Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, Raleigh is known as the intellectual, cultural, culinary and innovation hub of the state. With its' modern take on Southern hospitality, Raleigh is home to businesses that redefine what it means to shop with a purpose by offering products and services that not only meet consumer needs but also give back to the community in a special way. The spirit of community runs deep in Raleigh, fueled by a collective passion for giving back.

Get started on holiday shopping at Designed for Joy (DFJ), where each handmade leather piece is crafted by and in support of women who have experienced trafficking, homelessness, incarceration or other vulnerable situations. DFJ offers more than just beautiful products – the company provides women with a stable, living-wage job and the opportunity to build confidence and skill sets to launch them into the workforce. Next, visit Nashona for fashion-forward women's clothing from Tanzanian native Lillian K. Danieli. Nashona blends modern designs with vibrant African fabrics, providing high fashion apparel while helping to serve both the local Raleigh and global communities. Each piece of clothing is tagged with “made with love Tanzania,” honoring the loyal team of local Tanzanians and Danieli's homeland, where a portion of every sale supports educational scholarships and the Shalom Orphanage in Karatu, Tanzania.

After all that shopping, it's time for lunch! Stop by A Place at the Table, the Triangle's only pay-what-you-can cafe serving breakfast and lunch in downtown Raleigh. The menu is presented with suggested prices, and diners have the option to pay that price, to pay more, to pay with a donated “place card” or to volunteer as payment for their meal. Founder and executive director of the restaurant Maggie Kane believes that spaces for people to enjoy a meal together should have a sense of community around the table. In 2023, the restaurant earned the Good Neighbor of the Year award from the Kelly Clarkson show and was awarded $100,000 as a result. With the prize money, the restaurant has launched The Travelin' Table food truck, allowing them to extend their mission of providing community and good food beyond their brick-and-mortar location. For a grab-and-go style lunch, try Carroll's Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant with a vision to end homelessness for women in Raleigh. The restaurant inspires the City of Oaks daily to make a positive change by providing job training and healthy employment for women who are overcoming crisis like addiction, homelessness and incarceration.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, head over to 321 Coffee, a nonprofit coffee shop and roaster built on inclusion. The name "321 Coffee" is a representative of Down Syndrome, which occurs when an individual has three copies of the 21st chromosome. Founded by two North Carolina State University students in 2017, the company now currently employs over 50 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at multiple coffees shops in the Raleigh area. The brand continues to see success, having recently expanded to offer their products in Whole Foods across the Raleigh region. 321 Coffee is all about further promoting inclusion and diversity by providing a sense of community and offering delicious cups of coffee.

For those who can't make it to Raleigh, you can still savor the city's flavors by ordering iconic local favorites through Goldbelly, delivering the spirit of Raleigh right to your doorstep! For the classic Carolina-style barbecue lover, order Clyde Cooper's BBQ, which has been serving downtown Raleigh since 1938. For those with a sweet tooth, look no further than Slice Pie Company and Andia's Ice Cream. At Slice Pie Company, baking pies evolved from a family tradition to an entrepreneurial passion. The father-daughter team behind Slice is widely known for their delectable State Fair Blue-Ribbon crust. If it's ice cream you're craving, owner of Andia's Ice Cream and James Beard fellow Andia Xouris is the only female Grand Master Ice Cream Chef in the South and Southeast regions of the US. Her expansive flavors are often inspired by her Cypriot roots and passion for learning other cultures. These two standout Raleigh institutions are sure to brighten up anyone's day, whether you're craving a slice of super-flaky pie crust or homemade ice cream flavors that change monthly.

Shopping and dining in Raleigh exemplifies the spirit of community among locals and showcases their commitment to giving back and creating a better future for residents and visitors alike.

Media and Trade Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Dana Goodwin
Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.830.1289
dgoodwin@visitRaleigh.com