From a Zero-Waste Store in NYC to a Japanese Burger Shop in Vegas: The Top Small Businesses We Spotlighted in 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to many small businesses across the country. By some estimates, over 35% of U.S. small businesses have closed from January 2020 through June of this year, the Austin American-Statesman reported. And while it’s always challenging to run a small business, those that have remained open this year are truly remarkable.

To celebrate and recognize small businesses, GOBankingRates asked our readers to nominate their favorite restaurants, cafes, fitness studios, retail shops and more, and the nominations came in droves — over 1,000 businesses were nominated across all 50 states.

Here’s a look back at some of the top nominated small businesses featured in GOBankingRates’ Small Business Spotlight.

• Sister-Owned Visual Studio Captures the Art of Authentic Storytelling

• This Midwest Mom Credits Her Daughter for Inspiring Her Bath & Body Business

• Meet the Ohio Grandmother Who Launched a One-of-a-Kind Candle Company During the Pandemic

• Louisiana Woman Turns Her Passion for Creating Gift Baskets Into a Small Business

• A Musical Couple Teaches Kids of All Ages How To Rock Out

• This Virginia Hair Supply Store Wants To Give Everyone the ‘Courage To Be Beautiful’

• Former Stay-at-Home Mom Turns Her Love of Coffee Shops Into a Business

• Arizona Couple Turns a Family Ranch Into a Lavender-Filled Oasis

• Japanese Burger Restaurant Provides a Respite for Patrons Amid the Pandemic

• Atlanta Children’s Theater Trains the Stars of Tomorrow

• A Tennessee Coffee Shop Is Paying It Forward By Boosting Other Small Businesses

• A Soul Food Cafe in Atlanta Serves Up a Sense of Community

• A Family-Run Cafe in West Texas Transforms Into a Legendary Country Music Venue

• A Zero-Waste Store Grows in Brooklyn

• Music Industry Vet Opens a Record Store in Cleveland

• A Pandemic Job Loss Inspired This Coffee Shop Owner To Make His Dream a Reality

• Single Mom Makes Custom Candies as a Sweet Side Hustle

• North Carolina Performance Venue Survives a 421-Day Closure Amid the Pandemic

• A Texas Photographer Captures All of Life’s Meaningful Moments

• New Jersey Fitness Studio Provides a Haven for Women To Get Fit and Have Fun

• A Family-Run Cooking School Teaches Kids To Love Healthy Foods

• There’s a Moving (and Sweet) Story Behind This Marshmallow Specialty Shop

• Trusting ‘Crazy Ideas’ Has Helped This Honolulu Boutique To Thrive

• A Handmade Bow Company Brings Some Extra Sparkle to Indiana and Beyond

• Meet the Husband and Wife Team Behind an Innovative Pest Control Company

• This Ohio Burger Joint Treats Every Customer Like Family

• A Dream Fulfilled: Restaurateur Brings Caribbean Flavors To Colorado Springs

• After Working at the Top Bakeries in the Country, She Opened Her Own

• This Recent College Grad Is Already Making an Impression on the Photography World

• A Family-Run Burger Joint in Omaha Adds Value (and Deliciousness) To Its Local Community

• Single Mom Makes Throwing ‘FabuLESSevents’ Affordable

• This San Diego Performing Arts School Teaches a Hip-Hop Education Curriculum

• This Company Is Bringing Inspiring Messages to the World Through Its Talented Speaker Roster

• This Black-Owned Skincare Line Is an Expression of ‘Love for the Earth and Humanity’

• This Bakeshop Brings a Taste of the Philippines to the West Coast

• This Alabama Baker Is Bringing a Slice of Heaven Down to Earth

• This Ohio Cake Boutique Will Create the Custom Dessert of Your Dreams

• This West Coast Vintage Garage Invites Customers To Step Back in Time

• Former Pizza Shop Manager Now Makes Organic Food for Dogs

More From GOBankingRates

• Social Security 2022: How the COLA Will Increase Benefits for the Average Senior Couple

• 21 Items That Are Always Cheaper at Costco

• This Free Tool Automatically Checks for the Best Deal on Amazon

• Should You Refinance Now With the Low Mortgage Rates?

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: From a Zero-Waste Store in NYC to a Japanese Burger Shop in Vegas: The Top Small Businesses We Spotlighted in 2021