Contributor: Barbara HauserShopping for? The Jenney Family in Minneapolis and Friends and Family
Neighborhood: Over-the-RhineAs a resident of Over-the-Rhine, I made a commitment this year to buy all my gifts either in OTR or downtown. It took several trips sometimes even back to the same stores but I finally accomplished my task.I started my shopping trip by meeting up with a friend at Coffee Emporium, my favorite coffee shop in OTR. We got our Java and headed to Vine Street to the new Gateway Quarter to begin our local exploration. We strategically started at Park + Vine and slowly meandered down the street to hit the other specialty shops. Park + Vine carries plenty of affordable eco-friendly gifts from water bottles to baby gear.
Another reason to start at Park + Vine is to visit with Dan Korman, the owner. As you walk in he immediately says hello and starts to tell you about all the new items that have just arrived. On this particular day (it was a little chaotic due to the Holiday in a Bag promotion) he was only able to say hello as he was racing around helping the plethora of customers eager to purchase his unique gifts.
First on my shopping list was my friend Whitney who just had a baby. (I am going to visit her in Minneapolis over Christmas and needed to buy gifts for the whole family.) I bought an adorable little hat and a very chic baby changing pad that looks like a purse. While waiting in line to check out I noticed the coolest Queen Bee wallet and ended up with a nice gift for myself!Next we went to Mica 12/v and my friend really loved this store. This was actually her first time shopping in OTR and was impressed by all the stores. We both bought Christmas tree ornaments for small gifts.
Then we headed to Metronation, again chatting with the owner George Crawford, which is what adds to the whole experience of shopping locally- knowing the owners and employees. I bought my holiday cards and my friend bought a present for herself. If you are going shopping you must at least treat yourself to a present or two!
At this point it was getting late so we decided to end the trip with a nice glass of wine at Lavomatic. Warm and cozy in this unique urban neighborhood restaurant we reflected back on our fun purchases.I didn't finish all my shopping that day but did return the next weekend with other gift ideas in mind. At Park + Vine I bought a handmade scarf, reusable gift bags, Queen Bee purse and a greeting card with wild flower seeds. At Metronation I bought a Teaposy, a designer glassware tea pot with 6 hand-crafted blooming teas. These are all gifts I know my family and friends will love.You would think by now I would be finished but I still had a few gifts on the list. Thankfully my neighborhood Holiday Party was being hosted by yet another one of my favorite stores in OTR, HighStreet on Reading Rd. The eight-thousand square foot space offers an award-winning Design studio and Urban Lifestyle Store.We began the evening at the store enjoying drinks and appetizers all while browsing the amazing eclectic gifts items, from beautiful jewelry to books you can't find anywhere else in Cincinnati. I bought a bracelet, a serving plate and a miniature cowbell (don't ask, inside joke with a friend!) After shopping we walked around Prospect Hill Neighborhood (the neighborhood directly behind the store) and looked at all the Holiday lights, listened to some carolers and then headed to a neighbors house to eat delicious homemade desserts and drink eggnog.It seems like a lot a gifts and a lot of running around but all the stores are located in a very small section of OTR. I was able to get unique personable gifts at a low cost while seeing friends and knowing my dollars spent were helping local commerce. Mission accomplished.- Park + Vine, 1109 Vine St.
- MiCA 12/v, 1201 Vine St.
- Metronation, 1213 Vine St.
Other stores in the Gateway Quarter
- The Little Mahatma, 1205 Vine St.
- Switch Collection=, 1207 Vine St.
- Incredible Creations, 1209 Vine St.
- Joseph Williams Home, 1232 Vine St.
- A Lucky Step, 1220 Vine St.
- OUTSIDE, 16 E. 12th St.
City Roots, 1133 Vine St.
I recently went into the Little Mahatma and was really impressed with the quantity and quality of the beautiful jewelery that they have. City Roots is also a wonderful place to find bulbs, gardening gear and houseplants for gifts or (in my case) for yourself. If you want to go a bit more high end gardening and artsy, i recommend Urban Eden for all your needs.
Additionally, if you are unable to get to Coffee Emporium before they close, there is a wonderful coffee shop on Main Street across from Shadeau Breads called Iris Book Cafe. It has Coffee Emporium coffees and Essencha teas and in warmer weather has one of the best outdoor patios in OTR I've seen as a resident there. Vintage books and artwork line the wall and all are for sale.