New Bahamian-owned shopping center coming to Brooklyn

SEED Brklyn is a new fashion, art, culture and community center opening in Bed-Stuy on Friday, Oct. 21.

The center’s founder is Brooklyn-based creative Christophe Roberts, who is Bahamian-American.
Roberts said this is part of what inspired him to establish SEED.

“My art revolves around upcycling and working with my hands, something that was inspired by Junkanoo, a celebration that takes place in the Bahamas and showcases our culture and traditions. Many of the costumes that Bahamians work tirelessly on leading up to the celebration are made by hand with the same medium that I often use in my work: cardboard,” he said.
He first came up with the idea of SEED about five years ago, but at the time he wasn’t really thinking of it as an actual store.

“The goal was to connect the energy of New York that revolves around creative, fashion, and art communities that we see in Manhattan and bring it to Brooklyn through an artist’s perspective. I also always wanted to build my own world and explore my love for architecture and design and SEED is a product of that dream,” he added.
The first-of-its-kind space plans to become a community hub to nurture some of Brooklyn’s brightest and emerging creatives, all while honoring the borough’s rich history of cultural architects that have influenced the world today.

The center will have interactive concept spaces, including: The Oasis, which will be an art experiential space and NFT gallery dedicated to immersive events featuring state-of-the-art technology for a unique art viewing experience.

As part of the opening, The Oasis will debut “SEED THE BLOCKCHAIN,” an art exhibition featuring artists and designers Vince Fraser, Shay the Surrealist, Dante Beals, and Ceej Vega. SEED will also be dropping a free community membership NFT that will provide access to exclusive products and experiences. Music will be provided by DJ Niara Sterling while guests shop the retailer’s clothing brands, take in the artwork, enjoy beer and wine by KGFARE and indulge in food by Jamrock Jerk.

At the Greenhouse Cafe, guests will be able to enjoy a hot cup of La Colombe coffee inside a plant-enshrined café. Guests can also purchase plants; vinyl collectibles from Funko and Super 7; books from Taschen and Rizzoli, and additional lifestyle products.

The Garden will be a retail space on the first floor and mezzanine featuring globally recognized and burgeoning brands including Martine Rose, Rains, Maharishi, Undercover, Against Medical Advice, 100 Wolves, 424, PRMVTO, Socialite Archive, and Jason Markk. The first floor of The Garden will also have a Japanese-inspired sneaker laundry for sneaker lovers to wash their favorite kicks in-store.

In addition, Roberts wants SEED to have a positive impact on the Bed-Stuy community and Brooklyn as a whole, and he hopes that similar businesses will support creative concepts. He wants people to know they should put energy into everything they love and are passionate about.

He wants SEED to inspire someone to find out what their story is, and what they feel could contribute to a certain environment that could inspire change – no matter the medium.
For more information, visit seedbrklyn.com. To support, you can follow SEED Brklyn on Instagram @seedbrklyn.