My name is Esme Neubert and I am a New York City high school student.

Due to Covid, this past year and a half has been unlike any other. Communities are still closed and small businesses continue to struggle. In addition, across the US, local businesses as a whole are being edged out by bigger corporations. Even before the pandemic, in certain neighborhoods like my own, I was seeing my favorite small storefronts close, and bigger chain stores move in. In the last few years, “shop local” and “shop small” have been used as slogans in marketing campaigns, and small business owners have been vocal about these concerns.

I believe it is the locals who make our community what it is and why I love it. It’s the people who have been here, who I want to remain here. Neighborhoods are only vibrant when they support the people living there, and answer their needs. It’s the pizza makers, the quirky art gallerists, the community gardeners, the centuries-old butchers, the vinyl and book sellers, thrift shop owners, the theater directors... the small business owners who need our help.

Teensy Magazine is my attempt at doing just that. Thank you.

Esme Neubert