Shop Local With These Small Businesses in the St. Louis Area [PHOTOS]

By Riverfront Times Staff on Wed, Nov 24, 2021 at 10:43 am

Whether you're looking for the perfect present to give or just looking to buy yourself something nice, St. Louis' local businesses are there for you. Where else could you find a St. Louis scented candle (available at Left Bank Books) or experience the thrill of looking through one of our excellent antique shops, knowing whatever you get will be one of a kind?

After an industry-wide hard hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, these local businesses have managed to stay afloat and keep serving the St. Louis community — and some even jumped into the mix during the pandemic. We've made a list of places where you can go to get a gift for everyone on your list, from the plant lovers to the antique collectors to the skincare gurus.

If we missed your favorite place to shop local, let us know.

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Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop
(803 Marshall Avenue, 314-764-2140, maypopshop.com)

The plant lover in your life — or maybe a coffee lover, you can get the best of both worlds here — will appreciate the finds at Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Tom Hellauer

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Vintage Vinyl
(6610 Delmar Boulevard, 314-721-4096)

For those in your life who love listening to their music on vinyl, this is the place to get their gift. This shop’s become a staple to St. Louis, offering records, gift certificates, store merchandise and more.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Daniel Hill

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Betty's Books
(10 Summit Avenue, 314-279-1731, bettysbooksstl.com)

New to Webster Groves, Betty’s Books offers a space for comic books, graphic novels and manga to be found. The shop even offers a gift wrapping service so you don’t have to mess with the bows.

P.S. There are even holiday gift guides on their website in case you’re lost on what to buy.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Madyson Dixon

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Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage
(2303 Cherokee Street, 314-769-9722)

There are plenty of vintage pieces for you to browse through and pick out the perfect gift for someone.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Tom Hellauer

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LARK Skin Co.
(8709 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves, 314-801-7899, larkskinco.com)

Skincare (and self-care, for that matter) has become one of the most important routines in the pandemic, and in order to appease the beauty guru in your life -- or yourself -- you don’t have to look any further than Webster Groves. Shop online or at its storefront, but either way, there’s plenty to find and help you get that glowy skin.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Tom Hellauer

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Golden Gems
(3108 Locust St, 314-925-8931, shopgoldengems.com)

Golden Gems has plenty of trinkets available for those looking for the perfect gift. The shop has accessories, an apothecary full of candles and good scents, clothing and various home decor items. A pop-up shop is also coming to the City Foundry (3730 Foundry Way) for the holiday season.

Photo credit: Megan Anthony

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Left Bank Books
(399 N Euclid Avenue, 314-367-6731, left-bank.com)

Books aren’t the only thing for sale at Left Bank Books. Cross-stitch kits, enamel pins, candles and games only scratch the surface of the possibilities of gifts and goods to buy at Left Bank.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Joshua Phelps

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Ciao Chow
(1923 Marconi Avenue, 314-571-9681)

Can’t forget about the furry friends, can we?

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Phuong Bui

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City Foundry WintrMarkt
(3730 Foundry Way, 314-944-3953)

Local vendors — over 200 over the course of three weekends — will take over the WintrMarkt at the City Foundry.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Courtesy of City Foundry

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Apotheosis Comics
(3206 S. Grand Boulevard, 314-260-1689, apotheosiscomicsstl.com)

Comic book lovers will rejoice in the finds at Apotheosis Comics. Action figures, comic books and graphic novels are all available here.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Daniel Hill

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Frenchtown Records, Antiques & More
(941 Park Avenue, 314-630-1163, www.frenchtownrecords.com)

Jewelry? Check. Chandeliers? Check. Antique finds? Yup. Records and other vintage audio? You got it.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Phuong Bui

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Sophia's Crowns Flower Shop
(4500 S Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-717-0797, www.sophiascrowns.com)

Find some flowers for your loved ones at this Black-owned business in St. Louis. The shop also offers creative classes.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Phuong Bui

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Urban Matter
(3179 South Grand Boulevard, 314-456-6941)

Woman-owned, this spot has a little bit of everything.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Steven Duong

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Dogtown Sports Collectibles & Framing
(6410 Wise Avenue, dogtownsports@yahoo.com, dogtowncollectibles.com)
Sports collectibles are the name of the game at Dogtown Sports Collectibles & Framing. If youre looking for an autographed print or unique finds from your favorite sport, this spot may be able to help you.
Find out more here.
Photo credit: Google Maps

Dogtown Sports Collectibles & Framing
(6410 Wise Avenue, [email protected], dogtowncollectibles.com)

Sports collectibles are the name of the game at Dogtown Sports Collectibles & Framing. If you’re looking for an autographed print or unique finds from your favorite sport, this spot may be able to help you.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Google Maps

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Bowood Farms
(4605 Olive Street, 314-454-6868, shopbowood.com)

Studio classes and plants are available to purchase on the website, as well as at the shop itself.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Google Maps

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Subterranean Books
(6275 Delmar Boulevard, 314-862-6100, store.subbooks.com)

Over twenty years old, Subterranean Books has thrived as a local indie bookstore. You could buy a book-a-month subscription or just stick to picking your own.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Google Maps

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Union Studio
(two locations, including 1605 Tower Grove Avenue, 314-771-5398, stlunionstudio.com)

Recharge with some of the sets at Union Studio.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Google Maps

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