As mid-May approaches with its long stretch of AP tests and the last day of school in sight, it’s important not to let yet another crucial event slip from our minds: Mother’s Day. The moms in our lives deserve to be appreciated every day for all the incessant support and indispensable little moments they provide, and Mother’s Day allows us to outwardly express our gratitude and love for them—and anyone can see that this calls for a celebration beyond a dollar store card with the obligatory “Thank you…” scrawled on the inside.
Making plans for Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be particularly complicated, either. Over 250 shops and restaurants are available at your convenience in Great Neck alone, and there’s bound to be something suitable for any mom. Whether you’re scrambling to make last-minute plans or just looking to support a few local businesses while celebrating, you’ll be able to find what you need. Here are five to get you started.
1. Great Zakka
Known for its wide assortment of stationery, jewelry, home accessories, and mugs and teapots, all imported from Japan, Great Zakka (literally meaning “miscellaneous goods” in Japanese) is the catch-all for those looking to buy a unique gift that will last for years to come. One of its biggest selling points, as its name suggests, is the sheer range of available items—you’ll be able to find something suitable regardless of how your budget looks, whether that means a pair of cozy socks or a handmade fine porcelain tea set. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can get creative with the vast array of washi tapes and stickers to make a scrapbook yourself. Or, if not, plenty of premade cards and picture frames are available too.
Additional products can also be found on Great Zakka’s website, most of which are available for 24-hour pickup.
2. Flower City
Mother’s Day comes while spring is in full swing, and there’s no better time to buy flowers to celebrate. From muted pinks and blues to near-explosive reds and oranges, Flower City crafts bouquets and arrangements that aren’t just beautiful, but also near-impossible to find anywhere else around Great Neck. You can opt for the more classic rose-and-baby’s-breath bouquets, or go all out with the elaborate arrangements of bright, exotic plants. And, the shop offers alternatives for those who may not enjoy the short-lived nature of fresh flowers: bouquets of preserved roses in varying shades of red and pink are available as well. If flowers aren’t your mother’s favorite, you can also choose from their huge array of potted plants, which include orchids, sweeping green leaves, and bonsai trees, or more low-maintenance options for the less experienced grower, like lucky bamboo and succulents. But no matter what you plan on buying, remember to go in person for the full experience.
3. Krön Chocolatier
Founded in the late 1980s, Krön Chocolatier has established itself as a cornerstone of the Great Neck community—and it has stayed relevant this long for good reason. The store offers a diverse selection of items, all handmade, from plain chocolate bars, to velvety truffles, to chocolate-covered strawberries and pretzels. For the more intense chocolate lovers, gift baskets and sampler boxes are also available. Krön Chocolatier isn’t just renowned for its high-quality offerings either. It caters to various dietary needs with a selection of vegan and parve options, so everyone can indulge in its decadent goods.
4. NOIR Bakery & Cafe
With a menu of delicate salads, seafood dishes, and steaks, along with a wide selection of freshly baked pastries and drinks, NOIR Bakery & Cafe is the prime spot for a laidback Sunday breakfast or brunch. Situated in a more secluded part of Great Neck, the restaurant embodies a cozy atmosphere perfect for a Mother’s Day morning. If going out to eat isn’t ideal, you can pick up a tray of macarons, or some danishes and stuffed croissants, or even just an iced latte to bring home. Or, to craft the quintessential Mother’s Day experience, you can order takeout and assemble a luxurious breakfast in bed yourself.
Similar to Krön Chocolatier, NOIR Bakery & Cafe serves kosher food and its menu accommodates various dietary restrictions. Regardless of whether you’re looking to buy a full meal or a light dessert, there’s bound to be something fit for your needs.
5. muddworks
An easy-to-miss business located off Middle Neck Road, muddworks serves as a quiet sanctuary for those looking to add a uniquely personal touch to their Mother’s Day celebrations. The main attraction lies in the extensive options for pottery painting, offering a unique and memorable way to spend the day with the person you’re celebrating. Here, the possibilities are endless; you’re given entire shelves of bisque pieces to choose from—among them mugs, plates, and small ornaments—and a palette of colorful underglazes to work with. Just around a week later, you’ll be able to take home your fully glazed, finished pieces. And though the focus is on pottery, you can also stay a bit longer to create customized heart-shaped candles. Colorful wax cubes and an assortment of scents are available at your convenience, and the entire process is extremely beginner-friendly.
Keep in mind that this list only scratches the surface—there are countless opportunities to celebrate Mother’s Day in Great Neck alone, whether through gift shopping or narrowing down the perfect restaurant for lunch. Fun can be found in the planning phase too, so make sure to do your own searching to plan out a day that’s truly special!
