Many thanks to The UPS Store for sponsoring this conversation and the $100 American Express gift card giveaway!
Small businesses are part of what makes our country great– having an idea and seeing it through to fruition, employing locals to keep the economy moving, and putting money right back into the community where they reside. Those are a few reasons I shopped local last Saturday and supported the Small Business Saturday movement first started in 2010 by American Express and supported by the UPS Store. While the Saturday following Thanksgiving is ‘officially’ designated Small Business Saturday, shopping local always has it’s benefits no matter which day you decide to do it. I’m trying to shop local and small the entire month of December.
Like I need any incentive to shop (HA! Have you SEEN my Instagram feed?) I wanted to share a few of my local favorite businesses and can’t wait to hear yours too!
Local Toy Retailers:
Learning Express stores may be nationwide, but did you know they’re locally owned franchises? When I visited on Saturday for their annual sale, I scooped up a few gifts and got incredible savings to boot. I may have even added a few extras to my cart, knowing the money would stay in our community.
Local Sweet Shops:
I’m lucky to live near the town of Skippack, one of the most darling areas around. We adore the old-fashioned yet modern Miss Riddles Candy Shop, and my kids beg to go there each time we’re in the area. Stocking up on Christmas treats here feels much better than at a big box retailer. Plus, they give out samples, have personal recommendations, and are open until 10PM just in case you get a nighttime craving. You just can’t beat that!
Local Book Stores:
We live near a large shopping megaplex, and The Towne Book Center & Cafe is the ONLY non-franchise/ chain in the entire complex. Amidst the huge big box stores and chains, you’ll find this (equally huge but locally owned) bookstore filled to the brim of every new title imaginable. They even have a cafe with treats and beverages. Ask for Pammy, and you’ll get the best book advice around. 😉 She has tons of great ideas for books my kids will love, and they adore snuggling down into the chairs and exploring the many books we end up purchasing!
Local Farm Fresh Food:
We also joined a CSA this year (Community Supported Agriculture) and got most of our produce at the local organic farm. The market there also has local jams, jellies, syrups, honey, baked goods… yes, it’s more expensive but we buy less but better quality food and find it tastes even better knowing we’ve just supported local farming families.
Are you ready to take on the Shop Small challenge? Finding small businesses in your community has never been easier. In fact, you probably know many of them but if you’re looking for more be sure to visit the Shop Small website which features a Shop Small location finder.
Ready to go shop local? I’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Enter below to win a $100 American Express Gift Card, courtesy of The UPS Store!!!
What’s your favorite small business? Did you do any holiday shopping locally this year? Tell me all about it, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway above for your chance to win $100 to spend there!
Disclosure: this post was sponsored by The UPS Store and The Motherhood. As always, all opinions and content are 100% my own.
well aside from sweet clover,i have 4 favorite small businesses in downtown frederick- silk and burlap, the muse, relish decor, and salvaged- all great shops with friendly staff and unique items!
My favorite small business is a hardware store. When you step into it, you are taken back to the gold rush days – it’s an historic building and just fantastic. Family owned and friendly.
My favorite small business is Devine Gelateria in Sacramento, CA. The best gelato I have ever had.
My favorite business sells gourmet oils and vinegars for cooking. It is family owned, and you can sample the different oils and vinegars.
I love our local Japanese restaurant-Obento.
I like my local bakery.
I love MOnkey FIsh Toys and Wellington Bookshop!
I love O’Doodles toy store in Chestnut Hill!
We have a local small cake making business that I love!
In the past, on Small Business Saturday I’ve gone to a local hair stylist or an independently owned map store.
My favorite small business is one up at our farmer’s market who sells homemade goat yogurt and cheese! It’s all so delicious
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to buy cupcakes at local cupcake shops!
I love a local coffee shop (go figure!) way more than the big chain one around. 🙂
We have a fantastic small local downtown where I live and I love the local shops and places to eat. It’s great community.
The Mustache in Bentonville, AR. GREAT unique gifts!
I love our local gourmet store, the toy store, and the nutrition shop.
I have 3. Juniper, Edwards, and La De Da.
I love this cupcake shop in my town. Super friendly and great cupcakes!
There’s a great little local deli here where the owner seems to know everyone who comes in 🙂
I like our local pet shop. The owner is very friendly and nice
My favorite small business is my local bakery.
Favorite small business is a local cupcake baker, Sugar So Sweet. She has a truck and delivers! And she know gluten-free cupcakes OUT of the park. Move over, Babycakes 🙂
Love our farmers market!
My favorite small business is an Italian cafe near our house.
I have two favorites, from the area where I grew up (greater Red Bank, NJ area):
(1) The Write Impression — They have a great selection of imprint-able paper-goods… as well as all sorts of accessories to allow them to put together the most beautiful baskets.
(2) Le Papillon / The Brass Horn. — Husband and wife team with all the perfectly preppy women’s clothing / accessories (LP) and home accessories (BH). Originally they were two separate stores, but now they are conveniently co-located. This is where you find all the cute things in the Preppy Handbook (like ribbon watch bands) that you swear were fiction.
There’s a tiny local bakery that makes fresh bread every day!
Renfrow Hardware … a bit of this, a bit of that and of course the basic nails, nuts and bolts. I could spend hours walking the aisles and then finish up with an old-fashioned bottle of coca cola.
Thanks UPS – I have my fingers crossed!
I love our local farmers market that’s filled with wonderful small businesses!
My favorite small business sells craft supplies.
Aside from my awesome hair salon, which is a small local business, I like to support artists and crafters that set up tables at local outdoor and holiday fairs.
There’s a little cupcake place downtown that I just love!
We have quite a few local coffeeshops. I love stopping in the one downtown for the vibe and marshmallow lattes!
My hometown of Bonner Springs, Ks. has turned into this wonderful little eclectic shopping destination full of privately owned boutique stores, antiques, handmade jewelry & home decor, and the amazing Moon Marble!! I am falling in love with my town all over again.
My favorite small business is a local comic and toy store, the staff are so friendly and the items are unique
My favorite small business is the chocolate store down the street from my office….they have chocolate covered bacon!!!
My favorite is a cute little boutique down the street. they are so friendly and go out of their way to help costumers
My favorite is Olde Towne Toys in downtown St Augustine Florida.
I like going to a local jewelry store to buy gifts, they are always very helpful.
My favorite small business is a bakery in my community called the German Bakery. It’s delicious and I’ve been a customer for the past 20 years.
For me it is a tie between my favorite coffee shop, Cafe Kopi, and the local food coop. I love that they both have such ethical business practices – paying fair wages, etc. – and they have great food and atmosphere, too. Win-win.
We buy our meat at a local butcher shop
My favorite small business is Land’s Bakery, it has been in business for 30+ years. It is run by a man & his wife, both in their late 60’s-early 70’s. They have only 1 other employee to help with the counter work and small baking tasks. Mr. Land gets to the bakery everyday @ 4am, stays till 6-7pm 6 days per week, and on Sundays he goes in for 5+ hours. Mrs. Land is there 6 days a week from 5:30am till 6pm. It’s the only non-chain bakery in the area and the service and baked goods are awesome! You feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you enter as the owners have decorated with antique lunchboxes. Signed photos of Country & Western stars and numerous Western memorabilia adorn the walls, and classic Country & Western music is always playing on the old jukebox there!
i love to shop at the local consignment shops
My favorite small business is my local florist who will take orders over the phone when ever I need anything. They know me by name and make me feel like a valued customer always.
My favorite small business is our local farmer’s market store. They supply our family with fresh produce throughout the year!
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Ace Hardware Store is a good small business because they arte closer than the big box store.
“El Mofongo” Cuban and Puerto Rican Restaurant is my favorite local restaurant and cafe, they have the best Cuban sandwiches and appetizers. There coffe is good too 😉
My favorite is a hamburger diner with old fashioned malts and shakes that they serve with the metal tin with the left over part. It’s called Knapp’s.
I am a big fan our little produce store in our neighborhood. The people there are just so wonderful.
There’s a sweets shop in our downtown called Edie’s Bees. It’s so sweet!
My Favorite Small Business Is A Flower Shop, I Love The Warm Cozy Décor And Great Customer Service!
I love this olive oil shop in Old Pasadena: http://www.beyondtheolive.com/
I like Underbrinks Bakery and Krazy Kakes. They are local businesses that sell delicious confections. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
My favorite small business is a shop downtown that specializes in crafts antiques from the local area, great items, plus they are so sweet, greeting everyone with smiles 🙂
We have a neighborhood children’s boutique that is a staple in our community and has been there for 40+ years.
i love our local cupcake shop
My favorite local store would have to be Kaladi Bros, our coffee shop. But, for small businesses, I love a few. The first one that comes to mind is Celtic Treasures, because I love anything Irish.
The small business I like is my neighborhood authentic Italian restaurant..Mama Lucia’s.
My favorite small business is the local art center.
One of my favorite small businesses is Postmark Cafe in Brooklyn. Very cute and cozy cafe with a great brew!
Tanya’s Soup Kitchen in Wichita, KS – she serves the BEST chicken curry over rice on Wednesdays. I am a big supporter of local restaurants.
We have a cute little toy boutique in town.
my husband’s business of course- villari’s carpets…
My hubby’s lawn care business is up there with some really great cupcake shops in the area. Probably though is the little cafe in River Oaks, TX. Homey food.
The Furby Boom Would Also Be Loved!
There is a small coffee shop in our city that not only serves the best breakfast in town but it also counts with the most amazing staff, everyone is very nice and treats you like home.
Oh my favorite place to go is a little gift shop in the town next to me. Its right on main street and has the most unique items in it! I love to shop there whenever I need a gift…or….am in the mood to buy something! 🙂
My favorite small business is a bakery a town over. After tasting a cake from there as a gift for my birthday about 5 yrs back, I’ve been going there ever since. I have since referred numerous friends and family members to this bakery – they make the best cakes/cupcakes.
I love our children’s photographer!
there are several small boutiques in the downtown colubia area that i love to stop by on my breaks #dangerous. there are also a couple of small thrift shops around that im a regular at!!
It’s call cupcake connections and they have homemade desserts, frozen yogurt machine, and deli sandwiches and their cake slices are so huge and delicious
My favorite small business is my local cupcakery, they have the best and frshiest cupcakes
I love Yummy’s donuts! We support them…they are run by local moms! Thank you for this chance!
ninigossett@gmail dot com
my favorite small business is a flower shop around the corner frm my house. they always have the prettiest bouquets for any occasion
well I have to say my favorite small biz is my hubby’s chiro biz but the most fun one to visit is an organic cafe nearby.