Shopping at the big retailers has its perks of course, but if you can avoid the pull of quick-click convenience, we have some recommendations for you
with our 2021 Shop Small Gift Guide: You can shop and feel good about it, too. Buying local has far reaches: it stimulates the economy in your community, helps the environment, and even translates into stronger infrastructure. Plus, it’s just pretty dang fun to walk into Bruce Julian’s Bloody Mary bar in the back of his suit shop, to chat with the kind, patient experts at Blackhawk, or to sample the lovely offerings at Selenite Beauty.
47k Marketplace
47k Marketplace is a family-owned shop in downtown Monroe that features furniture, home decor, and gifts from artisans all around the greater Charlotte area. They also offer candle-making classes from time to time, so you can join in on the fun.
47kmarketplace.com
Affirmicious Zodiac Card Decks
The perfect stocking stuffer: Filled with positive affirmations, contemplative mantras, and uplifting reminders, these beautifully designed cards are tailored to your Zodiac sign to help you nurture your positive traits while minimizing the negative. Each pack features 100 personalized affirmation cards per set and the cards are based on the unique traits, needs, and energy of each Zodiac sign; they’re a fun, sweet gift for dabblers and Zodiac believers alike.
affirmicious.com
Amina Rubinacci
Amina Rubinacci is an Italian clothing designer whose style is recognized as timeless, unpretentious and classically elegant. The collection is known for its finest quality of Italian fabrics including wool, cashmere, cotton and leather. Stop by the locally-owned SouthPark store today.
aminarubinaccinc.com
Artisan Rug Gallery
Born in Colorado and brought to North Carolina just a few years ago, Artisan Rug Gallery is a destination for hand woven rugs. If you’re looking for a fine artisanal carpet or a statement-making piece, this is where you’ll find it.
artisanruggallery.com
B.D. Jeffries
This beloved SouthPark store is a Southern treasure, offering bridal registries, beautiful accessories, custom and antique furniture and one-of-a-kind items from around the world.
bdjeffries.com
Bedside Manor
Located in SouthPark’s Specialty Shops, Bedside Manor has been transforming houses for over 30 years. Shop the three locations for luxury bedding, bath, and home decor inspiration, and make your home a haven.
bedsidemanor.com
Blackhawk Hardware & Garden Center
In 1976, Blackhawk Hardware found its home in the historic Park Road Shopping Center. It’s our favorite neighborhood place for everything from traditional hardware to kitchenware to a beautiful, full garden center.
blackhawkhardware.com
Bonnie + Bud
With boxes for a variety of occasions, Bonnie + Bud provides numerous selections to choose from for anyone on your list. You can even provide Bonnie + Bud with a list of your own personal preferences, likes and dislikes, and what you hope for the box to encapsulate. Each Bonnie + Bud box arrives alongside fresh flowers, succulents, or air plants, alongside a handwritten note from the gift-giver.
bonnieandbud.com
Bruce Julian Clothier
Bruce Julian is an upscale men’s clothing store that offers custom and designer shirts, slacks, pants, and suits, alongside Bruce’s own bar in the back that serves up his signature (also for sale) Bloody Mary mix. Shopping doesn’t get much better than that!
brucejulian.com
ColsenKeane
ColsenKeane was inspired by founder Scott Hofert’s quest for durable leather bags and accessories for travel, and they’ve made a name for themselves by doing just that. Their studio is located in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, and all of their leather is sourced from American tanneries.
colsenkeane.com
Comfy-Cozy
This e-commerce store is run by Charlotte-native and mom of three, Helia Forsyth. Forsyth believes that being comfy and cozy is a lifestyle and spent a year curating items for bath, beauty, kitchen, and home that embody that mindset. While items are available for sale individually, Comfy-Cozy’s best-sellers are their pre-bundled gift packages designed with the goal of making gift-giving effortless. The packages are perfect for family, friends, teachers, clients, coworkers, and more.
comfy-cozy.com
Couture Knots
Couture Knots is filled with high-quality, handmade area rugs. With his appreciation for good design and a natural ability to provide great service, owner Ali Nikrooz is available to help with all your rug shopping needs.
coutureknots.com
Diamonds Direct
With everything from engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces and watches, with more than 50 designers carried and 3,000 engagement ring mountings in-store, Diamonds Direct is sure to have the perfect product for you.
diamondsdirect.com
Donald Haack Diamonds
From engagement rings to fashion jewelry, the selection at Donald Haack Diamonds is for the discerning shopper seeking original pieces or quality-made, classic jewelry to add to their curated collections.
donaldhaack.com
Dove Pottery
Jordan Campbell grew up watching his grandmother make colorful, earthy pottery to sell at local farmer’s markets. When she passed in 2015, he began making and selling similar pieces, reviving a family business that was almost lost. He now works full time making pottery under the same name Selma chose.
facebook.com/DovePottery
Elisabeth Rose
Inspired by a love for handwritten correspondence, founder Elisabeth Connolly created Elisabeth Rose in 2011, in Davidson, NC. With the help of a 1881 Samson Letterpress that once resided on a U.S. Navy Ship based in Annapolis, Maryland, Elisabeth Rose offers custom event stationery, full service brand experiences, and a stationery retail line.
elisabeth-rose.com
Enzo Custom
By specializing in custom suits, shirts, and slacks, Enzo and their local team can make every garment specifically for your measurements, all from scratch. They’re able to offer a true custom experience at affordable prices, without sacrificing the quality of materials.
enzocustom.com
Erin McDermott Jewelry
A mom of three, Erin McDermott understands the busy lifestyle of Charlotte women. With an eye for versatile pieces that can transition from day to night, she created her jewelry company to help others find their go-to pieces for every occasion a day might hold.
erinmcdermott.com
Fab’rik
Fab’rik embraces uniqueness, encouraging each customer to be their truest, one-of-a-kind self through personal shopping and distinctive styles. By offering limited quantities of their pieces, customers can be sure that they’re purchasing a look that they’ll be the only ones rocking. They have a location in South Charlotte, as well as one at Birkdale in Huntersville.
fabrikstyle.com
House of Nomad Shop
Owned by Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst of the interior design studio that goes by the same name, HON Shop in Myers Park is a resource for globally inspired, hand-selected home decor.
houseofnomaddesign.com
KK Bloom Boutique
Bright colors and sunny designs have made KK Bloom one of the most refreshing options for clothing and accessories in the Charlotte area for a decade. Located in the heart of Myers Park, this shop hand-selects fun pieces that encourage customers to step out of their comfort zone, and into wearing what they love.
shopkkbloom.com
Mackenzie Bryant & Co.
Mackenzie Bryant & Co. offers internationally inspired home design pieces handpicked by owners Mackenzie Gibson and Zachariah Bryant. With influences from every corner of the world, you are sure to find a pillow or wall hanging that speaks to the culture of your space.
mackenziebryantandco.com
MoaZen Jewelry
Twin sisters Faith and Hope Rivers founded MoaZen Jewelry to bring their love of art, culture, and community to the Queen City. They handcraft stunning pieces that blend lowcountry influences with luxury style in their Love Culture, Zen Shop, and King collections.
moazenjewelry.weebly.com
Mood House
Mood House, opening this December, has you covered for a one-and-done holiday gift for anyone on your list. Pick up a gift card for a 50-minute massage plus gratuity, boxed with a candle of choice (Calm, Clear, Abundant, Awake or Holiday Chill) for $140. You can also buy the candles alone for $34. Visit @thisismoodhouse for details on how to pick the gift up before the holidays.
thisismoodhouse.com
Nadeau Charlotte
Known by their motto of “Furniture with a Soul,” Nadeau offers a refreshing approach to home decor. Their uniquely inspired pieces are handcrafted in India and Indonesia, and are sure to brighten up any room.
furniturewithasoul.com/charlotte
Nav
Nav is a curated resource for authentic decor and genuine craftwork for your home. Each piece selected by the mother and daughter team behind the brand is imbued in passion and rooted in purpose. Stop by and visit Beth and Griffin, and elevate your space with their help.
navefinds.com
Ole Mason Jar
Ole Mason Jar, now located in Charlotte’s South End, offers up quality, custom-made casual clothing for men. They’ll even give you a bourbon to sip while you shop.
olemasonjar.com
Paper Skyscraper
This sweet little local and independent gift shop owned by Sybil and Bill Godwin offers visitors a wide variety of gift items and books to choose from. Browse through for loved ones, or simply as a way to add something small and joy-inducing to your own home.
paperskyscraper.com
Revolution Clothiers & Co.
Located in the Dilworth Neighborhood, Revolution Clothiers helps men and women embrace sexy, sophisticated style. No matter what pieces you’re shopping for, Revolution Clothiers is sure to give you the edge you’re looking for.
revolutionclothiers.com
Selenite Beauty
Selenite, in South End, is a beautiful, bright little shop that carries a remarkable lineup of effective, non-toxic, and natural beauty products, plus an assortment of cosmetics and wellness supplements. Owner Tiffany Mielnik Parrish can help guide your choices for yourself or for your gift buying needs.
selenitebeauty.com
Sweet Spot Studios
Shop for everything you need for a full 2 weeks of Elf activities! From cookie decorating and pizza making to sipping hot cocoa and Starbucks – this Elf has a full schedule ahead of itself. Available in traditional sugar cookie and gluten free sugar cookie.
shop.sweetspotstudioclt.com
Sweet Union Candles
Sweet Union Candles is a sustainable candle business, first started in the summer of 2017 by Shannon Pearman. Each of her scented soy candles is hand poured into a repurposed glass bottle, and the top is adorned with small elements related to the flavor, like lemon zest or coffee beans.
facebook.com/sweetunioncandles
Taylor Richards Conger
Based on the idea that the world offered more innovative styles of dress than those being offered by local haberdasheries, Glen Taylor, Richard Pattison and Lyn Conger have the most stylish SouthPark destination for all your high-end menswear. TRCW next door offers up the same for women.
shop-trcstyle.com
The AromaCarepy Co.
The AromaCarepy Co. was created in April of 2020, offering natural, handcrafted self-care products to the Charlotte community. Whether you’re looking for a bath soak, essential oils, or salt scrub, The AromaCarepy Co. has something that will help you enjoy a little rest and relaxation.
thearomacarepyco.com
Theory Design Shop
As part of the Theory Design Studio’s efforts to make your interiors stunning, their boutique features a great selection of home decor, lamps, pillows, art, dinnerware and furniture pieces, as well as a large gift section. They carry many local lines, including The Piper Collection pillows, Evelyn Henson prints and gifts, The Blush Label pillows and Ella B candles.
theory-designstudio.com
The Sporting Gent
Marc Williams’ classic men’s apparel shop is complete with field goods and fly gear, so that even the most outdoorsy of gents based in Charlotte, North Carolina can get out there in style.
thesportinggent.com
Traditions Interiors
This multi-decade Park Road staple offers furniture and accessories, and four designers staffed who are ready at any moment to help you in your choices of how to perfect your home.
traditionsofcharlotte.com
Twine and Twig
Twine & Twig handcrafted jewelry reflects natural, organic beauty influenced by Southern roots and extensive worldly travels.
twineandtwigstyle.com
Two Fold Clothing
Two Fold has established itself as a brand primarily focused on environmental and social consciousness. Each piece they create is made from sustainable and biodegradable materials, all packaging is made from recycled material, and collections are released twice a year to encourage conscious shopping.
twofoldclothing.com
Vestique
Founded by two college friends, Vestique was originally a trendy online boutique in 2010. Since then, they’ve grown to establish nine locations across Georgia and the Carolinas. With Dilworth and Blakeney Village locations here in Charlotte, you’ll be sure to find beautiful pieces of clothing and accessories that are both trendy and high-quality.
vestique.com
Windsor Jewelers
Windsor Jewelers has a rich history as North Carolina’s premier independent jewelry store. The showrooms, the coveted products and brands, and the ultimate service experience has made Windsor a standout. For nearly a quarter of a century, Windsor Jewelers has offered every type of precious gemstone and jewelry, whether you’re building an ensemble or continuing a collection. They also offer guests the most professional team and extraordinary personal service.
windsor-jewelers.com
Young’s Pecans
Young’s has a few great, easy products to send loved ones and friends. Made in Florence, S.C., but sold here in Charlotte at Reid’s Fine Foods, their top sellers include Seventh Heaven, Carolina Combo, Palmetto Pair, Classic Cheddar Cheese Straws, Down Home Pecan Pie, and Double Dipped Chocolate Pecans.
youngspremiumfoods.com