7 minute read
Volume 19 Issue
Viola Vines
Lake Wales Holiday Shopping Guide
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by James Coulter
Christmas is coming soon! Have you done your holiday shopping yet? Rather than buy everything from Amazon, why not take a trip to Downtown Lake Wales or the Eagle Ridge Mall? Buying local is a great way to support your local community. Your money goes straight into the pockets of the people who live there, who then spend that money locally and keep it circulating in the community.
Main Street Lake Wales will be hosting its annual Make It Magical holiday event on Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The celebration will allow visitors to stroll through historic downtown and peruse the shops after hours for holiday deals. And don’t forget about the caroling, hot cocoa and cookies, and the real snow!
Whether you want to do you holiday shopping during the celebration or any time before Christmas, Lake Wales offers plenty of shops and boutiques with a little something for everyone. Check out what it has to offer with this handy-dandy shopping guide: FOR THE FASHIONISTA: LOCAL BOUTIQUES Downtown Lake Wales and Eagle Ridge Mall
When it comes to fashion, you can either break the bank
Southern Roots
Kala's Closet
by buying big-name brands, or you look just as fabulous in something chiq and affordable. Plenty of local boutiques offer women’s clothing and apparel that are light on the wallet yet high on style. Situations in Eagle Ridge Mall showcase many long dresses that turn eyes of potential customers. From Consuela bags at Viola Vines in the Downtown Arcade to pet clothes and self-defense items at Daisy Mae Boutique in the mall, these boutiques offer a little bit of something for everyone. The new Kala’s Closet even allows customers to trade in their gently-used clothing items for store credit. Also, check out Franklin and Rose in downtown and On The Avenue in Park Avenue Hair Salon.
FOR CHILDREN: THE TOY BOX Eagle Ridge Mall
Hey! Remember old toy stores like Toys R’Us and Kaybee Toys? The Toy Box revives the old concept with its new toy shop at the mall. They stock plenty of toys and games from big brands including Disney, Marvel, and Play-Doh. They even have a closet filled with board games that are great for family game nights. From Play-Doh clay to stuffed Paw Patrol puppies, your little one will love walking into this store and seeing the shelves packed with toys. Remember the good old days and create new memories with a little blast from the past.
FOR THE FAITHFUL: KATHRYN’S CHRISTIAN BOOKS 205 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales, Fl 33853
Kathryn’s Christian Books has the widest selection of merchandise for the most devout church-goers: devotionals, prayer books, study bibles, and children’s story books. It also has plenty of Lake Walesthemed merch for those who Viola Vines
Kala's Closet Darn Plant Co.
Kathryn's Christian Books
love their hometown. From tea towels to spoon sets, they have a great selection of stocking stuffers. While you’re there, have a scoop of their ice cream or a milkshake, with festive flavors like egg nog, gingerbread, and peppermint. Sure, you can’t gift wrap ice cream, but you can also stuff a stocking with a gift card or certificate for a free scoop or two! FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE: MAYERS JEWELERS 201 E Stuart Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853
For 40 years, this locally run, family-owned, and operated jewelry store has specialized in selling “one-of-a-kind” jewelry ranging from rings to bracelets and necklaces. Have old gold and diamonds? Mayer can revitalize them by using them to create custom one-of-a-kind pieces. And if you’re looking for some quick cash for holiday money, you can always sell your old watches and jewelry to them.
FOR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER: DOSS FLOWERS & GIFTS 130 E. Stuart Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853
What’s more romantic than giving your special someone a bouquet? Or presenting them with a flower arrangement that makes for a great holiday centerpiece? Whether you want to commemorate your relationship or spruce up the holiday dinner table, Doss Flowers & Gifts offers truly unique flower arrangements, as well as stuffed animals, balloons, and silk arrangements that make for excellent stocking stuffers.
The Toy Box
For Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s, or special occasions like weddings and other celebrations, this quaint little flower shop has a little bit of everything. Especially check out their wooden plaques that are American-made by local artists.
FOR CO-WORKERS: DARN PLANT CO. 230 E Park Ave Suite 23, Lake Wales, FL 33853
When you’re stuck in your office cubicle most of the day, a little green on your desk can help spruce up your workday mood. So why not give your office mate or co-worker a little plant to place on their desk? The tropical indoor plants sold at That Darn Plant Co. are great for everyone wanting to put a little green in their life. They even sell seeds so you can grow your plants. And there is plenty of plant-related merch, from shirts and tumblers to wallets and pet toys, to let everyone know that you heart flora.
FOR THE DOWN-TO-EARTH: SOUTHERN ROOTS 252 E. Stuart Ave., Lake Wales, FL, 33853
Many fine folks in Lake Wales and beyond thank God they’re a country boy or girl. So proudly show your roots with some items from Southern Roots. From candles and shampoos, to home decor and bath and body products, these items are locally-made with all-natural ingredients to help you feel even more down-to-earth than you already are. And, of course, there are plenty of gift baskets, with most items available for gift-wrapping.
FOR ANTIQUE COLLECTORS: MODERN DAY TIFFANY 229 E. Stuart Ave. Suite 1, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Some items they just don’t make like they used to. From vintage Tiffany lamps and inlaid furniture to vintage sterling silver jewelry and Asian porcelain, Modern Day Tiffany’s offers a blast from the past with antiques and other collectibles. True to their name, they specialize in Tiffany lamps. Not all that glitters is gold, but everything at Tiffany’s maintains that old-fashioned glam and glitter. So indulge the nostalgia of your friends or relatives with a unique antique.
FOR GAMERS AND GEEKS: KAIJU COLLECTIBLES Eagle Ridge Mall
Do you have a gamer friend who knows what “anime”
Oasis Boutique
Kaiju Collectibles
and “manga” means? Who knows the difference between Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer? Who still has their old Pokémon cards from elementary school? And who like to eat the occasional pocky stick? Then give them a gift from Kaiju Collectibles. From trading card games to tabletop RPGs, if your friend or loved one loves to game, this new shop has a little something for them. Place a D&D starter set under their tree, or a Pokémon booster pack in their stocking. Or, if you feel like splurging this holiday season, purchase an anime figure.
FOR HEALTH NUTS: KAIROS NUTRITION 1 W. Central Ave. Suite 102, Lake Wales, FL 33853
After packing on the pounds with Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas goodies, losing weight is no doubt the number one New Year’s resolution for most people. To help your loved one shed the holiday weight, give them the gift of Kairos Nutrition. This local cafe serves drinks, donuts, and other healthy snacks with Herbalife Nutrition supplements packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals to help them get in shape and lose (or gain) weight. Of course, you can’t wrap a smoothie, but you can stuff a stocking with a gift card or certificate, or place a Kairos mug or tumbler under the tree.
FOR THOSE WHO PRACTICE SELF-CARE: OASIS SPA BOUTIQUE 245 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853
After a long hard day, we all need some time to unwind. So why not treat your loved one who works the hardest to a day at the spa? Gift certificates and cards for various spa treatments are available at the Oasis Spa Boutique. For more affordable stocking stuffers, consider a soothing bath bomb, essential oils, or skin care products like hand lotion or anti-aging cream. And for extra relaxing benefits, consider items infused with CBD or hemp. Anything to let that special someone relax and feel the stress of the world melt away.
Kathryn's Christian Books
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