A trio of new or expanding downtown New Haven businesses focus on either fashion or food.
Neville Wisdom Design Studio, known for its fashion creations, has a new location within The Shops at Yale. The studio recently moved to 27 Broadway in a space which allows the business to have a retail storefront and its clothing manufacturing operations all on one floor.
“My new location on Broadway is ideal for my business and will be more efficient for me to operate,” owner Neville Wisdom said, in an announcement.
At the new location, customers can watch as workers cut and stitch clothing. The business also has premade fashions for men and women available for sale.
Wisdom, a New Haven resident who is originally from Jamaica, came to Connecticut 20 years ago and initially worked as a surgical technician at Yale New Haven Hospital.
However, making clothing and becoming a top fashion designer had always been his dream, so he opened his first storefront in Westville in 2007.
Today, his business has grown to include not only design but tailoring, alteration, classes, and a design incubator, where anyone interested in a fashion career can work with him for mentorship and advice. Because of the pandemic, Wisdom has expanded his offerings to include designer face masks.
Two other businesses have opened in recent months within Yale University Properties.
TNB Restaurant Group, an existing Yale tenant and owners of Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké on both Chapel and Audubon streets, in August opened SaladCraft Co., at 46 Whitney Ave. At this eatery, customers can build their own custom salads.
A new French market, L’épicerie Choupette, opened Sept. 19 at 24 Whitney Ave. It features an array of French products such as jam, biscuits, honey, tapenade, flour and olive oil.
The items sold at the market are used at neighboring sister restaurant and crêperie, Crêpes Choupette.
Owner Adil Chokairy, a city resident, said, “L’épicerie Choupette is an extension to the Choupette adventure, offering a small French market in town to complete the Choupette concept.”
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
