Keep It Close—Small Business Saturday, 26 November 2022

During the Pandemic, it was easy to “let my fingers do the walking” as I shopped on Amazon, ordered groceries online, and had meals delivered via Door Dash—all while abandoning cinemas, live concerts, and restaurants.

BUT...I also wanted (and want) local businesses to thrive and survive. And that’s why my first choice for holiday shopping (when not re-gifting!...see my post from last week), is local, local, local. Here are my favorites...

Books and Paper

Last Exit Books (second-hand books and DVDs in a first-rate location...with a coffee shop and vinyl/record store attached)—https://www.mainstreetkent.org/last-exit-books-coffee-house/

Learned Owl, The (located in historic downtown Hudson, this independent bookstore is a gem and local favorite)—https://www.learnedowl.com/

Red Letter Days (I love, love, love this quirky little shop with its beautiful paper, fun and often irreverent cards, books, pens and pencils, mugs, and much more)—https://www.redletterdayskent.com/

Simply NBK (letter writers take heart...this local artists sells gorgeous note cards on Etsy...it’s my “go to” place for cards)—https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyNBK?ref=l2-about-shopname

Entertainment and Fitness

Cleveland Cinemas (my favorite independent cinema with several locations...you can buy gift certificates or even rent a theater for yourself and friends/family!)—https://www.clevelandcinemas.com/

Kent Stage, The (small (600-seat) venue that brings in an amazing variety of top-notch musical groups)— https://kentstage.org/

One Love Yoga (my favorite yoga studio with gift certificates available for in-person or Zoom yoga classes)—http://oneloveyogakent.com/

Flowers and Things

Budding Tree, The (floral design and also a beautiful little boutique with lots of fun gifts, especially for women)—https://thebuddingtree.com/

Red Twig, The (flowers, floral design, and an Artist’s Gallery with beautiful, locally created, one-of-a- kind pieces)—https://redtwigdesigns.com/

Food/Coffee/Consumables

Battleground Taproom and Mexican Kitchen, The (the best place in Kent for fabulous Mexican food, delicious cocktails, and a fun vibe)—https://battlegroundbar.com/

Bent Tree Coffee (delicious beverages and a small selection of coffee/tea-related gifts)— https://www.benttreecoffee.com/

Grazer’s (fresh, delicious food that works for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores)— https://www.grazerskent.com/

Popped! (popcorn...all kinds!)—https://www.shoppopped.com/

Gifts/Framing/Fine Arts

McKay Bricker (my favorite framing shop ever...that also sells beautiful gifts that often are made by local artists)—https://www.mckaybricker.com/index.html

North Water Street Gallery (local artwork, a gorgeous 2023 calendar that features local artists and poets, and the opportunity to attend (or buy gifts cards for) a variety of workshops where you can explore your inner artist)—https://www.standingrock.net/

Off the Wagon (with locations in Kent and Chagrin, this is a store for the “young and young at heart” with gifts for a variety of ages and at all price points...games, toys, books, puzzles, and much more)— https://www.offthewagonshop.com/

With so many local and locally owned shops and galleries in every town, village, and burg in the U.S., I hope you will support them by shopping locally on Small Business Saturday—November 26!