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The holiday shopping season kicks into full swing this week with Black Friday quickly approaching. Avoid the crowds at Easton and Polaris and instead check out the plethora of small independent boutiques that can be found in and around downtown! Here’s some links to local businesses to get some ideas flowing. Feel free to contribute to the list via comments below.
Au Moda – Mens & Women’s fashions can be found at this South Campus Gateway boutique.
B1 Bicycles – Got a cyclist to buy for this year? Get them some accessories downtown from this shop.
CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire – Add a bit of heat to your holiday gifts with some hot sauce from this North Market Vendor.
Cj Daniels – A variety of men’s and women’s clothing lines fill this downtown boutique in the heart of the Red Brick District.
Dine Originals – Buy a gift card online for one of the excellent original dining options in Columbus including Café Corner, Katzinger’s Delicatessen, Press Grill, Surly Girl Saloon, Due Amici, The Refectory, and more!
Lave – Handcrafted Bath Products are always a great holiday gift from this shop in the South Campus Gateway.
Le Luxe – Women’s boots, shoes, and accessories can be found at this South Campus Gateway boutique.
Loot – Loot features a great collection of furniture, fabric, bedding and gifts in the Short North.
North Market – Want a gift with some variety to it? Grab a Gift Certificate to the North Market for that person who likes options.
On Paper – Pick up some items for a gift or have some custom stationary made at this Short North shop.
Paul Robinett – With over 70 fragrances to choose from in this Short North store, you’ll find a candle to fit just about anyone on your gift-buying list.
Rivet – Grab a one-of-a-kind custom toy for any collectors you know from this store/gallery in the Short North.
Schmidt’s Fudge Haus and Gifts – This German Village shop offers exactly what the name says… fudge and gifts!
Seagull Bags – Grab a locally-made customized bag online for someone you really care about.
Skreened.com – What could be better than a one-of-a-kind custom made T-Shirt for Christmas? You can buy them online or stop in the Clintonville shop.
SoBo Style – The best in Clintonville home decor comes from this shop on High Street.
Sole Classics – Got a Sneaker Freak in your life? Grab them a new pair in the Short North!
The Book Loft – With 32 rooms of books in this German Village shop, you’re bound to find a book for anyone you’re buying a gift for.
The Source by Wasserstrom – An excellent collection of kitchen items can be found at this North Market vendor.
Tigertree – This Short North boutique offers unique clothing and gift items that you won’t find anywhere else in Columbus.
What The Rock ?! – Need a gift with a Rock and Roll edge? Stop by this Short North boutique for a great variety of gift ideas.
Y Boutique – This South Campus Gateway store offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories.
Y Sadiq Diamond – You can’t go wrong with diamonds. Stop downtown in the Red Brick District to browse through the collection.
this is great. i was actually thinking of starting a thread like this. thx walker.
also, ppl should check out the craft fair dec. 1 @ n. market
And don’t forget Undone, the lingerie and shoe boutique.
Here is the press release for their holiday party:
Female owned business seeks to bring women what Columbus has been missing
Undone, a lingerie and shoe boutique will be holding its first annual Holiday Party December 7, 2007. The theme for this year’s event is Black and White. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Black and White while perusing the rainbow of selection that is available.
“We know that there have been some potential customers that haven’t found the time to come in and check out our store,†says owner Leigh-Ann Houchin. “The Holiday Party, and everything that we’re doing for it, should give them a reason to come in, and check us out. We’re confident that when they do, they’ll keep coming back for more!â€Â
The Holiday Party will feature live models exhibiting the lingerie and sleepwear available in the store. A 20% discount will also be applied to all purchases at the event.
With labels and designers previously only seen in larger cities and fashion magazines, Undone caters to intimate apparel enthusiasts that have been searching for something more.
Who: Undone, an upscale female owned lingerie and shoe boutique.
What: Holiday Party
Where: 1201 Grandview Ave, centrally located in historic Grandview
When: December 7, 2007
Here is the press release for their holiday party:
Female owned business seeks to bring women what Columbus has been missing
Undone, a lingerie and shoe boutique will be holding its first annual Holiday Party December 7, 2007. The theme for this year’s event is Black and White. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Black and White while perusing the rainbow of selection that is available.
“We know that there have been some potential customers that haven’t found the time to come in and check out our store,†says owner Leigh-Ann Houchin. “The Holiday Party, and everything that we’re doing for it, should give them a reason to come in, and check us out. We’re confident that when they do, they’ll keep coming back for more!â€Â
The Holiday Party will feature live models exhibiting the lingerie and sleepwear available in the store. A 20% discount will also be applied to all purchases at the event.
With labels and designers previously only seen in larger cities and fashion magazines, Undone caters to intimate apparel enthusiasts that have been searching for something more.
Who: Undone, an upscale female owned lingerie and shoe boutique.
What: Holiday Party
Where: 1201 Grandview Ave, centrally located in historic Grandview
When: December 7, 2007
Not to quibble with press releases, but wouldn’t The Garden also be considered a Lingerie and Shoe boutique?
And besides, wouldn’t both The Garden and The Chamber qualify as independent businesses, Walker? :wink: Just cuz I may not do my holiday shopping there, doesn’t mean people who want to get their independent freak on don’t have somewhere to go. :shock:
Sure. No where in my list above did I say that my list was exclusive. Keep the additions coming! :D
Don’t forget Rowe, Ivy Hill, Substance and Fibres.
Wholly Craft in Clintonville is a cool indy place to shop.
Jinny, Sparrowfish
Check out Global Gallery: http://www.globalgalleryonline.org/
They are on High St. and Whittier… but also have a shop in Easton now.
Thanks so much for the mention, Walker!
There is also Ursus to find some unique gifts.
http://www.ursusartspace.com/
I see some toys comming from rivet going to my little ones in Cali this year. The question is would it be pathetic to get them blind box toys so that I am just as anxious to see what they get as they are?. Either way sounds like a plan.
Hmmmm…….its going to be hard to pass up WalMart, with all their convenient locations, everyday low prices on all my favorite stuff from China, tons of free parking for my car, stunning architecture, and a friendly face greeting me at the door.
If you’re interested in purchasing items directly from their creators, then check out the Columbus Crafty Cotillion blog:
http://cbuscraftycotillion.blogspot.com/
Look in the right-hand sidebar to find a list of artists and crafters from Columbus, with links to their websites and online shops.
Status
Come check us out at 1568 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43201.
11-9
Thanks for the shout out for the local businesses, Walker! It is always great to have more support for small, independent shops. Some other little shops you can find unique goodies are:
Take 2 Apparel
Torso
Flowerchild…all in the Short North
Lost Weekend Records
Evil Empire Records…..are in Clintonville. For the audiophile in your life.
I have to put an endorsement up for The Diamond Exchange, a jewelry store downtown on Gay Street. The owner is a good friend of mine. He makes his own jewelry designs as well as selling beautiful jewelry from other companies. He can fabricate pretty much anything.
On top of it, he’s done a remarkable job of saving the landmark building in which the store is located.
So if you are in the market for jewelry, I highly recommend stopping in to take a look around. If you can dream it (and afford it) he can create it for you.
PS he also specializes in repairing clocks and watches.
[url]homageclothing.com[/url] for vintage-inspired t-shirts
Here’s some gift ideas from Columbus Alive (mostly from local/independent retailers):
http://columbusalive.com/?sec=upfront&story=alive/2007/1122/u-20bucks.html
http://columbusalive.com/?sec=upfront&story=alive/2007/1122/u-5bucks.html
I’d like to put in a plug for my girlfriend’s clothing store that just opened in Clintonville:
Red Rover
It’s a consignment shop for kids, but there are some cool and funky new items too, such as cute onesies and bibs.
Thanks!
Thanks to all for the good ideas. My sister and I found a place called Karavan at 771 N. High St., full of various gift-type-stuff (jewelry, tea sets, shoes, rugs, etc.) from Turkey. It was pretty cool, really unique stuff, and not so expensive.
You know, it’s funny…a guy on my high school alumni website posted some rant about “don’t buy chinese” basically not long ago, and I posted a response about buying locally.
Got about a dozen e-mails from UA grads who literally didn’t know where to go to do it, but I referred them all to this thread.