Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, small business is part of my blood and heart. This year it matters, even more, to shop small in 2020. Where you choose to shop has an impact on local communities.
There are 30.7 million small businesses (SBA, 2019) and 89% of them have less than 20 employees. Almost 31% of small businesses are not operable due to the pandemic (Facebook, 2020). I intentionally shop small businesses in my neighborhood and online.
Browse the 26 shops, below. You’ll find personal notes on why I chose each business. I encourage you to shop small and share the list on social media.
key for Shop Small 2020
You’ll find promotions below. Some promotions may not be advertised yet so check the site. Promotions are subject to change without notice and subject to availability. Order early for prompt delivery. Delays are expected this season.
- 💙 – Chicago Local
- 🙌🏻 – I own product from this shop.
- 💵 – I’m an affiliate.
Shop Small 2020
108 Yoga Love 🙌🏻
Creations for the soulful yogi.
I purchased the hand-illustrated yoga flash cards. Ideal for beginners who are inside during the winter or to create your own flow. The package comes wrapped and with a handwritten thank you note.
Art By Monday
Colorful art that celebrates the beauty of women.
Shared this with a friend who loved the artwork and purchased a piece for her home.
- Black Friday Deal! Shop early for the holidays! This sale lasts until midnight! Take $30 off 24×30 inch canvas prints.
Artifact Uprising 🙌🏻
Your photos, made to last. High-quality printing for the stories you tell.
My favorite place to print photos. I printed an album of summer memories for each niece this year. The photos are perfect for a wall gallery too. Memories are meant to be cherished and seen; not left on our phone.
- Up to 20% off; code VERYMERRY
BLK AND BOLD 🙌🏻
Specialty Coffee & Tea x Community Impact
I enjoy the Rise & Grind flavor!
- Shop & Save 20% On Entire Site; Use code BLK20 at Checkout
BOTTLESUP 🙌🏻 💙
A bottle shop + experience. We drink well and have fun.
The best local wine shop with a great selection of craft beer and small-batch liquor. Melissa and her husband are amazing at selecting wine from around the globe and telling the story (tags shown above) behind each bottle. They are active in collaborating with neighborhood businesses. I love seeing them thrive!
- Take Home Tastings; Every Wednesday | $10/person
Elevated + Minimal planner inserts & accessories. Let us help you create your capsule planner system.
Big fan of Cloth and Paper products and the classic design. I can’t wait to start using my 2021 planner. I’ve saved the accessories for the new year too!
- Thursday 11/26 at 5pm EST through Friday 11/27 at midnight EST
Use code BLACKFRIDAY30 to get 30% off your entire order + a free Limited Edition Note Neutrality Sticky Note when you spend $100 or more - Saturday 11/28 from 12am EST to midnight EST
Use code SATURDAY25 to get 25% off of your entire order + a free Limited Edition Transparent Sticky Note - Sunday 11/29 from 12am EST to midnight EST
Use code SUNDAY50 to get 50% off The Archive and Last Chance Collections + Amalfi Coast surprise freebie - Cyber Monday 11/30 from 12am EST to midnight EST
Use code MONDAY20 to get 20% off your entire order + a free set of Transparent Minimal Shape Stickers and a Sticker Pouch
CRWND Illustrations 🖤
Highlighting our crowns through empowerment, self love + care.
Prints | Cards | Mugs | Notebooks | Custom
Small shop based in Kansas City, my 2nd home.
Cultivate What Matters 💵 🙌🏻
The #1 tool for an intentional life with the PowerSheets Goal Planner.
I’ve used PowerSheets for years. Lara and her team listen to their customers to continuously refine their products! This is one of the many reasons I’ve been a loyal fan.
- Tuesday, November 24 at 10 am ET- Monday, November 30th at 11:59 pm ET
25% OFF everything in the shop (excluding PowerSheets and Bundles)! No code needed. FREE SHIPPING on U.S. orders of $100 or more. FREE Celebration Sticker Pack with purchases over $75. While supplies last.
Day Designer 💵 🙌🏻
Beautiful planners for living a well-designed life!
Find focus, productivity, and organization – in style.
My favorite daily planner for 7 years running. You can see my stack. I’m a fan of the mini flagship due to quality, size, and layout. They come with keepsake boxes. My planner is essentially my professional journal of ideas, accomplishments, meetings, and more. I still enjoy manually checking off tasks.
- Enjoy free shipping on U.S. domestic orders with discount code CYBER20 from 11/24/20 at 12:00 a.m. EST to 11/30/20 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
GIGI NEW YORK 🙌🏻
Luxury leather craftsmanship, timeless design.
My favorite monogrammed wallet is from here. I’ve used it for years and it has held up well. For timeless pieces, I love a beautiful color with texture such as embossed python.
GORJANA 💵 🙌🏻
Jewelry you’ll live in, love always and layer every day from Laguna Beach.
The star necklaces I purchased are perfect for layering or wearing individually. They’re light and can be worn with almost anything.
- Black Friday, discount applied in cart; $25 off orders of $125; $50 off orders of $200
Grace Personalized 🙌🏻
Custom Name, Letter Necklace & Personalized Jewelry
I purchased a custom name necklace. She was very prompt in answering questions. I love my necklace and it’s in my daily rotation.
- Black Friday Sale: 30% site-wide, ends November 30.
Greer Chicago 🙌🏻 💙 🖤
We’re an online, Chicago and New York stationery store with a thoughtfully-selected collection of international stationery and office supplies from American-crafted letterpress greeting cards to impeccably-designed Japanese notebooks to luxurious Belgian stationery, available for shipment and in our Chicago shop. We love the power of small gestures to transform others and ourselves.
I loved shopping this neighborhood store. Chandra does an incredible job curating the selection. I know I can always find a unique card or stationery item here.
Haus 🙌🏻
Apéritifs are complex in flavor, lower in alcohol, and ideal to sip all evening. We make ours with only real ingredients, so there’s no wrong choice.
My favorite is the Bitter Clove. I’ve also enjoyed the Citrus Flower and Ginger Yuzu. You can sip them straight or mix them.
TIP: The sampler kit is the perfect way for you or the gift recipient to try 4 different flavors of your choice.
- Haus Duos. These perfect pairings are 20% off Black Friday and ship free with the code HOLIDAYDUO. Discount applies to The Citrus Duo, The Spiced Duo, Your Haus Duo ordered on 11/27 until 11:59p PST. Cannot be combined with any promotion or discount (including member discount).
Karina Mora 🙌🏻
A photographer who desires to help people see beyond margaritas, tacos, and the stereotypes, to the heart of Mexico. One piece of art at a time.
Karina is a friend and colleague. I have one of her prints hanging in my home. I love her passion for telling the stories of her heritage and culture.
- Free shipping on any order (no code needed) for the rest of the year
La Kaiser 🙌🏻 💙
Simplistic with a touch of contemporary & a pop of color. Seen in VOGUE, Glamour, R29. Shipping worldwide Chicago based
I discovered this local jeweler last year at Chicago’s annual One of a Kind show. I love the delicate style jewelry and chose a beautiful stone ring in a pave setting.
- Use HOLIDAY20 for 20% off purchase site-wide through Sunday, Nov 29
LEAD THE CULTURE 💵 💙 🙌🏻
Celebrate and show the values important to your company with limited edition “Lead the Culture” merchandise.
I designed this merchandise as a reminder to live our values. I have the long sleeve white Grateful tee and face mask. A positive reminder during this season!
Liv and Elle 🙌🏻
Custom apparel celebrating black joy, black pride and HBCU love for all ages.
Purchased a tee from this store as a gift. My friend loved it!
Maison Marcel 🙌🏻 💙
My favorite Chicago neighborhood French bakery. I’m also partial because I know some of the friendly staff. The croissants and pain au raison are amazing. I also enjoy a London fog. You can order for pick up or delivery.
MANTRABAND 🙌🏻
Simple, elegant bracelets with a touch of delicate polish and an uplifting message; promoting a lifestyle of optimism, positivity, mindfulness.
I have multiple MantraBand bracelets. They’re my favorite accessory and easily paired with any outfit. The MantraBands are a go-to gift for friends.
- BLACK FRIDAY SALE: 30% OFF; Free Shipping, Buy 3 Get 4th Free. SALE ENDS 11/29
McBride Sisters Wine 🙌🏻
Break the Rules. Drink the Wine. Old world style, new world finesse made in CA & NZ.
I’ve enjoyed the She Can rose and McBride Sisters chardonnay. You can find it at Bottles Up in Chicago or check your local Target and Trader Joe’s.
OATMEAL LACE 🙌🏻
Custom and handmade aprons, clutches, napkins, and face masks.
My first face mask was from McKay and then I ordered a 2nd one with a monogram. I’ve also worked with a client to order branded aprons to use in a retail setting. The aprons with pockets makes it easy for staff to have easy access to tools, sanitizer, etc.
- $10 off $50 : 10OFF50
- $25 off $100 : 25OFF100
- $50 off $150 : no code needed!
- Orders must be placed by 11/30 to ensure shipping by the carrier cutoffs for Christmas delivery.
Salvaged Studio 🙌🏻
Maker of heartfelt long distance map gifts. Show your loved ones they’re always near at heart no matter how far or how long apart.
I purchased a custom frame for my mom from Rachael. It includes the locations of all her kids across the US and EU. She keeps it on her work desk.
SIMPLY CURATED 🙌🏻
Luxury Soy candles hand poured in Grand Rapids, MI.
I buy from them almost every year at a local holiday event. My favorite scents are Guava Fig and Grapefruit Bergamot. I use travel size candles as gifts for clients. I’ve also repurposed the candle jar as a glass, because the art deco design (not pictured above) is beautiful.
- Our Black Friday sale is on now, you can use code “thankful2020” for 20% off all orders now through Monday!
SUGARLUXE
Our cookies are prepared in small batches and individually cut, baked, and decorated by hand with your ideas in mind.
I love Khadijah’s attention to detail. Plus she is very responsive on social media. Her cookies are perfect as gifts for friends or clients.
- Friday 11/27 and Saturday 11/28
Use code: BLACK for 15% off purchases over $60
SUGAR PAPER 🙌🏻
We make beautiful things for thoughtful people.
One of my favorite stationery stores. I love their notepads, cards, and gift packaging.
- BLACK FRIDAY SALE 25% off with code: EARLYBIRD
Your Turn
What small shop(s) need to be added to this list? Share in the comments below.
Melissa Kay Jones 