Shop BIPOC: Where You Spend Your Money Matters

Buy BIPOC

End-of-the-year holiday shopping has always been a critical time of the year for retailers, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented merchants in 2020 with a challenge of epic proportions. Seattle’s small businesses need your support at this time, and whether you shop masked and in person, online or a combination of the two, your shopping can help sustain the livelihood of local independent retail and service business owners.

The pandemic has especially impacted small business owners of color. While the City of Seattle recently announced $1.7 million in funding support for BIPOC-led civic organizations, the reach of this funding pales in comparison to what a shopper’s dollar can do directly. So, go spend your holiday money supporting your entrepreneurial neighbors!

We’ve identified a number of amazing local BIPOC-owned businesses, from floral creations and unique photography to gifts of something special “just for me” (that’s you, Mom!). This list is not exhaustive, but is a starting point for finding that special small BIPOC-owned business to support.

Photography for life’s most important moments

Erica Daniels, owner and photographer of Emazing Photography, has been photographing families, individuals and events since 2013. Her Instagram showcases seasonal portraits of clients from all over the Puget Sound region. “The primary way people can support my business during the pandemic is to share my work on social media, book me for a photo session and refer me to their family and friends,” says Daniels. She also recommends complementary Black-owned businesses for anyone preparing for their close-up: Interior designer Ashleigh McCurdy of AMcCurdy Design, wardrobe stylist George-Jean Edwards of Fitted Personal Style Services and makeup artist Neikia Williams of Burton Beauty.

Botanical design rooted in the seasons of the Pacific Northwest

Hannah Morgan of Fortunate Orchard creates holiday wreaths of foraged greens out of her home studio and leads wreath-making workshops in the community. She applies a sustainable, local angle to her floral work. “Including bits of nature [such as] seed pods, vines and grasses that couldn’t be sourced from flower markets ensures that our arrangements are unique and ultra-seasonal,” says Morgan.

This year, Morgan has collaborated with other artisans to offer gift packages through her website. “We try to lift each other up and expand our audiences. It’s been easy and fun to partner up with a few BIPOC-owned businesses for holiday projects,” she says.

Other BIPOC-owned floral businesses to shop: Cedarhouse Flowers in Wallingford, Alice’s Floral Designs in the International District or Blue Poppy Floral in Wedgwood.

Gorgeous gifts

Did you know that the Duwamish tribe — the Indigenous people of the Seattle metropolitan area — has opened its longhouse headquarters to the public, and that it features a great gift store? The Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center gift shop features bags, jewelry, clothing, books, toys and blankets that showcase Native American and Northwest Coastal tribal design. Center Director Jolene Hass shares that most of the shop merchandise is now also available for purchasing online, but they welcome in-person shopping and visitors, too.

The center also leads school tours, and since its opening in 2009 has hosted over 2,000 school groups of students ranging in age from elementary to college. At present, they’ve pivoted to conducting outdoor eco-tours along the Duwamish River for small groups. Proceeds from the shop, rental fees from the space for events and the tours sustain the center’s operations, so consider a multi-purpose visit to the longhouse! 

Other local BIPOC-owned gift shops (some featuring culturally oriented gifts) include Andaluz in Columbia City, Re. Evolución in Rainier Beach and Kobo Seattle in the International District and on Capitol Hill.

BIPOC books

Estelita’s Library on Beacon Hill in Seattle is the city’s only Black-owned bookstore and community library/gathering space. “We serve as a beacon for the community to know that they have a space that they can call their own,” says co-owner Edwin Lindo, who along with partner and wife Estell Williams curates the book selection for social-justice-themed and BIPOC-authored titles. It’s also a welcoming gathering place. “You will find books, food and the warmth of meeting someone new and having the conversation your soul has been waiting to have,” says Lindo. “We also have a mobile library that we are looking to paint and build out to take this environment on the road.”

You can visit Estelita’s Library in person or shop its online store. And while you’re shopping, support local Black authors and illustrators, including Ijeoma Oluo, Jeffrey L. Cheatham II and Jessixa Bagley.

Just for me

You know best how to indulge yourself; here are assorted Seattle-based, BIPOC-woman-owned businesses for a choose-your-own adventure treat.

If your idea of luxury is a set of soft pajamas (or a beautiful bra), check out Salua Lingerie in Madison Valley. Want a bright frock to liven up the gray Seattle winter? The Oula Company (online only) features colorful dresses made from Ankara (African wax fabric) in modern cuts and designs.

Need a hand or brow tidy-up? Varnish Seattle offers individual appointments at its cozy studio in the Urban Lofts of the SODO neighborhood. After your nails are done, peruse Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry in Madrona or The Cura Co. in the Central District for a special ring (or other item of jewelry, all by BIPOC makers).

Love writing cards the old-fashioned way? Artists Misha Zadeh and Yuko Miki of Honeyberry Studios sell colorful greeting cards of their original artwork.

Let these suggestions open your eyes to small businesses owned and operated by your neighbors who reflect the history and diversity of our region.