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The Anti-Racist Ally’s Holiday Gift Guide

Click here for a printable version of the Holiday Gift Guide.

I’ve always been an advocate for supporting local businesses, particularly around the holiday season. This year, I added another goal to my list: supporting Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) in our community, as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+.

If you are looking for more ways to be anti-racist or a better ally to these groups, spend your holiday money with them. It’s a fantastic way for you to counteract the economic and opportunity inequalities that come from a system built on heteronormative white supremacy.

Plus, our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ neighbors are making some really cool things.

This is by no means a complete list. But hopefully, it will give you some ideas and introduce you to some amazingly talented creators and businesses you haven’t heard of before.

— Sarah Evans

FOOD & DRINK

For the Barbecue-Lover

Uncle Troy’s Family BBQ, located downtown in the Fork Forty Food Hall, is focused on fellowship and connection, using family recipes handed down through the generations. The menu includes pork, turkey, beef, and chicken, plus classic sides and desserts like mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, and sweet potato pie. With online ordering and curbside or in-store pickup, it’s easy to get a meal for someone you love. Located at 440 State St. in the Fork Forty Food Hall // uncletroysbbq.com

JoJo’s Soul Food & Memphis BBQ, a food cart located at The Yard in East Salem, focuses on Memphis-style Southern food, including ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, and cornbread. Owner Ricky “JoJo” Tukufu bases his creations on family recipes that go back several generations. Pick up a yummy take-out meal for that special someone. Located at The Yard Food Park, 4106 State Street.

For people who like to fire up their own grill, treat them to a bottle or two of Best Damn BBQ Sauce. Owner Mike White says he’s aiming to “create flavors the whole family enjoys.” His sauce won a blue ribbon from the American Royal in Kansas City, so you know it’s good.  West Coast Tang, NW Gold Rush, Pineapple Express, and Hot Damn That’s Hot are just a few of his flavors. On sale at any Roth’s or Safeway in Salem or Keizer. Photo by spiffergirl // bestdamnbbqsauce.com

For the Cook or Culinary Adventurer

Flourish Spices and African Food is where you’ll find a wide variety of African foods from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and other countries. They also carry traditional seasonings that you’re not likely to find in other local stores. Frozen goat, canned breadfruit, Maggi seasonings and flours made from yam, oats, and plantain are just a few of the items you’ll find here. They also will cater for your home or event, with more than 24 hours notice. Located at 1555 Hawthorne Ave. NE // flourishafricanmart.com

If you’re looking for Asian ingredients, A Dong Market has you covered. They have a huge selection of East Asian groceries, drinks, and snacks from multiple countries, including a large selection of teas and a section of sake. They also sell gift items, including a variety of chopsticks, bowls, and spoons. Located at 2990 Silverton Road NE.

If your friend or family likes cheese, definitely head over to Don Froylan Creamery on Portland Road. They make a wide variety of Mexican-style cheeses, including queso botanero (snacking cheese), queso fresco (fresh crumbly cheese) and queso Oaxaca (a type of mozzarella). If that’s not enough cheese, they also have a quesadilla bar where they’ll custom-make your order to-go. Located at 3310 Portland Road NE // facebook.com/donfroylancreamery

For Your Vegetarian Friends
(or Anyone Who Wants a Top-Notch Meal)

Epilogue Kitchen and Cocktails provides upscale dishes from the plains and valleys of the Mid-Atlantic and Heartland, including crab cakes, meatball subs, and ox tail. But Epilogue is also a vegetarian’s heaven – try the carrot corn dogs (yes, carrots!), fried eggplant, and pierogi dumplings. They’re only open for takeout right now, so treat your loved one to a fine meal at home, or pick up a gift card. Epilogue has also become a central spot for Salem’s Black Lives Matter movement, and you can rent anti-racist books from their collection. Located at 130 High Street SE //  epiloguekitchen.com

Taproot Lounge & Cafe is a great place to treat your loved one to a to-go meal or gift card. With a juice bar, full breakfast menu, light healthy meals, tapas, desserts, a full alcohol bar and a coffee bar, they’ve got a little bit of everything. Vegetarians will delight in their great selection of veggie and grain bowls, and if you haven’t tried their flash-fried Brussels sprouts yet, you’re missing out. They recently opened a second location, The Old Mill Cafe, at Mission Mill. Located at 356 State Street or 1313 Mill St // taprootloungeandcafe.com

Marco Polo Global Restaurant has been one of the best vegetarian-friendly places in Salem for decades. They serve a variety of food from around the world, focusing largely on Asian and European. Their gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menus are extensive and include a great selection of soy-based veggie “meats”. The only problem is deciding what to try next! They also sell gift certificates. Located at 300 Liberty St. SE // marcopolosalem.com

For Those Who Enjoy Libations

La Familia Cider Company sells hard cider inspired by traditional Mexican aguas fresca. They combine the craft cider movement of Oregon with the fresh-fruit traditions of Mexico, with flavors like guava and hibiscus. Founded by a family of Mexican immigrants, the company also donates a percentage of their profits to help families with the legal immigration process. You can pick up a crowler or regular-sized cans at their taproom downtown. They also sell gift cards and plan to offer gift baskets soon. Located at 231 Court Street NE // lafamiliacider.com

Xicha Brewing, a Latinx brewery in West Salem, is focused on high-quality, fresh Latin American food and house-brewed European ales and lager. Order delivery or take-out for a special meal during the holidays – they offer a wide variety of tacos. On the brew side, they have more than 10 selections, which you can pick up in Salem at Barrel and Keg or Lifesource Natural Foods. Xicha sells gift cards and also has an online store with Latin American-inspired gifts. Located at 576 Patterson Street NW, Suite 140 // xichabrewing.com

Donuts and Coffee for Everyone

Dough Hook Bake Shop is a great place to pick up delectable donuts or French pastries to surprise your loved one. They make a large selection of gourmet flavors, including crème brûlée, hibiscus, maple and bacon, horchata, and Oregon cranberry. They also have an ever-expanding vegan menu that includes a delightful passion fruit poppy seed donut. Want to let your loved one choose their own flavors? Dough Hook also sells gift cards. Located at 1970 Lancaster Dr. NE // facebook.com/doughhookbakeshop

You can also pick up Dough Hook donuts at Brotherhood Coffee, a drive-through coffee shop in South Salem owned by two brothers. In addition to their menu of espresso drinks, they have an extensive selection of energy drinks and smoothies. They’re friendly, fast, and their creations are gorgeous. On the weekends, they also sell chicken, pork and vegetarian tamales that they make themselves. They also offer gift certificates. Located at 3514 Commercial St. SE behind the Chevron // facebook.com/brotherhoodcoffeeor

OTHER GIFT IDEAS…

Curly Girl Creations: If you like to customize your gifts, talk to Savannah Sanders of Curly Girl Creations. She adds fun and inspiring messages and names to all sorts of apparel, cups, and home décor. You can check out her current products on her Facebook page. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Message her and she can work with you to create the perfect piece // facebook.com/curlygirlcreations88

Personal Body Art: When she’s not organizing activism events, Madalena Martin is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in haircuts and braids — ask her about how to gift someone with one of these services. She also sells her paintings, currently on display at Noble Wave restaurant downtown. And she does painted body impressions on commission, for those who want to honor their body through a beautiful work of art // Instagram: @humanaestheticofficial // facebook.com/madalena.martin

Little Lantern Floral: Looking for a unique and beautiful floral centerpiece or wreath to decorate your home or to brighten someone else’s day? Look no further than Little Lantern Floral. Owner Jodi Thomas focuses on foraged and uniquely textured objects to make her pieces pop. She’ll make you something that stands out from the rest, and she also offers floral subscriptions // facebook.com/LittleLanternFloral // littlelanternfloral.com

Bearded Oregon: This is the place to go for the bearded person in your life (or anyone who enjoys great body products). Beard balm, beard butter, beard oil, stache wax, beard combs — owner Aaron Naden has it all. His unique scents are inspired by and named after cities across Oregon. He also sells Oregon soap, lip balms, natural deodorant, and other body products. Location: 189 Liberty St. NE, Suite 105 // beardedoregon.com

Three Fates Yarns: If you have a friend or family member who knits or crochets, definitely check out Three Fates Yarns. Owner Stephania Fregosi hand-dyes her own fine yarn in a gorgeous array of colors. They are the perfect thing to inspire someone for their next sock, glove, hat or mitten project // threefatesyarns.com 

Flowers in the Alley: This is another fantastic option if you’re looking for holiday blooms to decorate your own home or to brighten someone else’s. Owner Clayton Riley also offers floral subscriptions. His modern flower studio also includes a selection of house plants, gardening supplies, and a signature line of jar candles. Location: Electric Alley downtown, between Commercial and Liberty, and Court and Chemeketa // facebook.com/flowersinthealley

Unicron Artworks: Do you have a friend or loved one who really wants to add more ink? Talk to Josh O’Renick, an anti-fascist punk-rocker who does custom tattoo designs and illustrations. Many of his creations are inspired by the Northwest, passion, streets, and the mystical. For holiday tattoo gifts, he’s offering a deal: purchase a two-hour session for $200 (normally, it’s $300). You can also find his artwork on Etsy at UnicronArtworks // facebook.com/unicronartworks

Eco Millennials: Check out this shop to find beautiful items for the eco-conscious. Maria Ochoa describes her business as “your lifestyle partner for your sustainable home.” Cloth snack bags, muslin coffee filters, mesh produce bags, bamboo mason jar lids and flannel facial pads are just a few of the reusable items she offers, many of which are decorated with soft and colorful prints. Maria also offers gift wrapping and gift cards // ecomillennials.com

Rofe Designs and CreativiTee: If you need a gift for someone who likes to get creative, talk to Roanna Gingrich. Her downtown store offers a selection of clothing featuring her own modern designs, but she also makes one-offs based on her customers’ ideas. You also can come in and create your own tee, hoodie, or cloth face covering. Her shop also sells jewelry, books, shoes, baby and kid items, and many other gifts. She offers gift cards for any of the above. Located at 110 Commercial St. NE // creativiteespace.com

Click here for a printable version of the Holiday Gift Guide

Sarah Evans

Sarah Evans is a former journalist and lifelong writer who will never get curiosity and storytelling out of her blood. She is a longtime Salem supporter who loves sharing Salem gems with friends and who gets really irritated by Portland people who knock her city.

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