Spotlight on Silver Spoon, Mano a Mano, and Tryforos & Pernice Florist
By Madeline Oden, BXV for BXV Stronger Together
Nov. 4, 2020: Every week since early September, MHTB has been featuring articles about local businesses. Below is our current feature. Links to previous Spotlight features is at the end of this article. Enjoy!
Silver Spoon, 81 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Barbara Amar, owner Silver Spoon
Barbara Amar opened Silver Spoon 20 years ago, a time span she finds “unfathomable…it’s gone so quickly”. Barbara grew up in Bronxville, and after graduating from Rosemont College, attended an investment lecture on precious stones and metals at the Bronxville Adult School.
Her interest piqued, she took a job at Tiffany’s in customer service and soon moved to the diamond division, where she learned how to grade and appraise diamonds. She then worked as the stone buyer for a national jewelry store and went into partnership on a diamond and gold jewelry line.
Wanting to open her own business Barbara surveyed her hometown and sensed a need for infant and toddler clothing and gifts. Silver Spoon was born.
Since February of this year, the business has been all-consuming as supply chains were disrupted and a few suppliers closed their doors. Heading into April through June, “the busiest time of year," it was like “starting again.” Every hour of the day was spent sourcing new products and monitoring existing orders and shipments.
Customers who needed gifts also began contacting Silver Spoon by phone and on various social media platforms. Silver Spoon would send product photos to the customers to confirm orders and then deliver wrapped presents to their homes. They then began to offer in-store pickup for items ordered by phone. With advanced notice, Barbara monograms clothing, throws, and other items, and baby names can be added to ornaments.
Silver Spoon looks its usual “classic but trendy” self and is in Bronxville for the long run. New customers, not wanting to go to a mall, have emerged, and most importantly, Silver Spoon customers have been loyal.
Before Covid, Barbara slipped away for mini-breaks to a Hampton Bays home she owns with her sister. Fingers crossed she “has time to chill” soon, with a “page-turner” novel in hand.
Mano a Mano, 81 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Bill Scapptone and Mario Grasso, owners of Mano a Mano
Bill Scapptone and Mario Grasso opened Mano a Mano (Italian for "hand to hand,") 23 years ago. They opened their first shop in a 200 square foot space on Kraft Avenue and built the business from the ground up before moving to Pondfield Road.
The shop includes an eclectic mix of offerings carefully selected from a vast array of available products. They choose products based on what they like. "If we see something that piques our interest, we bring it in," says Mario.
Bill and Mario met in high school and have been together ever since. They share a love of family and a passion for décor and beautiful objects. Their formal home showcases a rotating array of fine furnishings and objects. "It's not crowded…we edit all the time," says Mario.
The holiday season is Mario's favorite time of year. On Instagram, he is known as The King of Christmas. "You can create your own magic," says Mario. Christopher Radko, known for his iconic Christmas ornaments offered at Neiman Marcus, attended a holiday party at Bill and Mario's home and proclaimed it "magical."
You might be wondering about recent sales at Mano a Mano. After the shutdown, Bill and Mario wanted to provide customers with incentives to purchase items to "feel normal" to give "more of a thought than a big present."
If you need "Zoom earrings," a headband, an ornament, a tote, or just something to make you happy, think Mano a Mano. "You don't have to buy…it makes us happy if you enjoy looking," says Bill. And they are honest. If you ask their opinion and they don't think a product is a good fit for you, they do not hesitate to offer their view.
Tryforos & Pernice Florist, 73 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Anna, Mary and Gary Tryforos, owners of Tryfors & Pernice Florist
Brother and sister Gary and Anna Tryforos enjoy sharing the history of Tryforos & Pernice Florist.
It all began in 1907 when the Tryforos brothers started selling flowers from pushcarts in New York City. In 1980 second-generation James Tryforos and his wife Mary purchased Pernice Florist in Scarsdale. The Bronxville store opened in 1983, and, over time, the business transitioned to Bronxville. They kept "Pernice" as part of the store name. "It just has a nice ring to it," says Gary. When James passed away in 1988, Gary and Anna gave up jobs in insurance and media and came on board.
Anna can create an elegant, vibrant bouquet in minutes, which may be proof that floral design, which her father taught at the New York Botanical Gardens, is in her DNA. There are always requests for elaborate arrangements, but the trend these days is "low, tight designs that can be placed anywhere", says Mary.
While Anna is the master designer, Gary focuses on running the business. "Flowers are commoditized today," says Gary. With the exception of roses from Ecuador, Gary purchases most of Tryforos' stock from Holland at on-line auctions. Flowers arrive two days later. The NYC market fills in the gaps.
Mary credits Gary and Anna as the driving force behind Tryforos' continued success. It can be challenging for many businesses to survive over three generations because family members may not want to run the business. At Tryforos and Pernice, nothing could be further from the truth. Gary and Anna say the daily work is so consuming that they create a "moat" around it at day's end. What is never left behind is the siblings' camaraderie, and the love they have for their mother.
Other Spotlight Features
Spotlight on Found Herbal, Mossy Fern, and Provisions for Pets
Spotlight on Booskerdoo, Bronxville Jewelers 90 and Station Plaza Wine
Spotlight on Bronxville Fitness Club, Fabio's Hair Studio & Wild Vine & Liquors
Spotlight on Adrian East, Bronxville Furriers and Beer Noggin
Spotlight on Chantilly Patisserie and Bakeshop, Enrico Gargano Hair & Hickey's Del
Spotlight on Ladle of Love, Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop & Gillard's
Spotlight on Slave to the Grind, Maison Rouge & Continental 109 Salon
Spotlight on Brother's Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Mini's Prime Meats & Park Place Bagels
Spotlight on Bayside Travel, Trapp Opticians and Whim
Spotlight on Silk Road, Cookies N' Cream and Fine Arts Gallery
Photo at top: A.Warner; Other photos provided by M. Oden
Editor's note: As a publicp within 24 hours. If you pop into the store, wear a mask, and bring your dog. A true dog lover, Sue always has treats and water on hand. service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
Shops Directory
Silver Spoon
Silver Spoon is a unique gift shop specializing in beautiful clothing and gifts for babies and young children, including adorable dresses and outfits for girls and boys, sweaters, bedding, baby gifts and accessories. They also carry gifts for adults including throws, cosmetic bags and other special items. Silver Spoon specializes in monogramming to create truly personalized items and gifts. They also offer a baby gift registry and complimentary gift wrap.
81 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-771-7645
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Toney Toni & The Gang
Born and raised in Westchester County, Kim Linn opened her boutique in Bronxville in 1995. Toney Toni & the Gang offers a curated selection of women's clothing, shoes & accessories. Ulla Johnson, Birds of Paradis, A Piece Apart, Clare V, Repeat Cashmere, Pons Quintana, White & Warren, Lilla P, Melissa Nepton are just a few of the designers found in the store.
Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary
Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary builds on an ancient tradition of mind, body, and spirit focus that is essential to total health, life balance, and true peace. Our clients experience an increase in well-being by participating in individualized holistic services including massage, facials, energy healing services, meditation, yoga therapy, and workshops
Schedule your appointment online
Purchase a gift certificate online
14 Studio Arcade
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-9356
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Posh Beauty Boutique
POSH Beauty Boutique is a luxury spa offering the ultimate in body therapies and skincare. The founder of POSH Beauty Boutique is Bronxville resident Diana Rainsford who is a master Reflexologist and Esthetician.
POSH offers customized facials, massage, waxing, spray tans, professional makeup applications and much more including customized, all-inclusive packages for your bachelorette party, special birthday, or for fun with your friends. Little Miss packages are also available for your little princess’s special occasions.
POSH uses Eminence Organic Skin Care for all their facials. Body treatments are performed in their luxuriously appointed Hydrotherapy room with Vichy shower.
118 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-361-1277
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Rain Natural Skin Care
Rain Natural Skincare is the home for a wide range of handmade luxurious body and skincare products that are made from natural ingredients, harnessing the power of nature to rejuvenate and nourish your skin.
Value Drugs of Bronxville
Value Drugs of Bronxville has been a member of the Bronxville Community for over twenty years. They are a family center where you can find a large variety of items. They have over fifty departments including toys, clothing, home goods and everything else you need from your neighborhood drug store. They have a full-service pharmacy with free delivery. You can also find a large variety of seasonal goods for every time of year.
80 Pondfield Rd
Bronxville, NY 10708-3801
(914) 337-2520
Bronxville Vision Care
Bronxville Vision Care offers eye examinations and same-day service on most eyeglasses and contact lens services. The center is open every day and accepts most vision plans, including VSP, Eye Med, Spectera, and Pomco. John Dello Russo is the optician and Dr. Josephine Russo is the optometrist. Dr. Russo, a graduate of SUNY Optometry, has been in practice since 1996. Mr. Dello Russo, who has an MBA in finance and is an adjunct instructor at CUNY, has been an optician since 1976 and is designated a Master of Ophthalmic Optics by the American Board of Opticianry.
10 Park Place
Bronxville, NY
914-337-4440
Trapp Opticians
Founded in 1945, Trapp Opticians has been proud to serve Bronxville and Lower Westchester with the highest level of care and expertise in eye care. Our Optometrist offers comprehensive eye examinations and contact lens fittings. Trapp offers the best quality in eyewear and sun wear including a large selection of children’s eyewear and sportswear.
M-F 8:30-5:00PM
Sat 9:30-3:00PM
42 Pondfield Rd.
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 337-0707
Tryforos & Pernice Florist
The Tryforos family has roots in the floral industry since the late 1800's and is privileged to be serving Bronxville since 1963. Their distinctive arrangements and bouquets consist of top of the market flowers from Holland, New Zealand, South America, the Pacific Basin and the US. For the floral enthusiast, all of their arrangements are customized from classic to trendy themes with inventive designs. Lush, dense packed vase arrangements in clear, low square, round glass, terra cotta and leaf lined vases are always available. They have beautiful orchids; potted and cut, as well as green and flowering plants which vary by season. They are pleased to present your unique inspirations for gift giving. Their customer base: "Busy People". They deliver and send flowers worldwide.
M-F: 9am-6pm
Sat.: 9am-5pm
73 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914.337.2525
www.tryforosflorist.com
Framebridge
All of us have things sitting in boxes, drawers, and on our phones that we’d rather have up on our walls. At Framebridge, we’re making custom framing so easy and delightful that you’re inspired to celebrate everything you love–big, little and in-between. Whether digital photo or physical item, single frame or gallery wall, Framebridge has you covered. With our transparent pricing, there are no surprises. The price you see is the price you’ll pay–and shipping is always free. With over two dozen frame styles and mat options, you're sure to find the perfect combo to bring your piece to life. You can even personalize it with a brass plate, mat caption, or story pocket! Whether it’s macaroni art or a Picasso sketch, we treat every piece like a masterpiece.
Bronxville Furriers
Established in 1926, Bronxville Furrier has a long history as a trusted full service fur retailer. Luxurious furs, reversible garments, shearlings, Loro Piana cashmeres and accessories can be found here.
We offer a range of services that include Certified cold storage, cleaning and glazing, alterations and repairs. Our remodel program gives our customers the opportunity to Redesign and Modernize garments that no longer work with their lifestyles or fit properly.
Silver Spoon
Silver Spoon is a unique gift shop specializing in beautiful clothing and gifts for babies and young children, including adorable dresses and outfits for girls and boys, sweaters, bedding, baby gifts and accessories. They also carry gifts for adults including throws, cosmetic bags and other special items. Silver Spoon specializes in monogramming to create truly personalized items and gifts. They also offer a baby gift registry and complimentary gift wrap.
81 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-771-7645
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Silk Road
We are a unique boutique specializing in Home Decor, Gifts, Annabelle's and Seely Mini Jewelry, Bedding, and Clothing. We carry noteworthy items from Simon Pearce, Julie Vos, Dash and Albert, Fermob, Calaisio and many others. Gift wrapping is available.
Continental 109
Continental 109 has a 60-year history of providing exceptional hair styling, color and essential services for beauty and well being. The salon is led by owner and stylists, Nick and Mark DeVincenzo.
Built on the tradition of superior customer service, their full service salon stays fresh and exciting through ongoing training and immersion in the best that the world of beauty and fashion has to offer.
Everything about us is leading-edge with a complete focus on our guests. This commitment, and our talented staff, are the reasons why you will come to enjoy the Continental 109 experience.
Centrally located in the elegant village of Bronxville, the salon is easy to reach by car or train. Discover us, and reveal a more beautiful, more vibrant you!
109 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914.793.4198
914.793.4198
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Bacione Pasta Shop
Bacione Pasta Shop offers fresh pasta and sauces using high quality ingredients to create delicious pasta dishes loaded with flavor. Come in and enjoy the cuisine of Italy right here in Bronxville.
You can order from eleven kinds of fresh pasta by the pound and then choose from eight homemade sauces to complete your meal. Add-ons include: chicken, sausage, meatballs, mozzarella, ricotta and broccoli.
Bacione also sells loaves of Italian and focaccia bread and freshly prepared containers of homemade lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, sausage ragu and meat dishes to take home. Dessert offerings are: tiramisu, flan and panna cotta. Drink choices are Italian sodas.
Ladle of Love
Ladle of Love, 18 Palmer Avenue - just across the street from New York Presbyterian Westchester Hospital - stands for consciously - sourced food, community support and a caring work family.
Whether you're picking up from the shop, getting delivery by ordering at ladleoflove.com or crafting a catering with founder/owner, Leslie Lampert, Ladle of Love promises healthful, delicious food from award winning soups and stews to sandwiches, salads, sweets and supper selections. (We have daily curbside pickup at The Boys and Girls Club in Mt. Kisco.)
The UPS Store
The UPS Store is a great place to send a package, print documents, open a mailbox or purchase business supplies. You are assured great service and a personal touch.
81 Pondfield Rd
Bronxville, NY 10708-3817
914- 779-0140
http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/1363/
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