Madison's Local Gems

 

Small businesses to support when you’re back in Madison

By Clara Padgham, Contributing Writer

Madison is home to many small businesses. These locally-owned shops and restaurants create a unique atmosphere that is warm and inviting to students from all over. It’s important we continue to support these businesses, as they help make Madison the gem it is. Below is a list of some of my favorite spots to shop, munch and chat.

Burnie’s Rock Shop

Burnie’s Rock Shop, founded in 1962, has two locations in Madison (About, 2022). Both offer an incredible selection of gemstones, minerals, fossils and jewelry, making it an easy store to accidentally spend hours in. If you are looking for beautiful crystals or jewelry, Burnie’s is the place for you. 

Tropic Jewel

Tropic Jewel is a woman-owned business, and it is one of the only local bead stores in the Madison area (About Us, 2022). With an incredible collection of beads and unique jewelry, the shop is fun to peruse, even for someone who isn’t very crafty.

The Soap Opera

Walking through the doors of The Soap Opera is such a refreshing experience as you’re greeted by countless refreshing scents. The store sells soaps, lotions, oils, scrubs, hair care, lip care… the list goes on. Customers can get most homemade products personalized with a custom scent making the perfect gift for those who love to pamper themselves. If you’re looking for another reason to love the Soap Opera, it sells eco-friendly products and uses 100% green renewable energy (Our commitment to being green, 2022). 

Taste of Sichuan

Owner Ying Xiong Wu opened Taste of Sichuan in Feb. 2019, serving Chinese cuisine to State Street customers (Derby, 2019). The restaurant offers a large menu including authentic Chinese soups, fried rice, noodles dishes and protein options of pork, chicken and seafood. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. The $9.95 bento box lunch special is the perfect midday meal. I can’t give enough praise to the fried pork dumplings—truly outstanding. 

Fair Trade Coffee House

Fair Trade Coffee House serves delicious food and drinks to State Street customers. The chai is delightful, and if you’re sick of the library, it is the perfect place to study since they’re open until 7 p.m. daily. The coffee is sourced ethically and is 100% fair trade which means growers and roasters have an equal partnership with the seller (Fair Trade Coffee House, 2022).

Tipsy Cow

Tipsy Cow is a casual bar and grill that opened its doors in 2011. It serves great bar food, sandwiches, tacos, salads and burgers. The Tipsy Cow prides itself on using high-quality ingredients that elevate its food (About us, 2022). If you’re on the hunt for the best cheese curds in Madison, the Tipsy Cow definitely needs to be one of your stops.  

Pasqual’s

Pasqual’s has a special place in my heart because of their double taco. Any of its three locations will serve you mouth-watering Tex-Mex food that keeps you coming back for more. Pasqual’s prides itself on fresh ingredients and flavors while sticking to its original and loved recipes (Pasqual’s Cantina).

Sources:

  • About. Burniesrockshop.com. (n.d.). 

  • About Us. About Us - Tipsy Cow. (n.d.). 

  • About Us. Tropic Jewel. (n.d.). 

  • Fair Trade Coffee House. FAIR TRADE COFFEE HOUSE. (n.d.). 

  • Our commitment to being green. TheSoapOpera. (n.d.). 

  • Pasqual's cantina. Pasqual's Cantina. (n.d.).

  • Samara Kalk Derby, S. K. (2019, April 25). Taste of sichuan making a name for itself on state street. madison.com.

 
Latest, CultureModa Magazineclara padgham, culture