Small Business Saturday: Who we Love

Amy: Freedom Apothecary is one of the most beautifully curated local businesses close to our office. Team members love to stock up on unique beauty brands from this special shop. Lingua Nigra is my go-to for jewelry. Their founder Alicia and I met a while back at a tradeshow where we swapped products and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. The pieces are hand crafted and unique with their gorgeous textures and forms. I could go on and on about various small businesses, but I also have to mention Lokal Hotels, Llani and Lloyd Whiskey Bar as other fabulous places to support. 

Lynzi: My neighborhood in Philly is bustling with some great small businesses that I’m always eager to support, especially on SBS. I especially love The Head and The Hand bookstore in Fishtown. One of my favorite things to gift to someone special is a good book and it feels even more meaningful when it’s purchased at a local bookstore rather than a chain. While their storefront is in Philadelphia, you can also shop their selection of products online and have them delivered directly to you! I’m also going to shout-out my friend Courtney who owns CG Studio, a LGBTQ+ owned small business that designs one-of-a-kind, custom sports attire. Check her out if you’re looking for the perfect sweatshirt, hat or tee to rep your favorite team! 

Sophia: Occassionette and Nice Things are two super cute shops in South Philly carrying handmade gifts, cards, household items and other fun and quirky finds. The best part is that they’re both located on East Passyunk so you can quickly hop from one to the other. I’ll probably start my morning with a latte and some vegan treats from Batter & Crumbs and then make my way over for a day of shopping.

Molly: 5th Dimension is a great small batch skincare and wellness brand. I love that the brand has roots in Philadelphia (like us) and that it is woman owned and operated. Check out their sub rosa serum and midnight oil for daily glowy skin. I also love Three Potato Four for quirky gifts and vintage finds. 

Britt: One of my favorite activities is digitally window shopping. I’m always on the lookout for one-of-a-kind finds or over-the-top extravagances. Last year (after discovering them on Instagram), I added yet another winter coat to my collection, this time from Jakke. Pronounced (jack*ie), the company is a London-based fashion brand with a conscience, they make amazing faux fur coats (among other apparel) - think fun patterns and colors that are warm and oh-so super soft. Another brand I’ve been following for years is Mignonne, which makes bespoke handmade accessories inspired by nature in southern France. I’ve yet to snag one of their beautiful pieces but I do have a few on my wish list. And the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without buying a new ornament (or two!). I only decorate with glass ornaments and some of my favorites have come from GlitterVille Studios. I just love their over-the-top maximalist vibe.

Carly: A couple years back I made the decision to do all my personal shopping by either shopping small or sustainably, which has opened me up to a world of amazing makers that I love to share with my friends through gifting. One that has been a local favorite of mine for years is the jewelry brand Picnic by Chloe Keene. Her pieces are all so fun and unique, so much so that many of them even have her fingerprints embedded in them, as they’re all handmade by Chloe herself. I have now picked up four of her “good-friend” necklaces, for myself and friends, all purchased from Ritual Shoppe in Philly, another local small business that I love to support. Another small business that I rave about is Tree Fairfax, a BIPOC owned leather goods company that is based online and made-to-order. Each piece is handmade with visible attention to detail and lasts a lifetime. Their sustainability efforts show through pieces conceptualized purely out of efforts to reuse scrap leather and their “imperfection sales.” It’s great to purchase an item knowing that your money is going directly to the makers that are putting in the time and attention to create it for you, it always feels more personal!

Sam: I absolutely love supporting Beau Undies! They offer a monthly subscription service to get new surprise panty styles every month. All of their social media is extremely inclusive and women empowering! Beau Undies also donates their undies to local women’s shelters which I love. 

Nina: I love thrifting, I find it very therapeutic and it's perfect me time. With that being said, I am always in Philadelphia local vintage boutique, Made and Maker. A couple weeks ago while shopping there, I found a lush Calvin Klein vintage silk blouse. Every time I step in I find a one-of-a-kind piece! More recently, on a trip to Miami I discovered The Wardrobe & More, a beautiful, thoughtfully curated women’s boutique. I can’t wait to support these stores and more come the holidays!

Christiane: One of my favorite local brands in Sisterfriend Jewelry, a fun kawaii-inspired fine jewelry line by friend Kelli and her sisterfriend Lisa. I wear their Daruma necklace literally every day - they describe it as, “A talisman to bring good luck and encouragement. The daruma is marked with one eye when you set your intention or goal, and the second is filled in when you accomplish!” I think my holiday gift to myself this year will be adding my second eye! I also want to give a general shout-out to local artists - there is nothing as fun as collecting and decorating with original prints or paintings, and as an artist myself I do my best to support fellow makers in my community. Etsy is a good resource but can be super overwhelming, so I try to make time to visit local craft shows to find artists I really connect with. I’ve recently acquired new work from Dancewither Glassworks, Jen Brown and Jonathan Meader.

Enjoy this article? Here’s more we suggest!

1. Amy’s November Favorites and Holiday Gift Guide 

2. Behind the Print: Deck the Halls

3. Shopping & Exploring in Soho NYC

4. Printfresh Team’s Ways to Stay Grounded

5. Behind the Print: Fox & Folklore