2019 Local Business Gift Guide
Yesterday we shared our Makers Gift Guide, but today we’re focusing on local brick and mortar businesses.
With the holidays and small business Saturday fast approaching, we decided to pop by a few local retailers and see what they’re predicting to be hot sellers this holiday season. Here’s a few ideas to get your #ShopLocal juices flowing:
Sam’s Cats and Dogs: Dog Advent Calendars
For the animal lovers, who could go wrong with an advent calendar just for your pup? Pop by Sam’s, located just off Everett Mall Way for all your furry friend needs.
Sno Isle Food Co-op: Fair-trade Alpaca Products
The Co-op has a variety of fair-trade alpaca products made by Andes Gifts. From scarves, hats, mittens and more, the Co-op has something for everyone in store.
Houseplants Galore: The Creation Station
For the green thumb who wants to keep things growing all year long, check out Houseplants Galore on Everett Mall Way. Buy a pot and plant, and they’ll pot it for you and include everything else needed for free.
If you’d rather get your own hands dirty and make an activity of it, step right up to the creation station to pot your own.
Wishes: Christmas Puzzles
Located in the Everett Mall, Wishes has many toys and games to choose from, but if they had to choose just one recommendation? Christmas puzzles!
They’re always tops sellers every year. They currently have around 10 different winter scenes to choose from, but are expecting to get more in soon.
Geeky Villian: FunkoVerse pop! Strategy games
When I asked the folks at South Everett’s Geeky Villian for a recommendation, Edward pointed me toward the new Funkoverse Pop! Games. They cover a lot of different genres and comes with multiple characters. Something for everyone; He thinks it will be very popular this season.
Bobakhan: Funko Pops
Bobakhan has loads of new and vintage toys to choose from, but their Funko Pop! collection is massive and always makes for great gifts. The fact that you score rare collectible Pops! is just icing on the cake.
Bluewater Distilling: Organic Spirits
For the craft cocktail lover, you can’t go wrong with Bluewater’s locally made organic spirits. Everything they produce is top notch. With plenty of bitters and tinctures available as well, they make assembling a craft cocktail kit a breeze.
Find them online // Our inside look
Side note for other alcohol-related craft beverage finds:
For beer lovers Toggle’s Bottle Shop has over 600 bottles of beer on the wall for you to choose from. Over 600! It’s like Candyland for beer lovers.
If wine is your goal, Port Gardner Bay Winery in Downtown Everett has you covered. Just remember to to Thursday-Saturday after 4:30pm when they’re open.
Soundbite Cider, which opened in South Everett this year, has a great assortment of ciders to choose from. All of their ciders can be filled into a crowler and packaged to go.
Wild birds unlimited: Bird Baths
Newsflash: did you know there are no wild birds at Wild Birds Unlimited? I didn’t; not until I finally paid them a visit last week. Full of garden accessories, one great gift idea they had was bird baths.
For around $42 (stand not included). Made of glass, copper, or ceramic. They make for a pretty place to watch your wild friends play. They have heated bird baths available as well, because no-one wants to take a bath on a sheet of ice.
Jana’s favorite finds: Garden art Poles
Another garden-friendly idea, Janna’s in downtown Everett has varying sizes of art poles made by local Bellingham artist, Stephanie Burgess. Prices range from $65-$112 depending on size (the taller versions are pictured here).
Grand Leader Mercantile: Vintage Ornaments
The Grand Leader Mercantile (resurrected from era’s past, right next door to the iconic Vintage Cafe on Hewitt) has loads of vintage household furniture and decor. Darcy had a tough time deciding on just one item. She really got excited about the vintage Christmas ornaments, though. These vintage ornaments were in the family since 1969, and now they’re ready for a new home.
Schack art center: Artisan plates
These custom made glass plates are made by Lori and Joel Soderberg of JLS Glass Studio in Edmonds. Plates start at $15 and up, and they also have glass ornaments starting at $7.
J. Matheson: Beekman 1802 Goat milk bath & body
When we asked ya’ll on Instagram where your favorite place to buy local gifts was, J. Matheson got the most votes. With free gift wrapping and a large array of household goods, its no surprise.
When I popped by, owner Judy Matheson recommended Beekman 1802. Started by two brothers who won the Amazing Race, J. Matheson carries a large selection of Beekman 1802’s all natural goat milk lotions and soaps. Not only do they have products for men and women (Judy shared a couple of the men’s scented products with me, and they were quite nice) but they also list all of Amazon’s prices and show that they have them beat by a large margin. What a great win for small business!
Citrine Health: Spa services
Treat yo’ self, or whoever you’re shopping for, with a spa service from the Women’s Wellness Center at Citrine Health. This non-profit not only offers massages and reflexology, but you can also browse their selection of locally made goods in their Citrine Market. Keep your eye out for Live in Everett swag while your there!
Red wing Shoes: American made boots
When I stopped by Red Wing on Everett Mall Way, Dani was torn between boot warmers and wool socks, but ultimately went with Red Wing’s most iconic and best selling boot: the 877 traction tread. This original red wing boot has been built with the same materials, process, and quality since 1952.
These American made boots made in Red Wing, Minnesota will set you back $299.99. They do offer discounts for many, though, including union workers, military, and Boeing employees.
Burkett’s Savvy clothing: ANorak VEsts
Holly Burkett recommended these quilted vests made by Anorak. They come in tons of colors. Black is always in stock. Currently they also have camo and magenta.
Find them online // Everett’s Friendliest Staff EVVY Winners
Renee’s Contemporary clothing: Fuzzy Wraps
Sue and Sharon from Renee’s recommend these fuzzy wraps by Nordic Beach. With a hood, pockets, and five colors to choose from, these one-size-fits-most wraps for $85 will have you feeling cozy in no time. They’re also available at their Stanwood location for any North-end folks.
Well that’s just a small snippet of what some local retailers are offering this year. What local businesses do you like to shop at that aren’t on the list? Make sure to comment below and share the love.
Thank you to everyone who does make a point to shop local this holiday season. From creating jobs to adding to our cultural vitality, local businesses contribute so much to our community, and we want to see them stick around and flourish for many years to come!
Find more gift ideas in our
Local Makers Guide
Garret is a business broker with KR Brokers, a business consultant, and co-founder/CEO of Live in Everett. He grew up in the North end of Snohomish County and lives in Everett’s Bayside neighborhood.