As the holiday shopping days come to a close, we are drawn to thinking about retail in Verona. Sure you can buy a car here (new or used), a pizza, a manicure and any banking service you can think of, but what about a last minute-gift? What hidden gems are out there to discover?
1) Handbags. You could try Trend Coffee Bar & Boutique, which has done lots lately to add to the coffers of our many SCAs. But don’t forget about Alex Shoe Repair, tucked in next to the Towne Scoop at 8 Park Place. The focus here is saving your soles, but there are always a few interesting purses tucked into the corner. (And what kid on your list wouldn’t thrill to have one of their colorful Matryoshka nesting dolls, which are really several dolls in one?)
2) Hand-made decorations, holiday and otherwise. At Main Street Cottage, owner Deborah Galife taps a talented network of craftspeople to create one-of-a-kind items that are whimsical without being kitschy. And she packs it all into the smallest retail space in town at 678 Bloomfield Avenue.
3) Lamps. If you want to go slightly bigger in your decor shopping, consider Remember When, located at 290 Bloomfield Avenue on the corner of Malvern Place. It’s got vintage lamps and chandeliers, and older bedroom pieces that have been given a modern update.
4) Photography Classes. Since we’re a Web site, we’d be remiss if we didn’t think digitally. At Verona Camera, 626 Bloomfield Avenue, you can buy a series of classes in digital photography, including one devoted to taking great photos of your kids’ sports.
5) Music. Rocktec, one of the newest additions to Verona’s business district, has new and used child- and adult-size acoustic and electric guitars, drum kits and percussion instruments. If you’ve already got an instrument, think about one of Rocktec’s lesson packages. Rocktec is located right next to the Peckman River at 522 Bloomfield Avenue; turn the corner at Park Place for the parking lot in back.
Yes, there are a few other things we’d like to buy locally. Maybe we can next year.
[mappress]
