I gather with a few friends to knit every Wednesday morning. It is my “me time.” Since I run my own business from home, I do my best to keep those two hours free every week. Last week whilst knitting we were lamenting about the loss of a local market and place where we used to gather. It got me thinking and made me more than a little sad.
This market was owned and operated by one of my dear friends. She put her whole damn heart and soul into this place and carried the best stuff. Most everything she sold supported other small businesses. She also had the best bougie food! I found something new that I couldn’t live without every time I visited. Alas, the pandemic was just too much for this small business. My friend tried so very hard. It was a heartbreaking loss not only for her and her family, but also for our small community.
We have moved our Wednesday morning knitting to another wonderful local business, Baxter’s Coffee. When I walk through the door, they start making my tea just the way I like it: medium, British Breakfast, one bag, left in. They know me. That is nice. This is what you get by supporting small businesses. You also allow people to make a living doing something they love.
This isn’t just true of local businesses, but online shops as well. No, I’m not talking about Amazon, folks. I was director of a community arts center for three years. Many of my artists got their work out there and made a living through Etsy shops. I hit Etsy all the time for unique items and to know I’m supporting someone’s dream and talent. I got the best Christmas cards last year from Black Tabby Studio!
You can find anything on Etsy. Would you like to get someone (or perhaps your favorite fancy pet chicken) a nice piece of jewelry? Why not get it from Landon Lacey? Landon has been following her passion of making jewelry since college. Her stuff is beautifully handcrafted from her apartment in Chicago. She is doing what she loves. This needs to be supported. You (or your chicken) will also have a unique piece of jewelry that looks fantastic!
Are you a knitter like me? Crochet, perhaps? Let me tell you about Knitted Wit yarn! These folks hand-dye their yarn in Portland, OR. It is my absolute favorite! I’m working on a scarf that literally brings tears to my eyes the colors are so beautiful. You know what else is awesome? I can get their stuff on Etsy as well as my favorite local place to by yarn, CoffeeTree Books in Morehead, KY.
Speaking of books, don’t even get me started on independent bookstores! I will travel to the ends of the fucking earth for an independent bookstore. As noted above, CoffeeTree Books is my favorite, but I hit bookstores no matter where I go and buy way too many. What? You prefer audiobooks or want to order online? Guess what? You can still support your local bookstore. There is an app called Libro.fm where you can download audiobooks and your local bookstore gets a cut of that shit. You can do the same with bookshop.org to purchase the actual book. If you don’t have a favorite independent bookstore, help out my peeps at CoffeeTree Books. They are great human beings and would love it!
I could list a dozen more people who are a wonderful and deserved to be supported. Maybe I will at some point. Please feel free to hit me up with your favorites and tell me about treasures I can’t live without. Word of mouth is what keeps small businesses going and allows them to thrive.
All this is to say, if we don’t support small businesses, we will fucking lose them! Yes, you are probably going to pay more for handcrafted items and a personal touch, but isn’t it worth it? Artists deserved to be paid for their work and small business owners need to be able to make a decent living. Be a part of that. Everyone wins.
Follow me on social @kyspiritsgal or check out my previous posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com. Cheers!
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
