The holiday shopping season has begun. I don’t think we need some alliterative hashtag holiday to support small businesses. This city is brimming with bakeries, fashion boutiques, zero waste shops, art galleries, funky pop ups, and more where you can get all of your wants and needs met. They should be celebrated every damn day.
I decided to post several local businesses that I personally love, and that I think are worth visiting this holiday season, and the rest of the year. This is not a best of list, it’s highlighting shops that I, after several years in the Sunshine City, have come to adore.
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If I missed your favorite shop let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for recommendations on local stores in the Sunshine City, and I would love to feature them in the future.
OH and if you’re looking to shop local this coming weekend, Shopapalooza takes over Vinoy Park for two days (November 30 & December 1) and will feature more than 200 local vendors.
The Indie Flea has partnered with Black Crow in the Old Northeast for a special Small Business Saturday Pop Up in the neighborhood from 12-4pm on Saturday, November 30.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Ymuyrp5yw/
Revolve Clothing Exchange
I used to get almost all of my clothes at Revolve Clothing Exchange on 4th Street. The shop features a solid clothing selection for men and women. I’ve picked up dress blue Dr. Martens, a snap button denim Levi’s shirt, an old school Led Zeppelin tee, and even a Telluride Film Fest tee that I still rely on today.
You can always exchange shirts/shoes that you might not wear anymore for store credit and/or cash. If you’re looking to shop without continuing the surge of overproduction in the fashion world, I highly recommend you give this shop a visit.
Revolve Clothing Exchange, 2000 4th Street North.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3utbu6JzXr/
Retrograde
Art, candles, jewelry, snarky shirts, and some of the best home decor and enamel pins in all of St. Pete can be found in this shop in the EDGE District. Owner Samiha Shamseddine has curated one of the coolest selection of goods in a district that’s already oozing with style.
My jackets are currently covered in pins I recently purchased in the shop by local tattoo artists. Seriously, my gold Rick and Morty-inspired pin by Amulet Tattoo artist Matt Sandoz goes on basically everything I wear now. The shop also carries candles from Nightshift Wax Co., some incredible self defense accessories and original paintings/prints from area artists.
Owner Samiha also does custom jewelry under Misomia, which you can follow on Instagram.
Retrograde, 1102 Central Avenue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B425C7fp0RM/
Cultosaurus
There’s a designer toy shop in St. Pete. Sorry, I just always wanted to write that sentence. This shops has everything from old school luchador action figures, to vinyl figures from pop culture icons like The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Cultösaurus also offers a selection of incredible art books and graphic novels. On my last visit, the shop had a copy of Emil Ferris’s exceptional “My Favorite Thing is Monsters” and it is an absolute vital read. You can get a full view of my first shopping trip there by clicking here.
It helps that the store is covered in a wild pop culture obsessed mural by Derrek Donnelly.
Cultosaurus, 269 16th Street North.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B29fX1bJokx/
The Reflllery
The Refillery is a shopping experience you can feel good about. When you stop to take stock of how many single use plastics populate your home, you realize how much waste just one person can create. I know I had a rude awakening just assessing my toiletries.
This store invites you to bring your own containers and fill them up with the products you need. Soap, detergent, sunscreen, toothpaste, mouth wash, natural bug repellent and more are all available here, in addition to products like bamboo straws, reusable sandwich bags, and decomposition books.
The Refillery, 7490 30th Avenue North.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dBoSKpCCu/
Daddy Kool Records
Love vinyl? Same. Daddy Kool Records has been a St. Pete staple for years. Soon, the record store will partner with Black Crow Coffee as they join The Factory St. Pete in 2020. In the meantime, their fancy news digs in the ‘Burg offer them plenty of space to offer the best new releases and classics.
Daddy Kool also features an extensive book/scrapbook collection for those looking to add to their shelves at home. It’s a great, locally-owned shop that I could lose myself for hours in.
Daddy Kool Records, 2430 Terminal Drive South.
I also wanted to give a shout to Planet Retro Records and Bananas. Both of these record stores are local institutions and should be on all music lover’s must-visit list.
Anchor Skate Supply
St. Pete’s skate shop is incredible. Even if you’re not a skater, the clothes Anchor Skate Supply carries is some of the best in all of the ‘Burg.
If you do skate, Anchor Skate Supply is your beacon of light. I’m personally trying decide whether I want to take home a new cruiser.
Anchor Skate Supply, 501 16th Street South.
Merchant St. Pete
I was first sold on Merchant when I learned the shop carries Salty Sisters Popcorn. One walk through the shop showcased why it’s such a dangerous spot for me to visit: I want everything.
You can purchase Dark Cycle tees (a must-have for all Tampa Bay residents), Chain Assembly Prints, bags of whole bean Black Crow Coffee, handmade ornaments, tons of candles, colognes and incense to choose from, and even fantastic paper magnets.
I’ve personally had my eye on a red octopus mug for a long time, as well as a purple resin cutting board. DYK: Merchant feature more than 80 different Tampa Bay area vendors?
The Merchant St. Pete, 633 Central Avenue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LVK8xp7Zx/
Tombolo Books
I love books, and I hope you do too. Alsace Walentine, owner of Tombolo Books, has brought an Indie Bookstore to the Sunshine City — and it’s officially open!
Before opening in the GCD, Tombolo operated out of an arcade in the EDGE District. The shop has popped up at major events all over the Sunshine City since it’s inception, but I’m so happy to see it find a permanent home in one of the most exciting spots in St. Pete.
Tombolo features the best selection of contemporary fiction, Florida non-fiction, graphic novels, and an impressive children’s section with the coolest reading nook in the ‘Burg.
Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Avenue South.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SmS2Fpfks/
Matter of Fact
I’ve spent a good deal of money at Matter of Fact. The shop carries clothes from Herschel, RVCA, Billabong, and Vissla, among other reliable brands. It’s the brother concept to Ashe Couture Boutique from co-owners Matt and Amanda.
New items hit the store every 7-10 days. Treat yourself, or a loved one, to some solid fashion. Matter of Fact is also home to Lincoln the shop dog and he is 13/10 heckin’ great.
Matter of Fact, 1029 Central Avenue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-Lz_0JPS0/
Josh “Comics” Sullivan
OK so Josh doesn’t have a permanent shop, but you can spot him at most Indie Markets and Pop Ups in the ‘Burg. He is a wild ball of creative energy. Josh has made pins in the past for local businesses in the Sunshine City, but I’m so here for his fun dinosaur designs.
Josh’s art was also featured in SHINE’s Corner Canvas project at 16th Street and 9th Avenue South. You can shop his pins online, too, just in case you can’t catch him out in St. Pete.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-Vg7DpUkK/
Knotted Roots
Love plants? Me too. Do you maybe struggle with where to put them or how to display them in your apartment? Same. Knotted Roots make me appear far more stylish than I actually am. The beautiful knotted plant hangars come in various sizes and patterns.
The colorful, intricate designs from the Florida native are transfixing AND can now be purchased at The Pop Up, a local shops collective inside Furnish Me Vintage.
Knotted Roots at The Pop Up, 1246 Central Avenue.
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