23 of the Best Small Town Businesses in America

Often times, businesses in small towns can be easily overlooked, even though they are usually super affordable, which is an advantage to every customer that chooses to shop there. By having successful businesses in tiny towns, it helps the town to grow exponentially. This world could use more small town startups.

Follow along as we show you the coolest, different small businesses in America. To qualify for this list below, these exceptional companies had to be in towns of less than 40,000 people.

1. EntoSense

LEWISTON, ME – Population: 36,095

Looking for a very unique company? Check this one out, where they offer products such as crickets, worms, scorpions, and other creepy crawlers. These small town entrepreneurs sure do know how to make a wave in the community!

2. Brick Mill Company

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Population: 28,562

This historic furniture company was originally built in 1865. They source sustainable, high-grade lumber to make unique and custom furniture for anywhere in the United States. They typically source anything from 100-year-old barn wood to logs from their backyard.

3. Sanderson Farms

LAUREL, MS – Population: 18,508

Sanderson Farms is the largest company on this list. In 1947, this business began with the goal of taking care of their chickens, employees, farmers, customers, and the environment. Today, they still stand by those standards and offer chicken products such as thighs, wings, drumsticks, and breast filets.

4. McClancy Foods and Flavors

FORT MILL, SC – Population: 17,692

McClancy Foods & Flavors started in 1947, and they manufacture breadings, batters, seasonings, spices, and dry-mixes. They can create distinctive and customizable products to meet the needs of whichever industry chooses them.

5. Berkley Doll Hospital

BERKLEY, MI – Population: 15,372

This company has over 35 years of experience repairing and restoring dolls and toys. Their services include cleaning, adjusting/replacing eyes, restoring hair, repaint, replacing limbs, repair cracks, and restoring or replacing clothing.

6. Savannah Bee Company

SEDONA, AZ – Population: 10,322

This tiny town company opened in 2019 and they provide honey-related products. These include lotions, soaps, and lip balms. This company is environmentally friendly and appeals to people who like the outdoors. In Sedona, it is one of the best small town businesses there.

7. Shero Marketing

FULSHEAR, TX – Population: 9,906

Founded in 2019, Shero Marketing is a young internet marketing and advertising company. They help advertise for companies who have built themselves up but need a helping hand getting their name out there more.

8. Sitka Salmon Shares

SITKA, AK – Population: 8,310

This company started in 2011 when a Midwestern college professor and two students went fishing in Alaska. They soon realized how great salmon is and partnered up with a local from Sitka. Now, they provide fresh seafood to your doorstep and to restaurants all over the U.S.

9. Good Medicine Tea

HOOD RIVER, OR – Population: 7,715

This all-natural company started in 2014, and they combine delicious teas with beneficial herbs. If you like teas and want to learn which tea is the most beneficial for you, check out one of the best small town businesses like this one. They offer loose herbs and teas as well as tea bags to purchase to use right away.

10. Montana Shirt Company

WHITEFISH, MT – Population: 7,714

This business was created in 2013 originally to support the founders’ children’s hobbies and sports. Now, they ship their shirts to Montana-lovers all over the country. They plan to continue to keep their family company local for generations yet to come.

11. Sunrise Soap Company

GETTYSBURG, PA – Population: 7,689

Starting this business in 2005, they currently produce bathroom products such as soaps, lotions, beard oil, and bath bombs. They have been featured on dozens of local and regional newspapers including The Washington Post and York Daily Record.

12. Bev & Co.

SKANEATELES, NY – Population: 7,176

In Skaneateles, this is one of the best small town businesses. It was founded in 1978 and has now become a family operated business. They offer clothing for all ages and sizes. Bev & Co. provides tops, bottoms, vests, dresses, and jackets, among other types of clothing and accessories.

13. Burley Oak Brewing Company

BERLIN, MD – Population: 4,657

Established in 2009, this company strives to produce unique and distinctive beers. They also provide apparel, glassware, stickers, keychains, water bottles, and earrings. This business offers online sales where you can choose what kind of brew you want, or you can order a mystery box.

14. JoyHouse Coffee Company

CAVE SPRINGS, AR – Population: 4,359

This company partners with growers in Haiti to give back to the communities there that work so hard to make a living from coffee farms. They return 50% of their profits back to Haiti, directly benefiting organizations that provide shelter, education, health care, and job opportunities.

15. Timnath Beerwerks

TIMNATH, CO – Population: 3,476

Founded in 2018, one thing that makes this company special is that it was created by three people with very different backgrounds. One came from construction, one from real estate, and the other one from brewing. They want to make a positive impact on their community. They brew their beer based on the strong roots of German and American brewing techniques.

16. Tuffy’s Pet Foods

PERHAM, MN – Population: 3,432

Started in 1964, this is a family owned business that makes decisions based on what’s best for their employees, community, and customers. They provide healthy pet food made with the highest quality ingredients. Perham has multiple family-owned companies, but Tuffy’s Pet Foods is one of the best small town businesses.

17. Nelson Tree House

FALL CITY, WA – Population: 2,426

It all started when the founder was around 7 years old. He fell in love with building tree houses with his father. Now, he and his family, including grandchildren help build tree houses all around the world, using carpentry and design. They even had a TV series on Animal Planet, and currently have an online store where they sell supplies and designs.

18. Little Town Jerky Company

FALMOUTH, MI – Population: 1,190

Officially started in 1994, this company is a federally inspected meat processing plant. This business is now a fifth generation family-operated company. They offer jerky, snack sticks, bratwurst, summer sausage, and ground beef, among other meat products.

19. A Touch of Honey

LINTON, ND – Population: 972

This business was established in 2006, and they offer pure creamed honey in 13 different flavors. They also produce lotions, lip balms, and fragrances. A Touch of Honey is a one-of-a-kind company, and some may say it’s even one of the best small town businesses.

20. Dakota Sky Stone

WALL, SD – Population: 814

Created in 1971, this fourth generation business has so much history behind it. This company offers Native American turquoise jewelry that stems from the founder’s history. They offer rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other accessories.

21. Cedar Sense

WAUBUN, MN – Population: 433

Cedar Sense was founded in 2019 with the mission to better the community and create opportunities. We offer cedar products that come from Eastern Red Cedar trees milled in America. We manufacture wall décor in-house, such as our patriotic wooden American flags. Our hope is to find ways to benefit your life, because life is sweeter with cedar!

22. Hendrum Candle Works Co.

HENDRUM, MN – Population: 311

The owner of this establishment produces 100% all natural soy wax candles in rural Minnesota. These have fragrances that have no chemicals, dyes, or perfumes. Each candle is hand poured with thought put into it. He produces different scents ranging from Spring, Summer, Fall, and Holiday fragrances.

23. Seka Hills

BROOKS, CA – Population: 219

Founded in 2012, this company produces wine, olive oil, wildflower honey, vinegar, nuts, beef jerky, hummus, and pickled asparagus. Many of their product lines come from their very own orchards.

To recap, here’s a list of the best small town businesses in America.

Each of the businesses that we discussed above has a unique feature about them, whether that be the product they make, the founding story, or the location. They truly are some of the best small town businesses in America.

Click on each one to learn more about them and visit their website!

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FAQs

What is the best business in small town?
Some of the best businesses in small towns are bars, pet grooming, clothing, vape, bakery, lawn and gardening skills, and food trucks.