Easy Ways to Shop Local & Small in Huntsville

Take your finger off that Amazon button for the day. This Saturday – and continuing all holiday season – your Huntsville neighbors need you to #ShopSmall more than ever. If they are lucky enough to have survived 2022 so far, many small business owners are depending on a busy December just so they can stick around in 2023. And they need their fellow Huntsvillians to shop EARLY as well, so they can provide a Christmas for their own families. Lucky you, Small Business Saturday in Huntsville is coming up!

Are you up for the #SmallBusinessSaturday challenge? It’s a lovely way we can all come together to fight the financial strain that many of our neighbors are feeling.

Here at Rocket City Mom, we are ALL ABOUT LOCAL. We eat, sleep, and breathe local. We cover local events, share information about local resources, and help our readers find local people and businesses to connect with. So here’s our favorite ways to shop local and small in Huntsville and North Alabama.

Awesome Attraction Gift Shops

I have found some truly unique gifts for friends and family at our area museum gift shops. These places tend to curate their inventory very carefully each year, and often have things you just can’t find anywhere else. (Do you know what that means? They also create additional jobs by having gift shop staff to coordinate that!) They’re also a wonderful place to look for really nice holiday decorations.

Josie’s Gift Shop at Burritt On the Mountain

Housed in the Burritt Welcome Center is Josie’s Gift Shop, named in honor of Dr. Burritt’s wife. They showcase toys, garden items and home accessories. This is a great place to find bridal and baby gifts, Huntsville souvenirs, and goods from local artisans. Gift wrapping is available at no charge.

HBG Garden Gift Shop

Located right in the lobby of the entrance to the Huntsville Botanical Garden, this shop features a collection of gifts for the home and garden, delicious southern gourmet gifts, books, plush toys, and jewelry – all with a distinct nod to Mother Nature. You don’t need to pay admission to shop!

USSRC Gift Shop

The museum gift shop of the largest space museum in the world does not disappoint. Boasting an out-of-this-world NASA apparel collection, you’ll also find space-themed models, STEM toys, science kits, limited-edition souvenirs, and yes – space ice cream.

Museum Store at HMA

With unique items from the surrounding areas and all over the world, the Huntsville Museum of Art’s gift shop is the perfect place to check off your holiday shopping. You’ll find gifts for all the important people in your life AND support your local art museum this year. They even put together a Holiday Gift Guide for you!

The Museum Store at Cook Museum

Not only will you find beautiful Christmas decorations at the Museum Store, but you’ll also find great gifts for friends, family, and teachers! No museum ticket needed to shop – it’s a great place to buy for kids that love animals, nature, and the natural world around them.

 

DID YOU KNOW? The Huntsville Madison County Chamber created a website to empower people to purchase gift cards directly from local, independently owned small businesses. GetYourGiftOn.org is easy to use – and these gift cards are a great idea for teachers, essential workers, friends and family. Why not get all your shopping done at once?

Locally-Owned Kids Toys & Specialty Gift Shops

Do you miss Toys ‘R Us? Shopping small and local for kids doesn’t have to be tricky. These small Huntsville toy shops and game stores have a great variety of things kids will love AND you can feel good about buying from small business owners that live right here.

The Toy Place Downtown

Kids in Five Points Huntsville know to head to Susan’s store for fun and carefully curated toys of all sorts. If you’ve never been to this quirky shop devoted 100% to toys and toys only, this is your chance! We love the very affordable price ranges.

Learning Express

This family-owned toy and gift store is another spot you can find something special for the kiddos. Everything from board games to craft kits, chapter books, inflatable forts, and hot items. Check out their Holiday Catalogue!

Rocket City Toys

This locally-owned toy store in Hampton Cove has all the fan-favorites for kids of ages. Popular toys include: Pokémon, Lego, Funko Pops, Magnatiles, Melissa & Doug, Air Fort and so much more! As an added bonus, you can even shop online!

Local Comic Shops, Tabletops, & RPGs

Teens that are into IRL games would love a gift from one of these local shops. You’ll find Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, the latest Marvel comics, and tons more here.

• Bricks & Minifigs (opening December 10!)
• The Deep Comics & Games
• Haven Comics
• Magnolia Gaming Huntsville
• Lucky Dice Cafe
• The Raging Gazebo

Where to Find Unique Gifts By Local Artists & Makers

Space put Huntsville on the map, but STEAM has elevated it to a whole new level. Our city is full of innovative artists and makers, and many of them have really had a tough year. Luckily you can find local art at several different places throughout Madison County. Like these…

Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment

The OG when it comes to artist complexes in the Rocket City! Shop any of their 152 artist studios at their Yule Y’all Christmas Market on December 3rd or at the Winter Solstice Market on December 17th or anytime during the gift-giving season.

The Little Green Store

Part gift shop, part art gallery, TLGS on Monte Sano is a fantastic place to find local artists. Shop online or make an appointment to avoid the crowds. I love the delicate handmade jewelry or wall art to hang on that blank spot in your living room.

University Pickers

You’ll find over 100 small businesses – many of them makers and refurbishers – in this big shared-space shopping center. The owners are moms and wives who love what they do and love to help other small businesses grow. Featuring items you can’t find in big box stores and local, handmade and unique gifts.

Twisted Tree in Madison

Twisted Tree Vintage Market has over 80 vendors and offers furniture, home decor, boutique clothing and unique gifts. They have a great selection of holiday decor as well to help you deck your halls.

#DineHsv Restaurants & Treats

A few of our RCM foodie favorites for gift-giving in case you were wondering…

• Mason Dixon Bakery – Order your holiday cakes, pies, cookies and more from this family-owned and 100% gluten free bakery.
• Pizzelles Confections – Our favorite chocolate witches can make you hot cocoa bombs, homemade marshmallows and caramels, and a huge variety of other mouth-watering chocolates and confections!
• Zion Gourmet Popcorn – This small but mighty popcorn & homemade candy store is one of our favorites.
• Piper & Leaf Tea Company – Family owned & operated, this local tea shop have gifts that taste like home.
• The Moon Bake Shop – Go for the cruffins. Stay for the bacon cheddar scones.
• Hamley Bake Shoppe – Pre-order your holiday pies and desserts now from this small batch Meridianville bakery.
• Canadian Bakin – Specializing in hand-rolled bagels and artisan breads, you can order online and pick up the day these tasty carbs are baked.
• Good Company Cafe – An amazing pastry chef and impressive brunch spread makes this a South Hsv favorite.

Neighborhood-Supported Mom & Pop Shops

If you’re going to try to shop local and small as much as possible this year, what better way than to shop in your own neighborhood? You could even be supporting a mom or dad in your child’s class at school!

Shop Downtown & North Huntsville
Skip the Starbucks… DarkSide Coffee is the new coffee shop in North Huntsville & they have gift cards!

The Shops at Clinton Row – Features locally owned restaurants, gift shops, and retail in downtown Huntsville. RCM Picks: Snail On the Wall bookstore, Local Flourish & Co.

Shop South Huntsville
The South Huntsville Holiday Gift Guide – Created by the SHBA, this is a great guide to supporting small businesses in the 35802/03.
RCM Pick: The Cottage Collective, Spoiled Rockin’ Kids Salon & Spa, Sweet Pineapple

Shop Madison
Madison Station Antiques, South & Pine Home, Zion Gourmet Popcorn & Candy, Old Black Bear Brewing Co., Interiors By Consign
RCM Picks: Madison Band Supply for your musically gifted kid, Posh Mommy & Baby for the mom-to-be in your life!

So… what did we miss? Let us know your favorite in the comments so we can add it to the list!