What’s Your Favorite Place to Buy a Gift?

If you’re like us, you’ve probably been so busy you haven’t even begun to think about where to find that perfect gift. In an effort to help everyone avoid the malls, here are a few of our favorite places to go for everyone on your list. What about you? Where do you like to shop? Check out our Local Shopping Gift Guide

Jedidiah

Photo from City Market Raleigh

Epona and Oak

Ever want to go to one place and buy a gift for your brother, wife and mother? Sure, many big box retail stores offer whole departments for each of those but most of that junk also has that Made in China tag sewn or glued on. Right? So why buy from China when you can buy from Downtown Raleigh’s friendliest and healthiest retail outlet, Epona and Oak in City Market.

Epona and Oak is owned by three sisters, Leeann, Cheryl and Katie Hynes, each specializing in one of the three prongs (jewelry, massage, and reiki) of Epona and Oak’s simple, yet very innovative structure. The front of the shop carries fabulous jewelry made by Leeann, as well as other jewelers, and lots of quirky handmade goods and apparel. I currently carry around a duct tape wallet from the shop. Not all of the goods are locally made but most are homemade and do come from culture centers around the US like Portland, Oregon and others.

The other handmade magic of Epona and Oak happens in the back with the massage and reiki work of Cheryl and Katie. While I have never had a personal massage or reiki session, my wife brags that her massages have been the best she has had in Raleigh.

So, if you are looking for somewhere to shop over the next few weekends and don’t want to stare at generic machine made gifts stacked in aisle after aisle, pop by Epona and Oak and buy your brother a t-shirt with a drumming squirrel, a flowery tote bag for your sister, a massage gift certificate for your mom, some soy candles for your grandma, a hip flask for your husband and some sugar scrub for yourself. Then you can get a slice of pizza next door at Vic’s and some produce at the Farmer’s Market. And now your shopping is done!

Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm
Sunday: Boutique closed and Massage & Reiki by appointment only

Epona and Oak
329 Blake Street (City Market)
Raleigh, NC 27601

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David

Accipiter

As a student at NCSU I first discovered Accipiter in my pre Christmas shopping exploration of Raleigh.  With no car my mobility was limited but finding this charming shop saved the day, because they had a little bit of everything hand chosen by the owners.  The store has a big selection of art and design pieces with a healthy dose of kitch.  My favorites include the mounted insect displays of butterflies, beetles and scorpions. There is also a nice selection of Alessi’s kitchy designer home goods- a great find, because since the loss of Cherry they are the only dealer I know of in town.  They also have some beautiful lighting, both designer originals and well crafted one-of a kinds.  Accipiter goes deep on cards and nicknacks too- and all of it is really fun, well designed and has a bit of attitude.  Far from the midwestern feeling of Hallmark, Accipiter has gifting charm while offering some real guidance in shopping by skipping over the pedestrian and jumping right to things thoughtful and unique.

Accipiter website

Ladye Jane

Father & Son Antiques

I have a hard time going into Father & Son and not spending hours weaving through the various rooms of awesomeness. With the best mid-century furniture and gadget collection of anywhere in Raleigh, it’s impossible not to find a good gift here. The cream of the crop is always in the front room, with items ranging from tables and desks to lamps from the 40s through the 70s. If you get your heart set on something, snatch it up quickly or it will most likely be gone when you come back (In memory of the drafting table I had my eye on, but hesitated, and now has a new home).

The upstairs is mostly rooms full of vintage clothing and accessories, and is perfect for anyone with a penchant for the past in their wardrobe. Prices are all over the map, with some of the furniture pieces being kinda pricey, but completely reasonable for vintage items in that good of shape.

Father & Son Antiques
107 W. Hargett Street
Father & Son website

Khaner

Charlotte’s

As New Raleigh’s dedicated prepster and member of the male gender, my favorite place to buy a gift is Charlotte’s at North Hills. It’s not like I buy a whole lot of gifts for fellow guy friends – I mean what says “I Love You Man” more than a 12-pack – so when I do head out it’s either for mom or the g/f.

Located across the street from JC Penney and McAllister’s (there’s also one in Cameron Village), Charlotte’s is a great place to pick up something unique, high quality and normally on the inexpensive side. They’re known for simple, elegant jewelry which I have always been happy to find in the $20-50 range.

What sets Charlotte’s apart is the service. I usually feel awkward stepping into a store such as this, normally not really knowing what I’m looking for. The staff has always made my shopping experience easy, as they have a way of extracting the sort of info needed to match you with the perfect gift – which at the end of the day, if it’s something I can do with a reasonably-priced, thoughtful gift, is exactly what I’m looking for.

Charlotte’s website

Check out our Local Shopping Gift Guide

 

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