Historical November–December 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Just to get us all thinking about how we can support our neighborhood businesses and keep ourselves out of shopping malls, we’ve asked a few proprietors and sales associates of local shops to select one item that they think is of exceptional value.
Here are some things they love: At Winslow’s Home (Delmar, just west of Midland) owner Ann Lipton is a big fan of the “Sucker”, a silicone door knob that is stylish and more importantly, stays firmly in place on smooth surfaces such as glazed tile, mirrors and windows to hold towels, dog leashes, shopping bags, etc. Craft Alliance in the Loop has handsome cherry wood butter knives, jam spoons, tongs, spatulas and more made by Jonathan’s Spoons of Kempton, Pennsylvania. You’ll pay no sales tax, and proceeds fund Craft Alliance’s cultural outreach. At City Sprouts (Delmar, east of Westgate), store manager Annekin Blackman loves the Plan line of toys, which are made of wood, and painted with vegetable dyes.
The Plan City and Doll House, can be added on to with a wide variety of boxed sets of furnishings and equipment. At Componere Gallery (Delmar, east of Westgate) owner, Eleanor Ruder, is organizing an exhibit , November 7-29, of local artist Bob Smith’s wonderful Birds From Beaches.
They are made from wood found around lake Erie and the Maine coast, and no two are alike. At PlowSharing Crafts, Rich Willms recommends the newly arrived small angel ornaments, made in Northern Zululand.
These items are made from recycled soda cans by teenagers orphaned by AIDS. Your purchase (again, no sales tax here) will help these boys and girls to feed, clothe and educate themselves. At G’Sell which features clothes from up and coming designers, Jeannie Callanan Trejo is raving about the fitted trench coat designed by Lulumari.
This jacket is beautifully shaped with muted brass bindings and a satin finish. East of Skinker at V Vegaz Salon, where you can get a superb haircut, Brandie Saulsbery has a luxurious Davines body wash made with Ylang Ylang and Chili that comes in an eco-friendly cotton gift sack. Close to V Vegaz you’ll find the Knitty Couture Yarn Shop which focuses on natural fibers, such as linen, Merino wool, and Alpaca produced by very small farms (The Yarn Farm in St. Clair, Missouri for example) in the region and around the country. Owner Thi Miller suggested a gift certificate for one of Knitty Couture’s knitting classes. South of Delmar on Skinker at the recently opened Bobo Noodle House, Zoe Robinson is featuring her special Bobo Noodle House sauces in Ginger, Lime Soy and Hot and Sour. Next door Kayak’s Coffee owner Frank Grund reports that the Holiday Blend of coffee is the hands-down best seller and will arrive the week before Thanksgiving, when it will be available by the pound, or fraction thereof, and in gift boxes. Even though these selections are only a tiny sampling of the many wonderful shops that are close by, you’re sure to find that our neighborhood boasts some of the finest and most enticing arrays of holiday offerings in St. Louis, so shop early and shop often!
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2008_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
