The NYT visited the northeast Mission and discovered our small industrial sector and the shops most Missionites know – Heath, Central Kitchen, and others. But they also found a favorite of mine that doesn’t get a lot of attention, PapaLlama or The Aesthetic Union.
Heath also leases space to James Tucker and Risa Culbertson, who opened the Aesthetic Union (555 Alabama Street; 732-822-4693;theaestheticunion.com), a letterpress studio and stationery shop selling cards, posters, notebooks and vintage print items, in December. Mr. Tucker operates two massive Heidelberg presses behind the wood counter, while Ms. Culbertson makes block-printed stationery under the name PapaLlama. “This area has historically been manufacturing warehouses and artist live-work spaces,” Mr. Tucker said. “It feels like a family in this building.” READ MORE