Experience Durham Like A North Carolina Local By Exploring Its Vibrant Small Business Scene

Durham, North Carolina, is alive with small businesses — so much so that many Durhamites carry Hyperlocal Passports to keep track of the cafés, bakeries, and ice cream shops that they visit. The city-led "Love Durham" campaign reflects this communal support of small businesses, encouraging residents and visitors to eat and shop locally. "Small businesses ... play a vital role both economically and socially, serving as community hubs and the keepers of Durham's culture,"  Susan Amey, the president and CEO of Discover Durham, told the ABC channel in early 2025. "We might not have mountains or beaches, but we thrive on personality and experiences that help us preserve our local identity. Right now, more than ever, those businesses need our support."

Although North Carolina Central University and Duke University have certainly helped shape the city, Durham is far more than a college town with a gorgeous campus and a world-renowned basketball team. In fact, Durham has been ranked as both one of the most caring cities in America and one of the hardest-working cities in America. I lived in Durham for four years and saw this firsthand with the people behind checkout counters, the farmers sweating in fields, and the servers at restaurants. I have put together this guide to some of Durham's best small businesses so that no matter where you call home, you can feel at ease when shopping, eating, and adventuring in this special southern city.

In 2011, Yoni and Vanessa Mazuz started serving decadent ice cream flavors from a converted school bus. By 2013, the two ice cream aficionados had moved into a brick-and-mortar store. On a hot summer day, The Parlour may run out of indoor seating space, but that's no matter. The CCB Plaza is right outside, and the giant Major The Bull statue that stands on one corner makes for a wonderful photo opportunity.

The Parlour can fulfill almost every ice cream craving that may gnaw at your belly. Soft serve? Check. Affogatos, floats, and milkshakes? Check. Ice cream cakes and sundaes? Check. And, of course, there are more than one dozen flavors in the case that you can have scooped into cups or cones every day. Two of my favorite flavors, Vietnamese coffee and salted butter caramel, are in the core lineup, but don't miss out on seasonal offerings like peach raspberry swirl and white chocolate peppermint bark ice cream. 

The ice cream on offer is delightfully rich, and all dairy flavors are made with 18% butterfat. If milk poses a gastrointestinal problem for you, take advantage of the Lact-Aid available at the counter. Meanwhile, vegans will find that their interests are well accounted for with plant-based variations of some of the most popular varieties, as well as sorbets and a few options that are exclusively vegan. The Parlour doesn't cut corners, either; you will have a hard time telling that some of these delights are dairy-free.

When flying into any airport in North Carolina, you will be treated to a bird's eye view of the state's many rivers and lakes. Durhamites have easy access to Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and the Eno River, with recreation opportunities abounding at each one. In fact, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through both Eno River State Park and Falls Lake State Recreation Area, so you can look forward to some superb hiking trails.

If you would rather get out on the water, though, hire a local guide from Two Sisters Adventure Company. As the name suggests, this business is owned by women, who have decades of combined experience in paddling. The company gets folks out on canoes, kayaks, and SUPs on Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and the Eno River. It also offers classes (such as kayak capsize recovery and an introduction to standup paddleboarding) and summer camps for kids.

It's a pick-your-own adventure with Two Sisters Adventure Company. If you would rather explore the waters at your own pace, you can book an independent paddle trip, but guided trips are available, too, and allow you to learn more about the area while also receiving paddling tips from experts. Finally, if those hikes I described earlier sounded enticing, Two Sisters Adventure Company offers private guided hikes that are worth exploring.

Perkins Orchard is a household name that brings up fond memories for many Durhamites. This produce stand is currently owned by Donovan Alexander Watson, but has been in business since it was founded in 1970 by Watson's grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Perkins. Nothing embodies the spirit of this local business better than the $25 bag deal, where you can fit as much produce as possible into one of the wholesale bags provided; you'll pay $25 for the bag, no matter what is inside, and receive a free item to boot. "Why do we do it? To embody the fact that we don't Nickle & dime our customers," Watson shared about the deal on the store's website. "We've been in business 50 years & we treat you like family. Literally the business is behind my house."

For the most part, Perkins Orchard sources its produce, as well as items like honey, cheese, eggs, and meats, from over 300 farms in North Carolina and nearby states. That includes the orchard on the property itself. There are even pumpkins, Christmas trees, and Christmas wreaths when the season is right.

Perkins Orchard is a wonderful place to relax when the weather is pleasant, especially if you are able to participate in October's pumpkin painting activity. The produce stand is open 11 hours each day, seven days each week, so you shouldn't have too much trouble working it into your vacation plans. Before leaving, stop by the Orchard Club for edible souvenirs to take back home to your family and friends; you'll find a variety of local snacks and teas on the store's shelves.

While luxurious spa hotels have a time and place, you don't necessarily need to go to one for some top-notch TLC. Founded by Castle Frame and Lauren McCullough, Auroraflow is one of the most highly-reviewed spas in Durham. Located between downtown Durham and Duke University, this studio offers treatments in a warm and welcoming house, not a strip mall or commercial complex. Furthermore, each room has a calm and artistic aesthetic to help ease you into the right frame of mind for your treatment.

The company is rooted in guiding principles like respectfulness, inclusivity, intentionality, and authenticity, and it is very vocal regarding its acceptance of all body types and identities. "I appreciate the company's obvious attention to personalizing each experience to the need of each client," shared a Yelp reviewer in 2023. "The company also makes sure to ask your pronouns and also shares the pronouns of their staff as well, and it is clear that they prioritize inclusivity, which is wonderful."

This spa offers a blend of Eastern and Western methodologies. Beauty services you might take advantage of include lash lifts, body and facial hair removal, and a variety of facial treatments, such as an acne-focused facial, a grizzly (beard facial), and a microdermabrasion facial. Meanwhile, massage treatments include ashiatsu "barefoot" massage, foot reflexology, lymphatic drainage massage, and abdominal fertility massage. Not to mention, acupuncture and fire cupping are available as well.

Some folks love grocery shopping and visiting food markets while on vacation so that they can get acquainted with local businesses and cuisines. If you are one of them, stock up on everything from wine to soap to fresh produce at the Durham Co-op Market. Owned by the local community, this grocery store has a café on site that sells freshly-prepared food. That's why I recommend arriving with a healthy appetite to make the most of your visit; encompassing items like breakfast burritos and nourishing smoothies, the prices are fair and the eats are satisfying.

The Durham Co-op market in its modern avatar may have celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, but the store's roots reach much deeper into the past and shed light on the history of the city as a whole. Durham is a very diverse place that has been undergoing intense gentrification over the past few decades. The first incarnation of a co-op market in Durham didn't quite make room for everyone at the table. The present version, though, puts inclusivity at the forefront of its values system and clearly communicates the benefits that those in programs like SNAP have at the checkout counter. Plus, the Durham Co-op market makes an extra effort to include organic, local, and sustainable items on its shelves.

If you have an eye for fashion, you could spend hours shopping on Durham's Main Street, but your retail therapy would not be complete until you have visited Vert & Vogue. This boutique is not your typical clothing store; you can't just pop in, pick a shirt off the rack, and take it to the register. Instead, Vert & Vogue specializes in personal styling, emphasizing that every woman deserves to better understand and evoke their personalities through the pieces they wear.

Before visiting the store, you will need to pre-book an appointment online to meet with a stylist who will gather details on your sizing, body shape, and clothing preferences. Everything can be done entirely online, but visiting the storefront allows you to interact with the clothing before taking it home. Unwanted pieces from online orders can be returned within four days.

Among the stylists at Vert & Vogue is Nadira Hurley, a French-Algerian woman who co-founded the store alongside her husband, Ryan, in 2008. Having been raised in France with Parisian fashion and boutiques at her fingertips, Hurley has a fine sense of style and holds her fellow stylists, Stephanie and Johanna, to similarly high standards. Independent designers supply Vert & Vogue with pieces that are sustainably produced, yet contemporary and tasteful.

Forget your book on vacation? Don't fret: There are plenty of bookstores in Durham to lose yourself in for the day. I recommend The Regulator Bookshop, which is located between several other thriving stores and restaurants on Ninth Street and older than any other independent bookstore in the Triangle area. Open every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., it is an excellent source for everything from cookbooks to non-fiction, and it has been a beloved part of the Durham community (and a favorite among Duke University students) since 1976.

In addition to selling books, The Regulator also hosts readings and is active in supporting the local community. For instance, the store has published an online wish list for the N.C. Women's Prison Book Project that gets activity books, fiction books, Bible study books, and more into the hands of women who need them. Additionally, students and teachers get a discount of 10% on most books. If you fall in love with The Regulator Bookshop, pick up some merch before leaving; dogs look swell in the bandanas, and the gently distressed hats can add laid-back vibes to your own style. This would also be a good time to mention that pets are not only allowed, but commonly treated like celebrities in the store.

To some folks, it might seem odd how dear to your heart a bookshop can become, but that's clearly what has happened for many visitors. "One of the best bookstores in NC," an individual on Google Maps stated. "It's obvious that someone puts a lot of time and effort into curating the store and it really shows ... The staff are also super friendly and eager to help you find anything you need."

Founded on the principle of uplifting communities, Little Waves Coffee Roasters ethically sources its coffee beans and encourages consumers to think critically about how their purchases affect the social, cultural, and economic realities of all people. Cocoa Cinnamon, which has three locations in Durham, arose from Little Waves Coffee Roasters and is consistently rated one of the top coffee shops in the city. Latina co-owned and with a special emphasis on amplifying the voices of women, you'll not only be supporting a good cause when visiting, but you will also be savoring an incredible brew. 

Cocoa Cinnamon does all the basics well, including americanos, cappuccinos, and lattes. But it also offers spectacular alternatives to coffee, including a range of hot chocolates and kakawas (traditional cacao-based beverages that contain warming spices). I especially enjoy the DURM Fog, a tea latte with vanilla bean syrup and orange blossom water.

Every so often, Cocoa Cinnamon releases a new Wonder Menu with unique concoctions like The Handshake, which pairs chilled espresso with lychee syrup and lemon. Though on the pricier side, these drinks are a must-try for those curious about stretching the limits of coffee. There is a special appeal to each Cocoa Cinnamon location; the Geer Street shop is always vibrant and alive with customers, the Lakewood shop sells churros, and the Hillsborough shop is decidedly more peaceful.

If you want to feel like you are dining in an underrated European foodie destination without ever leaving North Carolina, make your way to the Durham location of Guglhupf, a European-inspired bakery that is a splendid source of bread, pastries, coffee, and full-fledged meals. This bakery was founded by Claudia Kemmet-Cooper in 1998, and it was so successful that by 2004, it had expanded into a café space next door. While Guglhupf also has a bake shop in Chapel Hill that sells fresh-baked goods and specialty items, the restaurant is really where the magic is at. Though Guglhupf changed ownership in 2023, with Sean Scott taking over the reigns, it remains as charming as it ever was.

Because of its relaxed environment, this is a great restaurant to sit at with friends or family for an extended meal. It does not shut down in the afternoon, but instead switches over to a "Brotzeit" menu that offers dishes like cheese boards and pretzels from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. After that, the dinner service begins and more full-fledged meals are available once more.

Part of this restaurant's charm is that you must place your order at the outdoor counter before taking a seat. The patio seating is quaint and in high demand when the weather is nice, but there is plenty of seating indoors, too. You'll find many bakery items incorporated into the menus, including baguettes, brioche buns, and mehrkorn bread. Note that on most days, the bakery opens slightly earlier and closes slightly later than the restaurant.

The Scrap Exchange is the nonprofit store that carries everything you didn't know you were looking for — and, likely, every material you may need for an upcoming art project or craft obsession. Filled with every kind of scrap imaginable, from yards of fabric to stacks of old postcards, you could spend hours exploring this giant warehouse. This eco-conscious thrift shop, community space, and artists' oasis has been in business since 1991. It is quirky and surprisingly well organized, considering how many objects are housed under the same roof. You'll come out the door hours later, smug with how much money you have saved on typically expensive or hard-to-find items.

Be sure to stop by The Artist Market section to purchase goods from local artists, as well as The Cameron Gallery for upcycling inspiration. The Scrap Exchange is also popular for its many workshops, where you can learn to sew, etch glass, and even spin yarn. Additionally, if you are looking to thrift clothing, The Scrap Exchange has a magnificent space for pre-loved wearables just next door at a similarly named space, "The Scrap Thrift." I recommend combining your trip to The Scrap Exchange with a stop by the Lakewood location of Cocoa Cinnamon.

It's hard to miss Cecy's Gallery and Cecy's 2.0 when walking along Durham's Foster Street. These two storefronts are vibrant, joyful, and eclectic. Cecilia Henaine de Davis opened Cecy's Gallery as a space for local artists to sell their wares, inspired by her own practice of crafting jewelry after immigrating to the United States from Mexico, as well as teaching jewelry-making workshops to survivors of domestic violence. It's safe to say that Henaine de Davis is one of the most influential leaders in Durham's art scene; in 2008, long before Cecy's Gallery moved into a brick-and-mortar space, she even began running what would become a weekly outdoor Art Market in downtown Durham.

At Cecy's Gallery, you'll find garden decorations, vibrantly dyed clothing, paintings of iconic spots in Durham, mugs, jewelry, handbags, and more. There are several permanent artists that do business with Cecy's Gallery. For instance, The Astro Apothecary sells self-care products and hosts candle pouring classes every Saturday. Additionally, guest artists are invited to exhibit their goods quarterly.

In 2023, Cecy's 2.0 opened next to provide a space for small businesses to sell their goods, as well as host classes and pop-ups. You'll find items like Durham-themed souvenirs and resin and stained glass art. I highly recommend combining a trip to the galleries with a stop by the Art Market and the Durham's Farmers' Market on a Saturday morning; the space is alive with energy from musicians, food trucks, and a plethora of smiling locals.

I selected these small businesses based on my experience of living in Durham for four years as a student, as well as the regular trips I take back to the city to visit friends and professors. I am not affiliated with any of the businesses listed, nor have I ever received any kind of sponsorship or free product from them.