Big Love for Small Biz
Shopping small makes a big difference for our city.
“Small businesses do big things,” … and shopping small is significant. Through May 6, celebrate Triangle Small Business Week by using those hard-earned dollars to support a host of locally owned spots around town—from retail to restaurants to coffee shops to gyms and beyond.
Fun fact: Small businesses account for two-thirds of the new jobs in our nation annually (!). And Raleigh ranks high as a coveted locale to follow your entrepreneurial dreams—see the city’s sweet spot as No. 3 as Best Place in America for Small Business, top 10 City for Small Business Friendliness, and the 2,500 startups (and counting) established in the Triangle region, to name a few solid stats.
“Small businesses are critical to the growth and vitality of our region and the country, as they are important economic drivers,” says Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Marketing and Communications Marc Dinitz. “The Triangle’s small businesses contribute to our wonderful quality of life, and make this area not only an enticing place to visit, but also a destination for transplants who have made the Triangle their new home.”
In celebration of this week, find a slew of special events/resources created to support small business—and #ShopSmall throughout the Triangle, natch. Here’s 10 we’ve covered this year to get you started.
Lighten up and foray into the Bull City for a whiff of this family-owned candle company, complete with a creator’s studio and scent showroom (!). So lit.
Situated inside a bright and airy quaint cottage, this Downtown Cary hot spot serves up your fave java, smoothie and snack selects while supporting a pretty sweet cause. How’s that for brewing esteem!
Compassion is always in style here. With an emphasis on eco-authenticity, this women’s boutique boasts jewelry, bags and fits fit for the ethical fashion queens. #Slay!
This flower spot is budding its business via grab-and-go bouquets for weddings, events or whatever you’re feelin’ like nabbing flowers for. There you grow!
From the mind of NC State grad Sophie Wiseman-Floyd comes durable, high-quality and cute jewelry that elicits a classy vintage vibe. BRB, adding everything to cart.
Got snark? Rep some rad custom Raleigh apparel via this humorous local brand’s conversation-starting NC-themed tees. … And we love some sassy style!
Montgomery Violins
*Cue tiny violin.* Find renowned violin dealer, maker and restoration shop —founded by veteran instrument maker and restorer John Montgomery—making sweet music on Morson Street in Oakwood.
Got skillz? Book a class at this recently opened group fitness gym for a slew of ops for your sweat sesh: indoor cycling, cardio, Pilates, dance aerobics. Step this way!
Here to rock your (wine) world is award-winning wine sommelier Paula de Pano (aka grape-gifted wine educator and one of the South’s leading wine professionals), whose solo vino venture is keeping things fizzical in Chapel Hill. rocksandacidwineshop.com
Stretch into your best mental and physical self via this studio’s meditation and mindfulness classes—gentle, Zen flow, yin, restorative, ashtanga, core flow and more—or nab a spot in a workshop/teacher training to lean a little further into your practice. Namaste!
For our full list of local women-owned businesses, click here; for our full list of local Black-owned businesses, click here.
