We’ve already rounded up the places to shop on Black Friday, but what about Small Business Saturday? The day after the day of markdown madness is actually one of our favorite times to shop, as it’s set aside especially to promote the independent stores and restaurants that add authentic flavor to our fair city. Last year, POTUS, Sasha, and Malia paid a visit to Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle in honor of the holiday, where they scooped up titles such as The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.
The visit was a smart choice—in terms of Washington institutions, you don’t get much more authentic than a 30-plus-year-old peddler of caffeine and literature. Add to that its location in one of the District’s most central neighborhoods, and it’s clear someone on the Obama team did their research. So where should Barack, Michelle, and the girls head this year? Our suggestions follow below, along with a few alerts on specials you don’t have to live in the White House to enjoy.
The sleepy Takoma Park neighborhood got a well-deserved jolt when this Baltimore gifting mecca opened an 8,000-square-foot outpost on Carroll Street. In addition to being a small business itself, Trohv supports other small businesses by carrying their lines. The Obama girls are also well-documented fans of Anthropologie, and the creative gift selection here is often compared to the home goods portion of the chain.
Michelle’s forward-thinking fashion sense would surely meet its match at 14th Street’s gutsiest clothing, accessories, and furniture boutique. In business since 1999, the artsy showroom carries Vivienne Westwood, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Malene Birger, Lizzie Fortunato, and many more.
If the Obamas decide to hit more than one location, they should head to DC’s most densely populated retail neighborhood. According to Georgetown BID, 70 percent of the businesses here are independently owned, and plenty of them are offering specials deals for us regular folk on Small Business Saturday. For instance: All wine is 10 percent off at Bacchus, winter accessories are buy one, get one free at Tari, and Duo and Ella-Rue will extend their Black Friday sales. (See more specials at the Georgetown BID website.) Pedicabs will also offer shoppers complimentary rides from noon to 5.
Have a favorite small business you plan to support this weekend, or another suggestion for where the First Family should head? Let us know in the comments.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
