Support women-owned businesses as you search for the perfect holiday gift

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Support women-owned businesses as you look for the perfect holiday gift | Twin Cities Agenda

Women are creating and doing some awe-inspiring things in our community. And more and more Minnesota women are bringing their talents to the business world and creating businesses that promote inclusivity, diversity, health, and innovation. Yeah, it’s pretty awesome.

For this holiday season, as you run down your gift list, head out to these amazing women-owned businesses where you’ll be supporting local change-makers and thought leaders as well as finding a plethora of incredible one-of-a-kind gifts for your family and friends.  

And frankly, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that many of the shops you frequent already are run by some of Minnesota’s most trailblazing women.

Minnesota women-owned shops, markets, and makers

Shopcicle Market: Women Artisans

Right in the heart of Lowertown, Shopcicle is a marketplace featuring an accomplished collection of local artisans, makers, and craftspeople where you are guaranteed to find the perfect gift for even the most difficult person on your holiday list. This month Shopcicle is celebrating and promoting Minnesota women artisans and makers. You’ll be able to shop businesses such as Mademoiselle Miel, Shopmode, Hands & Feet, Courageous Creativity, Daisy Blue Naturals, Lulu Organics, and so many more.

Located in Union Depot, Shopcicle is a social-hour style pop-up market so be sure to come thirsty and hungry. You’ll be able to try out new drinks and tasty food from Union Depot Bar and Grill as you browse vendors. Definitely the best way to shop while supporting local women artisans.

Market Date: Thursday, November 15 from 3pm–8:30pm at Union Depot.

Women on the Rise Holiday Market

This is the perfect one-stop shop to find gifts that support your health and healing. Healing Elements, a multi-faceted wellness center focused on creating community and promoting self love as first priority, is hosting their annual Holiday Market. This year, the two-day market will showcase local women-founded businesses that create beautiful and intentionally crafted goods.

Come sip on some tea and enjoy live music performances by the UkuLadies as you peruse a myriad of vendors in a calming and peaceful atmosphere. Some of the businesses you can explore at the market include House of Heartland, Cosmic Cacao, Tsiimade, Gifts of the Magi, Wild + Vibrant, ROMI Apothecary, Lalunette, and Sweet B Design. You’ll also be able to learn more about Healing Elements and try out a mini session of some of the services they offer.

Market Dates: Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 from 2pm–6pm at Healing Elements.

Bibelot

You’re probably familiar with this shop. Bibelot is the store packed with endless clever gift ideas ranging from clothing, accessories, jewelry, Minnesota-made products, toys, home decor, and so much more. What you may not know is Bibelot was created by Roxana Freese back in 1966. This innovator continued to grow her business opening several stores around Minnesota focusing on sourcing fair-trade, environmentally responsible products, and locally designed goods. Bibelot is always changing out their products so you’ll find something new each time you visit making it easy to get that special gift you’ve been on the hunt for.

Golden Fig Fine Foods

This shop is where you’ll find the perfect gift for your foodie friends. Golden Fig is owned and run by Laurie Crowell who has apprenticed under some of the countries top prepared and fancy food creators. Her expertise certainly shows as her store offers shelf after shelf of quality artisan foods, spices, seasonings, cookbooks, jams, candles, dog treats, gift sets, chocolates, home decor items, and so much more. And if you need any more convincing, on his visit to Minnesota, President Obama made sure to stop by Golden Fig to check out her amazing business model of sustainability and buying local.

Urban Growler Brewing Company

For the beer lovers in your life, grab a gift card at Urban Growler. They can head out to this welcoming and social taproom to enjoy some of Urban Growler’s flagship brews like Cowbell Cream Ale, Midwest IPA, De-Lovely Porter, Kentucky Uncommon, and Golden Hammer IPA. In 2014, Master Brewer Deb Loch and Jill Pavlak opened Urban Growler Brewing Company becoming the first women-owned brewery in the state of Minnesota. With the mission to bring people together through beer, the duo continuously experiments creating new brews. So you know you’ll want to go back again and again to find your favorite Urban Growler beer.

Looking for more women-owned businesses?

MAIA Community

Minnesotans Kateri Ruiz and Angel Rowell have created a massive growing database of over 700,000 women-owned businesses making it easy for consumers to connect with women-driven businesses and affect positive change. Their mission is to empower women and create a world of equality that truly represents all of us. Check out their database to find amazing women-run businesses right in your neighborhood and all across the country.

Read this next: Minnesota ranked #1 best state for women