It’s a small business shout out kind of day! I want to celebrate the small local St. Louis businesses that all had a hand in crushing it this Mother’s Day for me and my family! Small businesses are struggling HARD through this Covid-19 pandemic.  As a St. Louis Motherhood and Family Photographer, I'm a small business owner myself, and I love supporting other small businesses in their mission!  So let's get right down to it.

Turnberry Designs is a local crafter who does a lot of woodworking and home decor signs. I've ordered from them many times over and have been so happy every single time.  My parents had 8 kids, so personalized gifts for them can get pretty big, pretty fast. This board has the birthdays of all 8 kids as well as “Hoffmann”. Did you know that’s my maiden name? Check out the board above my parent's mantle and just below the last big family photo we all had together of my parents with all 8 kids (taken by Lisa Hessel Photography).

Family portrait canvas with large wooden birthday date board and family name
iPhone image: credit to my Mom

Dear Diva Desserts is a small bakery shop in Columbia, IL who has been *giving away* free breakfast to kids in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Let me say that again, they are closed to the general public to help do their part to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but have offered free breakfast to anyone who may need it.  My point is, they haven't been making money off what they're doing and they're still continuing on their mission.  They offered a special Mother’s Day pop up and my smart husband jumped on it. We had delicious scones, a cupcake “bouquet”, and a brownie that was literally the best brownie I’ve ever eaten (which says a lot because I’m a brownie fanatic).  I may be dreaming of the next time they're open and have those brownies available.

Bakery made Scones cupcake bouquet brownie

White Box Catering is a local catering business that also does individual boxed lunch delivery. I ordered this for my brother and his wife when my brother was unable to due to having had his appendix removed just days prior. Their menu is superb and their Mother’s Day offering was on point not to mention they took my last minute order in stride.  Side note, I also ordered from them for my sister's birthday lunch a couple weeks ago since we couldn't celebrate together.  Both times, they nailed it.

Young Father and child in highchair eating brunch in dining room
iPhone image: credit to my sister-in-law, Mara

McArthur's Bakery is a local South St. Louis County bakery who offered Mother’s Day specials all boxed up with a card and ribbon! My mom was the lucky recipient of some chocolate covered strawberries and a personal cheesecake delivered right to her door. My grandma also got a personal sized cheesecake that I picked up on Mother's Day to bring to her.  It made Mother's Day gifting so much easier especially since we couldn't actually get together and celebrate with delicious desserts like we normally would.

Two small gift boxes with ribbon and Happy Mother's Day note

iPhone image: credit to my Mom
Mini turtle cheesecake on gift box chocolate covered strawberries inside scalloped gift box
iPhone image: credit to my Mom

LeGrand's Market & Catering is a local South St. Louis City sandwich shop and meat market that also offers catering. My in-laws know the way to my heart and gifted me a LeGrand’s gift card this year. I can’t wait to use it for some sandwiches! LeGrand's has been doing no contact pickup of groceries and sandwiches.  They're family owned and operated and are a community staple, so I am a strong supporter of their business and their work ethic.

LeGrand's Market and Catering Gift Card on top of Mother's Day greeting card

Bear, Belle, + Bean is a local boutique online retail shop that made matching shirts for me and the kiddos. Their clothes are always adorable and they run some awesome sales with great little pieces especially for younger kiddos. I recommend joining their Facebook group to see their current sales.

Mother with five young children young girl young boy toddler twin babies wearing matching shirts say mama and mini
Photo Credit: my husband, Tony

That was Mother's Day in a nutshell and I'm so thankful for small businesses shifting what they normally do to accommodate their customers, old and new.  Supporting small businesses during this time is a small gesture for the customer, but a monumental one for the business.  From my small St. Louis business as a one woman show supporting motherhood and families to your small business, I hope you had a great Mother's Day!