Bargello Needlepoint, Owned by Bronxville Women, Will Celebrate 5th Anniversary This Year
By Susan Miele
June 1, 2026: With the resurgence in recent years of so-called “Granny hobbies”—quaint throwbacks to the simple pastimes of crafting, birdwatching, breadmaking, and the like—Bargello Needlepoint in Tuckahoe has helped meet the demand. Soon to be celebrating its fifth anniversary, the shop has attracted both dedicated hobbyists and aspiring novices.
Co-owners Christine Fitzgibbons and Leslie Meyers, both Bronxville residents, learned to stitch from their mothers as children. They met when their own children—now aged 27—were in first grade. Both Fitzgibbons and Meyers have led very active lives outside of needlepoint. In addition to raising their families, both have had careers in finance (work that Fitzgibbons continues to perform), and both travel extensively with their families and enjoy additional pastimes. Needlepoint was always a calming pastime.
Bargello Needlepoint was essentially a product of the pandemic, having opened in September 2021. “Needlepoint is yoga for your mind,” they agree, and helps reduce anxiety. Handiwork and hobbies like needlepoint helped people cope with the emotional challenges of the pandemic. But there’s enduring appeal beyond the COVID-19 crisis that reflects the changing times.
“We’re all trying to get off our phones. When you’re stitching, you can’t also be on your phones—but you can listen to an audiobook, watch TV, or talk to someone.” Though characterized colloquially as a “Granny hobby,” needlepoint has sparked interest even among younger people.
Beyond being a stress reducer, needlepoint, they note, provides a sense of completion, and finished works can be transformed into enduring items like pillows, wall art, handbags, and more. Even lampshades. The shop outsources these services to its network of expert finishers. “Neither one of us is an artist, but you might put your own spin on it.” The name “Bargello” derives from the name of a needlepoint stitch that’s a geometric, repeating pattern requiring concentration and counting.
Another perk that Bargello Needlepoint offers is the social aspect. The shop hosts drop-in stitch nights on Wednesday evenings. Stitchers of all experience levels participate and represent a wide swath of enthusiasts, including multiple generations and geographic diversity. “Everyone from newly married young moms to a woman who comes regularly who’s 91 years old.” About 10-20 people typically attend. Participation is free, and there’s no pressure to purchase anything. “It’s more about building community,” Fitzgibbons said.
“One of the biggest things people want is community. They want to have a conversation, they want to talk about stuff.” In addition to the community stitch nights, stitchers pop in throughout the week to ask questions, browse, and talk stitchery.
In fact, Bargello Needlepoint is something of a destination, with some customers traveling from the city or Connecticut. Situated across the street from the Tuckahoe Metro-North train station makes this an easy journey from midtown.
Another geographic perk is the shop’s proximity to the post office. Bargello does a high-volume mail-order business (the owners report having customers in all 50 states and several other countries. Fitzgibbons and Meyers also love the “great natural light” that shines through the shop windows and “terrific parking.”
Though other needlepoint shops can be found in the region, Fitzgibbons and Meyers characterize Bargello as curated. They source designs and materials from dozens of different providers and attend trade shows twice a year.
Needlepoint classes are not currently offered at Bargello, but this is on Fitzgibbons’ and Meyers’s bucket list. Just as soon as they put down their stitching?
“We love what we do. I wake up happy every day.”
Bargello Needlepoint
24 Columbus Ave. Tuckahoe, NY 10707
914-361-1014
https://www.bargello-needlepoint.com/
