Owners of small businesses in our community dared to dream and then invested money, sweat, and some may have shed some tears to bring you the best they have to offer so let's honor them on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, for Shop Small Saturday! (AND EVERYDAY)
Explore Your Community, A Few Ideas to Get You Started!
Shop local on Small Business Saturday! You can start on Antique Alley in West Monroe! There are so many shops and unique gifts. We recently had a wonderful lunch at JAC's Craft Smokehouse (now taking orders for holiday meats and fixins') and then we walked down to The Spice and Tea Exchange. There we found the cutest silicone tea infusers! There were several to choose from, but the black cat and frog were irresistible. You fill them with tea of your choice, and they hang inside the cup! We found that the larger leaf teas work best.
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The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber just launched a Holiday Look Book that brings West Monroe shops to life! With this 34-page Look Book, you will see some of the best, the West has to offer!
Here are a few reasons the West Monroe - West Ouachita Chamber wants you to shop local!
- Shopping locally helps grow your community’s economy.
- Shopping locally boosts job growth in your community.
- Shopping local gives your community’s creatives much-needed exposure.
- Shopping local means you get personalized service and products.
Head to Downtown Monroe Main Street and make sure you visit Revival Design & Consign. Owner, Clinton Downing has recently launched Delta Roots, a line of products that feature his original artwork. Santa Claws recently debuted and is featured on t-shirts (for adults and children), onesies for babies, bibs, door hangers, and more!
Aron's Pharmacy Gifts and Grill - Conveniently located on N. 18th Street in Monroe, with easy parking, and great gifts for all your secret Santa parties, party supplies, toys, sports merchandise, and nostalgic candies. While you are there don't forget to eat at the grill, heck treat yourself to a shake!
Delta Biscuit Co. is a great place to eat (check out their menu) but this isn't why they are on the list. They have merch! Affordable gift ideas for anyone and everyone like house-made dill pickles, house-made sweet pickles, dill spears, house-made chow-chow, spicy dill green beans, dill carrots, candied pecans, and the prices are great!
Located at 506 N. 2nd Street in Monroe Flying Tiger Brewery is a leader in bringing our community together. From fun community bike rides, 5K's and walks, and scavenger hunts, they always come up with creative ideas for your family. You can get some fun merch like t-shirts, hats, koozies, and of course, heroic beer! Giving a gift certificate to a friend will make them your new BFF!
A gift card for Parish Restaurant & Bar will really let family and friends know how much you love them! Chef Cory Bahr has been recognized for his culinary talents both regionally and nationally. He was a Food Network Star Finalist in 2017, he also Beat Bobby Flay, Food & Wine named him "People's Best New Chef" in America in 2015 and “People’s Best New Chef” Gulf Coast in 2014. He was named to the Taste of the South's "Taste 50” in 2015, and in 2012, Cory became a Food Network’s Chopped! Champion. Cory was also named to the list of Louisiana Cookin’ “Chefs to Watch” in 2011.
We have been following The Good Daze which always brightens our day! They are a vintage shop that also features locally made goods. You can always find a gift that is super fun, a little quirky, and perfect for making someone smile!
Love Lit Candle Co. is owned by teen entrepreneur and current Miss Monroe, Hailei Beckwith. Let's be real, everyone loves candles, and with scents like Cocoa Butter Cashmere, Orange Peppercorn, and The Bayou, if you want to maintain your friendships you better get online and order now! Love Lit Candle Co. also has a Candle Bar that can be booked for private events, or a spot can be reserved for a "Pour Your Own Candle Experience" which would make a great gift. (See Scent Notes Profiles)
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What is the perfect gift for the person that has it all? Simple, just give them more of what they love and for that, look no further than Tonore's Wine Cellar. Tonore's was established in 1935 and is known for having premium wine and spirits, as a matter of fact, they have been in the same location since day one, the corner of Louisville and 8th St., in Monroe. They deliver, have gorgeous gift baskets that are custom made, and unique wines and spirits you can't find anywhere else! Call Russell at (318)325-4100 for more information.
Local Museums and Nonprofit Agencies
Looking for another way to support your local community? Support our local museums and other nonprofit agencies! Purchase 'experience' gifts, make a donation in honor or memory of someone, volunteer your time, or even better make it a family affair! This would also be a great list to consider for Giving Tuesday!
Local Museums:
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens
Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
Friends of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
Masur Museum of Art
Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum
Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
Precious Legacy Museum and Archive at Temple B'nai Israel
ULM Museum of Natural History
Nonprofit Agencies to Consider:
Angel's Gala - Provides Bereavement Care in Northeast Louisiana and Caring Cradles which will give grieving families more time with their babies after they pass away.
ARCO, A Community Resource - Provides direct services for individuals with developmental disabilities so that they have the support they need to live and work independently in our community.
Autism Society of Northeast Louisiana - Their mission is to increase the quality of life for all individuals impacted by Autism across the lifespan.
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana - Thanks to a generous donation from Atmos Energy, your donations are being matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. That means every $10 donated will help us provide 60 meals to children, families, and seniors who are facing hunger in our community. Join the fight against hunger in Northeast Louisiana by making your secure online gift today.
Just Run the Play, Inc. - You can shop and support this local nonprofit that provides free youth empowerment workshops. They have a unique 12-play system to provide youth in all communities the "playbook" they need to become successful.
Royal Family Kids NELA - Royal Family KIDS is a faith-based ministry that provides a week of camp designed to meet the unique and overwhelming needs of children in foster care. If you are interested in making a donation, please send an email.
The Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana - The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is dedicated to creating communities where children and families thrive. They address the needs of children and youth ages 0-18 in four main areas: Early Care and Education, Healthy Living, Parent Education, and Youth Development. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
United Way of Northeast Louisiana - When you partner with United Way of NELA your investment has a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people in Northeast Louisiana. Your donation supports partner agencies such as Ouachita Council on Aging, The Wellspring Alliance for Families, D.A.R.T, Christopher Youth Center, Louisiana Methodist Children and Family Services, St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, Rays of Sonshine, Salvation Army, NELA Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, MedCamps of Louisiana, and West Ouachita Senior Center.
Macaroni Kid Monroe-West Monroe is also a small local business, if you haven't subscribed to our FREE weekly e-newsletter, that is all we ask. Providing you with local events, parenting tips, crafts, recipes, and family and business spotlights is our mission!
