The District held the first Love Local Shop Local event of the year on February 8. Nineteen local businesses participated in the event in the downtown Quincy area. Shop Local shines the spotlight on small businesses in the area, emphasizing support for the community.

“The Love Local event is just a great event to have for the community and it kind of brings all the businesses together,” Joy Berhorst said.

Berhorst owns Domestics, etc., a home decoration shop, nestled on 6th street. She said that small businesses are the heart of the community and each is a hidden gem.

She said shopping at small businesses is like a drink at a tavern. The same drink tastes differently at different places due to the atmosphere and those around you. So, even if you visit multiple home goods shops, each business will be unique.

“One of the things when my business partner and I moved into this new location was really thinking about what we would have liked to have for our kids locally,” Kelly Carlstrom said.

The Engraved Hive, owned by Carlstrom and her partner, is more than just one business. Their shop hosts over 46 small, local businesses, giving vendors a spot to sell their goods. The Engraved Hive is always welcoming more.

Alongside their wide range of handmade goods, The Engraved Hive also is home to Hive Huggie. Hive Huggie is a hands on activity geared for children. They can pick out an animal, fill it with stuffing, chose the heart, and have it sewed up – effectively creating a new friend.

“I just like to see Quincy doing things like this that help promote what we have in our city,” Jackie Schlipmann said.

There is something for everyone in Quincy’s small businesses. Quincy Tea Co., owned by Schlipmann, is a prime example. In her cozy shop, an entire wall is filled with a vast selection of loose leaf teas from around the world.

Quincy Tea Co. also sells herbs, spices, and other pantry goods. Everything has been carefully selected and sourced to ensure quality. With eight years of experience, Schlipmann is a proud business owner and happy to assist anyone who walks into her store.

“We are really invested in our community, and so we really just appreciate the opportunity to have a boutique, not only for our local residents, but we’ve also become a destination boutique,” Sara Lepper said.

The Silhouette Shoppe, co-owned by Lepper and Jeanine Frericks-Moss, sells undergarments for women of all sizes, including extended sizes. Along with a free, complimentary bra sizing to ensure the perfect fit.

The Silhouette Shoppe also has a surgical side, offering prosthetics and aftercare garments for women who have had breast cancer. The business is multi generational, helping the community and beyond for over 75 years.