Did you know? Charlotte is home to 40,000+ small businesses. Charlotteans are so good at supporting local that USA Today named the Queen City one of the best cities in the US to start a business last year.

In honor of our many movers and shakers, we’re asking readers to nominate small businesses they love so we can share them with the whole audience.

We’ll be here to share a new batch of small businesses every month, so bookmark this page to come back for more, especially if you’ve enjoyed our Small Business Week and Today’s Best coverage.

Editor’s note: Some quotes may have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Editor Maria's picks

Seemingly Overzealous | Ice cream shop
"We are so grateful for the support we receive from our existing customer base, from the families in the neighborhood that walk or bike in for their weekly treat, and those who make the trek from further out of town for our specialty products." — Co-owner Jessica Berrese

Offering gluten-, egg-, and dairy-free ice creams and sweet treats, this expanding shop provides ice cream that can satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.

Trope Bookshop | Bookstore
"Obviously, we’re gonna have the greatest hits, we’re gonna have the new, hot releases that everybody’s talking about. But I also want to provide books that are harder to find, like indie-published or local authors." — Owner Katie Mitchell

You could spend hours exploring the shelves of this Plaza Midwood favorite. Bonus: They host frequent author signings and monthly book club meetings.

Mood House | Health + wellness
"If you’re new to massage, I know that can be really intimidating. We’ll guide you through every step, and we’ll make sure you’re with the right fit for therapists." — Owner Cristina Wilson

This locally-owned massage and sauna studio operates in Dilworth and Oakhurst, providing luxury and relaxation to the Queen City.

A long counter with rows of freshly backed cookies. — Will you order a chocolate chip cookie or branch out at La Bonbonnière Bakery? | Photo via La Bonbonnière Bakery

Food + Bev

La Bonbonnière Bakery | The Alley at Latta Arcade
“I truly started this out of a love for sweets. I believe one of the things that makes us unique is that our community is truly our top priority — almost everything we do is inspired and driven by them.” — Owner Valentina Lopez

Savor dozens of freshly baked cookies from this popular small bakery in the Queen City.

A table with an iced latte and tiramisu-appearing cake on a plate. — Copain in SouthPark serves a variety of French pastries, coffees, and lunch options. | Photo by CLTtoday

Copain Brasserie, Cafe, & Provisions | Various locations
"For Chef Jim Noble, Copain has always been about more than baking bread; it’s about creating a place where people gather around something made with care. His belief that exceptional bread can elevate an entire meal inspired the concept from the very beginning and continues to shape everything Copain does today." — Owner Jordyn Hairston

Since 2020, this French-inspired cafe and brasserie has expanded to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at four locations.

A coffee shop interior with couches, plush chairs, long tables, and bar seating. — Night Swim Coffee offers plenty of seating and free wi-fi for gatherings and remote work. | Photo by CLTtoday

Night Swim Coffee | Various locations

"Coffee is the seed of a fruit; that fruit is hand-picked off of trees by humans, and I get to print them on a label and sell hundreds of bags with their name on it and like tell their story." — Night Swim's Director of Coffee Evan Wood

Night Swim grew out of a collaboration between two local coffee businesses: Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee. The flagship location offers a chance to sip coffee and get a taste of the care that goes into every cup.

We're making sure small businesses receive their flowers during Small Business Week in May. | Photo via Ekologicall

Retail

Ekologicall | Online
"Being originally from France, I noticed a big difference in how waste and plastic are handled compared to the U.S. I wanted to educate my community about plastic pollution, unnecessary waste, and the impact on our health." — Owner Valerie Gackiere

This zero-waste shop provides non-toxic refillable personal care, oral care, and cleaning products. Plus: Use code CLTtoday to get 10% off products.

Health + Wellness

Heddy + Hinton Naturals | Online
"Both with sensitive skin, Dr. Tracie and I were tired of buying skincare that promised everything and delivered nothing, so we decided to build our own skincare line." — Co-owner Heddy Narchi

This local business offers small-batch, handcrafted natural moisturizers and lip balms in sustainable aesthetic packaging.

Deep Roots Natural Medicine | 4108 Park Rd., Ste. 210, Charlotte
"We aim to empower our patients by addressing the root causes of their health concerns, fostering a balanced and vibrant life." — Owner Tracie Hinton-Chavez

Book an appointment for acupuncture, cupping, and microneedling to bring you one step closer to full relaxation and wellness.

Myofunctional Matters Therapy Partners | Charlotte + Gastonia
"Our work supports proper airway development, sleep quality, and overall functional health across all ages." — Owner Christina Bridges

If you're struggling to sleep or feel rested, this local biz helps optimize muscle function to achieve better rest.

A smiling person receives an IV while lounging in a white chair at Hydrate Medical. The person inserting the IV wears blue latex gloves.

Hydrate Medical | Various locations
"I wanted to create something more proactive — a place where people could take control of how they feel on a day-to-day basis, not just react when something is wrong." — Owner Dr. Jonathan Leake

Replenish your fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins through professional IV drips at this wellness clinic found across the Queen City.

A golden retriever and a cream-colored lab are posing for a photo in a yard.

Pets

Social Pet Hotel and Daycare | Multiple locations
“We exist to enrich the lives of dogs and the relationships they share with those who love them.” — Owner Amy Hillis

Whether you’re looking for daycare, boarding, or help training, this local biz is sure to make you and your pup feel welcome for every visit. Bonus: New clients get their first day of daycare free + 50% off the first two nights of lodging.

An empty pet play yard with a brown fence. — The play yards at Zoomies Adventure Pet Resort have artificial turf, not dirt or stone. | Photo by Keith Miller, Zoomies Adventure Pet Resort

Zoomies Adventure Pet Resort | 645 S. Lincoln St., Dallas
"Emily and Chris are hands-on owners, and wanted to create an environment that puts the pets' health and well-being first, which for dogs includes critical socialization while they are in our care." — Employee Keith Miller

This Dallas-based pet resort offers more than boarding. Zoomies offers day camp, pet grooming, and open play and socialization for dogs.

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe | Multiple locations
"It is a very therapeutic atmosphere and boosts serotonin for our guests and the cats. The relationship of any time spent between human and cat is very symbiotic and positive, and everyone leaves feeling as such!" — Owner Lori Konawalik

Spend your coffee break bonding with sweet adoptable cats at this half-coffee house, half-cat lounge — reservations are encouraged.

A red bus with gold trim and people waving out of the windows. — Get ready to find the humor while learning about Charlotte's history. | Photo via Funny Bus Comedy City Tours

Entertainment

Funny Bus Comedy City Tours | Market at 7th Street
"The best thing is when visitors step off the bus saying [it] was the BEST part of their trip, or when locals step off saying they learned something new!" — Owner Lisa Schnurr

Take a tour through the Queen City and learn about history from comedians — plus, themed experiences like drag or holiday tours pop up throughout the year.

A black and brown acoustic guitar laying sideways on a table with tools in the background. — NC Guitar Works is ready to repair or restore your well-loved instrument. | Photo via NC Guitar Works

Personal services

Lake Norman Lawn Services | Services Huntersville, Cornelius, Mooresville, Denver, and Davidson
"Trust us to create your backyard oasis." — Owner Stacy Hernandez

Upgrading your lawn doesn't have to be difficult. Lake Norman Lawn Services provides mowing, fertilization, hardscaping, and expert landscaping year-round.

NC Guitar Works | Online
"Our passion shows in our quality and expertise, and our focus on this niche provides a unique service and experience to the music community, whether you are a professional musician or someone with a passion for guitars." — Owner Louise Fuller

If you're new to playing a guitar, or a longtime musician with a well-loved instrument, this local spot is ready to repair and restore guitars and fretted instruments.

Marketing + Professional services

AOC Marketing Research | 10100 Park Cedar Dr., Ste. 100, Charlotte
"Research isn't about data. It’s about listening carefully, learning deeply, and turning those insights into opportunities for improvement and growth." — Owner Cathleen Christopher

Create focus groups and test what works — and what doesn't — using specialized test kitchens and meeting spaces.

The Plain Language Group | Virtual
"I believe that people have a right to understand information that affects their lives." — Owner Deborah Bosley

This local business created a process for integrating AI into content creation, helping create written content that builds trust and meets regulatory requirements.