SmallBusinessSaturday (4)

TDS associates share their small business recommendations

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on small businesses across the country. More than a year and a half since it all started, many are still struggling to get back on their feet. Tomorrow, Nov. 27, is Small Business Saturday, a day to encourage shopping at local and online small businesses. Shopping small is an easy way to support the communities that mean so much to TDS. Here are five small businesses recommended by BendBroadband and TDS associates.

Earth’s Art – Redmond, Oregon

Recommended by Andrew

What is this small business? Earth’s Art is a full-service retail garden center located in downtown Redmond. The center’s perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs are suited to the area, and Earth’s Art has a great variety of products each season. They also offer landscaping solutions to help you create the home garden you’ve always wanted.

Where is it located? In the heart of Redmond’s beautiful, and growing, downtown area—surrounded by many more small shops, restaurants, and cafés you can support!

What is your favorite product? This time of year, they have a great selection of holiday decorations. In the Spring, they offer the most beautiful long-lasting hanging baskets.

Edelweiss Gifts and More – Monroe, Wisconsin

Recommended by Richard

What is this small business? Edelweiss Gifts and More is a small gift shop, and they also sell pieces others have made on consignment along with little treasures found here or there. It’s my kids’ favorite store when they are looking for a gift to give someone or something to decorate the house with.

Where is it located? We have so many small shops here in the town square in Monroe, Wisconsin, with the TDS office just over one street. Edelweiss Gifts and More is on the southeast corner, right by the movie theater.

What makes this shop unique? The owners do a lot for the community. They keep a small bookcase in front of the store with free books for anyone who would like one, and they leave out dog treats in a jar for those walking around the square.

Green Life Trading Co. – Madison, Wisconsin, and Online

Recommended by Erin

What is this small business? Green Life Trading Co. sells natural and zero-waste products for home and self-care. It is an excellent place to shop for gifts!

Where is it located? On Willy Street, along with many more small shops, restaurants, and cafés. Make a morning of Small Business Saturday – have brunch on Willy and spend a few hours exploring!

What is your favorite product? Toilet bombs! These smell amazing and make an unpleasant task a little more tolerable. Conventional toilet bowl cleaners are typically filled with harmful chemicals, but these use hydrogen peroxide and citric acid to safely clean.

Judy’s Art Co. – Janesville, Wisconsin, and Online

Recommended by Leah  

What is this small business? Judy’s Art Co. is my mom’s small art business that she started since retiring from teaching elementary and middle school art. She creates a wide variety of paintings and pencil drawings, and her prices are very reasonable for one-of-a-kind commissioned art. If you reach out to her soon, she could have some art done for you before the holiday season.

Where is it located? My mom participates in small art shows and craft fairs in the Janesville, Wisconsin, area, but you can also check out her art and contact her via her website.

What is your favorite product? My personal favorites are her pet portraits. She painted our four babies – King, Oma, Ogden, and Bruno – and the art hangs on our living room wall. She has painted pet portraits for a couple other people at TDS too.

Modern Farm and Artisan Co-Op – St. George, Utah

Recommended by TDS associate, Sarah

What is this small business? The Co-Op is a curated collection of goods from local artists, gardeners, and farmers. They have a wide variety of products, from artwork, pottery, stained glass, and jewelry to snack mixes, produce, teas, and pastured meat to lotions, soaps, herbal tinctures, and teas. It’s like a year-round indoor farmers market.

What makes it special? They’re part of the MoFACo nonprofit, so as much money as possible goes back to the artisan. Also, products are added and changed out frequently, so there’s always something new to discover.

What is your favorite product? They recently started carrying Obsidian’s chocolates, which are to die for!

About Garrett Seymour

Garrett works on the Corporate Communications team as a Brand Journalist. On a day-to-day basis, he helps tell TDS’ story through a variety of multimedia tools on various online venues. In May of 2020, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Journalism School with a degree in Strategic Communications. He also has a passion for emerging communication methods and received a certificate in Digital Studies. Originally hired as a Corporate Communications Intern in college, Garrett is thrilled to be a part of TDS’ diverse and inclusive company culture.
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