Celebrate National Small Business Month with Capital One Business: These 10 US businesses are worth the trip
May is National Small Business Month, a time to celebrate locally owned storefronts, sellers and startups. In honor of Small Business Month, we've found a collection of standout businesses across the U.S. that are worth building your next trip around.
From handcrafted ukuleles and custom ceramics to craft bourbon and one-of-a-kind cowboy boots, one of these 10 businesses might just be the highlight of your next vacation.
And, if you're a business owner looking for a card that earns valuable miles toward travel, the Capital One Venture X Business card could be an excellent option for your spending while you're visiting these locations.
You'll earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. Plus enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards.
Now, let's get to know these businesses.
Slush Club in Tacoma, Washington
Just south of Seattle, Tacoma's Slush Club is a woman-led ceramics studio owned by Shannon Eakins and Marc Dombrosky. All Slush Club ceramics are handmade by Eakins using transformed nerikomi, a Japanese technique for creating patterned clay.
Slush Club's pieces are designed for everyday use and special occasions alike, and each item is food-safe and dishwasher-friendly.
Visit Slush Club's website to learn more, and follow Slush Club on Instagram.
The Quilt Shop at Miller's in Ronks, Pennsylvania
Take a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia to stop by The Quilt Shop at Miller's in Ronks and browse its collection of hundreds of handstitched Amish and Mennonite quilts.
Owner Annette Nauman's shop features heirlooms tied directly to Lancaster County. In addition to the shop's gorgeous blankets, local artisans sell everything from throw pillows to Christmas ornaments.
Visit The Quilt Shop at Miller's website to learn more, and follow The Quilt Shop at Miller's on Instagram.
Little's Boot Company in San Antonio
No trip to Texas is complete without a pair of cowboy boots, and there's no better place to find a pair in San Antonio than Little's Boot Company.
The shop, owned by Sharon and Duane Little, has been crafting custom, handmade cowboy boots since 1915. While the boots are the star of the show, watching them being crafted by hand is an experience in itself.
Visit the Little's Boot Company website to learn more, and follow Little's Boot Company on Instagram.
Ortega's Weaving Shop in Chimayo, New Mexico
Just 30 minutes north of Santa Fe is Chimayo, where Ortega's Weaving Shop draws customers from around the country with its beautiful handwoven selection of blankets, rugs, coats, vests and more.
The store is owned by Robert Ortega, who carries on one of New Mexico's most distinctive textile traditions: Chimayo weavings.
Visit the Ortega's Weaving Shop website to learn more.
Kanilea Ukulele & Guitar in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Take home a piece of true Hawaiian musical tradition when you visit Kanilea Ukulele & Guitar on Oahu. Joe and Kristen Souza's storefront offers handcrafted ukuleles made in Hawaii.
The guitars and ukuleles at Kanilea highlight local music culture and koa craftsmanship, connecting visitors to Oahu's musical heritage.
Visit Kanilea Ukulele & Guitar's website to learn more, and follow Kanilea Ukulele & Guitar on Instagram.
Glidden Point Oyster Farms in Edgecomb, Maine
About an hour from Portland, Maine, sits the coastal town of Edgecomb, where you'll find owner Ryan McPherson's Glidden Point Oyster Farms.
Here, you can tour the farm and take home branded coastal apparel and oyster farm goods inspired by the working waterfront of Maine.
Visit Glidden Point Oyster Farms' website to learn more, and follow Glidden Point Oyster Farms on Instagram.
Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head, North Carolina
A visit to North Carolina's Outer Banks isn't complete without a trip to Kitty Hawk Kites, the largest kite retail operation in the U.S. It's still led by its original founder, John Harris.
Kitty Hawk Kites offers breathtaking experiences, such as hang gliding and airplane tours. Visitors can also bring home a keepsake from the home of aviation, including wind art, flags, apparel and (of course) high-flying kites.
Visit the Kitty Hawk Kites website to learn more, and follow Kitty Hawk Kites on Instagram.
Boone County Distilling Co. in Independence, Kentucky
Just outside Cincinnati, across the Kentucky border, Boone County Distilling Co. is a proud part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and has been handcrafting bourbon since 1833.
Owners Jack Wells and Josh Quinn offer visitors the chance to tour their distillery, learn how bourbon is made, taste a flight and even take a bottle home to remember their experience.
Visit the Boone County Distilling Co. website to learn more, and follow Boone County Distilling Co. on Instagram.
Beyond Ocean in Homer, Alaska
Beyond Ocean is on the Alaska Peninsula, about a four-hour drive from Anchorage. Owner Morgan Edminster's one-of-a-kind jewelry, crafted with skin from wild Alaskan salmon, is worth the trip.
Local fisheries are at the root of Beyond Ocean, which celebrates Alaska's fishing tradition through its distinctive keepsakes. Since every salmon's scale pattern is unique, no two pieces are identical.
Visit Beyond Ocean's website to learn more, and follow Beyond Ocean on Instagram.
Hotel Lobby Candle
Hotel Lobby Candle brings the aroma of your favorite luxury hotel right to your living room. Founder and Capital One Venture X Business cardholder, Lindsay Silberman began selling all-natural soy wax candles inspired by her favorite hotels during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people at home to fill their space with the nostalgic aromas of travel days.
If, for whatever reason, you aren't able to travel this year, Hotel Lobby Candle lets you bring the destinations home with its city-themed candle scents, which include London, Miami and New York. You can ship these directly to your home or find them at Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie store locations, as well as boutiques across the country.
Visit Hotel Lobby Candle's website to learn more, and follow Hotel Lobby Candle on Instagram.
How Capital One Business supports business owners
Capital One's business cards offer several benefits worth knowing about.
Cardholders can earn valuable Capital One miles through their card's welcome offer and everyday spending.
With the Capital One's Venture X Business card, you'll earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. The card earns:
- 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
These miles can be redeemed to book flights, hotels and more through Capital One Business Travel or transferred to one of Capital One's 15-plus loyalty program partners, turning your rewards into dream trips. Capital One miles could easily help you fund a trip to any of the small businesses noted above.
With Venture X Business, you can earn a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel, up to a $120 statement credit for your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application and airport lounge access.
Plus, you can add employee cards for free (see rates and fees), set customized limits, track spending and earn rewards from their purchases.
Capital One's suite of Venture Business travel cards also come with multiple travel and purchase protections and access to year-end summaries.
Bottom line
National Small Business Month is a reminder that some of the best travel experiences are found in local shops and studios.
Whether you're looking to take home a handmade Amish or Mennonite quilt or feel close to nature with unique jewelry made from salmon skin, these businesses are truly worth planning a trip around.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.