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At Janie’s Life-Changing Bakeshop, every cookie tells a story of resilience, empowerment, and second chances. Founder Janie Deegan turned her passion for baking into a thriving business after overcoming addiction and homelessness. Today, she’s using her success to lift others up. Photo Credit: CNBC From Self-Care to Success Janie started baking as a form of self-care during recovery, selling pies and cakes at small markets. When a friend challenged her to turn the best part of a pie—the crust—into a cookie, she got to work. The result? The Pie Crust Cookie, a buttery, flaky treat that quickly became a sensation. Her big break came when she won a Stacy’s Pita Chips scholarship, allowing her to refine her craft. She then joined Columbia University’s Harlem Local Vendor Program (HLVP), which helped her scale her business and land her cookies in Columbia…

As we step into 2025, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had in 2024 at Like a Local Tours. This year marked our 10th anniversary—an exhilarating milestone that we celebrated all year long. Thanks to our loyal customers, enthusiastic new guests, and our phenomenal team of tour guides, 2024 was a…

Location: 10 Morton St, New York, NY 10014 Like a Local is excited to roll out the welcome mat for its newest partner, COPS Doughnuts! This Canadian doughnut shop founded in 2018 has landed in the West Village in Manhattan. COPS aims to create edible art, crafting their offerings in collaboration with a food scientist…

Holiday Extravaganza Sale: The Best NYC Tour Deals of the Year! The holidays are right around the corner, and we’ve got the ultimate way to treat yourself, your friends, family, or even that friendly barista you’ve been chatting with over your PSL this season. Get ready for our Holiday Extravaganza Sale, where you can save…

As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin thinking about how we can give back to the community. This year at Like A Local Tours we are stepping up our holiday cheer efforts by directly supporting four incredible local charities and social impact organizations, and need your help to make the impact go farther!…

New York City, a global icon of energy and excitement, may not immediately conjure images of eco-conscious travel. Yet, beneath the towering skyscrapers and vibrant street scenes, a green heart beats. As a visitor, embracing sustainable & regenerative practices not only lightens your environmental impact but also unveils a new side of the city that…

We always love hosting journalists and media from around the world! We are so excited to share a couple great articles that recently came out: Immigrant New York Food Tour: Lower East Side, Chinatown & Little Italy featured in India’s premium weekend magazine, Mint Lounge, on June 29, 2024, in an article titled “Savouring the…

Enjoy exclusive entry to the Museum of Food & Drink (MOFAD) in the heart of DUMBO post-tour. Dive mouth first into the science of taste at this experiential museum! We are thrilled to announce our new social impact partner and our partnership with the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) on our Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn…

We’re excited to introduce a heartfelt addition to our Chelsea & West Village Dessert Tour, inspired directly by the love and tradition of Mexico City. Mijo, a tribute to the comfort foods that fill hearts with warmth and tummy with vibrant flavors. But the story of Mijo doesn’t stop at just offering mouthwatering meals. Fany…

Welcome to Industry City, Brooklyn’s vibrant hub where creativity, cuisine, and culture collide! Featuring Japan Village * Burger Joint * Taco Mix * Barrow’s Intense * Li-Lac Chocolates * The Remix Market * Brooklyn Made Store * & More! We recently led an enthusiastic group of 30 from Switzerland on a four-hour tour. This…

At Like a Local Tours, we’re thrilled to unveil an exciting addition to our Chelsea Market & High Line Tour: Local Roots’ tantalizing Arnold Palmer Yuzu Lemonade Boba Tea. This delightful concoction blends the timeless flavors of Arnold Palmer with a zesty twist of Yuzu Lemonade, topped with tapioca pearls for an extra burst of…

As February unfolds its wintry embrace, New York City dons another coat, one woven with the threads of history, culture, and resilience. In honor of Black History Month, let’s embark on a fascinating journey through the diverse neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn, where echoes of the past intertwine with the vibrancy of the present. Harlem:…

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is not just a trendy neighborhood known for its artistic vibes and eclectic culture; it’s also a hub for sustainable living. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various stores, restaurants, and activities in Williamsburg that are committed to sustainability, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to make eco-conscious choices. SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING: Pollution…

Launched in April 2022, this unique establishment is more than just a place to grab your morning coffee and bagel. It’s where culinary delight meets a deep-seated mission to foster change, one delicious bite at a time. At first glance, the mouth-watering bagel sandwiches, reminiscent of the authentic New York flavor, lure you in. But…

Seed + Mill, a brainchild of three passionate women – Lisa Mendelson, Monica Molenaar, and Rachel Simons – is a testament to how a single, sprouting idea can blossom into a brand loved by many. The foundation of Seed + Mill was laid in 2016, but its essence, inspired by Middle Eastern flavors and a…

In the world of business, there’s no denying the importance of a motivated workforce and the role of workplace culture in ensuring it. And while many tools and tactics have been employed to achieve this, here’s a delectable way to enhance morale and workplace culture: a catered dessert table! A Confectionary Twist to Workplace Culture…

Honeybrains was founded by two brothers, Dr. Alon Seifan, a neurologist, and his brother, Tomer Seifan, who has a background in hospitality. The idea behind Honeybrains is to create a restaurant that serves food that not only tastes great but also has health benefits. The menu is designed to provide customers with nutritious and delicious…

As if our Chelsea Market, High Line & Hudson Yards food and history tour could get any better, we are thrilled to announce that Bronx Brewery Hudson Yards is offering our tour guests a free 5 oz pour of beer or their non alcoholic seltzer, after the tour! GET TICKETS. For the perfect (and refreshing!)…

We are excited to announce the launch of our first Harlem based Social Impact Tour. This social impact experience will allow travelers and companies to connect with local organizations that do good in Harlem. On this tour guests are able to support hyper-local, community-based organizations and learn about the movements and people behind them, while…

We are honored that Like A Local Tours has been awarded in the 2022 North, South & Central Americas Travel Awards program from Travel & Hospitality Awards. “While this year has been the toughest the travel industry has ever faced, we endeavour to recognise those who deserve praise and to promote the hard work of…

New York Fashion Week is an experience all its own and we want to help you be properly prepared for the most amazing week of the year. From exclusive events to some of the best shopping in the city, here’s how to enjoy NYFW like a true fashionista. Learn the basics of New York Fashion…

Local Businesses Keep Communities Strong The backbone of a community are the local businesses. They are the people who live in the community, pay taxes to the community, and keep things running smoothly. Local businesses also play an important role in keeping your neighborhood safe by providing jobs to local citizens and helping to prevent…

The Pomerantz family tree is a timeline of pioneering New York City entrepreneurial efforts. Rosilyn Marilyn Zucker Pomerantz and her husband, Murray, owned a clothing store on Rivington St. in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood known for its historically Jewish population, and, of course, the great offerings of Jewish cuisine including Russ’…

In a September study published in Science about the growth of plastic waste, an international team of researchers estimated that 19 to 23 million metric tons — or 11% of plastic waste generated — ended up in aquatic ecosystems in 2016. And even with countries pledging to help cut waste or better manage it, the amount of…

We are thrilled to be a founding member of BKBlockParty.Live, a digital block party to support small businesses in Brooklyn that have been impacted by COVID-19. Stay home. Shop small. Support Brooklyn.  On Saturday, May 23rd from 10am until 2pm, Brooklyn is getting its first digital block party that will put live-streamed content from local Brooklyn shops…

It’s no secret that small businesses everywhere are facing tough times, but given the fact that NYC has been on lockdown since March 16, we are especially hard hit. Here are some of our favorite ways to support small businesses: NYC & Company continues to highlight member businesses through three separate digital marketing initiatives: Virtual…

Birds of a Feather WILLIAMSBURG BROOKLYN $$ Birds of a Feather, 鸳鸯 in Chinese, is a Chinese restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is the brainchild of Yiming and Xian, the Michelin-starred duo behind Cafe China. They hav spent countless hours ruminating on the details of everything that meets the eye and behind the scenes in…