Small Business Saturday: 20 independent metro Phoenix stores to have on your radar
If you’ve already found all of your Black Friday deals this month at outlet malls or websites for big box stores, Small Business Saturday is your opportunity to give back to your local communities and business owners.
On Nov. 28, the day after Black Friday, bookstores, boutiques and other retail shops across metro Phoenix could use your hard-earned dollars as they try to weather the economic strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
American Express, the financial services company best known for its credit cards, created Small Business Saturday in 2010 amid the recession to bring more revenue to small businesses during the holiday shopping season.
If you plan to go to these stores in person, keep in mind that Maricopa County has a face covering mandate, which requires people ages 6 and older to wear a mask that conceals both their nose and mouth while in public and whenever social distancing might be difficult.
It’s especially important to wear a face covering indoors, where there is often less air circulation; keep your space from others and sanitize or wash your hands regularly.
When you can, shop online or choose contact-free pickup.
Here are 20 local businesses you should consider shopping from on and after Small Business Saturday; many have the option to buy online.
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PHOENIX, SCOTTSDALE
B&R African Styles
B&R African Styles sells apparel — including dashiki dresses, shirts and shorts — as well as self-care products such as shea butter soaps and fragrances.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Monday, Wednesday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday. 6719 W. Thomas Road, Suite S-6:B, Phoenix. 602- 410-8064, https://www.brafricanstyles.com.
Straw and Wool
Find men’s hats and accessories at this new Grand Avenue shop.
Details: 12-5 p.m. Thursday; 12-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-4p.m. Sunday. 1325 Grand Ave., No. 109, Phoenix. https://strawandwool.com.
Frances
If you’re looking for accessories, cards, mugs and apparel with punchy phrases emblazoned on them, this is the place for you.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 10 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-279-5467, https://www.shopfrancesboutique.com.
Antique Sugar
You might just find a holiday gift for yourself at this vintage clothing store in downtown Phoenix.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 801 N. Second St., Suite 104, Phoenix. 602-277-5765, https://antiquesugar.com.
Strawberry Hedgehog
Here you’ll find soaps, deodorants, sprays, incense and more at a shop that “proudly and mindfully (handcrafts) vegan, safe, healthy, clean products.”
They are taking online orders while the store is temporarily closed.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 1501 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 928-637-6270, https://www.strawberryhedgehog.com.
Changing Hands Bookstore
This Phoenix staple can cater to all of your literary needs while also offering novelty gifts, greeting cards, journals and toys.
Tempe: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe. 480-730-0205, https://www.changinghands.com.
Phoenix: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602.274.0067, https://www.changinghands.com.
Bunky Boutique
Bunky is taking online orders with free shipping while the boutique is temporarily closed during its move to 1001 N. Central Ave. Plans are to open in mid-November.
Details: 1001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. https://bunkyboutique.com.
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Only Human
Shop hats, apparel and stickers galore while also giving back. According to Only Human, “Every month we support a new cause and donate 10% of all profits to a related nonprofit making the world a better place.” Past nonprofits they have donated to include It Gets Better Project and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
Details: 1-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon Sunday. 824 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. https://shop.onlyhumanco.com.
Palabras Bilingual Bookstore
Arizona’s only bilingual bookstore has reopened with limited capacity and features 25 books written by Native American authors in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
Details: 12-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, or 11a.m.-noon by appointment. 1738 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 602-595-9600, https://www.palabrasbookstore.com.
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The Merchantile of Scottsdale
With workshops and products from local businesses, marketplace aims to be a boutique “where designers, makers, artists, and local businesses come together under one roof to reveal their best products and services.”
The venue is hosting Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 27-28.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. 3965 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale. 480-590-2699, https://www.themerchantileofscottsdale.com.
urbAna
The owners of urbAna “share our local love with talented artists, designers, and creators who are both our neighbors and our friends” in their Arcadia home goods store.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 5027 N. 44th St., Phoenix. 602-957-5066, https://urbanashop.com.
Lawn Gnome Publishing
Fancy yourself a lawn gnome? How about camping gear or buttons? You’ll find an impossibly wide variety of gift possibilities beyond books.
Details: 8 a.m.-3 p.m, 6-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m .Sunday. 912 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. 602-721-9175, https://www.lawngnomepublishing.com.
Silver and Cedar
Silver and Cedar is a tintype photography studio and leather shop that carries furnishings, keepsakes and in-house made wood décor. Call ahead to confirm store hours, as the owners are setting up shop at various holiday markets this season.
Details: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 10637 N. Cave Creek Road, Suite 3, Phoenix. 623-760-5309, https://silverandcedarphx.com.
EAST VALLEY
Sage+Gold Roots Apothecary
Do you feel like you need to douse your home with sage incense after this year of unprecedented events? Sage+Gold Roots has you covered with a stock of candles, smokes and oils.
While the store is temporarily closed, products can be purchased online only.
Details: 9221 E. Baseline Road, No. 109 Mesa, https://sageandgoldroots.com.
Rocket A Go-Go
This family-owned, women-led secondhand shop is 2,000 square feet of “rockabilly, punk flare.”
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 37 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-434-4433, https://rocketagogo.com.
Blue Planet
The outdoor lifestyle boutique stocks products “from local and national companies that give back.”
Details: 11 a.m.-3 pm. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. 44 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler. 480-525-6189, https://www.blueplanetoutdoors.com.
WEST VALLEY
Drawn to Comics
Get your supply of games, posters, action figures and, of course, comics, at this locally-owned and operated comic book store in downtown Glendale.
Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 5801 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-847-9090, http://drawntocomics.com.
Samurai Comics
Look no further than Arizona’s “largest chain of comic book specialty stores.” You can find Samurai Comics in Mesa, Glendale and Phoenix.
Phoenix: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 1602 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-265-8886, https://stores.comichub.com/samurai_comics_phoenix.
Mesa: 12-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday; 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 1120 S. Country Club Drive, No. 106, Mesa. 480-962-1123, https://stores.comichub.com/samurai_comics_mesa.
Glendale: 12-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday; 12-5 p.m. Sunday. 6808 N. Dysart Road, No. 148, Glendale. 623-872-8886, https://stores.comichub.com/samurai_comics_glendale.
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Grungy Gals
This family-run business in Goodyear carries items from 18 local vendors in a 1,500 square-foot space. You’ll find everything from paints to candles to teas and children’s books.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 540 N. Bullard Ave., Goodyear. 623-414-3159, https://www.grungygalz.com.
The Enchanted Bullfrog
This new Buckeye shop opened in September with “unique, hand-crafted, vintage, decor and jewelry.”
Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 343 E. Monroe Ave, Suite 100, Buckeye. 623-687-0289, http://theenchantedbullfrog.com.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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