to represent your west coast pride!

Maptote was featured in three separate issues of WellWed magazine for spring/summer!! Our totes were featured as both wedding party gifts and as a great way to tote around all of your beach supplies this summer!

Father’s Day is fast approaching! We’ve gathered a quick pick of some great ideas for your pop’s big day.

1) Stamps – Pick up vintage as well as the latest stamps from around the world at Champion Stamp in Manhattan. 2) Lobster Roll – I love me some lobster rolls and there is no better place in Manhattan to pick up a good roll than Luke’s Lobster. 3) Big Fish – Spend some QT with dad fishing 4) Timex Watch for JCrew – Classic watch for a classic dad. 5) James Bond Coffee Table Book – An essential book for any cool dad’s collection. 6) Dopp Kit - You definitely don’t want dad to forget his medication or toothbrush the next time he’s in town! Our dopp kit will help keep your old man from forgetting his bathroom essentials.

Happy Father’s Day!

As if working at Maptote wasn’t awesome enough, we have the pleasure of working in the Old American Can Factory along with over 200 other people working in a myriad of fields from publishing to making organic cosmetic products, and exhibition design to film production (the list goes on!). The Old American Can Factory was built between 1865 and 1901 – having been given up as a Can Factory the building has become a landmark along the canal in Gowanus Brooklyn as well as studio space for many burgeoning small companies and artists throughout the city.

The building is absolutely stunning and as it consists of 6 different inter-connected buildings (connected via courtyards, covered walkways, mysterious passageways, etc), it offers endless exploring (and endless opportunities to get lost….very lost). The building provides a lot of its original personality from its days as a can factory with its heavy metal doors, vintage letter press, and intricate brick work. The rooftop right outside our office also serves as a venue for various events such as summertime screenings of underground films.

The OA Can Factory really is an amazing place to work, not only because the building is spectacular, but because it is a community of equally (if not more) spectacular people who are brimming with creativity and fresh perspective. If you are ever in the neighborhood be sure to stop by and explore for yourself!

Green in BKLYN was opened appropriately on Earth Day in 2009, and ever since then Elissa Olin (owner) has managed to create a sustainable haven filled with all of the necessities to live a green life that is not only easy on the conscious but also easy on the environment.  Visit Green in BKLYN to stock up on all of your favorite eco-friendly products…AND be sure to stop in to get some great tips on how to live a greener life!

Q: Please describe your store aesthetic:
A: Simple, warm, inviting. Everything’s recycled, reused & eco-friendly. It’s what we do, what we sell & how we live.

Q: Are there any interesting facts about your store?
A: The teal metal cabinet in our stationary section originally housed medicine when the store was a doctor’s office.  It’s had two lives in this space & it’s sturdy enough to stay on for a good time longer.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your neighborhood and why you love it:
A: We’re officially in Clinton Hill but our Clinton Fort Walla-Stuy neighborhood is much more inclusive than that… We are a true neighborhood with a very strong community, great diversity & lots of wonderful creativity. It’s awesome!

Q: If there is one thing someone ‘must do’ when they visit your are, what would you recommend?
A: Come into Green in BKLYN & say hello to Lola, the shop dog. She loves visitors.

Q: What was your inspiration to open Green in BKLYN?
A: My family & I wanted to live a greener life but had difficulty finding eco-friendly products, especially in our neighborhood. I felt that if it was convenient & easy more people would choose to go green.  It was important to make that possible & to do so in my neighborhood.

Q: How did you come with your store name?
A: It’s who & what we are… Green in BKLYN.

Q: What’s next for Green in BKLYN…any upcoming sales or events?
A: We just finished an amazing Earth Day focused on local foods – tasting, sourcing & growing them. Next we’re going to expand our products with linen sheets, more local products & fair trade truffles!

Q: Where do you find all of your products?
A: My customers are great sources for information, products & ideas. But I’m always looking for new things. What’s great is that new eco-friendly products are always hitting the market & awesome local crafts & treasures are all around us. The products & the customers are my favorite parts of what I do!

Check out Green in BKLYN’s website, their Facebook page, their blog, and follow them on Twitter!