Jen and Joe

Jen and Joe

Friday, November 25, 2011

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving celebration yesterday. Joe and I hosted our families at our place for the celebration, and everyone had a great time. (Living in an apartment makes this a bit of a challenge, but we've managed to pull it off for three years now!)

Once you're out of your food coma, you may want to begin your Christmas shopping. You may have begun earlier today--or even last night--so if malls and big box stores are your thing, you'll probably skip over this entry. If you're sane, like me and Joe, and you don't want to get into a fight over a waffle iron, you're probably staying in today or at least staying as far away from anything retail-related as possible. Today is Buy Nothing Day, after all! (As another alternative, if you're unlucky, you were working today. I hope that you were treated nicely and that you're getting some rest now!)

Tomorrow is the continuation of Buy Nothing Day, but it's also a day when some plan to support small and local businesses. Rochester has so many great local businesses that it's hard to list them all, but they are definitely deserving of your hard-earned dough. Here is a list of some of our favorites. Think of it as our Rochester Gift Guide!

Parkleigh
Parkleigh is on the corner of Park and Goodman in the city, and they're known for some of their high-end gifts and jewelry. They also carry Vera Bradley purses and accessories (great for moms and grandmoms!), luxury cosmetics and bath supplies, and delicious gourmet coffees, teas, and chocolates. They even have cute toys and gifts for the kid or inner child in your life!

Record Archive
If you're in your twenties or thirties, you probably remember seeing this store advertised on TV during Saturday morning cartoons; it's kind of hard to forget a guy dressed as a giant record! Even if you're not into collecting records (although I am), the Record Archive has all kinds of kitschy gifts, t-shirts, and even art. They have plenty of DVDs and (yes) CDs and records for the film buff or music fan in your life! Check them out at 33 1/3 Rockwood St. (how cool is that address?).

Lift Bridge Book Shop
Not only does this great little store in Brockport carry plenty of books--they also have games for all ages along the back of the store. Lift Bridge is the perfect place to find something for any kids you may have in your family (especially if you're in the market for something educational or interactive). (While you're visiting Lift Bridge on Brockport's Main Street, be sure to check out the other shops in the area. You can find antiques, clothing, comics, and more!)

ARTISANworks
Artisan Works doesn't just host great events and have a gallery that's unparalleled in the Rochester area, but they also sell gifts and original art pieces. Resident artist Mark Groaning has a studio inside the gallery where he sells jewelry and stained-glass housewares in addition to his paintings and sculptures. If buying art isn't your thing, or it's out of your price range, consider a membership for you or a loved one as a gift this holiday season to support this wonderful organization! You can find them at 565 Blossom Rd.

Village Gate Square
Want to do your shopping all under one roof without going to the mall? Check out Village Gate Square at 274 N. Goodman St. for vintage clothing, books, records, and collectibles, or pick up a gift certificate to one of their fabulous restaurants (Salena's, Lento, Gate House, and California Rollin')--a great couple's gift!

Beers of the World
Beer! Need we say more? With this store, you get exactly what's on the label: beer from countries all over the world as well as those from microbreweries around the US. You can create a custom six-pack or pick up a gift card. You can even get home brew supplies there! From experience, I can tell you that this place has plenty of great gifts for boyfriends, husbands, and dads (but the female beer drinkers and amateurs brewers in your life may like the place, too).

We hope you find what you want to give for the holidays with our guide! Have a great holiday season! Be sure to tell us what your favorite Rochester area business are in the comments or on Facebook!

2 comments:

  1. Additional suggestions (in no particular order)...

    Hedonist Chocolate: Seriously some of the best local goodies (and some of their goodies are available at the aforementioned Parkleigh). Combinations you wouldn't think work totally do. Their workers are helpful and friendly. They also try to help promote other South Wedge businesses.

    Archimage: A sort of hippie-dippie - but not TOO hippie-dippie - store. They have some percussion instruments from around the world, Asian tea sets, Fred & Friends products, a bunch of fun quirky toys like Parkleigh (though they seem to have more options for cheap toys), Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, jewelry, and a bunch of eco-friendly clothes and trinkets. Prices run the gamut from way cheap to rather expensive, so it can fit any budget

    Aaron's Alley: A bit more hippie-dippie, especially of the Phish-listening, white-Rasta variety, if you get my drift. Lots of crunchy-type clothes and incense options, but there is also a small section of vintage clothes. Also, for the more adult-minded, home of Naughty and Nice, a specialty lingerie shop run by an older woman who will special-order when she doesn't actually carry it (seriously, she's very friendly).

    F. Oliver's - With a shop in Canandaigua and Park Ave, pretty easy to get to wherever you are. This place not only sells gourmet vinegars and oils, they'll let you taste various combinations so you can pick out what you like. A good option for foodie friends.

    Psychic's Thyme: The local New Age store, good option for those seeking the Age of Aquarius. They carry oils, incenses, books, crystals, jewelry, various Wiccan altar paraphernalia, and dried herbs (all of the legal variety, thank you). Not sure, but you might be able to get a gift certificate for one of their various Readers.

    One World Goods: Cute sculptures, clothing items, jewelry, and other various knick-knacks made by artisans around the world who earn money from the sales they make over here. Great for friends who are concerned about ethically supporting struggling Developing World people.

    Village Yarn and Fiber Shop: One of the many specialty-craft suppliers in the area, this East Rochester institution is geared towards the knitter or crocheter in your life. You won't find any of the usual suspects found for practically nothing in the big box craft stores - they sell high-end yarns, mostly natural fibers.

    ...Um, yeah, I could probably add more, but I will stop for now...

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  2. Awesome list! I debated adding Archimage to this, actually. That's another favorite!

    I'll have to check out some of the others (especially for yarn!).

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