With #smallbusinesssaturday upon us, we felt overjoyed that it was finally the proper time to curate a "roundup" of our favorite local purveyors. As a Boston-based business ourselves, there are few things we love more than seeing these creative, unique companies flourish...all while making the streets of our fair city brighter and more beautiful.
So, without further ado, enjoy this list of our go-to haunts for gift-giving season. Each offering their own perfect combination of soul, style and sincerity:
OLIVES + GRACE (The South End) | "A Curtsy to the Makers."
Opened by Sofi Madison in 2012, Olives + Grace is now annually recognized as the "Best Gifts" in Boston by Boston Magazine. It is regarded as "a trusted source for craftsman to gain exposure, residents to discover well-made gifts, and a place for good people to come together to support the local movement." We dare you to leave empty-handed.
NICHE | Urban Garden Supply (South End + Cambridge) | "Plants. Pots. Design"
Niche is the "urban garden" holy grail. In both of their charming locations, they offer houseplants, succulents, terrariums and design accents (as well as custom work) along with workshops and classes on a regular basis. Furthermore, it may hold the title of Boston's most "instagrammable" shop.
FOLLAIN (The South End) | "The best of clean beauty, thoughtfully curated."
Launched in 2013 by local #ladyboss Tara Follain, this company was founded on the principle that "no one should have to compromise their health for beauty." Together with their clients and makers, Follain fights to take a stand against toxins in personal care, refusing to settle for anything but the safest, most effective products. As they put it, they are "shifting mindsets — and building a community of activists who want a better kind of beauty." Plus, their interior aesthetic is so relaxing you may never want to leave.
BOSTON GENERAL STORE (Brookline + Dedham) | "Purveyors"
An irresistible staple of Coolidge Corner (and Dedham), Boston General store was founded in 2013 by April Gabriel. In discussing her objective for opening, she writes "the goal of Boston General Store is to capture that spirit of how my grandmother lived, by purveying functional, high-quality goods, crafted by makers from around the world who share the same dedication for moving passed the generation of disposability," and clearly, they are achieving just that. It's impossible to leave this shop without finding the perfect something (or twelve somethings) for that friend who is "impossible to buy for."
DECEMBER THIEVES (Beacon Hill) | "Emerging designer brands and the stories they tell"
Perpetually a winner of every award a Boston-based publication can give out, December Thieves (founded by Boston Entrepreneur Lana Barakat) boasts a beautiful selection eclectic, unique offerings that you simply won't find elsewhere in Boston. The fact that it (and it's sister store Heist) reside on one of Boston's most beautiful streets is just an added bonus.
PATCH NYC (South End) | "New York City born and Boston based."
Created by designers Don Carney + John Ross in 1997, PATCH NYC was originally home for a collection of hand-detailed hats and textiles. Nearly twenty years later, it has "evolved into a lifestyle studio creating original art and designing collections of home decor and fashion accessories including costume jewelry, scarves and the HUNTER line of sterling and one-of-a-kind jewelry." Jon + Don have curated lines for decor giants like West Elm, Anthroplogie, Target, Barnes & Noble and more - and have been features in the NY Times, Martha Stewart Living, and more.
Happy Hunting!