There’s something heartwarming about buying locally made products from hardworking entrepreneurs in your community. Melody Warnick, author of This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are articulated it perfectly in a blog post on why she loves Small Business Saturday: “I’m trying to prioritize locally made purchases, even when they’re slightly more expensive, because they make me happier.” Indeed, there is a shared goal for people on both ends of the transaction: they want their community to have variety, flavor, and its own vibrant culture.
Small businesses give a place its look and feel, acting as an antithesis of the sameness of boring chain stores that can be found in every town. Since local businesses keep 38% of their revenue within the community, shopping at a local shop is a way of giving back to the place you call home. Small Business Saturday–a breath of fresh air after the rabid consumerism of its predecessor, Black Friday–is centered around doing just that. In DC, Maryland, and Virginia, shopkeepers on every Main Street are just waiting for loyal customers to treat them with that extra attention to detail that they won’t find in big-box stores.
SHELTER– (Union Market, DC)
SHELTER is a Union Market modern jewelry shop that specializes in independently made jewelry. The store prides itself in offering work from underrepresented designers and showcasing unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. They also offer custom pieces and wedding/engagement bands. If you’ve seen #WeldedBracelets come up on your TikTok For You Page, then SHELTER might be the first place to check them out in the area. These bracelets are custom-fitted, offered in various thicknesses, and available in white, yellow, and rose gold. Appointments are required.
REWILD – Shaw, Capitol Hill, Ballston, Cabin John
How well do the folks at Rewild know plants? So much so that the US Botanical Garden has partnered with them to create a unique museum store where patrons can bring an inspired little piece of the garden home with them. Perfect for every #plantparent in your life, REWILD’s website encourages customers to “spread joy, naturally.” The staff is made up of houseplant lovers who offer tons of free advice to aspiring plant parents. Even if your thumb isn’t already green, REWILD is on a mission to help you get there.
Shop Made in DC (Various locations, DC)
With four locations including Georgetown, The Wharf, Union Market, and Canpoy Embassy Row, Shop Made in DC’s mission is to showcase the DC artisan scene. Each location offers a variety of products, from candles to home decor to stationery, all made right in the District. Their gallery in Georgetown is home to a group of rotating artists, and they offer art classes, too. Shop Made in DC is the perfect place to pick out a holiday gift with the right amount of local flavor.
Capitol Hill Books (Capitol Hill, DC)
A decades-old handwritten sign hangs next to the cash register at the entrance to Capitol Hill Books: “Words Not Spoken Here: OMG. Totally. Amazon. Kindle…” This sets the tone for the old-school experience that is Capitol Hill Books, a used bookstore and bibliophile’s paradise. Patrons will feel as if they’re on an adventure (or in a mystery novel, if that’s their genre of choice) as they navigate the narrow staircases of an old row house, every nook and cranny–even the kitchen sink–covered in books. In 2018, a group of employees purchased the store from the second owner, and they’ve dedicated themselves to keeping Capitol Hill Books a gem of the district.
Fair Trade Roots (Arlington, VA)
Located in a walking stretch of the cozy neighborhood of Westover, Fair Trade Roots is part adorable cafe, part destination to other cultures via lovely handmade goods. Upon entering the shop, one’s senses are first hit with the wonderful aroma of espresso and pastries, then with a harmonious rainbow of decorations, from lovely Ugandan raffia baskets to twinkling Turkish lamps. The owner takes pride in offering fair wages for ethically sourced products and offering unique pieces that are sure to brighten any home.
Here. a pop-up shop (Annapolis, MD)
Here. is a pop-up boutique originally founded by longtime Annapolis buds El Lunay and Amy Altenburg. Since its inception in 2013, there have been 50 popups in various vacant locations around Annapolis. The location rotates, but for the current holiday season, Here. calls 14 Church Circle in downtown Annapolis home. The pop-up stays open for 10-20 days at a time and showcases work from local artists and designers, from photography to apparel to furniture. During the holiday season, they’re open from 10 am to 6 pm daily, and on Small Business Saturday, they are offering free gifts with a minimum purchase as well as free bubbly and sweets to everyone who walks through the door.
And while you’re out shopping, be sure to check out other Sweets and Treats offered by local businesses in the region!
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