The holiday season has officially arrived, and with the holidays comes large volumes of shopping. Whether it is food, gifts, toys or holiday decorations- it seems department stores are always bustling with people. Between BlackFriday, Cyber Monday and the endless amounts of deals, it is a convenient stop to get all items checked off your list.
However, it is forgotten that all the money spent at these large department stores ends up in the pockets of billionaire chief executive officers and owners. It is important to remember that Omaha is home to many small businesses that offer great ideas for gifts during this holiday season. These purchases benefit the everyday people within the Omaha community. Below is a list of small businesses that would be perfect for the holiday season.
Made in Omaha – with multiple locations around the Omaha metro, Made in Omaha offers an entire store of goods made by locals- from candles and clothes, to mugs and various dry goods.
Exist Green – for the person kickstarting their sustainable swap journey, Exist Green is the perfect place to start. Located on 49th and Underwood, the shop offers products like reusable dish soap, shower care, household items, makeup, food and storage solutions to help initiate that sustainable product journey.
Five Nine Shop and Project – located in the Benson neighborhood offering a variety of stationery, paper goods, and practical art to the community.
The Next Chapter – for the avid reader, The Next Chapter is a bookstore located in Midtown Omaha offering a great spot to grab a drink and a few books to enjoy this holiday season.
That Pottery Place – treat yourself or a loved one to a day at the pottery studio painting anything from bowls and plates to paperweights and ornaments. That Pottery Place, located off 78th and Dodge, offers an inclusive and inviting environment to enjoy an afternoon of painting.
Dundee Candle Company – for the scent enthusiasts who love to curate their own signature scent, Dundee Candle Company is perfect. Located on 50th and Underwood, it offers an experience to customize a candle in every way and support a local small business all at the same time.
For the coffee shop connoisseur Omaha offers dozens of great coffee shops including Dundee Double Shot, The Mill, SoZo Coffee House, Zen, Hardy Coffee Company, Village Grinder, Archetype Coffee, Big Grove Coffee Co. and the Grind Coffeehouse, perfect for a simple but effective gift to aid in the caffeine fix.
For the brunch or food lover in one’s life, restaurants like Homegrown Omaha, Farmhouse Cafe, Fig, the Brunch Box, Lola’s Cafe and Good Evans are all good spots that provide a comfortable experience, food and atmosphere for a quick brunch stop around the metro.
Finally, a gift for the sweet tooth. Magnolia’s Bakery, which has multiple locations around the metro, including Millwork Commons. Coneflower Creamery has locations in Millwork Commons, the Blackstone District and Elkhorn and offers a unique spread of ice cream flavors, including some locally sourced ingredients, and eCreamery, another ice cream shop, offering a fun assortment of flavors. Whether it’s a gift card or pit stops for a special treat, these businesses will not disappoint.
All these businesses are local to the Omaha area or are owned by a member of the Omaha community offering an opportunity to support peers around the community and take a break from the big box stores.
