Small Business Saturday - Support Small Businesses This Holiday Season

I’ll be the first to admit I am super-duper guilty of giving in to the convenience of online shopping, especially with Amazon Prime. But, naturally, there is something to be said for shopping in person and especially for supporting local small businesses.

There’s going to be a couple of shameless plugs here, right off the bat. First, the craft show I plan as a fundraiser for my fire department. I love craft shows. I’m not even talking about selling at craft shows (which I do love), but I also love going to craft shows. The holidays are full of them! (I’d like to find more outside the holidays to sell at.) I love going to craft shows because you never know what you’re going to find there, and it is a great demonstration of people’s creativity!

So, first, yes, if you’re in the Pittsburgh area, on Saturday December 6th, there will be a craft show at the Reserve Volunteer Fire Department from 10 AM to 2 PM at 33 Lonsdale Street Pittsburgh PA 15212. It’s right outside of the city. I can’t wait to see what our vendors are selling! Last year we had someone who made really cool decorations from bowling pins, and another who did screen-printing on site. This year, we are raffling off a gorgeous handmade eagle quilt. I haven’t seen that quilt yet, but I can’t wait!

NEXTPittsburgh has a great round-up of Pittsburgh-area holiday markets. Naturally, Facebook is another great resource to find local events, especially those that are fundraisers for other organizations. Eventbrite is another good resource online. In addition, there are pop-up events all over the place.

Beads & Posh

I make and sell jewelry. You can find me on Facebook at Beads & Posh or on Instagram @beads_and_posh. I’m hoping to have an online shop in 2026, whether it be my own website or an Etsy or Shopify shop. I feel like my jewelry making has made a lot of strides over the past two years or so, and I’m really proud of that. I’m also really excited to see where this goes. 

I sell all kinds of jewelry except rings; I’m not good at making rings at all. The majority of my items are earrings. But I’ve also expanded beyond jewelry. I sell beaded snowflake ornaments, and this year I started selling beaded flower items like planters, magnets, and keychains. My flower keychains are actually a build-your-own setup. 

The funny thing about making jewelry, for me, is that I’m not a patient person. However, I have much more patience when I’m making jewelry. I can do it for hours and not lose my patience and I really can’t say that about anything else in my life. Even as I’m trying to grow this as a business, it is still very relaxing and fulfilling for me. When I’m making jewelry, I can really get lost in it. It keeps me from doomscrolling on my phone which I think is great. But I also love the creativity aspect and seeing my ideas actually become something. 

You’ll see posts on social media about what it means to a small business owner when you support their product. And I have to say, even though I’ve been doing this for a couple years now, I am tickled pink every time someone buys one of my pieces.

A glimpse into some of my offerings

Shops

Jack’s Crafts Creations makes personalized, laser-engraved gift items. I went to high school with the shop owner, and I’ve purchased multiple items from her, specifically, Christmas ornaments and baby announcements. They’re super cute, and she has a wide range of offerings! She can also be found on Instagram @_jacks_crafts. 

Karen Hallion is a treasure trove of pop culture art. I think it is really cool that on top of the pins, prints, magnets and stickers, she also sells cross stitch patterns, coloring books, and actual books.I’ve purchased from her, for both myself and as gifts. Her website links to the different websites she sells from. 

YourWeirdAuntShop: I don’t think this shop could have a better name. The majority of her items are Star Wars items, so it is kind of specific that way but she has some really cool stuff. I’ve purchased a pin, a lip balm keychain holder, and a hair clip before. But what are really cool are the shaker keychains like this one.

NotoriousFire has some fun, cheeky gifts for the firefighter in your life. Stickers are fun stocking stuffers that they can put either on their helmet or laptop (I have this Jawa sticker on my laptop) But this SCBA tumbler is awesome. And these folding trauma shears are nifty too!

Another excellent retailer for firefighter gifts is Taylor’s Tins. If you know, you know. If you don’t, go follow them on social media. 

99% of the jewelry I wear now is jewelry I make, but I can’t make rings. ChildrenofFlowers is an Etsy shop that has really cute rings. I bought a unicorn ring about a year ago. They have a bunch of animal rings, midi rings, and stacking rings. Most of them are minimalist designs, which is especially nice if you’re stacking rings. 

SaintsFriends offers a range of Catholic gift items such as rosaries, necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and more. I have Saint Florian (the patron saint of firefighters) and Joan of Arc (Joan was my Confirmation name) bracelets. I think the saint keychains are great gift ideas. 

If you want to give flowers that’ll last forever, Crouse Floral Concepts LLC makes wooden flowers! They offer centerpieces, signage, bouquets, corsages, and boutonnières in a range of colors, styles, and sizes.    

If you’re looking for a gift for your furry friends, check out Delta Designs Company! Owned by one of my sorority sisters, she makes bandanas. Neither my cat or dog really likes to wear things, otherwise they’d probably be rocking some! 

Waymaker Gift Shop LLC offers unique gifts galore with all kinds of personalization options. They have a physical storefront as well, where you can find items like Squishmallows. If you take a look at their page, it’ll seem like the possibilities are endless. 

The Fussy Revival Boutique also has a physical storefront. At first, I thought it was called the Funky Revival, and honestly, I think that’s a good way to describe it. The shop describes itself as “A mix of GLAM, TURQUOISE, CONFIDENCE & EVERYDAY WESTERN STYLE!” and that sums it up pretty nicely! Lots of fun looks.

Cute. Co is a pop-up charm bar owned in part by another one of my sorority sisters. They recently opened a storefront, but also go to events and have a virtual charm bar option as well. You can put together your own charms, there are some sets already picked, and they also sell some clothing items.

Food

Restaurant gift cards are great gift ideas! Everyone’s gotta eat, and there are plenty of local businesses to support. Plus, after a long day of shopping, it’s great to have local options. 

And the first one I’m going to link is my favorite restaurant that a longtime friend owns - Hog’s Head Bar and Grill. It’s located in Reserve Township - literally our only restaurant. I’ve never had a bad meal there, and their specials are great. Also, on Thursday night wing nights, they serve the wings in a dog bowl, called the “Hog Bowl.”

Sidelines Bar and Grill has locations in Millvale and Sewickley. They are also known for the wings, but I really like their cheesesteak. 

If you’re looking for Italian, Monte Cello’s on Babcock is a good and popular choice.

Microbreweries are really popular in Pittsburgh. Grist House is my choice! Dancing Gnome, Hitchhiker Brewing Co., Hop Farm, and Voodoo Brewing are also good choices. Plus, you have places like Wigle Whiskey, Enginehouse Twenty-Five Wines, Arsenal Ciderhouse, Threadbare Cider, and Narcisi Winery.  

If someone on your list has a sweet tooth like me, ice cream gift cards are always a good choice! Local Pittsburgh ones include Page’s Dairy Mart, Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Cookie’s Creamery. If you’re looking for gifts of chocolate, Pollak’s Candies in Etna is one great choice; Yetter’s Candies in Millvale is another. Two other Millvale businesses to check out are Compass Point Coffee Co. for the coffee lover in your life and Kyle’s Cakes N’at for absolutely delicious cheesecake. 

Another college friend sells baked goods that’ll be the hit at your holiday gathering. Learn more about Jenny P’s Sweets and Treats!

Or, if you want to find some unique food gifts, check out Vendor Bender in Squirrel Hill. It is literally a store filled with vending machines offering snacks from around the world!

However, if you or someone on your list likes to buy local meats, Pennsylvania Packinghouse is a custom processing supplier known for its high-quality meat cuts.

Beauty

Gift cards give someone a way to treat themselves, and there are plenty of options to support small businesses when it comes to beauty and self-care! Two of my favorites are Craft Collective and Salon Luna. Vain Skin Studios offers an array of facial services. Looking to gift someone a massage? Buy a Body by Design gift card! A gift card to their favorite salon, nail place, or spa will definitely be a hit!

Finally, you most likely have someone with tattoos to shop for. If you’d like to give something more permanent, give a gift card to their favorite tattoo shop (mine is Three Rivers Tattoo) that they could put towards new ink. And I’m not sure if there are many, if any, tattoo studios that aren’t small businesses.

Shop Small, Support Significant

These are just a sampling of some amazing small businesses. Most of them are in Western Pennsylvania, and it is still just a small percentage. I’m sure that while you were reading this, you thought of some small businesses that you like or have wanted to check out. Try and include some small business shopping this holiday season. There are lots of treasure troves out there! 

Social media can be a great way to find small businesses. I saw posts in a few community groups asking for people to share small businesses, which I thought was really smart. Don’t discount the power of social media. Just liking or sharing posts from small businesses can have a significant impact by expanding their reach or promoting engagement. 

Please share your favorite small business or your favorite small business find!