Shop Local: A Durham Shopping Guide

Whether you're headed to a dinner party thrown by your most stylish friend, have hard-to-shop-for family members on your holiday gift list, or have a keen eye for handcrafted, locally-made products for yourself, Durham's shops have you covered. Find incredible local shops and markets offering everything from clothing and home goods to essential items and gifts, even for dogs.

If you're visiting during the holidays and would like to shop for locally-made gifts straight from the makers themselves, use our list of holiday makers markets to find the perfect opportunity to shop.

Decor & Gift Stores in Durham, NC

The Borough

5607 NC 55, Ste. 103

Enter The Borough for carefully curated gifts, decor and flowers. From scarves and totes to ceramics and glassware, this store has a thoughtful selection of items full of personality. If your dream home is the house in Practical Magic, you will resonate with this store. 

Bull City Fair Trade

811 Ninth St., #100

At this bright and welcoming small shop, you will find hand-crafted accessories from all over the world. Shop colorful bags, purses, scarves, beautiful jewelry, stunning home décor like lanterns and candles, kitchen items like tea towels and coasters, toys, cards and even edible treats like fair trade chocolate. Bull City Fair Trade's focus is on providing fair wages to low-income craft persons, and they work with artisans who live in over 70 different developing countries.

Casa Bella Market

3604 Witherspoon Blvd., #105

Opened by Durham native Sara Mannone, Casa Bella Market offers customers unique home goods and gifts sourced from over 50 local vendors. This shop is committed to curating a product selection that is locally-made as well as all-natural, organic, low/no waste, upcycled, vintage and sustainable. Beyond its tasteful selection of products, Casa Bella Market also has a a Fillaree refill station and holds weekly classes in activities such as watercolor, candle making, pottery and art classes for kids.

Cecy's Gallery & Studios

417 Foster St.

Whether you love to rock bright patterns or neutral colors, tight or loose fit, funky or classic touches, Cecy's has got something in your style. Swing on over for clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, art, decor and more. What was once Cole’s Transmission Shop, Cecy's owner Cecilia Henaine de Davis sells her handmade jewelry along with work from local artists, Mexican artists and hosts events and classes. In 2023, Cecilia expanded and devoted the additional space next door to small businesses and pop-ups. 

Chet Miller

2631 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Both the Southern mahjong hostess and the adult who has everything will find something to surprise and delight at Chet Miller. The shop carries classy modern goods with a vintage vibe, personal care items for the discerning gentleman and everything you can imagine to stock a bar besides the alcohol. It's a great place to visit to snag elegant local souvenirs like etched Durham tumblers, Bright Black candles, high-end chocolate, crude bitters, funny adult cards and unique items for the office.

Exotique

319 W. Main St.

Along with selling African-style clothing, this unique downtown boutique features a collection of handmade items from artists around the world (and Durham, too) You'll find incredible works of art, instruments, décor, vibrant purses, clothing, fabrics, accessories, jewelry and décor. Stop by and grab an outfit or get something to liven up your home or office.

Fate and Folklore

123B Market St.

Lovers of witchiness and wonder will need to put Fate and Folklore on their list of shops. Here, you will find jewelry, gifts and more that are full of magic. The store also hosts regular events with astrologers, tarot readers, bone throwers and more.

Indio

905 W. Main St., Ste. 20G

Located in the Brightleaf Square neighborhood of downtown Durham, Indio offers gorgeous, thoughtfully curated artistic home goods, including artisan-made Mexican housewares. Inside, you'll find luxurious tablecloths and runners, trays, mugs, reusable bags, pouches, high-quality candles, diffusers, incense, soaps, lotions, jewelry, prints, puzzles, notebooks and more.

Mill & Meadow

905 W. Main St. Ste. 23-B

As the flagship store for Elyse Breanne Design, Mill & Meadow has become a staple in Brightleaf Square. Offering anything from stickers and stationery to tea towels and pillows, this shop is a great place to find something unique for yourself or a loved one.

Parker & Otis

324 Blackwell St., Bay 4

With its fun and funky vibe and plethora of gifts, goods and curated food items, American Tobacco Campus shop Parker & Otis is one-of-a-kind. The popular, long-standing café/shop hybrid has everything on your list and then some: local gifts, chocolate, wine, party and paper supplies, toys, puzzles, games, cookbooks, home décor, bags, totes, cards and more. Make sure to grab a coffee or chai and try the classic P&O sandwich with pimento cheese to fuel you up as you explore more of Durham.

The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University loved Parker & Otis so much, they gave it the reigns of their gift shop. Now, you can shop the unique selection of Parker & Otis both at The Nasher Museum and American Tobacco Campus

Parker Paper Company

359 Blackwell St., Ste. 133

Parker paper company proffers a fine selection of stationary, art supplies, gifts and more. Parker Paper Company brings with it the same high quality service and reputation as its sister companies, Parker & Otis, Chet Miller and Tiny. Shop for a new notepad or personalized stationary for a loved one, then grab a to-go sandwich made by Parker & Otis on your way out.

Durham Specialty Food Stores and General Stores

Bulldega Urban Market

129 W. Parrish St.

Bulldega is a small, family-owned grocery and convenience store in the heart of downtown Durham. With fresh produce, humanely raised meats from local farms, boxed and canned goods, toiletries, lotions and soaps, beer and wine, packaged foods to go, a fresh salad bar, local chocolate, household goods and small trinkets, they pack a lot of valuable items into a relatively small footprint. You can easily find everything you need to make complete meals at your rental property or hotel suite, they've got your back if you forgot to pack necessities and you can find Durham-made souvenirs to commemorate your trip.

Sundries at Locopops and Locoshop

2618 Hillsborough Rd. and 600 Foster St.

In 2021, Locopops, known for its locally hand-crafted popsicles, ice cream, lattes and floats, expanded with Sundries, a neighborhood grocery and specialty food shop. Sundries offers locally prepared foods, specialty items and pantry essentials like beer, wine, coffee, cheese and bread, spices, pasture-raised meats, snacks, coffee, tea, home goods and personal care products, puzzles and cards. Grab a pop and shop around with the kids or grandkids. Locopop's latest business addition, Locoshop, expands on Sundries by offering breakfast and lunch in addition to the frozen treats we all know and love. Furthermore, Locoshop has a thoughtful, expansive selection of goods from local businesses, from artisans and makers to restaurants and bakers.

Melina’s Fresh Pasta Shop

2717 Chapel Hill Rd.

If you are craving a hearty home-cooked meal, consider picking up some traditional, fresh-made, authentic Italian pasta from Melina's Fresh Pasta Shop. Melina's carries a large assortment of pasta, including filled spinach and cheese ravioli, lemon ricotta, mushroom, and light and flavorful gnocchi and sauces. The pasta is made fresh and then frozen, so all you have to do is boil some water when you're ready to eat. For a super easy Italian meal, order their hefty take-and-bake tins of lasagna or manicotti.

Dosirak Outpost

307 W. Main St.

Dosirak is a woman-owned, Korean convenience store in the heart of downtown Durham. The 300-square foot-space may be small, but it is stocked with Korean snacks, Asian stationery, a closet full of ramen and more. Owner Kristine's uncle ran his own mart in the Korean countryside, so ask her for recommendations and tips on what to try.

Redstart Foods Takeaway

2825 N. Roxboro St.

Serving up food to eat at home or in-store from Redstart Foods, Redstart Foods Takeaway is a unique spot with plentiful goods to shop from. Beyond their retail fridge and restaurant, you can purchase pantry goods and kitchen gifts from their retail section. Their curated beer and wine selection also comes highly recommended.

Foster's Market

2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Foster's Market has a charming cottage café vibe. Head over for breakfast or lunch and enjoy a salad, soup, sandwich, or one of their many baked goods (perhaps a slice of their indulgent peanut butter pie) on the patio or lawn. On your way out, stop to peruse their selection of local gifts, including jams, coffee, toffee, cheese straws, grits and candy, along with cookbooks and kitchenware.

The Mad Popper

105 W. NC-54

Have you ever tried popcorn flavored with green apple, french toast, hot wings and ranch or dill pickle? If there is ever a popcorn flavor you have been curious to try, chances are the Mad Popper in South Durham has it. This local gourmet shop pops fresh popcorn daily and covers it in over 40 sweet and savory flavors. Grab a small bag or tin for the perfect travel snack while on the road, or take some home to family and friends.

Durham Children Stores

Tiny

770 9th St.

If you have children or grandkids or need to shop for a baby shower, you definitely want to make a stop at Tiny. The shop has everything from diaper bags, blankets and nursery décor to creative and cute arts and crafts, clothing for babies and toddlers, children's books, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, candy and cards. We promise you will leave happy with adorable, whimsical baby and children's toys, gifts and apparel.

Candles, Soaps and Scents Shops in Durham

Bright Black.

2020 Chapel Hill Rd. #24

Bright Black. is a family-owned company that uses scent as a medium and candles as a platform for sharing positive narratives about Blackness. Bright Black. started with the Diaspora collection with scents honoring cities of Black greatness, including a signature scent for Durham. You can now shop many more candle fragrances, body oils and merchandise, or set up an appointment at the creators studio to customize your own scent.

Fillaree

3117 Guess Rd, Suite A.

Fillaree has been fueling the refill revolution in Durham since 2014. Offering refillable, eco-friendly home, bath and body products, Fillaree is committed to sustainability. While they now have over 70 refill stations across the US, their flagship store remains right where it all began: Durham. Drop in and get yourself a refill starter kit. From there, you can pick your refill schedule so you never run out of your favorite soap. Once you've collected five empty bags, you can send them back to Fillaree, where they will be washed, sanitized and refilled. 

Little Homestead Farm

2024 Angier Ave.

Little Homestead Farm began as a mother, Gina-Marie, deciding to make her own bath and body products in an effort to minimize her family's exposure to harsh chemicals. Fast forwarding to today, Gina-Marie sells homemade, non-toxic soaps, scents, body products and more from her East Durham shop. In addition to products, Little Homestead Farm also hosts classes where you can learn to make your own bath and body products.

Paddywax Candle Bar

905 W. Main St., Ste. 20I

Paddywax Candle Bar is one of the many awesome spots found at the American Tobacco Campus. Selling experiences, candle pouring kits and more, Paddywax is a great spot to spend an afternoon. Book a custom candle pouring workshop for yourself or purchase a gift card for another scent-savoring friend.

Durham Pet Shops for Treats and Toys

Barnes Supply Co.

774 9th St.

The walls of Barnes Supply Co. tell a story of a shop that has changed with the times. Originally a post-WWII feed store for home farmers, Barnes Supply has evolved into a pet and garden supplies store. You can find toys, treats and supplies for cats, dogs and more. If you're looking for a gift for a special pup or cat in your life, Barnes Supply is the place to go.

Unleashed

4215 University Dr., 1000 W. Main St. & 6910 Fayetteville Rd.

This pet store is committed to providing the best, most affordable products it can find to pet owners so every cat and dog can live life to the fullest. Unleashed got its start as a mere stand at the NC State Fairgrounds Marketplace. Now, they have three locations across Durham, so you can shop awesome pet products no matter which side of town you're on.

Durham-Centric Apparel and Gifts

Duke University Store

125 Science Dr.

Get the official Duke Blue Devils swag at the campus store. Score college hoodies and tees along with jerseys, hats and memorabilia to rep your favorite team.

Durham Bulls Ballpark Corner Store

409 Blackwell St.

Are you looking for a piece of Bull Durham movie nostalgia? Located at the Durham Bull's Athletic Park, the Durham Bull's Ballpark Corner Store is the official store of the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team. Not only will you find baseball caps, apparel and jerseys sporting the team's iconic bull brand for adults, youth, babies and pets, but you can also purchase key chains, mugs, bags and display baseballs. Go Bulls!

Bull City Apparel and Customs

3023 Fayetteville St.

Represent the Bull City in style with Durham-inspired streetwear from Bull City Apparel and Customs on Fayetteville Street. This is not your typical t-shirt shop. Find varsity jackets, vintage tees and limited-edition designs.

Hometown Apparel

738 9th St.

Commemorate your trip with some Durham merch from Hometown Apparel. Founded by a Bull City native, this store's goods are inspired by people, places and stories that make Durham the wonderfully unique place it is. Want something even more unique to you? Hometown Apparel also offers custom gifts, monograming and screen printing.

The Artisan Market at 305

305 E. Chapel Hill St.

Your search for souvenirs stops here. The Artisan Market at 305 is a collective of over 50 local artists from North Carolina. You will love browsing handmade jewelry, framed photography, pottery, fiber art and more. Their Durham themed art is a great gift and people will love knowing that what you got them comes from a local artisan.

Toys and Games Shops in Durham

Bricks and Minifigs

3823 Guess Rd.

LEGO fans, take note. Bricks and Minifigs is a one-stop-shop for new and retired LEGO sets as well as bulk LEGO pieces. Head here to find old sets you won't see in stores anymore or grab a new release your kiddo has been eyeing. Does your little builder need more pieces for their creative construction? Buy affordable used pieces priced by volume. Bricks and Minifigs also will buy your old sets or pieces in exchange for cash or trade-ins.

Independently-Owned Durham Bookshops and Record Stores

Daughters Coffee and Books

5410 NC-55, Ste. AF

Everyone loves a book. Find a pre-loved book to escape into, a coffee table book for the design-lover in your life, a book for a baby shower, seriously, there is a book here for everyone. What makes Daughters special is you can order a coffee, pick up a book and spend the day reading. Their coffee menu of special, seasonal drinks are delicious and all given a cleaver book pun for a name.

Golden Fig Books

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

It's okay if you forget to pack a book for a rainy day or need more reading material on your trip. Golden Fig Books is a locally owned bookshop with a fantastic variety of titles, both used and new. The charming, thousand-square-foot store features an inviting layout resplendent in natural light, so grab a coffee and pick up your next good read.

Letters Community Bookshop

116 W. Main St.

Letters Community Bookshop can be found in a light-filled, two-story downtown shop. It's everything you need and more: spacious with new and used books plus an expanded area for kids. Silent Book Club and author events mean there's plenty of reasons to stay and browse for a while. As if Letters wasn't already an awesome bookshop, it is now a community-owned co-op.

The Regulator Bookshop

720 Ninth St.

The Regulator Bookshop sells a little bit of everything. In addition to the wide selection of books – fiction, mystery, poetry, cookbooks, kids books and more – they also sell mugs, shirts, totes, and yes, hot sauce. Make sure to check out the selection of books from local writers.

Carolina Soul

117 E. Main St.

Serving music lovers since 2010, Carolina Soul sells new and used vinyl from their downtown Durham store and online. You could spend an afternoon perusing the boxes of records and chatting music with owner Jason Perlmutter. For a great gift for the music lover who has everything, a date night or White Elephant party, pick a box, close your eyes and purchase whatever your fingers land on. You're sure to discover something new. 

Durham Flower Shops

Everyone wants to get flowers. It doesn't matter the person or occasion, everyone feels special with a bouquet of blooms. Order online or stop by these stores to find an arrangement for every season of life and celebration. 

Bowerbird Flowers and Apothecary

3105 Shannon Rd., Suite 205

Bowerbird's UHill studio and shop is filled with flowers and arrangements, plus locally-made and thoughtfully curated gifts, cards and an apothecary featuring skincare, teas, candles and more.