With less foot traffic and restrictions regarding how businesses can operate, many small businesses are being forced to make tough decisions to weather this storm. Many small businesses have already shut their doors for good – but many are still fighting to survive. While our small businesses have been suffering, big corporations have been thriving.
This year, it is more important than ever to shop small.
Please think of your local favorite shops this year as you do your holiday shopping. If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, or want some extra options, we’ve compiled a list of some great holiday shopping ideas for you and your loved ones.
GENERAL STORE
General Store features a carefully curated mix of clothing, household items, books, jewelry and other small treasures from local California artisans. An arbiter of beautifully well-imagined works from the creative minds of many inspiring craftsmen, The General Store brings thoughtful, functional design to our local community and abroad. They have locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In keeping with the community and landscape in mind, the San Francisco store features a warm and welcoming garden gathering space. Their Venice location’s ample interior volume will hold a place in your imagination.
website: shop-generalstore.com/
visit: 4035 Judah Street SF, CA 94122 | 1801 Lincoln Blvd. Venice, CA 90291
THERAPY STORES
Another favorite one stop shop of ours is Therapy Stores. They provide something for everyone: jewelry, accessories, housewares, books, games, kids & baby clothes, bath & beauty products, and gift cards.
website: therapystores.com
visit: Stores are located throughout the Bay Area, including SF, Oakland, Livermore, Mountain View, Folsom, and more. They also have a shop in Portland, OR.
EO PRODUCTS
EO Products relies on decades of manufacturing plant-based body care products to guide them in choosing safe, natural, organic, and sustainably-farmed ingredients. Their two brands, EO and Everyone, both offer soothing pure essential oils blended in safe, effective natural products. EO helps you create meditative moments of self-care through aromatherapy. Perfect gift for those in need of some self-care during these tumultuous times.
website: eoproducts.com/
visit: you can find EO products in a variety of retail stores, but they do not have a storefront.
RITUAL COFFEE
A perfect gift for your coffee loving loved one. Ritual Coffee sources their coffee from smallholder farmers and set the highest standard for quality and sustainable sourcing in the industry. They also offer essential brew tools and some cool merch.
website: ritualcoffee.com/
visit: Located throughout San Francisco, see where to find them here.
ESQUELETO
ESQUELETO features a thoughtfully curated selection of fine jewelry, artwork, and both handcrafted and natural objects. Owner Lauren Wolf first opened the shop’s doors in 2011 after relocating to Oakland from New York, where she established her namesake line, Lauren Wolf Jewelry. In 2015 ESQUELETO expanded to Echo Park, where Lauren opened her second store in the up-and-coming LA neighborhood. 2015 marked the launch of ESQUELETO online, their comprehensive e-commerce site, making their products available to customers all over the world.
website: shopesqueleto.com/
visit: Stores in Oakland, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and NYC. Appointments necessary due to CDC recommendations and covid safety measures.
ROUGH LINEN
High quality linen means endless opportunities for a meaningful, and beautiful gift. Rough Linen’s spirit originates with the story of a family heirloom —homespun linen from a stone cottage in Scotland, come to light four generations later. Together with a team of in-house sewers, they bring a love for timeless linen to a world which can use what it stands for – strength, continuity, craft. Made to be lived with — and loved.
website: therapystores.com
visit: Only available through their website
SPORTS BASEMENT
Sports Basement has everything a trailblazing outdoor person would want AND MORE! Their buying team sources the best product from top brands, and scores some pretty sweet deals along the way. They know what to look for in every product they’re choosing because they use it themselves when they’re adventuring outdoors. Their experience and knowledge bring us carefully curated gear that we know customers want and will enjoy using.
website: shop.sportsbasement.com
visit: Stores throughout bay area. See full location list.