In my humble opinion, small businesses are the heart of Akron. They fuel ideas, creativity, friendships and community building. They make money that they then spend in their neighborhoods. They employee our friends. And—my favorite—they nurture collaboration over competition by working together and lifting each other up.
These small businesses and makers are offering incredible products and services. They’re also offering a friendly smile and the inspiration to pay it forward. (Can Big Box stores do that? I don’t think so.) While you’re shopping for gifts this holiday season, support small businesses as much as you can. Your money will go further than you know.
During the coronavirus pandemic, many of these businesses have found ways to offer online shopping, curbside pick-up, and even delivery.
This guide is the longest of all five. I’ve included links below to jump to a section, including home goods and décor, fashion, artists, and music, but I recommend scrolling through—you never know what you’ll be inspired by.
These diverse businesses are sprinkled throughout Akron and Northeast Ohio. They have all been selected by the Everyday Akron community. If you support them, share on social media and be sure to tag @everydayakron and the business! We all want to see how you’re spreading the holiday cheer.
Jump to: Artists | Books | Fashion | Gift Shops | Home Goods & Decor | Lifestyle | Music | Photography | More
Artists
Dippity and Snark
Cards, Stationery, More
Follow on Instagram @dippityandsnark
Visit their Website
It’s All in the Dee-tails
Follow on Instagram @its_all_in_the_deetails
Visit their Website
Renewal Creations
Home Decor, Jewelry
Follow on Instagram @renewalcreations
Shop on Etsy
Stella Blue Glass Art
Glass, Jewelry
Follow on Instagram @stellablueglassart
Wolf Baby Arts
Follow on Instagram @wolfbabyarts
Books
Elizabeth’s Books & Writing Centre
Pop-up Bookshop at Compass Coffee
Follow on Instagram @elizabethsofakron
Buy books online
Joanna Wilson
Author of “Story of Archie the Talking Snowman”
Follow on Instagram @tistheseasontv
Buy online
I usually have local book signings, and every year I lead an Akron Christmas history tour downtown–but NOT in 2020. I’m the author of the book “Story of Archie the Talking Snowman” which is available for purchase at the 1701 Press publisher’s website.
Joanna Wilson
The Learned Owl Bookshop
Bookshop
Follow on Instagram @learnedowl
Visit their Website
TrustBooks
Bookshop
Follow on Instagram @trustbooks
Fashion
Clothing, Accessories & Face Masks
Cotton Blocks
Face Masks
Follow on Instagram @cottonblocks
Visit their Website
Outta the Box Boutique
Clothing, Accessories
Follow on Instagram @outtatheboxboutique
Visit their Website
Project Sew United
Face Masks, Clothing, Accessories
Follow on Instagram @projectsewunited
Visit their Website
Studio Noelle
Plus Size Clothing Boutique
Follow on Instagram @studio.noelle
Visit their Website
Baby Sweet Pea’s Boutique
Modern Kids Boutique
Follow on Instagram @babysweetpeasboutiqueohio
Visit their Website
Little Birdie Design
Modern Knits
Follow on Instagram @littlebirdiedesign
Visit their Website
Graphic Tees & Hand-Printed Apparel
Little Chicago Clothing Co.
Follow on Instagram @littlechicagoclothing
Visit their Website
Mull Media
Follow on Instagram @mullmedia
Visit their Website
The Social Dept
Follow on Instagram @thesocialdept
Visit their Website
Jewelry
Odyssey & Oddities Jewelry
Follow on Instagram @odysseyandoddities
Visit their Website
No Style Shop
Follow on Instagram @thenostyleshop
Visit their Website
Poppy & Nokz
Follow on Instagram @poppy_nokz
Visit their Website
Toulou Foundry & Goods
Follow on Instagram @shoptoulou
Visit their Website
Wonder Lust Concepts
Follow on Instagram @wonderlustconcepts
Visit their Website
Stephanie Lee Paynter
Follow on Instagram @stephanieleepaynter
Visit their Website
Thrift, Vintage & Resell
Discovery Shop
Resell Shop benefitting American Cancer Society
Visit their Website
A Signature Antiques
Vintage Shop
Like their Facebook Page
The Hidden Pearl Vintage
Vintage Shop
Visit their Website
Highland Throwbacks
Vintage & Resell
Follow on Instagram @highlandthrowbacks
The Back Rack
Vintage & Resell
Follow on Instagram @thebackrack_
Visit their Website
The Sweetest Chill
Vintage & Resell
Follow on Instagram @shopthesweetestchill
Visit their Website
Village Discount Outlet
Thrift Shop
Follow on Instagram @villagediscountoutlet
Visit their Website
Gift Shops
Gypsy Grace and the Vintage Goat
Metaphysical, Spiritual, Magickal, Witchy
Follow on Instagram @gypsygrace.vintagegoat
Jean + Lou
Follow on Instagram @shopjeanandlou
Visit their Website
Northside Cellar
Vintage, Home Decor, Fashion
Follow on Instagram @northsidecellar
Visit their Website
Reverie
Accessories, Clothing, Decor, Gifts
Follow on Instagram @reverie.gifts.xo
Standing Rock Gallery
Follow on Instagram @standingrockhudson
Visit their Website
The Gardener of Bath
Follow on Instagram @gardenerofbath
Visit their Website
The Homegirl Shop
Follow on Instagram @thehomegirlshop
Visit their Website
Home Goods & Decor
Candles
Charlee Harris
Follow on Instagram @blumoonyellowstars
Ritual Apothecary
Follow on Instagram @ritualapothecaryakron
SweetlyCreated4U
Follow on Instagram @sweelycreated4u_sc4u
Visit their Website
Decor & Design
Don Drumm Studios
Decor, Art & More
Follow on Instagram @dondrummstudios
Visit their Website
Hazel Tree Design Studio
Decor, Design
Follow on Instagram @hazeltreedesignstudio
Visit their Website
Scarlet Begonia Goods
Decor & Apparel
Follow on Instagram @scarlet_begonia_apparel
Shop on Etsy
Vintage
Akron Antiques
Follow on Instagram @akronantiques
The Bomb Shelter
Custom & Vintage Goods
Follow on Instagram @thebombshelterakron
Visit their Website
Hand-Crafted & Custom
Birchwood Supply Co.
Custom & Vintage Goods
Follow on Instagram @birchwoodsupplyco
Visit their Website
Grant Ederer
Ceramics
Follow on Instagram @grant.ederer
Visit their Website
JBurgess Designs, LLC
Woodwork, Textiles, Candles
Follow on Instagram @jburgessdesigns
Visit their Website
The Petite Stegosaurus
Hand Embroidery
Follow on Instagram @thepetitestegosaurus
Shop on Etsy
Plants
Graf’s Garden Shop & Landscape
Garden Shop
Follow on Instagram @grafgrowers
Visit their Website
I love @grafgrowers for live decorations and fruiting plants, aka the gift that keeps on giving.
@owlbina
Flourish Plant Mkt.
Plants, Pots & Accessories
Follow on Instagram @flourishplantmkt
Visit their Website
Leaf
Flowers, Plants, Gifts
Follow on Instagram @leaf_homeandblooms
Lepley & Co.
Plants & Lifesyle Products
Follow on Instagram @lepleyandco
Visit their Website
Nest Home Goods
Plants & Jewelry
Follow on Instagram @nest.home.goods
Visit their Website
More
Ace
Locally owned hardware store
Follow on Instagram @ace_of_wallhaven
Empty Bin Zero Waste
Eco-Responsible Products
Follow on Instagram @emptybinzerowaste
Visit their Website
GloLyte Lamps
Room Lighting for Day & Night
Follow on Instagram @glolyte_lamps
Visit their Website
GloLyte Lamps add bright color and artwork to our spaces that is as functional as good lighting is to our mental health.
Dominic Falcione, Creator
Polka Dot Pincushion Quilts
Quilt Shop
Follow on Instagram @polka_dot_pincushion_quilts
Visit their Website
Lifestyle
SaguaraHandmade
Jewelry & Home
Follow on Instagram @saguara.by.alexandra
Shop on Etsy
Sam’s Emporium
Diamond Jewelry
Visit their Website
Troop Lovely Somethings
Stationery, Gifts & More
Follow on Instagram @troopslovelysomethings
Visit their Website
Yates Perfumes
Small Batch Perfume
Follow on Instagram @yatesperfumes
Visit their Website
Music
Acid Cats
Follow on Instagram @acidcatsmusic
Akron Recording Company
Follow on Instagram @akronrecordingcompany
Purchase merch & more via Bandcamp
Mourning [A] BLKstar
Follow on Instagram @mourningablkstar
Watch The Mourning [A] BLKstar Residencies, a 5 episode docuseries
Square Records
Record Store
Follow on Instagram @squarerecords
Visit their Website
Photography
Embrace Boudoir & Glamour
Boudoir
Follow on Instagram @embraceyourbeautyohio
Visit their Website
Gra Intimiate Portraiture
Boudoir
Follow on Instagram @graintimateportraiture
Visit their Website
LovelyInk Creative
Family, Wedding & Boudoir
Follow on Instagram @lovelyinkcreative
Visit their Website
New Milk Studios
Portraiture, Wedding, Fine Art & Studio Rental
Follow on Instagram @newmilkstudios
Visit their Website
More
The 12 Days of Crafty Mart
Online event featuring DIY workshops, live demonstrations, shopping guides & more
Learn more on their Facebook Event Page
Follow on Instagram @craftymart
Visit their Website
Shop Holiday Handmade
A collaborative online event by 3 regional maker-focused markets
Learn more on their Facebook Event Page
Visit their Website
So Fresh Used Auto Sales
Vehicles
Follow on Instagram @sofreshusedauto_
Visit their Website
Christi’s Cleaning Crew
Eco-Friendly Residential & Business Cleaning
Follow on Instagram @christiscleaning
Like their Facebook Page
Smartickles
Toy Store
Visit their Website
[I recently] discovered Smartickles Toy Store on Rt 18 in Medina… and they offered free wrapping. You don’t get that at a big box store!
@berngibson10
The Candle Studio
Private Candle Making Parties
Follow on Instagram @thecandlestudio
Visit their Website
thebnjmns
Graphic Designer Specializing in Brand & Web Design
Follow on Instagram @thebnjmns
Akron Glass Works
Glass Blowing Workshops, Home Decor
Follow on Instagram @akronglassworks
Visit their Website
Veterans Carpet & Tile Cleaning
Home Service
Visit their Website
Cafe O’Play
Indoor Play for Kids
Visit their Website
Check out the other gift guides!
Help run Everyday Akron
Send $5 or more via PayPal to help me run Everyday Akron and get a logo sticker! Through the end of December 2020, if you contribute $15 or more, you’ll get a sticker AND a keychain. Your money will go towards things like managing the website that help further the mission of sharing Akronites’ stories.
$5.00
Everyday Akron 