The Bank of America Small Business Spotlight booth will showcase four local enterprises, all rent-free, courtesy of the bank.
NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Bank of America, recognized as the leading small business lender in the United States, unveiled the quartet of New York City-based small businesses selected for this year’s Bank of America Small Business Spotlight initiative.
This feature will take place at the renowned Bank of America Winter Village situated in Bryant Park. Each enterprise will have the unique chance to display and sell its offerings at no rental cost within the Holiday Shops of the Winter Village for a duration exceeding two weeks.
This initiative not only allows these entrepreneurial entities to engage with new clientele at one of the city’s prime shopping and tourist locales, but it also entails Bank of America covering logistical rental expenses and overseeing the fundamental setup of each booth.
Last season, the expansive network of over 180 holiday shops at Bryant Park—incorporating the four Small Business Spotlight merchants—culminated in an impressive $50 million in sales.
“Small businesses invigorate and fortify our local economy, nurturing vibrant New York City neighborhoods,” articulated José Tavarez, president, Bank of America New York City.
As the foremost lender to small enterprises nationwide, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of this year’s Small Business Spotlight vendors at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.
The complimentary booth space we offer will empower these four businesses to expand their market reach and retail their products in this illustrious environment, free from the encumbrance of additional operational costs.
This year’s participants join a distinguished network of over 20 entrepreneurs who have participated in this initiative since its inception in 2020.
The featured Small Business Spotlight enterprises include:
- Tribe & Oak (Brooklyn): Co-founders Taylor Tankson and Kareem Wallace established Tribe & Oak with the aim of creating attainable luxury home essentials using conscientious materials and packaging.
Their artisanal offerings comprise scented coconut soy wax candles, body butter, hand sanitizers, and reed diffusers, all adhering to vegan, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free principles. They will be featured from Oct. 24 – Nov. 11. - JAY CERAMICS (Staten Island): Artisan Judy Suh, trained in Icheon, South Korea, crafts minimalist, functional designs from her Staten Island workshop.
She hand-makes both everyday tableware and statement pieces, employing traditional Korean techniques to celebrate her heritage and project her artistic vision. JAY CERAMICS will be displayed from Nov. 12 – Nov. 30. - Smar Art (Brooklyn): Born amid the pandemic in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Smar Art has transitioned from a greeting card enterprise to a vibrant purveyor of stickers, art prints, and bookmarks.
Every greeting card designed by founder Sarah Mar is handmade in small batches, printed on recycled and recyclable materials. Smar Art will be showcased from Dec. 1 – Dec. 16. - Vanilla Joe & Co. (Manhattan): Based in Manhattan, this venture offers scented candles inspired by its namesake and canine mascot, Vanilla Joe, a yellow Labrador Retriever.
Founder Rachel Heim’s whimsical creations marry various dog breeds with signature fragrances, including Aussie Autumn, Frenchie Fig, and Labrador Lemon, among others. Vanilla Joe & Co. will be available from Dec. 17 – Jan. 4.
“Having benefited from the Bank of America Small Business Spotlight program, we remain immensely grateful for the prospect it provided,” stated Kalsang Chomphel, potter/artist, Kalsang Pottery.
“This platform marked the inception of our retail journey—a crucial point in our exploration of the vast market opportunities accessible to small businesses like ours. This experience has bolstered our confidence and amplified our visibility in the broader marketplace.”
Marking over ten years of collaboration between Bank of America and Bryant Park, the 13th iteration of the Bank of America Winter Village commences on October 24, 2025.
The Small Business Spotlight dates correspond with the Holiday Shops by Urbanspace schedule, running from October 24, 2025, through January 4, 2026.
The extensive vendor assortment will be operational weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (opening day will begin at noon). The Rink and The Lodge will remain functional until March 1, 2026.
Attendees can locate the Small Business Spotlight booth adjacent to the fountain, near the entrance of Bryant Park at 41st Street and 6th Avenue.
Bank of America
Boasting a prominent position in the financial sector, Bank of America caters to individual consumers, small to medium-sized enterprises, and major corporations, offering an extensive portfolio of banking, investment, asset management, and financial services.
With unparalleled convenience across the United States, it serves approximately 69 million consumers and small business clients through around 3,700 retail financial centers and nearly 15,000 ATMs, complemented by an award-winning digital banking platform serving roughly 59 million verified digital users.
Bank of America stands as a titan in wealth management, corporate and investment banking, and trading, catering to a diverse clientele worldwide, including corporations, governments, and individuals.
The institution extends superior support to around 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easily navigable online services. Bank of America Corporation’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
For further updates from Bank of America, including dividend announcements, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.
Bryant Park Corporation
Bryant Park Corporation (BPC) is a private non-profit entity established in 1980 with the mission to renovate, finance, and manage Bryant Park, New York City. BPC is responsible for security, sanitation, and horticultural services, in addition to providing diverse food and beverage options and hosting an array of free events year-round.
This Midtown Manhattan park attracts over 20 million visitors annually, establishing it as one of the most heavily frequented public spaces globally. For further information and a calendar of events, visit bryantpark.org.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park stands as a cherished seasonal destination in New York City, operating from Friday, October 24, 2025, to Sunday, March 1, 2026. This year marks the return of The Rink—an exquisite ice skating venue with free admission, the largest of its kind in the city, where Bank of America cardholders can enjoy a 10% discount on skate rentals throughout the season.
The Lodge, a vibrant food hall and bar, delivers seasonal culinary delights, hot beverages, and festive cocktails. From October 24, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the Winter Village will also host Holiday Shops by Urbanspace, an open-air market featuring over 180 vendors presenting artisan goods, crafts, and gourmet delicacies.
Additional highlights, including Santa’s Corner, Cozy Igloos, and Bumper Cars on ice, will be revealed later in the holiday season. Follow @bryantparknyc on Instagram and visit wintervillage.org for future announcements and updates regarding programming.
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