There are plenty of stores to enjoy and soak up, but here are 12 that offer gift ideas galore. In between these stops there are other stores, restaurants, bars and businesses to swing by and explore. If you are looking to get out of the online holiday shopping and into real life to find something a little bit different, this just may be the ticket.
Ark & Echo
101 S. Market St., Troy
(937) 776-8198 or https://shoppingecho.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Shop for her at this sweet little boutique that offers fashion clothing items and cool accessories like the Torch & Hammer handcrafted copper cuffs made in Tennessee.
Around About Books
8 W. Main St., Troy
(937) 339-1707 or www.aroundaboutbooks.com
Hours 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday
This used book store sells DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, LPs and yes, books, including a local authors section. You never know what you might find here that could make for an interesting conversation piece at the holidays. Anymore, going old school is going new school, so it's really the hip thing to do.
The Blue Bow Boutique
108 E. Main St., Troy
(937) 670-2027 or www.facebook.com/thebluebowboutique
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Clothing and accessories that are priced right may mean a nice gift for that special lady you are shopping for.
Carolina Moon Home Furnishings
112 E. Main St., Troy
(937) 473-5360 or www.wildwestfurnitureonline.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
This store is packed with furniture and accessories that will leave you inspired with new interior design ideas. There are lots of sweet hostess gifts and home decor gifts to browse mixed in with larger pieces that won't fit in a stocking.
Expressions of the Home
6 S. Market St., Troy
(937) 332-9227
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. Saturday
This sweet little store has all the things that a home needs. The eclectic displays and arrangements will leave you with plenty to look at. This is a great spot to find a gift for women in your life who seem to have everything.
For All Seasons Gift Boutique
2 W. Main St., Troy
(937) 875-2599 or www.facebook.com/For-All-Seasons-262056243819422
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
All of the money you spend at this shop benefits Hospice of Miami County, so shop here for everyone on your list for the good holiday karma it will bring. They have a large selection of Naked Bee beauty products, which make great stocking stuffers. They also have toys, ornaments and other household items to peruse.
Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
1 E. Main St., Troy
937-980-9035 or https://grandpajoescandyshop.com/visit-a-store/troy
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
When it comes to kids you can't go wrong with candy and when it comes to awesome stores you can't go wrong with Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop, which has all the candy and so much more including toys, novelty items and an array of different specialty sodas that needs to be seen to be believed.
Hittle's Jewelry
106 W. Main St., Troy
(937) 339-3210 or http://hittlesjewelry.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m Saturday
Jewelry for her, jewelry for him. If the person you plan on gifting likes bling they have plenty of it at Hittle's.
The Olive Oasis
7 E. Main St., Troy
(937) 552-7322 or www.theoliveoasis.com
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
If you have a passionate cook in your life, the Olive Oasis offers fresh extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil soaps, gourmet spices, sea salts, infused balsamic vinegar and other great gift items.
Pachamama Market
116 S. Market St., Troy
(937) 552-9466 or https://pachamamamarket.org
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Noon to 4 p.m. Sundays
This is a marketplace for fair trade, handmade and eco-friendly creative and artistic goods crafted by female artisans from all over the world. Feel good about shopping small. Feel even better that the gift you will be buying is also fair trade.
Towne Valley Gifts
105 E. Main St., Troy
(937) 570-1356 or www.townevalleygifts.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays
Country home decor, homespun and handmade rag quilts, Crossroad Candles, locally made wood furniture and more make this a great spot to shop for the lady of the house who prefers a decor style that is a simpler Americana look.
Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees
10 W. Main St., Troy
(937) 335-9119 or http://winanschocolatesandcoffees.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; Noon-5 p.m. Sundays
Because chocolate. Just about anyone would like to get some from Santa.
Contact this contributing writer at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com.