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| Jonathan |
The GothamBox story is the combination of two fond memories.
East to West
Shawn, a Midwest boy, spent close to 5 years in the majestic and exhilarating city of New York. It was not the big lights and electrifying scene that intrigued him most. It was the unique local brands that were the extraordinary fabric to the city. Shawn grew so attached to the intimate coffee shops, the decadently rich chocolate, as well as enticing sweets that he never knew existed prior to coming to NYC.
He started a new life on the West Coast and was so heartbroken when he found that it was impossible for him to stay connected to the local brands that he had grown so fond of while living in NYC.
He vowed to find a solution to this major problem.
West to East
In almost a symmetrical move, I left my hometown of San Francisco to start college on the East Coast. My mother sent me care packages every single month to say that she loved me. Setting off to start a new life on the opposite coast was exciting but definitely nerve-wracking. Receiving these boxes was exactly the dose of home I needed to stay strong.
I wasn’t the only one who loved these monthly treats. The care packages became such a hit in my dorm that she started including special items for my friends. For instance at Christmas time, every single one of my friends received a miniature red stocking packed with candy. When Easter rolled around, my friends were rewarded with chocolate eggs. My friend’s mother even copied the idea and started sending treats to him too. I was sure to tax him heavily for copying by eating a significant portion of his box. I couldn’t help myself – his mother sent him some of the most delicious Japanese candies and treats.
Born out of a parking lot
Fast forward to Christmastime 2011. The concept of GothamBox was born in a parking lot in Palo Alto, just outside of San Francisco. Shawn and I started conceptualizing. After the fifth “wouldn’t it be cool if” and “yeah!” we pull out a pen and paper and started drawing up mockups of what the site would look like on top of Shawn’s trunk.
Shawn wanted to help people stay in touch with their hometown favorites. I wanted to reproduce the fond experience of my mother sending me care packages.
GothamBox took the best of both of these passions. We offer the most delicious taste of your favorite city delivered right to you, your family and your friends. Every month, you’re reminded that home misses you or isn’t as far away as you think.
-Jonathan
You can find my blog review of GothamBox here and, also, please return to enter the exciting Mother’s Day Event May 1st, to win a 2-month subscription of your own.