Our Family Business
From the bustling streets of New York City to the sun-drenched shores of Miami Beach, Big Drop’s physical and digital footprint reflects 35 years of dedication to the fashion-forward woman.
The premier contemporary womenswear retailer, Big Drop NYC has long been a one-stop staple for both established labels and up-and-coming designers, curating collections that feel fresh, relevant, and distinctly individual. It’s this balance- between the known and the next- that has solidified Big Drop’s reputation as more than a boutique: it’s a destination. But it’s the familiar feeling of shopping with your girlfriends that Malka Katzav has created since she took over in 2015.
While trends have come and gone and the industry has evolved, Big Drop continues to create a personalized and fun experience for customers that sets it apart from traditional retail. “Customers come to us for something special and a sense of discovery,” Katzav explains. It’s that mix of on-trend pieces and unexpected finds, plus an unmatched customer service experience, that has made the boutique a go-to for the “it” girl.
Our History
When my dad was 22, fresh out of the IDF, he decided to make the long trek over to New York City, in hopes of finding his American Dream. He had nothing, and knew no one, but that didn’t stop him. Little did he know, he would be building a legacy that lives through generations in our family.
What started as a men’s streetwear store became the beginning of everything. The merchandise came from a friend’s uncle’s overstock factory, which they were able to get on consignment. This led to weekly Sunday sample sales that my dad and his friend would host out of their small Soho apartment, which soon turned into their first storefront on LaGuardia Place.
Weekends would be spent promoting Big Drop at New York City’s hottest clubs- Limelight, The Palladium, and Tunnel. Word spread fast, and before long, a studio apartment had transformed into a store. It quickly became the place to shop.
The small boutique took off faster than they could have ever imagined. They began selling womenswear and soon debuted their first runway show (which was more of an epic party with a runway!).
The duo took on a second location, which became their flagship: Spring Street. Before long, top designers were clamoring at their doorstep, as Big Drop NYC had gained the reputation of being one of the most unique and well-curated boutiques in the city.
After a few short years, Big Drop opened a second location on the Upper East Side, conveniently serving a dedicated following of uptown-based customers. My dad spent the next decade opening 4 more locations all over the city and the Hamptons. Big Drop was rated the hottest boutique in the Northeast by Zagat.
Before rising to prominence as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, Miranda Kerr modeled for one of our lookbooks!
Our first step into Florida was Miami- and we went big. We opened inside what is now the 1 Hotel South Beach on Collins Ave, our largest location yet. It was where the pulse of New York met the energy of Miami, and the store quickly became more than just a place to shop- it was a scene, a community, and the beginning of something bigger for Big Drop.
Within a decade, we were featured in fashion magazines, on billboards and on the tops of taxi cabs across the city. Big Drop quickly became the shopping destination for A-List celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, JLo, Heidi Klum and others. This year Nicky Hilton launched her jewelry brand with us.
When I was fresh out of college, my dad was ready to close the stores and go back to Israel, but I wasn’t. I decided to take over and learn the business from top to bottom, rebuilding Big Drop as my own.
With the help of some contractors, I renovated our flagship store. My dad had already moved to Miami by this time, so it was just me setting the foundation for our next phase.
Covid-19 hit. I began offering virtual shopping appointments to my VIPs and longtime clients, and word spread fast to their friends and family. Within two weeks, I was hosting virtual shopping parties from our store- just me and an iPhone. It felt like QVC, showing each item to my customers on camera.
When quarantine ended, I began hosting VIP “sip + shop” events in different destinations. I hosted three within the first year- in Greenwich, Connecticut and Long Island- to keep the business afloat and maintain relationships with our growing community. I exchanged home cooked meals in exchange for free labor from my best friend, Masha, and my now husband, Clay. It was new, it was fun, and it felt right.
So right that I decided to close our SoHo flagship location. Post-Covid, Miami was growing, and we had a healthy business there. So I made the difficult decision and moved to Miami. It was the first day of my life that I didn’t have 174 Spring Street to come home to.
Making Miami our focus was the best decision I ever made. I have developed the most tremendous team of women who I feel so fortunate to surround myself with and learn from every day. We make each other laugh, we have fun, and that’s what Big Drop is all about. It’s the perfect balance of chasing big goals while never losing the joy in the process. We’ve turned this dream into so much more than a business; we’ve made it a family.
Our Boutique
