America is facing Great Depression-level unemployment right now, and now more than ever, people are looking to support American businesses.

This interest in buying local is a ray of light in a very dark situation.

We are long time supporters of shopping local, especially in the US. I love when people keep their money in their communities, but what I love is that shopping local is so much better for the environment. When our things travel shorter distances, they use less fossil fuels. If we buy less and we buy local, we can change our relationship with consumerism and help prevent climate change.

Whether you are buying American for patriotic or environmental reasons, the first step is actually shopping secondhand. If you want to help the environment, secondhand purchases have the least impact, the least packaging, and usually travel the shortest distances.

Also, if you want to buy things that were made ethically and locally, they are going to be more expensive. You can easily offset that cost if you buy things you can get secondhand first.

For example, All-Clad pots are excellent, made in America, and freaking expensive. If you can't afford a full set, check Ebay first! Right now, they have tons of All Clad on the site. You could get most of what you need there, and then buy anything you can't find new. No one will be able to tell the difference.

I will link to the brands websites themselves, and to where you can also find them on Amazon, Etsy, etc. Some things are also available on Lehman's, which is a great spot. I am an Amazon and Etsy affiliate, so I get a tiny bit of money if you shop from those links; that said, don't buy on Amazon if you can find it from a smaller business, especially if it is local. The more we shop small businesses, the more we can help our neighbors survive.

As a second warning, not everything from these companies is manufactured in America. Always check, because things do change.

Ok, looking for great American-made kitchen stuff? Let's do this-

from Amazon

Pyrex

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

We use our pyrex mixing bowls , bakeware, and measuring cups every day. This American company is based in Illinois and manufactured in Pennsylvania. Some of its sibling companies were long made in America too, but you need check before you buy (Corelle is now often manufactured in China). Also, check out secondhand spaces for these! They last a long time.

Best Manufacturers

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

We went through multiple whisks before we found this Made in America company. They have an excellent collection of whisks, and they are so well-made. Ours is still doing great! Get this once and you won't ever have to buy one again.

Anchor Hocking

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Anchor Hocking has been making glassware in Ohio since 1905. You can find all the best kitchen storage and drinking glasses from them. They also make commercial glassware- we bought cups from them that have survived three boys, so you know it is serious stuff!

from Etsy

Marley's Monsters

Their Website
Buy it on Etsy

We absolutely love this Oregon-based shop- it offers all sorts of zero waste staples like unpaper towels, cloth sponges, snack bags, and (our favorite) bowl covers. We can reuse these items hundreds of times, so they save us money in the end as well.

Epicurean

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Epicurean, based in Wisconsin, is known for their cutting boards, but they also make amazing spatulas and turners out of their eco-friendly and long lasting material. Our boards have lasted us for years- well worth the investment.

For more wood spoons and turners, try Allegheny Treeware, Whetstone Woodenware,

Rada Cutlery

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Rada Cutlery, based out of Iowa, makes shockingly affordable knives, knife blocks, peelers, and other kitchen goods. Their catalog is available online, but I have noticed them at tons of smaller grocery stores as well. We have their knife sharpener, and we like it so much that we have been giving it as gifts as well.

For other Made in America knives- R. Murphy Knives, Warther Cutlery, Lamson Knives

J K Adams

The Website
Buy it on Amazon

J K Adams is based in Vermont, and their cutting board won America's Test Kitchen's award for best cutting board. They also make the kind of beautiful rolling pins that look like they belong in a fancy French bakery.

KitchenAid

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon (or any kitchen store anywhere)

Kitchenaid has a wide variety of products, some are still made in the US and some are made in China, so be sure to really check before you buy. Their stand mixers, a staple of every wedding registry, are still made in Ohio. And you can find them at most kitchen stores in person and online.

Lodge

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Lodge Cast Iron is an American gem. Pans, dutch ovens, and skillets have so many uses and will likely last a lifetime. We especially use the dutch oven for a lot of our cooking.

Vitamix

Their Website
Buy it on Crate and Barrel or Amazon

Vitamix blenders are still made in Ohio, though be sure to check, because they are a little less forthcoming about their Made in America-ness than they used to be (which is usually a good sign some things are being imported). These blenders are freaking expensive, but they still outlast many of their owners because they are so well-made.

If you are looking for something a little cheaper or a lot more eco-friendly, you can buy refurbished and tested Vitamix blenders Which begs the question- Why don't all appliance companies do this?

from Amazon

USA Pan

Their Website
Buy them on Williams Sonoma or Amazon

USA Pan continues to be one of my favorite finds writing this blog. They are made in Pittsburgh, right near where I grew up, and I had never heard of them- do you know what is manufactured near you? Their baking sheets and cookie pans have served us perfectly for years, and they haven't started to warp like our other pans. Everyone should get these pans. If you are feeling fancier, USA Pan also makes the fancy line at Williams Sonoma.

They also tend to be staples at smaller kitchen stores if you want to support a small business!

All-Clad

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon or Williams Sonoma

All-Clad makes top of the line pots and pans in Pennsylvania. These are the pots and pans that chefs love, and they are built to last (so much so that there are lots of used pots available as well). If you love to cook, this high-end cookware might be worth it.

Fletcher's Mill

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Fletcher's Mill makes salt and pepper grinders that we love. This may seem like a strange addition to your kitchen, but you can buy salt and pepper in bulk to save money and packaging. This company also makes spatulas and other kitchen tools too!

Zeroll

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

This company is great at one thing- ice cream scoops! They are all manufactured in Florida, and they could be a perfect gift.

At this moment in history, so many people are anxious to help small businesses and their owners, as they struggle through economic catastrophe. One great way to do that is to shop on Etsy for gifts and even things you need, so you can pay the maker directly. We know people are doing this, because during Coronavirus their numbers are at Cyber Monday levels! That's amazing for small businesses and for the environment!

Etsy is huge. There are so, so many options out there, and it can be hard to know where to start.

Luckily, we have been researching Etsy shops for 5 years, so we can point you to some of the best Etsy shops out there. We have shopped at so many of these, and we love them. Etsy shopping can be so fun, and it really allows us to shift how we think about shopping and how we spend our money.

This list doesn't cover every category, so if you are looking for something in particular, be sure to narrow the geography in the search, so you only look at shops in your country, state, or area. If can also be really fun to shop by location, and you can see all the sellers that are making things near you.

Here we go! Get browsing and support small businesses!

from UrbanEarthCo

To Wear

For Adult Cloths

TheBeeandTheFox (California)
NatureSupplyCompany (South Dakota)
UrbanEarthCo (Dallas)
Berisqu (New York)
laurenwinterco (South Carolina)

For Babies

SugarPlumShopCo (North Carolina)
henryandetta (Pennsylvania)
babysproutsco (Missouri)
2sweetcheeks (Washington)

For Kids

LolaandStella (Portland, Oregon)
NatureSupplyCompany (South Dakota)
landofpines (New Jersey)
UrbanEarthCo (Dallas)
thelittleblackline (Seattle, Washington)
MochiKids (Utah)

For Jewelry

SarahZentzJewelry (Santa Cruz, California)
barzahav (Brooklyn, NY)
CaitlinMinimalist (Los Angeles)
MagpieVintageJewelry (New Orleans)
ReStrungJewelry (New Orleans)
SKindCo (New York)
Shektwoman (New York) - City Skyline rings
GLDNxLayeredandLong (Washington)
MaderaLane (Portland. Oregon)
ValerieKStudio (Los Angeles)
VKEcoJewelry (Portland, Oregon)
SleepyMountain (Seattle)

For Bags

INTERICON (Hawaii)
WAAMIndustries (Minneapolis)
StitchCrafty4U (Utah)
Oliday (Los Angeles)

For Beauty

ButterMeUpOrganics (California)
OlivineAtelier (Seattle)

For Accessories

Yokoo (Atlanta)
FabulouslyFeminist (Pennsylvania)
UnpaperUnplastic (Florida)

from CindySearles

To Have at Home

For Living with Lower Waste

marleysmonsters (Oregon)
GreenCityLiving (Denver)
SaidoniaEco (Florida)
CreeksideKid (Charlotte, North Carolina)
moocowmomma (Florida)
curlymonkey (California)
AnnesHandcrafted (North Carolina)

For Planters

ThePottedEarthCo
CindySearles (California)
DipsandPrints (Pittsburgh)
SucculentArtworks (San Diego)
andrewsreclaimed (Seattle)

For Napkins and the Dining Room

ClearSkyHome (Michigan)
ohlittlerabbit (Oregon)
112JamesStreet (Washington)

For Ceramics and the Kitchen

dorothydomingo (Florida)
SawyerCeramics (California)
mudworks (Pennsylvania)

For Furniture

BrandonBuilt (Nebraska)
wwmakes (Chicago)
UrbanChandy (California)
ReclaimedWoodUSA (Mississippi)
HaresEarsDesigns (Virginia)
SaltCreekMercantile (Nebraska)
WoodekDesign (New Jersey)
habitatconcept (North Carolina)

For Outside

RopedonCedar (Washington)

For the Baby

TumbleweedBabies (Texas)
WillowGroveBoutique (Pittsburgh)
manzanitakids (Seattle)

For the Kids Rooms

strawberrymoth (Georgia)
irontimber (Utah)
WildRabbitsBurrow (Wisconsin)
warmpersonality (Denver)
halfpintinkstudio (Delaware)
LightingbySara (California)

For Decor

DustySquareDesigns (Texas)
EleventyOneStudio (Wisconsin)
SixFingerStudio (Montana)
GFTWoodcraft (New Jersey)
GRAINandGRIT (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
Hoopsbyrae (Oklahoma)
jfjones (North Carolina)
LemonMadeShop (Austin, Texas)
DECORsuite (Georgia)
RootToVine (Indiana)
StitchedbyGraceNY (New York)

For Art

JessicaHaasDesigns (New Jersey)
CathyCIllustrations (Charleston)
Rachelignotofsky (California)
SzkloGlass (Las Vegas)
ChelseaPetaja (Nashville)
VacilandoQuilting (Utah)

For Cleaning Supplies

JuniperSeedMerc (Colorado)
TheLittleWanderersCo (Massachusets)

from OnceAgainSam

To Celebrate

For Gifts

TheMakeshiftGallery (Virginia)
OnceAgainSam (South Carolina)
foodiebords (Kentucky)

For Paper Goods

FavoriteStory (California)
OkayMiss (Denver)
CreatureComfortsNYC (New Jersey)
ObviousState (New York)
PartyofOnePaper (Michigan)

For Halloween

TreeAndVine (Maine)
TheCostumeCafe (Austin, Texas)

For Christmas

AllenbriteStudio
Buitique (Houston)
ChaostoArt (Charleston, South Carolina)
OakAndAnvilWorks (Missouri)
Tinworks (South Carolina)

For Weddings

LTCoutureAtelier (Maine)
floraandlane (Chicago)
MartinMcCreaCouture (Arizona)
WinonaBride (New York City)

Craft Kits

HouhaDesigns (Portland, Oregon)
UrbanCheesecraft (Portland, Oregon)

And the Really Random Stuff

CaramelsforKarson (Washington)
LaceyOlsonDesign (Arkansas)
HoffeltandHooperCo
CRETEATION
DOCKSMITH
CrochetfromKatie (Washington)
OffChutes (Oregon)


Ok, which of your favorite Etsy shops didn't make the list? Is your state represented? Happy shopping when you have to.

Early on in my green shopping days, I stumbled on A Continuous Lean and its incredibly great American List. I have used it many a time to find gift ideas, especially for my husband, or as starting points for some of my blogs. It is truly a great resource. The problem is that if the list had an aesthetic, it would look something like this:

from mattsko- lumberjack with so many feelings

It is butch. Really butch. A hipster lumberjack carrying his lumber in a Topos bag butch. That can be cool for lots of people (including women), but I find a lot of great American companies geared toward women don't make the cut and that many of his suggestions are solely for men's products. American-made can be associated with this sort of "authenticity" that gets lumped together with being a man's man, but actually more and more products geared toward women (and femme men, and gender queer people, and all of us who don't chop logs for a living) are out there, and they deserve their own voice and attention.

If you might be interested in bicycles or cycling gear or something else you don't see here, please check out A Continuous Lean's list. I don't mean to negate that list at all (or to suggest only manly men bicycle), only to supplement it with things I miss when I try to use it. If you don't find what you care about here, check on the Continuous Lean List.

So my idea is to do a companion list to the American List geared for people who aren't about to take their beard out on a hike. A few thoughts before we jump in:

1. If you are trying to live a more green lifestyle, no matter who you are, the best choice is to buy it used or do without. For jewelry, purses, and so many other items, you can always find a better-made option in consignment or vintage shops. Start there, always.

2. Many of these companies' products are made in the US, but they have exceptions. Eva Franco makes about 98% of the dresses and tops in Los Angeles, but their new coat is imported. New Balance manufactures some athletic shoes in the States and some abroad. Check first.

3. There is a wide range of price points here, so don't get discouraged. Look at a bunch of options before you decide the list isn't for you. You might be surprised.

The 4th of July is coming up, and it has me asking the same question over and over again.

Are we American citizens or American consumers? 

My least favorite phrase in the English language is "the customer is always right"

I think we all know that is essentially not true (at least for other people and DEFINITELY when you work in service), and yet, on some level we believe it for ourselves. What we want as consumers is always right. What we want, just this second, is right.

This blog spend a lot of time trying to talk people into doing things that are good for them, will make their life happier, and that are better for everyone they know and love. Pretty consistently, people don't listen anyway.

I am sure some of this is human nature (the competing drives to do what is good vs what is easy and feels good RIGHT NOW), but I think this law of consumerism rules our lives in ways we can't see in ourselves.

For example, I try weekly to talk people into eating less beef (and before you think I am looking down on you specifically, remember my own husband still eats a burger pretty often, and he is my favorite person). Beef conversations go this way:

"Beef is one of the most environmentally-damaging things we do."
"But I like steak"

"Beef is bad for your heart and body and doesn't have as much nutritional value as previous generations thought it did"
"But I like steak"

"Unless you are buying (very expensive) local and humanely-treated beef, the animal you are eating was terribly mistreated"
"But I like steak"

I can appeal to their vanity, their faith and stewardship, the literal air they are breathing in, but no point matters as much to them as the fact that they really like steak. What they want is more important than what is right.

Now, we as humans are always driven to do things that are bad for us, that hurt us or the people we care about (or deity- I mean I am basically talking about sin, right?). My issue with our identities as consumers is that none of that is as important as what we want. That if you want something or like it, the ugliness behind it is inconsequential.

I am not immune to this either. My son's baptism just happened, and I can't tell you how much time I have wasted oogling dresses to wear that I know weren't made ethically. But they are soooo pretty. I didn't end up buying one, but I did buy him brand new dress up clothes, even though I know I can find something similar (if not exactly what I wanted) secondhand.

We have been told again and again that what we want is right.

Even worse, we have internalized the argument that we should get what we want as quickly, cheaply, and thoughtlessly as possible. In fact, we can perceive things as "wasteful" if we spend more money and time on something when we can get it as less.

But of course, this is a huge, ridiculous lie. And this one huge ridiculous lie has spread into every area of our life, doing tremendous, ugly damage. We spend a lot of time frustrated that we aren't getting exactly what we want. It has spread into politics, so that politicians who we blindly believe will fix the problem with as little cost to ourselves can win (think about it- a lot of supposedly instant solutions to problems floating around right now... can you say border wall?).

I notice it in every facet of our public life. In my hometown, people complain endlessly about the lack of jobs, closing businesses, etc. And then they go and shop at Walmart (instead of supporting local businesses and business owners). Because that is easier and cheaper for them (even if it comes at a much larger longterm cost).

Our identities as consumers have overcome our responsibilities as citizens.

What we want (right now, cheap, and easy) looks more important to us that what is right (which is almost always slower and a lot of work). 

So if we said ENOUGH and became citizens first, what would that even look like? These are the best steps I can think of ; no one can do all of them, and we all have to make it work where we can (time, money, and local options are all individual factors, but these could be good places to start.

We would commit a lot less time and money to shopping and stuff. What if we worked off the premise that (other than food) we already had what we needed? Buy one great gift instead of five. Focus on experiences instead of things. Go to a park instead of going shopping. Choose different pass times.

We would turn off the ads of our lives. No more cable. No more magazines. That doesn't mean you have to break off from the world, but we know in certain media we are being fed TONS of ads to tell us that we aren't enough and we need such and such thing. I mean, people watch the Superbowl just for ads!

We would get involved in our communities. Join a Buy Nothing Group. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Advocate for Recycling or Green Waste where we live. Join city band. Go back to church. Join communities on Facebook if we don't have the time in real life.

We would shop like citizens instead of consumers. Sure, you may get the best deal at Walmart or the Dollar Store, but the dollars you spend at community businesses stay in your community. Money you put toward national brands, whether it be stores or restaurants, are gone from your community forever. Buy ethical or fair trade. Buy local. This is important.

We would divorce stuff from our celebrating. Do you need to go out and buy so much stuff every winter? Do you need matching outfits and 400 types of sparklers on the 4th of July? How did Thanksgiving become about shopping?

The fruits of this are pretty profound too. Right now, Anthony Bourdain is on my mind. He went all over the world and ate all sorts of food, but he never felt like a tourist traipsing around consuming other cultures. Why is that? Partially because I think he really acted like a citizen, getting to know the people making the food and never buying things where he didn't know where they were coming from. He made people all over the world seem not so far away and not so scary because he really reminded us that everything we consume is made by someone, and that person has value.

Certainly, his privilege as a rich white man partially allowed this globe-trotting, but I still think we could use some of that in our everyday lives. Being a citizen is recognizing the humanity in each other and seeing every person as having value. Wanting to make the world a better place, and you can do that by changing your values in how you shop (and by shopping way less).

"A passive and ignorant citizenry will never create a sustainable world." 
-- Andrew Gaines

The role of citizen has never been more important than now in the face of ecological crisis and climate change. If we stay blind consumers and don't take responsibility for how our consumerism is making the world unlivable for future generations, then we are dooming our children and grandchildren. Our Earth is being destroyed because we think our consumer choices are about what we want and not about what is good for the world.

We are so wrong.

Every plastic-wrapped object adds plastic to our waters. Every Made in Elsewhere purchase endorses the waste of fossil fuels and the mistreatment of another human being. Every time we buy more than we need, we are costing the world. Every purchase we make is a REAL and urgent test of our citizenship. It's the chance to do something good.

To be a good citizen, you HAVE to change your relationship to consumerism.

A few years into this, I can say for a fact that being a citizen of this Earth, and putting the care over the Earth above my wants as a consumer, has completely transformed my life for the better. It has connected me to people I love, sent me on adventures, become a much better parent, and finally broke my own addictions to shopping. I am not saying we are perfect, or that we make perfect choices, but it has shifted our paradigm and made life so much better.

Being a citizen takes more work and more time, because getting to know another person or really facing down a problem is so complex. But this effort is rewarded in experiences, relationships, and communities with more depth and value. In short, if you give up your identity as a consumer, you give yourself the freedom to learn and grow. That's a better life for you too.

I think self-identifying as a citizen first has amazing, transformative potential for our country and communities. Try taking that responsibility on (whatever that means to you), maybe even just for the month of June, and see how it feels. Citizenship and consumerism are at odds in each of us, but we have a choice about who we are going to be. You can "be right" or you can do right. You can't have both.

Want more inspiration to do this? This blog is trying to fight this battle everyday, and this month our focus is on NOT buying things that aren't good for America and buying Made in the USA stuff instead. Read on!

I have found a lot of help and good ideas on the Non-Consumer Advocate group and blog on Facebook. Lots of people coming to the problem for lots of reasons. Might be a great place to start!

Formal (white tie) and Semi-Formal (black tie)

Informal (Suit and Cocktail Dress)

Casual (everything else)

The best part of Valentine's Day is the license to eat chocolate, way past the point of sexiness.Too much chocolate to be cute.

Beyond the obvious benefits of chocolate, it turns out that candy offers fantastic opportunities to support businesses near you! Don't settle for the boxes from the drug store- candy made cheaply comes at a big environmental price and ones made in Mexico (where Hershey's sent much of their manufacturing) has been showing traces of mercury. So unless you really hate your Valentine...

More importantly, how often are those boxes actually good? How many chocolates from those plastic-wrapped boxes get thrown away? No chocolate deserves that fate! It's chocolate, for goodness sake!

This isn't about eco-friendliness, it is chocolate friendliness. Could there be anything more important?

So this is the list I have so far of chocolate and other candy companies that still manufacture locally. Some of my favorites, like Daffin's in Western Pennsylvania really don't reach nationally, so I know there are tons of treasures I am missing. Please tell me what should make an appearance, and I will keep updating the list.

The main point is that you have so many options, and the good old internet makes them very simple to discover and access. Also, even small towns have candy stores. Shop there.

Buying from companies like these supports the community where you live, cuts down on shipping and packaging, and can make for a fun challenge. Can you find something just as romantic as those drug store candies? Let's hope so! Focus on buying smaller quantities of better product, so it can both be good and do good.

Now, let's get to the list. It's epic and incomplete.

Alabama
Birmingham Chocolates- Birmingham

Alaska
The Alaska Fudge Company- Juneau
Alaska Gold Mine Candy Company- Talkeetna
Alaska Wild Berry Products- Anchorage
Ketchicandies- Ketchikan

Arizona
The Arizona Chocolate Company- Flagstaff
Cerreta Candy Company- Glendale

Arkansas
Izard Chocolates- Little Rock
Juanita's Candy Kitchen- Arkadelphia
Kopper Kettle Candies- Van Buren
Kyya Chocolate- Elm Springs
Lambrecht Gourmet- Heder Springs
Martin Greer's Candies- Gateway

California
Chuau Chocolate- San Diego
Dagoba Chocolate- San Francisco
Guittard Chocolate- San Francisco
Mother Fudger- Los Angles
Richard Donnelly- Santa Cruz
Rosebud Chocolates- Oxnard
Scharffen Berger- Berkeley
See's Candies- Los Angeles and San Francisco
TCHO- San Francisco (Previously Berkeley)
XOX Truffles- San Francisco

Colorado
Chocolove- Boulder
Elbrus Fine Chocolates- Parker
Enstrum Chocolates- Grand Junction
Hammond's- Denver
Justin's- Boulder

Conneticut
This state has its own chocolate trail. That's how many chocolate choices there are. What a wonderful world.
Bridgewater Chocolate- Bridgewater
Munson's Chocolate- Bolton

Delaware
Govatos Chocolates- Wilmington

Florida
Norman Love Chocolates- Fort Myers

Georgia
Cacao- Atlanta
Chocolate Ooh La Las- Marietta

Hawaii
Aloha Candy Company- Volcano Village, Big Island

Idaho
The Chocolat Bar- Boise
Idaho Candy Company- Boise
Sandpoint Chocolate Bear- Sandpoint

Illinois
Ferrarra- Lemonheads, Red Hots- Oakbrook Terrace
Illinois Nut and Candy- Skokie
Vosges-Haut Chocolate- Chicago

Indiana
DeBrand Fine Chocolates- Fort Wayne
Ghyslain Chocolates- Union City
Schrimpff's Confectionary- Jeffersonville
The South Bend Chocolate Company- South Bend

Iowa
The Sugar Barn- Polk City

Kentucky
Ruth Hunt Candy Company- Sterling

Louisiana
Bayou Chocolate- Monroe

Maine
Dean's Sweets- Portland
Ella's Chocolates- Lewiston
The Harbor Candy Shop- Ogunquit
Haven's Candies-Westbrook
Monica's Chocolates- Lubec
R and R Chocolates- Wells
Wilbur's of Maine- Freeport

Maryland
Glarus Chocolatier- Baltimore
Goetze Candy- Cow Tales and Caramels- Baltimore
Wockenfuss Candies- Baltimore

Massachusets
EH Chocolatier- Boston
Herbert Candies- Shrewsbury
Necco- Revere
Unreal- Boston (this looks kind of awesome)

Michigan
Chocolates by Grimaldi- Grand Haven
The Chocolate Garden- Coloma
Gilbert Chocolates- Jackson
Hanover's Michigan Mints- St. John's
Schakolad- Birmingham

Minnesota
Pearson's- St. Paul

Mississippi
Margaretes Fine Chocolates- Tupelo

Missouri
Chocolate Chocolate Company- St. Louis
Christopher Elbow- Kansas City
Bissinger's- St Louis
Kakao- St Louis

Montana
Big Sky Candy- Hamilton
Martinson's Ranch Chocolates- Huntley
Montana Chocolate Company- Missoula
Posh Chocolat- Missoula

Nebraska
Baker's Candies- Greenwood

Nevada
Kimmie Candy- Reno
Sierra Nevada Chocolate- Reno

New Hampshire
Bryne and Carlson- Portsmouth
LA Burdick- Walpole

New Jersey
2 Chicks with Chocolate- East Brunswick
Brummer's- Westfield
Chocodiem- Clinton
Enjou- Morristown
Lepore's- Hoboken
Matisse Chocolatier- Engelwood
Mrs Hanna Krause Candy- Paramus
The Nut Shop- Woodbury

New Mexico
Kakawa Chocolate House- Santa Fe

New York
Garrison Confections- New York City
Jaques Torres- New York City
Whimsy and Spice- Brooklyn
Xocolatti- New York City

North Carolina
Azurelise Chocolate- Raleigh
Carolina Chocolate Company- Charlotte
Dillsboro Chocolate Company- Dillsboro

North Dakota
Carol Widman's Candy Company- Fargo
Mikey's Country Candy- Burlington
Widman's Candy Company- Grand Forks

Ohio
Buckeye Chocolate Company- Canton
Spangler- Dum Dum's (NOT their candy canes)- Bryan

Oklahoma
Bedre Fine Chocolate- Ada

Oregon
The Candy Apothecary- Tigard
Caramels for Karson- Eugene
Creek House Patisserie- Ashland

Pennsylvania
Daffin's Chocolate- Sharon
Just Born Candy- Peeps, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike- Bethlehem
Palmer Candy- Multiple Pennsylvania factories
Wolfgang Candy- York

Rhode Island
Hauser Chocolates- Westerly
Sweenor's Chocolates- Wakefield

South Carolina
Chocolate Tree- Beaufort

South Dakota
Mostly Chocolates- Rapid City
Watertown Confectionary- Watertown

Tennessee
Colt's Chocolates- Nashville
Dinstuhl's- Memphis
Nashville Chocolate and Nuts- Nashville
Olive and Sinclair- Nashvillle
Sugar and Spice Truck- Nashville

Texas
Aunt Aggie De's Pralines- Sinton

Utah
Bella Rose Chocolates- Saratoga Springs
Drunken Chocolates- Saratoga Springs
Farmhouse Fudge- Moab
Sweets Candy Company- Salt Lake City

Vermont
Lake Champlain Chocolates- Burlington
Mount Mansfield Maple- Winooski

Virginia
Potomac Chocolate- Woodbridge
Royal Chocolate- Virginia Beach

Washington
Frans Chocolate- Seattle
Northwest Fudge and Confections- Port Angeles
Spokandy- Spokane
Seattle Chocolates- Seattle
Theo Chocolates- Seattle

West Viriginia
Holls- Charleston

Wisconsin
Candinas Chocolates- Verona

Wyoming
Donell's Candies- Casper
Perr Bear Chocolates- Cheyenne
Petit Secret- Jackson Hole

In the words of one of these wonderful stores- Save the Planet- It's the Only Place with Chocolate! If you have been looking for a place to make a switch, this is a perfect opportunity to change your approach from quick and easy to local, special, and doing all sorts of good!And there are so many more! So please comment with your suggestions!

If you are more interested in fair-trade chocolate (and for good reason, chocolate can have major environmental AND labor problems, and child labor is NOT romantic), I have a few options for that too- Equal Exchange (they have chocolate chips and more on their website), Divine (this store has a great selection), Green and Black's, and my favorite Endangered Species (which donates 10% of your purchase to protect wildlife and habitats- romantic for your animal lover? This is the best list I could find- there is so much out there, no excuse to get crappy chocolate anymore.

Be sure to research what you have nearby, they might surprise you- Theo Chocolate, and Chocolove are fair trade too.



Now you know better than I do- what candy stores or chocolatiers are around your neighborhood? It may be time to try them. More expensive? Try something small! Bigger doesn't mean better, and it might be fun to have a taste of something new.