Local shops offer wide range of last-minute holiday gift ideas
HISTORIC TRIANGLE – Christmas is nearly here. Today and tomorrow – Dec. 23 and 24 – are expected to be among the busiest shopping days of the year.
If you’re among the millions of Americans still in need of last-minute gifts or other items for your holiday celebrations, consider shopping local rather than heading to crowded mega retailers.
Three-quarters of small businesses say they “rely heavily” on holiday sales to meet their annual revenue goals, and nearly six in ten say the season is “extremely important” to their overall success, according to the Small Business Exchange.
By shopping local, you can ensure that more of your dollars stay in our community while supporting the businesses that sustain jobs and keep the Historic Triangle a unique place to visit and live. According to the Small Business Administration, nearly half of the private workforce is employed by small businesses.
A study conducted by American Express found that $0.68 of every dollar spent at small businesses stay in the local community – which adds up to 3 1/2 times more money for the local economy compared to dollars spent at big box stores.
Kristi Olsen-Hayes, York County’s director of Economic and Tourism Development, said that shopping local is not “simply about buying things” but about supporting the people who make our community great.
“Buying local is a critical commitment to our economic health today and our character in the future,” Olsen-Hayes said.
The is a wide variety of independently-owned businesses in and around the Historic Triangle, and many of them offer high-quality gifts you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Below are some local businesses to consider supporting this holiday season – and all year long.
The countdown to Christmas is on. Today and tomorrow – Dec. 23 and 24 – are expected to be among the busiest shopping days of the year.
If you’re among the millions of Americans planning to look for last-minute gifts or other items for holiday celebrations, consider shopping local rather than heading to crowded mega retailers.
Three-quarters of small businesses say they “rely heavily” on holiday sales to meet their annual revenue goals, and nearly six in ten say the season is “extremely important” to their overall success, according to the Small Business Exchange.
By shopping local, you can ensure that more of your dollars stay in our community while supporting the businesses that contribute to the Historic Triangle’s unique character.
A study conducted by American Express found that $0.68 of every dollar spent at small businesses stay in the local community, which adds up to 3 1/2 times more money for the local economy compared to dollars spent at big box stores.
Kristi Olsen-Hayes, York County’s director of Economic and Tourism Development, said that shopping local is not “simply about buying things” but about supporting the people who make our community great.
“Buying local is a critical commitment to our economic health today and our character in the future,” Olsen-Hayes said.
There are an abundance of independently-owned businesses in and around the Historic Triangle, and many of them offer high-quality gifts you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Below are some local businesses to consider supporting this holiday season – and all year long.
405 W Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
Located in Merchants Square, The Christmas Shop is Williamsburg’s oldest Christmas store. The shop specializes in collectible holiday merchandise, including handcrafted ornaments unique to Williamsburg. Some ornaments can be personalized with names, dates and even photos.
226 Monticello Avenue
Williamsburg
A new houseplant store is open for business on Monticello Avenue. Ray Ray’s Plants, owned by local resident Rachel Neighbors, is built around creativity and sustainability. Neighbors started the business by selling products at weekend markets and then grew enough to expand into the new location.
“We thrift mugs, bowls, pots and even blenders, then repurpose them as planters,” Neighbors told The Triangle. “Each piece is drilled for drainage, paired with a plant and given a second life.” The store is open Dec. 23 and 24 for last-minute shopping.
431 W. Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
This Colonial Williamsburg store features 13,000 square feet of shopping space on two levels. Visitors will find WILLIAMSBURG brand home décor, American-made furniture, gourmet foods, jewelry, books, soaps and home fragrances. Design Center experts can assist with furniture customizations, and jewelry engraving is available.
1991 Richmond Road
Williamsburg
Browse through an assortment of over 30,000 ornaments, accessories and collectibles at the Christmas Mouse. While the retailer operates nine year-round stores, the Richmond Road shop – founded 40 years ago – is considered its flagship location.
The Richmond Road store is open 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the Christmas season. A second shop, located at 7461 Richmond Rd. in Norge, is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5707 Richmond Road Suite 40
Williamsburg
Find a wide variety of books – from new releases to best sellers and classics – at this charming independent bookstore located at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Click here for holiday hours.
415 W. Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
Support the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation while shopping for gifts, toys, gourmet foods, books and official souvenir merchandise and logo apparel at Everything Williamsburg.
331 Water Street
Yorktown
Enjoy the beautiful views of the Yorktown waterfront while shopping from local businesses. Find treats, toys and specialty items for your four-legged friends at Gangsta Dog, shop from a unique collection of handcrafted art at Auntie M’s American Cottage, browse custom jewelry and creations at Viccellio Goldsmith and find discounted books at Yorktown Bookshop.
Stop by Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters for breakfast or lunch; 18th-century drinking chocolates; and freshly roasted and brewed coffee or lattes. Little York Confectionery, located in the same building, offers house-made chocolates and candies.
417 West Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
Located in festive Merchants Square, Danforth Pewter of Virginia has been a Williamsburg staple for fifty years. The shop, which features carefully crafted metal Christmas ornaments, jewelry, gifts, holiday decor and more, was founded in 1964 as the Shirley Pewter Shop. It was renamed to Danforth Pewter after a 2013 renovation.
All items sold at Danforth Pewter are created by hand in a Vermont workshop. You’ll also find a history wall at the store which documents Danforth’s roots from the earliest days of Colonial Williamsburg.
414 W Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
Shop for fresh-dipped caramel apples and chocolates, handmade fudge and the region’s largest candy selection at Wythe in Merchant’s Square.
Corner of Warwick Boulevard and Main Street
Newport News
Historic Hilton Village, built in 1918, features 27 locally-owned shops and restaurants. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guests can find unique home furnishings and decor, artisan jewelry, one-of-a-kind artwork, antiques, vintage consignment clothing and more – all in one quaint village.
Dining options include Indulge Bakery & Bistro, The Hilton Creamery, Circa 1918 and Kismet Bistro.
4809 Courthouse Street, Suite 2
Williamsburg
Find the perfect book for the comic enthusiast on your list at Comic Cubicle, a friendly, small business that’s operated in Williamsburg for more than 20 years.
La Tienda Spanish Gourmet Market
1325 Jamestown Road
Williamsburg
Shop for wines, gourmet foods, coffees, sweets and hundreds of other items imported from Spain at the La Tienda Spanish Gourmet Market.
5625 (F120) Richmond Road
Williamsburg
Support local makers by shopping from more than 50 local businesses selling unique and hand-crafted merchandise, from clothing to custom decor to antiques.
525 Prince George Street, Suite 103
Williamsburg
This lifestyle clothing store strives to encourage women of all ages to feel good about themselves and express their creativity and independent style. The shop was founded by sisters Maria, Abbey and Anna. Online ordering with free pickup or $5 domestic shipping is available.
The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg
414 Prince George Street
Williamsburg
Stroll through Merchants Square and stop at The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, where you’ll find an array of seasonal favorites, like Holiday Snowfall Virginia Peanuts, nut brittles and festive gift sets.
402 W. Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg
Find accessories, footwear, camping gear, outdoorsy gifts and pet products at Walkabout Outfitter. Located in Merchants Square, Walkabout was recently named among America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
500 Lightfoot Road
Williamsburg
Browse antiques and collectibles from more than 300 dealers across at the 45,000-square-foot Williamsburg Antique Mall.
5104 Main Street
Williamsburg
This small, family-owned shop offers a wide selection of gifts for pet lovers, including apparel, treats and chews, toys, high-quality foods and more.
2023 Richmond Road
Williamsburg
Discover a variety of fine jewelry at the home of the original Williamsburg C-shaped Cuff Bracelet, handwrought by retired Colonial Williamsburg Master Silversmith James Curtis. Williamsburg Jewelers offers custom design services and can repair almost any jewelry items made of gold, sterling silver and platinum.
4640 Monticello Avenue Suite 11C
Williamsburg
Locally owned and operated, School Crossing offers a wide selection of educational and specialty toys. Popular items this season include create-your-own coloring books, model building kits and an array of kids’ craft items.
The store also sells fidgets and sensory play items, musical toys and dress-up and pretend products. Free gift wrapping is available for most items.
1781 Jamestown Road, Suite 160
Williamsburg
This family-owned store features an in-house studio where fine jewelry is designed and created. The shop also offers pre-made jewelry and on-site restoration and repair services. Nearly all pieces sold at Jamestown Jewelers are made on the premises.
1351 Richmond Road
Williamsburg
Founded in 1986, Whitley’s offers home-cooked gourmet Virginia peanuts and peanut confections, like peanut brittle and dark chocolate peanut clusters. Some items come packaged in cheerful holiday tins.
Perfectly Natural Soap
2021 Richmond Road
Williamsburg
If you appreciate natural products with clean ingredients, check out Perfectly Natural Soap. This small business focuses on artisan soap-making in small batches, and their products are made right in Williamsburg with high-quality ingredients.
In addition to soap-related products, the shop sells other specialty items, including scented candles and gift bundles.
Find more locally-owned businesses on the American Express Shop Small Map and York County’s Shopping and Dining Guide..
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