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7 Best Small Businesses in Raleigh, NC
Are you interested in supporting small businesses in Raleigh, NC? Here are seven great small businesses in Raleigh!
When you choose to call Raleigh home, you are joining a community that values craftsmanship, creativity, and local entrepreneurship. Best known for its high quality of life, Raleigh is an excellent place to live for many reasons.
Raleigh has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade thanks to passionate entrepreneurs who have built businesses rooted in quality and authenticity. Whether you are interested in opening your first business or want to visit one, small businesses are abundant in Raleigh.
Small businesses serve as an ally for minority businesses throughout the community. Raleigh has even created a small business resource guide for anyone interested in starting their own. You can even join Shop Local Raleigh to boost your business, learn about entrepreneurship, or support the community.
From artisan chocolate makers to sustainable denim crafters, these small businesses represent the best of what makes Raleigh such a special place to live. Whether you are moving to Raleigh from out of state or you have been here for years, supporting local businesses helps strengthen the local economy.
Raleigh takes pride in its local businesses, hidden gems, and free things to do, which contribute to its small-town charm and economic growth. We have curated this guide to seven exceptional Raleigh small businesses that every resident and newcomer should know about.
Keep reading to learn all about the seven best small businesses in Raleigh.
1. Videri Chocolate Factory
Location: 327 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
What to Try: Their signature dark chocolate bars, sipping chocolate, and seasonal bonbons
Located in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District, Videri Chocolate Factory is one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate factories in the country, sourcing beans mainly from Central and South America.
Founded in 2011, this cozy chocolate factory was started by a group of friends who wanted to create wonderful and tasty chocolate. What makes Videri truly special is its commitment to transparency and quality.
Visitors can tour the self-guided factory floor and witness all the chocolate-making magic from start to finish, making it an educational experience as much as a delicious one. They don't use fillers such as soy lecithin, xanthan gum, emulsifiers, or artificial flavorings; only the finest cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and organic cane sugar make it into their bars.
Beyond their exceptional chocolate bars, Videri offers house-made ice cream, coffee through their Black & White Coffee Roasters partnership, and craft beer bonbons made in collaboration with local brewers.
In 2024, Videri was named the sixth-best independent coffee shop in the U.S. by USA Today, cementing its reputation as a destination worth visiting.
2. Slice Pie Company
Location: 606 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
What to Try: Pecan pie, chocolate chess pie, key lime pie, and their seasonal pumpkin pie
Slice Pie Company is a father-daughter pie shop that has continuously won awards since formally launching in 2014. As a family-owned business, each pie has originated from family tradition and hard work.
As the winner of the State Fair Blue Ribbon, this father-daughter duo uses a crust recipe that stretches back generations, penned by hand on the flyleaf of a hardbound cookbook from 1898.
Slice Pie Company offers both classic and creative flavors to seasonal specialties. They serve local Triangle restaurants, individuals, and events, and even ship their pies across the country. Each pie is made to order and freshly baked, ensuring the highest quality with every slice.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just craving a taste of home, Slice Pie Company delivers comfort in every bite.
3. Raleigh Denim Workshop
Location: 319 W Martin St #100, Raleigh, NC 27601
What to Try: Their signature raw denim jeans, available in various fits for men and women
Founded in 2009 by Sarah Yarborough and Victor Lytvinenko, Raleigh Denim Workshop was established with the mission to rekindle American craftsmanship and make the perfect pair of jeans. Their workshop runs on vintage sewing machines, handled by expert jeansmiths who bring each pair to life.
What began as a personal quest to create the perfect pair of jeans has turned into one of the best shops in Raleigh. Offering everything denim for men and women of any age or size, you can ensure you find the perfect jeans you have been looking for.
What sets Raleigh Denim apart is its commitment to local production. Everything from cotton farming to pocket sewing takes place within 200 miles of their Raleigh workshop, making them a true farm-to-closet operation.
Every season, their "non-automated jeansmiths" handcraft limited runs on vintage sewing machines in their downtown workshop, with each pair going through a thorough inspection before being hand-signed by Victor and Sarah.
The storefront, called the Curatory, showcases not only their complete denim collection but also a carefully curated selection of other well-crafted goods from local and international makers. It's a shopping experience that celebrates quality, craftsmanship, and the slow fashion movement.
Raleigh Denim focuses on creating intentional designs in various shades so they will last you years. Stop by for a personal fitting or styling or to check out their wide selection of jeans, shirts, bags, and accessories.
4. Union Special Bread
Location: 2409 Crabtree Blvd #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
What to Try: Croissants, sourdough bread, peach hand pies, and kouign amann
Union Special Bread is a bakery and café specializing in handmade bread, croissants, and pastries using locally milled flour and locally sourced ingredients. Founded by pastry chef and owner Andrew Ullom, who previously served as head pastry chef at Ashley Christensen Restaurants.
Using roller-milled and stone-ground flours produced solely in North Carolina, Union Special focuses on handmade bread leavened with natural cultures. This bakery is known for its flaky layers of pastry that you will not be able to find anywhere else.
The café menu features a rotating selection of grain and vegetable-forward sandwiches and salads, including breakfast, lunch, and brunch dishes. Their signature croissants are flaky perfection, but don't miss their lemon poppyseed coffee cake or the cult-favorite egg sandwich with hash browns and romesco sauce.
5. DECO Raleigh
Location: 207 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
What to Try: Locally made jewelry, pottery, greeting cards, prints, and Raleigh-themed gifts
Located in downtown Raleigh, DECO is a unique gift shop that features hundreds of arts and goods by local artists and independent makers, with a mission to support local artisans and celebrate the talent that lives in Raleigh.
Since opening their doors in 2012, they have sold goods by several hundred independent makers. The type of goods sold includes jewelry, stationery, pottery, prints, garments, toys, body products, and so much more.
DECO is a lively, colorful, customer-centered gift shop and gallery that's walkable, unique, eclectic, smart, and interactive. The shopping experience is designed to be a treasure hunt.
Whether you're looking for a housewarming gift for new neighbors, a birthday present, or something special for yourself, DECO's carefully curated collection showcases the incredible creativity of Raleigh's maker community.
6. Quail Ridge Books
Location: 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
What to Try: Curated book selections with a focus on Southern literature, author events, and bookish gifts
Founded in 1984 by Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books is an independent shop with a friendly, knowledgeable staff dedicated to providing the best in customer service. Owner Lisa Poole bought the store in 2013 and is dedicated to keeping it local, ensuring that this beloved institution continues to thrive.
With its signature purple door on Lassiter Mill Road, Quail Ridge Books is one of the best bookstores in Raleigh. The store is a nationally-recognized, award-winning establishment that won Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year in 2000.
This locally-owned independent shop features books of every genre, an award-winning children's department, unique gift items including journals, scented candles, calendars, bookish t-shirts, and comfy socks, as well as bookish wall art.
The store hosts author signings and events, making it a gathering place for book lovers and a vital part of Raleigh's literary community.
7. Copperline Plant Company
Location: 23 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
What to Try: Houseplants from common varieties to rare specimens, pots, plant care accessories, and expert advice
In 2021, Copperline Plant Company began as a pop-up plant shop before opening its first brick-and-mortar location in downtown Raleigh's City Market in Spring 2022.
Founded by Anna Grace FitzGerald, Copperline Plant Company is Raleigh's home for houseplants, offering a wide selection of plants, pots, and accessories, with knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect plants for your home.
Whether you are a new plant-parent or a seasoned collector, they have everything you need to grow with ease, with one of the widest selections of houseplants in Raleigh and accessible pricing.
Beyond retail, Copperline offers plant care classes and workshops. The shop has become a community hub for plant enthusiasts, creating a welcoming space where people can connect over their shared love of greenery and learn how to help their plants thrive.
Methodology
Data was sourced from the City of Raleigh and local Raleigh businesses to determine the best small businesses in Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about the best small businesses in Raleigh, NC.
Is Raleigh, NC, a good place to start a business?
Raleigh ranks as one of the top spots to launch a small business. The city ranks highly in almost every category, including business climate, entrepreneurship, and local economy.
What big company is coming to Raleigh?
Raleigh is home to several well-known companies in Research Triangle Park, including Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM. Apple is another large technology company that has plans to build a large campus in the area.
Who is the largest employer in Raleigh, NC?
The biggest employers in Raleigh are Duke University and Duke Health Systems, followed by the State of North Carolina, Wake County Public School System, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
How many small businesses are there in Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is home to over 26,000 small businesses, according to the City's Small Business Development team, which was created in July 2022. From locally owned wineries to clothing boutiques, many different types of small businesses are found all over the city.
What taxes do small businesses pay in NC?
According to the Tax Foundation, North Carolina has a 2.50% corporate income tax rate, a 4.75% state sales tax rate, a maximum local sales tax rate of 2.75%, and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 7%.
Best Small Businesses in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
Local businesses create jobs for your neighbors, support other local vendors and suppliers, and contribute to the unique character that makes Raleigh such a desirable place to live. Studies consistently show that for every dollar spent at a local business, a portion stays within the community compared to chain stores.
These seven businesses represent just a fraction of Raleigh's thriving local economy, but they exemplify the creativity, quality, and community spirit that define our city. As you settle into your new Raleigh home or explore different neighborhoods, we encourage you to discover these hidden gems.
Are you ready to make a move to Raleigh? Contact Raleigh Realty today to start exploring neighborhoods and communities throughout the Triangle. Our experienced Real Estate Specialists will help you find the perfect location to enjoy all that Raleigh's local businesses and vibrant culture have to offer.
