Old World Designs is a full service needlepoint store that mainly caters to women. This full service entails the creation of stockings based on needlepoint designs brought by clientele, as well as the colors and fibers they choose from based on the samples provided by Old World Designs. Along with that, the business provides hand [...]

Kerry Hoctor, the Village Stationers’ owner, describes a true stationary store as a business that offers cards, gifts, and office supplies. Village Stationers was established by Kerry’s parents in 1966 and later managed by Kerry himself in 1981, after his parents retired. Being born into the store and beginning his career at the age of [...]

After leaving the tech industry behind in 2002, Dexter Chow and his wife Anna, originally working with nonprofits, bought Cheeky Monkey Toys in hopes of dabbling in an interesting market as well as achieving a flexible schedule to spend time with their growing family. Cheeky Monkey Toys has grown since its establishment in 1999. After [...]

From Hong Kong, London, and Paris, to New York, and Menlo Park, Ceci Wong has traveled near and far. After receiving her gemologist certification from the Gemological Institute of America, Ceci has experienced working for companies such as Tiffany & Co, and Neiman-Marcus, as well as expanding towards managing her own stores such as Lustre [...]

In 1954 Brian Flegel’s Grandfather found a growing market in the furniture industry, a foundation in which Menlo Park’s, Flegel’s, was born. Fifty-two years later, after growing up working in the store and exploring other options Brian Flegel became interested in managing Flegel’s and took over the business in 2006. Throughout his years at Flegel’s [...]

Twenty-seven years ago on the 17th of September, Bob Hanson and his wife, Katie, opened Afterwards, a consignment shop that sells designer clothes and furniture for less. “It’s a win-win situation,” Bob said. “Consigners get money back, and customers get merchandise at a good value.” After working for Polo Ralph Lauren, Bob found the “silicon [...]

Bistro Vida is a French café established in 1998 by Ali Elsafy in downtown Menlo Park. After living in France and going to cooking school there, Ali left his successful restaurant, La Luna, and created Bistro Vida. Ali portrays himself as a man of diverse character. He has lived in New York and France, and [...]