Southern Small Businesses to Support This Holiday Season
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted millions of people and their lives this year. We don’t have to discuss that too much. One group it’s impacted in particular, and one that’s near and dear to my heart, is small businesses. So this holiday season, I’m making a conscious effort to shop from Southern small businesses as much as possible.
A couple years ago I shared a Chattanooga Gift Guide for locals. This time, I’m expanding to include more brands and businesses across the Southeast—in addition to some more Chattanooga businesses I’ve come to know and love. Some of the following businesses may sound familiar, but I hope you’ll discover at least one new one in here!
Here are some amazing Southern small businesses to shop from this holiday season.
Tom’s Tiny Kitchen (Memphis, TN) – If you’re a pimento cheese lover, you gotta try Tom’s Tiny Kitchen! Tom started his business in his 60s and you can now find his Classic and Chipotle pimento cheese in 13 states, including Tennessee.
The Bitter Bottle (Chattanooga) – Every at-home bartender needs some good bitters in their collection. The Bitter Bottle makes herbal bitters and tinctures, and strives to educate, inspire, and build communities through cocktails and quality products. Check out her collection here! I’m personally a huge fan of the Elderberry and Echinacea elixir.
Chattanooga Whiskey Co. (Chattanooga) – My hometown distillery! Chattanooga Whiskey was the first whiskey distilled in Hamilton County in 100 years, since Prohibition. There’s a ton of history and firepower packed into this brand. Now their 91 Whiskey is a mainstay on our liquor shelf. Good news? It’s available in 12 states, including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas!
Old Dominick Distillery (Memphis, TN) – More whiskey? Of course! I’ve shared about Old Dominick several times on the blog (cocktail recipes here), so if you’re around Memphis, check out their bourbons, vodkas, gin, and liqueurs.
Buzzed Blooms (Manchester, TN) – This flower farm grows some of the most beautiful seasonal blooms I’ve ever seen! Buzzed Blooms practices sustainable farming and growing for flowers, herbs, and produce. If you want to start growing some flowers yourself, Austin shares a ton of awesome information on his Instagram, so give him a follow!
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Bessie Bakes Backdrops (Murfreesboro, TN) – If you, a friend, or a loved one are in need of some new photo surfaces, check out Bessie Bakes Backdrops just outside of Nashville. These would be perfect for food and product photography! Check them out on Instagram for some beautiful inspiration.
Knox Whiskey Works (Knoxville, TN) – Yes, I like spirits companies and distilleries. Knox Whiskey Works produces a variety of small-batch, craft spirits, ranging from gin to coffee liqueur (and whiskey, as the name suggests). Their Jackson Avenue Gin was one of the first gins I learned to love (cocktail recipe here). Vols fans will love their Tennessee Tailgate Orange Vodka. They also have a really cool tasting room and cocktail bar!
Auntie Nono’s (Charleston, SC) – If you’ve got room in your spice cabinet, you’ll want some of Auntie Nono’s “Everything” seasoning. It’s super versatile and adds the perfect flavors to, well… everything. I love using it for roasted veggies in particular. It’s paleo, gluten-free, vegan friendly, and has zero MSG, to boot.
The Rustic House (Chattanooga, TN) – I was never a huge fan of candles, until I got my first Rustic House candle. I am now a changed woman and have at least three on my shelf at all times. They’re hand-poured soy candles, and their winter scents are my absolute favorites, especially Bonfire and Evergreen + Embers.
Another candle company I love is Burn.in Candle Co., based in Atlanta. It was started by a lady who was burned out in her career, and created aromatherapy candles and wax melts to help fight symptoms of burnout.
Alchemy Spice Company (Chattanooga, TN) – I’m not kidding when I say about half of our spice rack is from Alchemy Spice Company. Their unique spice and salt blends bring a lot of flavor to our recipes. They have a spice blend for just about any cuisine you make. I personally love their All-Purpose Seasoned Salt and Baking & Breakfast Blend.
Mama Geraldine’s Cheese Straws (Newnan, GA) – What Southerner doesn’t love cheese straws? Cathy Cunningham pulled a career 180 and started making and selling her mama’s buttery cheese straws recipe after a career in radio. Now Mama Geraldine’s Cheese Straws are the best-selling cheese straws in the country, and come in six flavors (including gluten-free!). These would be perfect for your holiday cheese and snack boards.
Chatt Taste (Chattanooga) – If you’re local to Chattanooga, planning a visit, or have friends who live here, Chatt Taste offers some great gift ideas! They do food tours around Chattanooga, and recently launched “Taste of Chatt” subscription boxes that include locally made goods. A gift card for a tour or subscription box would make a great gift for adventurous friends or those who might be missing a taste of the Scenic City.
Post Meridiem Spirits Company (Atlanta, GA) – You haven’t had canned cocktails like these before. Post Meridiem’s canned cocktails are made with real ingredients and taste just like the classics you get at the bar. They’re sold in liquor stores around the Southeast and are available in Margarita, Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Vodka Gimlet, and Mai Thai. Of course, the Old Fashioned is my favorite.
Beautiful Briny Sea – This is an artisan dry goods company based in Atlanta. They make small-batch sugar and salt blends, sprinkles, and other items. These are a really unique way to bring extra kicks of flavor to your recipes! We have a jar of their Orange Chili Sugar in our spice cabinet right now. Check out their entire collection on their website.
Smokehouse Crackers (Albertville, AL) – My husband introduced me to these; they’re made near his hometown in northeastern Alabama! If you like spicy and savory snacks, try Smokehouse Crackers. We love their original Spicy flavor, but the Garlic Parmesan crackers also tickle the salty snack itch.
Red Land Cotton – Take your bedding and bath linens to a luxurious new level with Red Land Cotton. Red Land is an American-made brand, crafting their products from cotton grown in Alabama. We were gifted a set of their bath towels as a wedding gift, and nothing else compares. The higher prices are absolutely worth it; the bedding alone is heirloom quality.
There are thousands more Southern small businesses, so if you’ve got a favorite, I’d love to hear about it! Share it in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram and tell me about it!
This post was originally published November 2020, and last updated November 2022.
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November 15, 2022 @ 7:13 am
[…] more gift ideas this holiday season, check out my list of Southern small businesses you can support this season and all year long. I hope this round-up helps with your holiday […]