SMALL SHOPS TO LOVE

FEATURE STORY

If you’re reading this, I don’t have to preach. Chances are, you’re all about shopping small. You know there are things Amazon can’t buy, like meeting your small shop business owners, running into friends or making new ones, discovering and sharing unique gifts … and that warm fuzzy feeling from supporting your community. The problem is that it can be hard to find what you need. Or, you’re worried about money, and time, because both are tight.

If you’re shopping for gifts, or personal necessities (or wants), here are the Ogden shops I highly recommend. This list will hopefully save you time — and keeping a quality-over-quantity mindset saves more money in the long run. Buy less, spend a little more on small (and a local cocktail instead of shipping fees).

GIFT AND RETAIL SHOPS IN OGDEN (in alphabetical order)

Beehive Market & Beehive Naturals: lotions, deodorant (my favorite!), candles, bath bombs, soaps, shampoo & conditioner bars, and more at the NEW MARKET next door filled with hot sauces, cooking oils, salts, tea, jewelry, tote bags, scarves, hats, and more from local vendors!

Closing Thyme Gift Baskets: Beautifully curated gift baskets full of locally made products — you don’t even have to do the shopping!

Crossroads Skate Shop: Skateboards, footwear, all the accessories and more. Fun events, too!

Fiction Ogden: Beautiful high-end goods from local artists featuring fine art, records, vintage, housewares, candles, stationary, and more. Finding a gift here is a given. Art classes!

Graywhale Entertainment: Vinyl, posters, figurines/toys, and more. Record Store Day Friday, Nov. 29!

Grounds on 25th Street: Coffee shop stocked with fun gifts to grab with your latte to go.

Jungle Room Plants: WHO doesn’t want plants?! Think you’re a plant-killer? This friendly shop owner will empower you with confidence to adopt all the plant babies.

Kaffe Mercantile: Coffee shop with locally made cards, vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, and more to shop while you sip! Best gift for coffee lovers: Jingle Bell Java or ANY of the holiday Cafe Ibis blends!

Khroma Herbal Apothecary: Locally-made herbal tinctures (my go-to medicine and daily essentials!), handcrafted teas (DELICIOUS), gifts, and more! Free herbal classes every third Saturday at 11 a.m.!

Happy Magpie Book & Quill: Pay-what-you want used books and books by local authors.

The Local Artisan Collective: A year-round artisan market filled with different local vendors: jewelry, art, ceramics, glassworks, candles, clothing, ornaments, greeting cards, and more. My go-to gift shop. Weekly art classes! (visit the website for a full list of the small business vendors inside)

Lavender Vinyl: Independent record store with all the community, culture, and vibes and great gifts for music lovers located on Historic 25th Street. Record Store Day, Friday, Nov. 29!

The Lotus Cafe: Delicious coffee, healthy eats, and gift shop for your tarot-reading, earthy loved ones!

The Mercantile on 25th Street: Don’t know what to get someone? You can’t go wrong with cheese! Beehive Cheese to be clear. Also find locally made chocolate, greeting cards, and other food products. Tasting workshops and events!

McLaren’s Collectibles: The antique “department store” to find nostalgic holiday decor, a little whimsical touch for your home before the holidays, jewelry, dishes, books, vinyl, and unique gifts for antique lovers. I don’t think I’ve ever left empty-handed.

THE STUDIOS AND SHOPS AT THE MONARCH
- Art Box: a large gift shop with house decor, greeting cards, games, blankets, etc. Candle making!
- The Eco Location: reusable, refillable eco-friendly home soaps, detergents, cleaning supplies, and more. Mending classes available!
- The Little Homestead: Clothing boutique, vintage and new! Western Fashion. Accessories, cute socks! Reasonably priced. Not just small sizes!
- Sage Art Utah: Fine art, art kits, greeting cards, ceramics, and jewelry from local artists.
- Sweetpea & Stardust: House/holiday decor, reasonably priced!

(Visit The Monarch page for a full list)

The Nest (at Ogden Nature Center): A beautiful array of gifts for nature-lovers of all ages. Holiday Open House Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local artist vendors and fresh evergreen swag!

New World Distillery: Locally made spirits in Ogden Valley: gin, whisky, cherry liqueur (highly recommended), agave liquor, and more with fun boozy gifts.

Ogden’s Own Distillery: Spirits made right here in Ogden and a gift shop with apparel and accessories. Five Wives Vodka, Porter Whiskey, Madame Pattrini Gin, and more Utah-famous spirits from this local distillery.

Rainbow Gardens: The biggest gift shop — mall — in Ogden that has it ALL. Don’t leave without Mormon Muffins from The Greenery Restaurant!

Reborn Vintage: Vintage clothing shop in newly expanded space on the corner of Historic 25th Street and Grant Ave. Big market event on Dec. 7 at The Monarch!

Salt N Hops: Mostly known as Ogden’s local beer store (great selection of cold brews to go), but it’s also an amazing gift shop with fun novelty stuff that even your dog will love!

Urban Prairie Farm Store: Fresh, locally grown vegetables, dairy products, meats, cheeses, butter, and more. Plus, dry goods, hot sauces, salsas, olive oil, and more. All made locally in Utah.

The Queen Bee Giftery: Toys, children’s books, gifts, and biggest selection of gourmet chocolate including Ogden’s own Chocolot!

Weber State Downtown Store: Ogden branded clothing, journals/planners, water bottles, outdoor gear, and a bunch of things you didn’t know you needed. A fun place to shop inside Daily Rise Coffee (coffee & crepes are a must)!

New To Try

Yorktown Swap: Big new swapmeet-style pop-up market with local vendors open on weekends inside the Newgate Mall. Pair it with an afternoon movie!

Lene Marie Chocolates: New chocolate shop on Historic 25th Street! A local “Sees Candy”?

Upcoming Pop-Up Markets

Art Studio Collective at the Monarch, Dec. 3, 10, & 17: The shops at The Monarch are open Tuesdays form 6 to 9 p.m. for holiday shopping. Full bar with holiday cocktails available while you shop!

Holiday Open House, Nov.30: The annual extravaganza featuring fresh evergreen swags and gifts from over 16 local artists and artisans. Walk the beautiful nature trails and grab some hot cocoa while you shop. Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry.

Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 30: We know these shops have special things planned, so stop in! Fiction, The Local Artisan Collective, Lavender Vinyl, The Nest at Ogden Nature Center

Craft Lake City’s Holiday Market, Dec 6 & 7: Huge annual 2-day market at Ogden Union Station, hosted by Craft Lake City. The biggest holiday market of the year is right in our backyard! Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7.

First Friday Art Stroll, Dec. 6: Grab your map and stay updated on Instagram and Facebook @Ogden_Arts for all the locations around town (The Monarch, Fiction Ogden, The Local Artisan Collective) with events and shopping.

WSU Downtown Holiday Event, Dec. 6: Big sales, Daily Rise Coffee, Ogden Made, kids carnival, Santa, and more. 4-8 p.m.

Market Market, Dec. 7: Shop over 40 local vendors at this annual gift market located at Copper Nickel. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reborn Vintage Market: big vintage clothing market located inside The Monarch, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free entry

Visit our Shop Local Ogden page for details about our local business partners, and Ogden Over Amazon for a complete list!