Shop Spokane Small Businesses This Holiday Season
The Inland Northwest is home to a vibrant community of makers. These are the small-scale artisans who craft everything from knitwear to soaps, paper goods, candles and ceramics — typically by hand and in limited batches. And guess what? The creative fruits of their labors happen to make incredible holiday gifts. Discover the best gifts to give this season, all from Spokane local businesses.
If you are looking for a unique and exciting gift from a Spokane small business this holiday season, you’ll find them right inside River Park Square mall at the aptly named FROM HERE, the Terrain-backed shop that celebrates local makers and showcases their wares in style.
KIZURI in east downtown has a similar flavor but casts an international net. To augment the already impressive in-store selection, in the run-up to Christmas they’ll be featuring weekend pop-up shops with vendors from Guatemala, Nepal and other far-flung locations.
“Everything in the store is handmade by talented artisans from all over the world, so you know that everything you buy is going to be really meaningful — not just for you and the person you’re giving to but for the makers themselves,” says owner Jillian Joseph. For shoppers in search of something unique and seasonal, she recommends browsing the large collection of one-of-a-kind ornaments or the cozy items made from alpaca fiber. “Our biggest seller at the holidays is alpaca everything: hats, blankets, gloves, mittens, scarves, but number one is the socks. That’s because alpaca is warmer than wool and softer than silk,” Joseph adds. Gift guides with even more fun ideas are available on the Kizuri website.
One-of-a-kind Gifts in Spokane
But what if you’re shopping with a very specific recipient in mind, like new parents or pet owners? FRENCH TOAST, in Kendall Yards, and YUPPY PUPPY, with locations downtown and in North Spokane, have you covered. French Toast offers a curated selection of high-quality clothing, toys, books, sleepwear and accessories from stylish, specialist brands, making it easy to find something that young kids and parents will love. Yuppy Puppy, on the other hand, caters to the fur babies in our lives with full-service professional grooming, doggy daycare and a huge inventory of all-natural pet products. For the gift that keeps on giving, consider a subscription to the Bougie Box, a monthly assortment of toys and snacks delivered locally by the Drool Bus.
By combining upscale women’s fashion with a sustainability mindset, GARLAND RESALE BOUTIQUE in downtown Spokane takes the feel-good quality of gifting and multiplies it several times over. Their consignment model breathes new life into new and gently used clothing items and accessories, which means you can build a wardrobe out of high-end apparel without the premium price tag. Not sure what to get your giftee? Gift certificates start at just $5.
“We’ve been living Christmas since July,” laughs Denielle Waltermire-Stuhlmiller, the owner of SIMPLY NORTHWEST in Spokane Valley. This locally focused gourmet gift basket company is a go-to resource for both personal and corporate gifting during the holidays because of its near-universal appeal. With either in-store or online shopping, nationwide shipping and signature soft peanut brittle made in house, it’s the ideal place to find goodies and surprises for everyone on your list.
“Our number one seller for years has been our Classic Holiday Collection because you get a great mix of both savory and sweet,” she says, “and our Holly Jolly Party Time basket is full of open-and-eat treats, making it perfect for offices and groups.”
