It’s the holiday season– cue the consumerism! It’s a lovely but sometimes problematic tradition to buy gifts for all the people in your life, especially because folks often don’t have the funds or bandwidth the buy items that are ethically made or actually needed.
If you have the time and funds, it is great to get loved ones presents that are either homemade, secondhand, or from a small business. That way, you are circulating funds in your local community, where it is more likely to improve your neighbors quality of life– Jeff Bezos doesn’t need any more money, just saying.
Read on for a list of Pittsburgh-area businesses that you can feel good about supporting this holiday season.
For your fashionable friend…
No. 14 Boutique
It’s going to be wild– 14% everything this weekend, plus the launch of a new collection. No. 14 has the cutest clothes for office, special occasions, and if you can part with them, presents for a friend. Don’t believe me? Check out their inventory via their insta-story highlight!
Their website is down (NOOOOO) so your best bet is to visit their store in Lawrenceville or text 412-260-6088 with your order.
Avalon Exchange
To my knowledge they aren’t doing anything special for the Black Friday-Cyber Monday window, but as a secondhand clothing store with funky and high-quality pieces, they don’t need to! I’ve found J.Crew, Zara, Ann Taylor, and Anthropologie clothes and accessories there with the tags still on them.
Give someone (or yourself) a giftcard to Avalon and you’re giving yourself the opportunity to lessen your contribution to fast fashion and have a chance to find unique and inexpensive items. Win-win!
For your fun friend…
Etta Arlene
Etta Arlene makes beautiful and inspiring small batch items. They incorporate positive aspirations, apothecary, and ritualistic practices in their soy-based candles and other goods.
Even more items are available on their Etsy shop– lip balm, mugs, and clothing. Shipping is free on orders $35+, and they have a 20% off sale from now until 12/4/19.
Amazing Books and Records
Pittsburgh is lucky to have two of these filled-to-the-brim stores, one Downtown and the other in Squirrel Hill. The latter was featured in a lovely NYT article. This weekend, everything is 10% off when you buy 3+ items. Their prices are really reasonable even without this discount.
Black Cat Market
Because I’m seriously allergic to cats, I sadly can’t have one of my own but still need to get my kitty snuggles. That’s where Black Cat Market comes in. Along with serving beverages, baked goods, and hosting a community space, they also have a petting room!
On Small Business Saturday, all merchandise is 10% off. You can also get a free sticker with every gift card purchase.
For your fit friend…
Yoga U Pittsburgh
Yoga U offers classes for relaxation, mediation, and general health and well-being. They have year-round discounts for students, active military members, and seniors.
If you are a more advanced yogi who is looking use balls and bands to work out kinks and increase your flexibility, a normally $200 weekend retreat will be only $150 if you sign up on Black Friday.
Fitness Factory
I’ve trained at the Fitness Factory for a little over six months now, and it is my favorite place! The trainers are so nice and knowledgable, they offer a lot of cool gear on site, and perhaps most importantly, they have a hip thruster machine.
The main appeal of the Fitness Factory is their flexibility. You can get an all-access pass so you can enter the gym at the time that works best for you– even if that 5 AM before work or 10 PM after traveling.
Chip and Kale
Chip and Kale is an amazing concept: plant-based freezer meal kits, no subscription required! They are running several Holiday Promos (expiring 12/2/19 at midnight)
- Buy any Dinner Meal Kit, get any Dessert 50% off
with code SWEET50 - Buy any Dinner Meal Kit, get any Christmas Meal Kit 10% off with code XMAS
- Buy $100 or higher gift card, get $15 gift card FREE with code GIFT
For your foodie friend…
Sugar Spell Scoops
Sugar Spell Scoops only opened in Sharpsburg a few months ago, and they already have a cult following! As the first, all vegan ice cream parlor in PA, they make ice cream cakes, sundaes, and pints that are cashew or nut butter based. Their flavor combos are always unbelievably delicious and usually gluten-free.
This weekend, you will receive a voucher for a free small sundae when you spend $50+ on gift cards.
This weekend, they’ll offer: Chocolate Peanut Sprinke, Rainbow Vanilla, Mint Cookies n Creme (not GF), Pumpkin Chip, Chocolate Hazelnut, Dunkaroos, Pink Peppermint Chip, Coffee, Blue Moon, Chocolate Chip, and PB Chocolate Ripple. How am I supposed to decide?
Gluuteny Bakery
If you follow me on Instagram, you know the obsession with Gluuteny Bakery is real. They make their desserts gluten-free, usually vegan, and always delicious. The portion sizes are huge, and they make a lot of childhood favorites (like HoHos, raspberry-filled poptarts, and cupcake push pops) that I almost accepted I would never be able to eat again.
As long as supplies last, their Thanksgiving pies and cookies are half off, and every online order over $50 ships free.