Father’s Day 2020 is just around the corner. This year has certainly put a strain on small and local businesses, and there are lots of ways to celebrate Dad and keep your dollars local. While people are starting to wander out into the world (hopefully cautiously), many businesses and entrepreneurs will be feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for a long time. Who we buy from now will decide who’s standing later. When we are considering our gifts for those special dads in our lives, let’s think about the small businesses from Annapolis to Baltimore (and the surrounding cities) that we want to see stick around for years to come.

If Dad loves to grill . . .

I know my husband, my dad and my stepdad all love to spend time out on the grill or the smoker. And gifting my husband that beautifully marbled ribeye might just be a gift to myself as well!

If you head on into Catonsville, J.W. Treuth & Son’s, you may be able to snag a prime tomahawk or wagyu ribeye. J.W. Treuth & Son’s has been around for 100 years and is known for the quality. They have everything from brisket to ribs to pork chops and chicken, and currently offer curbside pickup and delivery to select areas. Call 410-465-4650 for details on delivery or to check what’s in store or visit their website to place an order.

And while you’re driving around Baltimore, pick up some fresh produce from The Plantation - Park Heights Urban Garden. The Plantation is spreading good vibes and envisioning a bright future for the youth of today. You can visit them at the Druid Hill Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 3:30-7:30 or schedule a visit to their farm stand on Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore. The Plantation is committed to educating junior farmers and also building up black children and children at risk in their community. Their motto - “U-PICK • U-DONATE • JUNIOR FARMERS HELP • U-EAT”

and there is nothing like a home brewed beer to have while he’s grilling this summer . . .

For the DIY Dad who enjoys a beer now and again, Annapolis Home Brew has all of the supplies from kits to grains to equipment for dad to brew his own beer or make his own wine, cider or mead. If you know dad’s preferred brew, you can find something dad will surely enjoy. Beer kits include steeping grains, malt extract, hops, yeast, special ingredients (as required), priming sugar, caps and instructions, and Annapolis Home Brew has a variety including IPAs, wheat beers, Belgians, Ales and more. For the dad that wants a little bit more of a walk through, Annapolis Home Brew offers classes and private instruction to get you on your home brewing journey. You can order online and pickup in store, or have it shipped to you.

but if he’d prefer to have his beer without the work . . .

Whether he’s into beer, wine or whiskey, Magothy Wine & Spirits has something for every dad. They also have everything you need to stock your bar, offer ordering through their mobile app and offer curbside pickup and delivery. And speaking of shopping local, Magothy Wine & Spirits often loves to feature local brews, including the Baltimore City based Union Craft Brewing. Grab some beer, grab some merchandise and support two local businesses at one time.

if Dad has a sweet tooth . . .

Touches by Ty, Tyisha Stephens, has arranged these sweet displays of love. Each Dad arrangement is made up of chocolate and candy covered strawberries, chocolate covered pretzels and more bite-sized sweets. These elegant displays of love can be personalized with a photo and a message. Father’s Day boxes are $50 plus $6 for delivery (available throughout most of Anne Arundel County) and can be ordered by contacting Tyisha on her Facebook page, Touches by Ty.

I gave them and shoutout in my Mother’s Day blog post, and then had some of their donuts for Mother’s Day and they were just as amazing as I’d hoped. In Severna Park, The Donut Shack recently re-opened it’s doors under new ownership and are doing a banging business. Everything from the eclairs to the donuts to the donut holes are delicious and will make Father’s Day morning a breeze. They offer online ordering and I highly recommend ordering ahead for curbside pickup!

Or if Dad prefers not to cook . . .

Garry’s Grill in Severna Park is offering Dad’s Day boxes (dinner for 4 or 8) with choices that include prime rib, garlic rosemary tenderloin, ribeye and chicken chesapeake. And with a bottle of wine and dessert options of peanut butter pie or apple pie, Garry’s rounds out the meal perfectly. Be sure to call by Thursday, June 18th to place your order and you can pick up your Father’s Day dinner box on either Saturday or Sunday. And if you would prefer to eat out to avoid the cleanup too, Garry’s is open with outdoor seating and they are having lots of fun with it!

Choose a gift from a local shop or maker . . .

If dad wants to do his part for the environment, Nina’s Flying Needle makes handmade, reusable, practical gifts that he may find handy. With reusable sandwich bags, “paper” towels and napkins, you are sure to find something to replace one of the things in your house that regularly ends up in the landfill. If dad needs a sustainable way to carry everything from his snacks to his golf cleats, Nina’s got him covered.

And for the working dad, KK&S Events has you covered with the adorable luggage tags. Tracey from KK&S Events can create a custom 2 inch acrylic tag for $12, 2 inch wood tag for $8.50 or a 4 inch wood tag starting at $14 each. Dad will want a few of these to identify everything from his briefcase to his luggage. And as a bonus, if this is part of a larger gift, what better way to adorn the package than with a tag that Dad will continue to get use out of for years to come? Email Tracey to place your order soon!

For an elegant gift that captures his love of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, check out Woodcraft Artisans and their Chesapeake Bay tray. Woodcraft Artisans has two stores, one in downtown Annapolis and one in St. Michael’s, and features home decor and 3D wood maps. Details are cut with laser-cutters into multiple layers of Baltic Birch, stained and etched and finished with a solid wood frame. They have several pieces ready for purchase or you can order a custom wood map. Call 410-280-0008 to check store hours or shop online.

Need a card to go with that gift? For the fishing, the hunting, the cocktail drinking dad, The Paper Hatchet has you covered. Their notecards are printed on heavy letterpress cardstock and come with a coordinating envelope or you can upgrade to wood envelopes. Cards are blank on the inside giving you a perfectly elegant option to attach to a gift for any occasion. And check out their rocks glasses and keychains, which might just make the perfect gift for the military man in your life. Use the code DAD for 20% these unique gifts.

or go big with a display of love . . .

If you want the whole neighborhood to know how much you love Dad, how about a ballon bomb? If you are within 10 miles of Arnold, Maryland, AJ Walther, with Tangled Balloons, will gladly surprise your dad with an amazing display of love. Contact AJ soon! Supplies are very limited and once they are gone, they are gone . . .

and, of course, don’t forget your local photographer . . .

SJB Photography decided to branch out and added aerial photography to their list of skills during this pandemic. Sarah and Adam’s aerial photos of Annapolis are gorgeous and a beautiful way to capture our state capital, and prints can be ordered through their online gallery, or you can have aerial photos done of your own property by contacting them by email.

Tracey Nichole Photography is including an 8x10 with any Daddy & Me session booked this month. Daddy & Me sessions are mini sessions, scheduled by appointment by emailing Tracey and are a wonderful way to highlight the love between your little ones and the most important man in their life.

Or if you’re still looking for a way to commemorate your time safe at home, you can order your digital collage from me! A collage made up of moments captured by you, I will enhance your photos and arrange them into a heart that tells Dad, “When the world fell apart, we came together.” You have the option of a digital only or a print purchases (and all print purchases include the digital copy).

We certainly want to make dad feel special this Father’s Day and always. And, remember, where you decide to spend your money right now could make the difference for small businesses you love. Consider shopping small and shopping local this Father’s Day. I cannot take credit for being the first to say this, but can’t find a better way to state it . . . Who we buy from now will decide who’s standing later. Let’s make sure all the small businesses we love are on that list.

Shop Father's Day Gifts and Support Local & Small Business | Annapolis to Baltimore, Maryland