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Friday, November 29, 2013

SHOP SMALL {MY FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES}


Hi friends, Happy Friday!  I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving...I don't think I need to eat for a few days!  While driving home from my parents' last night early in the evening, I was very discouraged...sad...upset... to see every parking place at Super Target, Old Navy, Best Buy, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart full.  I'm so opposed to Black Friday sales starting earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving.  I feel so sorry for those employees who have to report even hours earlier than the store opens, missing the holiday with their families.  I realize that a handful of people might be happy to work on holidays, but can't we even take one day off to count our blessings and not focus on what we can buy/get/save $ on next?  I just think we're on a very slippery slope.

OK, rant over, but today, as stores and malls are being swarmed, I'll encourage you to shop small this season and support small businesses.  Tomorrow is officially Small Business Saturday, and today I'll share with you several of my favorite small businesses and business owners.

First up, we hit the jackpot with our neighbors.  Our kids are fast friends, and have a blast playing together.  Greg is a true picker, hunter, and craftsman who sells his incredible finds at Broadway Antiques & Market in downtown Edmond.  His store is called The Barn Market, very appropriate considering all of the old barns he scours all over this part of the country to find reclaimed wood, posts, hardware, and generally just really cool stuff!  If you like his FB page, you'll get to see all of the treasures he's bringing in the shop, but I took a little tour with my camera last week and thought I'd share with you.




Occasionally he finds these incredible old sleighs...they don't last long in the shop!


He makes gorgeous, quality, handcrafted furniture from all reclaimed items.  Harvest tables are his specialty,


but he thinks up other great furniture pieces like this bench made from an old door...perfect for a mudroom!


In the corner of that photo you can see a bit of a santa and toy sack, and here are the reindeer that go with him.  They are wood cutouts from an old Sears store.  They are huge and amazing.  I really wanted to find a spot for one of those deer, but they are all sold as a set, as they should be.


Often Greg is able to make custom pieces to fit your needs.  Visit The Barn Market or Facebook page...you'll like what you see!

Another favorite local shopping spot is The Rink Gallery.  My parents have had a booth there since it opened, and I love walking around and taking everything in.  You never know what you'll see there!  If you go, be sure to check out their booth.  It's called Bree's (the grandchildren's name for my Mom) and it's straight down the middle near the back with a meticulously painted brick floor (my Dad did that).  I wrote a post about it here if you want to see more.




Need some suggestions for online shopping?  These small businesses-and the ladies who run them- are awesome!



Etsy is a fabulous resource is you're looking for a unique vintage or handmade gift.  Here are a few a few of my blogging pals that have shops...check them out!






Dimples and Tangles

If you're local (OKC) and you need a great photographer, I've got two talented ladies to recommend:



Or if you're lucky enough to live in Miami, hire Gail!


Happy shopping and I hope you have a great weekend!  Now I can officially work on my Christmas decorations without feeling guilty that it's before Thanksgiving!

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Would you like to comment?

  1. Thank you so so much for including me :)

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  2. I agree with your rant- we almost went to a store last night and then I had to give myself a reality check! I will have to check out all of your favorites. I bought a print from Gus and Lula one time and loved it.

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  3. I want to get in my car and visit those shops they look so fun. Anyway, this post is very timely as I was going to contact you and ask for shopping recommendations in your area. OKC is about half-way between my sister and me so we are going to meet up there for a weekend and shop til we drop. If you have any restaurant recommendations, too, we'd sure appreciate them.

    Thanks and Christmas blessings to you and yours!

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  4. I couldn't agree more. I believe it says alot about a level of selfishness a person has. I do not shop on holidays

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  5. Jennifer, what an honor to be featured. Thank you! I love the look of these shops. And my mom, sister and I would have the best time in your mom and dad's place and the Barn Market. I don't have neat places like that in Miami. (Grass is always greener, right?) ;)

    And your rant: 100% agree. I couldn't believe the Walmart parking lot on Thanksgiving DAY as we passed by on our way to our family's house for lunch. So sooo sad. Not only that it forces people to work when they should be home with family, but shows you the mentality of this world: getting more, more, more. (What happened to giving thanks to the One who gave us all that we already have?) Focus is in the wrong place...but we know that.

    Enjoy your weekend! And personally, I can't wait to see what Christmas goodies you're going to feature. Your blog and designs just make me happy. (Kind of a warm and cozy feeling. :)

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  6. I totally agree! There have been people camped out at Best Buy for several days/nights here ~ weather & all. There is nothing I need or want that couldn't wait one day...a day for families and to be grateful for all our blessings.

    The shops look so intriguing! I would find it difficult to stay away ~ :)

    xo
    Pat

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  7. Jennifer, I share your sentiment about stores being open on Thanksgiving and other holidays (along with kids' games and practices on Sundays…….for those of us who would like to be spending that day doing more important things!) I like your list of small business to support. I'm a big fan of Etsy for this reason - to support small business owners. I used to have a small business myself (framing) and know all too well how hard it is to keep afloat so I love to support others, especially those that sell handmade goods. Your neighbor's table and wares are beautiful! How lucky for you!

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  8. such great shops :) Love to support wonderful creatives and local shops. Best places in my book! xo Kristin

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  9. Love this post and I love shopping small! Your neighbor's store looks amazing, too!!! Wow!?!? How do you not buy everything in site!???

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