Bella Vista residents who want to shop locally have a few choices this Christmas season, but they may have to look for them.
Jewelry is a popular Christmas gift, and Ashley Linden of Linden Jewelry is hoping to make shopping easier for her customers. Besides having some items on sale, Linden offers her customers the chance to make up a wish list so that husbands or other shoppers know exactly what to buy.
Linden said her shop stays busy year round, but December is always a good month. She added a few items at a lower price point for the season.
"It's a fun job," she said. Next year will be 10 years for the business, she added.
At the other end of the shopping center, The Bluebird Shed has lots of gifts for bird lovers. Owner Butcher Tetzlaff said he's sold everything from heated birdbaths to Christmas ornaments to be given away this year. One item that's been popular is welcome mats that can be customized for the season. Several different mats can be fit into the tray and changed with the season.
He also has wreaths made out of birdseed so both birds and bird-watchers can enjoy them.
At Audrey's Resale Boutique, gift opportunities range from brand-new scarves and jewelry to gently-used mink coats and furniture. The shop, which is run by a nonprofit, sells both household goods and clothing.
Manager Kristy Danna also stocks some craft items made by local craftsman, including book cutouts, and Christmas Ornaments. The store is in the Highland's Plaza.
Spry Girls Boutique has many traditional gifts including clothing, shoes, accessories and even food. Owner Lisa Spry said this is her first Christmas in her location across from Sugar Creek Center, but she had a similar business in Eureka Springs for years.
She has several Christmas specials going on, she said. A line of jams and jellies have been popular, she said.
"For the biker who has everything, we always have one more thing," Seth Jacobs, the manager of GPP Cycling said. His shop in Sugar Creek Center has all kinds of bikes for everyone 4 years old and up. For serious bikers, accessories like gloves and water bottles make great stocking stuffers, he said.
The shop -- located close to both mountain bike trails and the Razorback Greenway -- is running specials on headlights, kids' bikes and apparel.
The Carriage Trade is located about a mile from 71B on Oldham Drive. Owner Michelle Chiocco makes and sells soaps and other personal care products. She has both a ladies' line and a men's line that includes beard butter. She can also customize scents for many of her products.
For naughty boys and girls, she offers lump-of-coal soap this Christmas to help them clean up their act.
General News on 12/06/2017