Regardless of what holidays you are celebrating between now and the New Year, chances are you will be buying a gift or two. While Amazon and Ebay may seem like the “go to” ways to shop smart for the people on your list, they do little to help your local economy. Now more than ever, supporting our neighbors should be something we all try and do every chance we get.
Lucky for us, Lewis County is full of locally owned shops that are brimming with gifts for anyone on your list. So before you get on that computer, think local. And don’t forget about Small Business Saturday (November 26). Sleep in on the Friday after Thanksgiving and show your support for your friends and neighbors by going to small businesses on Saturday instead. Many of them will have deals for the day.
Unique Shops
Almost every town in Lewis County has a gift shop of some kind, so you may not even have to drive that far to find the perfect gifts. Pe Ell has Kettle Creek located at 217 Main Street. They not only have wonderful espresso, but fun country décor gifts as well as candles, sprays and lotions that are great for stockings or hostess gifts. A must see are their adorable wooden holiday signs. On November 18 and 19, they will have their Country Christmas Gathering, if you are looking holiday decorating items.
On the other side of the county, Packwood, Morton, and Mossyrock all have their own quaint gift shops with plenty to offer holiday shoppers, no matter who is on your list. Quiet Crossing at 101 State Street in Mossyrock, for example, has handmade quilts that make wonderful gifts for anyone. And the Colton Pharmacy on 2nd Street in Morton has a mix of mass-market and unique items to fit anyone’s tastes.
Toys
Need toys? Be sure you stop in Napavine, where a new toy store is brimming with everything you need for the tiny toys on your list. Let’s Play Something started as a small online toy business that Adam and Toni Bennett ran. Now, they are a two-story store located in the old City Hall building on 2nd Avenue. They have over 1,000 toys, stuffed animals, puzzles, and board games so you are sure to find something. A highlight are the fake snowballs. And, unlike your big stores, they carry many of the fun, old-fashioned games such as Lincoln Logs and the wooden train sets. Never fear, they also have pop culture items including Walking Dead Yahtzee and Settlers of Catan. Bonus – they offer free gift wrapping.
Vintage Finds in Centralia
The Centralia-Chehalis area has enough locally owned stores to provide you with a whole day of shopping should you wish. If you want something truly one-of-a-kind or unique, check out the many thrift and antique stores in downtown Centralia. For example, a black light sensitive crystal bowl. Or vintage Christmas plates and mugs. It is these kitschy items that many people on your list will appreciate because they know you’ve put some thought into their gifts. Even better, the prices are good and you won’t have to pay shipping. Be sure to shop both Pearl and Tower Streets to find everything from army surplus for the war memorabilia collector to shabby chic wall décor for the twenty-something who’s decorating her first home. Toy collectors? There are some incredible Disney toys around town – but you better hurry since every item is a one-of-a-kind.
Locally Owned in Chehalis Offers New Items
Chehalis has its own little pocket of stores in downtown off Market Boulevard. These stores are a great source if the people on your list are not fans of vintage or are into pop culture. Ewe and I and the Black Sheep Creamery have everything you would need for anyone your list that does yarn crafts or wants to learn how to do them. And of course, they can also provide you with yummy locally made gifts, including cheeses, meats, and yogurt. They also sell gift certificates. Or, attend one of their holiday classes going on now until Christmas and make someone a gift yourself.
If someone on your list must have the latest Harry Potter book or Marvel comic, try the Book ‘n’ Brush and Diversified Games. Both places carry gifts and reading material for anyone on your list that likes the super, fantastic, or the magical. Book ‘n’ Brush is also the perfect place to go for the artist on your list – they have anything they could possibly want.
By now, you should be convinced that we have everything you need right here in Lewis County. However, just in case, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce is handing out “Choose Local First Survival Bags” that will be filled with coupons and goodies from members of the Chamber. These bags will be handed out to shoppers on November 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or until gone as a way to promote shopping local on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
