Baltimore Gift Guide: Local Goods by Baltimore Makers

KSM Candle Co.

Knit soy and metal candle making in Baltimore.

This artisanal candle company makes all natural, hand-poured soy candles with classic scents. Browse KSM Candle Co.’s selection, which includes other home goods and apparel, at the shop in Woodberry, or sign up to make your own wax and custom fragrance in under an hour.

228 Grant St. Candle Co.

Hand-poured in Baltimore, 228 Grant St. Candle Co. soy candles come in soothing scents like sea salt and orchid, cedar and vanilla, and Meyer lemon and lavender. You can find them at their flagship store on North Haven Street, the Maryland Center for History and Culture‘s shop, Flourish in Charles Village and The Baltimore Museum of Art.

Namascents

Candles have been on Ash Boston’s brain since 2011. She leaned into the craft during a dark time, learning how to mix and blend her own scents and pour wax candles. It wasn’t until 2015, however, that her wife Michelle encouraged her to “stop playing” and turn her passion project into a business, and Namascents was born. Together, the duo creates small batches of candles infused with positive energy, love and respect for the Black makers that came before them and surround them. They use their social media platforms to foster community, frequently using memes to connect to their fellow “scentlovers” and to promote other local businesses. 

Mark Supik & Co.

A family-owned and operated Baltimore woodturning business since 1981, Mark Supik & Co. offers plenty of custom wood products made from reclaimed and local wood. Look for wooden bowls, cutting boards, beer taps (they make ‘em for homebrewers too!), crab mallets and beer flight trays, or design a custom piece. Visit the Orangeville studio and follow them on social media to learn about weekend workshops and special events.

Words With Boards

The custom and ready-made cutting and serving boards by Words With Boards might have been featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things, but they’re most at home in their Hampden studio. Look for whimsical wooden pieces with sayings like “pig out” or “happy hour.” Plan in advance and you’ve got the perfect wedding or housewarming gift, complete with your loved one’s name(s).

La Loupe Design

Show someone how they light up your life by gifting a one-of-a-kind light fixture from La Loupe Design. Inspired by the ideas of observation and discovery (“la loupe” is French for “magnifying glass”), Jorgelina Lopex and Marco Duenas create pieces that combine traditional craft and contemporary design. From origami-style and knit pendant lamps to intimate wall embroideries, these fixtures are like nothing you’ve seen before.

Phina’s Fine Linens & Gifts

Bedding doesn’t have to be boring. Phina’s Fine Linens & Gifts will work with you to curate a custom set of linens within your budget. They vet hundreds of manufacturers in search of the highest quality materials, so you can be sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Stop by their store in Mount Vernon, and prepare to sleep better than you ever have before.

Annie Howe Papercuts

Nothing beats a handmade gift. In addition to selling her custom designs as framed artwork, Christmas ornaments, greeting cards and book covers, Annie Howe is passionate about teaching others the ancient art of papercutting. Join her pop-up workshops around the city to make your own papercut creation or hire her to design custom pieces for your loved ones.

The paper possibilities are endless with Annie Howe’s artwork.

Emporium Collagia

Tucked away on Thames Street is Emporium Collagia, a petite trove of artful, whimsical decorative items. There, you’ll find all sorts of treasures, from fine jewelry to vibrant glassware to meditation cards, but the scene stealer award goes to owner Luana Kaufmann’s original collage creations in which she combines archival pigment and paper mediums. Through her art and her store – itself a smorgasbord of old and new artifacts – Kaufmann hopes to produce joy and inspire creativity in her customers.

Baltimore Clayworks

Driven by excellence, joy, integrity and inclusivity, Baltimore Clayworks is an artist-centric nonprofit offering affordable educational programming and exhibitions. Encourage your loved ones’ creative side by signing them up for a class or stop by their studio in Mount Washington to shop community artists’ pottery, decor and more.

Found Studio

Nestled in the heart of Hamilton-Lauraville is Found Studio, a woman-owned purveyor of local and regional goods. At this Best of Baltimore winner, you’ll find a robust assortment of items from Maryland’s most acclaimed makers. From Tiny Dog Press’s vibrant coasters to Cherapy’s therapeutic heat wraps to owner Kacey Stafford’s original studio art, you never know what you’ll find at Found.

B. Willow

Shop B. Willow‘s collection of indoor houseplants and flowers, specifically tropicals, succulents, cacti and air plants. Get everything you need for an indoor oasis, including all kinds of planters, candles and other local goods. The shop in Remington also offers plant care and terrarium building workshops.

Shop B. Willow’s collection of plants and other gifts.

Green Neighbor

After sharing his tips for plant care and styling on his own Instagram, writing four books on the topic and launching a line at Target, Baltimore’s own plant whisperer Hilton Carter finally opened his own plant store, Green Neighbor. Opened in collaboration with Shawn Chopra of Good Neighbor café and design shop, Green Neighbor offers a collection of rare house plants, books and supplies. 

Urban Roots

Know someone who wants a garden but isn’t too excited about all the physical strain? Urban Roots Company seed bombs are the way to go. Flower seeds and compacted compost form colorful “bombs.” Toss, water and watch them grow. Available at the art supply store at MICA (the Maryland Institute College of Art), which features plenty of onsite galleries.

Walther Gardens

The owners of The Margaret Cleveland, a home and garden shop that opened in Bolton Hill in 2021, bought Walther Gardens last year with a promise to maintain the long-running legacy of the nursery; they even continue to sell snowballs from the century-old snowball stand—the oldest in the country. Between the two businesses, you’ll find everything you need for your garden and home planting needs plus occasional classes and events for floral design, plant care and seasonal celebrations.

Local Color Flowers

Local Color Flowers offers a more sustainable alternative to buying floral bouquets from overseas or out-of-state. 100% of their flowers are grown at family farms and gardens within 100 miles of their workshop in Waverly. The shop hosts weekly floral arranging events, book clubs, floral pet photoshoots and special classes like wreathmaking or floral head crown making.

The Flower Cart

Serving Baltimore since 1961, The Flower Cart has two locations—one in Hamilton and one inside Johns Hopkins Hospital—offering floral arrangements, fruit and gourmand baskets and plants. You won’t want to miss the Hamilton shop’s exterior mural of large pink blooms, and you may even be able to attend a floral arranging workshop or get a latte from The Pink Peony coffee cart.

Flowers & Fancies

Flowers & Fancies has stayed connected to the Baltimore community for more than 50 years by partnering with local businesses, events and non-profit associations. Their gift crates include a floral display alongside locally made goods like Charm City Meadworks and Mouth Party Caramels. Stop by the shop to see one of the region’s largest walk-in flower coolers to get inspiration for your next arrangement or learn how to make your own at a class.

Drama MaMa Bookshop

The writer in your life is always in need of a new journal. Buy them one that’s truly special from Drama MaMa Bookshop. Find hardcover or wooden journals with tribal designs, nods to local rowhouse architecture or inspirational quotes by powerful Black women like Audre Lord. Order your own custom design, or learn how to make a notebook yourself with a virtual “wine and bind” class.

Tiny Dog Press

Get colorful letterpress cards, in city-inspired or floral motif designs, by Tiny Dog Press, a woman-owned studio. Buy a pack for that friend who loves writing letters, or send with your own notes inside. Find them at The Baltimore Museum of Industry gift shop, and Chase Street Accessories & Engraving in Mount Vernon.

Paper Herald

Inspired by international travel and global design, Paper Herald opened in Mount Vernon in 2021 with the goal of bringing high quality stationery, paper goods and writing instruments to Baltimore. Boasting a modern and sleek aesthetic, Paper Herald’s materials are made around the world, but we’re partial to the letterpress illustrations of beloved Baltimore landmarks like the Domino Sugars sign and Washington Monument.

Atomic Books

“Literary finds for mutated minds” is the slogan of Atomic Books, which also serves as the fan mail collection point for famed Baltimore native, artist and filmmaker John Waters. This independent Hampden bookstore has been curating an eclectic selection of comics, books, zines and art for more than 20 years, and features a cozy bar in the back for hosting events.

Greedy Reads

After working in publishing for nearly two decades, Julia Fleischaker decided to bring her deep love for books back to her home state and opened Greedy Reads in 2018. In addition to impressive selections at their Fell’s Point and Remington locations, Greedy Reads offers curated book bags hand-picked by staff members based on your favorite authors and current literary mood.

The Bookstore Next Door

Part bookstore, part treasure trove, Hampden’s The Bookstore Next Door is the perfect place to shop first editions, rare printings and signed copies of your favorite publications. Next door is Charlotte Elliott, which boasts vintage clothing, ancient pottery, textiles and more, making it easy to grab all your gifts at once; just don’t forget to snag a little something for yourself, too.

Charm City Books

Located in the historic Seton Hill, neighborhood Charm City Books is a quaint and colorful reprieve from Baltimore’s busy downtown. You’ll find a comprehensive collection of modern fiction, memoirs and literary theory, including titles from Baltimore-based authors like D. Watkins and R. Eric Thomas, as well as selections for the little readers in your life. In addition to books, you’ll find stationary, stickers and Charm City souvenirs; you’re also likely to spy the owners’ four-legged friends roaming around the shop, helping customers select the perfect story!

Baltimore is a book lover’s dream. Check out some of our favorite literary landmarks, libraries and bookstores in Charm City.

Creative King

“Create and Conquer” is the message of Creative King, a brand specializing in handmade headwear (that means hats) and limited apparel including t-shirts and bags. Most of the pieces are upcycled and reworked, created from vintage denim, silk, workout gear, swim trunks, bags, etc. The bold, bright colors are sure to make a statement.

Tigerlillyshop

Artist Alison Fomich, owner of Tigerlillyshop jewelry, is “finding the place where nature meets the city,” creating jewelry and accessories from recycled textiles and items collected in parks and gardens around Baltimore. Look for one-of-kind pieces like a pressed cicada wing necklace, necklaces made from acorns dipped in sterling silver and hair ties created from buttons covered in vintage Japanese kimono fabric. You can find Tigerlillyshop at Mount Vernon Marketplace.

If vintage styles are what you’re looking for, we have plenty of options in Charm City. Find some of our favorite vintage stores.

SoBotanical

SoBotanical is the only custom aromatherapy bar in the Baltimore region with 100% pure and genuine essential oils that are grown free of chemicals. Founded by certified aromatherapist Theresa Cangialosi, the shop also offers hand-crafted skin, hair and pet care products. Stop by their shops in Federal Hill or Hampden to purchase ready-made blends or create your own custom mix of personalized essential oils.

Mount Royal Soaps

Founded by three “soap-obsessed” friends in 2014, Mount Royal Soaps is on a mission to bring fresh, sustainably-sourced skincare to Baltimore. With names like “Good God, Lemon,” “Thrilla’ in Vanilla” and “Lavender Leche,” Mount Royal Soaps smell so good, you’ll be tempted to take a bite. But these delicious bars aren’t just for the bath; they come in candle form, too. Stop by the store in Remington to shop their seasonal selections.

Mount Royal Soaps sells handmade skin care items.

Oyin Handmade

Jamyla Bennu had trouble finding products for her highly textured hair that were natural and organic so she decided to make her own. That hobby grew into Oyin Handmade, which she runs with her partner, Pierre. You’ll find deep conditioners, hair masks, body lotion and more.

Old Line Spirits

Spend a Saturday afternoon touring the veteran-owned Old Line Spirits distillery in Highlandtown and bring home a bottle of their signature single malt whiskey. Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins met in the Navy flying EA-6B Prowlers. More than a decade later, they decided to launch their own craft distillery. Take a tour with a complimentary tasting, and enjoy a cocktail at the Ready Room, the distillery’s bar.

Sagamore Spirit

In the Baltimore Peninsula, Sagamore Spirit is distilling new bottles of whiskey every day at their facility, which is open for tours and comes complete with a gift shop. Grab a bottle of their award-winning signature rye and pair it with whiskey BBQ sauce or whiskey cherries and a whiskey-inspired candle.

Sagamore Distillery bottles.

Find out more about our whiskey distilleries.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery

Guinness Open Gate Brewery boasts a wide selection from seasonal stouts to Baltimore-inspired brews!

You don’t need to hop on a plane to enjoy a great Irish pint! The Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, located on Baltimore’s historic Washington Boulevard, has brewed over 200 innovative craft recipes since opening in 2018, and new flavors are released almost weekly. Take a free tour of the 62-acre facility and sample some of their seasonal stouts like Chocolate Mint and Gingerbread. You can also pick up a 6-pack of their famous Baltimore brews, such as the Baltimore Blonde or the Over the Moon milk stout, at retailers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Looking for more options? Try some of our other favorite local breweries.

Zeke’s Coffee

In Baltimore, Zeke’s Coffee is a morning staple. You can enjoy a cup at area restaurants and delis, or share the flavor with friends by buying a bag to take home. Just look for the sign in the window to see if they are “Powered by Zeke’s.”

Thread Coffee Roasters

Priding themselves on sustainable sourcing, Thread Coffee Roasters was recently named the best coffee in Maryland by Food and Wine magazine. Sample their brews at Bird in Hand and Motzi Bread in Charles Village or Red Emma’s in Waverly.

Wight Tea Company

Founded and run by a brother-sister team, Wight Tea Company features handcrafted tea blends, such as Fireside Fig, Smoked Chai or Maryland Mint. Find it at B. Willow in Remington, Su Casa in Fell’s Point or Greedy Reads.

Need a pick me up? Take a break while shopping to enjoy the brews and baked goods at one of these Baltimore cafes.

Hex Ferments

Hex Ferments uses the traditional method of fermentation to preserve and transform local, organic produce into nourishing foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha. Hex is committed to reducing waste and allows you to refill your empties for a discounted price. Find Hex at Belvedere Square Market and other locations around the city.

Mobtown Fermentation

Mobtown Fermentation started as three friends selling kombucha out of the side of a juice shop. Today, their primary product, Wild Kombucha, is available in 700 stores across five states. Proceeds from every bottle of kombucha sold helps protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the ecosystems it supports.

Aunt Kelly’s Cookies

Growing up in Baltimore, Kelly Simmons spent any spare change she had on butter crunch cookies. Eventually, with the help of her grandma, she perfected her own recipe and opened Aunt Kelly’s Cookies to share her love for baking with her hometown. Located on the historic Antique Row of Mount Vernon, this Black-owned business is the only local bakery offering the famous butter crunch cookie, among other flavors, baked fresh daily. Head on over and get ’em while they’re hot!

Discover more Black-owned businesses in Baltimore.

Charm City Chocolate

Charm City Chocolate is a retro modern candy shop in Hampden. Take home handcrafted chocolates like peanut chews, spicy almond bark with cayenne pepper, chocolate crabs or Old Bay-tinged Chesapeake Crunch, just to name a few.

Hon’s Honey

An empowering employment program associated with the Baltimore-based nonprofit The Well, Hon’s Honey products are handcrafted by female trauma survivors. 100% of profits from purchases of Hon’s high-quality honey sticks, jars, bath products and candles go toward healing services like counseling, childcare, affordable housing, mentorship, workforce development, social programming and more. Try their honeys infused with habanero, rosemary and elderberry, or sample the honey from Hon’s own worker bee reserve.

Mouth Party Caramel

Based on a family recipe, Mouth Party Caramel features only simple ingredients like butter, sugar, sea salt and heavy cream — nothing you can’t pronounce. Buy bags of individually wrapped candies (for an extra taste of Baltimore, try the Old Bay-infused Chesapeake flavor), or jars of thick caramel sauce.

Natasha’s Just Brittle

Natasha Wainwright is a Baltimore native with a passion for creating sweet treats in her hometown. Natasha’s Just Brittle features sweet, (sometimes) nutty, crunchy treats, like turtle pretzels, caramel brittle crunch and Muddy Buddy Bites.

Natasha’s Brittle being made in Baltimore.

MFG Toffee and Bark Co.

MFG Toffee and Bark Co. owner Kathy Nelson keeps it simple with small-batch English walnut toffee. MFG stands for “Maryland’s Finest and Greatest” Toffee. So good that even a priest once said, “I’m not sharing this.” Find it at: Eddie’s of Roland Park, Cheese Galore & More and Culinary Architecture.

Bazaar

Since 2013, Bazaar has been Baltimore’s one-stop shop for all things strange and unusual. Though their inventory is always evolving, you can expect to encounter a plethora of oddities like antique medical equipment, framed insects and spooky-smelling candles. Visit their store in Hampden, or shop their bizarre collection online.

Old Bay

Nothing says Baltimore like Old Bay. This zesty blend of 18 spices, some of which are still kept secret, took the city by storm when German immigrant Gustav Brunn invented it over 75 years ago, and to this day it remains many Baltimoreans’ preferred blue crab seasoning. Shop McCormick’s website for some seriously spicy merchandise, from Old Bay-branded inflatable pools to baseball caps and dog collars.

Dogs of Charm City

These dog toys are modeled after Baltimore’s iconic “Greatest City in America” benches. The slogan stems from former Mayor Martin O’Malley’s campaign speeches and inaugural address in 2000.

Treat the animal lovers in your life to apparel, tote bags, koozies and, of course, pet supplies from Dogs of Charm City. Founded on a mission to develop a community of pet parents in Baltimore, DOCC offers professional dog walking, training and sitting services in addition to hosting events and providing free resources on their website. All of their products are designed and printed in Maryland, from the sleek cat or dog mom caps to the vibrant candy-colored stickers that comically proclaim “girls just want to have dogs” and “there’s probably dog hairs in this.” For your four-legged friends, be sure to pick up a Baltimore-inspired dog or cat toy; we’re partial to the “Greatest City in America” bench plushy ($2 from each purchase goes to Friends of Patterson Park) or the orange crush catnip toy.

Planning a trip to Baltimore with your furry friend? Check out our pet-friendly guide to Charm City for hotel and restaurant recommendations.

Made in Baltimore

Don’t have time to hunt high and low for the perfect souvenir gift? Find a wide assortment of locally-made products at Made in Baltimore, an organization that supports artists, makers and manufacturers around the city. In addition to selling their members’ products at pop-ups and online, Made in Baltimore provides free business development resources, creates robust marketing campaigns and advocates for urban policy on behalf of their members. Made in Baltimore products range from wooden furniture to engraved kitchenware to metallic jewelry, skincare solutions and more! See their website for details about vendors and pop-up locations.

A 5-star Slumber

Nothing says “I love you” like booking a luxury accommodation for your friend or family member, and there are plenty to choose from in Baltimore. Go for a historic feel with hotels like the Admiral Fell Inn, Rachael Dowry’s Bed & Breakfast or the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, or opt for something more modern like the Sagamore Pendry, Hotel Revival, Hotel Indigo or Hotel Ulysses. Pamper your loved one with relaxing spa treatments, available on-site at The Ivy and the Four Seasons, or an upscale meal at the Canopy’s on-site restaurant, Cindy Lou’s Fish House.

With its stunning views of the city, curated rooms and locally sourced beverages, Hotel Revival embodies the best of Baltimore. Photograph by Jason Varney.

An Evening at the Theater

Baltimore’s vibrant theater scene has something for everyone, from Broadway-winning musicals to rock operas and black box productions. Treat someone special to lively eateries that entertain you while you dine, such as Monarque, Illusions, Keystone Korner and Nick’s Fish House; then, catch a show at the Hippodrome, Chesapeake Shakespeare Center, Baltimore Center Stage and The Lyric, among others.

A Top Chef-Level Cooking Class

Give the master chef or burgeoning cook in your life a high-quality culinary class from Baltimore Chef Shop. The Hampden teaching kitchen offers a robust selection of cooking classes on global and regional cuisines, plus skills-based classes for couples, groups and families.

With classes taught by seasoned Baltimore chefs Andy Thomas and Amy von Lange, Schola guarantees a fun and intriguing culinary experience for beginners and veterans alike. The Canton establishment is BYOB, and students are encouraged to bring a bottle of something to enjoy while they cook and eat together.

A Custom Clay Creation

Showcase your creative side at Amazing Glaze in Mount Washington, the first studio of its kind in Maryland! They provide everything you need to create your own masterpiece, from the pottery to the paints to the glazing tools. Channel your inner artist to paint something special for a loved one or register them for a guided class to practice skills like tracing, stenciling or mosaics.

Want to start completely from scratch? Take a class or book a session with Baltimore Clayworks, where you can try your hand at sculpting, pottery throwing or glazing.

A Museum Membership

Located just a stone’s throw from the Washington Monument, the Walters houses over 36,000 pieces that you can see for free!

Whether you’re shopping for an art enthusiast, history buff, animal lover or scientist, membership to a Baltimore attraction can feed their curiosity. Memberships to the National Aquarium, Baltimore Museum of Art, the Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and the B&O Railroad Museum, among others, often include free admission for a year, discounted merchandise and invites to members-only events. If your loved one’s favorite museum doesn’t have a membership program, such as the Walters Art Museum or the Maryland Center for History and Culture, consider giving a one-time donation in their name.