The Homer Chamber of Commerce held their annual Shop Small Saturday last weekend and I missed it! I had a good excuse though, I was lounging in the hot tub at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and friends.
In honor of Shop Small Saturday, here are my personal favorite local things, in no particular order.
Please leave me a comment with your favourite local buy and let’s inspire each other to support small business in our community.
- Eco Gifts from Sustainable Wares. This is still my favourite little shop in Homer. Filled with affordable, earth-friendly products including clothing, linens, personal care products, pet supplies and gorgeous gifts for kids. My new favorite things from here are the reusable shopping bags and wax food savers. There’s also an online store that will ship.
1103 Ocean Drive, Homer - Flowers from Alaska Flower Mill. Still, this place is incredible. Rachel never ceases to impress with her flower arrangements. Rachel’s bouquets are works of art.
(907) 229-3626 - Gift Certificates from the Wagon Wheel. I love the Wagon Wheel. So do my kids. I get time to browse through their ever-changing inventory, my kids spend theirs trying to get the resident parrot to say hello. They have a great selection of garden supplies, plants, trees, home decor, snacks and critters.
1506 Ocean Drive, Homer - A Zoe Story Massage. I was gifted one of these for Christmas last year and it was incredible. Based out of the Healing Hands Studio on East End Road, Zoe offers a full range of therapeutic and relaxing massages. She also teaches yoga. I need to try that out.
(907) 299-3621 - Hostess Gifts from the Offshore Store. The owner of this store has curated a trendy collection of gifts and toys. It’s my go-to for when I need a gift for a client or friend.
111 West Pioneer Ave., Homer - Toys from the new Captains Toy Chest. Homer’s got a new toy store and it’s fabulous! You can tell the owner’s child had a hand in picking the inventory because it contains exactly the kid of things a kid would want. Affordable and thoughtful, this store is worth checking out.
345 West Sterling Highway, Ste. 105 - Ukuleles and lessons from Moore Music. This awesome little store opened up this summer. My son was interested in playing ukulele so I stopped by, and wow, was I impressed! So much so that I think I need a ukulele for Christmas. And some lessons. For the music makers in your life, this is the place to be.
601 E. Pioneer Ave Suite 202 - Non-contact boxing classes from K-Bay Martial Athletics. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been taking boxing classes in the morning before work. I love them. A new batch of people joined our morning class recently and they’re so much fun. They have a full menu of athletic and marital arts classes on offer to bring out your inner warrior.
601 East Pioneer Ave. Suite #111, Homer - Food Tuck Tour with a friend. For friends who have enough to do over Christmas, I like to offer up a trade: no buying each other presents or giving each other baked goods. Instead, let’s get together when things cool down and spend the money we would have spent on each other treat ourselves to something lovely in the new year. My new favourite lovely? Food Trucks. Between The Tickled Pear, Le Truck, Eat Alaska, and The Dandelion, we have some fabulous options. Hours vary, locations vary, and the food is outstanding!
- Socks from Homer’s Jeans. The older I get, the more I appreciate a good pair of socks and Homer’s Jeans has me covered. I also still love a great purse and the Osprey purse I bought at Homer’s Jeans this year is my absolute most favourite. I should get a second, bigger one – a mom purse.
564 East Pioneer Ave, Homer - Last but not least, Oodalolly. A client of mine put me on to this place. Whenever I feel like I need to spruce up my house, I’m sure to stop by this place. With ocean-inspired gifts and decor, this place is fun to shop. I especially like the earrings and jewelry they’ve brought in.
564 E Pioneer Ave - Bonus gift idea: Children’s Art Classes from Escuela des Artes in Homer. I’m all about buying my kids experiences rather than things for Christmas. One year it was a trip to Hawaii, another it was theater tickets. How about the gift of discovery for your kids? Homer’s brand-new children’s art school is simply amazing. Gift certificates are available. Check it out, it’s incredible.
(907) 299-4733