Just one more week to shop: Local stores offer last-minute gift ideas
Christmas is just a week away, but there’s still plenty of time to shop locally.
Several area businesses, many in downtown Monroe, offer suggestions for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers.
● Frenchie’s Fine Jewelry, Coins & Stamps suggests paper clip jewelry.
“Paper clip necklaces and bracelets have been a great seller so far. We sell them in 14K yellow and white gold and in sterling silver to fit anyone’s budget,” Brian Beneteau, store co-owner said.
Frenchie’s is located at 15 E. Front Street.
● Another downtown Monroe business, Jones for Men, recommends accessories and holiday attire.
“Sweaters, socks, shoes and flannels are the best-sellers for us around Christmas,” Todd Jones Jr. said. “We get a lot of casual-wear customers around the holidays, but, of course, we have suits and tuxedos for the events. We have had eight to 10 weddings in December this year.”
Jones said the store, at 10 E. Front Street, has been steady this holiday season. It is open daily through Christmas Eve, when it closes at 2 p.m.
● Downtown Monroe businesses Brown Bag Boutique and Front Street Mercantile offer women’s clothing and accessories.
“Brown Bag Boutique is known for our Judy Blue Jeans and we are working to keep the shelves stocked with new arrivals regularly,” Sally Gendron and Mary Hastings, store owners said. “The Mercantile has been very busy with all things gifts, especially stocking stuffers. The current curation we have of our own items and items from other entrepreneurs for consignment give literally something for everybody on your lists as well as yourself. We love sass, quirky and unique.”
Brown Bag Boutique has been open at 15 W. Front Street since 2019, but was an online business a year before that. The owners opened Front Street Mercantile, 34 W. Front Street in February.
“Shopping has been very steady this holiday season and we are appreciative of the outpouring of support for small and local businesses,” the owners said.
The stores will be open daily through Christmas Eve.
● Nearby Sauer Furniture and Antiques recommends vintage items for Christmas.
The store, located at 15200 S. Dixie Highway, has a wide variety of antiques and vintage goods.
Among the most popular at Sauer are “record albums, vintage Monroe collectibles, antiques and solid wood furniture,” Norman Sauer, store owner, said.
Vintage household items also are in demand.
“We’ve had a steady flow of customers eager to buy,” Sauer said.
Sauer Furniture and Antiques is open daily through Christmas Eve, when it will close at 2 p.m.
● Baker’s Pantry and Supply, 513 N. Telegraph Road in Monroe, has gift ideas for the bakers, candy makers and cooks on your list.
“We have over 4,000 items here in the store. We have over 400 cookie cutters,” Lonnie Morgan, co-owner said. “We have some super cool stuff.”
Aprons make good gifts, as do cake pans, cookie sheets and silicone molds, Morgan said.
He also recommends several stocking stuffers: Spoon holders, strawberry hullers, tomato corers, pan scrapers, whisks, spatulas, measuring cups and spoons and oven mitts.
● Adventure, Ink. of Milan has a few last-minute gift ideas.
Co-owner Laura Harvey suggests prints by local artist Jesse Rubenfeld.
“Art prints for all kinds of pop culture fans. They are $20 each,” Harvey said.
She also recommends the book “How the Pugs Saved Christmas!”
“It’s a delightful early-reader book about two pugs who team up with Santa to save Christmas,” she said.
The book is by local author Sandee Rodriguez and is $5.99.
Another book, “Mintern Report,” is by Dundee author R.D. Coppens.
“It’s a mystery/thriller novel set, in part, in 1935 Detroit. It’s $14.95,” Harvey said.
“Unlock board games are great gifts for fans of escape rooms or to liven up your holiday party. Games range in price from $15 to $37,” Harvey said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Just one more week to shop/Local stores offer last-minute gift ideas
