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The days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday are shopping madness, when you finally get a chance to grab the Dyson vacuum or laptop you've needed all year at a price you can afford. But today is Small Business Saturday, which is a little less about benefiting you, and more about giving back to your local community. We hope you shop small and local whenever you can, but it's a good day to show your support to the many small businesses that have been trying to get back on their feet since the pandemic started.

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Shopping small doesn't just mean going to the stores in your city's downtown area—though you should do that too if you can. You can shop a lot of them virtually. We've rounded up some of our favorite small businesses with an online presence, and we encourage you to search for others close to home. Remember, it's nice that we have a day dedicated to supporting these shops, but it's important to shop local year-round.

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> If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. [Learn How to Find What You're Looking For
Whether you're looking for something specific—vintage records or earrings made from skateboards, maybe?—or just want to browse, check for local events like flea markets. Many cities have a one-stop-shop event for this day, and because many didn't last year due to the pandemic, people are probably eager to set up a table.

But if you aren't comfortable venturing out into a crowd, your favorite stores probably have an online marketplace with some or most of their stock. You can also find new stores these ways:

- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} is an obvious source as a marketplace of individual sellers. You can find nearly anything there, from custom art to vintage trinkets. Plus, [Etsy hosts rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}, whereas other small or local stores may not.
- Check your local **Chamber of Commerce** website. It'll often list local businesses.
- Search hashtags on **Instagram** if you're looking for a particular item, like say, [plant American Express has a [**searchable small-business but you may have to dig. When I searched my hometown, I got a huge list of restaurants and car washes as well as a few small boutiques.
- Amazon might be the last place you'd consider a small business (and rightfully so\!), but the site now has a [**Support rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} section. This is a good resource if you absolutely *must* use Amazon, but we still recommend buying from the small businesses directly anytime you can.
- For the rest of the year, check **Facebook events** for fairs or other local shopping gatherings. Many cities offer days each month (or quarter) where local businesses are invited to set up tables on a street or in a hall for the community to peruse their wares.

### Our Favorite Small Businesses
WIRED staffers live across the country, and we wanted to highlight some of our favorite small businesses with shoppable online marketplaces. We've browsed real shelves and shopped the online offerings so you can know you're getting something good.

#### Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That


[#image: [**Chaparral rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Los Angeles, CA):** Looking for original merch like T-shirts, jewelry, crystals, and other accessories? You'll find it at this woman-owned store in Los Angeles—many items are handmade in-house, too. We particularly like its brass keychains that don slogans like Dude, Babe, or our favorite, rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}. Aligning with the mission of this business, a portion of each sale of the Feminist keychain goes to Planned Parenthood. *—Michael Calore*
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Rockford, IL):** This Latina-owned store highlights local women-owned small businesses and features everything from art to keychains to jewelry, apparel, and beauty products. The selection rotates—[follow the store's Instagram for up-to-date the charming downtown storefront always has something new to find. It's just across the street from the Rockford Art Deli, which is also featured in this guide. Founder Evangelina Jimenez—a friend of mine—offers gift certificates online as well as a collection of Indigo-branded goods. *—Louryn Strampe*
- [**One Million rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(New York, NY):** When my partner said she didn't couldn't wear jewelry (and didn't want a ring), I had to think hard about what I could propose with. Enter One Million Roses. Started by Lucia Guzmán, a self-taught Bolivian artist, you can request a custom wire sculpture of nearly anything—pets, movie characters, flowers—and in a few weeks, it'll be delivered to your doorstep. I got a custom wire sculpture of my pet and it's what I proposed with (she said yes).  *—Julian Chokkattu*



[#image: [**Treehouse Kid And rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Athens, GA):** This toy store happens to have the single best online shopping experience I've found. The store is wonderful. If you're ever in Athens, stop by. But really, the website is almost better. Browse by age—why is this not possible on every toy website? There are tons of quirky original ideas here too, everything from a young chef's [knife and finger guard rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} to a [stuffed rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}. What baby doesn't want to snuggle with a stuffed cauliflower? *—Scott Gilbertson*
- [**Crush and rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Los Angeles, CA):** All my favorite pretty things come from this Los Angeles-based store. I will confess that I'm friends with the owners, but one glance at the website will show you that my allegiance is based on more than bias. Beautiful cards for all occasions, perfect jewelry and hair clips from a huge number of independent designers, and wild and wonderful art prints make up the Crush side, while Touch offers art supply care packages hand-curated just for you or a loved one. Sadly you can't get the plants shipped, but I dream of moving back to LA and outfitting my entire home with them. *—Megan Greenwell*
- [**Yoseka rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Brooklyn, NY):** You can spend hours in this little Brooklyn-based Japanese shop writing with the dozens of fountain pens or mechanical pencils laid out on the table. The notebooks are made of exquisite paper, and there are so many cute greeting cards, calendars, and other stationery goods to stumble upon. It's a great place to buy gifts for the writers and sketchers in your life.  *—Julian Chokkattu*

#### Vintage Finds
- [**Culture rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Rockford, IL):** Lots of cities have a cool record shop; Culture Shock is mine. It has cool preorders and a dope selection; its prices are fair, and it carries music from local bands (like a personal favorite, [Frail rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}). Support your neighborhood record store\! *—Louryn Strampe*
- [**Main Street rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Nyack, NY):** I also have a favorite record store, and it sells vintage clothes and books too. It's one of Nyack, New York's many great small businesses with a diverse selection of goods, owned by two amazing local women. Now, I may be a bit biased having been previously employed there, but I worked there because I truly loved it (and I spent most of my paychecks on cool vintage clothing like Carhartt overalls). If you're in the area, stepping in to flip through the hundreds of old and new records is worth the experience. But there's a huge online selection too. *–Medea Giordano*

#### Prints, Clothing, and Accessories


[#image: [**Norman rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Denton, TX):** I recently moved to Texas and was excited to wander into this little shop that's full of vintage clothes, new prints (I got the [Texas Babe rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}), as well as stickers, hats, and mugs. The online store is huge, too. *–Medea Giordano*
- [**Rockford Art rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Rockford, IL):** RAD is a sustainable print shop that sells everything from hoodies to tumblers. It shows love to a city that is often overlooked. The store is a [One Percent for the member too. I especially love the [Rockford Peaches rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}. *—Louryn Strampe*
- [**Malcontent **(Brooklyn, NY):** I discovered Malcontent at a fair outside the Brooklyn Museum earlier this year, and it's where I picked up a really [awesome (and handmade) rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}. If you're a huge fan of outerwear as I am, there's probably something you'll like here. Every item is made by a single Black artist in Brooklyn, it's all unisex, oversized, and comes with huge pockets. What's not to love? *—Julian Chokkattu*



[#image: [**Panther rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Scranton, PA):** I discovered this brand while pursuing one of the First Friday art events in my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The owner, Ashley Kujat, makes interesting T-shirts—like this [Shut Up rel="nofollow" target="_blank" isAffiliateLink="true"}—and prints you won't find at chain stores. I now own several pieces in my wardrobe, plus a print and even a cup. You can shop online at rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} or [Big rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} and follow the brand on for more releases. *—Medea Giordano*
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Portland, OR):** Portland, Oregon, has a lot of small independent businesses, but this is one of my favorites. It sells shoes, clothes, and accessories, and it's owned by a local parent. The selections suit my mom-life—they’re always practical but with a detail that makes you look twice, like a bronze puffer coat or high-top maroon mocs. I got my own mom insulated espadrilles last year. *—Adrienne So*
- [**Twisted rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Brooklyn, NY):** If you're into perfume, you should check out this Brooklyn-based store (though the retail store is sadly temporarily closed). You'll find eccentric perfumes here that aren't available at big-box retailers like Macy's. There's no Chanel or Calvin Klein, but there are brands you might not have heard of, like Penhaligon and Etat Libre D'Orange. You can buy sample sets (starting at $4) if you want to try something you're not too sure about. *—Julian Chokkattu*
- [**Dan Freeman **(Middlebury, VT):** OK, you can't purchase online but if you happen to be in Vermont, you should stop by. I wandered into Freeman's one day while staying in Middlebury, where the owner makes custom leather shoes and hiking boots. All I could afford was a pair of bespoke flip-flops, but I've already been back once to have them refurbished and he does beautiful work. *—Jennifer Conrad*

#### Teas, Coffees, and Home Goods


[#image: rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(New York, NY):** This small food store has been open since 1944 and it has literally every possible kind of international spice, tea, and herb you could imagine.  *—Jennifer Conrad*
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Athens, GA):** I am a newcomer to the [world of but one thing I know from my love of coffee is that the fresher the better. That's why I was excited to learn about Meplustea, a local tea producer in my hometown of Athens, Georgia. Owner Precious Jones blends loose-leaf teas from around the world with locally grown herbs. I'm a fan of the [Ginger rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}; my wife loves the [Sweet rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"}. *—Scott Gilbertson*
- [**Umami rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Oakland, CA):** This store in Oakland, California, is owned by a pair of Japanese-American women. It sells Japanese kitchen and bar items, as well as interesting art pieces and wellness products like soaps. *—Michael Calore*
- [**Fire Dept. rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Rockford, IL):** This coffee shop roasts delicious small-batch coffee, but that's not the only reason I love it. The company is run by active and retired firefighters and [donates 10 percent of its rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} to help first responders that have been injured or faced with serious health challenges. *—Louryn Strampe*
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Santa Cruz, CA):** Former WIRED editor (and all-around amazing human) Sonia McMoran owns a small shop in Santa Cruz, California, that spotlights small makers and sustainable companies. She's obsessed with finding tools for the home that balance form and function. *—Erica Jewell*

#### Just Books


[#image: [**Busboys and **(Washington, DC):** This bookstore and cafe has survived many waves of gentrification. It has a community coffee shop vibe that's quite hard to find anywhere else. *—Jennifer Conrad*
- [**The rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(New York, NY):** The motto of this independent bookstore and New York City staple is “18 miles of books," although by now if you stack them all together, it has many miles more than that. The Strand sells new books, author-signed copies, and quarterly subscription boxes, but the real gems are the used books. If you love obscure out-of-print titles and rarities hundreds of years old, there’s a lot to discover. Thankfully, it has an online marketplace for those not in the city. *—Matt Jancer*
- [**Alabama rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Birmingham, AL):** Sure, you could gift someone a plain old book. Books are great\! But consider first stopping by Alabama Booksmith, where every single title has been signed by the author—elevating a thoughtful present to a genuine keepsake. *—Brian Barrett*
- [**Printed rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(New York, NY):** Printed Matter is a New York nonprofit that's been around since the '70s with an eclectically curated collection of prints, art books, and ephemera. I've been revisiting my library of independent publications I've bought from the store over the years, and it's a pleasant retreat from the Zoom Machine. *—Beth Holzer*
- [**Archestratus rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Brooklyn, NY):** This store has a wide collection of new and vintage cookbooks from every corner of the world. If you're in New York, it's a good spot to pick up a quick gift, but there's also an online selection too. *—Jennifer Conrad*

### More Small Businesses We Like
- [**Cadence Candle rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Washington, DC)** is a nice candle company that also provides playlists with each scent.
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Midland, MI)** is a greeting card subscription service based in Midland, Michigan, that sources cards from independent artists and print shops.
- rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Nashville, TN)** is where you go in Nashville to get handmade acrylic vinyl guitar picks that start to warm in your hand as you play.
- [**Couch Guitar rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} (**Long Beach, CA)** is a California-based company that makes everything from belts and handbags to, yes, guitar straps from deadstock—that is, unused material that another manufacturer has not been able to sell.
- [**Portland Design rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Portland, OR)** makes quirky, eye-catching gear for your all-weather bike commuter.
- [**Taylor rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Portland, OR)** is a sustainable shirting and menswear company based in Portland, Oregon.
- [**Cocktail rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(New York, NY)** is a New York-based company that makes premium barware (we especially like their [**Small Hand rel="nofollow" isAffiliateLink="true"} **(Hayward, CA)** makes high-quality syrups for drinks, whether alcoholic or not.

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Source: Wired

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