Avent-deLeon turned her native Bed-Stuy neighborhood into a shopping destination when she opened Sincerely, Tommy, a sleek boutique that stocks a curated selection of womenswear, artful jewelry, and statement pieces for the home. Five years later, Avent-deLeon is broadening her impact with S,T Eat & Stay, a restaurant and boutique hostel. This modern take on a bed-and-breakfast, situated near the corner of Malcolm X Blvd and MacDonough St, occupies three floors of a landmark brownstone. “Staying within Bed-Stuy, building within its infrastructure, and keeping the dollar circulating in this neighborhood has always been a priority,” Avent-deLeon says.

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