Austin is known for its culture and style, and the holidays are a great opportunity to give a local gift to your friends and family that reminds them of it. So skip the Wal-Mart and avoid the dreaded mall madness, and check out some of these locally-owned businesses that are sure to have that perfect holiday gift. With so many choices, it is tough to choose only five. But, if I have to choose only 5, here are my picks:
This is the go-to store for when you need ____, but you’re not quite sure where to get it. When you walk in the main doors, if you go left you enter the hardware department. If you go right, you enter their arts / crafts / gifts department. They also have an outdoor area with lawn & garden items. Surely there’s a great gift to be found here! Breed & Co is located at 718 W. 29th Street near UT Campus.
SoLa is a locally-owned boutique selling women’s apparel and accessories. They have a great selection that is updated often: from dresses and tops, to handbags and shoes and I love their jewelry selction. They have two locations: one on South Lamar and one in the Triangle in Central Austin.
Aviary started out as a home decor store, and has morphed into something totally awesome. Now, they have a wine bar in the middle of the store, and on Wednesday nights, they are the place to be! Nearly everything you see in Aviary is available for sale, and they have a great selection of boutique items. Although their items most likely aren’t made in Austin, don’t let that sway you from making a stop in here. It’s a locally-owned boutique, and worth a visit. Aviary is located at 2110 South Lamar.
Give the gift of local art! Austin Art Garage features original art by local Austin artists. Enough said. According to their website, they regularly have over 300 original pieces of art in their studio, and it’s open 6 days a week. Austin Art Garage is located at 2200 S. Lamar, Suite J.
Parts and Labour is an awesome boutique on South Congress. I think everything in this store represents Austin in a great way, and they have awsesome little stocking stuffers. They have a great selection of men’s and women’s items, including clothing and accessories. Parts and Labour is located at 1117 S. Congress Ave.
