What You Can Find Locally For Celebrating & Gift-Giving
“People seem to be focusing on entertaining at home — having family and friends get together seems like a special gift this year,” remarked Deb Luksa, owner of the German Street Marketplace in Shepherdstown. “I see a lot of younger people who are more minimalist — they don’t want a lot of stuff, but they do like to entertain and appreciate a useful gift.” Luksa noted a common holiday wish that she is hearing from her customers: “Treat yourself and your family well — and enjoy your time together.”
Larry Miller, co-owner of The Hobbies Shop in Charles Town with his wife Susan, pointed out the several advantages of local “mom & pop” retailers: “ We make sure we stock quality items — for example, our hobby-grade RC models are repairable, not stuff that you need to throw away if a part breaks the day after Christmas. When you shop local, you know what you are buying and you have a person who can help you. We’re here every day to answer your questions and offer suggestions.” Shane Stoneberger of Feagans Jewelers, also in Charles Town, echoed that sentiment: “we treat our customers like family; we’ll help you pick things out and remember you when you come back.” At Engage!, a book, toy and comics shop in Martinsburg, co-owner Angie Leaton expressed a similar thought: “We listen to what our customers want and adjust what we sell. You can see it and touch it before you buy, and we can help you pick out the right gift.”
Leaton mentioned that she and her husband Kim had just opened Engage! last year when the pandemic hit, but were glad they did: “When you have a store downtown, you can see the things that people do to make this a community and build it up.” That’s a sentiment that the Observer heard up and down the various downtown streets in Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Ranson, and Shepherdstown. The images on the following pages present a small sample of the many delightful items available in our local downtown merchants — ready to take home and wrap.
Shop Local This Holiday. Treat yourself to fun, handcrafted home goods and stocking stuffers, refresh your wardrobe with sustainable and well-crafted clothing and accessories, and don’t forget about games and toys for all ages! Check out the galleries below for tons of unique, local gift ideas!
Stocking Stuffers and Treats for All
(left to right, top to bottom) The German Street Marketplace (Shepherdstown) has many delicious items to create a charcuterie board for entertaining – or gifting; Leave a special treat for “Santa” to enjoy after putting up the tree. At Grapes & Grains (Shepherdstown) along with a wide selection of wines, beers, and entertaining food & supplies; Mrs. Claus might enjoy a CBD bath bomb (At Meditative Medicinals, Shepherdstown); You can find holiday greeting cards at Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery, Four Seasons Books, and O’Hurley’s General Store in Shepherdstown; Tis the season to entertain – you can find unusual sweets, savories, wines, and supplies for entertaining at several downtown shops in Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Ranson, and Shepherdstown; Find whimsical stocking stuffers for imaginative tweens at Creative Procrastinations (Shepherdstown); A favorite local image can be a very personal gift. Take it off the wall at Kimo Pics (Shepherdstown) or ask for a tailor-made reprint; Needful Things Emporium (Charles Town) hosts 28 merchants selling hand-made, local, and unusual items for inspired gift giving and decorating; Many local food merchants will offer gift baskets and merchandise; Make your own signature cocktail. At Tonic Herb Shop (Shepherdstown); Nativity scenes are a tradition shared around the globe. At Tenfold Fair Trade (Harpers Ferry).
Stylish Gifts from Head to Toe
(left to right, top to bottom) Traditional jewelry, made in house at Feagans Jewelers (Charles Town); Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery (Shepherdstown) specializes in local and made-in-America products; English driving caps at Honor D Shoes & Hats (Shepherdstown) are a stylish gift for men; These aren’t the socks you got for Christmas as a kid – a whimsical and (mostly) practical gift for all ages. In Shepherdstown at Creative Procrastinations, Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery, The Good Shop, O’Hurley’s General Store, and Pedal & Paddle; Feagans Jewelers (Charles Town) makes time for every customer.
Fun and Games For All
(left to right, top to bottom) All ages can enjoy a board game at The Hobbies Shop (Charles Town); You can find shelves of puzzles at The Hobbies Shop (Charles Town) and Four Season’s Books (Shepherdstown); Kids toys, stuffed animals, books, and games at Engage! (Charles Town); O’Hurley’s General Store (Shepherdstown) stocks an eclectic mix of local, handmade, vintage, and other unusual toys; Art supplies, cookbooks, puzzles, calendars, notecards – Four Seasons Books (Shepherdstown) can be a one-stop shop for gifts; The friendly clerks at Engage! (Martinsburg) and Four Seasons Books (Shepherdstown) can help you pick the appropriate toy, book, stuffed animal, and other delights for kids of any age.
By Staff Contributor