March 30 - a date with a 3 (albeit in the 10s place, but I'm still following my program of Slicing a list of 3 things on dates with a 3, starting back on March 3), so today, a very different sort of post: 3 places where I'm happily shopping.
1. Independent bookstores, in all the places: I have several local bookstores near me that I adore, but I've also made an effort to shop at independent bookstores when I travel. It's a great place to get a restaurant recommendation, too. Independent Bookstore Day is coming up on April 26, and I'll be in Virginia that weekend, so let me know if you have any recommendations.
2. Penzey's Spices: If you like your spices with a side-order of political spiceness, this is the place for you! Bill Penzey has been calling out racism since the 2016 presidential election (read more here), and he continues to let customers know that hate has no home in his stores. Along with spices (let me please recommend Outrage of Love and Sunny Paris), they have a few amazingly joyful accessories, pins, and stickers. This kitchen towel is my go-to housewarming gift (it says "Love People: Cook them tasty food."). (Penzey's also ships, often for free, btw!)
3. REI: First off, any store that is closed on Black Friday so we can "opt outside" is doing it right! They are a cooperative (a portion of what you spend comes back to you and we also "own" the store), the staff is incredibly smart about gear, they are size inclusive (they believe all people and therefore, all sizes, need access to the outdoors, so they carry larger sizes for men and women), and they are bag-free, too. My REI outside Cleveland also has a beautiful book area with seats for reading AND has used gear. I'm finding enough clothes here that I can actually wear to work, not just traveling and hiking.
I am more committed than ever to examining the power of where I spend money. I miss Amazon, Whole Foods and Target AND life happily goes on without them. Shopping less, shopping local, shopping my values - maybe those are actually my "3 things" today.
Very cool. I never thought about writing about where I shop - I could write many, many posts about that! Independent bookstores are definitely at the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a shopper, so I'd love your ideas! And aren't independent bookstores the very best?!
DeleteHow fun to read this post with businesses I happily support. I love how you share thoughtful ideas in such a warm, un-preachy way. What a great model of inviting people in!
ReplyDeleteLisa, hip hip hooray! You have given me some ideas in your last paragraph. I love Penzey's too. Actually all three of your three shopping experiences are ones on my list too. Here's to shopping less, locally and our values!
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