In these times of overflowing big box stores, it can be hard to find presents for people who already have way more stuff than they need. So instead of trying to find friends and family something at the chain stores, which they may get for themselves on Black Friday anyway, one strategy is to search for uniquely crafted items made by local artisans.
Candles, soaps and personal care products are always good, as are paintings, photographs and picture frames, furniture, handmade wooden toys, locally roasted coffee, craft beer and wine, dishes and serving sets, clothing and leatherware, jewelry, furs, rugs, antiques — pretty much anything made by hand for the sake of distinctness rather than by robots for the cheapest price.
Photo: Mandalynn Jewelry Designs is one of the many exciting locally owned shops at Reno Public Market.
In Reno there are several great places to purchase locally made items, often directly from the artisans themselves, and this makes the season’s shopping much more enjoyable and authentic.
Nevada Marketplace is a huge store filled with local artisans' booths.
Nevada Marketplace at Reno Town Mall
It may be in a nondescript location, but Nevada Marketplace in the Reno Town Mall is one of Reno’s hidden gems. An expansive store, Nevada Marketplace contains sections or booths for local artisans to present their wares, which vary from photography and old books to ceramic cups, Scandinavian-themed ornaments and clothing, to antiques and various knickknacks. Artisans occasionally pop in and are available at the booths, but usually you are free to browse around in quiet if that suits you better.
Some of my personal favorites here include greeting cards of Nevada scenery taken by a local photographer, Scandinavian Christmas gnomes, Blind Dog coffee by the pound, homemade candies, jams and hot sauces and random antiques.
If the weird and offbeat is your style, Unlce Junkee artisan stalls are filled with stuff you'll love.
Uncle Junkee
Affiliated with the widely known Junkee Clothing Exchange, Uncle Junkee is a new downtown location that focuses on rented artisan stalls, each with its own theme and assortment of crafts and objets d’art, with a focus on the weird and off-beat. There are sections with old records, DVDs and posters, and plenty of holiday-themed items that vary based on the time of year, with witchy and spooky items year-round.
The whole store has a carnivalesque quality. Upon entering, a fortune teller machine greets you from behind, and a 1925 Talbot automobile is decorated with the theme of the month. As you walk through the store, you are immersed in an eclectic mix of regalia from multiple time periods. It’s definitely not a boring shopping experience, to say the least, and you won’t find anything run-of-the-mill here.
Farmers Markets
Reno’s Farmers Markets and festivals, like the Reno River Festival, always have a good collection of locally produced items, in particular jewelry, leather goods, honey, jam and sweets. While these events are currently in hibernation, they are good to keep in mind when the weather warms up again in the spring.
Midtown Shops and Reno Public Market
Midtown has lots of shops with goods from local artisans. Going south on Virginia Street at California Avenue, you pass several clothing exchanges, a local art shop and a rock and gem shop. Way down at Plumas Street there is also the Reno Public Market, where the main Junkee Clothing Exchange is located, along with an abundance of small art shops.
Village at Rancharrah
If the Midtown quirkiness isn’t your style, Reno also has the upscale and European Village at Rancharrah. Perenn Bakery, an excellent café and eatery, now has its own grocery store where you can purchase foods gifts, sauces, croissants, mugs and other cutlery, cookbooks and an assortment of their amazing foods in frozen form.
There are several wellness centers and spas in the Village that sell gift cards, as do the wide variety of restaurants. The Waste Less Shop is a neat, eco-friendly place with soaps, candles and other personal-care items. But the outdoor mall has even more — there is a handmade jewelry store, a chocolate shop, a butchery and a couple shops targeted at mothers and children.
One great time to visit the Village is at the tree lighting event on November 25. Santa Claus will be there!
As you can see Reno is brimming with options for unique gifts this holiday season and all year-round. Take the time to get something different this year. Not only will you be remembered for it, the shopping experience will be a lot more enjoyable as well.
