Local shopping: Two Harbors Gift Guide

• Anderson's poinsettias

Featured product: Poinsettias. Anderson’s Greenhouse grows the Christmas favorite in-house, starting the seedlings in June. They range in price from $15 to $40. Also pictured is a handmade birdhouse by Dale Tormondsen of Tofte, also available at Anderson’s for $60. Anderson’s Greenhouse, 1403 Seventh Avenue, 834-4837
• Buddy's Wild Rice

Featured product: Buddy’s Wild Rice, ranging in price from $7-18 depending on the size and type. Seasonal specials: Look for discounts during their open house this Saturday. Buddy’s Mercantile, 720 Seventh Avenue, 834-3303
• Christian's Ore Dock Photo

Featured product: Framed photo of the ore docks in Two Harbors, price varies depending on photo size. Christian’s photos are all taken in the area and can be printed on various merchandise or framed at his website, www.christiandalbecphotography.com. Seasonal specials: 20% off all orders over $30 on his website with the coupon code DALBECART. Christian Dalbec Photography, www.christiandalbecphotography.com, 391-7560
• RSJ's Armoire

Featured product: Armoire. The piece is solid wood and dates from the 1940s. It was retrieved from a mansion in Duluth and costs $300. RSJ’s Everything, 621 First Avenue, 481-5962
• Print pizzazz owls at Sweet Pea

Featured product: Print pizzazz owls, which cost $10-$20 depending on the size (and they’re currently 20% off). The stuffed animals are just one piece of an extensive collection of Sweet Peas’ kids toys that “don’t have batteries or go into an X-box,” according to co-owner Katie Lancaster. Seasonal special: 20% off of all wooden signs. Sweet Peas Gift Shop & Craft Mall, 625 Seventh Avenue, 834-9215
• Hammocks by Tree to Tree

Featured product: Hammocks handmade by owners (and sisters) Brenda Swanson and Leah Bott. The hammocks are $150 (after a $50 discount given to local customers). The hammocks come in a variety of designs and are fleece-lined. They hold up to 400 pounds and are six feet, eight inches long. Seasonal specials: 10% off storewide on Saturday during their open house. Tree to Tree, 724 Seventh Avenue, 800-536-3287
• True Value Santa Snow Globes

Featured product: Santa snow globe, $10. One of the employees purchased them for her grandkids as night lights. They’re battery-powered, which allows the “snow” to fall without shaking. Seasonal specials: Stop by the shop to pick up their latest flyer to see sale items. True Value, 610 First Avenue, 834-2222
• Mugs by Martye Allen at Waterfront Gallery

Featured product: Ceramic mugs by Marye Allen. The mugs are part of an exhibit that opened Nov. 15 featuring ceramics from five local artists. Prices vary. Waterfront Gallery, 632 First Avenue, 834-0756

Talk about it

December is chock-full of opportunities to support local businesses. Last weekend’s Small Business Saturday was a shopping holiday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday intended to encourage consumers to spend their dollars locally. This Saturday, businesses along Highway 61 in Two Harbors are hosting open houses with music, treats and holiday discounts.

The reasons to shop local are numerous, and Diana Roe, a florist at Anderson’s Greenhouse in Two Harbors, said their business simply wouldn’t be viable without local customers.

“It’s the local people that keep us open. We depend on them,” Roe said.

Katie Lancaster, co-owner of Sweet Peas Gift Shop and Craft Mall in Two Harbors, echoed that sentiment. Sweet Peas rents booths to local folks, who fill them with handmade goods.

“You are supporting 45 different families when you shop at Sweet Peas,” Lancaster said.

Not only do she and her husband appreciate business from locals, in their five years of owning the shop they’ve forged some strong relationships.

“We’ve discovered that although we need revenue to survive, we’re most grateful for the relationships we’ve developed with local customers,” she said.

It’s clear that shopping locally is good for business owners, but customers benefit, too. Shoppers can often find one-of-a-kind, memorable gifts for friends and family during the holiday season, according to Brenda Swanson, co-owner of Tree to Tree Hammock Store in Two Harbors.

“Shopping local is the best way to find the most unique gifts, and people remember those gifts,” Swanson said.

In the spirit of shopping locally, the News-Chronicle took a trip around Two Harbors this week to find unique and interesting gifts. Here are eight items that are sure to please someone on your shopping list and support the local economy.

Between now and Christmas, readers can count on the News-Chronicle for unique gift ideas. Throughout December, items will be featured that can be purchased in one of the Lake County communities. Next week, look for gifts you can pick up in Silver Bay and check back for regular updates on area open houses and craft shows.

This week check out:

• Agate Bay Crafters Annual December Craft and Bake Sale, Friday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Two Harbors Community Center.

• Shop Local Holiday Open House, Highway 61 merchants in Two Harbors, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2 all day.

• Voyageur Art Center will be open Friday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. It’s located on South Avenue in Two Harbors, near the Train Depot.

• Mall of Americinn, Thursday, Dec. 6, 3-8 p.m. at Americinn Silver Bay. Featuring over 30 local vendors.

Got an item you think should be featured in our gift guide? Planning a craft sale or open house to highlight your local shop? Contact the News-Chronicle and we’ll include it. Our contact information can be found on page 4A.

Tags: news, shopping