Small Business Saturday 2020

It’s more important than ever to shop small this year if you’re able, and Small Business Saturday is November 28th! This list is by no means all encompassing, in fact it is a very small list compared to what is out there. Actually, while compiling this list, I came across a couple new to me local places that I can’t wait to check out!

I’ve linked websites and Instagram accounts where available. Give them a follow! Many of these businesses fall into more than one category but I tried to separate them into types of gifts.

I would be thrilled to receive anything from the below shops, and gift cards are always a great option!

*the below links are NOT affiliate links

Foodie Gifts

Smith Coffee – Located in Eden Prairie, they sell their coffee beans, fun merchandise, gift cards, and has awesome food if you’re making the stop. My FAVORITE neighborhood coffee joint! @smithedenprairie

Vanilla Bean Project – Delicious small batch vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, and whole vanilla beans. Sold in many stores around the metro, and online. Delish! @vanillabeanproject

The Abundant Kitchen – Not only fun foodie gifts, but all things gadgets and cookware. AND even cooking classes and private events! @theabundantkitchen

Lakewinds Co-op – A local co-op selling TONS of locally made items, not just grocery! They have a fun wellness section as well. A great place if you’re putting together a foodie gift basket. @lakewindsfoodcoop

Kowalski’s Markets – Multiple locations, grocery and gifts! They have a super cute gift section with unique goodies. Also a great place for local makers in you’re doing a gift basket, or ordering catering for holidays! Also a great place to buy my favorite below pickle dip! @kowalskis_markets

Plucky Pickle Dip – Seriously delicious dips! If you are looking to add something easy and absolutely tasty to your next cheese board, this is it! Locally made, women owned, and so so good! @pluckypickledip

Golden Fig – St. Paul retailer with spices, balsamic, oils, gift boxes, meats, snacks, and SO MUCH more. I would be thrilled with a gift of ANYTHING from this place! @goldenfig

Surdyk’s Cheese Shop – Offers over 150 varieties of cheese…I mean is there really anything else to say?! Oh…they offer a Cheese of the Month Club and I officially just added it my wish list. They also have pre-made wine and cheese baskets, who wouldn’t want that? @surdykscheese

Penzeys Spices – just as you would guess, spices! Tons of already made gift boxes available online. Baking, cooking, or create your own gift box. Perfect for someone cooking more at home and wants to turn up the flavor! @penzeys

Spice Your Life – Spices for healthy living, freshly ground and hand packaged. They have more than just spices too like olive oils and vinegars! @spiceyourlife.us

Cossetta – Italian grocery market, eatery & pizzeria, gelato & pastries, and catering. A St. Paul classic. Another one of those places you can’t just walk by and not go in. You could put together a serious gift basket from the market, or simply buy a gift card! @cossettas

Baker’s Field Flour & Bread – Truly a unique gift if you have someone who loves to bake or experiment in the kitchen. Stone-milled grain flour in Minneapolis, and they ship nation-wide. Definitely worth a peek! @bakersfieldflourandbread

Olive Oils & Vinegars

I know some of the other listed shops probably sell oils and vinegars, but added these specifically to a separate category since it’s in the name.

Stillwater Olive Oil Co. – I can’t walk by an olive oil shop and not go in…every time. It’s a staple cooking item for me, and I love to try different infused olive oils, it can really jazz up a meal. Balsamic vinegars too! @stillwateroliveoil

The Olive Grove – Some seriously delicious sounding flavors on the website. Chipotle, Bacon, Green Chile to name a few, yum! @olivegroveoliveoil

Olive on Tap – According to the website, they are offering FREE home delivery, yes please! 4 words…Bread Dipping Spice Blends. @oliveontap

The Smiling Olive – Olive oils and vinegars in Chaska! Online ordering available. @thesmilingolive

The Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company – Oils, balsamic, spices, and gifts! Plus some yummy recipes!

Northfield Olive Oils & Vinegars – just south of the metro offering olive oils, white and red balsamic, recipes and pairings! @northfieldoliveoils

Kitchen, Cookware, Lifestyle Gifts

Cooks of Crocus Hill – All things kitchen and cooking! Knives, cutting boards, pots & pans, bakeware, gadgets, and on and on. And BONUS, if you hit up the Minneapolis location you can get some grab and go goodies from the Bellecour Bakery. Worth the trip just for that! @cooksofcrocushill

Patina – Multiple locations with super cute and unique gift items. Fun kitchen items, home décor, games, local MN themed items, and so much more. One of kind type things you would not find elsewhere. Love this place! @patinastores

Kitchen Window – A gourmet kitchen store AND cooking school. A cooks dream shop! I could spend hours here. @kitchen_window

Foxwell – Home goods that are beautiful and unique. Some fun dishware and glassware! @foxwellshoppe

Fleurish – Super cute spot in Excelsior offering specialty food items, tabletop/barware, home goods, personalized items, baby, wedding, and more! @fleurishexcelsior

Bachman’s Floral Gift & Garden – multiple metro locations and seriously amazing home décor. More than just flowers, and more than just holiday items. They have home goods, clothing, unique gift items, and more! Legit have been there once a week for the last 4 weeks… @shopbachmans

Gray Home + Lifestyle – I haven’t been here yet, but I cannot wait to go! I want everything in the store, who wants to go?! Home décor, furniture, jewelry, clothing, so many goodies! @grayhomelifestyle

The Foundry Home Goods – A Minneapolis classic staple. If a room in my home could just look like this store, I’d be so happy. Beautiful space, beautiful products. A must shop this holiday season! Currently only online shopping available, but they will ship AND offer curbside pickup. @thefoundryhomegoods

Flotsam + Fork – Kitchen and housewares. From knives to cleaning supplies, fun and unique gifting options. @flotsamandfork

Frattallone’s Ace Hardware – Yes…I just put Ace Hardware on my list. The Grand Ave location was recommended to me for a great kitchen selection, and they were right! They had so many kitchen tools and cookware/bakeware, it was awesome! @acehardware

Serge + Jane – Plenty of home and gift items for the bar/kitchen, games, jewelry, books, and more! Located in Edina right on France Ave. @sergeandjaneshop

Nordicware Factory Store – Everyone needs a Bundt pan in their life! This store has much more than Bundt pans, they also make other high quality, lifetime use bakeware. I love making a stop here! @nordicwareusa

Craftmade Aprons – Beautiful high quality aprons, just take a look! So good! @craftmadeaprons

Dock 6 Pottery – Stunning dishes, bowls, vases, mugs, so so beautiful. Pottery classes too! @dock6pottery

Pairs Well With – Wine scented sprays and candles, yum! I have the Rosé candle and it’s perfect. Not overly scented, and has lasted a long time! @pairswellwith

Maven Style Shop – Home Décor and Lifestyle Shop. Fun dry florals, kitchen items, boards, planters, and so much more. Check out the online shop! @mavenstyleshop

Victory Vintage – One of my favorite places! I’ve found some food styling items here like gold silverware sets and cute little trees. There’s ALWAYS something there that I “need”. If you’re going there…you must stop at Penny’s Coffee for a coffee and a crepe (although they have a limited takeaway menu now, but still worth grabbing some goodies). @victoryvintage44 @pennyscoffee_

Last but not least, a great gift idea for anyone living in the metro area is a magazine subscription to Mpls St. Paul Magazine. I’ve been a subscriber for years and it’s always packed with awesome local information. Shopping, FOOD, travel, hidden gems, great people, events, arts, festivals, all the things that make living in the Twin Cities so amazing!

I hope you’ve found a few new gems to check out this holiday shopping season, and beyond! There are so many great neighborhood joints to check out, and most of them you can find from the comfort of your couch, on your phone!

Like what you have seen? Share with your family and friends!

Thank you so much, happy shopping!

~Laura