Some of us enjoy the big, bustling, busy holiday markets where area markers, craftspeople and artists come together in one place to share their wares. Others may be overwhelmed by them. And we know that markets such as the Cleveland Bazaar at 78th Street Studios, with its 120 vendors on four floors, plus resident businesses and artists with open doors, are a bit much.
So what if you want to buy local but avoid the mob scene? There are alternatives galore.
There are several pop-ups and holiday shops that will be running seven days a week through Christmas, so you can even go on a sleepy Monday. Both Heights Arts in Cleveland Heights and BAYarts in Bay Village have stores packed with items created by local artists of all types — paintings, ceramics, jewelry, glassware, prints, photos, cards, ornaments, books, CDs and much more. And in Cleveland Heights’ Coventry Village the Made Cleveland Market has taken over the spacious storefront occupied by City Buddha until this past summer, and filled it with locally made items, including glass and metal work from their partners Larchmere Fire Works, books from Belt Publishing, clothing and accessories, jewelry, games and toys, home décor, body care and makeup products, and edibles. All three of these shops are open seven days.
Maybe a membership to a local institution doesn’t sound exciting, but what if you accompany it by something from a museum shop? The Cleveland Museum of Art has one of the largest such gift stores around; the Akron Art Museum has a shop as well, and a gift and a membership would be ideal for creative family and friends. Other area organizations have gift shops and memberships as well: The Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum for the growers on your list, the Conservancy at Cuyahoga National Park for outdoorsy types; the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center for local history buffs and nostalgists; and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for that kid who loves science. Animal lovers? The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Akron Zoo both offer memberships and a wide range of animal-related gifts. Most of these offer the chance to shop online as well as onsite.
Many smaller organizations offer gifts whose cost goes to helping people. Refugee Response, which helps newcomers acclimate to living in Cleveland, has throw pillows made by Afghan women living in Cleveland. And you can order a share of their 2022 CSA from their farm at the Ohio City Farm right now — a special gift for vegetable lovers.
your giftee supports a particular cause, contact any organization that addresses that issue. They probably offer merch and a chance to donate in the name of someone else.
Happy gifting!