Kids Dig Into Memories as Shopwise Closes; Soup Kitchen Set to Open in Its Place

By BoroPark24 Staff

In a bittersweet scene on 16th Avenue and 44th Street, children were spotted jumping into a large trash container outside the former Shopwise store, eager to get their hands on leftover tchotchkes from the iconic Boro Park shop.

For years, Shopwise was the ultimate destination for mothers and teachers seeking affordable prizes, school supplies, and goodies. But as many remember, kids were famously not allowed inside the store - making this unexpected “treasure hunt” a rare opportunity for them to finally explore the hidden gems of a place they had never entered.

The store quietly closed its doors in recent months, as previously reported by BoroPark24. But the location won't stay idle for long. A soup kitchen is reportedly slated to open at the site, providing free meals for those in need and giving the space a new purpose rooted in kindness and community support.