On the heels of the big sales at the big malls & big box stores today, we have one of our new favorite shopping days of the year – Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday was officially recognized in 2010 and is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.
Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite DC spots to shop. {AND while you are back home and resting from shopping around town, you can check out A Feteful Life’s newly-opened Etsy store! We’ve got a few things available for purchase, we’ll be adding more, and are always available and excited for custom graphic design. Check us out!}
Food
Union Market is one of my new favorite spots in DC. Opened just over a year ago, it’s home to a collection of artisan food stalls, restaurants and retail shops. Whether you’re going to just grab a bite (hit up Buffalo & Bergen or Rappahannock Oyster Co.) or to get some gourmet specialty food items (check out Red Apron Butchery, Rightous Cheese & Cordial Wine), this place can’t be missed! 1309 5th Street NE
Baked & Wired in Georgetown doesn’t get quite as much buzz as the other uber popular bakery in the neighborhood but it really should. The cupcakes are massive, their baked goods are amazing and the coffee is great. Not to mention you can order a pie and have it made in a glass Pyrex dish so it looks like you actually made the pie! How cool is that? 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
Each Peach Market in Mt. Pleasant is the perfect fit for SBS because its focus is on providing the best local food products to their customers. They’re also big supporters of the DIY foodie movement, which you know is something right up AFL’s alley. It is the perfect place to get inspired for all of your holiday entertaining. 3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW
Clothing
Thread @ Dock 5 – While you’re food shopping and eating at Union Market this weekend make sure you stop by their special event Thread (Today, November 29th – Sunday, December 1st) featuring the best men’s and women’s fashion, accessories, handbags, beauty and homebrands. While not all of the artisans are local to DC (a lot of them are), they are all small producers. There will also be live music and lots of food & drink sampling. I will definitely be making a stop here this weekend! 1309 5th Street NE (2nd Floor)
Urban Chic is a small, family-owned business carrying big-name designers, such as tibi, Alice + Olivia, and Shoshanna. This is always among the first places I stop for an event dress and the clerks are always incredibly helpful at finding something that works for me {read: a youthful soul, but one who has two little children}. Urban Chic also supports its local community, which is what SBS is all about. 1626 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Lettie Gooch – Carrying both local and worldwide designers, Lettie Gooch is a great place to find something slightly more funky and unique — ranging from party dresses, to jewelry, to custom-made handbags. If you don’t want to look like everyone else around town, it’s a great place to go! LG also carries a selection of men’s clothes and sports a “boyfriend corner,” complete with comfy couch so your man can wait in peace while you shop. 1517 U Street NW
Home
Goodwood – While I put this in the “home” category, it actually has so much more than that – clothing, jewelry, bath & body – just to name a few. They have great linens, glassware, furniture and decorative items. The great thing about this store is that their merchandise is always changing so every time you go, you’ll find something new. 1428 U Street NW
HomeRule was voted 2013 Reader’s Choice Best Home Goods Store by City Paper and we couldn’t agree more! This is our go to place for great finds for the kitchen, bath & body. Not to mention Christmas decorations starting this time of year. 1807 14th Street NW
Salt & Sundry is one of the only retail boutiques on the main floor of Union Market. It features a beautifully curated selection of housewares, linens, gifts, artisanal foods and covetable vintage finds. Honestly, I could just live in this shop, it’s so beautiful. And, lucky for you out-of-towners or those of you who can’t make it out on Saturday, they recently added an online shop! 1309 5th Street NE
Books
Kramerbooks has been a DC institution since it opened in 1976. Go meet some friends for brunch and then do some serious book shopping for everyone on your list. From kids books to cookbooks, they have it all. 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW
Politics & Prose – This is my favorite bookstore in DC for many reasons but its children’s section is really just fantastic. On top of the amazing selection of books they already have, they’ll happily order almost any book you want. There’s a coffee shop/cafe in the basement next to the kid’s section that’s also worth a visit. 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW
Busboys & Poets – This isn’t the place to go if you want a one-stop shop for your holiday book shopping but that doesn’t mean it should be missed. The books here are curated to reflect local authors and authors that focus on social & political issues including civil rights, women’s and LGBT liberation. The restaurant/cafe is also a great place to meet up with friends for coffee or a bite to eat. 2021 14th Street NW (along with 3 other locations around the metro area)
A Feteful Life 