By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
It’s that time of year again! The quest to find the perfect gifts for the amazing people in our lives is underway. But this holiday season, let’s make our gifts count for more. Supporting Black-owned businesses is a powerful way to uplift communities and celebrate creativity, resilience, and innovation. At the same time, choosing eco-friendly businesses helps protect our environment and promotes sustainable living.
By shopping locally and consciously, we can give gifts that not only delight our loved ones but also contribute to a brighter future for everyone. Below is a list of eco-conscious Black-owned Sacramento businesses offering unique gifts, sweet treats, and meaningful experiences. Let’s shop smart, shop local, and give back this holiday season!
The Gift Of Knowledge
Underground Books: A book makes a great gift every year. Underground Books is a Black-owned bookstore that offers a wide selection of literature, including works by Black authors. It focuses on community engagement and cultural education, providing a space for readers to explore diverse perspectives.
Impound Comics: Have a comic enthusiast in your life? This may be a perfect gift. Impound Comics is a Black-owned comic book store with an epic new comic series created by two brothers. Based in Sacramento, it focuses on community engagement and cultural education, providing a space for comic enthusiasts to explore diverse new stories.
The Gift Of Food
Yummy Honey Co.: This Black woman-owned business specializes in certified kosher honey. It offers various honey products, including California buckwheat and orange blossom honey, emphasizing ethical preparation and environmental consciousness. The company seeks to educate the community about the health benefits of honey and the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Yummy Honey Co. products can be found at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
One Love Toffee Candy Co.: One Love Toffee Candy Co. is on a mission to inspire kindness, spark meaningful conversations, and break down barriers through the universal love of food. Made in Sacramento, their almond toffee boasts a surprisingly soft crunch and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. With a perfectly balanced blend of flavors, its sweetness enhances rather than overpowers the taste. By crafting exceptional toffee and fostering connections, One Love Toffee Candy Co. aims to empower communities and unite people for a better tomorrow. Products can be found at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
Berry and Thyme: This Sacramento-based fruit preserves company is celebrated for its unique jams that pair fruits with flowers, herbs, peppers, or spices. Its best-selling flavor, strawberry and lavender, has become a local favorite. You can find their delicious jams every Saturday at the Midtown Farmers Market, online through their website, or at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op. Committed to quality, Berry&Thyme uses simple, wholesome ingredients, avoiding artificial preservatives, commercial pectin, or thickeners. Founder Erin, a food and botanical enthusiast, has beautifully blended her passions to create vibrant, flavorful preserves that delight the senses. Their products can be found at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
Righteous Kernels: Using only the finest ingredients, Righteous Kernels starts with organic, non-GMO yellow butterfly kernels sourced from Nebraska. These are popped in small, artisan batches using organic cold-pressed coconut oil, then elevated with wholesome ingredients like organic soy-free dark chocolate, avocado oil, organic cinnamon, and Himalayan salt. Every product is gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, and crafted without artificial additives. At Righteous Kernels, high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients meet a commitment to clean, delicious snacks. Products can be found at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
Tata Raw: Tata Raw is dedicated to providing convenient, delicious, and high-quality raw, live, and unprocessed foods for those seeking a health-promoting diet. Their mission is to make raw foods exciting and accessible, breaking the monotony of limited food options by offering a vibrant variety that nourishes the body and delights the senses. With every bite, you’ll experience a true cross-section of real, nutrient-rich food from the Earth, presented in colorful and enticing ways. Tata Raw pledges to deliver the ultimate in taste and quality, supporting your body’s regeneration and rejuvenation with every meal. Their products can be found at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
The Gift Of Fashion
LiBush International Connections Africa: In the heart of Old Sacramento, LiBush offers a diverse selection of African art, apparel, jewelry, gifts, and skincare items. Most items in the store are made in Africa and by hand. They seek to support the local community by providing unique handcrafted products that celebrate African culture. Additionally, 10% of all proceeds directly support L.I.O.N., a nonprofit focused on creating solutions to end destitution.
1 Up Retro Clothing: This Black-owned boutique offers vintage and retro-inspired apparel and focuses on sustainable fashion by upcycling and repurposing clothing, promoting eco-friendly practices in the fashion industry.
The Gift Of Experiences
The Honey Throne Detox Spa: This Black-owned wellness center features a range of eco-friendly spa services, including detox treatments, massages, and holistic therapies. Its natural and organic products promote health and well-being, providing a serene environment for clients to relax and rejuvenate. Gift a virtual gift card to your loved ones.
The Rich Groomer: Looking for the perfect gift for your beloved dog or cat? The Rich Groomer has you covered! Specializing in premium grooming products, they offer safe, gentle options for your pet’s skin and coat, including hypoallergenic products for pets with extra-sensitive skin. Their salon provides a variety of services, from haircuts and shaves to skincare treatments, all delivered with care and a commitment. Virtual gift cards are available for purchase.