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Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2024
New downtown stops, county-wide gems, and Erie makers make this year's list
November 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Jessica Hunter
This year's edition of the Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide provides plenty of ways to support our local economy this holiday season. From downtown updates, Main Street mainstays throughout the county, and new makers on the scene, your holiday season is sure to be locally merry.
It's that time of year again, when the charm and childlike delight of the holiday season collides with the crushing obligation of lists of things to buy. All of the big box and online retailers have begun, well before Halloween, to inundate your mailbox and social media feeds with the latest ways to commodify your love. But at the Reader, we're always here to help you make the gift-giving part of the holiday experience a little more heart-warming by encouraging and enabling you to shop local as much as possible.
How much better does it feel to know that your hard-earned dollars aren't going to some corrupt CEO in an ivory tower but instead supporting your local community and tax-paying local businesses or going directly into the pockets of local, individual makers? These are the people who keep the wheels of our local economy spinning; these are the people who sponsor little league teams and run donation drives. Spending your money within your community truly helps to make our community stronger — and with our Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide, we make making our community stronger a little easier.
Last year, as you may recall, we encouraged you to have an old-school shopping experience by picking a district in the city (be it downtown, midtown, or at a plaza like the Colony, West Erie, or Liberty) and spending a day shopping in that area. This year, we're expanding on that and taking inspiration from a feature in our 2024 Best of Erie City Guide (which focused on Erie's historic Main Street revitalizations), and encouraging you to Shop the County — take a gorgeous autumnal or frost-dusted drive to one of Erie's unique municipalities and enjoy and support the micro-economies of places like North East, Girard, and Edinboro. We'll also update you on some new businesses that have sprung up downtown, as well as showcasing some new products or experiences available from local artisans and makers.
New to downtown, out in the county, or made in Erie — the lists below will guide you through the holidays in a way that leaves you feeling refreshed and inspired rather than overwhelmed and icky. Let's Shop Local!
Jump to a section:
New Downtown Enterprises to Support
An update of new businesses in Downtown Erie gives you a glimpse of the fresh items you'll find when you traverse State Street supporting local this holiday season, including (clockwise from top left): The Bakery on 5th, ASCEND Erie, Copper Carriage, and Five Iron Golf. (Photos: Jessica Hunter, Corey Cook, and Contributed)
Last year's gift guide listed all of your downtown shopping options including standard favorites like Glass Growers Gallery, Pointe Foure's Dollhouse, City Supply, Ember + Forge, and more. While our downtown shopping district continues to revitalize, morph, and grow, we're happy to update you on a few new arrivals for your holiday shopping needs.
406 State St.
Not new to Erie but new to downtown are the charming, bespoke curiosities of Erie's cutest couple, Stephanie and Joe Hunt, who curate the Copper Carriage. With plenty of local historic collectible pieces interspersed with antique furniture, decor items, and upcycled or repurposed bits and bobs — Copper Carriage is the place to go for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.
502 State St.
With picturesque pastries that would be at home in a fancy French patisserie, artfully crafted Turkish (and American) coffees, custom-made occasion cakes and desserts, and myriad breakfast and lunch options, the Bakery on 5th is a great addition to the downtown culinary landscape. A custom dessert for your holiday table or a gift card for your loved ones to get themselves something sweet are both great options.
Noods Station 3 & Tsaocaa Bubble Tea
506 State St.
Get into the experience of Noods Station 3/Tsaocaa Bubble Tea. Occupying the space vacated by the former Molly Brannigan's, this venture has found a home in Downtown Erie. A gift card for a steaming bowl of ramen or a quick boba on the go served up by autonomous robots (we're serious) means an unforgettable experience along with a full belly.
426 State St.
With construction complete on the massive 25,000-square-foot facility, ASCEND Erie has reached a remarkable summit. With various climbing options, yoga and fitness classes, youth and family programs, community activities, and more, a gift membership to ASCEND Erie is the perfect fit for the adventurer on your list. Alternatively, snag a gift card and your loved one can use a day pass to try it out.
1000 State St.
Know a golfer who'd like to improve their swing? A sports fan who enjoys hanging out with like-minded folks over food and drinks? Consider a gift card or equipment from Five Iron Golf, Erie's latest downtown venture that offers golf simulators, lessons, swing evaluations, gear, and more all in an inviting, sports bar-type atmosphere.
Shop the County: Bringing Main Street Back
We're headed out to the county for this year's holiday gift guide including a stop at (clockwise from top left): A. Caplan Company in Waterford, Till Top Creamery in Corry, one of many local wineries in North East, and The Yellow House in Girard. (Photos: Erin Phillips, Contributed, Jessica Hunter)
Hopefully you've had the opportunity to peruse our 2024 Best of Erie City Guide — a yearly magazine-style travel guide highlighting the best Erie has to offer — meant to help all those travelers visiting our area as well as locals wanting to discover something new in the familiar.
A feature within this year's guide was a look at how local small municipalities throughout Erie County, with the help of funding from ECGRA (Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority), are revitalizing, refreshing, and economically uplifting their historic Main Streets.
For our Shop Local Gift Guide, we're revisiting those municipalities — looking at Main Street businesses and beyond. It makes for a lovely adventure to take a short drive to someplace local, yet a little unfamiliar, and getting to know the micro-economy of that place and the small business owners who are helping to make it a place worth visiting.
Girard
Within the City Guide, we highlighted Girard's Main Street businesses helping to make their local economy hum, including Full Circle Winery (small batch wines in the historic Battles Bank building, 12 Main St. E.), Main Street Art (ceramics, watercolors, gifts, and classes, 138 Main St. W.), and the Girard Dinor (classic American dinor serving everyone's favorites, 222 Main St. W.). On and off Main Street, Girard has a lot to offer those wishing to shop local including:
436 Walnut St., Girard
As part of the Hagen History Center's Girard Campus, the 1858 historic homestead built by Rush Battles stands as a testament to Erie County history and its early success. The history center often hosts farm-to-table dinners, cooking classes, workshops, and events — a gift membership or tickets to an event make a unique gift for the history lover on your list.
211 Main St. W.
For the counterculture spiritualist on your list — look no further than the Hippie Space in Girard. The Hippie Space is perfect for those who love to get in touch with their inner guru, hosting events and workshops featuring psychic readings, drum circles, yoga, meditation, and reiki.
6990 W. Lake Rd.
Encourage the barbeque lover in your life to expand their circle and head out to the west county for some of the tastiest, smokiest grub around. And that's not just, like, my opinion, man…
North East
One of Erie County's most charming hamlets, North East provides the perfect setting to walk around for a day of unique shopping and dining. Within the City Guide, we featured mainstays on Main Street like Tia Book Cellar (charming new book store space, 15 W. Main St.), The Skunk and Goat Tavern (unique take on an American tavern dining experience, 17 W. Main St.), The Bean Coffee House (local cafe outlet for regional roaster Small City Roasting Co., 12 S. Lake St.), Re.Found.Ry Antiques (one of those places where you never know what treasures you'll find, 14 S. Lake St.), and Driftwood Wine Cellars (family-owned Pennsylvania wines, 20 E. Main St.). Off Main Street, there is still plenty to discover like:
One of many local wineries
Various locations throughout North East
With North East's invariable association with local winemaking, the amateur sommelier on your list will be charmed by a gift from any of the following local wineries (listed alphabetically):
Arrowhead Wine Cellars (12073 E. Main Rd.), Arundel Cellars & Brewing Co. (11727 E. Main Rd.), Burch Farms Country Market & Winery (9210 Sidehill Rd.), Cellar '54 (9368 W. Law Rd.), Courtyard Winery (10021 W. Main Rd.), Heritage Wine Cellars (12160 E. Main St.), Lakeview Wine Cellars (8440 Singer Rd.), Mazza Vineyards (11815 E. Lake Rd.), Penn Shore Winery and Vineyards (10225 E. Lake Rd.), Presque Isle Wine Cellars (9440 W. Main St.), Skal Meadery (15 W. Main St.), South Shore Wine Company (1120 Freeport Rd.), and Yori Wine Cellars (18 S. Lake St.).
107 Clay St. # 3, North East
Encouraging and supporting your loved one's hobbies is a true act of love, and some fabric, notions, pattern books, or a gift certificate to Calico Patch will have the quilter in your life blanketing you in affection.
31 S. Lake St., North East
If you've got a budding Eddie Van Halen on your list this holiday season, check out the hyper-local experts at Phelps Bros. Guitars. With new and used guitars in stock, as well as synthesizers, amplifiers, and effects pedals and a knowledgeable staff that specializes in repairs — you're in harmony at Phelps.
12391 E. Main St., North East
Established in 1975, this North East mainstay includes the work of over 40 artists and craftspeople — an easy one-stop-shop for supporting local artists and makers while picking up a special, handmade, unique item for the hard-to-shop-for person on your list.
Waterford
Waterford's heritage and history is a huge part of their identity and their historic Main Street is as quintessentially American as you can get. In the City Guide, we highlighted some of the businesses on that charming street like 16441 Collective (gallery and gift shop showcasing local artists and artisans, 210 High St.), Sugar N'Spice (nestled in the 1826 Eagle Hotel, it's got history and comfort food, 32 High St.), Waterford Hotel (gorgeous Victorian hotel with casual dining, 213 High St.) and Heritage Gallery and Frame Shop (local art, gifts, and home decor, 661 High St.). Additionally, Waterford offers holiday shopping experiences at the following:
12607 US-19, Waterford
Any home cook would absolutely love an item or gift certificate to Caplan's — take it from this home cook (ahem, family and friends, take note)! With quality equipment, kitchen gadgets you never knew existed, heirloom cast iron cookware, professional knives and cutlery — if you (or someone you love) cooks, you better stop and look.
991 US-19, Waterford
With custom roasted and prepared artisan coffees, teas, baked goods, sandwiches, and more — the folks at the Outpost would love to provide your giftee with a pick-me-up or casual meal.
11522 Peach St., Waterford
Don't spend your money at the big box pet or garden supply stores — give some to the guys at Small Guys Farm Supplies and get quality feeds for your pets, chickens, or wild birds or lawn and garden items that come with the service you can only get from the small guys.
A stop in Edinboro makes for a lovely afternoon walking up and down Erie Street and visiting one or all of the following (clockwise from top left): The Edinboro Chocolaterie, Willow Creek Furniture (interior and exterior), and the Edinboro Market. (Photos: Erin Phillips)
Edinboro
With PennWest Edinboro University keeping the population youthful and ever-changing, the economy of the town of Edinboro reflects the younger generations while also serving the needs of its mainstay community. In the City Guide we featured Flip Cafe (wins Best Brunch year after year — see what the fuss is about, 103 Meadville St.), John's Wildwood Pizzeria (wins Best Pizza again and again — hand-stretched fresh dough that's totally worth the hype, 105 Erie St.), Edinboro Market (farmers market times 100, Edinboro Market is micro-local shopping — farm fresh, local produce and products, as well as specialty artisans, 109 Erie St.), Earthshine Co. (uniquely curated gifts and natural beauty products, 118 Meadville St.) and 814 Outdoor Sports (local full-service ski and bike shop, 500 W. Plum St.). Off the main drag, Edinboro offers:
114 Erie St., Edinboro
Sick of giving the same old box of chocolates every year? Try someplace new and give your friends and family a taste of something sweet they may not have had before. Their unique, artisan chocolates, truffles, meltaways, and more will have your sweetest smiling. Can't make it out to Edinboro? No worries — Chocolaterie sweets are available in town at Werner Books and Coffee (3608 Liberty St.)
111 Erie St., Edinboro
Find a unique, handcrafted, timeless piece of furniture that will be sure to become an heirloom at Willow Creek. Specializing in products made from reclaimed historic barn wood — the piece you choose will be imbued with history and made to last.
5540 Rte. 6N, Edinboro
Have someone on your list who is into anime, manga, comics, role playing games, video games, collectible figurines, and more? Look no further than Gold Star Anime in Edinboro — you'll be sure to find something unique that will make your giftee feel seen.
Corry
Erie County's second-largest city is making a comeback in a huge way — through Main Street improvements and the work of local nonprofit Impact Corry, there's never been a better time to visit. Some of the Main (Center) Street highlights include Whistle Stop Antique Mall (snag a great find with tons of antique furniture, art, glassware, and jewelry, 50 N. Center St.), Library Bar and Grill (casual dining in the historic former home of the Corry Public Library, 203 N. Center St.), Painted Finch Gallery (gorgeously curated art of all media, from local and regional artists, 32 N. Center St.), and Epiphany's Emporium (handcrafted gifts and collectibles, 34 N. Center St.). Also consider hitting up the following:
44/46 N. Center St., Corry
Lillian's doubles as a small cafe and antique shop (with the bonus of having Steadfast Tattoo upstairs). Serving craft coffees, teas, and sweets while also providing a selection of locally sourced antiques and vintage items — grab a drink while finding that perfect gift.
129 Pennsylvania Ave., Corry
Featuring products made from a local dairy farm that was established in 1921, the farm has gone on to become a legacy for the Royek family, earning Century Farm status as well as being named a Dairy of Distinction. Their products range from cheeses, ice creams, nuts, sauces, syrups, jams, jellies, honey, herbs, balms, and soaps and should easily find a place under your tree this year.
The Salt Spa and Organic Goods
101 N Center St., Corry
Give your loved one the gift of relaxation — a massage or the unique experience of a "salt room" or "float room" session. Or pick up some herbal tinctures, salves, lotions, soaps, or teas for the naturopath in your life.
Shop the Makers: Erie's Artisans on Display
We've updated our previously published 2022 Holiday Gift Guide list of local makers to include some of the following to support this holiday season (clockwise from top left): Emily Guadioso of Broken Egg Clay, Charmain Wismar of Charmain's Custom Creations, Stephanie Ciner of Wild Field Urban Farm, and Morgan Yezzi's *Continuous Collection of Modern Home Cookery. (Photos: Contributed)
The Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide went the way of the makers in 2022, and we thought it was time for an update. While the list in 2022 was robust yet far from conclusive, we included as many local makers, artisans, artists, and craftspeople as possible and the same is true for this update. To get a better sense of the true breadth of local makers to support in Erie — make sure to check out some of the many planned and pop-up markets this season like Small Business Saturday, Erie Arts & Culture's Holiday Pop-Up Market, Downtown D'Lights, FEED + STATIK market, the Copper Carriage Holiday Market, and more. A huge "thank you" to Casey Corritore (40 Under 40 Class of 2023) of Erie Arts and Culture for providing an updated list of local makers to help inform this guide.
Makers are listed alphabetically by last name
Anush Dulgaryan Bruno, Sealed by Nature
Visit: sealedbynature.com
When looking for stocking stuffers this year — skip the overly perfumed, department store bath and body items and instead go with a local product made with care. Offering botanically balanced, natural skin care products, soaps, bath bombs, hair products, and lip and body moisturizers — nature is signed, sealed, and delivered to your loved one this holiday season.
Stephanie Ciner, Wildfield Farms
Visit: wildfieldurbanfarm.com
You've seen Steph Ciner (40 Under 40 Class of 2023) sharing the bounties of her urban farm all harvest season (at local farmers markets as well as at the Pay What You Can Farm Stand — helping neighbors have greater access to fresh produce all season long). For the holidays, she keeps the locally grown goodness going by offering handmade, locally sourced, fresh-cut wreaths, swags, and garlands. They're as beautiful as they are fragrant.
Emily Gaudioso, Broken Egg Clay
Visit: etsy.com/shop/BrokenEGGClay
From the whimsical (think sunny side up egg plates, bread slice earrings, cat planters, etc.) to the locally celebratory (Erie-centric ornaments and decor), Emily creates ceramic wares that are creative, interesting, and useful. Your giftee will be charmed to have such a one-of-a-kind piece under the tree.
Andre Jones, Rabbit3
Visit: rabbit3.co
Local designer Andre Jones (40 Under 40 Class of 2024) offers high fashion, couture design, and hand craftsmanship at an accessible price point. The cutting-edge fashionista/o on your list will be extremely impressed by your impeccable taste with your gift of any Rabbit3 piece.
Danielle Knight, Handcraft Island
Visit: handcraftisland.com
The most fun and interesting candles and melts — Handcraft Island takes inspiration from the smells that define our lives. From favorite cereals, cozy drinks, and the aromas of fall — the candles themselves are little works of art and you're sure to find a unique scent for everyone on your list.
Edward Krantz, Bookforge Bookbinding
Visit: bookforge.online
Purchase a hand-bound book from local master bookbinder Edward Krantz and give your loved one the gift of self-reflective journaling, idea-jotting, dream-recording, poetry-writing — the possibilities are endless. Or give the gift of an experience by purchasing a workshop session so your friend or family member can learn a new skill from the local expert.
Megan Merz, Fine Art
Visit: meganmerz.com
With paintings and prints created from handmade carvings, Megan's whimsical art lends itself perfectly to gift-giving: whether you opt for a traditional fine art piece or go the commercial route with stickers, postcards, or note cards — Merz is (literally) made for you.
Hannah Moran, North Coast Pennants
Visit: instagram.com/northcoastpennants
You may have seen her charming, handcrafted pennants adorning the walls of local haunts like Ember + Forge — Hannah Moran's talent is eye-catching. Her hand-stitched, wool pennants are vintage- and Erie-inspired, celebrating local landmarks like the Land Lighthouse, the Boston Store, Dobbins Landing, and Perry Square. The perfect gift for all of us local-philes out there!
Charmain Wismar, Charmain's Custom Creations
Visit: facebook.com/charmainscustomcreations
If you've hit up a LEAF Farmers Market this summer, you're sure to have seen Charmain slinging her handcrafted wares — headbands, scrunchies, apparel, mugs, and more — all in the cutest prints on the softest fabrics.
Morgan Yezzi, Vintage Recipes
Visit: yezball.com
The Erie Reader's own Erie Cook Book revisiter Morgan Yezzi has created a locally relevant, historic recipe guide to supplement your favorite home cook's stocking. Yezball's Continuous Collection of Modern Home Cookery pays tribute to the classic recipe files of the past, brimming with original, kitchen-tested recipes, personal stories, and essential cooking tips. It is amusing, it is functional, it is available as a one-time purchase or as a subscription.
Erin Phillips is shopping local as much as possible — you can find her traversing the county in her minivan this holiday season. She can be reached at erin@eriereader.com