We’re excited to introduce a new series celebrating locally owned and independent businesses.

There is no question that people often overlook the positive impacts of independent, locally-owned (Indie Local) businesses. The local community that an Indie Local serves may understand these impacts, but those located further away may need to be made aware of these success stories. In future posts, with your help, we will feature a few of the top Indie Locals in the nation. You can nominate your favorite Indie Local by emailing us today

Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

From The Main Street Journal: Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB) has been a local food pioneer since it first opened its doors as a small delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan, over four decades ago. ZCoB currently employs 750 Michiganders, with annual sales of...

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Artifact Soapworks

Artifact Soapworks

From Sustainable Business Network (MA): Artifact Soapworks is a trendsetting online soap shop offering first-rate products and exceptional customer service to shoppers from the comfort of their own homes and other locations. Established by Barbara Thomas, Artifact...

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The Last Mile Café

The Last Mile Café

People First Economy 2023 Good for Michigan Awardee From Rapid Growth Media (MI): Arick Davis and Sarah Laman are runners. They say that the most challenging portion of a run is the last mile. When comparing the state of the world to a long-distance run, they decided...

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The Grain Shed: Brewer, Baker, Social-Bond Maker

The Grain Shed: Brewer, Baker, Social-Bond Maker

From Measure Meant (WA): The Grain Shed is a vertical co-op located in Spokane, Washington. It was founded by four people: a grain grower, a brewer, a maltster, and a baker. All the grain grown to produce the bread and the beer is grown within 100 miles of the...

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Parkway Bakery Since 1911

Parkway Bakery Since 1911

From Parkway (LA): Parkway Bakery and Tavern first opened for business in 1911, and it has been a New Orleans icon ever since... Back in those days, every neighborhood in NOLA had a bakery on the corner. Over the next seven years, Timothy Sr. established Parkway’s...

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Midtown Named Bookstore of the Year

Midtown Named Bookstore of the Year

By Publishers Weekly: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, a general-interest store that occupies two substantial storefronts across from a historic farmers’ market in Harrisburg, PA, celebrates its 20th anniversary as a bricks-and-mortar location this year. Owners Lawrence and...

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Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore

Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore

By Pam Blue Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) Press and Bookstore, a Black woman-owned press and bookstore in St. Paul, MN, creates and publishes diverse children’s books and works seamlessly with its affiliated nonprofit to not only address the literacy gap by...

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Pedaling Peace Coffee Since Day One

Pedaling Peace Coffee Since Day One

From Peace Coffee (MN): Peace Coffee and bikes go way back together. We actually started bike-delivering our coffee before we could afford our own roasting machine, but two roasters and a few delivery vans later, bikes remain central to what we do. We ride to work, we...

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Blue Market AK: An Unpackaged Market

Blue Market AK: An Unpackaged Market

From BuyAlaska: Blue Market AK is a small woman-owned “old-world grocer” with a “zero-waste” model. At least 45% of their vendors are local Alaskans, and they vet all products based on their environmental impacts. This careful selection process provides convenience...

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