Still Silky After All These Years
Found in Astoria, Queens at 35-11 Broadway, the Broadway Silk Store harkens back to an earlier time with its vinyl lettered signage. The shop was opened approximately 80 years ago, nobody is sure exactly when, by current proprietor Sarah-Beth White’s grandparents Esther and Ellie Laxer and has been supplying generations of Astorians ever since with fine textiles. Broadway…
Found in Astoria, Queens at 35-11 Broadway, the Broadway Silk Store harkens back to an earlier time with its vinyl lettered signage. The shop was opened approximately 80 years ago, nobody is sure exactly when, by current proprietor Sarah-Beth White’s grandparents Esther and Ellie Laxer and has been supplying generations of Astorians ever since with fine textiles. Broadway Silk store carries a full range of fabrics, and the name comes from an era when “Silk Store” connoted a higher end selection than what was available from what my Yiddish speaking Grandmother would have called the “Shmata store.” Sarah-Beth informs that all of the cabinetry in the shop was built by her Grandfather Ellie. The store carries fabric for sale by the yard, as well as notions, nick nacks, and vintage style collectibles. Hours are 11-6 and the Broadway Silk Shop can found in Astoria, Queens on Broadway between 35th and 36th streets nearby the N and R trains.
I remember my mother bought lots of fabric in this store in the ’50s and ’60s. She allowed my opinion on material to recover the couch and chair in our living room. My brother and I hated to go there because we knew it would be a LONG time spent in the store. Mom and brother are gone, but I am left with happy memories!! So glad that this store is still “going strong” on Broadway.