Fountain House & Body

This new coffee shop and eco-friendly sundries store has become one of my favorite places to get an afternoon coffee and tea (the hibiscus iced tea is to die for). They also sell a terrific line of vibrantly scented homemade candles — the chocolate covered strawberry actually smells like chocolate covered strawberries. I love supporting this shop because, according to its website, it’s an “employment social enterprise” where most of the employees are on six-month long job placements, “learning new skills and gaining the confidence and resume to find permanent work.”

Fountain House, a groundbreaking clubhouse providing community and purpose to its 1,200+ members living with serious mental illness, is one of the stops on my tour. They recently opened up Fountain House + Body nearby after their SoHo location closed last year. I just love everything about this cafe/store, which is more than meets the eye. Many of the goods they sell, which include products like handmade soaps, candles, and cleaning products, are made by Fountain House members. They also source products from partners that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and in the case of their coffee, fair trade and organic. Most importantly, the shop provides opportunities for transitional employment for Fountain House members. I decided to include the store in the middle of my tour to support this fantastic social enterprise, but also because it’s a perfect place for my tour participants to take a break!