Shop Local

STORY BY LONNA UPTON

Local shops carry unique gifts for hostesses and lake living

WWhether window-shopping, looking for the perfect gift or planning a picnic on the nearest island, the Lake Martin area offers plenty of options. Buying local keeps shoppers out of city traffic and allows them to experience local flavor at its best. Main Street Alexander City, an organization promoting downtown growth, has worked to revitalize the historic area, supporting vibrant businesses and restaurants. Downtown Dadeville and businesses along state Route 49 offer delectable eats, lake casual clothing and decorator-worthy décor. And, just outside Alexander City, on the way to the beautiful shores of Lake Martin, small businesses dot the landscape, offering everything from bar stools and boiled peanuts to crab cakes and canvas originals.

Catherine’s Market

Catherine’s Market, a corner piece at Russell Crossroads, is a wonderland of organic foods with a superb collection of wine. The butcher counter features cut-to-order prime meats and fresh seafood. Bakery items and organic veggies, a bottle of wine and Lake Martin napkins and candles – it’s all there and ready to impress weekend guests. Homemade dishes, desserts and appetizers are ready to pick up for last minute meals and well-planned parties. Visit Catherine’s Market at 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alexander City, or visit the website at catherinesatcrossroads.com. Call 256-329-0835.

Cloud Nine

An anchor on Main Street since 1999, Cloud Nine is a local favorite for personal and gift shopping. Local and lake destination brides register at Cloud Nine, making gift buying easy for guests. Shoppers also find the works of local artists as hostess gifts and for homeowners who look for those one-of-a-kind lake pieces. The store carries a wide array of lake-casual clothing, shoes and jewelry, and any serving pieces needed for a beautiful table setting can be found in the store. And the customer service is divine. Visit Cloud Nine on Facebook and Instagram, online at cloudninealexandercity.com or call 256-329-9797.

Emporium Wine

Emporium Wine, just around the corner from Main Street in Alexander City, is a local favorite for hospitality and customer service. While the store specializes in wine, it also offers a walk-in humidor for a wide variety of cigars. Liquors, beer and seltzers also are available at Emporium Wine. For a nice presentation to the host and hostess, the knowledgeable staff will wrap gifts or design spectacular gift baskets. The store sells local pottery, gift bags for wine and cigar accessories. The staff can also place special orders for wine. Visit the store at 128 Calhoun St., Alexander City, and on Facebook. Call 256-212-9463.

Jes and Gray Living

Recently opened at 8 Broad St., Alexander City, Jes and Gray Living is making a mark with waterscapeinspired furnishings and décor for lake and beach living. Their inventory offers lots of options for decorating homes on and off the water in the Lake Martin area. For gifts, check out décor pieces at Jes and Gray Living. Visit jesandgray.com or call 256-430-2356.

Grain and Leaf

Conveniently located between Alexander City and Willow Point and open daily, Grain and Leaf is located at 6068 state Route 63 South. The store sells bottles – wine, beer, spirits, seltzers and mixers – and cigars, kept fresh in a built-in humidor room, a beautiful addition to the space. Gift items beyond the grain and leaf items include local pottery and candles, koozies and crackers. One-of-a-kind Lake Martin T-shirts, unsalted and sharkfree, are sold at the store. Call 256-392-3284.

Kowaliga General Store

The Kowaliga General Store at 8228 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, is famous for its pies but holds lots of surprises for visitors. The store stocks fresh produce for a quick pick-up, plus lovely jams and sauces, gifts and lake décor items. Place orders ahead for a weekend gathering. Choose from sumptuousness flavors, including blueberry, cherry, peach, buttermilk and French coconut. Follow the store on Facebook or call 334-400-0036 for information.

Lake Martin Boutique

Lake Martin Boutique sells jeans and shoes, sundresses and sunglasses, backpack coolers and swimsuits, and everything in between. Shoppers who want Southern hospitality in downtown Dadeville are welcomed at 264 N. Broadnax St. The store does a great job of showing off new items, sale items and one-of-a-kind offers on social media. See them on Faceboook, Instagram and TikTok. Call the store at 256-307-1470 or visit the website at lake-martin-boutique.myshopify.com.

Beyond trendy apparel and lake lifestyle gifts, Lakeside Mercantile carries lake décor, Polywood furniture and seasonal items. Best of all, to locals and weekends warriors, the Mercantile sells homemade meals and side items to go: frozen casseroles, buffalo chicken dip, pimento cheese and desserts, to name a few. Located at 8246 county Road 34, Dadeville. See the full menu and lots of merchandise photos on Facebook and Instagram. Phone 334-850-6357.

Off the Beaton Path

Located at 21322 U.S. Route 280 near Dadeville, Off the Beaton Path, has extraordinary finds, as well as services for decorators and homeowners alike. Lake Martin décor is the specialty, but the owner also offers staging and in-home decorating services. Priding themselves on finding unique treasures, one-of-a-kind items are constantly selling and being replaced, so visit often. See them online at otbphome.com or Facebook at Off the Beaton Path Home Lake Martin. Call 205-994-0847.

The Square

The Square, a collection of boutiques in downtown Alexander City at 110 Calhoun St., is known for its ambience and variety – a shopper’s dream under one roof. Find clothing at Mattie Moon Women’s Clothing, Fab Four Shoe Room, George E’s Men’s Shop and Moon Pie Children’s Clothing and Gifts. Moon Mercantile Gifts and More sells gift items, as well as books by local writers, candles and diffusers. The anchor store is Half Moon Market and Interiors, selling lake décor, furniture, lighting, rugs and local art. Visit them on Facebook at The Square Downtown or call 256-392-5600.

Tippy Canoe

Tippy Canoe, located at 6068 state Route 63 South, Alexander City, sells new and gently used furniture, lighting and décor. Many local artists display their works here, and the sales floor is a beautifully decorated collection of furniture, artwork and odds and ends. Check with Tippy Canoe to sell home furniture and décor on consignment. If looking for just the right piece for a certain spot, Tippy Canoe probably has it. Call 256-392-4802 or follow Tippy Canoe Lake Martin on Facebook.