Share Your Favorite Small Business for a Chance to Win!

Chameleon Counters in Copperas Cove, TX, provides excellent customer service and knowledge with regards to reptiles, birds and exotic 'critters'. It is a Reptile retail business that has been owned and run by husband and wife for 21 years.  Husband passed away, but wife does an outstanding job of taking care of customers and families desiring a new pet.

A bit down because of the pandemic? Tired? Apprehensive? I have a wonderful remedy for all those ailments right here in Houston, Texas. I visit The Path of Tea, a wonderful tea shop. While I browse through the hundreds of organic teas, I remember past happiness: visiting with friends, family members, dear loved ones… I choose a few ounces of delicate tea to take home; then I order a cup of green tea and a few delicious cookies; sitting down in the fragrant shop, sipping, nibbling, I look around at the displays on the wall: a kimono, pictures of tea plants tidily growing on a mountain side, delicate art. On the shelves, beautiful tea sets and cups for sale; I have found here many delightful gifts along the years. A mere half hour in the amazing Path of Tea, I feel rejuvenated, all burdens lifted. This is the gift of going down the memory lane in peaceful familiar surroundings.

Tonys Burgers in Lincoln, Ar are always open for us and willing to help with our special orders! Thanks!

I'd like to recognize Smokin Toads BBQ Restaurant in Sarver, PA for all their hard work and fantastic food!

Small business revenues have plunged during the Covid-19 pandemic and among the hardest hit and severely impacted has been jobs in the restaurant industry.  The Market Place Grill Cafe in Downey, California is one of the restaurants that have been severely impacted.  During the work week, a line would form at least 20 people deep during the busy lunch hours.  Lately, however, this is not the case.  

Market Place Grill has been my favorite lunch spot, and occasionally dinner spot for years.  The menu is casual American & Mediterranean  food with the philosophy serving healthy, simple and delicious foods with low sodium recipes and the extensive use of Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and clean food choices.  My favorites include a salmon salad, avocado panini and baklava.  Their menu includes breakfast with numerous choices such as french toast and eggs, to a greek vegetarian omelet and lunch menu include greek wraps or pita to chicken tenders, burgers and ribeye salad.  All the salads have a wonderful greek olive oil based dressing served in an oversized bowl.  Tasty, healthy and esthetically pleasing, this local favorite is delicious.  

Market Place Grill is a great place to catchup with old friends, new friends and also to share a meal with your family.  What makes this place so special?  Not just the wonderful and healthy food, and exquisite desserts and but also the wonderful people that work there.  All employees are dressed in black slacks and a black shirt with a black apron along with a smile.  

Lots of great businesses in Seattle. Two come to mind that do good for the community. Half Price Books and Silver Platters. Both are about recycling old Books and Music.  HPB has thousands of books, they buy and sell. Silver Platters does the same service except for old music, records, tapes, CDs!  They have been around forever supporting the needs of the locals, keeping folks employed and giving great bargains to all!

My most favorite local business is "THE ORIGINAL GARDEN OF BEADIN' in Garberville California. Through thick and thin, for 35 plus years, Charlotte has kept an impressive bead store... and it is so much more. It is a hub in a small community, it has been a great place of employment for so many woman. There are bead classes, online shopping and a selection of beads that can't be beat. It is beautiful! She is an active community member that gives back to the community in so many ways. 

My favorite community business is Sage and Attachments in Flemington, NJ . Not only do they have wonderful items for children, clothing, jewelry  for women and gifts that are just great but the owner is constantly finding ways to give back to the community. Thieve two sister stores are great and the owner deserves this recognition.

My favorite small business is connecting grandchildren with grandparents in a fun, exciting way.. through good old fashioned snail mail.  Such a unique gift for birthdays and holidays -- Snail Mail for Kids has created a mascot, Sunny the Mail Snail, who sends kids their very own letter every week.  All kids love mail so much and hearing from a friend every week is perfect for kids stuck at home or lonely throughout this pandemic.  Plus, it keeps kids reading and learning about the world too.  Created by an "over 50" mom who was looking for a creative way to get her son reading, now she has started her own business with letters going to kids all over the world.  She turned Sunny the Mail Snail into a fun little plush snail kids can snuggle with while they read their mail.  We all love mail and everyone needs something special in the mail every week.  The kids solve secret codes, collect little treasures, color bookmarks and more. It's a really fun small business putting smiles on faces everywhere.  I hope I haven't posted too many pictures...

I’d like to honor my favorite small business in Harrisburg, NC.  Sunflour Baking Company offers a wonderful fresh food experience with great beverages, sandwiches, and exceptional sweet treats.  They are very involved in the community and have been extremely supportive in donating to local charities  including my personal connection to the Greater Charlotte Autism Speaks as I  have a son on the spectrum.  Sunflour Baking Company has 4 local bake shops in the Charlotte Area.  Best place, best people, best food, best heart ❤️ 
Submitted by Barbara Tappy