Venue scoured the region to find fantastic spots to shop this holiday season and beyond. We love small towns because we love being an important part of a community – we are each of us big fish in the ponds of our economies – and you can make a difference in the lives of the many people who spend their time creating the vibrant downtowns, delicious eateries and fun entertainment that make up our towns.
If we, each and every one of us, bought one or two things at a local shop for the holidays our businesses would be thriving, our nonprofits would be running well and our communities would be healthier.
Venue found something for everyone: young, old, sassy, serious – from your nephew to work’s White Elephant gift. Not to mention that extra special gift you get yourself while you’re being so generous.
Almost every shop has them, and there is a shop in the Basin for everyone. These are a great way to pack stockings, augment a smaller gift, or to create a themed set of gifts. They are not only the gift of the thing they end up buying, but also the adventure of getting there!
We are loving the idea of a “Burger Tour” around Grant County with some new BBQ utensils, Pure Country Harvest ground beef, and a couple of gift cards to The Ranch in Vantage, Gärd in Royal City, The Harvest Moon in Wilson Creek, the Tee Pee Drive-In in Grant Coulee, and/or Jake’s in Ritzville. Recreate with lattes, garden and plant shops, puzzles, and more!
Painted card by Deborah Chittendon – make your gift cards even more special by wrapping them in a locally-sourced greeting card, like this one! Other favorite places to find cards include: regional bird photo cards at Settler’s Market in Ephrata and Moses Lake, cat cards from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, and all of them at the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Moses Lake.
Tickets to a local show, with a dinner, or an activity like roller skating or bowling are also great options.It’s about getting creative and personal for the lucky recipient.
For the host or the feast
Bottle of 2022 Thunderstone from Gärd Public House in Royal City – this is a most dramatic bottle of wine, fitting for its name which references the land of the Lawrence Estate vines Scandinavian lore, with notes of acai, green peppercorn, ripe blackberries which can be enjoyed now and for the next 15 years.
Sticky bun from Cow Path Bakery in Othello – if… and that’s a big if… one of these buns makes it out of the store, through the car ride and to your destination then you’re a more generous friend than I! Cow Path also make a fantastic pie, cookie and coffee – everything you need for a hungry holiday crowd.
Local dill pickles from Wild Roots in Odessa – these are delicious, made in Ritzville, and an awesome gift for a host who doesn’t imbibe in alcohol or just loves pickles!
Bottle of Spurstride from Moses Lake Distillery – fun for tasting at a party, or pair it with those vintage glasses from Plume and a fun-shaped ice cube tray!
Fruit from Tonnemaker Farm in Royal City – holiday apple and pear boxes come carefully packaged and are a sweet, delicious way to warm a home during the winter months. You should get on their mailing list sooner than later because they sell out fast.
Some gifts hang around, others are meant to be used
One-of-a-kind American flag upcycled denim jacket from Sole Performance in Ephrata – Denim has never gone out of style – it’s great for everything from headbands to throw pillows and jackets like this one. Little tip – always size up jean jackets, it makes them better for layering. Sole Performance specializes in screen printing and embroidery so it’s also a great resource for making one-of-a-kind gifts of your own; and, it’s the home of Spooky Behavior, an bespoke brand geared at folks with a active lifestyle… and a challenge to rival your fears.
Moon painting by Hannah Fountain Art from Drip Art Gallery in Moses Lake – Hannah’s gallery, The Drip, is a fantastic resource for those with or who want to start an art collection either of other’s art, or their own, with prints, paintings, classes and of course, coffee!
Don Nutt annual calendar from Caribou Trails Gallery in Coulee City – this calendar becomes a can’t miss tradition after just one year, with images of Don’s iconic, local work highlighting the beauty of our region each month. “I tried to get out of the calendar business, but too many customers complained,” he recently said in an email. Get them while supplies last!
Print by local artist Kathy Dalton from Recollections in Soap Lake – these highland cows are so cute right now (and forever).
Matches from Valley Girl in Quincy – useful and utilitarian, but make it aesthetically pleasing! This is a great low-cost gift everyone will think one day, “Whew! Glad I have those!”
Handmade wooden shelf by Whetstone Woodcrafts with hooks by from Rustic Rooster in Ephrata – beautiful work and so functional.
Poured painting by Judy Kalin at Up Town Art Gallery in Moses Lake – these paintings are beautiful, and a special opportunity to get a modern technique by a legendary local artist.
Beeswax and tallow candle by The Herd from Wild Roots Market in Odessa – this beautiful scented candle from a cattle ranching family in Ritzville is a super fun way to embrace the “whole cow” approach to butchering, one of the most unique gifts we found this year.
Vintage frame from Plume in Moses Lake – making this into a fantastic gift requires some forethought with a printed photograph or artpiece and backing (the glass is available at the shop). Vintage duck not included, but very cool and also from Plume.
Cotton-poly blend blanket from Gathered at the Quincy Public Market – so soft and feels incredibly warm. You want to wrap yourself up in this whole store!
Beautifully made backpack with navy blue cork fabric by Linda Boothman Creations from the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello – this nonprofit-run shop (literally an old hotel) is full of local art, cards, events and history. The backpack is delicate and utilitarian, and expertly made.
Something for everyone
Grasshopper from Olde World Trading in Ephrata and Moses Lake – stuffed animals are awesome, they’re cute and cuddly and lately we’re seeing wonderfully eccentric and silly ones. None so silly and amazing than at Olde World which has a collection of every animal you’d never expect… plus two entire stores full of more gift ideas for any and all types of people.
Vintage Dooney and Bourke red leather purse from Recollections in Soap Lake – the shop has an amazing collection of vintage clothes and accessories like this bag.
Stickers from Ritzville Drug – something about stickers is so fun and silly for anyone of any age and interest, perfect for stocking stuffers. Lean into the idea that you can go into any shop in the region and find something, even small, to buy locally.
Bottle opener with custom laser-burned inscription from Rustic Rooster in Ephrata – you email the shop a PDF of what you want them to include from a name, a message or even a photo!
String game from Hello, Nature in Moses Lake – loving these games of childhood repackaged as meditative and relaxing, a great pastime to teach or relearn with someone on your list.
Silver horse pendants from Frederick’s Jewelry in Moses Lake – these beautiful, matching but opposite-facing pair of silver horses are from a hand-carved mold by Frederick’s owner, Nick. He has another pair in gold, and can set a series of stones along one side, depending on the customer’s choices. These are perfect to be gifted alone, or as a set to two inseparable people.
Silver, beaded hoop earrings by Deborah Chittendon from Gathered at the Quincy Public Market – Chittendon is an incredible local jewelry artist with work in several places around the Basin including Gathered and the Moses Lake Museum.
Kershaw folding knife from Cougar Ridge Knife Co in Ephrata – this shop is full of fantastic knives, meant to be used inside or outside and worn, washed and used for whatever you need. This knife is the season’s most popular according to owner and knife enthusiast, Dave. They also carry beautiful kitchen utensils, cutting boards and bags.
Handmade wooden box from Ideal Endeavors The Little Woodshop in Coulee City – this small gallery of wooden signs, projects and local art, includes boxes like this perfect keepsake.
Nutcracker from Artgarden Pottery in Moses Lake – whatever your family tradition, there is opportunity to add to it at Artgarden, and with the option to paint it before it’s gifted, or after as a group activity with the recipient, it’s a versatile option!
Dragon folio scrapbook by Tiffany Fultz from Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello – this beautiful, one-of-a-kind book is an example of the local art you can find at this gallery. If you’re lucky another scrapbook by Tiffany will be there – perfect for photography, storytelling, fantasy, nature and curio lovers.
Ornament from Artgarden Pottery in Moses Lake – often, the best gifts capture a moment in time while simultaneously lasting for more than one season. Laura at Artgarden has a special knack for making every fingerprint, footprint or any other imprint, a work of art.
Fluted Ball jar from Four Season Farm Service in Ephrata – these newly released jars from the iconic canning company are beautiful for flowers, as drinkware and of course for all those canners in your life.
Vintage glass from Hello, Nature in Moses Lake – this glass is part of a collection and so beautiful in person and perfect for a home bar, one of many beautiful, collectable pieces at this shop that has something new and old for everybody.
Work gloves from Four Season Farm Service in Ephrata – when in doubt, for any person, a pair of gloves is a safe bet for a great gift! If anyone is an animal gift buyer… this shop has some local, raw chicken food that would be a funny addition under the tree for your favorite layers!
Grandpa socks from Plume in Moses Lake – we grew up giving Dad socks for every holiday, what a fun way to update that tradition! Perfect for the cool, hip Papas out there.
Capri Volcano Linen Spray from Valley Girl in Quincy – usable, useful gifts are always a priority… something that doesn’t hang around and collect dust forever. This sweet and fruity Volcano scent from the Capri line is great for everything, from the lotion to this linen spray (that always works on car interiors!).
Scent from Art of Prithvi, “A Bumi Essentials Concept” from Bumi Salon in Soap Lake – these little bottles hold a lot of gifting potential. You can pick up Prithvi’s new line of scents or spend some time with owner, Dusty, as he helps build a unique scent based on the French perfumery layering of top notes, heart notes and base notes.
