With each holiday season comes fun family traditions, fabulous community events, and shopping. I love holiday shopping but I don’t love the craziness that usually comes with it. My advice this year is to skip the mess at the mall, bypass the online madness, and head straight to downtown Centralia where there is lots of free parking and you can find something special for everyone on your list.
I appreciate a convenient shopping experience during the holidays because time is at a premium with nearly every weekend filled with friends, parties, and merriment. I also truly love being able to find gifts that are unique, thoughtful, and just perfect for the ones I love.
Here are some shopping ideas from downtown Centralia merchants.
Central Glass Works is the place to go to find truly one-of-a-kind, hand-made glass items. Their glass artists have several great gift ideas in their store, including $10 ornaments which make a great Secret Santa gift. Other gift ideas include bowls, vases, and glass jewelry. They also sell private glass blowing lessons, which a great gift idea for the person who has everything.
Flood Valley Home Brew supplies unique ideas for beer and wine lovers in your life. Owner Chris Rohr is friendly and knowledgeable. He can help you pick the perfect gift for a lucky recipient, from starter kits for homebrew and wine making, brewing recipes, glassware, growler fills and so much more. Flood Valley also offers brewing classes once a month for $10 per class. This is a great stocking stuffer, along with their hop candy.
Swing by Santa Lucia Coffee for the caffeine junkies on your list. They are a small batch micro-roaster. Their beans come from the Martinez Family Farm in Guatemala. The beans are roasted, in the store, three times per week. Santa Lucia offers several varieties of coffee, along with brewing equipment and tea supplies.
Holley’s Place, next to the Fox Theater, offers sweet treats and gift certificates which make excellent gifts and stocking stuffers. In addition to their tasty frozen yogurt, they sell Chehalis Mints and locally made fudge.
Hubbub is another stop that is always on my list. Hubbub offers an assortment of choices for every budget and every age. The Mr. Sogs creatures are a favorite of mine to give the babies and toddlers in my life. Also, Debbie’s Boutique is another great place to find something special for the ladies in your life. Their fashion clothing and accessories are too good to pass up.
Fruffles is a boutique department store and has creative gifts for him and her. As co-owner Tony Lawler says, “we have really unique articles – a little something for everyone.” Both owners are experienced interior designers and have wonderful ideas for finding the perfect something for whoever you might be shopping for.
Another must see, and one of the newer additions to downtown Centralia, is Bead Opus. Bead Opus is a destination for anyone looking for beautiful, quality, handmade jewelry created by local artists. Co-owner and artist Travis Pollanz shares that Bead Opus also works with customers for consultations and design builds. Jewelry artists can find a wide selection of beads to make their own creation. Classes for basic beading are offered as well.
If you are a knitter or crocheter looking to make a gift from the heart, Loose Ends will get your project started. Owner Teva Youngblood is happy to help you find what you need. She also offers basic knitting and crocheting classes for $10 per class. Loose Ends also sells hand carved wooden yarn bowls that are made right in the shop.
Are you hosting a holiday party this year? Make your holiday season easier and opt for catering. Stop in to Boccata Restaurant for lunch as well as to set a catering consultation appointment with chef Darren Harris. Boccata has delicious Mediterranean inspired food and will be a definite hit at your holiday party.
Another option is Dawn’s Delectables, a dessert and sandwich shop. You can place an order for all sorts of desserts from cookies to cakes to cobblers. Plus, you can order rolls and buns for your holiday dinner. The staff is friendly and welcoming and tasty treats from Dawn’s will definitely make your event stand out.
Downtown Centralia is a shopper’s paradise. There is plenty of free parking, one-of-a-kind gifts, and friendly and helpful business owners who are ready to help you find the perfect gift for the special people in your life.
