Hello everyone
There is no doubt that it has been a tough year for everyone. This year has been The Little Green Larder's (and many other small businesses) most difficult year to date. We have witnessed a bunch of amazing local businesses close on the Perth Road.
So many small businesses are relying on a good Christmas pulling us through a very difficult year to ensure we can continue trading. The best thing you can do to help your independent shops right now is shopping locally
this festive period!
This year I aim to get all of my Christmas shopping done by the end of November. As always I will only buy sustainable gifts from local shops and businesses in Dundee.
Did you know that by shopping locally you not only reduce your carbon foot print, but you put money back into your local economy and support local jobs!
I’m pulling together some of my favourite local businesses so you can all make sustainable choices this Christmas. I’m in Dundee so the blog post is based around businesses that are local to here.
Lots of local businesses have been hit really hard by the Covid pandemic and they are relying on Christmas sales to try and pull through a really tough year. Local shops and businesses are at the heart of the community and helped to support us through lockdown. It is so important to continue to support the amazing local and sustainable businesses we have here in Dundee!
Local Shops
Kist
When I first got my keys to The Little Green Larder, Mairi (who owns Kist) was one of the first people to come over and say hello! She is so wonderful and supportive and I now call her my work wife! Her lovely shop is right across the road from us, we are so lucky to see her friendly face every day!
Kist has such beautiful items for sale. They are all locally sourced and handmade by Scottish artists. From beautiful jewellery, to sustainable beauty products, to prints. They have something for everyone. When you support Kist you are also supporting many local independent businesses.
Ok, ok I know I am being bias putting my shop on the list, but I promise you will like what we have. All of the products at The Little Green Larder are sustainable. We offer dried foods and whole foods unpackaged in bulk along with a large unpackaged snack section and vegan pick and mix. Bring a jar and fill up with tasty treats for your loved ones Christmas stocking! Read our blogs on adult and children sustainable stocking fillers here.
Have a read of our other posts to find out about some of the awesome sustainable gifts we have.
We also have great upcycled jewellery from local suppliers along with a large range of eco-friendly beauty and personal care products. If you are looking for bamboo toothbrushes, metal straws or sustainable dish washing products we have that too.
You can head over to our website to have some
books, sweets, eco kitchen items,
prints and much more delivered to you locally or posted out to you.
Pop in and see us at 272 Perth Road and say hello. We also have some eco hampers available for you to fill up and make a personalised sustainable hamper for your loved ones.
If you are a music fan then this store is a must! These guys sell new and pre loved records that will make amazing Christmas gifts! They host in store gigs and their shop comprises of some amazing upcycled items. The also sell some pretty amazing reusable tote bags!
If like me you are a beer lover then you have to visit Frasers Beer fridge! If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas then some fruity sour beers are a win! If beer isn’t on your shopping list then no worries, he has lots of beautiful chocolates, treats, deli products and of course lovely fruit and veg.
SookSouk is Dundee's coolest little vintage shop! Whether you are after a party dress, a cost coat or a snuggly jumper there is something for everyone. Pre-loved and vintage clothing are a super sustainable way to dress. Pop in to see them on the Perth Road and support your local vintage store!
The V&A Shop
We have teamed up with The V&A Shop to bring you a sustainable pop up in their lovely shop.
Until New Year we will have a selection of sustainable items that make great gifts in the V&A shop.
The shop also has a huge selection of beautiful items that your loved ones would enjoy this Christmas. There are lots of local products and definitely something for everyone.
Transition Dundee
Transition Dundee is a community led social enterprise in Dundee. They run The Community Fridge in Dundee's West End and The Wardrobe - a preloved clothing shop with a difference. This is such a great addition to Dundee city centre.
They have a Christmas jumper swap on just now so pop along and get a preloved festive jumper for your office party!
Not only does The Wardrobe sell a fantastic range of pre-loved clothing, it also hosts workshops, knitting socials and clothing repair drop in's.
Reboutique are the sister company of Serendipities cafe (mentioned earlier). They take waste materials from other businesses (fabric, wood, metal, paints) and from private donations and turn them into new furniture, clothes, and more. Nothing gets used just once!
They say "Sometimes things come in damaged beyond repair, or are otherwise unsuitable for reuse as their original purpose. We don't want to let usable materials just go to landfill though. We look at how they can be used in new and unique ways."
This amazing shop is not to be missed and you are sure to find one of a kind Christmas gifs here that everyone will love!
Online Local Businesses
Lot’s of you lovelies have fond memories of Marwick’s Vegan Kitchen, the most delicious vegan food ever. Well Marwick's Vegan is the next step in their journey. They sell sustainable gifts, beauty products and a range of tasty treats. It is online and will also be at the our Westend Christmas Market and Winterfest Market.
Gift the gift of soap this Christmas. This beautiful soap is made locally by 12 year old Amelia who is such an amazing business woman. Using soap bars, shampoo bars and conditioner bars saves plastic bottles from ending up as waste! Shower sustainably with Smelleez!
Follow her Facebook page for information on the markets she will be at. Alternatively pop into The Little Green Larder, we are proud to be stockists of her soap!
Average Alice's Shop - Depop
Our lovely TLGL staff member Alice runs her very own business called Average Alice. She has a gorgeous range of preloved and vintage clothing along with handmade accessories from upcycled materials.
Average Alice is a rainbow time machine! Finding colourful garms from the past and crafting statemen pieces!
Food and Drink
Based in The Carse of Gowrie, Cairn O’ Mohr make their wine in the traditional way. They use locally picked seasonal fruits to create the most amazing tasting wines ever. There is honestly something for everyone!
If wine isn’t your thing then they have lovely ciders and non alcoholic drinks too If you want to give the gift of an experience then a voucher for a tour of their winery is a great idea!
This wine is my favourite wine in the world. The boxes of cider are perfect for enjoying at a Christmas or new year party.
Here at The Little Green Larder we are huge Rad Apples fans! I literally cant stop eating (and drinking) here. The food is amazing and they have such a great selection of beer’s and wines.
Our customers at The Little Green Larder are always commenting on how wonderful it is at Rad apples and the fact that it feels like home as the staff are so welcoming and friendly.
The food is all vegan which means everyone can eat and enjoy their amazing food. Swing by here for a festive catch up with friends or grab a gift voucher for a loved one.
Mary’s Kitchen is such a beautiful Tea Room on Perth Road. They do award winning afternoon teas and just have the tastiest cakes ever. Gift vouchers for their luxury afternoon tea’s make an amazing gift, as do their tasty truffles.
The Roundhouse transforms surplus food into nutritious meals for distribution by foodbanks and food larders across Dundee. They also have a lovely café where you can get tasty meals and ‘pay it forward’ so that someone else can enjoy a lovely treat on you. They also have some great sustainable gifts.
Serendipities are an awesome vegan café in Dundee City Centre. They are a social enterprise offering yummy food, sustainable hot drinks and a safe space for adults with additional needs to gain experience.
They have a wonderful range of sustainable gifts as well as tasty cakes and baked treats that make great gifts.
Jewellers
There are too many amazing eco local jewellers so I am just going to mention a few here.
Scarlett Erskine uses your old jewellery to create stunning one of a kind pieces. She made me and amazing one of a kind ring from old broken jewellery I had that belonged to women in my family.
Bruadarach Me collects sea glass from brought ferry beach. She turns it in to amazing art pieces and different items of jewellery.
Natla is a sustainable and socially responsible jewellery brand that creates gorgeous pieces from sustainable silver.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post and it has inspired you to shop locally this Christmas. When shopping locally you put more money in your local economy and encourage a sense of community. You help to reduce your city’s carbon foot print and of course your own and you make your favourite local businesses very, very happy.
Do you know of any other sustainable local businesses? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Jillian
The Little Green Larder
