Inglewood Shop Named Among Top Small Businesses
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized The Knitting Tree for its significant growth and community impact.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Local Shops
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has named The Knitting Tree in Inglewood as one of America's top 100 small businesses. The shop earned the recognition following its expansion into the global market.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the role of the store as a hub for community support and social connection in Inglewood. It also reflects the success of the business in scaling its operations from a local storefront to a worldwide retailer.
The Knitting Tree sells knitting patterns across 76 countries and has tripled its sales from an initial baseline of 30,000 patterns. The business also offers specialized kits and emotional-support chickens.
The players
The Knitting Tree
This Inglewood-based retail business specializes in knitting supplies, patterns, and community-focused craft events.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
This is the largest business federation in the world, representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses.
The details
The business operates by selling packaged kits and patterns internationally while maintaining a physical space for local community events. It was nominated for this award in the Global Stars category.
Timeline
October 19-21, 2026: Announcement of the Top Business of the Year winner.
Culture Shift
This award highlights a broader societal move toward supporting independent brick-and-mortar shops that integrate digital scalability with physical community engagement. The Knitting Tree aligns with this trend by leveraging global e-commerce to sustain a local social hub.
Residents can continue to access the dedicated community space at the shop for social connection and knitting events. The recognition may also lead to increased foot traffic for the Inglewood storefront as the shop gains national visibility.
The takeaway
Small businesses can scale effectively by combining specialized physical services with international digital distribution. Engaging in local community support provides a foundational strength that can help attract national recognition.
What happens next
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will announce the $25,000 Top Business of the Year winner during an event occurring between October 19 and 21, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the vibrant retail environment by visiting the Local Shops section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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