Support Local-Shop Small

Good Morning! I want to talk about shopping small businesses for the holiday season. Small Business Saturday is coming up on Saturday, November 28th. In the last few years, I have been making it a point to support local shops as much as I can. I enjoy seeing the owner’s passion in what they do and meet new people in the community.

Shopping small is supporting people like you, who are trying to make a living doing something they love and enjoy. It seems like more than ever we are seeing people hone in on a craft that they might have been doing just as a hobby and now it’s turned into a business.

Now, I am not saying that you cannot shop at a big box store, but I just think it’s more fun to shop small. A couple of my friends put together a vintage market a few years ago that one of my sisters and I had the opportunity to help operate. We were the ticket masters, if you will, and we had the most fun doing that job. We saw everyone who came to the market and we saw many of them leave with treasures. One thing I didn’t see much of: a frown. A disappointed look. The vast majority of the crowd were women and many of them left with smiles on their faces over the items they had just purchased and were excited to take home.

I am going to highlight some businesses, both from Illinois and Iowa, that I think are great places to shop for Christmas. If you’re almost done, maybe you’ll find something to finish a loved ones gift. If you haven’t started shopping, what a great time to start! Let’s shop!

Illinois Businesses

All of the Illinois businesses I mention will be in and around my hometown, Winchester, IL. Winchester is located 45 minutes West of Springfield, IL or an hour East of Quincy, IL.

The Perfect Piece – Owner Carissa Hewitt makes handmade jewelry and hair accessories. She has a Facebook page, Instagram page and an Etsy shop where you can choose from several designs she has already made. She also takes custom orders. The Perfect Piece will be at Home Girls on December 12th from 10am – 12pm. Her items make great gifts or stocking stuffers! https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePerfectPiecebyCH

Home Girls Boutique – Speaking of Home Girls…Located at 37 South Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville, IL, Home Girls is a boutique offering home decor, jewelry & accessories and ladies fashion. Home Girls is a shop I always try to go to when looking for a gift, whether for someone else or myself! You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and they have a My Shopify link: http://www.home-girls-boutique.myshopify.com/

A Bloom Bar Jacksonville – I have personally bought flowers from A Bloom Bar. Rachel Kesler is so sweet and does a fantastic job. She will have a Pop Up on November 28th at 1112 Veterans Dr, Jacksonville from 9am – 3pm. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram and here: http://Abloombar.com/

Primrose and Lace & The Peddler’s Antiques & Home Decor Shoppes – These two businesses are stores in Jacksonville, IL that have been around for quite a while and are always great places when looking for a gift. Primrose and Lace is located at 801 Hardin Ave, Jacksonville and The Peddler’s Antiques is located at 1847 South Main, Jacksonville.

Hometown Businesses

The next two businesses are in Winchester, IL, my hometown. The square in Winchester has been slowly adding businesses back to the heart of the town, the square. Think Gilmore Girls without the gazebo (although, I think they should remove Stephen Douglas’ statue and replace it with a gazebo).

Myalyn’s Boutique & Vinyl & Roots

Square Trade

Iowa Businesses

There are several small towns that have great shops to buy gifts for loved ones this year. Iowa Falls, Ackley, Hampton, Jewell, Story City, Eldora, Radcliffe…they all have great places to shop small. I’ve already talked about several shops I like in a previous post. But, here are three businesses I want to highlight.

Opalane Boutique – 1274 Edgington Ave, Eldora, IA. A lovely boutique with women’s apparel and jewelry.

Yarrow Avenue Collection – Yarrow Ave, Ackley, IA. Farmhouse style decor.

The Bakery – 213 Isabella St., Radcliffe, IA. Radcliffe’s newest hotspot!

So, to conclude, if you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet, or need a few more items, check out any of these shops. Happy shopping!