The holiday season is right around the corner, and supporting local businesses matters now more than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seeking a few small companies to shop with this year? Check out these recommendations for boutique businesses offering everything from clothes to cookie dough for all your shopping needs this holiday season. (Scroll on for extra deals and discounts!)
1. Bright Endeavors
“ The candles sold at Bright Endeavors in Chicago, Illinois are a sustainable gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list. Using locally produced, non-genetically modified soy wax, phthalate-free fragrance, cotton-core and paraffin-free wicks and recycled glass containers, Bright Endeavors competes with candles 5-10 times as expensive.
Bright Endeavors, moreover, also hires at-risk young black and brown moms. The company trains them as artisans in the hard work of hand crafting sustainable soy candles with 100% of proceeds going back to the program.” — Katie Wagner, Owner, Remark Media
2. Crock Spot and Base Camp Cyclery
“I’m big on keeping things local and trying to support the little guys during this tough time. I’m planning on supporting a brand-new restaurant in my neighborhood called Crock Spot. They just opened last week and are located in Sunnyside, a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado.
Secondly, I am due for a new mountain bike. I retired mine after this summer and desperately need some new wheels since I’m currently borrowing my boyfriend’s bike every day for my rides. I’m going to make a stop at Base Camp Cyclery in downtown Denver. They’re a small shop who sells premium bikes and merch from some of my favorite brands.” — Delaney Kline, Digital Marketing Manager, Red Egg Marketing
3. Klei Beauty
“This Shop Small Saturday, Klei is offering 25% off sitewide with promo code SELFCARE25. This year has been a stressful year for many, and the impact on small businesses has been profound. What better way to give self-care to yourself or a loved one than to purchase it from a small business?
Klei is a small female-founded self-care company, based in Brooklyn, New York. Klei is committed to sustainability, promoting self-love, and giving back to our Brooklyn community. We donate 10% of our profits to Brooklyn community organizations. *Promo code SELFCARE25 is valid from 11/25 – 11/30 11:59 PM EST.” — Valerie Smith, Founder, and CEO, Klei Beauty
4. SleeperBear
“Based in Los Angeles, California SleeperBear cloud shorts are bold, comfortable shorts designed for women who dream differently. They’ll be 15% off for Saturday November 28!
The shorts provide comfortable all-day wear and performance flexibility and deep pockets. They are perfect for a nature walk, going for a jog, or lounging with coffee.” — Megan Mitzel, Blogger, Marketing Overalls
5. Awake Happy
“I plan on offering a flash sale on Saturday November 28 at Awake Happy. In addition, some customers and subscribers will receive gift cards.
Based in Sonoma County, California we offer soft and sustainable mystical tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts to lounge in or hit the streets in. I drop new designs every 1-2 weeks and order every variant myself to try it on and quality control the print.” — Devon Meadows, Owner, Awake Happy
6. General Store and Stone Candle Bar
“This year for Saturday November 28 I will be shopping online at the General Store and Stone Candle Bar.
General Store is a small shop selling curated clothing, plants, books, jewelry, and other creative items in Los Angeles, California . It is the perfect place to find a unique gift for yourself or a loved one.
In addition, Stone Candle Bar is also in LA. It specializes in hand crafting and selling unique candles that are eco-friendly, natural, and high quality.” — William Taylor, Career Development Manager, VelvetJobs
7. 36vine
“I’m co-founder of a new small business called 36vine, selling indoor houseplants guaranteed to be safely delivered to your doorstep. We are based out of in Riverside, California. However, we can ship online to the 48 continental states!
We are a new sustainable indoor houseplant delivery business that uses plastic free packaging and we plant a tree for every plant sold to help fight climate change. I started the business up at the beginning of quarantine. It has definitely had its struggles, but it has been a rewarding journey! Plants bring joy to people. It is a great experience to unbox a little piece of happiness to accompany you at home.
Plants make great holiday gifts, especially to those who already have everything. Who wouldn’t want to fill their home with life?” — Sara Anderson, Co-Founder, 36vine
8. Miss Read Books
“I run an online, independent bookstore called Miss Read Books. We specialize in romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror/thriller titles written by and featuring women of color. Although my business is based online, I am based in North Hollywood, California.
On Saturday November 28, I will be having a #ShopSmall 24-hour flash sale (to be announced via my social channels). 15% off your entire cart via a promo code!” — Nyasha Bryant, Owner, Miss Read Books
9. Art Builders Guild, Huckleberry Coffee, and Icelantic Skis
“I am a small business owner, and I have plenty of friends running brick and mortar operations that I plan on supporting on Saturday November 28. These businesses always need a little extra. Anything I can do to support them helps immensely. I wanted to share some of these here in hopes of spreading the word!
Art Builders Guild is a friend’s furniture business. He and the team make some really amazing creations and they have been affected pretty heavily by the pandemic. They are still keeping the doors open. However, I plan on ordering a coffee table to help out.
Huckleberry Coffee is a local coffee roaster in the Denver, Colorado area. I’m friends with one of the founders. They have some of my favorite coffee and great deals for repeat customers.
Icelantic Skis is one of my favorite ski brands that happens to be more of a small business. They make amazing skis and they typically have a sale to mark Saturday November 28.” — Christine Wang, Founder, The Ski Girl
10. Mean Coffee Mugs
“As the founder of Mean Coffee Mugs, a funny mug eCommerce store, we plan on offering a not so small discount on any orders processed on Saturday November 28.
We are launching a new mug design that says ‘You know what’s not small?’ on the front. Then on the other side ‘My ideas. #Entrepreneur #FutureSoBright.’ This direct and funny mug will be a whopping 30% off MSRP! We are practically giving it away to show supporters our love.” — Ivory Coats, Founder, Mean Coffee Mugs
11. Spectacle Photo
“I am the owner of a photography studio in Longwood, Florida. We specialize in headshots, portraits, video, and design.
To help support local businesses and individuals we will be extending our business headshot deal for the remainder of the year. With the increased importance to have an online presence, we want to make sure our local businesses, business owners, and their employees look the best. In addition to our $50 off discount, we are also offering group discounts for businesses who want to book their headshots all together.” — Rich Johnson, Photographer and Creative, Spectacle Photo
12. First String Music, Mary Jane’s, and Straightline
“This holiday season I plan on shopping at numerous local businesses in my small ski town Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
There is a wonderful little music shop called First String Music. They offer a generous selection of guitars, keyboards, and live performance gear for all of us local musicians. Considering the fact that my own website is aimed at home music studios, I make a stop in this shop regularly to show my support. For a small town like mine, having a haven for musicians is simply great.
My go-to jewelry store for my beautiful girlfriend is Mary Jane’s. They offer a handful of revolving local-made pieces, as well as uniquely sourced options. I rarely go anywhere else when hunting for that gift to make my better half smile. The staff is welcoming, and they make sure their collection is relevant.
The perfect store for my outdoorsy family members is Straightline. A couple of years ago, Steamboat lost it’s only remaining big-chain sporting goods store in Sports Authority. This was a big deal. Steamboat is well-known for outdoor activities, and there are few shops left for folks to get their gear without shopping online. Straightline offers a plethora of essential equipment for all of us that love fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, and all other activities. Similary, I went to high school with the owner’s son, so I gladly support this local shop on a regular basis.” — Jeremy Bongiorno, Founder, Studio Frequencies
13. Shanti Creations
“I am the owner of Shanti Creations, a sustainable candle company in Queens, New York. We produce natural coconut wax candles in mason jars for easy repurposing options. This makes us home to zero waste candles.
We are having a Small Business Weekend Sale: with 20% off the entire website for the weekend with promo code: SHOPSMALL. We will also be giving away a free gift with every order!” — Danielle O’Connor, Owner and Founder, Shanti Creations
14. Pillowie
“I am the designer and founder of Pillowie, a kid’s lifestyle and toy brand. We are based in Los Angeles, California and launched at the beginning of 2019. An industrial designer by trade, I am also a mom to 5-year-old twin girls and a solopreneur. I run Pillowie. I have been in charge of the entire process from the first sketches, through development, to bringing the entire product to market. Now, I manage all sales and marketing endeavors.
My brand consists of plush pillow and blanket sets that double as dress-up fun. In short, Pillowie is part stuffed animal, part pillow and blanket, party fun carrying case and part costume… all-in-one!” — Andrea Montes, Founder, Pillowie
15. Ayara Thai
“Ayara Thai, conveniently located near LAX and popular with incoming and outgoing travelers as well as locals in Los Angeles, is a one-stop gift shop for foodies. Come by on Saturday November 28 for a safe, socially distanced outdoor dining experience or takeout at our Westchester location. Peruse the restaurant’s offerings of bottled Thai sauces, cooking kits, gift cards, and virtual live cooking classes led by Chef Vanda — perfect gifts for the aspiring cook in your life.
After that, step next door into neighboring bookstore The Book Jewel. Similarly, you may support another small business in one visit.” — Vanda Asapahu, Michelin Bib Gourmand Executive Chef, Ayara Thai
16. Niche+Co and IndiArts Collective
“Niche+Co is a boutique clothing store that we hope consumers will take time to shop at on Saturday November 28. We offer trendy and affordable women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories.
In addition to our own business, one store we’ll be shopping at is IndiArts Collective. Founded and run by another female entrepreneur, all the products are handmade in indigenous communities throughout Latin America. Each product is sustainable, with many of them being unique to the artisan that made it. Therefore, it’s really a great little shop with wonderful bags, clutches, Mexican shawls, and other gems!” — Abby Christensen, Digital Marketer, Niche+Co
17. Doughp Cookie Dough
“Doughp is serving up nostalgia in every box with ready to eat (or bake!) cookie dough. With nationwide shipping, getting ridiculously tasty cookie dough delivered to your front door has never been easier! In addition, Doughp gives back with every spoonful. Through the #Doughp4Hope initiative, we give back to the community by donating a portion of every purchase to a nonprofit providing affordable mental health care & substance abuse treatment.
With our Spend $50, Get $10 campaign this holiday season, customers can treat themselves and receive money back to use toward gifts for friends and family. It’s our little way of saying thanks. Go ahead and give a really Doughp gift this holiday season — and #treatyourself in the process!” — Danielle Cheiken, Customer Service of Awesomeness, DoughP Cookie Dough
18. Ank Ceramics
“The holidays are just around the corner, and as a business owner myself, that means it’s time for Saturday November 28. It’s an event you don’t want to miss.
I’m still supporting Ank Ceramics by Ariela Kuh. The location is in Camden, Maine. They offer a variety of handmade ceramics that anyone will surely love. You can find handmade mugs, bowls, plate sets, dish sets, coffee drippers, and one-of-a-kind vases. I love collecting ceramic mugs, and I like giving it as a gift for its uniqueness and simplicity. I’m glad I found this small business in Camden. It’s a masterpiece worth sharing with others. I patronize their products and promote them with others to help them reach more people.
This holiday season opens doors for repeat business opportunities. They can turn a simple transaction into a deep conversation, which will help them gain and attract loyal customers.” — Dennis Bell, Founder and CEO, Byblos Coffee
19. City Center Gallery and Books
“I will be shopping on Saturday November 28 at City Center Gallery and Books in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
I am a certified book and art junkie. I’m obsessed with arts (both visual and written). This is the perfect place where I can splurge my money for shopping without any guilt. You will be able to find great selections of modern and classic books at a very cheap price. The gist is, they don’t only showcase books. In addition, they highlight paintings, photos, and postcards created by the local artists. If you want to give way to your artistic psyche, visit City Center Gallery and Books and #ShopSmall. You won’t just be supporting small and local businesses but our amazing local artists as well.” — James Pearson, CEO, eVenturing Enterprises
20. Republic of Paws
“As a Denver resident I personally shop at Republic of Paws in Colorado Springs. It is owned by a husband and wife team with a passion for pets! Republic of Paws is a great place to find local treats and organic pet food. Further, they have an awesome selection of treats and toys especially around the holidays.
I love getting some stocking stuffers for my own dog as well as for friends and family with pets. We love their stores for their excellent service, selection and the love they clearly have for our furry friends. In addition, they have brick and mortar locations throughout the city, and an online shop!” — Ian Kelly, VP, Operations, NuLeaf Naturals
Ready to start a small business to join the holiday season shopping fun? Get started by visiting MyCorporation.com!