Nix the national chain stores. Spend your 2005 holiday dollars on local businesses, especially area artists and entrepreneurs. Keep your dollars in the region where they build jobs, create growth and generate taxes. The short list below should get you started.
Shopping local Are you stoked about the campaign to do your holiday shopping with locally-based vendors, but not quite sure where to start? Boy, have we got the resource for you. In addition to the interminably cool offerings we've been pointing you to over the past few weeks, check out www.RestoreCleveland.com. After revisiting the reasons it is so important to spend your bucks with hometowners, you'll find resources, by neighborhood, of enticing goodies for sale, locally.
The Red Geranium resale, consignment shop in North Royalton that has been in business for eleven years. Not only are there gifts one cannot find anywhere else, nostalgic collectibles, one of a kind gifts, vintage jewelry and endless other items, but this is a great way to recycle. There are several other outstanding consignment shops in Cleveland. http://www.redgeranium.net, 440-237-2000
Holiday Benefit/Art Show AWS is having a party with a philanthropic twist to help fill a Holiday Wish List on Fri 12/16 from 4-7PM. Browse art for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to help people with disabilities improve their lives. Wanna help even more? Bring a gift card or gift certificate to help someone in need. Call 589-0119, X301 for info. AWS, 2529 Detroit Avenue.
Zygote Press Inc. Small, affordable prints and works on paper in both traditional and experimental techniques will be available for purchase during the opening reception for the Off the Wall Holiday Sale on Fri 12/16 from 6-9PM. Enjoy fine food and spirits in a warm holiday atmosphere. If you can't make it on Friday, hit the sale on Sat 12/17 from 12-4PM. Zygote Press, 7209 St. Clair Avenue, 2nd Floor.
Murray Hill Holiday Art Party in Little Italy Browse original works of art, from paintings and ceramics to jewelry and handmade accessories, crafted by local artists, in a relaxing environment of art, food, wine, friends, fun and massage on Sun 12/18 from 2-8PM. 2024 Murray Hill Road, Apartments 2 & 3. Call 440-279-3287 for info.
J. Lucas Clothiers offers a wide array of fine menswear and accessories for the Holiday season. Choose from handmade imported neckwear, unique cufflinks, gloves, scarves and much more. You can give the ultimate gift of custom made clothing with a J. Lucas Clothiers gift certificate for shirts, suits, slacks or sport jackets. Visit their store at The Galleria at Erieview. Call 344-3600, or visit them online at http://www.JLucasClothiers.com.
Arborwear.com Here is a completely cool gift idea for all of the outdoorsy types on your list, from alpaca farmers and horse whisperers to rock climbers and safari enthusiasts...pants. Yeah, it seems like a snoozer for the exciting types, but these pants, and other outdoor gear, are made just as rough and tumble as the people you love. They will kiss you for it, we promise. (After a nice hot shower, preferably.) Check out adventurous folks sporting these "superpants" while doing some pretty amazing stuff, all over the world at http://www.ArborWear.com.
Cleveland Film Society Give the gift of film to the filmlovers in your life. CFS memberships at five different levels, all-access passes, merchandise, invites to special events and more are available. Not sure what to get for them? Then opt for the gift certificate, or a tax-deductible donation in their name. Call 623-3456, x10 for more info. http://www.ClevelandFilm.org.
Lazy Bee™ Get homemade, all natural soaps, lip balm and honey, all made from nature's finest ingredients at http://www.LazyBeeStudio.com. Looking for the perfect gift for that special pooch in your life? Then try their natural Planet Paws™ pet products.
84 Charing Cross Bookstore is having their year-end sale of used and out-of-print books, prints and maps through the end of the year. The store is open Thursday through Saturday. Call 961-0084 for hours, or visit http://www.84cc.com, where you can also shop online. 84 Charing Cross Bookstore, 6411 Detroit Avenue.
Joseph-Beth Giving Tree Help make the holidays a bit brighter for children who will be spending them in Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, and their parents. Just purchase gift titles to be delivered to both facilities. Items purchased for donation are discounted 20%. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 24519 Cedar Road in Legacy Village. http://www.JosephBeth.com.
Cool holiday shopping We'd like to help Cool Cleveland readers to consider alternatives to the mundane, corporate shopping malls and lifestyle centers. Why not buy art and gifts from Cleveland artists this holiday season? Here's a couple of opportunities this week:
Shaker Square/Larchmere for unique gifts – the new CMA gift store at the Square is darling. You could leave your kid on Saturday to take an art lesson while you shop and dine – how fun would that be!
Shop at Big Fun and Bigger Fun on Thu 12/8 from 6-9PM and 20% of your purchases will benefit the arts in our community. Shop at either 1827 Coventry (the original) or 1814 Coventry (old High Tide space), both in Cleveland Heights.
Southside Cleaners & Concierge at 1020 Kenilworth, in Tremont, offers Holiday gifting, gift baskets: ready-to-give and custom order, gift wrapping supplies, and a gift wrapping service, with a 10% discount on all holiday items purchased at neighboring Tremont galleries and retail shops. Goodies available include aromatherapy cleaning supplies, handmade satin/jeweled laundry bags, candles, and bath & body items. Shop Mon-Fri from 8AM-1PM or 4-8PM, Sat 9AM-4PM.
Give Cleveland music for the holidays With a local group for every musical taste, there is bound to be one that will make each of your giftees squeal with glee. Try these on for starters: Kassaba, North Coast Men’s Chorus, and The Burning River Brass. Azica Records offers jazz and classical selections, including several holiday tunes. Apollo’s Fire has a variety of CDs available. And the soundtrack to the original Cleveland play, Holiday Hotline, is up for grabs, after Thu 12/15, at http://www.LindaEisenstein.com.
Give Cleveland books to the discriminating readers on your gift list. You’ll find a huge selection of books by local authors at Loganberry Books on Larchmere in genres ranging from children's books to romance and mystery. You can order on-line or by telephone, and they’ll ship anywhere.
North Union Farmers Market holiday markets Support local farmers by picking up your holiday grocery needs, including holiday turkeys (fresh, frozen, or smoked), and a host of fresh meats, veggies and sweets, from North Union Farmers Market holiday markets, running Sat 12/10 & 12/17 from 8AM-12PM on Shaker Boulevard at Shaker Square.
Lucy's Sweet Surrender offers holiday cakes, pastries, old world party trays, and corporate gifts that will have your clients coming back to you for more. Check out some of their tasty creations at http://www.LucysSweetSurrender.com. Call 752-0828.
Tremont Holiday Hop Hop Lolly the Trolley and shuttle between more than 15 participating Tremont businesses where you will be treated to wine tasting, holiday décor, exciting raffles, and more as you browse a host of intriguing art and unique gift items and explore charming local eateries, on Fri 12/9 from 5-9PM and Sat 12/10 from 12-6PM. Visit www.RestoreTremont.com.
Sylvia Ullman American Crafts Gallery just one block north of Shaker Square, at 13010 Larchmere Boulevard, features the work of more than 350 artisans in mediums ranging from pottery, to glass, wood and jewelry. Get one-of-a-kind gifts for the original characters in your life, Tue-Sat from 10AM-5:30PM and Sun 1-5PM. Call 231-2008 or visit http://www.AmericanCraftsGallery.com and http://www.Bliswear.com for a sneak peek.
Candlelight Christmas House Tour and Art Sale - Bring the entire family for a day of fun and a celebration of tradition and culture on Sun 12/11 from 1-6PM. The fun begins at Art House, 3119 Denison Avenue, in historic Brooklyn Centre. Sip complimentary hot beverages and discover the work of exciting local artists, or purchase goodies from the bake sale. Call 398-8556, Ext. 2, for info on Christmas House Tour tix. The art sale is without cost. http://www.ArtHouseInc.org.
My Town Baskets offers baskets full of yummy treats made by local vendors. Check out some of the available baskets at http://www.MyTownBaskets.com.
Holiday Traditions - Shop Local Chagrin Falls Nibble on complimentary cookies and enjoy cocoa, coffee and tea as you shop the merchants, galleries and boutiques of picturesque Chargin Falls Village. Visit Township Hall at 83 North Main Street weekdays from 11AM-3PM and weekends from 11AM-5PM, through Christmas Eve. See the locally-grown, mini-tree festival, Santa's Shop, where all gifts are 5 smackeroos or less, take a festive horse and carriage ride, and get the kids' pictures taken with Santa, (on weekends, only) as a no-cost bonus. http://www.ChagrinFalls.net.
Cleveland in Prose and Poetry edited by Bonnie Jacobson, with cover art by area artist Hector Vega, features the works of over 70 writers who penned their thoughts about our beautiful city, from Mark Twain's observation of Euclid Avenue to performance poet Ray McNiece's Revenge of Cleveland, a rage against nouvelle cuisine. Order here or pick a copy up at Mac's Backs on Coventry or Loganberry Books on Larchmere.
NONA at 2254 Lee Road, in Cleveland Heights specializes in one-of-a-kind gifts, like their Rescued and Reloved line of candles, jewelry and handbags, each made of 100% recycled materials. Store hours are Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat from 11AM-6PM and Wed 11AM-3PM.
By Hand Discover extraordinary gifts for discriminating friends and family members during this first annual festival of local artists and artisans on Sat 12/10 from 10AM-9PM and Sun 12/11 from 10AM-5PM at the I-X Center. Visit http://www.ByHandEvents.com for a list of participating artists offering everything from fine oil paintings to functional pottery and textiles, and ticket prices.
HDSA Amaryllis Campaign Give a special gift that keeps on giving. When you purchase an amaryllis bulb kit which contains a decorative pot, growing mix and a Dutch imported amaryllis bulb for indoor growing, for just $10, you will help support the local efforts of the Huntington's Disease Society of America. You can call your order in at 226-6633.
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus Pick up the new, limited-edition, sound recording by the Cleveland Orchestra, entitled, Gloria! A Holiday Celebration, a collection of sacred and secular music selected from live Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts performed in Severance Hall between 1998 and 2004. Call 231-7374, or pick your copy up at the Severance Hall Ticket Office, or in the Grand Foyer of Severance Hall during December Cleveland Orchestra concerts.
Loganberry Book Club Can't decide which book is right for the avid readers on your gift list? Then don't just settle for one book, give this book-of-the-month club membership at one of three different price levels. Each month your giftee will receive a new book, based on a profile that you complete. Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Boulevard, Shaker Heights.
www.aromatherabooze.com Created by a local restaurant veteran, Bar Girl Productions is the source for all that is boozy goodtime swag-- from sexed-up aromatherapy spray and candles to your favorite hooch bottle manufactured into a fashionable lamp!
Heights- A Holiday Store is open now featuring art, crafts, CDs and books by Cleveland Heights artists, at 2173 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. Their hours are Tues - Sat 11AM-9PM and Sunday 1-5PM, although they are open Monday 12/19. Check them out at http://www.HeightsArts.org.
Local Girl Gallery Holiday Festival Acquire cool, artist rendered picture frames during a benefit auction or try for great door prizes or raffled items. Call 228-1802 for more info. Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood.
MOCA Cleveland Holiday Sale ARTscape offers jewelry, home décor, wearables, accessories, handmade seasonal gifts and more by more than 50 local artists and artisans. Visit www.MOCACleveland.org or call 421-8671, ext. 44. MOCA Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Avenue.
Art and Soul Holiday Art Show An exquisite banquet of gift ideas will be represented in the collective works of therapists/artists from across Cleveland in a range of media including jewelry, ceramics, collage creations, batik, botanical art, homemade sauces, chutney and apple butter, notecards and paintings. Held over: open Fridays 12/2 & 12/9 from 4pm to 7pm; Saturdays 12/3 & 12/10 from 11am - 5pm; and Sundays 12/4 & 12/11 from 11am - 5pm. . Call 320-1459 for more information. Center Art, 1930 Lee Rd, Cleveland Hts (next to Zagara's Marketplace).
Local Author & Book Fair Dazzle your friends and family with an autographed book signed by the local author; a far more impressive gift than the unusual (read, butt ugly) scarf, socks or tie you’ll get off the clearance rack on Christmas Eve. Sam Fulwood III, Nina Gibans, Karen & John Godt, Marvin McMickle, M. LaVora Perry, James Robenalt, Les Roberts, Ted Steinberg and Sarah Willis are among the many local writers who will be in attendance for the Sun 11/20 event from 1:30-4:30PM. See the full list here. Shaker Heights Public Library, 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights.
This Way Out, a new store in the basement of the Beachland Ballroom at 15711 Waterloo Road in the North Collinwood area. Pete & Debby Gulyas, formerly of Renaissance Parlor on Coventry, have teamed with Beachland's Mark Leddy to offer a funky rock and roll store that features vintage clothing, vinyl records and collectibles. http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com.
The Bazaar Bizarre is back for Year 2 with over 25 fab indie designers this Sat 11/26 noon-9PM and Sun 11/27 noon-6PM at 1300 Gallery, 1300 W. 78th Street. http://www.BazaarBizarre.org/cleveland.
LakewoodAlive Where can you find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list, from delectable homemade chocolates, to one-of-a-kind artifacts from local artists, to antique, mod and contemporary home furnishings? You’ll find those things and more in Lakewood, with the help of the LakewoodAlive Retail and Entertainment Guide, now available on the LakewoodAlive Web site http://www.LakewoodAlive.com, listing more than 100 Lakewood retail and dining locations.
Cleveland Botanical Garden Store is a gorgeous shopping environment and a go-to source for all kinds of holiday gift ideas. It offers witty, festive stationery and seasonal decorations, fun and educational gifts for children, a dream selection for gardening enthusiasts, elegant, one-of-a-kind jewelry, charming vases and planters, and much more. http://www.CBGarden.org.
Lake Erie Artists, a co-op of about 70 local artists of all media, has acquired the old J Crew space at Tower City next to the Ritz Carlton. They will be selling unique gifts made by local artists through 1/14. For details, paulaatwell@paulaatwell.com, http://www.PaulaAtwell.com.
Art on Wheels has a new holiday shoppe in the West Bank of the Flats next to Shooters and Jillians, offering one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, stained glass, note cards, and wearable art, plus a masseuse onsite and a complementary sugar treat.
Cleveland Restoration Society offers unique items for sale at the lovely Sarah Benedict House, 3751 Prospect Avenue, and books such as the new Cleveland Sketchbook with images by CIA students and captions by local historian Carol Poh Miller, Creative Essence: Cleveland’s Unique Sense of Place, tracing Cleveland's artistic history by Nina Gibans, Those Wonderful Old Houses: A Handbook for Homeowners by Ohio City Near West Development Corporation, or a mug, pen or membership. If you're out & about this Sun 12/4, consider attending their Open House.
10,000 Villages stores in Rocky River and in Trinity Cathedral offer jewelry, home decorations and children's gifts made by artisans around the world in community based organization and paid a fair wage.
Little Italy Art Walk is a fantastic opportunity to score real art by really good Cleveland artists. Check it out this Fri 12/2 5-9PM, Sat 12/3 12-9PM, and Sun 12/4 12-6PM, and wander from art gallery to Italian restaurant to bakery to ice cream shoppe, as you stroll one of the country's finest historic neighborhoods.
Holiday CircleFest celebrates the most amazing one square mile that is University Circle, this Sun 12/4 1-5:30PM, with most institutions from the Botanical Garden to the Natural History Museum to Severance Hall to the Western Reserve Historical Society hosting a festive Open House and offering special gifts in their gift shops. Artefino Art Gallery Cafe at 1900 Superior Avenue features espresso, juice bar and soups, plus area artists and their wares, including wearable art, most of it for sale.
ArtCraft Building is holding their 18th Annual Open Studio Holiday Sale, featuring the work of over 60 resident and visiting artists at 2570 Superior Avenue, with secured parking in the rear. Sat 12/3 noon-7PM and Sun 12/4 noon-5PM. Details at http://www.artistsofcleveland.com/holidayshow.htm.
Fair Trade Gift Baskets support living wages for farmers in developing countries, as an alternative to sweatshop products. Choose from 3 basket sizes; select your gourmet coffees, teas and hot chocolate. Order at http://www.IRTFclevleland.org or call 216-961-0003.
Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice Holiday Festival and Bazaar takes place this Sat 12/3 10AM-4PM at Pilgrim Church, 2592 W. 14th Street in Tremont. This annual gathering of Cleveland's peace and justice organizations will have works of local artists for sale, plus cards, calendars, t-shirts, gifts, books, house plants, a bake sale, homemade soup, chili and sandwiches.
Tower City Center and The Galleria at Erieview are two Downtown shopping centers that offer a wide range of gift ideas and many locally-owned enterprises. They are convenient to transportation and Downtown offices, and patronizing them will stimulate our Downtown and Cleveland's tax base.
Terra Vista? Studio's Annual Holiday Show & Sale on Fri 12/2, 11 to 4PM; Sat 12/3, 12-8PM; and Sun 12/4 12-4PM. Terra Vista? Studios: 1400 East 30th St. 4th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. 523.1387, (Between Superior & St. Clair, just off I-90 exit at Superior). This is our largest Studio Show and Sale ever! There will be 19 exhibiting Artists, with works of clay, jewelry, beading, prints, painting, fiber, and mixed media! Lots of exciting new Art in an old 4th floor warehouse studio, with amazing views of the city, the lake and the East side!
Anezka Handmade For the knitters (or wannabe knitters) in the family: http://www.knitgrrl.com/shop and http://www.anezkahandmade.com/catalog, both owned by Cleveland native, author Shannon Okey, & run from her HQ in West Park, offer a cozy solution to your gift-giving quandary.
Tell us about a gallery or artists space that's selling cool local art and gifts this season by e-mailaing us at Events@CoolCleveland.com and we'll list as many as possible in the next few weeks.
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