Brooklyn Boro

Brooklyn Women’s Exchange announces relocation to Montague Street

June 22, 2022 Special to the Brooklyn Eagle
Share this:

Brooklyn Women’s Exchange (BWE) has signed a lease for the store-front space at 137 Montague St. After an extensive search, BWE was connected to the Calfa brothers, owners of Lassen and Hennigs and the space at 137 Montague, by Erika Belsey Worth of the BHA. While discussing possible retailers for the space with Erika, Tom said “What I really want is the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange.” The extensive renovations of the space should be complete by early September 2022 for the Opening Celebration of this new location of BWE. BWE President Ann Aurigemma says, “The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange has occupied two other spaces on Montague Street in our 168 year history and we are very excited to be back! We hope our new location will provide greater visibility for our hand crafted products and an enhanced connection with our community.” Kate Chura, executive director, Montague Street Business Improvement District said “We’re excited to welcome Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, the oldest remaining Women’s Exchange in the country, back to Montague Street, Brooklyn’s first business corridor. We look forward to their grand opening this Fall, and to the unique crafts and gifts they’ll offer Montague Street shoppers.”

BWE is 501c3 volunteer-run organization; BWE supports over three-hundred artisans with seventy cents of every dollar going back to the crafter.

Current home of Brooklyn Women’s Exchange at 55 Pierrepont Street.
Photo by Ella Napack

About The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange

For 168 years the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, a not for profit, volunteer organization, has served the Brooklyn community. BWE is currently located at 55 Pierrepont Street, where they have been since 1980. The Exchange’s mission is to support American handcrafts. There are over forty volunteers who staff the shop, curate the handcrafted items and publicize their mission. Items included in the shop are hand knit items, children’s clothing, jewelry, holiday items, linens, pottery, greeting cards, books, toys and much more.

BWE takes great pride in being at the forefront of the American Crafts movement since 1854. BWE is a member of the Federation of Women’s Exchanges which includes fifteen Exchanges around the country. Of these women-operated, volunteer-run community organizations, The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange is the oldest continuously operating Exchange.

Current home of Brooklyn Women’s Exchange at 55 Pierrepont Street.
Photo by Ella Napack
Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment