Only a few more shopping days till Xmas! And please don’t be offended by my spelling of Christmas. Sometimes Christmas is spelled with an X. It isn’t a lazy way to spell it or a diabolically sneaky way to take the Christ out of Christmas. “Xmas” is a just an abbreviation of “Christmas” that originated as a handwriting abbreviation. The “-mas” part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for “Mass” and the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of a Greek word that translates into “Christ”. So like I said before, it’s not a lazy way to spell it. I mean in general. For me it is a lazy way.
If I can type a few less consonants and a vowel, then I’m all for it. I’ve got things to do and places to be. No matter how you spell it, shopping is a big part of the holiday. But don’t go overboard. Jefferson County may be bankrupt, but you don’t have to be.
I don’t do a lot of Xmas shopping. I’m like that Dos Equis beer, most interesting man in the world guy. “I don’t always go Xmas shopping. But when I do, I prefer downtown. I love shopping downtown!
No matter the time of year! There’s always reasonably priced, unique, fun and many times one-of-a-kind items you can find. Some you can’t get anywhere else in the city. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for downtown. It’s where I got my first job in high school, where I first fell in love, and where I first discovered all the buried Nazi gold with my buddy and fellow writer J’Mel Davidson.
What a summer that was. So if you’ve never shopped there before, then let this year be your first!
To kick things off right, let’s party.
There may still be time to throw a cool holiday party. Have a Xmas throw down or Hanukkah free-for-all at one of the many bars and lounge lizard friendly places in our mighty, mini metropolis. On Morris Avenue you have Mathews Bar & Grill. Follow the cobble stones upstairs to 1st avenue and there’s the swanky atmosphere of the Wine Loft. A little further down 1st avenue, get funky at STEELE. A block over on 2nd avenue is Metro Bar, Pale Eddie’s Pour House, Rouge Tavern or the German Club for some kraut and Kringle action. Sprechen Sie good times! And don’t forget the Speakeasy on third avenue. No, prohibition hasn’t been reinstated. That’s just the name of the bar, silly.
Now that you’ve partied hearty, sober up, take a couple of antacids and get ready for a great shopping experience.
Let’s go by streets in numerical order. Why numerically? For one it’s easy and secondly, math is the universal way of communication. So in case of alien invasion, we can communicate to them where to shop before they ultimately take over the human race. I for one, welcome our interstellar overlords. All hail Lord Xenu!
First is Morris Avenue where you’ll find The Peanut Depot. Or more likely, your nose will find it. It’s the best smell!
They’ve been roasting peanuts for over 100 years. Stop in for fresh roasted, salted, or cajun peanuts for yourself or as a gift.
Head north to 2nd avenue and you’ll find shops like Charm. Charm is a boutique with beautiful bangles, baubles, bags and other things not beginning in “b” for the fancy lady in your life.
Across the street is Urban Standard.
Famous for their coffee and tasty food, they also have some cool gift items sprinkled throughout the store.
If you want to take the coolest trip back in time whether it be the 30’s 50’s 80’s or 90’s, then What’s On 2nd is the shop for you. What’s On 2nd is not the punch line to an Abott and Costello routine, but it’s just as fun looking at all the toys, trinkets, photos, and who knows what, that they have to offer. Plan on spending no less than an hour in there.
When you’re done with your trip through memory lane, skip across the street to Mamanoes Grocery Shop (pronounced Mama-Knows) for a snack and a drink to fuel up for 3rd avenue.
Make a right at the corner of 2nd onto 20th street and have a holiday shopping meal at Trattoria Centrale for pizza, Brick & Tin for sandwiches, Seafood Delight for fried catfish or Paramount for frozen yogurt.
After you get your fill, go to 3rd avenue to Sojourns Fair Trade store. Fair trade items are made in other countries all over the world by people who are treated well and are given a livable wage.
That means an array of colorful and unique jewelry, purses, scarves, artwork, foods, clothes, cards, and everything you could want! Not to mention the great prices that you won’t find in the mall.
And of course one of my favorites is Reed Books, owned and operated by Jim Reed. I guess with a last name like Reed, he had no choice but to open a book store. Reed Books is also know as the Museum of Fond Memories and it earns that name. Like What’s On 2nd, it’s got so many fun and interesting things from the past and so many great books, vintage photos, postcards, do dads, thingamajigs and whatnots. Reed Books is a must if you’re downtown and if he’s got them, Jim will give you a Moon Pie. No kidding.
You know I never jest when snack treats named after stellar bodies are involved.
Ask Lord Xenu. He’ll tell you.
Well that’s all I can fit in today’s column. If I left out your favorite place to go, my apologies. I’m just one guy doing the best I can. Who am I, the tourism board?
Maybe I should be? I’ve turned more people onto the cool things downtown than anyone. I’m the self proclaimed ambassador of downtown! Where’s my sash and top hat? I bet I can find either or both at Reed’s or What’s On 2nd. I’d better hurry down before they close. I hope I’ll see you there. And if I do, I’ll address you with a Merry Xmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year. You may address me as Lord Mayor Ambassador of Downtown.