Shop local for your loved ones

By Vanessa Pascale

SHOPPING FOR PRESENTS during the holidays can be such a joyful experience. The stores, restaurants and plazas are trimmed with twinkling lights and bright holiday décor. The eateries are luring in customers with signage advertising delicious treats. (Hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies are essential when bouncing from store to store.) And the product displays and deals are the best of the season.

The secret to a successful holiday shopping haul is to know where to shop. We curated a list of local stores that peddle the perfect presents for the folks in your life who made the “nice” list this year. Whether you’re shopping for the kids, art enthusiasts, sneakerheads or fashionistas, we have you covered.

CLUBHOUSE Kid & Craft
533 A W Howard Avenue, Decatur
clubhousekidandcraft.com
IG: @ClubHouseKidandCraf

In the market for cute and educational gifts for the littles? Stop by CLUBHOUSE Kid & Craft, owned by Kim and Kristen Bach, the sister shop (but separately owned and operated) to the original Athens store, TREEHOUSE Kid & Craft. “We are a small business run by parents, artists, educators, activists and dreamers — and we’re all totally kids at heart. Our greatest passion is finding time to create and play every day! We hope that our shop inspires families to do the same,” shares Kim. “We find joy in filling our shelves with unique, kindly-made products from all around the world that encourage critical thinking, problem solving and imaginative play. CLUBHOUSE is fueled by a love of design and a focus on quality. Many of the companies that we carry are small and independent just like us; we love to get to know them and the story behind our goods.”

So, what’s on Kim’s recommended toy list? Magnatiles, calico critters, assorted Jellycat stuffed animals (how cute is the snowy owling?), STEAM toys and games like Take 4, Beagle or Bagel? and Tenzi Buildzi.

HomeGrown
4212 Church St., Decatur
homegrowndecatur.com
IG: @HomeGrownDecatur

As the “home of Southern art,” HomeGrown Decatur features work by 100+ talented local artisans and craftspeople. This charming art gallery/store sells an assortment of gifts, handcrafted jewelry, pottery and artwork. Owned by Lori Ronca, aka “top-artist wrangler,” you’ll find one-of-a-kind art by Kandus Johnson (Hello, stickers, magnets, drawings, pins); bold, colorful, oversized jewelry by Karla Benitez; Molly Makes Critters’ planters, mugs, and plates; and Maxx Feist’s bright art prints.

Ronca recommends artwork by R. Land, Methane Studios and James Dean (Pete the Cat). “We are the Decatur home of Pete the Cat, featuring print work, toys and games of Pete — all inspired by a little black cat in Oakhurst.” Non-art goods that are very popular here are the salts by Beautiful Briny Sea (Atlanta); bath products by Rinse Bath and Body (Monroe, Georgia); Zorro Pecans (Leesburg, Georgia); and Southern Straws Cheese Straws (Columbus, Georgia).

“When you shop at HomeGrown, you support a tiny independent retailer, which keeps the dollars you spend in our local economy. Plus, it feels good to give unique and totally unexpected gifts to friends and family. We’ve been described as ‘where the irreverent meets the sublime.’ That’s absolutely right!” adds Ronca.

While there, don’t forget to sign your name on their 1950s graffiti refrigerator and take a picture with the shrine to Mr. T.

Jenette Bras
307-A E College Avenue, Decatur
jenettebras.com
IG: @JenetteBras_atl

For pretty and lacy intimate apparel, pop by Jenette Bras. Jenette Bras touts high-quality lingerie in a range of colors, styles and sizes, including beautiful bras, nighties and silk robes. Their expert sales associates are trained to help customers find the best possible fit when it comes to brassieres.

Jenette Bras’ CEO Jenette Goldstein co-founded this chic store (which now has several locations in California, as well as Decatur and Buckhead) so that ladies were guided in finding their correct bra size. When you’re comfortable and fully supported, you look
and feel better.

“We’re the perfect spot to pick up a silky kimono, buttery robe or lacy French underpinnings. Even better, get your sweetheart a gift certificate so she can indulge herself with a personalized bra fitting and lingerie styling at Jenette Bras’ intimate boutique,” says Goldstein.

Olive Branch Wellness Boutique
123 E. Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur
shoptheolive.com
@OliveBranchGreenBeauty

At Olive Branch Wellness Boutique, clean beauty is the standard. Owned by Ty Jenkins, this Decatur shop features organic, all-natural, vegan skin and hair care as well as wellness products (think candles, essential oils) for women and men.

“Shopping at Olive Branch this holiday season means great gifts, complimentary wine and unique gift finds. It’s a win, win, win,” says Jenkins. Elevate your home spa days or treat your loved ones to a truly luxurious bath time experience with their rich body butters, body polish and lotions. There is an array of beauty gift sets, like their Body Party box with products that clean, moisturize and hydrate skin. Looking for an affordable present? Olive Branch Wellness has gifts for under $30. The store also sells crystals and sage so you can cleanse your energy and space, too. What are a few of Jenkins’ favorite products? The Euca-mint Shower Steamers, Lotion Lantern (body butter candle), and Soma Silk body melt.

Eco Denizen
335 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur
ilovethegift.com
IG: @Ecodenizen

“We meet the holiday needs of those looking for unique and special gifts,” says Al Ambrose, a sales associate at Eco Denizen Decatur, a luxe gift shop with two locations including Atlanta. As their website advertises, the shop has “curated selections that are long-lasting and high quality.”

Here, you will find everything from home decor and toys to books and delicious, sweet treats. This is the perfect store to pick up a gift for the holiday hostess (We love their pretty tea towels), a friend (Who can resist a fancy wine decanter set?) or your white elephant gift exchange (I’ll take two Capri Blue candles!). Bath products, candles, Enewton jewelry, Houston Llew artwork and Jellycat plush toys are just a few of the products that make Ambrose’s go-to gift list.

Sole Play
106 E Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur
soleplayatl.com
IG: @Soleplayatl

Sole Play is a sneakerhead’s dream and has two locations: Decatur and Lawrenceville. The shop sells the most coveted kicks around, including Nike Dunk Low, Men’s Air Jordan 1 Retro High – Royal Reimagined, Adidas, New Balance and more. In addition to footwear, they carry clothing by Homme Femme and Diet Starts Monday, plus graphic tees, sweatshirts and accessories like New Era fitted sports caps.

“People should shop at Sole Play because it’s about the overall experience. Yes, we sell some of the dopest footwear and fashion pieces out there, but when you walk in, you automatically feel like family,” says coowner and CEO TJ Bennett. “If I had to recommend anything, it would definitely be some of our apparel pieces. Sinclair, Paper Planes, Nike and Jordan are just a few brands that we keep in stock.”

Brave & Kind Bookshop
722 West College Avenue, Decatur
braveandkindbooks.com
IG: @braveandkindbooks

Brave & Kind Bookshop is a lovely little bookshop owned by “Shopgirl” Bunnie Hilliard, carrying an assortment of books for kids and young adults – plus, a few for grown-ups. The “Black-owned and woman-run business has been helping to build beautiful and inclusive home and school libraries since 2018.”

Pick out a couple of books to wrap up for your favorite kiddos, or buy a few books to read with your children that spotlight the true meaning of the holiday season – try The Good Samaritan: A Parable of Kindness to Strangers by Pia Imperial. The store also sells convenient book bundles and gift cards.

“We are grateful for the dedicated community of readers and book lovers we have created here in Decatur and across the United States. Check out a favorite gift for the holidays and the whole year through. Just add any details you’d like to share with us in the notes, and we will put together a delightful bookish bundle, sure to be treasured,” says Hilliard.