Shop Small; Shop Local

Over the last century, many Americans have come to accept gentrification. Large businesses have taken over small storefront shops, while high-income real estate has taken over affordable housing. In the end, neighborhoods that used to thrive with individuality have grown plain, and those who lived in these communities have been displaced due to high rent and expensive living fees. It’s depressing to see a historically cultured location become a wash of white paint, stainless steel, and department stores.

The pushback on gentrification has been strong in recent years, but with COVID forcing thousands of small businesses to close their doors permanently, the risk of losing cultural strongholds is growing exponentially.

As a consumer, the best thing to do in these situations is go out and buy from your local small businesses. Sadly, with the holidays coming to an end and COVID beginning yet another sweep of the nation, many don’t see the reward of doing this. . For those of you who would prefer to stay home and shop online, and for those who are willing to shop in person, I’ve cultivated a list of my current small business faves.

Let’s start with our favorite in-person shopping experiences in the Tampa Bay area:

Beauty — Lüfka Refillables Zero Waste Store

Image Courtesy: Lüfka’s Refillable Store

A store made for those who want to positively impact the world around them. To shop the Lüfka experience, one must bring their own reusable containers or buy new ones on location. The products within this store range from skincare to cleaning supplies, and almost everything is vegan! (except products that use goat’s milk, beeswax, and honey).

For those interested in focusing on facial skincare, there are multiple foaming cleansers, masks, and moisturizing creams. Lüfka also has a line of shampoo bars and an apple cider vinegar hair rinse that can be used as a liquid shampoo or conditioner.

Overall, Lüfka Refillables Zero Waste Store is a fantastic choice for those Tampa Bay consumers who want a plastic-free shopping experience. From lotions to biodegradable toothbrushes, Lüfka sells everything you need to start a waste-free existence.

Lifestyle — Dysfunctional Grace Art Co.

Image Courtesy: Dysfunctional Grace Co.’s Facebook

Possibly one of my favorite stores of all time, Dysfunctional Grace is a store built to embrace the weird. From the outside , this store seems unsuspecting, but once inside, the shopper is sent to a world made of taxidermied animals and misplaced skeleton keys.

I know this initial description doesn’t come off as very promising, but I can guarantee that this store is a lot more Gothic Alice in Wonderland than Serial Killer’s Den. Walking in is a little nerve-wracking for the first time, but once you begin your journey throughout the store, it’s nearly impossible to leave without buying something.

Known best for the sales of taxidermied animals and local artisan creations, Dysfunctional Grace is perfect for someone who wants to add compelling decorations to their interior designs. Last year, I was able to buy my eccentric best friend a slice of preserved human brain—ethically sourced of course. I’ve purchased a collection of keychains that vary from vagina-shaped to crassly-worded.

Next time you’re in the Tampa Bay area, give Dysfunctional Grace Art Co. a chance and wander through. There’s a fantastic coffee shop next door, and a family-owned ice creamery (best ice cream you’ll ever have), right across the street.

Fashion — Frolic Exchange

Image Courtesy: Frolic Exchange Tampa’s Facebook

Found both in-person and on Etsy, Frolic Exchange is a clothing store that specializes in collecting unique pieces of vintage clothing and selling them back to the public after being refurbished or altered. If you want high fashion, designer pieces without breaking the bank, Frolic Exchange is the way to go.

As we move further into 2021, experiment with your personal style.—Take a trip to Frolic Exchange, where they know how to sniff out statement pieces perfect for any wardrobe.

Now, let’s take a look online for some other small online businesses.

Beauty — The Parlor Apothecary | Found on Etsy

Looking at The Parlor Apothecary’s page is like looking back in time. Packaged in highly stylized Victorian-themed bottles, this shop is for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in a vintage experience. Although best known for their perfumes, The Parlor Apothecary specializes in all things beauty.

Their product line consists of makeup kits, shaving accessories, and tons of Victorian inspired products. Sheathed in black boxes and bottles, everything you buy at this store comes sleek.

Lifestyle — A Shop of Things | ashopofthings.com

A fantastic little store of art pieces and fashion, A Shop of Things is a collective run out of Nashville, Tennessee. The site is user-friendly, and the pieces sold are handmade by various local artisans. From jewelry to handbags, A Shop of Things is one of my favorite stores when looking for something unique to add to my wardrobe.

My eyes are drawn to bright statement pieces when buying jewelry. A Shop of Things is where I bought one of my favorite necklaces—pearls strung along with yellow smiley face beads. I’ve also purchased a pink fur bag (vegan, of course), that adds a pop of color to any monochrome fit.

For those of you in the smoking community, A Shop of Things has a sister store called Burning Love (shopburninglove.com). They have an array of cute ashtrays, grinders, flavored rolling papers, hand blown glass pipes, and lighters. Even non-smokers get easily lost in the aesthetic of the store.

Fashion — Na Nin | Found in Richmond, VA

Na Nin is a fashion collective run out of Richmond, Virginia. What started as a vintage collection has grown into a full clothing brand, with multiple styles of every wardrobe staple. Na Nin prides themselves with the use of raw silks and high quality cotton—making their pieces extra durable. .

While Na Nin is on the pricier side of things, you are paying for the quality of the clothes. These pieces are meant to grow with you and your style, so the color options are minimal—mainly black, white, and beige tones. While this may seem boring at first glance, it’s a smart decision by the company to keep the production of clothing more ethical.

If you’re not in the mood for new wardrobe staples, there is also a huge collection of fragrances online. Na Nin wants you to find yourself and begin to cement your fashion sense, and classic scent. With hints of black pepper, sandalwood, and various herbal teas, these fragrances will easily coat you in a delicious-smelling mist.

Strike Out,

Writer: Keegan Myers

Editors: Malú Carrillo and Danielle Cuestas

Tampa