Small Business Saturday is the anti-Black Friday. Shoppers are encouraged to shun department stores and big box retailers and support locally owned businesses, both those with storefronts and online only. So take a break from doorbusters, camping out, and fighting over a slightly discounted television or $5 DVD. Save the fighting for the last slice of pie. Don't know where to start? Here are some places where we shop small all year long.
We are 1976
This Bishop Arts District shop is locally owned and stocks some items made by locals, plus it imports the wacky, whimsical and wonderful from all around the world. Expect screenprinted posters for North Texas concerts, cases of jewelry, stationery, ceramics, toys, knick knacks any cat lady will fancy, items from Japan and wall art to suit almost anyone's style and budget. --Shannon Sutlief
The DIME Store
This downtown Denton shop is stocked with items made by the town's artisans working in several media, from screenprinting to photography to pottery, and makers specializing in natural cosmetics, jewelry, stuffed animals, quilts and more. I love the assortment of hometown swag, from items showing Little D's landmarks; stuff bearing Denton's name, zip code or area code; embroidered art; wall hangings; pillows and super soft T-shirts. --Shannon Sutlief
Emeralds to Coconuts
A lot of stores claim to carry unique items, but Emeralds to Coconuts on Henderson Avenue really does. If you're shopping for women of any age, you can find something they'll love, from clothes, jewelry and hats (even fascinators) to purses and scarves. Some items are quirky, some are just comfortable, and you won't see your twin on the street anywhere. -- Laura Jacobus
Red Pegasus Comics
For Small Business Saturdays, Oak Cliff's Red Pegasus Comics is putting the "giving" in Thanksgiving with 25-cent comics and loads of other stuff on sale, including 75 percent off some trade paperbacks and 50 percent off posters, accessories and collectibles. Nov. 25 will be the last day of this sale, as the store is in the process of moving from its little red house on Tenth Street to 317 N. Bishop Ave. in Bishop Arts. --Dawn Burkes
Local bookstores
Dallas is filled with local bookstores and between them you're bound to find something to inform, amuse and delight your literary desires. At Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts, you'll find a good selection of Spanish-language books, literary classics and a curate selection of best-sellers. In Deep Ellum, check out Deep Vellum Books. The store offers books published by independent presses, including Dallas' own Deep Vellum Publishing. The knowledgable staff will help you find just the right book for your mood. For those of you planning to shop a little farther north in Dallas, consider popping into Interabang Books at Preston and Royal. The store has the largest selection of best-sellers and classics. It also has a delightful children's section if you're looking for the literary prodigy in your life. --Hannah Wise
Noya Yoga
If you're an avid yogi, you know the frustration of having to regularly pull down your shirt or pull up your workout pants after several inverted poses. Luckily one local company has found a remedy to this common problem. Noya Yoga is creator of the Yogzi, a one-piece athletic outfit designed to help you stay focused during class by removing the distraction of what you're wearing. The Yogzi ($119) includes a sports bra, top and capri pants that are sewn together into one piece at the waist, so that no matter how high you stretch your hands over you head, the fabric will never reveal your skin. While the Yogzi is Noya's signature product, the company also sells a variety of other athletic wear, including sports bras, tank tops, and leggings. And they're so cute, you'll look forward to working out. --Tiney Ricciardi
Local greeting cards
Call me old school, but I love receiving real Christmas cards, on real paper, in the mail. And I love sending them, too. One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is work with a designer who makes personalized Christmas cards to show my family's memorable moments over the last year. Hop on Etsy and Instagram to find a designer whose styles you love. (I've worked with Mountain Paper and Blue Eye Brown Eye, both friends.) You'll end up with one-of-a-kind cards that show off the work of small businesses run by talented artists -- many of them women. How cool is that? --Sarah Blaskovich
