Ronny Byas, co-owner of Byas & Leon, participates in a small enterprise showcase in Brooklyn.
Photograph by Tracey Khan
Byas & Leon, a classic clothes and way of life boutique in Mattress-Stuy, is redefining purposeful commerce by way of a mix of group, sustainability, and Haitian heritage. Situated at 404 Tompkins Ave., the store is the brainchild of longtime finest associates and enterprise companions Ronny Byas and Harvey Leon, who’ve been constructing their imaginative and prescient for over 25 years.
The journey started in 2010 following Haiti’s devastating earthquake. Byas, whose father did enterprise in Haiti, partnered with native tailors to provide hand-sewn clothes, supporting artisans on the bottom for almost a decade.
In 2018, the duo expanded their imaginative and prescient to Brooklyn, incorporating classic clothes into their enterprise mannequin. “Classic is inherently sustainable,” Byas mentioned. “It aligns with our purpose to provide as little waste as doable.” Their eco-conscious method additionally contains utilizing sustainable packaging and eliminating printed receipts.
Byas credit his grasp’s diploma in city planning to form his sustainability philosophy. “A sustainability course modified how I method consumption,” he mentioned, inspiring him to help moral companies and cut back waste.
The boutique additionally highlights handcrafted items celebrating Haitian tradition. From hand-rolled incense by Byas’s sister to perfumes made by his household in Haiti, the store options distinctive, ethically sourced merchandise, together with petroleum-free candles crafted by a South Carolina household.
Byas & Leon opened simply earlier than the pandemic and endured monetary challenges throughout its early days. “We incurred loads of debt to remain afloat,” Byas mentioned. However these previous two years have been unimaginable.”
Greater than a retailer, Byas & Leon serves as a group hub, providing a welcoming house for dialog, drinks, and occasions. “It’s an actual group,” Byas defined. “In the event you’re having a foul day, cease by and join with us.”
The pair plans to increase their on-line presence, take their cell classic store, a transformed Seventies trailer, on the highway, and finally open a second location.
For now, the boutique stays a testomony to friendship, cultural pleasure, and sustainable dwelling. Go to Byas & Leon at 404 Tompkins Ave. and expertise what they name “intentional dwelling, impressed by group.”
