The holiday shopping season is upon us, and finding gifts for everyone on your list can be overwhelming. To make things easier and more exciting, we asked our City Cast hosts and producers to share a shining example of a small business in their city with an online shop. Here’s how you can support small businesses and find a gift for just about everyone.
🥩 Austin: Meat and Merch from Franklin Barbecue
Give the gift of Texas beef from James Beard award-winning Franklin Barbecue — the best in the country, according to Bon Appétit. Or take it from Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama, who have both made the pilgrimage. Here’s what City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn has to say:
“People line up before dawn just to get the opportunity to eat at Franklin, but why do that when you can have it shipped anywhere in the U.S. through GoldBelly? You can order everything from rubs, barbecue sauces, merch, and most importantly MEAT. All you have to do is reheat it and you can have something better than dry ass turkey for the holidays.”
✂️ Chicago: A Collage Magazine from the Chicago Collage Community
For those who love art, the Chicago Collage Community — which just celebrated its third anniversary — has two editions of its collage magazine featuring artists from across Chicagoland. Here’s City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran’s take:
“One of [Chicago Collage Magazine’s] curators, Lo Marie, is one of my friends and favorite visual artists in the city. Her current series 'Windy City Tells' is a magnificent and evocative series that captures daily life in the city in a unique way. It’s curated and edited by co-founders Charlea Taylor and Christine Vilutis, along with fellow collage artists and curators Miranda Livingston and Lo Marie.”
🍸 DC: Politically-Themed Spirits from Republic Restoratives Distillery
As the nation’s capital, D.C. is the epicenter of politics and “that’s enough to drive anyone to drink,” says City Cast DC host Bridget Todd. So, why not make it a good drink?
Republic Restoratives is a queer woman-owned distillery with a very D.C. story: Co-founder Pia Carusone used to work in politics and left to start Republic Restoratives after the attack on her boss, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Plus, a portion of the sales go directly to Vote.org.
Bridget recommends the Fascist Tears Vodka for a martini “as dirty as Christina Aguilera in the 90s.”
🌶️ Denver: Roasted Green Chiles from LuLu Farms and Mauro Farms
You know that friend that moved out of Colorado and can’t stop talking about how they miss Pueblo chiles? Or maybe you want to share the spicy goodness with someone who’s never tried them. City Cast Denver host Bree Davies has a mission for you:
“If you want the thing that makes Colorado Colorado, it’s green chile. The DiSanti family grows, roasts, packages, and freezes chiles when the season is over.”Chiles from DiSanti farms might be tough to get a hold of for out-of-towners, so Bree recommends two other rad Colorado green chile purveyors, LuLu Farms and Mauro Farms.
No, these lights do not have to stay in Las Vegas. (Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)
💡 Las Vegas: Commemorative Bulb from Official Las Vegas Light
There are plenty of Vegas mementos you can take home, but how often can you buy an actual piece of Sin City? This company partners with the owners of the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign to package and sell the light bulbs from the iconic sign when they’re replaced. Each bulb comes with a certificate of authenticity.
There are several options ranging from $30 to $200. City Cast Las Vegas co-host Sarah Lohman’s favorite is the desktop display that comes in a commemorative box.
🌭 Madison: Mustard of the Month Subscription from National Mustard Museum
When people think of Wisconsin, they probably think of cheese. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling wants to change that narrative:
“What began as one man's special interest turned into a museum of national acclaim. The National Mustard Museum is home to over 7,000 jars from across all 50 states and more than 70 countries. It's grown to be one of Wisconsin's most popular museums and was even featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show back in the day (1999). Each subscription also comes with a recipe newsletter.”
🕯️ Nashville: A Candle from Nonprofit Thistle Farms
Candles make for a great gift, especially when they come from a company with a powerful story. City Cast Nashville host Marie Cecile Anderson shares more about this Nashville institution:
“Thistle Farms is a nonprofit dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from sex work, trafficking, and addiction. They have partnered with nearly 2,000 women across the world. Their products are incredible — from candles and essential oils to apparel and body lotions — and they ship nationwide, with sister stores across the country.”
🥨 Philadelphia: A Food Package from Di Bruno Bros.
City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri wants you to be brotherly and share a piece of Philly this holiday season:
“This is a century-old Philadelphia institution in the heart of the Italian Market (situated in the greatest food city in America) that now ships amazingly curated foods like Philly pretzels! You can also order an Abbondanza Cheese & Charcuterie Gourmet Gift Box or a salami sampler! This jawn is really, really good.”
🚲 Pittsburgh: A Dashcam (and App) for Your Bicycle
City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris has a great recommendation for anyone who’s passionate about cycling and wants the experience to be safer. Pittsburgh-based Dashcam for Your Bike developed an app and accompanying phone mount that allows riders to use their phone to continuously record and easily submit photos and videos to 311 after an incident — there’s also one-tap recording and hazard maps directly connected to 311 in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Boston.
Artist Seasons K. Sparks makes everything you’ll find at Salty Raven. (Courtesy of Seasons K. Sparks)
🐦⬛ Portland: Merch from Salty Raven
Get some uniquely Oregon goodies from artist Seasons Kaz Sparks, who designs everything on Salty Raven’s shop and ships to all 50 states, as well as Canada. Here’s City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza’s recommendation:
☕️ Salt Lake City: Coffee from Jack Mormon Coffee
With shows like the “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Mormons are having a moment in pop culture. To keep the trend going, City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta has an unexpected recommendation:
“Maybe you've heard Mormons don't drink coffee. Allow us to subvert your expectations with Jack Mormon Coffee, a local roaster that gets its name from members of the LDS Church who are rebellious or unorthodox. Their coffee starts at $16 per bag and you get free shipping if you order three.”
🕯️ Seattle: A Candle from Good & Well Supply Co
City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu shares her favorite Seattle-based hand-poured candle with a sense of place:
“They also have lines of National Park-themed candles and state- and city-themed candles that would make great gifts to evoke memories of your favorite vacation or your hometown. They donate a portion of their proceeds to the National Park Foundation, Washington National Park Fund, and Black Outside — a group that advocates for diversity in the outdoors.”
😋 Twin Cities: Smoked Fish from Northern Waters Smokehaus
“Say it with fish,” says City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson.
“For about ten years, I've been ordering some smoked fish for friends around the holidays. This spot is in Duluth, a spectacular city in its own right, and also the most popular getaway for folks from the Twin Cities. If you actually go there you'll want to get the Cajun Finn jean jacket style. It's spectacular. But the main event is the amazing smoked salmon. You put that smoky flavor on top of a bagel and it's impossible to imagine a better taste.”
Listen to the full all-host episode for more small business gift recommendations and stories of the worst gift each host has ever received.
