Lokal

DECEMBER HOURS: We're expanding our hours this month to ensure you can get all your holiday shopping done locally, and one of the biggest changes is we are now OPEN on Tuesdays! Come hang with us today and snag some gifts for those you're still shopping for.

Our weekly hours until Christmas are:
Tuesday-Thursday: 12-7
Friday-Saturday: 11-8
Sunday: 11-7

We'll give more updates on even more extended hours the week of Christmas soon! Tis the season to shop local, folks. See ya in the shop!

Because we're real big into shopping locally (duh) we love Small Business Saturday, but this year it's extra special becuase it's our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Come celebrate with us and support Charlotte small businesses at Camp North End for an extended day of fun. Here's what we've got planned:

🛍️ A SALE! While we firmly believe folks should shop with local businesses on Small Business Saturday regardless of what they can offer, we also want to make this a huge day for the businesses who call Lokal home. For that reason we are making the entire store 10% off, and that percentage will come from the store's cut, NOT the small businesses.

🥛 (Why isn't there a kombucha emoji?) We're making Saturday a sip and shop at Lokal, but our pals at Free Range Bar and Black Moth Bars already have ya covered on the alcohol front and honestly, we want to see more alcohol-free options anyway, which is why we are giving away UpDog Kombucha to shoppers on Saturday while supplies last. We'll have their jasmine lavender and peach basil flavors available for y'all to try.

🍦 We're also partnering with our pals at Seemingly Overzealous and giving the first 30 shoppers of the day FREE ICE CREAM. Who cares if it's too cold? Take it home with ya and enjoy it later. Ice cream is an all-weather type of treat.

And if all this going on wasn't enough incentive to get you out for the day, in coming to Camp North End to check us out you're also nearby countless small businesses you can also support, including Wentworth & Fenn, Popbar Charlotte, Grow a plant shop, Good Postage, dupp&swat and more. We've got a promo for ya where if you shop with 5 of the 16 participating local businesses at Camp North End this Saturday, you'll get a gift card. Basically, Camp North End is the place to be this shop small Saturday. We'll see ya there.

Thank you for the love, Queen City Nerve! Check out all these great places to snag some local gifts for the holidays this year:

Holiday Gift Guide to Shopping Local in Charlotte 2022 Resist the big-box stores this holiday season because there's a Charlotte-based place to shop for everyone on your list.

HOLIDAY HOURS: Happy turkey week to anyone celebrating 🦃 due to the holiday, here are our hours this week:

Wednesday: Open from 1:30-5:30 for your last minute Thanksgiving needs. Come snag your Secret Santa, White Elephant or "thanks for hosting" gifts.

Thursday: CLOSED

Friday: Open from 3:30-8 p.m.

Saturday: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY + OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 🎉 The entire store will be 10% off and we'll be giving goodies away to those who come and shop with us that day. Open from 10-7 p.m.

Sunday: Open regular hours from 11-5 p.m.

As the holiday shopping ramps up, we once again want to ask y'all to please shop local when you're able. This helps stimulate the local economy, supports local families and creates local jobs. Plus, local s**t is cooler anyway 😎
📷: Julia Fay Photography

NEW DATE: The Ekologicall Introduction to Zero Waste Lifestyle class has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. Learn from one of the most knowledgeable local businesses on how you can begin living more sustainably and with less waste. It's the perfect time to start thinking about these things as we head into one of the most wasteful times of year: the holiday season. Tickets are only $20 - head here to snag yours: https://ekologicall.com/products/workshop-introduction-to-zero-waste?variant=32881617993803

Charlotte, we've got a challenge for you this holiday season: We want you to prioritize shopping for your gifts with all local and small businesses. Rather than turning to big stores like Target or TJ Maxx or relying on Amazon, try to find a similar gift from a Charlotte maker or business who will appreciate your support so much more. You'll be directly contributing to the local economy and you will probably get something way more unique anyway.

Need some help doing this? Leave us a comment with the folks you're shopping for this year or the things you're trying to find and we'll point you in the right direction, whether it's in our store or not.

Nothing but love for the Queen City 👑
🧢: Queen & Cotton
📸: Ben Kalra Photography

Tomorrow is our last shop lokal pop up of the year! With the weather getting colder and the days getting darker, we're moving away from our weekly pop ups for now, so come out and make it a good one for Purple Girl Designs by Amber and Gold Dust Woman! They'll be set up in The Mount at Camp North End right outside our shop from 4-8 p.m. tomorrow. This also happens to be during Camp North End's annual 5th annual candy crawl 🍬 Come dressed in a costume and trick-or-treat at all the participating businesses to snag some sweet treats while you shop.

This Friday get ready to shop with Meraki Home Designs with us at Camp North End! She'll be set up right outside our store at The Mount from 4-8 p.m. The whole goal of these pop-ups is to introduce you to even more Charlotte small businesses you can support. Come out, grab a drink from Free Range Bar, eat dinner at Leah & Louise, get your dessert from Popbar Charlotte, and shop with us, Grow a plant shop, Good Postage and so many more 🙌

We're so excited to say we've been nominated for Queen City Nerve's Best in the Nest awards for best gift shop and best new store! If you head to the link in our bio and vote under the consumer culture section, you'll find our categories there alongside two other vendors who are in our store - Pretty Honest Candles is nominated for the best membership/subscription service and That's Novel Books is nominated for best bookstore!
These awards might seem silly to some, but as a small business they mean a lot to us. It helps us see we're on the right track and gives us something to be proud of after all the hard work we pour into what we're building. If you have a moment, please vote for us and the many other Charlotte businesses on the list!

Vote here under consumer culture: https://qcnerve.com/best-in-the-nest-2022-final-round/

Friday night pop-ups at Lokal are back for October and we're so excited to have Mood Indigo selling their natural soaps, face-care products, scrubs and more. Come out and see her between 4 and 8 p.m. tomorrow and support all the local businesses in our shop and at Camp North End while you're at it 💛

So many of the businesses in our shop are focused on sustainability, including Ekologicall, our fav zero waste business focused on helping folks create a sustainable lifestyle every day. If you have no idea where to start in cutting out some of the plastic and waste in your life, Valerie, the owner of Ekologicall, is here to help. Join us on Thursday, Oct. 27 for her Introduction to Zero Waste Class from 6-7:40 p.m. Head to the link below to get your ticket!

Introduction to Zero Waste Class You would like to start living a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing your waste and your carbon footprint, but you don't know where to start? Come join one of our in-person classes where we will go through the 5 principles of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot, including practical...

Let's try this again after we got rained out last week ⛈️ we'll have one vendor popping up outside our shop today from 4-8 as an extra incentive to get y'all to Camp North End supporting local businesses. We're so pumped to have Sun Music LLC with us. Come hang out with us for your Friday evening plans!

We're just two days away from our next shop lokal pop up, and we cannot wait to see everything our two vendors for this week bring with them. On Friday from 4-8 p.m. we will have Sun Music LLC and Loc’DByNature LLC set up outside our shop so that you can support even more local businesses all in one spot. Come hang with us at Camp North End!

This Friday join us at Camp North End and shop with special pop-up guests QC LLC and The AromaCarepy Co! They'll be hanging right outside our shop from 4-8 p.m. selling their local goods. We personally can't wait to stock up on some bath bombs and a cute new tee.

We had such a blast last Friday so we can't wait to have Pink Daisy Company and Moonrise Molly here this week! Come to Camp North End on Friday between 4 and 8 p.m. to shop them as well as the 32 other Charlotte businesses inside our shop. You'll also have to make sure you check out Grow a plant shop, Popbar Charlotte, Free Range Brewing, Leah & Louise and Good Postage while you're here 💛

A little shoutout post to every single one of you who prioritizes shopping local businesses when you need or want something new, whether that be new apparel, sustainable goods, books, candles or anything else we carry in our shop. Supporting small businesses isn't always the cheapest option, but it is the most community-driven and often sustainable option, and we 💛 you for it. Shop hours this week:

Wed/Th: 12-7
Fri: 12-8 with special popup guests Pink Daisy Company and Moonrise Molly from 4-8
Sat: 11-7 with That's Novel Books story time from 11:30-12
Sun: 11-5

Surprise! Starting ✨ tonight ✨ we'll be hosting two Charlotte businesses outside our store every Friday in September so we can help introduce you all to even more local businesses you should know about. From 4-8 p.m. come by our space in The Mount at Camp North End to shop with Pouring Violet on Flowers Farm and Wilder & Soul in addition to the 32 Charlotte small businesses you can find inside our shop. Shopping local has never been easier.

It's been a bit since we've introduced you to some of the businesses in the shop, so let's get it started again with one of our very top sellers, Queen & Cotton x Charlotte Streetwear! Y'all go nuts for their unique Charlotte-centric t-shirts and stickers. and now we're pumped to share a bit more about the two incredible people behind the business.

Travis and Tal started their business in July 2021 after they took a trip to Wilmington and found a small shop with an artist selling his work on prints, skateboards, shirts, hoodies, hats and more. Tal told Travis he should do something similar and she would run the store, and what was a joke became a quick success. Travis designs all the t-shirts, hats, stickers, sweatshirts, etc. while Tal keeps the whole business running. He gains inspiration from West Coast surf and skate styles and then merges that with Charlotte's own culture. Some of their top selling products are their "Brewery Daze" and "Queen City Scooter Club" designs, which we can attest to since they fly off our shelves.

"It’s created such a connection to the city for us," they say. "We do a lot of vendor markets, so we’re out there meeting people, hearing their stories, getting to know people. It’s a connection we wouldn’t have without this company."
📸: Julia Fay Photography

Check it out!!

Zero to Ten with Andrea Ricther We're sitting down with brilliant entrepreneur Andrea Ricther, owner of Pretty Honest Candles, to talk business and babies.

All smiles because it’s back to school time, which is one of our favorite times of year. We love the knowledge that fall is coming, and for those of us who are parents, we love the coming break from kids at home all day 😅 we’re celebrating back to school at Camp North End at the shop starting this Saturday by serving as a place where you can drop off school supply donations between 8/13 and 8/20. All types of donations are needed for the local North End Community public schools, so please consider bringing a few items by if you’re able!

To kick things off, this Saturday the North End Community Coalition-NECC will do a school supplies giveaway in the Nest at , The Broken Crayon is doing a school supplies drive at Blkmrktclt and in our own shop, That's Novel Books is offering 10% off the young readers section so that parents and teachers can affordably stock up on new reads for the school year.

Come see us this weekend and let’s get into the back to school spirit together!

A little something for the hostess with the mostest ✨ we absolutely love the show stopping pieces that Party Perfected by J. Leigh Events brings into the store. Their items make wonderful and unique house warming gifts, engagement gifts, wedding gifts or "just because/treat yoself" gifts. Come check out the antique pieces they've got in the shop currently from 12-7 today!

Call us romantics, but we love a written note 📫 there's just something about expressing your love for someone in a card you picked out just for them to brighten their day. Snag a Good Postage card from us today from 12-7 or wander down to to their location in the boileryard at Camp North End after you see us for an even wider selection.
📸: Julia Fay Photography

Cliche wall art from Hearth and Home at Target is sooooo last year. Support some local artists instead. We're so proud to have a handful of incredible artists as vendors in our store, including:
Sol Rodriguez
Ryan Allen
Maddy Ebbert Art & Design
and Norris Design Company

Hours this week:
Wed/Th: 12-7
Fri: 12-8
Sat: 11-7
Sun: 11-5
📸: Julia Fay Photography

We are open for your Friday and Saturday shopping needs! Don't forget we'll be closed on Sunday for the holiday. Come support some amazing local businesses before then 🛍️ We're open tonight until 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 11-7 p.m. If you're looking for something to do on a long holiday weekend with the fam, bring your kids by That's Novel Books children's story time tomorrow with Charlotte Is Creative's Tim Miner! Just head to The Mount at 11:30 and join in to hear one great story before you shop around or snag some Popbar Charlotte 🎉

🚨HOLIDAY WEEKEND HOURS 🚨

It's July 4 weekend, and since the official holiday for those who choose to celebrate is on a Monday, our shop will be CLOSED on July 3 to give our small business vendors an extra day to spend with their families, protesting, barbecuing or whatever else they feel like doing. We will be open Friday and Saturday during our normal hours, but CLOSED on Sunday, July 3.

Plan accordingly to shop some of your fav local businesses!

We are so excited to say Halfway There Rescue will be at the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) this upcoming Saturday, as well as a number of local foster dogs in need of their furever homes! Come learn more about their mission, donate to their organization, learn how to become a foster yourself and meet some of the pups up for adoption to see if one fits well with you. Their booth will be down by the food stalls, right across from Bleu Barn.

L’Atelier Ammalianti has such a dreamy vibe 😍 We cannot wait to check out their line up of bespoke teas, infusions and herbal elixirs this Saturday at the Shop Lokal Market (okay?). Not a big tea drinker yourself? Their items will make great gifts for a lot of folks in your lives (maybe even your dad as a certain holiday approaches next weekend 👀). You can shop L'Atelier Ammalianti and 48 other small businesses this Saturday at Camp North End from 11-3. Who's coming?

Check it out 👀 another Shop Lokal Market (okay?) vendor on our feed! Moonrise Molly has the most beautiful handcrafted polymer jewelry. We love the intricate designs she creates, and we know you're going to as well. Also, she donates 5% of her sales to the National Parks Conservation Association which is so awesome. This means you can get a new pair of statement earrings and support a women-owned business + a good cause while you're at it. 👏 we love to see it 👏

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Seemingly Overzealous ice cream 😍 Seemingly Overzealous is the brain child of Garrett Tichy and Jessica Berresse. They've created some of the best diary free ice cream we've ever had the pleasure of tasting - like seriously, we bet you won't be able to tell the difference. They're opening up a location at Camp North End later this summer, but before then you'll be able to pick up some small pints of their incredible flavors at the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) this Saturday! They'll be located right inside our shop at The Mount. Make sure you come early - our money is on them selling out pretty quick.
📸: Rémy Louis Thurston

Only a few more days until the Shop Lokal Market (okay?)!! We can't wait ☀️

The final vendor list for the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) is here and WOW - we have one incredible line up to look forward to IN ADDITION to the 32 local businesses you'll find in our store at Camp North End as well. You've never shopped local like this. See any of your favorites here? Let us know!

We absolutely adore Nana’s Girls Squared's jewelry, their mission, their outlook on life, their spirit... literally everything about this business. And even though they're already a vendor in our store, they're also participating in the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) next Saturday from 11-3 with even more products and maybe some new items we've seen Eboni working on the last few weeks 👀 If you're not there, you're gonna have some serious FOMO. We just know it.
📸: Julia Fay Photography

I mean, this set up 😍 Norii Boutique definitely knows how to show up and show out, and we cannot wait to see her booth for the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) on June 11! Listennnnnn - you need a new summer wardrobe. Trust us. Come out to see Norii Boutique and others and refresh that closet of yours. You can thank us later.

Drooling over these confetti cupcakes from Wentworth & Fenn 🤤 these beauties will be available at the Shop Lokal Market (okay?) on June 11 and it'll be the perfect sweet treat for kiddos (and adults, let's be real). Wentworth & Fenn's physical location will be closed for renovation because they're expanding (🎉) but don't you worry - they'll have their camper named Selma out along the main strip with 45+ other Charlotte small businesses for the market. So mark your calendar so you can snag a cupcake and shop til you drop next Saturday!

Parents: need a break for a few minutes? That's Novel Books and Books by LG have your back on June 11 with a children's story time at The Mount! This is a free event open to everyone. Starting at 12:30, local author Lawrence Gordon will read his two published children's books: Unicorn Dreams and Dad, The Bully and The Orange Ball. Both books were written with his children and inspire kids to go after their dreams and react with kindness in tough situations. Want to RSVP so we know you're coming? Head to the link below ✨ just don't forget to get in some retail therapy before or after the story time at our market which will line Keswick Ave. and Camp Road at Camp North End.

Children's Story Time with Charlotte Author Lawrence Gordon Local children's author reads his books

Another day, another Shop Lokal Market vendor coming at ya! We're so pumped that Evolve Natural Skincare & Evolve Handcrafted Soap Company will be one of 40+ vendors at the Shop Lokal Market on June 11 at Camp North End. This women-owned business hand crafts organic bath and body products that smell like heaven and will make you feel 💯

On the day of the market we will shut down the stretch of Camp North End that runs from the delicious food stalls all the way past our building. The goal will be to show you the incredible breadth of local businesses the greater Charlotte area has to offer all in one fun day full of special events and deals that you'll be able to take advantage of throughout the site. Mark your calendars - everything is happening from 11-3. See you there!

Shoutout to our neighbors at Popbar Charlotte! In addition to the menu of absolutely scrumptious pops they have, on June 11 during our Shop Lokal Market they're helping to create a "kids corner" in our patio outside of our businesses at The Mount at Camp North End! They'll be providing sq**rt guns, water toys, chalk and coloring books for kids to do in the patio during the market to help get some energy out because parents - we know how tough that can be some days. Thank you PopBar for making our first ever market even better 💛 who's coming? 🙌

Who doesn't love a good sweat sesh before a shopping sesh? As part of our Shop Lokal Market (okay?) on June 11, Hygge FIT is hosting an outdoor workout in Camp North End's boileryard from 9:30-10:30 that morning 💪 and you are invited. This will be a bodyweight, strength-based workout with the great Sam Hagy, who is sure to kick your 🍑 And the best part is, you can wander up to the market after you're done with your workout for 30 minutes of early access to the 40+ local businesses we'll have set up there that day. The workout is $10 to participate and you can sign up through the MINDBODY app by searching for hygge FIT or try this link: https://bit.ly/3won3uM

We're really passionate about shopping local because real people are behind every local product you buy. And yes, we know there are people running the Amazons and the Wal-Marts and the Targets and whatever... but there's something a little different about someone who creates their own product, markets it, figures out their finances, creates makeshift storage in their kitchen, muddles through their business tax season, handles their customer service, answers their own emails, and so many other little things that go into running a small business. And maybe some small businesses have help, but by and large the vendors who are operating in our walls are doing every aspect of it on their own. That's hard - and so damn admirable. We love knowing that the money we spend with a small business goes towards them and their family and the Charlotte community. We love that if they do hire folks to help, they care and they pay a living wage and try to help their employees grow.

Basically, shopping local is more than just buying a product you need (or maybe don't). We hope you get that and will find ways to buy local more often. It's got a bigger impact than you might realize.