JENN McKINLAY: Happy Small Business Saturday! Yes, this has been a national holiday since 2010 when American Express launched it to give small businesses a post-recession boost and it was quickly co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration.
Because I am fortunate enough to live down the street from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Old Town Scottsdale, I will start my day by doing some gift shopping there and then move on to the Old Town Farmer’s Market and The Mercantile, which houses 70 different artists and makers. I’m not a shopper by nature (as in, I loathe shopping) but I do love books, fresh food, and arts and crafts, so it’s not really shopping.
How about you, Reds, what are some of your favorite local small businesses?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, there is the cutest store in our town center, just two blocks away, called THE PAPER MOUSE. It is owned by an artist who uses the name Felix Fu and is full of his Felix Dolittle creations; cards and stationery and bookplates. Here’s an example of a Felix Doolittle card:
It also has as every single gorgeous stationery item you could possibly imagine.Washi tape. Wrapping paper. Amazing pens. And the whole little store is shockingly gorgeous, not an item out of place, all very Zen. It is my supplier of my beloved Blackwing pencils, and just—beware if you go inside. It is jaw-dropping and irresistible. https://www.thepapermouse.com/ And yes, they do mail order!
PS. Debs, here is the fountain pen page. https://www.thepapermouse.com/collections/fountain-pens-and-accessories
And for all, here is the wrapping paper and such. https://www.thepapermouse.com/collections/gift-wrap-accessories
LUCY BURDETTE: In Key West and Madison CT, I am lucky to have three independent bookstores within easy reach: Books and Books Key West, Key West Island Books, and RJ Julia Booksellers. What else could we possibly need? Oh, and ps, I also did some shopping ahead at the Strand Bookstore in NYC earlier this fall, and picked up some stocking stuffers in Scandinavia. I think I am set!
HALLIE EPHRON: After one after the other of our local independent bookstores closed, finally (drum roll) one is opening! WELCOME to “The Next Chapter Bookstore” in Quincy, Ma. The owner is a retired high school assistant principal (of course!) fulfilling her dream. So brave and so fortuitous for me since I live literally ten minutes away.
RHYS BOWEN: I’m lucky that Book Passage is my local indie bookstore. They had a talk on Saturday with suggestions for books that make great presents. The only problem was that I checked off half of them! We have a new shoe shop opened but I don’t think it will survive. I love going up to my daughter in Sonoma where the whole plaza is full of fabulous small shops ( all rather expensive but…..)
What I really love is our farmers market each week. Local cheeses, fish, mushrooms, eggs as well as veggies.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Count me in on the farmer’s market as well! We have so many terrific vendors that I buy from every week. It’s not just the fresh fruits and veggies–there’s the pasta stall, the tamale stall, the pizza stall, the Mexican food stall (which sells amazing whole wheat chicken tetrazzini!!) There’s my friend Sarah who makes wonderful soy candles and goat’s milk soaps (always on my Christmas gift-giving list,) and the Texas Olive Oil stall, ditto. There are many more, I’ve just cherry-picked some favorites.
As for actual shops, we have the most amazing bakery and we feel so fortunate. Also our local butcher shop, housed in what was once the Greyhound Bus station just off the town square. They sell a good deal more than meat. There is some produce, wine and specialty cheeses, house salad dressings, dairy from Texas producers, etc., etc. You can even find candles (from the market vendor above), bread, honey, olive oil, and tea. In short, they are the “village shoppe.”
We do now have an independent bookstore that I am ashamed to say I have not been in. A visit there will be on my Christmas shopping list.
Your turn, Readers, what are some fabulous small businesses is your area?
Sad to say, there are no independent book stores in our area . . . we do have a local farmer's market, though . . . .
ReplyDeleteI love my farmer's market!
DeleteWe have some delightful local shops, including Eighteen Friend Street, which carries only local artisans - including my books! I have to run down there (two blocks away) this morning and restock for her. In the next town is the fabulous Jabberwocky Books, which also carries all my books. We also have a Sunday afternoon indoor "farmers" market that has more crafts than produce, so I might find a few stocking stuffers there. I will be shopping today after my grandgirl goes home.
ReplyDeleteOur farmer's market is more produce than crafts - but it is closed from July-Sept.
DeleteOh, boo, Jenn. Too hot for produce?
DeleteReds, all your favorite shops sound lovely. Hank, your paper shop reminds me of a couple of great small businesses we had here once upon a time. Now I feel nostalgic!
ReplyDeleteOur town center has many locally owned shops and restaurants. It will be packed there today! I don't have a shopping plan. Hmm. We'll see.
Old Town Scottsdale has maintained it's small town vibe, which I find truly amazing as it's being squeezed by condos and apartments. Here's hoping it survives.
DeleteI agree that all those shops sound wonderful. In many ways, it's also what I love about Braga: small grocery markets on so many streets, individual clothing stores and shoe stores, all small in scale compared to the big shopping malls in Sacramento, and our favorite bookstore - Centésima Página - which mainly carries books in Portuguese, but has a foreign language section and a good English section, and can order online almost any book I might want. There are a few other small bookstores as well, but they carry only a small selection of books in English. Centésima Página also has a great lunch bar with a nice selection of sandwiches, quiches, and salada, and the best oatmeal cookie in the world.
ReplyDeleteFrom Diana: The big shopping malls seem to be new. I remember as a small child, we went to many local small businesses that are now out of business. And I have seen several shopping malls close! When I was in Europe, I saw many more small local shops.
DeleteI think what I enjoy about small stores is you find things you'd never see otherwise and the choices are less daunting.
DeleteSo true!
DeleteI mentioned my fave indie bookstore in downtown Ottawa a few times.
ReplyDeletePERFECT BOOKS has been open for over 40 years & the physical store doubled in size after the pandemic lockdowns.
Small local businesses including the Italian grocer, fish monger, French bakery, fruit store are the heart of my ByWard Market neighbourhood.
From Diana: Wonderful that there still are small local businesses. And PERFECT BOOKS.
DeleteEverything you need right there!
DeleteIf I plan to stop by two places that are small businesses but I already go there regularly, does it still count as participation in Small Business Saturday?
ReplyDeleteEither way, I'll be stopping by Twilight Comics in New Bedford to pick up my weekly stash of books and hang out with Ace, Everlast, Duff and Palmer for a bit before I go over to my sister's for Thanksgiving Dinner #2.
And on the way home, I'll be stopping by Purchase Street Records which is the shop my friend owns to see what might just be catching my eye enough to buy.
Yes, it still counts! MY nephew (guitar player) has a gig this weekend at a bar in New Bedford but I have no idea what the name is. Small world.
DeletePowell's Books is always hopping at the holidays. I also go to The Arrangement, a little boutique and card shop and buy art cards by local artists, blank inside, that I use for all occasions. Foot Traffic, a local athletic shoe store is also a favorite. I've found gifts for my exercise buddies there. I also like Made in Oregon, I usually get my family some Moonstruck chocolate, and they sometimes carry it. Last year another customer at Made in Oregon told me of a different small gift shop in a big insurance building downtown that was a Moonstruck vendor. It was really fun to go to that tiny business and order 9 boxes of chocolate :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to learn that Powell's is still open. I took Amy there when she was in a stroller 51 years ago. (coralee)
DeletePortland has the best independent stores. Powell's, Made in Oregon, and hundreds of other restaurants, book stores, local artists, potters, dress designers, etc. Portland is such a great city.
DeleteI love Powell's and ordering 9 boxes of chocolate - you must have made their day!
DeleteGillian, my daughter who lives in Portland has gifted Moonstruck Chocolate to me a couple of times. Lucky me!
DeleteMy town does not have much in the way of local shops. O’Connor Hardware is family owned and operated and one of my favourite stores. I am near Concord, MA with The Concord Booshop, and other lovely independent stores for cheese, wine, groceries, gifts… I am also near Whitelam Books in Reading, MA and The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, MA both super for books, puzzles, games and other delights. Today I am going with friends to a crafts fair at LaBelle Winery in Derry, NH. Independent crafters and fun! Also, if you don’t have an independent bookstore nearby you can still support them at Bookshop.org You can pick a bookstore or not but they give their proceeds to independent bookstores across the U.S.
ReplyDeleteYES! Excellent suggestion. Suzette! I love bookshop.org
Delete💙💙
DeleteWorking on discovering the locals in our new community. So far it has been restaurants and food trucks. We have been to the farmers’ market a couple times too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links to The Paper Mouse, Hank! It looks like a great place.
It does look charming. I'm jealous!
DeleteLocally we have few (none!) small businesses unless you count the gas station which does sell local honey. There is a ‘summer’ market in town which operates once a month, and tomorrow will be the last one and the biggest one of the year. Most of what you get is jams, wood carvings, small soaps (they lose their smell very quickly which was disappointing) and a few home-baked goods. However, in the last few years there has been a ‘new’ vendor who only comes for the Christmas one, and sells the most delicious chocolates. They are just slightly larger than a normal tidbit, so we cut one in two and share for our post prandial supplement. They are meant to be relished. 10 for $20. I hope she is there tomorrow, as that is all I am going in for, and I have an $80 bill in my pocket!
ReplyDeleteI like your priorities, Margo!
DeleteGulf Coast Sourdough Sandwich Shop is about 10 mins away. Their starter was fermented using the local flour, water and air born 'magic' breads are wonderful and the sandwiches look wonderful. I shop their frozen bread section. Might stop by tomorrow. Going in another direction, I vote for True Auto care. My local mechanic, AJ, sells me a used car as needed, takes my old junker as a trade in, and keeps the new to me car safely running. Been doing this for almost 20 years now. He has moved to focusing on vintage cars which is why I am now driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima. Not sure if there are independent book sellers in the area.
ReplyDeleteWish there were independent book stores in the area, the nearest I know about is Tombolo books in St. Petersburg. Happily, it is still doing well.
I love that bookstores have made a bit of a comeback. And I love that you have such a reliable mechanic - that's like striking gold.
DeleteI was a day early in my observation of this holiday. There is a small, boutique mall in Worthington, Ohio that has several independent shops in it. My favorite, I think, is a little shop called Blissful Trends. It has an oddly eclectic mix of merchandise that changes somewhat season to season. Yesterday I picked up a sweatshirt and a small cross-body bag there, but it also has candles and planners and inspirational books and fancy cookies/treats and ground coffee and workout wear and fancy aprons and some kids' toys and a few furniture pieces and... Well, I suppose that's enough to give a sense of the place.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delightful, Susan!
DeleteWorthington is such a great little town. I used to meet a friend from Cleveland there every fall to celebrate our month-apart birthdays.
DeleteFrom Celia: Hanks paper store is calling my name but as I can’t travel it will remain a dream. But a short visit on line perhaps?
ReplyDeleteLocally my eggs, lamb and chicken come from a local farm. Just recently I bought a new baby gift bag (there were siblings to consider too) of books at At Once All Agog, the ultimate small packed store. My holiday wreaths come from another local - Lilys Fine Flowers where Lisa maxes up the lovely bouquets my daughter sends me. And I must not forget our delicious chocolate shop - Wright Chocolates, where Lynn offers the ultimate gift which comes without a box or anything to recycle. It’s a large bar, an Advent calendar. Chocolate for the next 24 days to soothe the overworked soul. Happy small biz Saturday everyone.
Same! I'm rather jealous of your Advent calendar!
Deletehttps://www.warwicks.com/
ReplyDeleteThis is our family's go to when everyone is down for the holidays. And of course, mine just about all the time. I go to my local coffee shop (Brick & Bell) then next door is Warwicks.
Ooh, I'll check it out!
DeleteFrom Flora: Our newest small business is the local cafe which opened next to the library. Happy to see that it is being well supported by locals and others in the area. The owners bought the building next door on the other side and have redone it and it is now an event space, for which the cafe provides catering (they also cater off-site events)--so three new businesses in one! This time of year there are a variety of craft fairs at local businesses, too. The next town to the east will have their "Christmas in the Village" event next Saturday--all businesses will have some kind of special offering and one of the restaurants/winery will sponsor a craft fair as well. Lots of opportunities to support even micro-businesses!
ReplyDeleteI love micro businesses and side hustles - you just never know!
DeleteHappy Small Business Day! We have a Spice Ship and a local Cashew Ice Cream Shop. We have a local Farmer's Market once a week that sells everything from artisan breads to local cheese to a variety of fruits and vegetables. Once in a while there is a lady who sells baskets at the Farmer's Market.
ReplyDeleteAmazingly, we still have several local small businesses still in business. There is a knitting shop. There is a nursery where you can buy plants. There is a little toy shop. There is a little antiques shop next door to an indie bookstore, Pegasus Books. And there is another indie bookstore - Books Inc.
Like Jenn, I am not a fan of shopping. Though I do love books, fresh food, and cute things, it is not really shopping. If I was Samantha Stephens, I would twitch my nose and be at Old Town Scottsdale and browse books at the Poisoned Pen bookstore with Jenn.
DeleteDiana, I like your idea of “magically” visiting the far away book stores! — Pat S
DeleteKnitting shops are a serious weakness for me. I can't believe I neglected to mention Tempe Yarn - locally spun and dyed yarn that's fabulous. Plus, I took weaving classes there. Love it.
DeleteWe have had nonstop guests for the last four days, and one more round this afternoon, so I have literally not set foot outside our house since, let's see... Tuesday? No ambitions to shop. I am just yearning to sit by the fire and read quietly. Too much peopling!
ReplyDeleteBut if I were to go shopping on Small Business Saturday I would have some great choices. Joseph-Beth Bookstore, of course. Not only is it a fabulous indy bookseller, but they have gifts for everyone you can think of, including children of all ages. Need a puzzle, or Rookwood serving pieces, or cool foodie gifts, or a lusciously soft poncho? Got ya covered.
The other two favorite shops are Nest in Hyde Park, with a carefully curated selection of wonderful gift items, in a very beautiful store. Bizarre Bazaar in my community is a treasure box of thousands of gift and home items, crammed into every possible square inch of space. Miraculously, Maureen the owner knows exactly where everything is.
Hank, I see that The Paper Mouse carries McCrea's caramels. I'd never heard of them until I shopped at Nest.
DeleteCaramels??? Oooooh. And I hear you on the peopling - I love them all but please leave by nine.
DeleteWonderful places!! This is reminding me of the farmer's market near where my kids live in, of all places, Brooklyn. Every week there are about a half dozen sands open selling produce, breads, grains, fabulous cookies, and more. Plus all of the small bodegas near them. So nice to live somewhere where every store isn't part of a chain.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a mini Portobello Market...sigh.
DeleteEchoing your sigh, Jenn....
DeleteHank, I suspect I will be shopping at The Paper Mouse online. What an adorable shop!! Lots of nice inks! Speaking of inks, I get to start my Inkvent advent calendar this weekend, ordered from my favorite pen-related small business, Goulet Pens. I didn't support my local small businesses today--it was Home for the Holidays on the town square and that is insane!! Everything is barricaded off and there is no parking for a mile (or practically to our house.) Great foot traffic for the local businesses and restaurants, but inconvenient for locals who just want to go buy their usual stuff!
ReplyDeleteDebs (and any other fountain pen aficionados!) if you are ever in Chicago, you must check out Atlas Stationers! atlasstationers.com
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