Shopping locally has always been about more than crossing errands off a list. It’s one of the ways Marin expresses its identity, through the independent businesses that bring personality, craftsmanship and a sense of place to everyday life.
This year’s Best of Marin Shopping winners celebrate the merchants, makers and retailers who continue to make shopping here feel personal.
Leading the way is Made Local Marketplace in Novato, the rare business to earn honors as both Best Gift Shop and Best New Business. It’s a retail store that’s also a celebration of Marin’s creative community, bringing together the work of local artists, artisans, authors, food producers and small businesses under one roof. The shelves are filled with handcrafted home décor, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, fine art, specialty foods and thoughtful gifts that reflect the unique creativity and character of Marin.
What makes Made Local Marketplace stand out, though, is the connection it creates. Behind every product is a local maker with a story, and every purchase supports independent business. That relationship between artist and customer is something increasingly rare in today’s retail landscape, yet it’s at the heart of what makes the marketplace special.
It’s also what makes wandering the aisles so rewarding. A visit might begin with the search for the perfect birthday gift or hostess present and end with an unexpected discovery—a handcrafted piece, a locally made delicacy or a conversation with one of the makers whose work fills the shelves. Those moments of surprise are part of what has made Made Local Marketplace such an immediate favorite.
In a remarkably short time, it’s become a gathering place for Marin’s creative economy and a reminder that supporting local businesses means investing in the people whose work gives the county its distinctive character.
Made Local Marketplace Marin, 881 Grant Ave., Novato. 415.328.6671. madelocalmarketplace.com.
Great article. As a resident of Novato, I was very pleased that a new, unique store came to our downtown district and that it was a “Made Local Marketplace Marin store. I have been shopping there during this passed year and am delighted that your paper has acknowledged them. I hope more people throughout Marin and Sonoma take the time to explore this one-of-a-kind establishment for special and different gifts. The more, the merrier!