Hello and happy almost holidays ADDICTED readers!  If you follow me or Mark on social media then I’m sure you’ve seen us speak on the plight of small businesses, and the blows they’ve endured thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. From lockdowns that force them to close their doors to lack of real government support, small businesses have faced serious challenges, and many have already succumbed, while others struggle still. In many cities, including our home in Toronto, small businesses are living through another lockdown in the season that would usually make their year:  That’s right, businesses are closed for at least the next few weeks, right in the  middle of the holiday shopping season.

So in the spirit of the season, one of community and generosity, we’ll be doing our holiday shopping from small, local businesses wherever possible.  And as we’ve come to discover, it’s actually possible in a lot of places!  So to help ourselves, and you, out with supporting small businesses, here is our ongoing ADDICTED Small Business Directory. Inspired by our pals at The Rebel Mama (check out their super comprehensive list)  we want to showcase small businesses from around the world, linked right here for you to peruse for your shopping pleasure. We’ll be adding to this list as long as we discovered great places to shop, so please send us your recommendations through our email and social media.

We’ve been saying we’re in this together since March.  Now it’s time to show each other what that actually means.  Stay safe, wear a mask, and be kind to one another. Happy shopping!

(in alphabetical order, all providing online shopping and global shipping).

Bag of Toronto:  a bag filled with a curated selection of goods from different downtown Toronto businesses.  Bags are organized by neighborhood.

Beauty Counter: Clean, conscious self-care products for adults and kids!

Beauty Counter
Instagram

 

Kotn:  Fashion basics and more made from Egyptian Cotton.  Proceeds go to support the construction of schools in Egypt!

Lovers’ Rock Creations: handmade jewelry, curated crystal sets & other wellness/spiritual items

M Boutique: Fans of iconic Toronto fashion boutique Mendecino will love shopping at its new iteration M Boutique.

Nadia Lloyd: Original Art and fashion inspired by it, by a Black/Egyptian artist (she’s the maker of the masks the Raptors wore all season!)

NB Life: for yoga therapy and support planning virtual (and eventually in person) retreats and digital detoxes

RE ONA: For beautiful slinky basics from a Black-owned brand

Rock ‘n Karma: Badass black clothes for the rocker babe in all of us.

RICCO NOIR STUDIOS: a New York based lifestyle brand, artist collective & management agency

Rosalie Wynne – female owned, designed and created beautiful body positive intimate wear made to order in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Rosie and her Mama: cute handmade masks with 25% of proceeds supporting Black Lives Matter Canada.

Sotes Skin Care: for chocolate lotion/lipbalm that needs no introduction