What started out as an online shop about six years ago quickly grew into a chic, simplistic storefront in Williamsburg. Stacy Longenecker’s shop, LEIF, started on the internet in 2011 and eventually opened a brick-and-mortar location in 2016. “For the first few years, when we were online only, I ran the website out of my apartment while simultaneously working a full-time day job,” she said. For the first year, her apartment doubled as a mini-warehouse, and she eventually moved into a small office space after her second year in business. Each year marked another milestone for LEIF, with a bigger office the third year, and an employee the fourth.

“I’ve always done everything very gradually so as to not get too ahead of myself,” Longenecker said. And now LEIF has a team of five, from production to shipping and sales associates. LEIF is a gift and lifestyle shop, so it emphasizes objects for home and life; everything from pillows, blankets, and table linens, to notebooks and candles and cards. “In other words,” said Longenecker, “things that make your life and surroundings better to look at and live in.”

Taking the lifestyle theme a step further, LEIF now locally manufactures its own product line in addition to sourcing other products both locally as well as around the world. “There’s no limitations as to where I find new products,” she said. “Thanks, in part to social media, it’s easier than ever to find people making pretty things.” The shop tries to find things that other shops don’t have, and it works with artists to make special editions exclusive only to LEIF.

So, what’s Longenecker’s favorite part about the gig? “I love almost every single part,” she said. “Naming and pricing products, finding new and exciting things. I even love shipping out orders in a way. I love designing emails and creating our own products, and yeah — there’s no end to the things I love because it’s my dream job.”

Best-Sellers at Leif

Home Décor: Leif Stitch Stripe pillows

Kitchen Items: Leif Palette Linen Napkin set

Stationery & Greeting Cards: Moglea You Are So Great card

Apparel & Accessories: Becksondergaard Biarritz floral cotton scarf

Candles & Home Fragrances:  Leif Botanist candles

Sam Ujvary

Sam is the managing editor of Gift Shop Pets, Museums & More and Party & Halloween Retailer, and is a contributing editor for Gift Shop Magazine. She has a copywriting background and has been in publishing for six years.