My name is Monique Nicholas, and I am the owner of Nicholas Brooklyn.

This year marks our 52nd year in business.

For over five decades, Nicholas Brooklyn has been more than just a store. It has been a sanctuary — a place for healing, culture, books, herbs, oils, and transformative gatherings that have impacted lives, including my own. We have hosted events that bring awareness, education, and empowerment to our community, while also creating space for up-and-coming entrepreneurs to grow, be seen, and build their dreams.

But I need to be honest.

Over the past year, we have hit extremely rough times.

Inflation has increased costs across the board. Operating expenses have risen significantly. Online competition has made it harder for small, independent stores like ours to survive. And to make matters more challenging, there is now local competition just doors away that mirrors much of what we have built over decades.

It has created a perfect storm.

I have poured my heart into protecting this legacy — not just as a business, but as a cultural space rooted in community, wellness, and authenticity.

As a single mother and business owner, I carry both my family and this 52-year legacy on my shoulders. I am doing everything I can to keep it alive and growing.

Right now, we are seeking to raise $80,000 to stabilize operations, address critical repairs, and ensure Nicholas Brooklyn can continue serving this community for years to come.

This is not easy for me to ask.

But if Nicholas Brooklyn has ever meant something to you — if you’ve attended an event, purchased a product, brought your child into our space, or found healing here — I am humbly asking for your support.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps protect something that cannot simply be recreated.

We are not just preserving a store.

We are preserving a 52-year legacy.

With gratitude,

Monique Nicholas

Nicholas Brooklyn