Don’t have a face mask yet? Here’s how to find one in the Raleigh and Durham area.
The need for face masks isn’t going away any time soon.
The CDC recommends that we all wear cloth face coverings in public to protect us and others from the spread of COVID-19.
Many businesses, such as Whole Foods and Costco, require customers to wear masks before entering stores, and Gov. Roy Cooper instituted a statewide face mask order that goes into effect at 5 p.m. Friday, June 26. (Durham County and Orange County, as well as the cities of Raleigh and Knightdale, already required the wearing of face masks in public.)
So at this point, if you don’t have a mask, you need to get one. If you have one, you may want a spare (they do need to be laundered between periods of heavy use).
The DIYers out there might be comfortable sewing their own masks (there are also some designs that don’t require sewing), but those of us not so crafty will want to purchase them. Try to buy locally, to support local businesses and makers, but also to ensure that you receive your mask in a reasonable amount of time.
Here are some of the places we found that sell face masks. This is not a comprehensive list, just a starting point. If you know of other local businesses selling masks, you can email bcain@newsobserver.com and we’ll add them to the list.
Some stores haven’t yet reopened their physical locations with normal hours, so you may still have to order the masks to be shipped. Some sellers offer curbside pickup.
Find a face mask in Durham
Custom Threadz, LLC
This local mom and pop shop is primarily known as a custom T-shirt company, but has pivoted to produce face masks — and you can get those customized, too. The owners are Adam and Jocelyn Wigode, and Adam tells us they offer free local delivery on Mondays and Fridays, or you can do a curbside pickup 7 days a week. For delivery or pickup, call or email to arrange.
Phone: 561-445-7297
Email: info@customthreadzllc.com
Website: customthreadzllc.com/collections/face-masks
Sew Craft
Owner Toni Mason usually teaches beginner’s sewing classes at this downtown Durham business, but while those are on hold, she’s making custom face masks. You can select your fabric and any special features, such as triple layers, ties instead of elastic ear loops and a pocket for a filter. Curbside pickup is available.
Phone: 919-740-3587
Email: sewcraftytoni@gmail.com
Website: BeSewCrafty.com
Public Hardware
This locally owned hardware store advertises cloth face masks (and N95s) in stock, available to be shipped or for curbside pickup.
Address: 505 N. Mangum St., Durham
Phone: 919-688-4321
Website: publichardware.com
Scrap Exchange
This nonprofit, a fixture in Durham for 27 years, has employees busy sewing masks to sell, so a purchase helps keep them employed. You can order online, and curbside pickup is available.
Address: 2050 Chapel Hill Road, Durham
Phone: 919-688-6960
Website: scrapexchange.org
A&M Paper and Printing
This local minority-owned business specializes in printing and promotional supplies, now providing all types of face masks: re-usable and disposable, decorated or undecorated. The masks are available in all quantities, for all budgets.
Website: ampaperprinting.com
Vaguely Reminiscent
This Durham boutique sells masks made by the Scrap Exchange with the proceeds to benefit the Scrap Exchange. Simple elastic loop-over-the-ears designs come in a variety of fabrics and colors. The store is open and will arrange curbside pickup upon request.
Address: located at 728 Ninth St.
Phone: 919-286-3911
Bull City Fair Trade
Bull City Fair Trade sells handcrafted face masks that are fair trade, of course. The shop is open, but shipping and curbside pickup is also available.
Website: bullcityfairtrade.com
Find a face mask in Raleigh
Edge of Urge
This locally owned boutique (with an original location in Wilmington) is selling handmade face masks. Order online and the masks will be shipped out.
Phone: 919-827-4000
Website: edgeofurge.com/collections/face-masks
Pretty Clever Words
This local shop is taking orders with a turnaround of five days (and a good selection of fabrics). Purchase online to be shipped.
Website: prettycleverwords.com/collections/face-masks/mask
Hawks & Doves
Hawks & Doves products are sold locally at DECO and Edge of Urge, but masks are also available online to be shipped.
Website: shophawksanddoves.com
Frolic & Co. Photography
Photographer Bobbi Vinson is also the seamstress behind Frolic Face Mask Project, which started out as an effort to donate masks to the medical community. Vinson says she sources products locally whenever possible and outsources to local talent when demand is high. The masks are double-layered 100% cotton with a filter pocket and nose wire for secure fit.
Shop online or by calling 919-423-8139.
CopperSafe
Started by two teenage brothers (ages 14 and 16), CopperSafe makes face coverings that fit around the neck and stretch up over the mouth and nose. The brothers, Dylan and Connor Clark of Raleigh, told The News & Observer’s reporting partner ABC11 that copper is a naturally-occurring antimicrobial, and “it’s a self-sanitizing material which has the capability to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.” The masks can be ordered at their website.
Website: coppersafemasks.com
Maskerade Face Masks
The masks from this Raleigh-based company come with the option of rhinestones or embroidery (stock images or customizable), are made by in-home workers, and 10% of proceeds are donated to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The creator says the elastic design is “very adjustable and can accommodate hearing aids, glasses, etc.”
Website: maskeradefacemasks.com
Mae Farm Meats
You can also buy handmade face masks at Mae Farm Meats, located in the upper level building at the Raleigh State Farmers Market.
Address: 1201 Agricultural St., Raleigh
Galatea
This Seaboard Station boutique is open with shopping by appointment, but will also ship out its handmade cloth face masks (and handmade hand sanitizer).
Website: galateaboutique.com
Phone: 919-538-2010
Find a face mask in Cary
Leluna Star
This Cary store offers cotton face masks in a wide variety of designs that can be shipped or obtained by “porch pickup.”
Website: lelunastar.com/collections/cotton-face-masks
Email: info@lelunastar.com
Ten Thousand Villages
The fair trade store, located in the same shopping center as Trader Joe’s on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary, has face masks for sale. They cost $25 but for every one sold, one is donated to the women who clean at the women’s prison in Raleigh.
Website: tenthousandvillages.com
Shop local for face masks on Etsy
Etsy is a popular website that connects makers and shoppers across the world. The huge selection of face masks here will likely be handmade and sometimes customizable.
There’s even a way to search for Etsy sellers that are close by.
From the main Etsy page (etsy.com) search for “face mask.” When you get your results, scroll down until you see in the left column a designation called “Shop Location.” Enter the location, such as Raleigh (let it autofill the location for more accuracy). A search for Raleigh returns more than 1,000 hits. You will probably still have to have the mask shipped to you, but at least you know where it’s coming from.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Don’t have a face mask yet? Here’s how to find one in the Raleigh and Durham area.."
