Showing posts with label Exit9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exit9. Show all posts

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Family affair: 30 Years of Exit9 on Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
The following Q&A was edited for length and clarity.

Exit9 Gift Emporium is turning 30 — three decades of clever cards, local finds and offbeat gifts that have kept East Villagers coming back for more.

The shop debuted in 1995 at 64 Avenue A, between Fourth Street and Fifth Street (where March Gallery is now), and moved down a block and across the street to its current location at 51 Avenue A in June 2011.

In the lead-up to celebrating the shop's 30th anniversary, I spoke with the family (Charles Branstool, Christy Davis, and their daughter, Stella Branstool) who own and operate the gift shop to discuss how it all began, how a small business handles adversity, and some of their favorite Exit9 memories. 

Why the East Village, and how did you come to be a family business? 

Charles: Well, I lived here at the time, and I fell in love with the neighborhood. I lived right around the corner on Sixth Street, right above Joe's Bar. 

Christy: We met in 1995; Charles had already opened the store. I had another job — in television. We were introduced by a friend. We met and became friends. We hung out as friends for quite a while before falling in love. I joined Exit9 in 1999 after leaving TV. 

I did a year of bartending at the Phoenix on 13th Street, and once I discovered I was pregnant with Stella, I quit bartending and started working at the store, as much as I could as a pregnant person. 
How does it feel to be celebrating 30 years? 

Charles: I feel very proud of being here for 30 years. You know, it's a long time to be doing one thing, but I've — we've — done it pretty well. I'm very proud of the staff that we have. I'm proud of the partnerships we've formed, not just with our workers, but also with our vendors. 

Christy: I also feel very proud to be a part of this institution. I kind of came into it by default, and I feel lucky for that, because it's become a career for me that I didn't anticipate, and I really do enjoy it. I was always a card collector, and now I'm a card buyer, along with other things, and I really enjoy that. It's a creative job. And I think that when I talk to people about us celebrating 30 years, their response is always that's just such a rare thing, especially these days, to be able to celebrate that kind of milestone. We've been through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, blackouts, recessions, Covid — and bounced back. So I feel really proud to be part of that.

Stella, how is it for you, having grown up here? 

Stella: It feels crazy. It feels awesome. I feel super lucky, too, to be born into a family business that offers good hours during the day and doesn't involve getting dirty with food… Everybody's, oh, not everybody, but mostly all the customers are in a good mood. It's fun, it's colorful, it's a good place to be born into, and I can't believe that it's older than I am [Stella is 25]. That's mind-blowing to me. 

Charles: We're actually older than Amazon! 

Stella: To me, it's crazy that I have never known life without Exit9. Wow. I've never known what life was like without this place. And as a kid, I was the coolest kid around. Can you imagine being a child who has access to this store? All my friends knew the store. I've been working at the store for a very long time… on and off. 

Charles: It's true, I used to pay her in gum! 

Stella: Another thing is that it's very helpful as a musician, as an artist, as a touring person, because this job is very flexible, to that lifestyle. To fall back on. I love Exit9. 

Charles: Stella brought up the fact that this place is fun, and that's really what we were founded on, which was this idea of fun and curiosity. And I'm very proud of the fact that we've been able to maintain that fun and curiosity for a full 30-year cycle. 

Christy: And to hear the soundbites of the people walking by when the door is open, saying "Ohhh I want to go into Exit9, mom, let's go into Exit9!" or "this is where I get all my holiday gifts" or "this is where we bought your wedding gift!" to hear what people have experienced from here is really touching. 

For people to come in and say, "Please don't go anywhere, we don't know what we would do without you." It's touching to have a fan base like that. 
Is there a favorite memory? What stands out?

Stella: Well, during Covid, I was not living with you guys, so I was kind of, I wasn't working at Exit9, and I was in school at the time. 

Charles: During Covid? Nobody was working here! 

Stella: Yeah, but I remember you guys would go to Exit9 and make these fun videos with the bunny bags. Remember that? For Easter? I guess that's not really a memory so much as, like, when I think about Exit9, persevering through so much time, I think about that and how you guys really were just getting creative… 

Christy: That's where the goofy videos started! [See below!]

Stella: Being goofy and being sweet. 

Charles: During the shutdown, you're just left with all this stuff. You're just left with this stage, and nobody's coming in, and that's where we're just like, OK, I'm gonna go make a sad video about Covid and being closed. 

Stella: It's just wholesome. 

Christy: And I mean, over the years, there were celebrity interactions. 

Let's talk about that. 

Christy: Bill Murray was my favorite. We carried two Bill Murray books at the time, and he had his luggage and it was during the holidays, and the two books were down here [gesturing], and I said, "Would you like to put your luggage over here?" And I motioned to the books, and he just laughed. And then my employee was trying to set me up with him for some reason, but he introduced himself to me as Bill, as if I wouldn't know who he was. 

Also, Timothée Chalamet, Bowen Yang, Rachel Weiss, Björk, Meg White. I mean, the list goes on. Tig Notaro…Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, Peter Dinklage. 

Charles: I think our windows are a memory for me ... That's where the magic happens. And from our window designer, Julie Delano. 

Christy: Not that long ago, I was outside sweeping, and this older couple came by. And they were just like, and I've also, if I had a nickel for every time somebody said this to me, but it was just lovely to hear these, like older East Village people saying it. They said, "You know, every time we walk by here, the windows are so amazing. I don't know who your window dresser is, but they're better than Bloomingdale's. We're so impressed by what you guys do here," and that's really nice to hear. We always pass that on to Julie. 

Stella has a good memory, Stella? 

Stella: Yeah, I have a good memory, which is the shows that you would put on, you guys would put on in the windows for Halloween. 

Would that be the doctor is insane

Stella: The doctor is insane! That is a key memory. The preparation going into those shows… 

Charles: Oh my God, that's why we don't do it anymore. The preparation alone killed me. 

Stella: But people loved it.

Is there a chance it might come back? It was wildly popular. 

Christy: I think we should do it at some point again. 

Stella: Come on… 

Christy: 2026? 

Charles: Let's shoot for 2026… 

You heard it here first, folks. 

Charles: MAYBE. 

Christy: We'll convince Charles. 

Is there a typical EV customer? 

Christy: Not anymore. 

Stella: There are a few archetypes ... the old East Village head who has been around for years and years comes in, yeah, maybe a little punk… 

Charles: Or like the guy who came in today for the drag queen calendars? 

Christy: Arty, musician-y… 

Stella: Artsy. Yeah, with tattoos. Oh, and people with their dogs, those are my favorite kinds of people. 

Charles: The dogs love to come in here. We feed them. 

Stella: Yeah, love the dogs. 

What are the other archetypes? 

Christy: You know, we talked about celebrities and, you know, pre Bill Murray and Timothée Chalamet and all, it was Murray Hill. And now we have, like, Jeff Hiller, who just won an Emmy for "Somebody Somewhere." Justin Vivian Bond comes in — she loves her candles. So yeah, that kind of downtown star. Like Jesse Malin, too, those are our regulars, and that's so cool. 

Stella: Also, the kids! Young kids with their parents are really excited by this. 

Charles: We've been here for 30 years, and we've seen these kids grow from being in a stroller to sometimes being hired! 

Christy: Or sometimes having their own children. 

Charles: Yes, or sometimes having their own children. When you are here this long, you get to see the whole life cycle play out before you, and that's a really humbling thing. 
You can stay up-to-date with the shop and spot any anniversary specials, giveaways, or events via Instagram

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Sunday's opening shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

On Avenue A, Exit9 co-owners Charles Branstool and Christy Davis with their daughter Stella Wave (who's also the drummer of EVG fave Hello Mary). 

And a Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere!

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

It's full-on Easter time with Christy and Charles at Exit9, 51 Avenue A...

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy

Exit9, in the gloom of dusk this Halloween season, at 51 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street...

Sunday, June 12, 2022

At the East Village Queer Market

Photos by Stacie Joy 


Milk Money Kitchens, 50 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street, hosted the Market. The sponsors were the East Village Independent Merchants Association3rd and B'zaar and Exit9.

While this was a one-day event, there is an online shop here for more Pride-related items. 

EVG contributor Stacie oy stopped by for part of the afternoon... 

Friday, June 10, 2022

Details about the East Village Queer Market on Avenue A tomorrow

Photos by Stacie Joy

Look for a special Pride event tomorrow (Saturday!) at the East Village Queer Market, an event spotlighting queer makers and gay-owned businesses producing consumer goods.

A handful of local vendors will be participating tomorrow in this "celebration of Queer Makers" from noon to 6 p.m. at 50 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street. Find more details here. You can also shop online here.

The sponsors are the East Village Independent Merchants Association3rd and B'zaar and Exit9, with co-owner Charles Branstool pictured below. 

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Exit9 reopens on Avenue A after fire next door

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Exit9 Gift Emporium reopened yesterday — just two days after the two-alarm fire destroyed neighboring business Essex Card Shop late Monday afternoon here on Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the shop yesterday, where she found a thankful co-owner Charles Branstool in the retail space in the base of the 13-floor Ageloff Towers... 
"I feel incredibly grateful and lucky to have been spared such an unthinkable tragedy. It was difficult to comprehend the surreal events as they unfolded....watching Exit9 remain virtually untouched while witnessing the destruction of my neighbor's family business," he said. "Thanks to the solid construction of the Ageloff Towers, the fire could not spread so easily. The outpouring of love and support from this community has been both humbling and heartwarming." 

However pleased Branstool was to be back open, his thoughts remained with his neighbor to the south. Essex Card Shop relocated next door at 47 Avenue A in June 2020. However, like Exit9, the Card Shop has been an Avenue A mainstay for more than 20 years.

"Let's not forget the real tragedy here is the loss of Essex Card Shop. My heart goes out to Muhammed and Jay and their family. I can't imagine what trauma they must be experiencing at this moment," Branstool said. "If there's one thing this community has taught me is that we know how to be resilient. Let's help them rebuild." (He then mentioned their GoFundMe effort. "Every little bit helps during times like this.") 

Given the dramatic photos at the scene on Monday, it's incredible that Exit9 remained intact, free of any water damage. A faint odor of smoke hung in the air. (There's an air purifier running in the shop.) A fire official told Stacie that the solid cement ceiling and brick walls in the storefronts served as a firebreak and prevented further damage to the building. 

"As for Exit9, she is a survivor. We just needed one day to rest and freshen up. We've cleaned up our floors and shelves, and a HEPA air filter is scrubbing the air," he said. "New Valentine's Day windows have already been installed. A fluffy feather baby cradled in a giant white heart, so things are already looking up for us."
Exit9, now in its 27th year, is at 51 Avenue A. Store hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours of noon to 6 p.m.
For further reading on EVG

Friday, October 8, 2021

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Exit9 owner Charles Branstool has (a very limited supply of) upstate-grown pumpkins to give away to participants in the shop's pumpkin carving contest this month. It's all taking place on Instagram... and you can read all about how to take part right here

Exit9 is at 51 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street if you want to stop by for any other reason.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Monday, June 8, 2020

Welcome to Phase 1



NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is doing a segment on NYC retail shops reopening for curbside service under Phase 1.

Network correspondent Ron Allen was spotted on Avenue A interviewing Exit9 Gift Emporium owner Charles Branstool ... (thanks to Stacie Joy for the photos!)



This segment is expected to air tonight during the broadcast that starts at 6:30.

Meanwhile, Gothamist put together a helpful guide here on NYC's four-part reopening, which started today with Phase 1.

Friday, November 1, 2019

The transplant was a success? A doctor recommend Halloween procedure at Exit9



Halloween evening also included a return performance of the Exit9 Gift Emporium's window theater, in which passersby were treated to "an insane doctor’s gruesome medical malpractice" ... Stacie Joy took in the performance...





...and the cast and crew following the curtain call...



Thursday, October 17, 2019

Doctor's orders: Halloween night at Exit9 on Avenue A



The folks at the Exit9 Gift Emporium at 51 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street are once again hosting a Halloween night Window Theater.

Here's what to expect via the EVG inbox...

THE DOCTOR IS IN…SANE!

Gore-hungry East Village tricksters (and their parents) will bear witness to an insane doctor’s gruesome medical malpractice. On Oct. 31, the window of Exit9 Gift Emporium will be converted into an operating amphitheater as the demented doctor performs live surgery before your very eyes.

The doctor will start seeing patients at 7 p.m. on Halloween. Revisit the scene from 2015 right here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Hot night at Exit9



Tonight, local artist Steve Ellis was on-hand at Exit9, 51 Avenue A ... where he debuted his Ignited Lighter Project, a collection of lighters featuring an array of downtown personalities... in celebration of Lower East Side History Month.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was at the shop tonight between Third Street and Fourth Street...


[Steve Ellis, left, with Mistress Formika]


[Angel Eyedealism and Exit9 owner Charles Branstool]


[Sean Eden from Luna]

The lighters are $5, and will be for sale at the store until they run out...


Next Tuesday, Exit9 will host a month-long art show titled "LES History, More History." Find more details here.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Just what the doctor ordered on Halloween night



Last night at Exit9 on Avenue A, Dr. Frankenchef and his nurse, Ghoulia Childs, performed a live surgery in the gift shop's window between East Fourth Street and East Third Street… EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by for part of the procedures…