Coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants. Little hole-in-the-wall destinations unique to the town or city. These are all vital to the everyday lives of residents and visitors alike. Just like every place, my town of Stillwater, Oklahoma has some of the best local businesses.

Aspen Coffee Company

If you’ve heard of Stillwater, Oklahoma, then you’ve heard about Oklahoma State University. And if you’ve talked to any OSU students, then you’ve most likely heard them mention Aspen Coffee as their savior during finals week. Aspen Coffee is a local company that was founded in 1994 here in Stillwater. Hand-crafted and specially made for each customer, the coffee, tea, etc. made are always phenomenal. Since it’s founding, Aspen Coffee Company now has 4 locations in Stillwater, and 1 location in Edmond, Oklahoma. Visiting any one of these locations is a must if you ever find yourself in Oklahoma. As a student at OSU, I can personally attest to the greatness that is Aspen, and say that it is a local company definitely worth supporting.

Stillwater Summit Co.

At an astounding elevation of 986 feet, Stillwater has it’s own outdoor retailer. With everything from Chacos to hammocks to overnight packs, Summit Co. is sure to have something in stock for all of your adventure needs. Walking around campus, I see Summit Co. shirts, water bottles, and stickers everywhere. With so many students supporting this local business, it’s no surprise that everyone loves it.

District Bicycles

A bike shop in a college town? Major business. Anytime I walk downtown in Stillwater, I see this shop and it is always bustling with people. From it’s garage doors, to the brick walls, District Bicycles is a great place to buy cycling gear of any sort.

Simplicity and Co.

As Stillwater’s first, and only, loose leaf tea shop, Simplicity and Co. is a cute little shop with amazing tea. With a Wall of Tea featuring over 40 different varieties of tea, the ambiance is unmatched. A great place to study, hang with friends, or just to read a good book in some cozy chairs.

The Beadery

Clothes, home decor, and of course- jewelry. This shop features numerous hand-made and commercial products. Walking in, you immediately get that cozy and comfortable sensation. A fun fact about the Beadery is that there are also 3 cats that wander around the shop and interact with the customers. I always love stopping by and looking at all of the cute new necklaces and earrings available for purchase.

Local businesses thrive mostly because of resident traffic and some out of town people. Keep small businesses in business: Support your local everything.