This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/25/2015 07:00 AMWith the Thanksgiving day meal on its way to leftovers and memory lane, many of us are fully launched into preparations for the happiest, and busiest, time of year, the holiday season.
Last week, we gave you tips on how to get organized.
Here’s our tip for this week: get all of your holiday gift shopping done in just a few days, all the while supporting our beloved local merchants, and while having fun at the same time. This year, skip the mall and the predictable food in the mall food court, and head out to one or more of the main streets in the Connecticut River Valley-Shoreline region. Skip Black Friday. Start on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28.
Here’s a highly personal guide to some of my favorites on the shoreline shopping trail, and some recommendations from zip06.com staff and readers, with some tips on how to have fun along the way.
We’d love to hear your suggestions and tips. So, after you hit your favorite local retailer on Small Business Saturday, and throughout the holiday season, take a cell phone pic of any fun finds, and post it to our Facebook pages, or send it to Pem at p.mcnerney@shorepublishing.com, or submit it via Zipline on the front page of our website. We’ll include as many as we can on our pages, and through social media, throughout the holiday season.
Hitting the Havens
From $20,000 Watches to Buttons for Pennies for DIY Gifts, the Havens Have It
If you have a bit of money to spend and want to get something spectacular, we say head to North Haven. Larry Lazaroff, the owner of Arnold's Jewelers at 117 Washington Avenue, not only sells new watches ranging in price from about $400 to $4,000, he says he loves playing matchmaker for customers who love collectible classic watches. If you have your eye on a particular watch, or style of watch, say a solid gold watch that goes for between $10,000 to $20,000, he will make the phone calls and help you find it, sell it to you at about 20 to 25 percent off retail, and provide you with a warranty as well. That makes so much more sense than going on the Internet and taking your chance with a stranger.
Not into watches? Want something a little more wild?
Stop in at 380 Washington Street in North Haven and say "Hi" to Jeff Stobierski, the owner of aquarium shop Headie Corals. For beginners who want to get started with some really cool fish and spectacular corals, he recommends the Bio Cube, a 29-gallon tank that holds about three to four fish and as many corals as you can afford. They don't come cheap and they require varying degrees of thought and care, and Jeff can guide you when it comes to your selection. For fish, you might want to start with some clownfish, a goby or two, and maybe a starfish, hermit crab, or sea horse. As for corals, he recommends a leather coral, starburst polyps, and maybe a zoanthid. The Bio Cube is about $550, a heater is about $20. You can get a decent variety of fish for about $100, and the corals range in price from about $10 each to $100.
If you live in or work near New Haven, stop by the Shops at Yale on Broadway and Chapel Streets, which has launched a month-long holiday celebration that includes horse drawn carriage rides, a spectacular Christmas tree, caroling, free parking, and specials all month long. Check out theshopsatyale.com for more details. A great place to start and plot out your shopping trip in New Haven is Claire's Corner Copia at 1000 Chapel Street, run by Claire Criscuolo, who lives in East Haven.
If you're the type who lives to make your own gifts, a must-stop shop is Ecoworks at 262 State Street in New Haven. Its motto is "garbage is fun," and it specializes in previously owned, recycled goods, and seconds. Tiles, buttons, puzzle pieces, ribbons, bows—you name it, they have it. A short walk around the store will no doubt spark ideas for all sorts of inexpensive, DIY gifts. Check out ecoworksct.org for more information and store hours.
Finally, if you're looking for something sweet and fun for someone who sweet and fun, stop by Sugar Bakery and Sweet Shop at 422-424 Main Street in East Haven on your way home. Sugar Bakery is known throughout the shoreline for its Cupcake Truck. For the holidays it has a Cupcake Bouquet featuring a dozen cupcakes packaged in the shop's signature bouquet box. Select your own flavors, or they'll include bestsellers Cannoli, Reese's Riot, Strawberry Cheesecake, and more. $45 regularly, $40 for the holiday season.
Shopping up the Shoreline
Warm Boots, Great Books, a Holiday Gown or Two, Beneath the Gown, and Something for the Foodies in Your Life
If your kid's feet have stopped growing, it might be time to graduate from FUGGs to UGGs. The Clinton Bootery is one of the biggest UGG dealers in the state, so it has a huge selection of UGG boots for men, women, and children. These natural shearling boots are a winter classic—warm, comfortable, and available in waterproof styles. Women's: $125-$300; men's: $110-$250; kid's: $100-$200, at 203 East Main Street, Clinton.
Next stop, Madison, my personal favorite because it's my hometown. Through Christmas, R.J. Julia Booksellers at 768 Boston Post Road will stock books by two local authors that are perfect for gift-giving. First, for anyone who in your life who is single, was once single, or is thinking about becoming single again, pick up a copy of Date Expectations by our very own columnist Juliana Gribbins. A laugh-out-loud funny look at the ups and downs of dating, the book is a testament to the fact that at the very least a bad date can be a good story. Speaking of stories, Slices of Life, A Storyteller's Diary by Ann Nyberg, the WTNH anchor who lives in Madison and also runs a local shop, is a good pick for just about anyone on your list who believes in the importance of living each day to the fullest, or who needs to be reminded of how important that is. The staff at R.J. Julia also is recommending The Case of the Piglet's Paternity by Judge Jon C. Blue as a great pick for people who like to read about history, humor, and hijinks, this one with a focus on New Haven. They have signed copies.
While you're in Madison, check out Asiye's or Ciao Bella if you're looking for that perfect dress or gown for the holidays, Walker-Loden Ltd or J. Horton for gifts for just about anyone on your list in a wide range of prices, and bellaperlina for fabulous, fun jewelry, much of it handmade. There are plenty of other great shops in Madison, many with great gift options. And the Madison merchants are sponsoring a Small Business Saturday ShopMadison event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 featuring refreshments, music, food trucks, and a chance to win gift certificates.
Hungry yet? Stop at Foxglove and Madison Cheese (in back of the main shopping area at 119 Samson Rock Drive across from Stop & Shop) for a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches with ingredients that range from comfort food to the exotic, or check out a new place that just opened up in the center of town, Eclectic at 696 Boston Post Road, where you can pick exactly what you want from a wide range of sandwich options. We checked out their menu recently and they had me at maple bacon mayo. If you're looking for something a little more fancy with a view, get in your car and drive about five minutes to The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road, right off of the post road, where you can dine in style on great food while looking out onto Long Island Sound from the heated balcony.
Just up the road is Guilford's retail district, off of the gorgeous Guilford Green. While my heart belongs to Madison, I'm increasingly drawn to Guilford for its growing number of great shopping options. My first stop there is usually Flutterbys. Beth, the store's friendly and fun owner, is stocking something the men on my list will be getting this Christmas, Dr. Sofskin's men's organic skin care products. The products, all-natural and hand made in the United States, include shaving cream, Happy Feet foot lotion, beard conditioner, and soap, among other products with prices ranging from $9 to $24. They also have great items for women and children and maybe even you. You know how that goes...one present for them, one present for you. Flutterbys is at 55 Whitfield Street in Guilford. Other great shopping options in Guilford include Breakwater Books, Village Chocolatier, and a wide variety of other stores in and around the Town Green. Don't forget to duck back into the alley behind the main row of shops, to check out Hen & Heifer at 23 Water Street for amazing gifts for the foodie in your life and a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They even have egg nog some days.
Finish up the day in Branford where you can shop hop all up and down Main Street. My favorite stops include SoundRunner at 1088 Main Street, where they will actually fit you for your running shoes to make sure you get the right one and the right size, and Beneath the Gown at 1120 Main Street, where they will do the same thing for lingerie. Gift certificates from either store make a great gift.
Rolling Down the River Valley
Looking for a One-of-a-kind Pendants? How About a Darth Vader Nutcracker? Yup, You Can Get That Here
Start out in Chester, and visit the Dina Varano Gallery on Main Street for artwork, jewelry, and accessories. Check out the unique words she hammers into one-of-a-kind, handmade pendants made of sterling silver; custom orders are available. Pendants start at $39 and include a chain; gemstones can be added for $20. Dina Varano can be found at 27 Main Street, Chester. 860-526-8866. Also along and off of Chester's Main Street there are numerous other galleries with a variety of treasures, including Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery, LLC, The Hammered Edge Studio & Gallery, The Connecticut River Artisans Cooperative, the Chester Gallery, and the Lori Warner Studio/Gallery. Find out more about the galleries and other shops in town by visiting www.visit-chester.com.
Hungry after all that browsing? Stop by River Tavern. Nosh on the olive medley, marinated in olive oil, chili, herbs, and citrus, for five bucks, or the delicious guac with the crispy house-made tortilla chips for $11. But, honestly, once you get in the door and see the other items on the menu, you might want to try something entirely new. River Tavern is at 23 Main Street in Chester. Other great places to eat nearby include Restaurant L&E French 75 Bar, given five stars out of five by Hartford Magazine's Spencer Caldwell, the Pattaconk 1850 Bar & Grille, and Simon's Marketplace, all in Chester.
The next stop is Anchor and Compass, at 163 Main Street in Deep River. The store, designed to look like an English pub, is packed with Woolrich and "men feel like men when they wear" Carhartt clothes for the hard-working guy on your list. And you can even buy Leatherman belts here, made in nearby Essex, allowing you to support two local entities at the same time.
Then, it's on to Essex, where you'll want to check out Reins, an equestrian boutique located at 55 Main Street in Essex. Recommended by a horse-crazy colleague of mine, Reins stocks stylish Duncan Country Boots, a great pick for anyone who loves being outdoors. They're waterproof and breathable, rugged and durable, for just under $200. For your food loving friends and family members, visit Truffle Shots, the renowned chocolatier that brought home three awards from the World Finals of the 2015 International Chocolate Awards. Its top seller is the award-winning Caramel Beurre Noisette Truffle Shots, featuring browned-butter caramel with fleur de sel, enveloped in dark chocolate ganache. Box of four for $38, at 1 North Main Street #8 in Essex.
Need a quick pick-me-up? The Tap Room at The Gris, aka the Griswold Inn, is just the thing. Voted Best Bar in Connecticut by Connecticut magazine, and named one of the Top 100 Bars in America by Esquire, you can get a quick bite to eat and some spirits to fortify you for the rest of your shopping.
In Old Saybrook, just down a bit on Route 9, visit Harris Outdoors. For the kid in your life (or the adult who will always be a kid at heart), Harris Outdoors offers a huge selection of kites from backyard kites to stunt kites, parafoils, airfoils, kiteboards, and more, ranging in price from $4.99 for a pocket kite to $351.99 for a kiteboarding kite. For the soccer mom or dad on your list, check out the GCI Outdoor rocking chair for $54.99; it's available in red and navy blue at 889 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. While you're in Old Saybrook, there are many other great shops, including Fromage at 873 Boston Post Road, which just re-opened after expanding its fabulous selection of fine foods and cheeses. They are celebrating their new space with a Grand Re-Opening Party on Saturday, Nov. 28. Find out more on their Facebook Page online.
On your way home, stop in at the Pink Sleigh Christmas Shop in Westbrook, a country barn filled to the rafters with Christmas trims, treasures, collectibles, and gifts. The Pink Sleigh even carries officially licensed Star Wars nutcrackers. Choose from Darth Vader, Yoda, or Stormtrooper. $42 to $48. 512 Route 153, Westbrook.
Appliances, Belt Sanders, and Great Gifts
While you're rushing around getting gifts, remember that hardware stores often have great stuff for every member of the family. One of our favorites is Page Hardware at 9 Boston Street in Guilford. Sure, they sell appliances and belt sanders. But, for the holiday season, I love to browse through the front of the store, where they stock colorful aprons, mugs and plates, and tons of other fun stuff. Another, in Killingworth, is the Killingworth True Value Hardware store. From power equipment to automotive and toys, True Value offers a tremendous variety of gifts. The classic Radio Flyer wagon, tricycle, or scooter is a stylish and sturdy gift for a child or grandchild. One of our favorites is the classic Radio Flyer tricycle at 228 Route 81, Killingworth. You can also check out Tuxis True Value in Madison, on Bradley Road, and Ace Hardware Store at 132 Main Street, Old Saybrook for great gift options.