Buying from small businesses helps support the local economy and keep traditional trades and sellers going. You’re also likely to find better service and products at smaller companies because while corporations are worried about efficiency and the bottom line, small-business owners care about their passion. Here are eight local businesses to support in Omaha, NE.
Get your creative fix at That Pottery Place. They’re a local Omaha paint-your-own-pottery studio where you paint a piece of premade pottery that you can take home after it’s refired. That Pottery Place would be a great place to take your grandkids or a group of friends to have some creative fun without having to deal with the mess yourself. It is taking safety measures at this time to ensure customers are protected from Coronavirus transmission. Everyone in the studio must wear a mask at all times, and all of the surfaces are disinfected between each group painting. Seating is also limited at the moment, so making a reservation is probably a good idea. It is also offering a pottery-to-go option that lets you pick up the supplies and work on your piece at home.
The aptly named Dripped and Draped is a combination of a clothing store and a coffee shop. Founded by local entrepreneurs, this small business focuses on atmosphere and quality products. Getting coffee here is an experience. The drinks are served as beautiful displays, and the staff cultivate a fun, trendy space with installation wall art. While you’re sipping on your coffee, you can look for gifts or clothing for yourself. It also serves health drink options like kombucha if you aren’t a coffee person. You can also order from the store online and have it delivered via DoorDash.
If you’re looking for an original gift or new jewelry for yourself, Goldsmith Silversmith is the place to look. Hailing from the former "hippie" district of Omaha, its designs are beautiful and unique. It has a collection of jewelry created by local artists in the Omaha area as well as quality pieces from large manufactures. The staff also handle jewelry repair, resizing and appraisals in-house. Having jewelry work done locally means you’ll get it back faster, and you’ll be supporting the local economy. With the growth of online shopping, brick-and-mortar jewelry stores are seeing less sales and need all the support they can get.
Adagio has everything smell-good, from artisan soaps to inhaling salts. Buying handmade soaps means you can avoid all of the chemicals found in store bought soaps. You can also get essential oils from Adagio.
Bookish seniors probably know the safe, warm feeling of a small bookstore, and The Bookworm is the place to go for that feeling in Omaha. It has a large catalog, including indie and small publishers, so you’re sure to find something that interests you. It also hosts many events such as book signings and readings and book clubs.
Artifact Bags sells quality bags and accessories. It's a great place to look for gifts for the men in your life. A new leather wallet or quality grilling apron will definitely put a smile on a son’s or grandson’s face. Or if you’re looking to shop for yourself, it has lots of gardening wear, bags and totes and small trinkets.
If you’re interested in gourmet beans, Hardy Coffee is the place to get your fix. It's a local small-batch roaster in Ohama. It has three store locations in the area you can visit, or you can order its coffee online. Along with its specialty coffees, Hardy also makes baked goods. You can order specialty cakes and pastries for events or buy premade items in one of the storefront locations. It also hosts an “Art + Work” event, featuring a panel of local artists and business owners. This could be a fun event for seniors who are interested in entrepreneurship or design and want to keep up with what’s going on in the community.
Hot Shops Art Center hosts numerous interesting studios, but what sets it apart — and gives it its name — are its hot studios. This center is one of the few places in the world that has an iron forge, ceramic studio, metal foundry and glass studio. It offers demonstrations and classes at the studios, so you can experience everything from oil painting to glass blowing for yourself. With a little scheduling, Hot Shops Art Center could make a great day trip for your family or friends. Keep a lookout for upcoming events, or if you’re an artist, consider signing up for a membership, which gives you access to community studios and lower prices on classes.
