A New York City resident is breathing new life into forgotten businesses and neighborhood gems by utilizing a vintage Rolodex discovered at an estate sale. Mari Huang, 31, purchased the Rolodex, which she later learned was a business card holder, for $5 in January 2025 at an Upper East Side estate sale. The find has since inspired her viral TikTok series, "Rolodex Recs," dedicated to exploring businesses that have survived decades of urban change.
Huang, who moved to the city from Ohio, described herself as a nostalgic person who values physical media. The Rolodex belonged to an Upper East Side woman, known affectionately as "Peach," who died in 2024 at age 79. Huang felt a connection to Peach through the curated collection of cards, seeing it as a glimpse into a "stranger's New York."
The series involves Huang sorting through the business cards, identifying which establishments are still in operation and which have succumbed to rising rents and development. This process has led her to discover places like Tiny Doll House on the Upper East Side, a miniature shop that has been in business for over 30 years, and Fabulous Fanny's, an East Village vintage eyewear shop with more than three decades of history. Huang mentioned bonding with an employee at Fabulous Fanny's over their shared love of fashion.
Other discoveries include century-old bakeries like Orwashers, the Carnegie Hill cookbook shop Kitchen Arts & Letters, the Italian-inspired bar La Bomboniera, and the independent bookseller The Corner Bookstore. These visits serve as both a celebration of surviving businesses and a poignant reminder of those that have closed, such as Cellini Shoes and Bags.
Beyond businesses, the Rolodex contained cards for artists, performers, and vintage experts, revealing the breadth of Peach's social circle. Huang also found personal mementos within the holder, including a list of crystals and their meanings from the late 1980s, souvenirs from a trip to Paris, and a handwritten list of things Peach was thankful for. Huang, who enjoys "junk journaling" to document her own life, felt a kinship with Peach's meticulous way of preserving memories.
The "Rolodex Recs" series has resonated with viewers, with older New Yorkers reminiscing about lost establishments and younger audiences viewing the content as a form of time travel. Comments on Huang's videos often express emotional connections to the project, with viewers sharing sentiments about commemorating a life and celebrating shared affections for certain places.
Huang continues to sort through the Rolodex, with her sister now collaborating on the video series. She expressed gratitude for Peach's list, which provides a curated guide to places from a different era, and finds inspiration in considering what kind of tangible memories she might leave behind in the future.