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Asian American
Small Business

Shopping Guide

Presented by:

Looking for one of a kind gifts while supporting community businesses? Our Asian American small business shopping guide has everything from books, to clothing, to kitchen. With over 100 businesses featured, you're sure to find a stellar gift for your special person. Have fun!

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Design & Print

Handmade by Sara Kim

One-of-a-kind pieces like paper flower arrangements, wreaths, cards, + more. Everything is cut, hand sewed, glued, dyed, soldered, + wired by hand.

Hemleva

Focused on bringing greenery into the home + into our daily lives. Currently based out of Seattle, WA.

Happily Ever Etched

Producing laser cut + engraved details that inspire connection + thoughtfulness. Find engraved cutting/cheese boards, signs, cake toppers, + more.

MAYUMI-KO

West Coast influenced prints, totes, tees, + other items. 10% of profits are also donated to different organizations each quarter!

Pretty Little Laser

Family operation selling laser cut wood items ranging from ornaments, sign markers, coloring book activities to signs, kids' clothing, + everything in between.

Design & Print (Cont.)

Design & Print

The Wander Club

The Wander Club helps travelers commemorate their trips with our handcrafted Wanderchains (essentially a keychain version of your passport) with engraved tokens for every trip.

the kimi collective

the kimi collective is a calligraphy + design shop featuring home goods, prints, as well as wedding/stationery services.

The Good Feelin'

Prints, stickers, art, + more with graphics inspired by communities + movements. 10% of proceeds go toward supporting the arts in underrepresented communities across LA.

Bunkado

Bunkado is a destination gift shop, still at its original location in downtown Los Angeles since 1946, supplying the community with items from Japan + beyond.

Mimochai

Mimochai is an independent storybook studio + shop sharing stories + products that encourage creativity, courage, + mindfulness in humans of all ages. Find prints, totes, apparel, accessories, + more.

Giant Robot

Est. 2001 + features art exhibitions, fun house wares, gifts, stationeries, t-shirts, comics, plush, + toy figures from around the world. Giant Robot is often cited as the birthplace for Asian Pop Culture products + Uglydolls.

Poketo

The husband-and-wife team has grown a lifestyle brand born out of the desire to infuse art + design into every day. Poketo creates collections of design-conscious goods to cultivate a creative lifestyle.

Next Up, Beauty

BEAUTY

Honey Belle

Honey Belle is a natural beauty brand that started in a home kitchen, with products ranging from skincare/body products, tools, accessories, + more.

Love Pretty

Love Pretty specializes in lashes designed for people with small, petite, or Asian eyes who love hand-crafted, no-fuss, easy to apply, comfort-first but also glamorous lashes.

Skinesque

Clean + approachable Korean skincare that is sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan, pH balanced, + gentle for all skin types.

Barred From LA

Handmade, small-batch soaps inspired by the founder’s love of food, science, scents, + beautiful things. Find cheeky donut/boba/dessert soaps!

Beauty (cont.)

BEAUTY

WATO Soap

WATO has roots with the founders' mother Noriko who taught herself how to make soap + studied traditional herbal/dyeing practices. Find products with natural ingredients + homemade dyes.

CLE Cosmetics

Skincare + makeup curated, sourced, + centered on the latest Korean Beauty technology, bearing in mind that the very best products are ones that nurture your most natural state.

Orcé cosmetics

Orcé Cosmetics was created to set a new standard of beauty, where every skin tone is celebrated, acknowledged, + seen.

Next Up, the kitchen

Kitchen

Anzen Hardware

A local Little Tokyo hardware store with tools, Japanese goods, + anything you'd need for your home/project. Owner Nori has been at the store since 1954!

Tortoise General Store

Tortoise General Store is a dealer of daily tools that improve daily life + mature with their owner. A curated selection of timeless Japanese home goods with a story.

Studio Kō

Studio Kō represents that connection to home, a sense of identity, + discovery of your past within products that are both contemporary + specifically of historical Korean context + interpretation.

Kitchen (cont.)

Kitchen

Umami Mart

Umami Mart sprouted into this world as an international food + drink blog in 2007. Over the years, it has grown into a Japanese kitchen + barware importing business, based in Oakland, CA.

TOIRO Kitchen

Native of Tokyo, TOIRO's founder creates artisanal earthenware products loved by professional chefs + home cooks alike.

The Wok Shop

The Wok Shop, located in San Francisco's Chinatown, has been selling woks + kitchen goods/products for over 40 years.

Next Up, books

books & Stationary

JANM Store

The Museum Store of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) features distinctive Asian American merchandise for all occasions + generations. Your purchases help support the programs + exhibitions at JANM.

Asian American Curriculum Project (AACP)

The Asian American Curriculum Project, Inc. has been an award winning non-profit voluntary educational organization since 1969 with a mission to educate the public about the great diversity of the Asian American experience, through the books distributed.

Books & Stationary (Cont.)

books & Stationary

OH SHINY!

A modern balloon + party shop with a Pasadena brick & mortar carrying stationery, paper partyware, gifts, + a fully stocked balloon bar.

Yoseka Stationery

Husband + wife duo founded Yoseka Stationery in 2017 as a way of introducing Asian stationery to the US with roots in Taiwan at Neil’s parent’s stationery store.

Paper Please

Based in LA’s Chinatown, Paper Please is two girls who love paper + all things stationery, building a communal space to create more analog opportunities + less screen time.

Salt Paper Co.

With sustainability + excellence at its core, Salt Paper Co. prioritizes recycling + reducing waste, without compromising quality in all stationary + custom products.

Next Up, the home

Home

MAAARI

MAAARI is the dream of modern design rooted in consciousness + inspired by Philippine culture. Founded in 2016 + run by two Filipina-American women, Ivy and Jeanette are storytellers + designers dedicated to honoring their roots + reimagining age-old traditions.

Shibui Wood Designs

Shibui Wood and Designs is a home décor studio focusing on custom built furniture where everything is handmade in California. A family owned shop that's rooted in Japanese aesthetics, inspired by the beauty of Japanese designs that are simple yet serve an everyday purpose.

Pearl River Mart

Founded in 1971 as a small “friendship” store in NYC's Chinatown as a place to find just about anything: from Buddha statuettes to rice snacks to chopsticks, + things you can’t even name.

The Give Store

The Give Store started as a small vendor at local farmers markets + at artisanal events, meeting extraordinary people making amazing products.

Home (Cont.)

Home

The Give Store

The Give Store started as a small vendor at local farmers markets + at artisanal events, meeting extraordinary people making amazing products. Those experiences inspired the store to bring in products from small makers, not only from local artists, but from the US + all over the world.

HIGHTIDE STORE DTLA

HIGHTIDE is a brand established in Fukuoka, Japan in 1994, specializing in office supplies + stationery with HIGHTIDE STORE DTLA opening in July 2017. The store is inspired by local Japanese stationery stores with shelves crammed with notebooks, pencils, erasers, pen cases, cheap sweets, + toys.

HÖMAGE

At HÖMAGE in Pasadena, you will find a space filled with beautifully crafted goods curated by owner, Jill Pearson. Emerging + experienced artists' work sit side by side with unique gifts + handmade jewelry.

The Homebodies Co.

A cozy concept shop for feel-good spaces + more intentional living, curating sustainable goods from small-batch makers + mindful brands tryin' to do things differently.

Next Up, clothes

clothes

Pepper

An unapologetic brand specifically with women for small boobs, starting with bras (in cute + comfy styles, too!)

Miel Boutique

“Bringing East Coast chic to West Coast charm” with a selection of women’s apparel + accessories.

Womn.

Female-focused apparel line making limited runs of conscious clothes - shop their final collection/pieces.

CRFT by Maki

Celebrating Japanese American culture, CRFT blends modern cultural influence + heritage.

Japangeles

Little Tokyo based streetwear brand, notoriously without an online store to encourage supporting the LT community, but online this season with tees, hoodies, hats, + more.

Beau Undies

Online retail + subscription company for the pretty pairs of undies. Their subscription on a mission also donates pairs to women in need at local shelters.

Clothes (cont.)

clothes

SUNDAY / MONDAY

Textile brand partnering directly partnering with weavers in India to create beautiful bandanas, scarves, + home textiles.

Uprisers

Los Angeles based community-driven streetwear brand focused on storytelling for activists, trendsetters, + warriors for change.

Kaira Active

Kaira Active’s founder stepped away from the fast fashion industry to create a sustainable, thoughtful, + versatile activewear brand.

Akashi Kama

Based in Oakland, CA, Akashi Kama brings modern products designed + influenced by the Japanese-American experience.

chantale + krys

Haitian-American + Filipina-American duo championing maximalist/minimalist sustainable clothing.  

CYT & CO.

Founded by three sisters, CYT & CO. aims to create a multitude of art forms that celebrate the Asian American experience.

Mien Studios

Los Angeles based clothing brand dedicated to making well-designed clothes sustainably, ethically, + locally for everyday (kid/maternity-friendly, too!)

Clothes (Cont.)

clothes

Ugly Family Clothing

Reclaiming “ugly,” embracing authenticity, + building a family based on inclusiveness, promoting acceptance in race, gender, orientation, culture, + ability.

Fighting Eel

Based in Hawaii, designer duo creates uncomplicated, yet feminine tops, dresses, jumpers, + sets that are both comfortable + versatile.

Bloomaire

Made with mamas in mind, collections feature pieces made for nursing moms, prioritizing functionality, design, + comfort.

MAUBY

Creating lasting pieces with a mix of romantic undertones + comfortably structured pieces, committed to empowering others, supporting underserved communities + nonprofits.

The Dreamer's Collective
(TDC LA)

Streetwear designed with dreamers in mind - shop hoodies, tees, + more influenced by classic sportswear/street style.

Asian American
Girl Club

Apparel company set to redefine what it means to be a modern Asian American woman - the AAGC brand platforms the next generation of AAPI women.

Next Up, coffee & tea

coffee & tea

Kumquat

Find high quality curated coffee beans, tea products, equipment, merchandise, + more from the Highland Park-based LA coffee shop.

Cafe Dulce

Based in Los Angeles, Cafe Dulce serves coffee, tea, seasonal creations, donuts, treats, + more, rooted in supporting the community.

Three Gems Tea

The two female founders started Three Gems Tea to make tea breaks easy. The three gems for getting the most out of your cup? Keep it good, simple, + fun!

Thank You Coffee

Currently a pop-up in LA's Chinatown, try Thank You Coffee's hojicha latte, Thank You latte, + various drinks/baked goods in collaboration with local makers.

Coffee & Tea (Cont.)

coffee & tea

Nguyen Coffee Supply

Nguyen Coffee Supply is the first ever Vietnamese-American-owned importer + roaster of green coffee beans from Vietnam in New York. Shop coffee, merch, gifts + more, celebrating diversity in the coffee community.

Us Two Tea

Us Two Tea represents the second generation of Asian Americans + is making tea culture more accessible to people in the U.S to speak in a way that coffee connects people: inclusive, welcoming, + accessible.

Common Clover

Beautiful skin starts from within, + tea has always been at the center of that conversation. Common Clover is a love letter to those open to rewriting how we incorporate tea into our wellness + beauty routines.

Maru

Born from a love of process and everyday quality, Maru is inspired by all things analog + the simplicity of good coffee. Based in Los Angeles, but ships coffee beans, equipment, + more domestically.

Next Up, plants

Plants

SACHI.LA

Think plant store meets coffee shop meets local gift one-stop-shop. The two hapa founders have curated a place for plants + community in West LA.

Echo Garden *local to LA

Family-owned + operated on the Eastside of Los Angeles, Echo Garden provides a variety of houseplants, ceramic pottery, trees, succulents, cacti, + more.

San Gabriel Nursery *local to LA

San Gabriel Nursery & Florist is one of Southern California's largest + most complete garden centers. Family-owned + operated since 1923 with extensive knowledge about the plants, climate, + growing conditions conducive to Southern California.

Plants (Cont.)

Plants

Hashimoto Nursery *local to LA

Serving the Westside of Los Angeles for over 80 years, find outdoor + indoor plants including seasonal annuals, perennial shrubs/ground covers, succulents, vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, sod, + houseplants.

Rooted

Rooted makes the plant-buying experience more fun, convenient, + accessible in the most sustainable way possible, providing affordable plants with fresh, educational content to guide you on your journey.

Next Up, food & snacks

Food & Snacks

Kansha Creamery

Everything is handmade with the utmost TLC by the brother + sister duo with ingredients coming from local, organic farmers whenever possible with a percentage of sales going to charities around the world.

Wanderlust Creamery

Inspired by the founders' feelings of wanderlust, every Wanderlust flavor is made from their memories, the flavors that remind them of their childhoods, the places they’ve been, + the places they want to go.

Omsom

A sister duo started Omsom to bring proud, loud Asian flavors to your fingertips any day of the week. An Omsom starter is a pantry shortcut, combining all the sauces, aromatics, + seasonings you need to cook a specific Asian dish. Recipes are provided.

DeLight Patisserie

The founder of DeLight is a pastry lover who trained in a pastry school in Paris. Ever since moving to Los Angeles, she sought to create special sweets that can bring love + attention to the people we care about, and her delicious custom butter cookies were born.

Yasukochi Family Farms *local to San Diego

Yasukochi Family Farms is rooted in San Diego, CA, providing produce, recipes, + more to surrounding communities. If you're local to San Diego, check out their Community Supported Agriculture produce boxes with farm fresh goods.

Food & Snacks (Cont.)

Food & Snacks

Fugetsu-Do

Fugetsu-Do has been a family owned + operated confectionery store in Little Tokyo since 1903. Japanese rice cakes, more commonly known as mochi (rice cake) and manju (sweet bean-filled rice cake), are the staple.

The Spicy Mamas

Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, "The Spicy Mamas" is a family of female chefs looking to spice up your everyday meal. Shop their famous "Garlic Chili Oil" as mentioned in LA EATER.

Buttery Popcorn Co.

Founded in 2018, Buttery Popcorn Co. has been serving up small batch, artisanal popcorn throughout Southern California. Choose from fun flavors like matcha, Chamoy, cinnamon toast, + more!

Diaspora Co.

Diaspora Co. is a direct trade, single-origin spice company dedicated to building a better spice trade by putting money, equity, + power into the hands of Indian farmers. Shop spices, build a trio, + explore flavors + recipes.

Ayako & Family

From ingredient sourcing to preserving processes, Ayako & Family + its second generation of jam makers produces jams + preserves with the recipes the founder's mother created nearly a decade ago.

Next Up, Accessories

Accessories

Chunks

The cutest hair accessories/uniquely designed hair claws proudly manufactured in China to commit to furthering responsible manufacturing practices.

HEY MOON DESIGNS

Hand-marbled, formed, + assembled statement jewelry with minimal design that focuses on earth tones + geometrical shapes.

Littlest & Co.

Handmade statement + simple jewelry. All of Littlest & Co.’s beautiful pieces are wrapped + ready to be gifted.

Accessories (cont.)

Accessories

Priscilla Ma

A mix of handmade + curated jewelry that can be worn everyday while being affordable. Perfect for the everyday minimalist

FREJA NEW YORK

Built around principles of making carefully considered, purpose driven, foundation pieces you can depend on. Handbags made exceptionally with animal-free materials.

COVRY

Frustrated by the lack of comfortable eyewear options for diverse face shapes + sizes, the female duo teamed up to create an innovative approach to fit + design.

Next Up, ceramics & candles

Ceramics & Candles

Pine Tree & Myrtle

Pine Tree & Myrtle is a small-batch home goods studio with a philosophy to create something that doesn't just clutter your house - an item that will be cherished and used, then used again + again. Shop candles + gift sets.

Mud.Witch

The Japanese/Mexican artist based in San Francisco, CA creates uniquely diverse + playful ceramic pieces, made all the more warm with her backstory of ceramics being an outlet of grieving her father's passing.

kuzu

kuzu is a small home studio based in Los Angeles, CA with the goal to share the vision of the intersection of design, scale, texture, + function through beautiful handmade ceramics.

Ceramics & Candles (Cont.)

Ceramics & Candles

Wing on Wo & Co.

The oldest store in Chinatown, New York. Home to community initiative, W.O.W. Project, with a mission to sustain ownership over Chinatown's future by growing, protecting + preserving Chinatown's creative culture through arts, culture, + activism.

Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics

Alyson Iwamoto is a native Los Angeles ceramic artist, working in clay for 20 years, deeply influenced by her Japanese heritage + LA roots. For nearly a decade, Alyson was a ceramics instructor to children at Inner-City Arts, a non-profit organization.

Sach

A Vietnamese-American owned company making candles inspired by the founders' heritage + personal experiences. Sach represents the LA-based Vietnamese-American couple's hope of creating meaningful, worthwhile products that also happen to be eco-friendly.

Franca

Named after the phrase “Lingua Franca,” meaning “common language” Franca has its roots in the multicultural heritage of their co-owners to create playful + modern ceramic products that allow for the appreciation of details without overloading the senses.

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