Put the power in your purchase with thoughtful shopping
Sustainable shopping is a win-win that means much more than the name implies. It means putting a labor of love into truly unique vintage finds, restoring them to an incredible end result sure to delight both the gift-giver and receiver. It means sourcing goods close to home, rather than shipping from overseas. It means cutting down plastic and cardboard waste and instead choosing reusable, refillable, sustainable options.
The best solution to avoiding the lines, chaos, over-consumption and delays of big box retail is to skip it completely. Here are some favorite spots to shop sustainably for the holidays and spread some local love.
Antique shops and thrift stores
Shop second-hand to find something old and make it new again. Purchasing items that already exist is a resounding win for the planet, and it makes it fun to flex those thoughtful and creative gift-giving muscles.
Vintage Marche in St. Pete is the largest monthly vintage market in Greater Tampa Bay. Assembled by a “collective hive of diverse and talented vendors,” affectionally called Bees, expect to find a wonderful array of vintage art, furniture, décor and clothing beyond wildest dreams.
In Tampa, shoppers have their pick of secondhand furniture, glassware and knick-knacks with Vintage Post Marketplace, Retro Mania Vintage Market and D&D Antiques and More.
Stained Marketplace in Ybor City is a DIY heaven filled with everything from gigantic letter signs to bits and bobs spanning decades.
Shopping for someone who loves to change their wardrobe? Give them the gift of a clothing membership from Valhalla Resale. Members can shop the store like it is their closet. For $39 per month, members get access to a limitless closet and do not even have to do laundry.
Zero waste
Living near the water, reducing plastics consumption is a no-brainer. Instead of bringing a constant influx of cardboard from a certain jungle-named online consumer, head to a local zero waste spot and give the gift of sustainability.
Sans Market in St. Pete is a zero-waste lifestyle store that helps people live SANS plastic, packaging and toxins. Feel empowered knowing the items they stock have been carefully researched and selected to create a positive impact on the planet. Aside from offering beauty products, housewares, cleaning supplies and pet products, Sans Market also hosts local clean-ups and walkabouts.
Give the gift of something locally made AND refillable at the Lüfka Refillables Zero Waste Store. Lüfka’s products are handmade in small batches. For the craftsperson in your life, you can load up on raw ingredients. Lüfka even offers a candle-refilling program and can fill just about any vessel with a beautiful scent perfect for any aromaphile. Lüfka Refillables has locations in South Tampa, Seminole Heights and Wesley Chapel.
Dunedin is blessed with the endless gift of sustainability that is the Resupply Market. Boasting two locations including an additional one in Tampa, this eco-friendly spot frequently partners with local artisans to host classes, yoga and weekly markets. As a bonus, the Tampa location shares a building with Sweetwater Café.
Markets
Know who has gifts that are not stuck on cargo ships? Local artists and makers. Fulfill that shopping fix, make friends and eat some great food at an artisan market. Greater Tampa Bay is filled with them.
For Tampa and St. Pete, there is the Indie Flea. Tampa’s monthly pop-up is at Hotel Haya in Ybor City, and St. Pete’s switches it up. Be sure the check their social media for deets and dates.
The options in Tampa are endless. Market on Florida is a consciously curated monthly market hosted by locals, for locals. Heightened Senses takes place every last Thursday in the parking lot of Labyrinth Studios. Armature Works hosts the Heights Night Market every second Wednesday of the month.
More of a weekday shopper? Check out Treasure Island’s Friday morning market at Treasure Island Community Center Park.
For an old school take, look no further than Oldsmar Flea Market. This 28-acre behemoth has been around since 1980 and is sure to house that next great gift.
By Jensen Taylor
