From Fresh Honey to Handmade Tables: Here’s How to Support Our Neighborhood Makers
By North Atlanta Star Staff
There’s something deeply satisfying about buying local—not just because it feels good to support neighbors, but because it often means better quality, unique stories, and a stronger sense of place.
Across Cumming, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, and Suwanee, small-scale makers and independent businesses are creating more than just products. They’re shaping our neighborhoods—one stitched apron, one poured candle, and one bag of fresh-roasted beans at a time.
If you’ve ever wondered what you can buy local in North Atlanta (and why it’s worth it), here’s your guide.
1. Locally Baked Breads, Pastries & Sweets
- Alon’s Bakery & Market — Artisan breads and French-style desserts, at the Dunwoody/Roswell border
- Dutch Monkey Doughnuts — Fresh doughnuts daily in Cumming
- Levity Bakery — Scratch-made bakery treats at Suwanee markets
- Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats — Cakes, cobblers, and seasonal dessert tables in Alpharetta
- Sweet as Honey Cupcakery — Cupcakes, cookies, and dessert classes in Roswell
2. Handmade Soaps & Skincare
- Mama Bath + Body — Plant‑based soaps, scrubs and lotions handcrafted in Roswell
- Ecolicious Essentials — Soy candles, aromatherapy, skincare from Alpharetta
- Buff City Soap – Roswell — Artisan soaps, bath bombs, and gift selections
- The Soap Box Project — Small-batch soap with community giving, pickup in Johns Creek
- Georgia Natural Soap Company — Goat‑milk soaps and botanical bath blends in Gwinnett county
3. Honey, Jam & Pantry Goods
- H.L. Franklin’s Healthy Honey — Raw Georgia honey straight from local hives in Cumming
- Big Daddy Biscuits & Jam — Southern-style jams, preserves and biscuit mixes from Roswell
- Southern Straws Cheese Straws — Georgia-made cheddar cheese straws, sold at local markets
- Peachful Choice Preserves — Fruit preserves, pickles, and syrups from North Georgia
- Four Pines Farm — Dahlonega-based apple butter, jellies and honey in market rotation
4. Furniture, Woodwork & Home Goods
- Roswell General — Local vintage finds and custom furniture in Roswell
- Backyard Living GA — Handcrafted outdoor planters and fire pits from Cumming
- Alpharetta Arts Streetfest — Regional woodworkers and makers showcase cutting boards, bowls, décor
- Foundry Furnishings — Reclaimed wood furniture and industrial design pieces from Milton area
- Designmatics Studio — Steel headboards, shelving & welded designs from Roswell artisans
5. Locally Roasted Coffee
- Valor Coffee — In-house roasts and café in Alpharetta
- The Human Bean – Cumming — Drive‑thru coffee with locally roasted blends
- Cool Beans Coffee Roasters — Marietta-roasted beans available in Roswell and Cumming
- Suwanee Coffee Roasters — Corner café and small-batch roasts in Suwanee
- Black Bear Coffee Co. — Local beans and espresso drinks in Alpharetta area
6. Art, Stationery & Handmade Gifts
- Alpharetta Farmers Market — Regional artists, block prints, sewn goods, stationery on Saturdays
- Paper & Pearl — Custom cards, event stationery and calligraphy in Roswell
- Rosebud Studio — Botanical ceramics and prints handcrafted in Duluth
- Etsy – Local NAS Makers — Browse by location tags like “Alpharetta” or “Roswell GA” for local-delivered goods
Why It Matters
When you shop local, you’re not just buying a product. You’re:
- Supporting a neighbor’s dream
- Reducing shipping waste
- Keeping money in the local economy
- Building relationships that big box stores can’t replicate
It’s one thing to buy a soap. It’s another to buy one from someone who hand-poured it in their Roswell garage while their kids were doing homework in the next room.
Where to Find Local Makers Weekly
| Market/Fair | Location | When |
|---|---|---|
| Alpharetta Farmers Market | Downtown Alpharetta | Saturdays, 8:30–12:30 |
| Suwanee Farmers Market | Town Center Park | Saturdays, 8–12 |
| Roswell Farmers & Artisans Market | Roswell City Hall | Saturdays, 8–12 |
| Duluth Farmers Market | Downtown Duluth | Thursdays, 4–8 |
| Cumming City Center Market | Wednesdays, 4–7 (seasonal) |
Call to Action
Do you know a local maker in Cumming, Johns Creek, or anywhere in North Atlanta? We want to feature them!
Email us at editor@northatlantastar.com with your recommendations or tag @northatlantastar with #ShopNALocal on Instagram.
