How To Shop Local This Holiday Season

By Lauren Boomer

With the holidays right around the corner, the time has come to start thinking about gifts. With online shopping becoming increasingly common —especially around this time of year— it is easy to forget about the fantastic gift options we have right here in our own town. When you shop locally, you invest in this beautiful town and the people in it. Shopping local is also a great way to reduce your environme ntal impact, as online shopping requires more single-use packaging and much more transportation. This year, I encourage everyone to check out the amazing local vendors and shopping events when looking for gifts for those you love. Here are just a few local events and gift options available this year… Happy shopping!

• For the artist in your life or those who appreciate the gift of shared experiences, AR Workshop is the place for you! You can purchase gift cards or sign up for various workshops, from candle making to woodworking and everything in between. They also offer private events and would be the perfect place to host your holiday gathering. While there, you may just find something special in their curated gift and home decor section! For more information, visit arworkshop.com.

• The Annual Artisans’ Alley will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Village Elementary School (600 6TH Street). This craft fair features an array of locally crafted gifts, perfect for anyone’s wishlist. For more information, visit https://coronadoartisansalley.com/.

• Coronado Taste of Oils is a locally owned store that carries olive oils and balsamic, gourmet salts, pasta, jam, herbs, skincare, tablecloths, aprons, and more. They also create lovely gift baskets perfect for the chef in your life. https://www.coronadotasteofoils.com/.

• For the reader in your circle, look no further than Coronado’s beloved bookshop, Bay Books. Located on Orange Avenue, their selection of books, gifts, souvenirs, pet toys, and more will have something for everyone on your list. The shop carries a wide selection of books ranging in genre from memoirs to thrillers, fantasy to romance, timeless classics to children’s favorites, and more. And don’t forget to support the Bay Books Cafe located next door; it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and fuel up for a day of shopping. baybookscoronado.com.

• If you are heading to a holiday party this December, stop by Tartine on your way to pick up one of their famous desserts. They also make jams and salad dressings, which are great for gifting! https://tartinecoronado.com/

• Crown City Shirts is a local company that collaborates closely with Reyn Spooner to design men’s button-down shirts that showcase Coronado’s unique history and charm. The company also sells one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments made from the same material as its shirts. Orders can be placed online at https://crowncityshirts.company.site/

• Speaking of shirts, have you ever noticed the ever-changing rack of vintage Hawaiian shirts sitting outside of Coronado Hardware? Yes, Hawaiin shirts at a hardware store! Locals may or may not know this, but this store carries much more than just hardware; here, you can find anything from beach wear to home decor, gifts, souvenirs, and so much more. You never know what you’ll find inside, and that’s part of the fun! For more information, visit coronadohardware.com.

• For the history buff, take a trip down to the Coronado Historical Association Store. Located on Orange Avenue, this store lets you take pieces of Coronado’s famed history home. They carry apparel, books, jewelry, toys, souvenirs, cards, and more. With such a rich and exciting history in this town, it is the perfect place to find a truly unique gift for the holidays. coronadohistory.org.

• The Coronado Art Association will hold two “Art-In-The-Park” events on December 1 and December 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spreckels Park. These events will feature art from over 50 local artists in every genre, from acrylic paint to ceramics.https://www.coronadoartassn.com/.

• For the theater lovers in your life, you can purchase tickets for one of the many amazing upcoming shows at Lambs Players Theater.https://www.lambsplayers.org.

• Another great gift idea is tickets to one of the amazing films playing at Village Theater. This can double as both a great gift and an amazing date night!https://www.vintagecinemas.com/village/