C’EST MAGNIFIQUE!

Paris on Ponce offers antiques and oddities

By Annie Kinnett Nichols

One of my favorite Intown haunts is Paris on Ponce and Pop Marché, which is just steps from the Eastside Trail. You know the place: there’s a big Eiffel Tower with King Kong holding Fay Wray at the top.

PoP will mark its 20th anniversary in 2015, and it’s built a reputation for offering an eclectic range of antiques and oddities. If you’re looking for a unique holiday gift, there are more than 30 unique boutiques located inside PoP.

I also love Le Moulin Rouge, the rentable nightclub space where I’ve witnessed weddings and a performance by King Sized, and the annual Bastille Day party. It’s like walking onto an ever-changing movie set when you step through the door. And, yes, they do rent props to moviemakers.

PoP’s Holiday Extravaganza is coming the weekend before Christmas, Dec. 20-21, featuring free libations, an aerialist, burlesque girls and more.

Partners Skip Englebrecht and Nicolette Valdespino have made PoP a true destination, and a place I like to take my friends when they come to visit. With a mix of galleries and vendors it’s a neat place to hang out for a couple of hours.

One of my favorite vendors is Absinthe, which specializes in the oddball and quirky including an entire moose. Relics has typewriters, Hollywood lights, an antique bingo roller and neon signs. Altar-ed features vintage wedding pieces.

There’s a guy who specializes in World War II items, while one of my favorite antique dealers, Claudia Thompson, former owner of Providence in Morningside, continues to find amazing collections and unusual individual pieces.

I thought Kong and Fay were looking a little chilly so I knitted scarves for both of them and Skip kindly put them up to keep them warm this winter.

Paris on Ponce & Pop Marché is located at 716 Ponce de Leon Place in Virginia-Highland. For more, visit parisonponce.com.

By Benjamin Getz Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

Having someone in your life and no idea what kind of gift to buy them can cause holiday strife. Hey, even that coworker you’re supposed to pick up a gift for is no small feat.

Well, look no further… or at least before you decide on which color gift card you’re settling on. This time ‘round, Yelp has some stellar choices for classy gifts that will wow even the lowest person on your shopping list.

The Merchant - Westside

Tucked in between businesses on Howell Mill is this shop with seriously laidback owners who will let you peruse to you heart’s content. Great selection of bowties and other dapper items for the gents and plenty of stationery and artful pieces for ladies. Whether it s cleverly wrapped present for grandma or a thank you for your boss, you’ll be in good hands.

993 Marietta St. NW

SimplyPut – Westside

Provisions District

Should you find yourself gallivanting about at WPD or decide to do a bit of shopping after a fine meal at JCT Kitchen, SimplyPut has a everything from soap to books and everything fun. Their selection of cards will provoke the most guttural of laughs for even the grinchiest of folks.

1170 Howell Mill Road, Suite 104.