Paulinga
Oct. 12, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
Whether looking for a bouquet of flowers, a new throw pillow, or simply a cup of coffee, a new Jackson Heights boutique has you covered.
Pauglina, a new store offering home goods and locally baked treats, opened this past weekend at 75-26 37th Avenue. Run by husband and husband duo Miguel Briceno and Jeffrey Whitney, the store concept “is a little bit of everything,” according to Briceno.
The store stocks fresh flowers, home scents, such as incense, candles and diffusers, home accessories, French candy, greeting cards, and has coffee, tea and locally baked cookies for sale in the back.
“I wanted to have everything I love in the shop, and I didn’t want it to be just one thing. I didn’t want it to be just a gift shop, or a coffee shop, or a flower shop,” Briceno said.
The couple moved to Jackson Heights four years ago, bringing with them a combined 40 years of experience in retail. Living in the neighborhood, they saw an opportunity to open their own store.
“We wanted to be close to home and give something to the neighborhood that may be missing,” Briceno said. “A few stores sell candles and incense, but we made sure to have nothing that is the same as any other stores.”
Naming the store after his mother, Paula, his father, Augusto, and his favorite aunt, Lina, Briceno said the store was a way to bring together everything he loved in one place.
“We don’t want it to look like a regular store, so it kind of looks like a home so you feel more comfortable here,” Briceno said. “We have a place in the back to sit while you have coffee or tea, or just to relax and spend time.”
Pauglina is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., though Briceno said that they are still figuring out what hours make the most sense.
To learn more and stay up to date on the latest merchandise, visit the store Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pauglinanyc/about/.
