The strip of 4th avenue is known for its diversity, vintage style, and colors. Somewhere in the middle of the long avenue can be found the charming hidden gem, The Little Village. It consists of two main parts: Café Passe and the trio group of boutiques who sell anything from artwork to face products to jewelry. Before entering The Little Village, there is a distinct vibe that is given off through the mix of eccentric colors outside of the shop along with the rustic looking signs. This architectural mix of bright colors and worn out pieces of decoration remind me of the 70s. They give off a vintage feel that immediately shows that this Café is most likely not a typical modern day café, such as Starbucks. The distinguishable parts shows that the café is a mix of both traditional and modern ways in a café.
Outside stands about four mini tables most likely meant for two. There is already an option to chose from: outdoors or indoors. The accommodation for the outdoors was most likely created so that those visiting the cafe can meet for a coffee while people watching out on 4th avenue. There is always much to witness going on over in that area so the front patio tables should have plenty of use to them. However, it was a cold day outdoors so most everyone visiting The Village headed indoors toward a warmer setting.
When you first enter the little Village you have to make your way in through the café doors on the left. As you enter, it is a surprisingly large space that the café takes over. This photo here was taken as you turn to the right, so it is only showing one half of the café area. To the left side of the café was more of an older group of people meeting for coffee or lunch whereas here on the right side, the group of people was younger. It seemed to be that they were students all focused on their studies due to the laptops and headphones that were in use. There was a wonderful soothing acoustic set of music playing in the background, however, it seemed to be that only the older generation was listening to it while the younger students had their own selection of music. This shows that younger population is more independent in comparison to the older. Most everyone is this area of the café had their headphones plugged into their laptops and hooked to their ears as they say by themselves spaced apart from one another. It seems s though this generation would prefer to tune themselves out to the world instead of integrating with their neighbors. It could also show that the younger population is more occupied and busy with keeping up in school. The older group was reading the newspaper or conversing with their friends. Time and priorities seemed to be the case in the cafe: school came first for the students whereas social and interactive time was more important for the elders.
Café Passe also has several things hung on the wall of this room including a menu, a reminder about upcoming live music performances in the café, and art work. The menu if flaunted in front of the students to help persuade them to buy food during their studies, the live music information convinces customers to come back for more, and the artwork that is hung across the top of the wall gives a taste of what the gift shops sell to help advertise their gift shops toward the back of the store. What all these items have in common is that they are all advertisements to help bring business to the shop. This shows that our society values business and sales and will do anything to help promote sales.
Local Art For Sale!
This being just one of the gift shops comes to show that there was quite a variety of hidden treasures in the back of The Little Village. This room caught my eye considering it was probably the most colorful and entertaining to walk around in. Most of these pieces had labels and signs mentioning they were “hand crafted” by local artists, who then bring them in to be sold. This recognition of local talent is trying to convince customers to support them more than just some chain store that sells copies of someone’s original ideas. It comes to show that The Village takes into consideration the importance of supporting local talent. This also gives a more authentic to the overall Village.
The fact that the room was painted this turquoise color is interesting. There are no other rooms in The Little Village that have such an extravagant color. Most are white, brown or a light neutral green. Perhaps the objective is to demonstrate diversity among their stores, which could reflect the diversity of people they want to support. Even the floor in the gift shop is nothing that you see everyday. This kind of checkerboard tile is what I have seen in the 50s . Once again, the architecture of The Little Village is bringing back that vintage vibe and drawing me back to another century. It makes me question whether it was purposely put in this way more recently or if it really is an old floor from centuries ago that they decided to keep. Either way, it resembles a unique design that is not common to most gift shops or café to show, once again, that The Little Village is different from other chain competitors.
Please, No Smoking Inside
In this photo is where The Little Village opens up to the outdoors. There are trees in the middle of the outdoor patio that branch over the entire space. It is not often you see a café that has such a large designated area for enjoying the outdoors while still being a customer. This shows that the Village cares about nature enough to bring it into their shop, and it gives off an environmentalist vibe. They could have very well cut the tree down and placed concrete over its roots. Instead they left the backspace open, natural, and just the way the earth made it.
I noticed that there are lights tangled around in the trees that probably turn on when it gets dark out. This would make the space not just available for day use, but in the evening as well when the space is lit up comfortably. I say comfortably because such small lights can only offer dim lighting, rather than extremely bright fluorescent lights. This would give the space a relaxed vibe that is nothing too intense. Besides the lighting, here is a sign to the left that calls this space “The Backyard” and below is it says “smoking area”. Calling this space The Backyard gives it a homey feeling. Its not a tourist like area that is roped off for customers but instead, more of a backyard that is located behind a house, just as if you were at home. Also, the fact that they have a location specifically designated for smokers shows that they are willing to make accommodations for their customers. With this backyard space, I can tell that The Little Village cares about making their customers feel welcome and comfortable with where there are.
Overall, The Little Village keeps reminding visitors of their mix of modern with vintage to show their support of diversity and creativity. The local vibe, advertisements and accommodations that are brought up over and over again demonstrate that their customers are important to their business. I know I felt welcome during my visit at The Little Village.
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