wooden spoons that Elliot brought back from Kenya in her own luggage, and an assortment of stellar coffee table and cookbooks, you’re sure to find memorable and heartfelt gifts that loved ones will enjoy for years to come. blackchalkhome.com Woerner Warehouse Just across the street from Blackchalk, Woerner Warehouse is filled with home goods that are perfect for anyone looking to spruce up their daily routine after two years spent mostly inside our homes. From antique furniture, to colorful glassware and dishes, to gorgeous and clever stationery, there’s something for everyone. Plus, if shopping makes you hungry like it does me, there’s an onsite restaurant with delicious and fresh sandwiches, paninis, pizza and desserts. woernerwarehouse.com
Texas meets Korea at Eaker Barbecue
FIND UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS Venture beyond Main Street to discover some of the city’s best shops for gifts, stocking stuffers and pantry stocks. Blackchalk Home and Laundry Situated in a historic industrial laundry facility, Blackchalk Home and Laundry is a go-to when you need both a gift and the gift idea. You’re sure to make some exciting discoveries as you sort through Jill Elliott’s (also owner of Ololo and Haberdashery) curated collection of books, art, décor and furniture hand-picked during her global travels. Elliott, who has lived in Fredericksburg for 25 years and has a degree in interior design, drove past the historic space that is now home to 34 / EdibleAustin.com
Blackchalk daily on her way home from her Main Street clothing boutique, Haberdashery. When she saw a “For Rent” sign posted, she immediately jumped on the opportunity. “Warehouse row continues to develop and is still a ‘secret gem’ with mom-and-pop shops opening up down the side streets of Main,” says Elliott. “This particular space is raw, industrial, and funky, and I wanted to keep it that way. Everyone in town knows this spot as the local laundry, so I kept ‘laundry’ in the name and kept the industrial machinery on view in front of the store.” Elliott says the name “Blackchalk” came to her in a dream and is “crazily-curated.” She acted on instinct, knowing that she wanted to cater to locals “off-Main” and also to visitors. On a repeat visit to the store, you’re unlikely to find the same thing twice. From original art by Denver-based Dolan Geiman, to handcrafted woolly mammoth bone jewelry by Comfort, Texas-based Rex Foster, to beautifully beaded
Das Peach Haus With humble origins as a roadside peach stand, Das Peach Haus has evolved into a full-fledged shopping destination. While it remains a multi-generational family business, Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, Inc. manufactures high-quality products that are distributed nationwide. “Mark Wieser loved the idea of creating a permanent roadside fruit stand instead of just having a truck sitting on the side of the road and selling peaches out of the back. When his student Case Fischer started working for him and … became a partner in the business he took it even farther with his innovative product development ideas — pairing unique ingredients like fruit and peppers and eventually turning those products into sauces,” says Deanna Fischer, chief experience officer. “The vision for the company has never really changed from the vision for that roadside fruit stand though … They always wanted the farm to remain the center of the business — a place where people could come and experience the Texas Hill Country lifestyle of homegrown produce and products, a slower pace of life, and gathering around the table with family and friends.
UNWIND and STAY AWHILE Take some time to slow down and reconnect with your loved ones with overnight stays at rentals and hotels that don’t skimp on comfort and style.
Ololo photo by OLOLO Ololo Centered around a gorgeous old Cedar tree in a secluded pasture, you’ll find four charming guest houses just one mile from downtown Fredericksburg. Each house boasts a shady front porch with comfy seating, a king-sized bed, an artfully tiled bathroom with a walk-in shower, plus a private, enclosed back patio with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Ololo oozes with style and romance. Watch deer graze, wake up to the crowing of roosters, and wind down in the courtyard under the romantically lit tree. Owned and designed by Jill Elliott (of Blackchalk Home and Laundry), each house is whimsically decorated for a “Texlectic” experience. “It was liberating as an interior designer to make each room unique,” says Elliott. Make sure to browse the Ololo website to choose the room and design theme you like best — each interior is distinct and designed to inspire. Book a stay for a couples’ getaway, or gather your family together to rent out all four houses for a memorable vacation. stayatololo.com Trueheart Hotel Looking to stay in the heart of downtown, just a short stroll away from restaurants and shops? The Trueheart is a new boutique hotel featuring 13 rooms and suites nestled into a lush, natural creekside landscape. Cottage-style accommodations are designed to be private and
With wall-to-wall shelves filled with jars and jams, stock up on local fruit preserves, sauces, seasonings, pasta, bread-and-butter pickles, and much more. If you want to add to the experience, book a cooking class, held onsite and in view of the Fischer & Wieser farmstead’s serene pond and pine tree grove. Pick up a “Peachy Preserves” gift box or a Mix & Match jellies or sauces gift set during the holidays to take a taste of Fredericksburg home with you. jelly.com
Top: Blackchalk Home and Laundry Bottom: Das Peach Haus
intimate, each with their own porch and unique aesthetic. The
Trueheart
epitomizes
Texas comfort, with design that
highlights
cozy
beds,
limestone walls and fireplaces, front porch rocking chairs, and bold and vibrant interiors. thetruehearthotel.com EdibleAustin.com / 35