GUEST COLUMN | Hayley Blundell
I have a confession. Three days ago, I realized Christmas is right around the corner. I’m ashamed to admit that I thought, “Money’s tight, and I have no time. I’ll just order everything online” — a blasphemous sentiment for the owner of a small business.
After sitting in my shame for a few hours, I made the decision that because money is tight, it is even more important that I spend consciously and where it counts the most — within our community. So, I wrote a plan to ensure that I was purchasing small, thoughtful gifts from small businesses, mostly in downtown Taylor where I have my own shop.
I thought I’d share my plan with y’all in the hopes it inspires more to shop small.
Luckily, downtown Taylor has numerous options that allow me to get all of my shopping done within one day, on foot and within my budget this holiday season.
So here’s my plan: 10 a.m. — Coffee. Whether it’s Ripple and Rose or Haciendo, I know I will be happy with whatever I get. Ripple and Rose Cafe is located at 109 W. Third St., and Haciendo Coffee Roasters is located at 116 W. Sixth St.
10:30 a.m. — I’m going to make my way over to Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe, where I will hand-pick a six-pack for my beer-enthusiast brother. Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe is located at 120 W. Second St., Suite G.
11 a.m. — Next, I’ll go to Alchemy Boutique, 119 W. Second St. Suite A, where I have been eyeing the most beautiful gold earrings for my sister-in-law and a birdshaped pot from Mexico for my mom’s garden. I’ll take a few extra minutes to check out what else owner Jennifer Lopez has in stock; she brings in the most beautiful items from around the world.
11:30 a.m. — Onwards to Piper and Paul, 111 N. Main St., to pick up a small treat for our four-legged family member.
11:45 a.m. — I’ll cross under the bridge to Curio Mrvosa, 114 N. Main St., somewhere I could easily spend hours standing and browsing wonderful books. But not this day — I’m on a mission. I’ll head straight to the kids’ book section to pick up a few beautifully illustrated and inclusive selections to read with my little ones on Christmas Eve. While there, I’ll also check out their cookbook section for my husband who loves (and has the patience!) to bake, and peruse what books on astronomy they have for my stepdad (seriously, any interest you have, it’s likely they have a book on it).
12:30 p.m. — It goes without saying I’ll look at some of the wares at my own store, local grocer Hayley’s Grains, 100 E. Second St. Customers tell me they like stopping by to grab a quick drink and to place one of the lamb roasts on hold to pick up on their way home later. They also visit Terre Noire Apothecary (located inside the store) to shop for items such as magnesium flakes and herbs to make pretty little bath-salt jars for a couple of friends and some stocking stuffers.
1 p.m. — Next, I’ll walk up to Taylor Bike Co., 204 N. Main St., where I’ll pick up some bike accessories for my nephew’s fancy bike he got for his birthday a month ago.
1:30 p.m. — I’ll hop across the road to Taylor Soap Bar, 321 N. Main St., to collect numerous stocking stuffers, supporting not only a local business but a number of small crafters in the area.
2 p.m. — I’ll then head up to Sweet and Southern Finds, 519 N. Main St., to pick up a few pretty Christmas decorations for my best friend who loves all things Christmas and is always looking for new items to add to her decoration collection.
2:30 p.m. — By this point, I’ll be starving. So, I’ll head over to Old Taylor High, 410 W. Seventh St., where I will meet said best friend for a pint at The Loose Screw, before heading into Taylor Seoul Food for a well-deserved late lunch.
The point of this column is not to give away all of my gift ideas to my friends and family, but rather to show how easy it is to support small businesses during the holiday season — even if you feel like you don’t have time or money.
Many small businesses offer items that can fit any budget and any interest. No matter what it is you’re looking for or the specific aesthetic that you are trying to achieve, I am wholly confident that a small business in Taylor will be able to help you find the perfect gift. So please, remember to shop small and bring joy not only to your friends and family but to a small-business owner, too.
Blundell operates a business in downtown Taylor and her column focuses on what businesspeople are doing in the heart of the city. She owns Hayley’s Grains, 100 E. Second St. in Taylor.
