To mark National Small Business Day last week, we asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers to recommend their favourite small businesses in Leeds - and we were blown away by the response.
From fashion boutiques to small cafes and even a chilli shop, locals shared more than 500 recommendations with us, promoting their favourite small companies and sharing heart-warming stories. Some customers said they had made friends for life with their local business owners.
Here are 19 of the best small businesses in Leeds according to locals.
![Dozens of our readers recommended Cottage Designs Boutique in Farsley, owned by Jane Parkin (pictured). Emma Whitaker said: "Cottage Designs Boutique is my absolute favourite place to shop! Amazing customer service, fantastic clothes and accessories I just love it!"](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/14/10/49/onecms_d81765b9-6f40-4edf-9932-f662d89fa2ff.JPG.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
1. Cottage Designs Boutique
Dozens of our readers recommended Cottage Designs Boutique in Farsley, owned by Jane Parkin (pictured). Emma Whitaker said: "Cottage Designs Boutique is my absolute favourite place to shop! Amazing customer service, fantastic clothes and accessories I just love it!" | Simon HulmePhoto: Simon Hulme
![Owner Ali Arnison inside her candle shop Box of Whiffs in Springfield Mills, Farsley, which was recommended by our readers. Mandy Knowles said: "Started in lockdown and has grown so much. The best wax melts around and always goes above and beyond to help."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/10/15/21/onecms_c6f68fd3-fdaf-4db1-b3f9-83cb27bb3caa.JPG.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. Box of Whiffs
Owner Ali Arnison inside her candle shop Box of Whiffs in Springfield Mills, Farsley, which was recommended by our readers. Mandy Knowles said: "Started in lockdown and has grown so much. The best wax melts around and always goes above and beyond to help." | Bruce RollinsonPhoto: Bruce Rollinson
![Andrea Lofthouse recommended discount shop Rosie Pound in Yeadon, and said: "It's an Aladdin's cave of bits n bobs you can't find in other places! Staff are really helpful and always welcoming."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/14/10/11/Rosie%20Pound.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
3. Rosie Pound
Andrea Lofthouse recommended discount shop Rosie Pound in Yeadon, and said: "It's an Aladdin's cave of bits n bobs you can't find in other places! Staff are really helpful and always welcoming." | GooglePhoto: Google
![Dumouchel bakery and patisserie in Garforth was established by Thierry Didier in 1998. Louise Godfrey said it's a "wonderful asset" to the community, adding: "He is always such a delight when you visit the shop, treating all his customers like friends. Well worth a trip from away especially at Easter and Christmas, when the shelves are filled with wonderful hand made chocolates."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFlNDc4MDFkLTIzNjktNDI3Yi1hOGYxLTNiNzdmZTIxNmJiNzo4MmVlOTBhZi0wNTIwLTRhODktOWY5MC1kZTUyNDk2YmJlNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
4. Dumouchel
Dumouchel bakery and patisserie in Garforth was established by Thierry Didier in 1998. Louise Godfrey said it's a "wonderful asset" to the community, adding: "He is always such a delight when you visit the shop, treating all his customers like friends. Well worth a trip from away especially at Easter and Christmas, when the shelves are filled with wonderful hand made chocolates." | Mike CowlingPhoto: Mike Cowling
![Karen Long recommended Holy Doughly, an independent bakery based in east Leeds. She said "Bagels and brownies a speciality, from Swillington but found at Salute Rothwell and Rothwell Farmers Market."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/14/10/32/Houghly%20Doughy%20Facebook.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Holy Doughly
Karen Long recommended Holy Doughly, an independent bakery based in east Leeds. She said "Bagels and brownies a speciality, from Swillington but found at Salute Rothwell and Rothwell Farmers Market." | Holy Doughly/FacebookPhoto: Holy Doughly/Facebook
![Lots of our readers recommended 3tothread, a Leeds-based business owned by Tarah Finlay. Dannii Lewis said: "This lady is absolutely amazing and her talent is 100% pure. She makes the most stunning memory items and lots more.
Her little business needs to be recognised for the beautiful work she does and the smiles she gives back people."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/14/10/49/292375312_702456344542121_3736641302669790163_n.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. 3tothread
Lots of our readers recommended 3tothread, a Leeds-based business owned by Tarah Finlay. Dannii Lewis said: "This lady is absolutely amazing and her talent is 100% pure. She makes the most stunning memory items and lots more. Her little business needs to be recognised for the beautiful work she does and the smiles she gives back people." | 3tothread/FacebookPhoto: 3tothread/Facebook