One of the best things about this time of year is it’s a season of giving. It’s so fun to peruse the aisles with your loved ones in mind, looking for the perfect gift that you know they will just love.

With the amount of money that Americans plan on spending this year, imagine how great it would be if some of that was reinvested into our local economy by supporting businesses in our community. For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community, versus only $43 if you shop at a national chain. Plus, local products are unique and thoughtful. They tell a story about the places we call home, and are sure to delight everyone on your list.

Here are some North Carolina-made items that we absolutely love:


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1. Little Red Wagon Granola

This yummy granola is made by a mom in Chapel Hill, who was inspired by memories of baking with her grandmother to create a product using basic, wholesome ingredients. She started at the Chapel Hill Carrboro farmer’s market and her granola is now carried in small grocers along the East coast.

 

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2. Carolina Brewery’s Santa’s Secret Holiday Spiced Ale

Also hailing from Chapel Hill, Carolina Brewery’s Santa’s Secret is a tasty elixir containing a careful blend of coriander, cinnamon, orange and allspice. The brewery likes to say it’s “the closest thing to Christmas in a glass” and it’s a great choice for a lover of craft beers. Doesn’t hurt that it’s one of our Co+Op Deals, too!

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3. Santosha Chocolate

Santosha Chocolate is stoneground and handcrafted from all organic and non-GMO ingredients, crafted with the finest, fair-trade, organic, heirloom-variety, raw cacao beans. These chocolate bars are made in Asheville and wrapped by hand with love in environmentally friendly packaging made from recycled materials and printed with vegetable-based inks. If you like chocolate, you have got to try these.

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4. Silver Spoon Apiaries Local Honey

Once you’ve tasted local honey, there’s no going back. It’s so good! Wilmington’s own Silver Spoon Apiaries have hives located throughout Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties. Their honey, hive products, and bees are produced through the most natural beekeeping methods practical. They do not use lipophilic chemical miteacides or off-label pesticides as is a common practice in modern beekeeping. Their motto is “We love our bees so you will love our honey”.

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5. Moravian Mint Chocolate Cookies

Moravian Cookies date back to the 18th century, when settlers from the European kingdom of Moravia journeyed to America and founded the town of Salem in 1766. They created these thin cookies as a way to preserve and enjoy rare, treasured ingredients like molasses, allspice and ginger. Because of the precious ingredients and the time required to roll the dough so thin, the cookies were traditionally made only during the holidays. Salem Baking Company has been making these traditional favorites in Winston-Salem since 1930.

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6. Down To Earth Aromatics

Boasting the largest essential oil collection East of the Mississippi, Down to Earth aromatics is located in the heart of downtown Wilmington. The shop looks like an apothecary from days past and they can consult with you on using oils for therapeutic purposes or if you just want a new signature scent. The quality of the oils they use is top-notch and their custom blends smell amazing.

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7. Carolina’s Vintage Wine

This family owned and operated winery is located in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina. Their hand crafted wine recipes date back to the 1950’s, and to this day they use the same single varietal of fresh blueberries. And, since they use only naturally ground filtered water, extracted through 200 feet of coquina unique to the region, the wine has a one-of-a-kind taste.

Being community-owned ourselves, supporting North Carolina’s small business culture is important to us and is, in fact, one of our cooperative principles. Think local. Buy local. Be a local.

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