Seven Clark County stores make holiday shopping magical

Now that retail stores are wide open for business, we can once again return to the pleasures of in-store shopping. With online ordering stymied by snarled supply chains, Clark County shops carrying locally made items will be the ace up your sleeve when it comes to checking everyone off your Christmas gift list. Here are seven stores around the county that aim to enchant you with beautiful displays and decorations as well as exceptional customer service, making your holiday shopping magical.

Trove

209 E. Main St., Suite 139, Battle Ground; 360-904-5096, trovebattleground.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Trove, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary in September, is a small but mighty boutique that’s worth a drive to Battle Ground. In fact, owner Abbie Erickson says she often gets shoppers from Portland and Seattle. Look for the cheery storefront bedecked with green boughs and twinkling lights around the corner from Urban Basics. The store’s holiday decorations make you feel like you’re in a cozy but contemporary winter wonderland, with everything from felted wool and furry llama ornaments ($4 to $8.50) to colorful felt, paper and wood garlands ($11 to $28). Explore the body care nook, the gourmet cookery section, new and lightly used clothing and shoes, and an extensive baby and children’s section with toys and organic cotton Quincy Mae clothes. For bibliophiles, there are books galore: cookbooks, children’s books, travel and outdoor adventure books. Look for locally produced McCall pottery bowls and platters ($12 to $30) and Janie Lane candles ($13 to $30) poured into vintage glassware or the “collaboration” candles poured into McCall vessels. For the men on your list, try the Allett men’s wallet ($42) or wallets by local maker Thread and Throne. Find double-edged razors ($22, blades $12), all-weather rechargeable LED lights ($32.99), Concord nail clippers in a leather pouch ($18.95 to $42.99) or 100 percent merino beanies from Rustek in Portland. To show your hometown pride, pick up a ZIP code tea towel for just about every town in Clark County ($12.50).

If you’re in a hurry, avail yourself of Trove’s handy wall of quick-pick gift items, sorted into different themes. For tea lovers, there’s high-end Aika tea, lavender syrup and a teatime cookbook (around $50 altogether). For the grillmaster, there’s a barbecue cookbook, an apron, Battle Ground-made Silagy sauce and Spiceology barbecue sauce from Spokane (about $75). For bicyclists or outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a Nordic cycling book, wool socks, cycling gloves and an LED light (around $100). Select as many or as few items as you’d like, then choose your gift bag design and Trove staff will package it up so it’s ready to give.

Finally, if all that shopping is sapping your energy, stop by the Tribe Coffee walk-up window (located next to Trove and also owned by Erickson) to grab some hot caffeinated refreshment.

Urban Basics

209 E. Main St., Battle Ground; 360-666-5331; www.facebook.com/UrbanBasics/. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

After visiting Trove, check out Urban Basics, located in the same building. This store is tailor made for those who enjoy treasure-hunting and have an eye for a bargain. Half the 15,000-square-foot store is a traditional vintage mall with 100 vendors selling vintage goods, rustic home décor and furniture, old books, toys and secondhand clothes. Each booth offers a different mix, with some spaces a jumble of haphazard antiques and others an artful array of new or upcycled items. The other half of the store features brand-new housewares and modern farmhouse décor, as well fabric, sewing notions, craft supplies and scrapbooking accoutrements. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here, browsing the old and the new, and leave with an armload of reasonably priced items you never knew you absolutely needed. What’s more, owner Kari Huegel said she’d offer 20 percent off if you mention The Columbian. If you forget, there’s a 20 percent off storewide sale from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 3.

Native Nomad Home and Gifts

201 S. 47th Ave., Suite 117, Ridgefield; 360-772-4721; www.facebook.com/nativenomadhome. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Walking into Native Nomad’s roomy space in the Discovery Ridge shopping center is like taking a breath of fresh air. Floor-to-ceiling windows admit a wealth of natural light, making shopping during the rainy season a little cheerier. Note the restored vintage furniture as well as new benches and tables made by the owner’s husband using sustainably grown Oregon juniper ($299 to $1,200). Look down to find rugs and baskets, look up to see large-scale wall art by local artists featuring Northwest scenes, and look around to see colorful quartz and amethyst crystals sparkling in the light. Find silver-wrapped crystal and gemstone pendants ($55) and wire-wrapped semi-precious stone rings by Oregon maker Evin Holstad of Pretty Lil Rings ($10). The store carries products from 13 local artisans, like Centralia-made Crow Cottage wax melts and candles in recycled beer and wine bottles ($6 to $19); vegan, hemp-based Cecret soaps, lotions, bath bombs and sugar scrubs made by a mother-daughter team in east Vancouver ($3 to $16), and hand-turned wood bowls and vases by local artist Craig Hardin ($36 to $89). Holiday items include Hardin’s wood and urchin shell ornaments ($49), tabletop terrariums made by store owner Sara Darden featuring tiny trees and winter scenes with deer and ice-skating children ($7 to $40). When you make a purchase, staff will wrap it for you with holiday tissue and gift bags. Darden also said there’s a sweet bonus for the first hundred Black Friday shoppers: free cookies from La Center’s Willow and Whisk Baking Company.

Poppy & Hawk

223 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas; 360-210-4463; poppyandhawk.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

“Southwest Meets Pacific Northwest” is this boutique’s motto, and the window display beckons you to come inside and see the array of interesting things up close. The store’s footprint is small, but its height is impressive, with vaulted ceilings and a clean light that feels as though there’s open sky overhead. The shop focuses on U.S.-made artisan goods, including pottery, leather goods, apothecary items, teas, honeys and syrups, as well as textiles like pillows and blankets. Owner Lori Cano has many recommendations for discerning shoppers: the Los Poblanos organic lavender cocktail set from New Mexico with lavender syrup, lavender sugar, lavender salt and a copper jigger, already boxed and ready to put under the tree ($72); adorable woodland animal cards from Vermont ($5 each or $18 for a six-card set); Portland-made Penrose Candles in ceramic vessels with black walnut lids and wood wicks ($36); seasonal teas from Texas-based Tea Sip ($20 to $28); organic cloth tea towels ($18) and napkins ($40 for four) from June & December in Michigan; handcrafted charcuterie boards ($100 to $350), black walnut icicle ornament sets ($15 to $20) and tabletop tree sets (around $50) from Portland woodcrafter Hammered Thumb; Wildwood chocolate bars from Portland ($13) in flavors like salted caramel, marcona almond and cherry confit; and Holm toffee from Bend, Ore. ($10). If you’re not able to visit the store in person, some items can also be purchased online.

Most Everything Vintage

815 Washington St., Vancouver; 360-449-2130; www.facebook.com/Most-Everything-Vintage-217466088264571/. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

For one-of-a-kind gifts with a sophisticated vintage twist, try Most Everything Vintage, which just celebrated its 11th anniversary as a “vintage lifestyle boutique.” The store has things you can’t get anywhere else, like the proprietary Owl’s Nest line of candles and sprays to freshen your mask, room and body ($7 to $19). Owner Alisa Tetreault handmakes many items herself, like the clever “phone scarves” with a hidden pocket for your cellphone or passport ($42), upcycled vintage jewelry bolo ties ($19 to $35) and masks and mask accessories ($5 to $14). Buy a distinctive necklace created from vintage elements by local jewelry artist Humblebug. Treat yourself to owl-shaped chocolates from Vancouver chocolatier Fleur or indulge in Clark County-made Vance Family Soy Candles ($7 to $19). The front half of the boutique has a clubby, masculine feel, where you can find men’s bath and body products from France, Australia and Michigan, including solid colognes ($15 to $55). For a classic look, find hats by Bailey, haberdasher since 1922 ($50 to $150), ties and accessories ($8 to $35), Italian-made socks ($12 to $15), dress shoes ($25 to $55) and lovingly reconditioned vintage men’s apparel ($12 to $150). The shop also stocks hand-tooled leather wallets, passport covers and toiletry bags ($15 to $115). Just for fun, keep your eyes peeled for the shop’s flock of vintage and artisan owls.

Not Too Shabby

1515 Broadway, Vancouver; 360-695-5174, www.nottooshabby-vancouver.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

This boutique has been a local shopping destination for 21 years. Owner Reshell Douglas takes pride in the long-term relationships she’s developed with customers and the warm attention she and her staff give to each shopper. What’s more, the store is a great place to find gifts for many interests. The little ones on your list might enjoy the “Night Night in Washington” board book ($9.99), All About Washington flash cards ($14.99), or the hardbound children’s book, “I Love the Mountains” ($16.99). Cooks will savor Durant olive oils and spices from Dundee, Ore., ($29.50) or a boxed trio of oils flavored with jalapeno, basil and lemon ($24.50). Try on a festive velvet embroidered top ($130) or a powder blue wool blend winter coat ($175). Stay warm with a plaid scarf ($29.99) or a pom-pom hat ($19.50). Find the perfect holiday greeting in the store’s noteworthy card and stationery area, featuring made-in-the-Northwest cards ($4.50 to $6.50). Jewelry collectors will notice the line of SHIFT jewelry, handcrafted by store employee Deborah Funches, who will be in the store on Dec. 17 and 18 to answer questions and take custom orders. Finally, Not Too Shabby offers a singular service for local customers: a gift hotline. Send a text message to Douglas at 360-773-4520 with a description of your recipient and your budget and she’ll create a custom gift basket. Pick it up from the store or have it delivered in Vancouver for free.

Pop-Local

111 Grant St., Vancouver; www.poplocalvancouver.com, www.facebook.com/poplocalvancouver/. Hours vary; check Facebook or email poplocalvancouver@gmail.com before you go.

This new store at the Vancouver waterfront is the permanent, brick-and-mortar home for locally made goods found at the Night Market Vancouver (this Friday and Saturday at Vancouver Innovation Center in east Vancouver, with additional markets on Dec. 17 and 18). Though delayed by supply chain issues, owner Jessica Chan says the store will have a soft opening next week in time for holiday shopping. Inside the soothing, slate blue and wood-paneled space you’ll find a bonanza of jewelry and accessories, stationery, original art, ceramics, candles, pet items and children’s toys, all made by artists and artisans from the Portland-Vancouver metro area. There’s a decided emphasis on Clark County products like the handmade wood and resin cutting boards from Liquid Metal Woodworking ($50 to $100). Find locally made snacks, packaged food and specialty items like Conan’s Hot Sauces and Marinades ($9 to $15) from the Vancouver Farmers Market. Pick up stocking stuffers by Essance, makers of vegan, organic skincare products ($12 to $50). Choose a Portland-grown Potted Elephant tropical plant, succulent or cactus ($10 to $100) from the shop’s living plant wall. Pick up a bottle of Southwest Washington wine or build your own six-pack of brewed-in-Vancouver beer that you can sample at the in-store tasting bar. It’s an ideal place to find gifts for out-of-towners, so you can send them a handcrafted piece of home or get your own Pacific Northwest-branded apparel ($25 to $50).