Shopping Season The Leader • Saturday, November 30, 2019 • Page 1B
Look to local stores for holiday gifts By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
With the start of the holiday shopping season this weekend, small businesses in the area are doing everything they can to boost visibility and remind customers about the benefits of shopping local. Jubilee, a boutique on 19th Street in the Heights, has been there for 25 years. Owner Kristal Kirksey attributes the store’s longevity to constant promotion, and it is decorated to the nines for Christmas. Kirksey rents a storage unit for all the merchandise that will be available at Jubilee, which recently unloaded three pallets of freight. She wants customers to find things they can’t get anywhere else. “We go nuts for Christmas,� Kirksey said. Coryne Rich, who does marketing and event planning for 19th Street, has partnered with American Express to promote Jubilee and all the other 19th Street businesses for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30. The event was created in 2010 as a way to help get more customers through the doors of small businesses, and it has grown in recognition and popularity in the years since. A 2019 Shop Small Consumer Impact Survey said that when consumers are aware that 67 cents of each dollar spent at a small business stay in their local community, 75 percent of shoppers said it inspires them to make shopping small an ongoing commitment. “Shopping local helps to put money back in the community,� said Susan Tate, owner of Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop at 10570 Northwest Fwy. The merchants on 19th are doing various in-store promotions and special events for customers. Jubilee got a vintage bar and will be offering wine
and soft drinks and Christmas punch in addition to big in-store sales. “Our little hood is really changing,� Kirksey said. “It’s getting a lot harder because people just want to shop online. We work so hard. We do all the different seasons, like rodeo, and special occasions (like the) Astros.� A huge Saturday promotion will be offered at Erica DelGardo Jewelry Designs, 329 W. 19th St. For 50 minutes, 50 percent of store items will be on sale, with some exceptions, like their diamonds. “We just posted the times – 2-2:50 on Saturday,� DelGardo said. DelGardo is someone else who has been on 19th Street for a long time. “We’ve been here 12 years and are always trying to do something different,� she said. “We try to keep up with how the neighborhood is changing. It’s going younger so we keep up with trends.� A lot of the jewelry store’s work is custom, like making a birthday pendant out of an Italian tile that a husband and wife found on their vacation. “We do a lot of engagement rings and anniversary gifts,� DelGardo said. “We have a new watch collection that’s doing really well.� It’s the small-town feel that DelGardo strives to maintain in her store. “We want to keep the mom and pop (vibe),� she said. Small business boutique and specialty store owners in other areas are also pulling out all the stops for the shopping season. Tate of Darlene’s said she cannot compete with deep discounts like the big box stores have. But Darlene’s offers a 20 percent store-wide discount. “We have a wonderful selection of Mud Pie and a nice selection of seasonal as well as
and Ella Boulevard have put together a bingo card with deals at each shop there and a raffle prize for those who shop at three in a row. “Emily (Moore) and I have wanted to do our own BINGO/ shopping card since the beginning,â€? said Lisa Buss, co-owner of BranchĂŠ. “This became an opportunity to connect our Revive family/women-owned businesses, but we really hope to connect all of our growing
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Photo from Facebook Holiday-themed clothing and apparel is available at Jubilee, a boutique on 19th Street in the Heights.
everyday clothing in sizes small through 3X,� Tate said. “We strive to have unique and different gifts that you do not find in large department stores.� As a small business owner, Tate said she offers more personalized service and attention to detail. “The owners are in the store and are ready to help you,� she said. Claudia Avila runs Initial Attic Monogrammed Gifts out of her home and says she is extending her regular hours to 7
Here is a rundown of places in the area to score the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one – or for yourself.
Holiday on 19th Street Friday, Dec. 6, 6–10 p.m. This is an annual holiday event. Shoppers can stroll Houston’s Historic 19th Street Shopping District. Enjoy live music, in-store features, cocktails, Santa, holiday shopping and real snow. Sponsors include Emerson Rose, the LIFT on 19th, Squared Away, Venus Hair Houston, Big Blue Whale, Jubilee in the Heights, Circa Real Estate, Retropolis, Eclectic Home, CODA in the Heights, Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery, Manready
Elder Street Art Market
Contributed photo The Heights Holiday Market started with a few local artists and has grown over the years.
Heights Epicurean Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m.1 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 1245 Heights Blvd. The Heights Epicurean Farmers Market supports all things handmade, homemade and locally homegrown. This once-monthly market invites Texas farmers who are dedicated to organic and chemical-free farming, artisans, bakers and all sorts of local food producers together in a fun block partystyle atmosphere complete with crafts for the children. St. Rose Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.2 p.m. at 3600 Brinkman St., East/West Hall. This benefits the St. Rose of Youth Ministry Program. There will be more than 40 vendor booths with a wide range of items for holiday gift-buying. This year, there will also be some new activities for the kids like building a mini snowman and throwing snowballs at the Grinch. A concession stand and mimosa booth will provide food and drinks.
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tom Framing, AG Antiques on West 19th, Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room, Vanity Salon, Vinal Edge Records, We Olive & Wine Bar, Wild Honey and Noted.
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p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting Dec. 3 to ensure that customers can get their items turned in to be personalized before the Christmas orders cutoff on Dec 12. See store hours at Initialattic.com. “We have plenty of single initial items here at the shop and more deliveries on their way from popular brands such as Mud Pie and The Royal Standard, with plenty of jewelry finds, too,� Avila said. The merchants at Revive’s development at 34th Street
Holiday markets all around area Holiday Artisan Market benefiting Animal Justice League Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church of Houston More than 50 local artists and vendors will attend, and St. Stephen’s will offer a blessing of the animals at their booth. The Kilted DJs will be on-hand with music and their “fun bus� - plus the Lunch Bag food truck will be on-site for breakfast and lunch, and Uncle Louie G with Italian ice and ice cream. Other sweet vendors include kettle corn, cupcakes and mini cheesecakes. Market vendors include Red Lip Designs, Feathers + Thorns, Donna Handknits, State of Houston Co, Hive Bee Farm, Joy’s Day Care, Usborne Books & More, Burgess Mercantile, Living Lyss Jewelry, Candles From My Heart, Vanda Botanicals, Houston Yard Art, The Doggie Express, Hello Face Painting, Valenti Boutique, Lasscolt Creations, Treecycle Crafts, Kitty’s Stuff and Our Savior Lutheran eighth grade class. See the market’s Facebook page for more information. “We do our best to focus primarily on artists, vendors and small businesses with homemade and/or handmade products,� organizer Kim Antley said. “And many are local to our neighborhoods and The Leader’s readership area.�
community businesses in the future. Hopefully BINGO will grow neighborhood-wide.� DelGardo, who employs three local residents, hopes people from area neighborhoods do all their holiday shopping locally. “It allows us to invest in our community,� she said. “We can also source things locally for (what we create). You support your own community when you support small business owners.�
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.3 p.m. at 1100 Elder St. A portion of all sales goes to support the Missions of Ecclecia, building fresh water sources in communities around the globe and bringing food, necessities and TLC to those in Venezuela. Heights Artisan Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.5 p.m. at All Saints Church Hall, 215 E. 10th St. This invitational show and sale features woodworking, furniture, jewelry, painting, sculpture, clothing, weaving and photography by the region’s finest artists and craft persons. The Artisan Market grew from the Firehouse Art Show, which was held for seven years following the decommission of the Heights fire station. This self-edited group of professionals formed to showcase their works in an annual holiday market, loosely patterned after similar home shows and a legacy event in Dallas at the Sons of Hermann Hall. See The Heights Artisan Market on Facebook for vendors and details. 15th Annual Heights Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.5 p.m. at 935 Harvard St. Organizer Dorie Kerr said last year that this annual market started with a few local
artists and has grown over the years. What hasn’t changed is that someone always hosts it in their home. “It’s whoever is willing to open up their home,� Kerr said. “It’s a great shopping experience.� There will be 20 vendors at the home of Anna Eastman again this year selling handmade goods including jewelry, visual art, baked goods, food items such as salsa, coffee and sweet-cured jalapenos and cheese straws, fiber art, candles, bath and body goods, home goods, clothes and Christmas decor. Food and drinks will be served, but there will not be any food trucks. See http://www.facebook. com/houstonheightsholidaymarket for updates and a preview of some of the items for sale. First Saturday Arts Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. at 530 W. 19th St. Founded in 2004, First Saturday Arts Market is a curated monthly outdoor fine arts event featuring the works of dozens of visual artists. Located in the Historic Houston Heights, the
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Saturday, December 7, 2019 1602 W. 43rd Street Houston, TX 77018
Come and enjoy the sounds of the season with popular Christmas songs, hymns and your favorite Christmas carols. Performances include Houston Symphony musicians
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