Nook n' crannie: a Betel Furniture Store

“Nook n' crannie is almost like any other vintage furniture store. Only, its staff restores something far more valuable than just midcentury tables and chairs.”
- New York Daily News

“Don’t feel guilty about shopping for vintage and antiques here—all the proceeds are donated to Betel of America’s residential program for drug addicts and alcoholics. All of the furniture, clothing and home decor is divided into category-specific nooks (hence the name), so you can easily ferret out the perfect pair of thin-framed vintage sunglasses ($25) or ponder how a hand-carved Victorian bookcase ($1,275) would look in your studio apartment.”
- Feature in Time Out New York

Inside Nook n' crannie, a second- hand store tucked within an array of restaurants, boutiques and real estate agencies on Vernon Boulevard, you'll find retro chandaliers and antique French cabinets; vintage radios and bronze sculpture, all of which had seemingly lived its day, discarded pieces on street corners or left to collect dust and mold in old estates.
"We take everything"- the good and the bad- and we just process it all, recycle it," explained David Tepper, a tall, blond 35-year-old, who was referring to the wares in his Long Island City and Astoria shops, but could have as well been alluding to the formerly homeless, ex-alcoholics and ex-drug addicts whose determination and handiwork gives Nook n' crannie's merchandise a second lot in life.
- LIC Courier Magazine November 2009

Nook n’ Crannie stores not only provide a fund raising venue for Betel’s local rehabilitation services, but also employ recovering addicts, giving them a chance to rebuild and rediscover real-world skills. Easily discernible through its merchandising, the Tepper philosophy is grounded in a desire to give their staff an environment to praise. Relative to other thrift stores, the Nook’s decor is purposely upscale. Warm brick walls, sleek accents, and smart secondhand treasures make the Long Island City space feel more like a boutique than a thrift store. Select items ranging from 1800 through the 1960s should satisfy discerning eyes and every decorative preference. Some pieces, like the Louis XVI settee or Victorian “three door knock-down” armoire, sit with such distinction that they are easy to envision in a once-great estate high above the Hudson River. - Ins & Outs Magazine

“This is a terrific vintage furniture store with truly original pieces at very reasonable prices. I have found it is best to visit often as the items do not stay around long. In addition to getting a unique piece at a great price, the proceeds funding a non-profit gives you something else to feel good about.” - Yelp.com reviews