By Madeline Oden, BXV for BXV Stronger Together

Nov. 11, 2020:  Every week since early September, MHTB has been featuring articles about local businesses. Below is our current feature.  You will find links to previous Spotlight features at the end of this article.  Enjoy!

Bronxville Natural Market, 86 Pondfield Road, Bronxville

Wangchu Lama, owner of Bronxville Natural Market

Wangchu and Samden Lama purchased Bronxville Natural Market in February of 2020 to create a local store with value-priced items such as "supplements and vitamins, organic and vegan food, healthy snacks, and more."  

Growing up in Nepal, Wangchu lived in a village where his father was Mayor, and it was a 2 ½ day walk to Kathmandu. With no work in his village, Wangchu put his study of English to use and found a job as a receptionist at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu. With an ear for language, he also speaks Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan, and his village dialect Hyolmo.  

Acting on their belief that "America is the greatest place to be," the Lamas moved to America in 1998. Wangchu started as a cashier at Food for Health in NYC, where he studied the product line and checked out books from the library on health foods and supplements for his daily train ride. At Green Natural Market on Central Avenue, Wangchu held the position of Assistant Manager.  

When the Lamas purchased Bronxville Natural Market, they retained the employees at the store. If there are disagreements, we sit down, and "between the two of us, we come up with the way of doing it right," says Wangchu.  

Being part of the Bronxville community matters to Wangchu. During the shutdown, Bronxville Natural Market was open, and Wangchu checked on his customers. He telephoned a woman who had fallen at home and found she needed supplies. He worried about a woman he knew was home alone with a baby.  

Living in Nepal, Wangchu couldn't understand its popularity. Now he hopes to visit with his daughters, ages 12 and 6, to show them "the mountain outside your window." 

Bronxville Natural Market offers delivery and curbside pick-up. 

Better yet, check it out; it's changed. Here's to your health!

Bronxville Stationers and Lewiko Imaging Art, 112 & 108 Pondfield Road, Bronxville

Johnny Lee, owner of Bronxville Stationers & Lewiko Imaging Art

After retiring from the apparel industry, Johnny Lee purchased Bronxville Stationers 12 years ago and purchased Lewiko Imaging Art five years later.  

Born in Korea, Johnny was transferred to NYC in the 1980s and then returned to Korea, where he continued to think about New York. In 1994 he and wife, Jeung Lee, moved to the United States with their twin children. Jeung comes to Bronxville only on weekends nowadays because she takes care of 1-year-old grandson Mason so daughter Jung Lee can pursue her career at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Son Hong Lee is in management and sales for Ricoh USA.  

At Lewiko Imaging Art, iPhone photos can be downloaded, enhanced, printed, or turned into a poster. If you need a Profile photo for on-line use, or a frame or album, think Lewiko. VHS and 8 mm film can also be transferred to DVD.  

Bronxville Stationers relies on walk-in customers. There you will find a surprisingly broad array of Legos, Melissa & Doug, TY items, and Mattel toys in addition to art supplies or the perfect pen. With his finger on the pulse of youngsters, Johnny's son handles the purchase and selection of toys for the store. 

Each customer from a mom and child popping in for a toy or someone wanting to purchase their NYS lottery tickets benefits from Johnny's efficient, calm, and friendly manner. 

Johnny enjoys his relationship with the youngsters who ask to go to "Johnny's store" for toys and the Bronxville Middle School students who come in for candy. Of the students, he says, "I respect them, and they respect me." 

What does Johnny for relaxation? Weather permitting, he golfs 1 or 2 times per week.  

Toney Toni and the Gang, 70 Pondfield Road, Bronxville

Kim Meltzer-Linn, owner of Toney Toni

Twenty-seven years ago, Kim Meltzer-Linn and her mother Judith Meltzer opened Toney Toni and the Gang in Katonah.   The store in Bronxville followed two years later. Judith continues as an active partner in Toney Toni but has taken "a step back."  

Kim views her job as "wardrobing our customers." Inventory at Toney Toni reflects this and includes "everything a woman would put on…leggings, jeans, blouses, sweaters, dresses, jewelry". Curating the Toney Toni look involves more than 30 designers and manufacturers.  

Not surprisingly, inventory was affected by the shutdown, with production cut in half, and some manufacturers closed permanently. Working 24/7, Kim drew on "everything I learned over 27 years" as she sourced new suppliers and tracked shipments.   

Relationships with customers are at the heart of Kim's work, and many have become friends. Searching for a way to be in touch during the shutdown, Kim created a new channel for communication. Unfamiliar with technology and virtual networks, Kim pivoted and developed a presence on Instagram and Facebook.  

It's an understatement to say she is thrilled to see her customers again, even with face masks and elbow bumps. The Bronxville manager is Susan Corcoran, who is a childhood friend of Kim. When a customer leaves with a purchase, we want her to "love it" and not feel we "talked you into it," said Susan.

It's said that the key to happiness is doing what you love. "I love fashion and getting dressed every day," and "I love socializing," says Kim. Add in a penchant for merchandising that adheres to the golden rule of "show what you want to sell without extraneous décor," and you have the building blocks of a successful business.  

Living in Pound Ridge with husband Graham, Kim is surrounded by nature, making it easy to pursue her passion for hiking and biking.  

Other Spotlight Features

If you'd like to read about other businesses in town, click on these links for other Spotlight Features.

Spotlight on Found Herbal, Mossy Fern, and Provisions for Pets

Spotlight on Booskerdoo, Bronxville Jewelers 90 and Station Plaza Wine

Spotlight on Bronxville Fitness Club, Fabio's Hair Studio & Wild Vine & Liquors

Spotlight on Adrian East, Bronxville Furriers and Beer Noggin

Spotlight on Chantilly Patisserie and Bakeshop, Enrico Gargano Hair & Hickey's Del

Spotlight on Ladle of Love, Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop & Gillard's

Spotlight on Slave to the Grind, Maison Rouge & Continental 109 Salon

Spotlight on Brother's Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Mini's Prime Meats & Park Place Bagels

Spotlight on Bayside Travel, Trapp Opticians and Whim

Photo at top: A.Warner; Other photos provided by M. Oden

Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.