SHOP LOCAL

Many independent small businesses are still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Here's how shoppers can support them this holiday season.

As part of its Shop Local campaign, the Greater Houston Black Chamber and United are joining forces to launch the chamber’s 5th Annual Buy Black Campaign to promote and support Houston-area small, Black-owned businesses.

When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened Michelle Varnes’ career, she decided to take a leap of faith and start her own business.

Each month, Courtney and Derrick choose 4 of their favorite things they are currently obsessed with.

The Wunsche Brothers Cafe & Saloon is back after years of renovations. HOUSTON – The Wunsche Brothers Cafe & Saloon is back in business after years of renovations. The saloon shut down nearly six years ago following a fire in 2015, which caused significant damage, according to Community Impact Newspaper. According to Community Impact Newspaper, the restaurant was originally set to reopen in fall 2019 but the company confirmed that they are in a soft opening phase. The Wunsche Brothers Cafe’s menu features burgers, sandwiches, chicken fried steak and fried catfish.

HOUSTON – An outdoor pop-up market is coming to Houston. Eastside Pop-Up Shopping Market features over a dozen Houston vendors at Très Chic Boutique, which is located at 3414 Eastside Street. This market is in conjunction with the Tri Delt’s annual event “the SALE,” which was unfortunately canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, the group created the outdoor market as an extension of the “the SALE,” in the parking lot on Eastside Street between West Alabama and Richmond, right across from Kirby Ice House. All customers and vendors will be required to wear masks during the duration of the event.

HOUSTON – Holiday shopping is in full effect. This year, many families are taking advantage to shop locally and online. KPRC 2 has compiled a list of holiday Houston-area markets that you can support this season. Virtual EventsNutcracker MarketDates: Nov. 11 - Dec. 11, 2020The Chi Omega Christmas MarketDates: Nov. 10 - Dec. 31, 2020In-Person EventsCzech Christmas MarketAddress: Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto StreetDates: Dec. 5 - 19, 2020Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.Karbach Holiday Fest & Art MarketAddress: Karbach Brewing, 2032 Karbach Street, HoustonDates: Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20Times: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Candlelight Holiday Market at Sam Houston ParkAddress: 1000 Bagby StreetDate: Dec. 11 - 13Time: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.Holiday Market by The Social VeganAddress: Social Beer Garden HTX, 3101 San Jacinto StreetDates: Dec. 12 and Dec. 16Times: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.CyFair Nutcracker MarketAddress: Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, CypressDate: Dec. 12Times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Heights Mercantile Holiday MarketAddress: 714 Yale Street, HoustonDate: Dec. 12Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Christmas Market at KingwoodAddress: Town Center Park at Kingwood, 8 North Main StreetDate: Dec. 19Time: 12 p.m - 6 p.m.Flea by NightAddress: 1500 McKinney Street, HoustonDate: Saturdays through Dec. 19Time: 4-8 p.m.249 Holiday MarketAddress: 13621 Texas 249Date: Dec. 24Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SUGAR LAND, Texas – This year, the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop people from supporting Small Business Saturday. The Painted Tree Marketplace, located on Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land, showcases almost 200 small business vendors. On Saturday, the business was booming at the Painted Tree Marketplace. Nicole Flores is the store manager at the Painted Tree Marketplace and she owns the Sassy Gal Boutique. The Painted Tree Marketplace is open from 10 a.m. -8 p.m. every day.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A candy shop in The Woodlands received an outpouring of support Friday as dozens of customers lined up outside. The Candy House has been located at a shopping center along Glen Loch Drive for more than 20 years. Another customer created a GoFundMe page, which has already raised thousands of dollars for The Candy House. “It just brings tears to your eyes," said Summer Flower, who created the GoFundMe page. I’m overwhelmed.”If you would like to support The Candy House, visit here.

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HOUSTON – Houston Ballet’s biggest fundraiser is going virtual this year. The Nutcracker Market, a monthlong shopping event, features more than 200 merchants. It’s localMore than half of the participating merchants of the Nutcracker Market are based in Texas. Do some Christmas shoppingThe Nutcracker Market will feature many items that will make perfect presents and stocking stuffers this holiday season. You can still celebrate with your friendsYou can your family and friends plan a virtual shopping extravaganza.

HOUSTON An Austin-based company, the Good Air Team have designed dog masks that protect pets from toxins in the air. The K9 Mask provides N95 air filter protection against smoke, dust, bacteria, smog and other air pollutants, the company says. In 2019, Evan Daugherty and Kirby Holmes, the co-owners of the Good Air Team, launched a fully-funded Kickstarter campaign. The Good Air Team started in 2015 as an educational website about the damages of global air pollution and the solution of wearing a pollution air mask. The duo launched Pollution Air Mask, which protects people from air pollution using stylish designs with innovative face mask technology.

HOUSTON Rapper Bun B has partnered with Trill Taco in Missouri City. Known as the Trill OG, Bernard Freeman, who is one half of the southern rap duo UGK, is selling limited edition t-shirts in collaboration with the restaurant. Trill Taco celebrates rap culture by naming its menu of tacos, quesadillas, burritos and nachos after legends like Travis Scott, Fat Pat and Megan the Stallion. The merch drop also coincides with Bernard Bun B Freeman Day, which is August 30 in Houston. While signing shirts at Trill Taco on Saturday, he shared his thoughts on the Texans and the Rockets.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies.

If you want to feel a little less guilty about indulging in your sweet tooth, why not order from a local small business?

Houston brings out the best in diverse food, especially Mexican food.

Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 10. SALE Bath bombs 5$25 Bath bomb grab bags $8 Highlighted Soap Salted Cucumber & Pepino Melon $3 Baseball Caps $10 Don't forget Mother's day! Elaine’s Florist & Gift BasketsAddress: 4782 Beechnut, HoustonElaine’s Florist & Gift Baskets will have a Mother’s Day special with custom bouquets. DGZ ChocolatesDGZ is now taking orders for Mother’s Day on boxed toffee and chocolate turtles. Houston Wine MerchantAddress: 2646 S. Shepherd, HoustonThe scenes you’ve been sharing of you, your meals, and your Houston Wine Merchant hauls are inspiring!

HOUSTON – Hughie’s is a fresh, vibrant, and family-owned Vietnamese and American fusion restaurant. Some of those dishes include both the Shaking Beef and Shaking Chicken: both tender and delicious and packing a big-time-flavor-punch. Hughie’s is a place that combines very fresh vegetables with hearty proteins. It is the creativity in the cuisine: exciting flavors cooked infusing Vietnamese and American favorites. Hughie’s Tavern and Vietnamese GrilleAddress: 4721 North Main Street, HoustonPhone: 281-888-9415

HOUSTON – No Name Bar-B-Q is an iconic restaurant in Pasadena serving mouthwatering barbecue for 37 years. The owner, Neel McGovern, has always believed in serving fresh and juicy meats such as ribs, brisket, and sausage. This Texas joint offers a down-home feeling the minute you walk through the door. It is easy to feel like part of the family, the minute you hear Neel or Sammy, the pit-masters, say, "How ya doin'?" Next time you are in the Pasadena area, give No Name Bar-B-Q a try.

Thousands of small businesses are probably gone for good because of the failure of the federal government to act quickly enough. To avoid catastrophic failure across large swaths of our small business economy, we need to quickly get a large number of small sums to a substantial portion of the 50 million small businesses and freelancers across America. If you include the 24.8 million businesses that are sole proprietorships, 98% of U.S. businesses employ fewer than 20 people. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because a business is small or a solo business, it isn't valuable or an economic driver. Drilling down on small business demographicsHere's another misunderstanding: America's small business owners aren't white males anymore.

HOUSTON – Founded in 1983, Cavatore Italian Restaurant is a family business with deep roots in the Heights neighborhood. However, the restaurant received a tip this week the owner said they would never forget. "When this all started a few weeks back, we all expected this to end in two weeks," said Federico Cavatore, the owner of Cavatore Italian Restaurant. Three years ago, Cavatore started a farmer's market on the restaurant property, inviting dozens of local and small vendors to sell their goods. "It's a much safer environment to shop in," another small business owner said.

HOUSTON – Local Table is a farm to table restaurant, featuring locally sourced food at a moderate price. Before you even taste the dishes at Local Table, you can see how fresh these meals are. The place screams “fresh and wholesome.”Local Table has a sincere mission to serve you the freshest food, locally sourced, every single day. If you are looking for fresh and clean eating, then Local Table is one place you should try. Supporting local businesses allows businesses like Local Table to keep hardworking people working during the coronavirus crisis.