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Give Our Best These three shops curate items made by locals for locals BY Sarah Bun
Sin City abounds with curio and T-shirt shops for tourists. But where do you find the best Las Vegas-themed gifts that are truly local? Here are three spots curating unique items that make the perfect present.
20 | D E S E R T C O M P A N I O N .
AUGUST 2024
1 AKIN COOPERATIVE
2 ART BOX BY LIEZL SIOJO
This little gem, in the Arts District, evolved out of Market in the Alley entrepreneur Jen Taler’s pop-up bazaar, where shoppers can support local small businesses. Akin Cooperative provides artisans with a permanent location to showcase their creations, stocking a variety of goods, ranging from body care products to cacti. The boutique also hosts monthly guided wine tastings and workshops, but you don’t have to wait until then to grab a glass of natural wine or a beer to enjoy while you shop. Sip at the bar and check out their impressive list of low intervention wines. akincooperative.com
Once a business partner with Tom and Kellie Kroplinski, local mosaic self-portrait artist Liezl Siojo took over Art Box as sole owner in 2021. In Downtown Container Park, it’s an art gallery and gift shop featuring Las Vegas-made fine art and jewelry. Siojo works with more than 90 artists and, this summer, plans to help with an Allegiant Stadium installation project using art created by youth from the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada. Beginning in September, Art Box will host Meet the Artist events on the second Friday of each month, featuring live music and student recitals. instagram.com/art_box_by_ liezl_siojo
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PAIGE & RYE
After her kids were born, Lauren Tieru wanted to be more involved in their lives and not make work her entire life. She opened Paige & Rye in 2020 at Hualapai and Desert Inn, and named her in-store event space The Grey Room. After a successful multiyear run, this year Tieru closed that location and opened a Downtown Summerlin storefront, where she offers locally created clothing, art, jewelry, and baby and pet products. The Grey Room, tucked in the back, hosts vintage pop-ups, parties, workshops, and serves as a photography studio. Paige & Rye also offers locally pressed juices, popsicles, and sweets. paigeandrye.com
P H OT O S C O U R T E S Y O F PA I G E & R Y E , A R T B O X , A N D A K I N C O O P E R AT I V E
M A D E I N N E VA DA