Our Favorite Sustainable Small Businesses To Support Online Or Through Gift Cards
How to Support Your Favorite Small Shops During COVID
Pre-pandemic, my ideal weekend plans looked something like strolling down the street, poking in and out of every mom and pop shop on the block. There is nothing that stimulates my health, happiness, and the local economy quite like shopping small. As a small batch maker myself, I can wholly appreciate the time, commitment, and thought that goes into curating a small, sustainable store, and I believe that most other customers can feel it, too.
With stores closing worldwide, it feels imperative to take this in-person support to the digital sphere. I’ve selected some of my favorite small businesses I’m supporting through the uncertainty and would love to know your favorites, too!
1. Cactus Store
Location | Los Angeles & NYC (USA Shipping Available)
Shop For | Plants, books, 100 percent cotton tees
Price Range | $$
For desert plants and rad tees, the Cactus Store is one of our favorite local businesses to support. The Los Angeles shop is just a few doors down from The Good Trade Studio, so we can’t help but browse and buy all the cutie cacti. Snag a gift card or shop the web store for your wild plant and ethical apparel needs.
Shop Cactus Store
2. Na Nin
Location | Richmond, VA
Shop For | Women’s apparel, accessories, homeware, apothecary
Price Range | $$
In addition to carrying the newest upcoming designers, Kate from Na Nin also has a house line of clothing and homewares, including some of our favorite candles, incense, and hand soap! The shop also sells a selected amount of vintage. We always look to Na Nin for great styling and selection. Pick up an essential oil-fragranced candle online to create cozy vibes at home.
Shop Na Nin
3. Seven Sisters
Location | Portland, OR
Shop For | Fashion, homewares, self-care from womxn-owned brands
Price Range | $$
We love that Seven Sisters focuses primarily on small, womxn-owned brands! The shop always has a carefully curated selection of clothing and accessories, and the self-care/apothecary section is the best. Shop online for ethically produced goods focused on natural ingredients and organic fibers.
Shop Seven Sisters
4. Avenue
Location | Tucson, AZ
Shop For | Hand-selected vintage & homewares, emerging designers
Price Range | $$
We always trust Avenue to do the work for us when it comes to finding the perfect vintage pieces. The selection is always relevant to today’s trends, and everything vintage pairs perfectly with the new and emerging designers the store also carries. Don’t miss Avenue’s small skincare selection—it includes organic products by our faves, like Lesse.
Shop Avenue
5. Yucca
Location | Denver, CO
Shop For | New & vintage clothing and accessories
Price Range | $$$
Yucca focuses on small, emerging designers that use sustainable practices and natural materials. The business is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating a portion of sales to initiatives that support a healthy, sustainable future for our planet. Our favorite items? The unique fashion finds and wooden tableware.
Shop Yucca
6. Morningtide
Location | Albany, CA
Shop For | Artisan ceramics, women’s clothing & accessories, tasty treats
Price Range | $$$
Morningtide is one of our favorite one-stop shops for just about everything—beautiful, handmade ceramics, small batch coffee and teas, sustainable women’s fashion brands, and quite a few zero waste alternatives (like tumblers, reusable straws, and more). We also love the kids’ section for natural and organic baby toys and clothes!
Shop Morningtide
7. Port of Raleigh
Location | Raleigh, NC
Shop For | Functional (& fun!) homewares, kids toys, accessories
Price Range | $$$
Port of Raleigh carries some of the cutest fun and functional homewares and kids toys we’ve ever seen! Most of the inventory boasts Scandinavian and Japanese design (and brands) and we love this shop’s playful approach to functional design. Online orders are still shipping per usual.
Shop Port of Raleigh
8. Ali Golden
Location | Oakland, CA
Shop For | Ethical women’s fashion
Price Range | $$
We love Ali Golden’s namesake clothing line for its ethical production practices, easy-to-wear shapes, and timeless color palette. This small business also carries other women-owned brands, such as Paloma Wool, Ilana Kohn, and Caron Callahan. If you’re looking for a staple item you’ll keep for years to come, shop this site. The store is currently offering free shipping!
Shop Ali Golden
9. Catbird
Location | Brooklyn, NY
Shop For | Sustainable jewelry, home goods, & beauty
Price Range | $$-$$$$
Catbird makes some of our favorite jewelry, and all from a studio in Brooklyn. From everyday wearables to larger, engagement and bridal pieces, the brand is renowned for timeless pieces. The shop also boasts an amazing house line of candles, great homewares, and gifts.
Shop Catbird
Do you have a favorite one-stop gift shop in your area? Drop the store name and Instagram handle in the comments!
Alyssa Julian is the Social Media + Community Lead at The Good Trade. She’s Southern California born and raised, and when she’s not scrolling on her phone for the latest trends, she can be found at the park with her dog or scouring Facebook Marketplace for new-to-her vintage furniture. She also enjoys a weekly bouquet of flowers, heading out of the city for the weekend, and a good cup of coffee. Say hi on Instagram! 👋
