For those seeking the perfect gift for the hobbyist in the family, from the gardener to the avid mountain biker, local shops have you covered.
Local retailers have grounds for optimism heading into their busiest season. Taxable retail sales in Clark County jumped nearly 15 percent over last year in the second quarter, which runs April to June. In Vancouver, sales went up nearly 17 percent. Both exceeded the state’s one-year sales increases.
Sales categories that have grown faster in Clark County than in the state as a whole in the past year include retail stores in general, auto sales, and electronics and appliances, said Scott Bailey, regional economist for the state Employment Security Department.
Nationally, retail sales are expected to rise 3.7 percent between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, according to the National Retail Federation.
Not surprisingly, online sales are taking an ever-larger share of the retail pie. The National Retail Federation projects online holiday sales to increase by 6 to 8 percent, to as much as $105 billion for November and December. While there are no projections for online holiday trade in Clark County, inflation-adjusted online sales leaped by 33 percent in 2015’s second quarter compared to a year ago, Bailey said. Last year’s online retail sales in the October-to-December period were up by 25 percent over the previous year.
But local business owners are hoping a good share of Clark County shoppers will choose to buy close to home instead of online.
Their pitch: Shopping locally is better for Clark County’s economic health.
“If people go buy online from someone back in New York, not a penny goes back into this community,” said Ed Fischer, owner of Camas Bike and Sport. Local businesses depend on people to embrace “buy local” with more than just words.
“You’ve got to practice what you preach,” he said. “You’ve just got to do it.”
Machele Wilson, owner of Si Jolie, an Orchards women’s fashion boutique, echoed that sentiment. She said she is holding a clearance sale through the holidays to promote the boutique and let people know it is in their backyard. “By shopping local, you keep your dollars right here in the community,” she said. “When a store goes away in a community, it affects all the tax dollars. If people aren’t shopping locally, little places like me are going to go out of business.”
Jessica Flatt, gift buyer for Yard’n Garden Land in Hazel Dell, said Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 gives people an impetus to explore local shops. “Small Business Saturday is a great way to enjoy Black Friday then turn your focus to stores you can support.”
But some shoppers aren’t waiting for Black Friday or Small Business Saturday. At Si Jolie, Wilson said, shoppers have already started their holiday gift-buying.
That’s a national trend, with 57 percent of those who will celebrate already shopping by early November, up from 54.4 percent last year, according to a National Retail Federation survey.
Whether you are an early shopper or a last-minute gift giver, there are plenty of places in Clark County to find gifts for friends or relatives. The Columbian is highlighting gift ideas from five Clark County retail outlets, with an emphasis on gift suggestions for hobbyists. Here are ideas from those retailers for gifts ranging in price from $2 to more than $200.
Cycling
Camas Bike and Sport, 403 N.E. Fifth Ave., Camas. www.camasbikes.com, 360-210-5160
From bike bells and light kits that make great stocking-stuffers to kids’ bikes and high-end mountain and road bikes, shop owner Fischer suggests a wide variety of gift options from his downtown Camas store. The biggest of all: a new bicycle. He sells mountain and road bikes ranging in price from $89 for a kids’ bike to a $9,700 dream bicycle. “It’s pretty cool to get a bike under the tree, for sure,” he said.
Other ideas:
- $9.99 and up: Bike lights and accessories.
- $24.99 and up: Floor bike pump.
- $40-$90: Club Ride Apparel in Idaho produces casual tech clothes that you can wear on a ride and then to the grocery store or local pub.
- $109 and up: Kids’ balance bikes by Strider.
- $175 and up: Hotwalk or Hotrock kids bikes from Specialized.
- $150 and up: Trainers (for cycling inside on these rainy winter days).
Gardening
Yard’n Garden Land, 1501 N.E. 102nd St., Vancouver. www.yardngardenland.com, 360-573-7172
- $2 and up: Kids can make miniature garden scenes for teachers or grandparents.
- $15-$20: Hellebore, a small winter-blooming perennial, could be a good gift for a holiday gathering.
- $20-$60: Yuletide camellia has a pretty red blossom that’s great for color in winter.
- $32-$90: “Rustic and whimsical” bird feeders are designed and built in Battle Ground, Woodland and Vancouver. “They’re really cool, and of course you’re supporting a local artist in the community,” said Flatt, the shop’s gift buyer.
- $70-$120: Felco hand pruners, for the serious gardener, are ergonomically designed, have replacement parts and are available left-handed.
Wine
Burnt Bridge Cellars, 1500 Broadway St., Vancouver. 360-695-3363, www.burntbridgecellars.com
In addition to wine, Burnt Bridge Cellars specializes in events and coordinates with adjacent Class Cooking, which offers gourmet, small-group cooking classes.
“We see a lot of guys grumbling on the way in,” said Greg Wallace, co-owner of Burnt Bridge Cellars, of the cooking classes. “On the way out, they’re laughing and having a good time. Even curmudgeon-y old men get really excited about it.”
- $5 per person: Wine tasting (for a group of 10, they will make it a private tasting).
- $6-$10: Logo wine glass (two for $10 or one for $6).
- $18: Cork popper bottle opener.
- $30: Bottle of wine.
- $40 per person: Group tasting for a party of 10. High-end appetizers and tasting from the barrel.
- $60-$80: Gift certificate for Kim’s Cooking Class. Wine provided for evening classes.
Fashion
Si Jolie (women’s fashion boutique), 11102 N.E. Fourth Plain Road, Vancouver. 360-609-5793, www.si-jolie.com
Si Jolie is holding a clearance event from now until January. “Everything in the store is marked down,” said Wilson. “Even the clothing coming in fresh, we’re marking down 30 percent.”
- $24 and up: Sweet Romance and Brighton Jewelry (vintage).
- $45-$160: Spartina handbags.
- $60-$90: Women’s tops (several brands made in the United States).
- $70-$80: Big Buddha handbags (vegan).
- $150-$250: Hobo handbags.
- $180-$400: Brighton handbags.
Fishing
Lamiglas Inc. Outlet Store, 1400 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. 360-225-9436, www.lamiglas.com
Lamiglas, which has manufacturing and an outlet store in Woodland, will hold a special sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5.
The X-11 series, ranging in price from $100 to $160, is popular right now and is a good starter rod, said Scott Harris, Lamiglass marketing and sales representative.
Other gift ideas:
- $18-$50: Hats, hoodies, T-shirts.
- $100: X-11 Freshwater rod.
- $130: X-11 Salmon/Steelhead rod.
- $160: X-11 Fly series rods.
- $180: Redline series rods.
(The outlet store doesn’t offer warranties.)
