9 spots to shop local on Small Business Saturday
The Nesting House on Carpenter Lane is one spot parenting blogger Jen Bradley recommends families check out on Small Business Saturday. (Michael Buozis/for NewsWorks, file)
The Saturday after Thanksgiving has been dubbed Small Business Saturday. The day gives us an opportunity to give back to the small businesses that make up our community.
To generate a list of local, kid-friendly small business holiday shopping options, I crowdsourced on the Germantown Avenue Parents Facebook page. Readers offered a robust list of suggestions.
The little sibling store of Green Street Consignment, this kid-focused shop offers a selective view of what’s cool for the littlest fashionistas. The range of high-end sizes from newborn through 14 allows plenty of years for you to fashionably clothe your kids without breaking the bank. You’ll find some brand new toys and a few new clothing items in the mix as well. 8518 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. x
The Nesting House offers a different take on children’s consignment. Nesting House offers both new and consigned clothing, toys, and items that “promote social and environmental stewardship.” In addition to gently used clothing from newborn through size six, you’ll find cloth diapers, baby carriers, parenting products and sustainable toys and games. 606 Carpenter Lane on Mt. Airy.
While you’re in Mt. Airy Village, check out the lovely selection at The Big Blue Marble Bookstore. The downstairs children’s room is full of wonderfully selected picture and chapter books to inspire everyone from the most avid bookworm to the most reluctant reader. There are also favorite book character “stuffies” (we picked up characters from “The Snowy Day” and “Olivia” in our last trip through) and lots of fun book-related paraphernalia. 551 Carpenter Ln. in Mt. Airy.
The holidays wouldn’t be complete in my house without some goodies from Zipf’s. My kids are huge fans of this small, but extremely well-stocked candy store. From simple things like flavored candy sticks to gummy frogs, lego candy, chocolate coins and beyond, Zipf’s has you covered. Tucked in the alley behind 8433 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut HIll.
If you have an edgy teen who loves the off-beat, check out the offerings at Hipster Home. Though not specifically geared for the teen crowd, there are lots of surprising items sprinkled throughout the store that teens and cool kids might enjoy, like the Spectrix card game, the Solar Waving Mona Lisa, the Couchpal phone stand, and the Boho dress scarf organizer. 8236 Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill.
Another great place for tweens, teens, and beyond. Cool jewelry, funky clothing, bohemian bags, and other fun chachkas for the eclectic collector. On my last excursion to Mango with two tween girls, they seemed particularly smitten with the bejeweled headbands. 8442 Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill.
With a name like that, you have to be curious enough to check this store out, right? Named for Pippi Longstocking’s fictional home, the store offers quality clothing for newborn through size 6x, gifts, handmade items and toys, as well as carefully selected high end resale finds. Embrace your inner Pippi and enjoy finding things! 8135 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill.
The Color Book Gallery is touted as “the nation’s oldest multicultural children’s bookstore.” Nestled near that Historic Johnson House in this rich historical district, the store offers a mix of titles from the light-hearted to the serious, from the historical to modern, from Origami Yoda to Henry’s Freedom Box. 6353 Germantown Ave. in Germantown.
Oxford Circus is a boutique toy store in Chestnut Hill that offers a unique mix of modern, yet classic, European style toys. You’ll find brands like Haba and Plan Toys offer natural materials, soothing colors, simple ideas and lasting quality. 8127 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill.
Finally, check out MyManayunk, a series of vignettes put together by the folks behind ‘Yunk’s former co-working space, Transfer Station. Learn about the people who decided to open up businesses on Main Street and why they care about keeping small businesses thriving.
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