Want to shop local? Here's some of greater Columbus' best boutique areas
The perfect shopping destination for your next unique gift or holiday bargain could be right here in the Columbus area.
Though holiday shopping often conjures up images of long lines at big box retailers such as Target on Black Friday or surfing Amazon Prime deals on Cyber Money, plenty of customers choose to shop locally for the holidays. In fact, shopping locally might be a growing choice; an Intuit Quickbooks survey of 6,500 people found that almost half of customers expect to do 50% or more of their shopping at small businesses this year.
If you’re one of those people living in Columbus, you’re in luck. The city and its surrounding areas include several shopping districts with locally-owned boutiques and shops that allow you to support local makers and artists.
Short North
The Short North Arts District is a popular Columbus destination featuring dining, entertainment and everything from home goods to jewelry to secondhand finds. It’s located on High Street north of downtown Columbus.
The Short North has chain stores such as Anthropologie and The North Face, but it also boasts several small businesses.
Fashion and clothing stores in the district include Ladybird, Pivot and HOMAGE, a Columbus-based clothes retailer that has grown to four locations in Ohio.
Mary Catherine’s Antiques and Smartypants Vintage offer vintage and antique goods.
The area also features several jewelers, home goods stores and gift shops that offer a little bit of everything.
German Village
The quaint German Village, a historic neighborhood south of downtown Columbus, has many local shops to browse.
Tiki Botanicals sells natural, handmade body, bath and hair care products and is owned by a Columbus husband and wife team, according to its website.
Book lovers can find bargains at The Bookloft, which houses 32 rooms of books and is one of the largest independent bookstores in the US, according to its website.
The Red Stable, Helen Winnemore’s and Urban Sundry offer unique, local gifts and art.
Uptown Westerville
Uptown Westerville is a historic district in the city of Westerville with old buildings and a variety of locally owned shops.
The district has specialty shops such as Mystic Nirvana, a metaphysical supply store; Now Spinning Records; Old Skool Skate Shop, a store by and for skateboarders; and Westerville Bike Shop, a destination for bicycle enthusiasts.
Talbott’s Flowers and Gifts, Westerville Antiques & Rustic Revamp, Westerville Bike Shop, Westerville Jewelers and Birdie Books is an independent, family-owned bookstore.
Secondhand hunters can visit thrift store Déjà vu and consignment shop My Cousin’s Cottage, and vintage finds are for sale at Abbey Rose Boutique and Westerville Antiques & Rustic Revamp.
Grandview Heights
Grandview Heights, located a few minutes west of downtown Columbus, is primarily known for secondhand merchandise, from vintage stores to consignment shops.
Accent on Nature sells minerals, fossils and other nature gifts. Vernacular sells affordable fashion and accessories.
Fine Feather offers skincare, haircare, wellness products, aromatherapy and more.
Grandview Mercantile is a 22,000-square-foot consignment marketplace with 20 antique dealers and over 500 consigners.
Boutiques in the district include State of Devotion, Thread and Red Giraffe Designs.
bagallion@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here are some of the best Columbus-area shops to hit up this Christmas
