You make your list; you check it twice. Then there’s nothing nicer than settling back in your comfy chair and shopping online for all the gifts you need for the holidays. This season, you can support small, local business owners who sell meaningful, creative gifts while enjoying the convenience of online shopping.
Earlier this year, votes from 36,000 Northeast Ohioans were compiled into The Cleveland Hot List, featuring 6,690 businesses competing for the title of greater Cleveland’s best through CityVoter, an online ballot. Within that listing were 58 nominees for Best Gift Shop.
We whittled finalists into these top-rated gift shops that also offer online shopping. From fun stocking stuffers to keepsake legacy items, you can buy creative and meaningful gifts from local shopkeepers — all from the comfort of your own home.
STEM Handmade Soaps
This small company offers premium handcrafted soaps, using 100 percent all-natural ingredients. Only high-quality pure vegetable oils and high-concentration glycerin are innovatively combined to create hydrating soaps. Products also include lip balm, deodorant, body butter, scented candles, men’s grooming products, hygiene accessories, pet shampoos and gift sets.
Price range: $3-$40
12405 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Wood Thingamajigs
A female veteran-owned and -operated woodworking shop, this may be Northeast Ohio’s premier source for all custom furniture, home items, decor and outdoor games. Products include cutting boards, Cleveland- and Ohio-themed wall hangings, customized family trees and special orders.
Price range: $10-$125
Newbury Township
Earth Angels Holistic Health
Earth Angels Boutique provides “Tools for better living — Release. Balance. Restore.” Products include incense sticks and burners, worry stones, selenite and quartz products, gemstone sets, salt lamps, sterling silver/stone jewelry, and even an Amethyst Geode Calcite Quartz Healing Empowerment stone.
Price range: $2.50-$185
3518 Scranton Road, Cleveland
earthangelsholistic.com/boutique
The Framer’s Gallery
Choose from a wide selection of artwork and gifts created by local, regional, national and international artists. Products include frames, paintings, glass, sculptures, themed wall hangings, jewelry with local embellishments, prints, seasonal gifts and more. High-end novelty items include glass-on-tile enameled art, bottle openers crafted from broken Indians game bats, pens crafted from Municipal Stadium wooden seats, watches crafted from leather baseball skins, and photographs featuring scenes from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Price range: $20-$350+
7730 Chippewa Road, Brecksville
theframersgallery.com/handmade
Graeley & Co.
This specialty gift boutique for corporate gifts, special occasions, events and celebrations offers products including home decor, inspirational items, jewelry, handbags, linens, holiday ornaments and accessories, infant and toddler accessories and apparel, wine and beer accessories, specialty golf items, designer collections, corporate gift packages and more.
Price range: $2.99-$79.95
14397 Pearl Road, Strongsville
The Gourmet Soap Market
“The original, handmade-in-the-USA marketplace for glycerin soaps and spa products headquartered in historic downtown Willoughby.” The product menu includes soaps, lotions, bath bombs, bath salts, bubble bars, candles, soap sponges, loofahs, deodorant, lip treats and soap loaves for event favors and showers, weddings, birthdays, holidays and corporate giving.
Price range: $1.95-$175
37917 Vine St., Willoughby
Richards Maple Products
This family business was established in 1910, featuring world-famous maple syrup from Geauga County sugar maples. From Grade A Delicate (Light) to Grade A Very Dark (B Grade), Richards produces pure maple syrup in different grades, sizes, gift bottles and sets; maple candy and maple confections; as well as jams, jellies, butters, condiments, sauces and spreads. Gift certificates and maple dog bones are also available.
Price range: $9.10-$240
545 Water St., Chardon
This holiday season, you don’t have to sacrifice convenience for originality while supporting northeast Ohio gift shops. Shop local. Shop online. Shop easy.
Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer and photographer from Northeast Ohio whose insatiable curiosity secures her commitment to lifelong learning, wellness and the pursuit of adventure — even along pathways of holiday e-commerce within the web.
