If you’ve ever wondered where Waldo is, look no further than Brooklyn!
This July, for the first time in two years, Waldo is visiting Flatbush and Fort Greene for a month-long scavenger hunt hosted by Greenlight Bookstore. The event gives kids and their parents a chance to support local businesses while keeping busy during summer break.
The beloved bookshop is partnering with 40 local businesses such as florists, coffee shops, and restaurants and more for the hunt. To start, participants can pick up a stamp card from either of Greenlight Bookstore’s two locations or any of the participating businesses. Then, kiddos take their card with them from location to location, collecting stamps or signatures from each shop they find Waldo in.
After sharp-eyed scavengers collect at least ten different stamps – including one from Greenlight Bookstore itself, where Waldo will look a little different, to keep things interesting — they can collect a Waldo stamp and $1 off coupon from their nearest Greenlight location. Hunters who collect more than 20 stamps will be entered for a chance to win Waldo books and other prizes.
“Traditions like Find Waldo Local can be so much of what makes a neighborhood feel like a community,” said Chelsea Carr, Greenlight Bookstore’s Marketing Coordinator. “We hope families discover and connect with the incredible breadth of local businesses in their communities while enjoying the search for Waldo this July.”
Participating businesses in Flatbush & Prospect Lefferts Gardens:
- Awesome Brooklyn
- Awesome Home
- Brooklyn Perk
- Café con Libros
- Cinnamon Girl
- Crème and Cocoa Creamery
- Culture Closet
- Cups and Books
- D. Vino Wine and Spirits
- Flat Hardware
- Granru Market
- Hibiscus Brew
- J & J Delicious Cakes
- Les’ Blooms
- Little Mo Wine & Spirits
- PLG Coffee House
- Record City
- Scoops & Plates
- Tafari Tribe
- Trixie’s Pet Store
Participating businesses in Fort Greene:
- Black Forest Brooklyn
- Colonia Verde
- DC Optics
- Douglas Elliiman Real Estate
- DSK Brooklyn
- Emack & Bolio’s
- Gnarly Vines
- Graziella’s
- Green in BKLYN
- Greene Grape Provisions
- Greene Grape Spirits
- Kiki’s Pet Spa
- Olivino Wines
- Peck’s
- Peckish
- Petit Paulette
- Stem
- Yours Truly, Brooklyn
- Yu Interiors
On July 31, regardless of how many Waldos have been found, participants can celebrate with an in-person finale party in Fort Greene Park and Prospect Park. Both celebrations will feature giveaways, activities, and refreshments.
With his red-and-white striped shirt and black glasses, the beloved Waldo has been an icon of children’s literature for generations. Ten years ago, Candlewick Press, Waldo’s publisher, partnered with the American Bookseller’s Association to launch the Find Waldo Local campaign, which partners with independent booksellers like Greenlight across the country for the month-long scavenger hunt.
For more information, visit greenlightbookstore.com or visit Greenlight’s locations in Fort Greene at 686 Fulton St. between S. Portland Avenue and S. Elliot Place and Flatbush at 632 Flatbush Avenue between Fenimore and Hawthorne streets.
