Help Save Beads of Paradise NYC!

Hello to all of our wonderful customers and friends! We know times are difficult for everyone right now in this uncertain world, and we cherish providing the vibrant, happy space you can come to when you need a little pick-me-up.

Unfortunately, things are also pretty dire for small businesses, and we could use your help to ensure our ability to keep our doors open. For 39 years we’ve been honored to be a unique part of the NYC community, and we have every hope of continuing to be that little wonderland in your life for a long, long time.

However, since the beginning of 2025, our business has been affected by the double whammy of a significant drop in income paired with rising costs. Despite our best efforts, we have found ourselves falling deeper and deeper into debt. This substantial decrease in day to day sales at our Union Square location is calling into question whether keeping our brick and mortar store open is sustainable.

While we have been working hard to increase our online presence and sales outlets, anyone who has shopped with us knows that the vast majority of what makes Beads Of Paradise so special doesn’t translate well to an online platform. Our storefront location allows us to provide our loyal clients with high value services, such as: custom jewelry design, jewelry repair, jewelry making classes, personalized shopping experiences, and education about the cultural, spiritual, and religious significance behind our expansive collection of art, artifacts, jewelry, beads, fabrics, apparel, semi-precious stones, and crystals.

After much thought, and many of our regulars reaching out to us about how they can help keep Beads of Paradise NYC alive and flourishing, we have decided to set up this Go-Fund-Me page. The goal of this fundraiser is for us to be able to continue to provide a workplace for more than a dozen employees, as well as continuing to provide our beloved clients with a place to shop that feels more like a sanctuary than a store.

Any donations received will be used towards the following:

Reconcile our overdue back rent to avoid eviction.

Pay outstanding operating costs (such as sales tax, ConEd bills, merchant processing/accounting fees, etc.)

Reduce the debt we have incurred to keep our doors open and our employees paid.

We understand that we are far from the only ones struggling, and the decision to ask the public for money was a hard one to make. Absolutely any amount would help, but if you are unable to make a donation at this time, there are other ways you can help! Please spread the word about our plight, encourage others to stop by to see us, and keep us in mind for all of your shopping needs!

In lieu of donations, any purchases in-store or online at

Beads Of Paradise NYC would be very deeply appreciated by long time owner, Brian Kenner, as well as the entire Beads Of Paradise team.

To learn more about our story, please visit us online: About Us . Shop .