Small Business Spotlight 2022

Ohio

Columbus, OH

Florin Coffee

Arkansas

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Eureka Springs, AR

Hawaii

Surfer's Coffee

Wahiawa, HI

Indiana

Stream Cliff Farm, Restaurant & Winery

Commiskey, IN

Kentucky

DV8 Kitchen

Lexington, KY

Massachusetts

Hollis Hill Farm

Fitchburg, MA

Maryland

Drama Mama Bookshop

Baltimore, MD

20 Incredible Small Businesses We Love In 2022

Maine

The Red Barn

Augusta, ME

Mississippi

That Gumbo Life

Gautier, MS

Northern California

One House Bakery

Benicia, CA

North Dakota

Beyond Buckskin

Belcourt, ND

Nebraska

Broken Spoke Boutique

Valentine, NE

New Jersey

My Fair Trade Lady

Haddon Heights, NJ

Rhode Island

Jaswell's Farm

Smithfield, RI

Washington

Amma's Umma

Port Angeles, WA

West Virginia

Totally Glazed

Princeton, WV

Alabama

Drexell & Honeybee's

Brewton, AL

Arizona

The Joy Bus Diner

Phoenix, AZ

Colorado

Four by Brother Luck

Colorado Springs, CO

Connecticut

Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies

Hamden, CT

Iowa

grāz

Pella, IA

Minnesota

Afro Deli & Grill

Minneapolis, MN

Missouri

The Gentle Barn

Dittmer, MO

New Mexico

Michael's Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery

Taos, NM

Pennsylvania

Midnight Izzy's

Ligonier, PA

Virginia

River-Sea Chocolates

Chantilly, VA

Alabama

Aww Shucks

In March 2020, Alabamans Phillip and Avrie Powell did the impossible: they opened a business. And not just any business: a vegetarian, gourmet, fire-roasted-corn, food-truck business. In Birmingham, Alabama. This is the story of how two ordinary people set their sights on something bigger and greater, not only succeeding but thriving, inspiring, and setting world records along the way.

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There are many ways to change the world; as individuals, we have the power to plant the seeds for lasting and meaningful change, both in our communities and beyond. In Idaho, Poppy & Pout is a small-but-mighty boutique on a mission to make cosmetics more eco-friendly and sustainable. Eschewing the litany of indecipherable ingredients, Poppy & Pout’s signature handmade lip balms are beautiful — inside and out.

Poppy & Pout

Idaho

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Bourbon is a quintessential part of the Bluegrass; it isn’t just a Kentucky icon; it’s an inextricable, fundamental, celebrated part of the state’s culture and identity. Within this spirited culture, Bardstown Bourbon stands apart. Established in 2016, Bardstown Bourbon is leading the way into the future of bourbon production in Kentucky, cultivating a culture of inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility.

Bardstown Bourbon

Kentucky

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Barn Hill Preserve is doing great things for the world’s most marvelous creatures. What began as a mere seed of passion for animals and education has blossomed into a thriving haven for exotic animals. Barn Hill Preserve has put the small town of Ethel, Louisiana, on the map as a place for fascinating animal interactions, world-class education, and high-level conservation efforts.

Barn Hill Preserve

Louisiana

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Before Ben and Jerry, there was Steve, the owner and visionary of Massachusetts’ Steve’s Ice Cream. Steve Herrell’s eponymous first ice cream shop in Somerville opened in 1973. Herrell’s second ice cream business in the Bay State opened in 1980. A long-standing, family-run establishment in Northampton, Massachusetts, Herrell's has stood the test of time, pioneering new techniques and satisfying sweet tooths.

Herrell's

Massachusetts

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While it’s widely considered one of the most charming small towns in the country, Mackinac Island is best known for fudge: the island has 14 fudge shops that collectively make more than 10,000 pounds of fudge per day during peak season. Within this Willy Wonka wonderland, May’s Candy Shop is a fourth-generation, family-run confectioner that’s not only the town’s oldest but one of Michigan's most beloved businesses. Editors Note: May's Candy Shop is temporarily closed for the winter but will reopen in spring 2023.

May's Candy Shop

Michigan

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There’s nothing that bolsters our collective spirit more than a story about someone achieving the American Dream — and the story behind New York’s Champion Pizza is sure to inspire. It’s a tale of trials and triumphs, flaming dough, faith, and philanthropy. It all begins with one man’s dream and ends with a legacy that’s sure to transcend a single lifetime. But the legacy isn’t pizza — it’s perseverance.

Champion Pizza

New York

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Most kids dream of becoming firefighters or presidents, but not Paul DiDario. When DiDario was five years old, his father caught a rough green snake in the yard to show him, and he soon dreamed of a career where he could work with these captivating creatures. In 2017, he founded OBX Lizard Land. Located on the way to The Outer Banks of North Carolina, OBX Lizard Land is a refuge for the world’s most fascinating creatures.

OBX Lizard Land

North Carolina

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From plucking a ripe, juicy orb right off a tree to enjoying fresh-milled apple cider — and fresh-baked apple cider donuts — apples are the original fall mascot. And in the Buckeye State, Brant’s Apple Orchard is the most picture-perfect, family-friendly apple orchard of them all; a family-owned and operated Ohio orchard that offers guests the sweetest slice of fall.

Brant's Apple Orchard

Ohio

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In 2019, a colorful cart arrived in Portland, Oregon, delighting everyone with its fresh take on a classic summer treat. Kulfi, a type of Indian ice cream, was its name, and Kiran Cheema and Gagan Aulakh its owners, operators, recipe developers, social marketing team, chefs, and pretty much everything else. Kulfi has since set up a permanent popsicle shop, and their story is nothing short of extraordinary.

Kulfi

Oregon

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Back in 2002, when Portlanders Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten took the plunge to plant-based living, they couldn't even find t-shirts to tout their newfound veganism. So they did it themselves. The result? Herbivore, an all-vegan general store in Portland, Oregon, selling everything from cookbooks and tees to combat boots and wallets. You don't even need to be vegan to enjoy this quirky shop.

Herbivore

Oregon

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Take something old, and make it new. This is the mantra of Ruthie, a Southern California-based online boutique that denounces the concept of fast fashion, incorporating fresh designs with vintage jewelry and apparel. Led by North Carolina transplant Katie Levans, Ruthie is proof positive that big, sweeping, massive, change begins small — with one company, one person, and one idea at a time.

Ruthie

Southern California

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The image of a cowboy atop a horse is as American as it gets, and in Utah, this icon is celebrated in a very 21st-century way at female-owned and operated KB Horses. Owner Bren Metzger wasn't always interested in horses; she previously worked in Silicon Valley. Today, this locally-owned horse ranch offers riding lessons and guided trail rides year-round to connect humans and horses in perfect harmony.

KB Horses

Utah

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They say Vermont kids learn to walk on skis, but in recent years, this pastime has become less and less accessible. But not at Lyndon Outing Club. Established in 1937, Lyndon Outing Club was once the celebrated epicenter of winter recreation in Vermont. What was once an Olympic training center now serves a far nobler role: providing quality, affordable, family-friendly outdoor recreation experiences to all.

Lyndon Outing Club

Vermont

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West Virginia is a state that does not get the respect and adoration it deserves. But at The Inn at Lost River, Patrick Goodwin and Michael Ortiz-Sanchez are challenging that narrative. Housed in an 1880s Folk Victorian Farmhouse with handsome woodwork and original pine floors, The Inn at Lost River is an impossibly charming bed and breakfast that's breathed new life into its little corner of the Mountain State.

The Inn At Lost River

West Virginia

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Since 1931, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern has been producing first-rate fromage, selling everything from Swiss and cheddar to stinky Limburger and smoked blue. Baumgartner’s also operates as a restaurant, concocting the most creatively cheesy combinations sure to tantalize taste buds. The oldest cheese store in Wisconsin, Baumgartner’s is a quintessential part of the state’s cultural identity.

Baumgartner's

Wisconsin

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Beyond Buckskin’s mission is to create a substantial movement of Native American representation in the fashion industry, and to bring greater recognition to Native-made fashion. This North Dakota-based business is creating a much-needed platform wherein emerging and established artists can bring their work to new audiences. It’s a daunting task, but something Beyond Buckskin Owner Jessica R. Metcalfe is proudly taking on.

Blue Loon Bakery

New Hampshire

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Tex-Mex fusion is an authentically Texas creation that's a beautiful homage to our neighbors to the South, with a Texas-sized twist. And in Texas, there's no better place for Tex-Mex cuisine than Matt's El Rancho. Established in 1952 in the city's old South Lamar neighborhood, Matt’s is Austin’s oldest Tex-Mex restaurant; a place that took a chance on the big, bold flavors of Mexico — and never looked back.

Matt's El Rancho

Texas

The United States is home to countless one-of-a-kind small businesses worthy of our patronage. Here at OnlyInYourState, we feature diverse businesses of all types and sizes on a regular basis, but our annual Small Business Spotlight series dives deeper, recognizing the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country. From a distillery leading the way into the future of bourbon production in Kentucky to a Tex-Mex icon in the Lone Star State, we can't wait to share these 20 inspiring small businesses with you.

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In Haddon Heights, New Jersey, one small shop is making a difference around the globe by providing an inventory of goods, crafts, clothing, and gourmet foods that are all products of fair trade. Take a look at this remarkable shop and pick out a gift for someone you love, or a treat for yourself! At My Fair Trade Lady in New Jersey, shoppers can support the global fair trade movement, one sale at a time. Beautiful, handmade products that support a global cause? Now that’s truly a win-win.

Heirloom

Delaware

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Eating is an experience, and food brings cultures together in a way nothing else can or does. In Lewes, Delaware, Heirloom is a restaurant that celebrates the culinary experience from start to finish. This restaurant takes “farm to table” dining to heart, highlighting the local farmers and fishermen of the Delmarva region from whence it hails, its white house with red shutters welcoming diners to the table since 2015.

Heirloom

Delaware

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Washington

Alabama

Drexell & Honeybee's

Brewton, AL

Hawaii

Surfer's Coffee

Wahiawa, HI

Arkansas

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Eureka Springs, AR

Arizona

The Joy Bus Diner

Phoenix, AZ

Illinois

Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie

Evanston, IL

Delaware

Heirloom

Lewes, DE

Texas

Matt's El Rancho

Austin, TX

Iowa

grāz

Pella, IA

New Hampshire

Blue Loon Bakery

New London, NH

Wisconsin

Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern

Monroe, WI

West Virginia

The Inn at Lost River

Lost City, WV

Vermont

Lyndon Outing Club

Lyndonville, VT

Utah

KB Horses

Heber City, UT

Southern California

Ruthie

Los Angeles, CA

Oregon

Herbivore

Portland, OR

Oregon

Kulfi

Portland, OR

Ohio

Brant's Apple Orchard

Ashtabula, OH

North Carolina

OBX Lizard Land

Currituck, NC

New York

Champion Pizza

New York City, NY

Michigan

May's Candy Shop

Mackinac Island, MI

Herrell's

Northampton, MA

Louisiana

Barn Hill Preserve

Ethel, LA

Kentucky

Bardstown Bourbon

Bardstown, KY

Idaho

Poppy & Pout

Alabama

Aww Shucks

Birmingham, AL

Idaho Falls, ID

Massachusetts

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There is nothing that brings people together better than a hot meal. Whether it’s a community, a neighborhood, or a family, food is an experience we can all share together. In fact, for many, food is a universal language that crosses cultures, countries, and cuisines. For the owners of Drexell and Honeybee’s Donations Only Restaurant, food is their offering to the community of Brewton, Alabama.

Aww Shucks

Alabama

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In December 1991, Don and Hilda Jackson, already the owners of two lions, were asked to assist a woman who was keeping 42 lions and tigers in three cattle trailers in a rural area near Hope, Arkansas. After observing the animals’ living conditions and diminished health, the Jacksons ultimately ended up rescuing 14 of these neglected big cats. This was just the tip of the iceberg, however.

Poppy & Pout

Idaho

Whether you live on Oahu or are visiting from a neighboring island or even the United States mainland, there’s little we recommend more than escaping the hoards of tourists and heading inland – to the heart of the island. In the small town of Wahiawa (population: 17,122), you will find one of the islands’ best small businesses: a local watering hole that is as much about community as it is about coffee.

Since 1977, The Red Barn in Augusta has been a mainstay for generations of families. People return not just for the delicious food offered at a great value, but also for the great sense of community. When Bill and Florence Benedict first opened the doors to The Red Barn, they served chicken and seafood to both locals and tourists in central Maine. Today it is still owned and operated by a member of the Benedict family.

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It's not just a globally inspired menu that makes Noir d'Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie, a French-inspired bakery in Evanston, so unique. It's the love that chef-owner Journey Shannon puts into each and every dish, and her committment to becoming an "inspirer of happiness" in her little corner of Illinois.

Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie

Illinois

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Coffee shops are a dime a (baker's) dozen. But New Hampshire’s Blue Loon Bakery is not your typical neighborhood bakery. From its location inside a beautifully converted 1830s farmhouse to its commitment to making everything from scratch daily to its welcoming hospitality and community-minded ethos, Blue Loon Bakery serves up delicious sweets and smiles to all who come through its doors.

Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie

Illinois

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Noir d'Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie

Illinois

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Coffee shops are a dime a (baker's) dozen. But New Hampshire’s, Blue Loon Bakery is not your typical neighborhood bakery. From its location inside a beautifully converted 1830s farmhouse to its commitment to making everything from scratch daily to its welcoming hospitality and community-minded ethos, Blue Loon Bakery serves up delicious sweets and smiles to all who come through its doors.eyond Buckskin Owner Jessica R. Metcalfe is proudly taking on.

Blue Loon Bakery

New Hampshire