WILMINGTON — If you’ve procrastinated on your holiday shopping, don’t worry – you’re not alone. However, if you are headed to a large shopping mall – a traditional destination of last-minute shoppers – it can be difficult to avoid generic gifts, not to mention congestion. So, Port City Daily has compiled a list of local stores where you can find something a little different.
Woodcraft by Scott
This Carolina Beach company got its unofficial start when Scott Seifer started making wooden block dinosaur puzzles for his granddaughter Wren. Seifer soon found himself donating puzzles – about 40 of them – to Wren’s elementary school.
Eventually, Seifer starting selling his creations, both at local popups and farmers markets around the area, and through his website.
Seifer also takes requests — carving custom names into animal shaped puzzles.
You can get more info about Scott Seifer’s work, and get in touch with him about designing a piece, through his Facebook page or website.
Threve Mercantile
Justin and Lisa Hauenstein moved to Wilmington 12 years ago to escape brutal Pennsylvania winters. They opened an online store, offering a “unique blend of hand picked and curated” items, from artisans around the world.
As the couple worked toward building a permanent location, they continued their efforts to secure fair trade deals with craftsman and craftswoman. Earlier this year, the couple got their wish: a brick and mortar location in downtown Wilmington. You can read more about the store here.
Threve Mercantile is located at 108 Market St., on the corner of Market and Front streets. Business hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit the website, threvemercantile.com, or like the Facebook page. For latest on new products and design trends, follow Threve on Instagram.
Zartiques
Located at the edge of downtown Castle Hayne, Zartique’s is a warehouse-sized antique store.
It is not the kind of place you go for a particular gift; instead, the right gift has a way of presenting itself, popping out of the clutter as you walk through the store. Zartique’s is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 6304 Castle Hayne Road and can be reached at (910) 602-6400
Seasoned Gourmet
Opened in 1995, the Seasoned Gourmet offers a wide selection of kitchen tools, specialty ingredients, and wines.
The store recently moved to a larger location with a classroom-kitchen. That’s where the business offers cooking classes taught by local chefs, including Pinpoint’s Dean Neff and Catch’s Keith Rhodes. More information at the Cape Fear Food & Wine Club, including a schedule of classes, is available at its website.
The Seasoned Gourmet is located 5500 Market St., Suite 110 (those traveling toward downtown Wilmington on Market should take Old Eastwood Drive to get to the new location). Seasoned Gourmet is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m. Sunday, and can be reached at (910) 256-9488 or via email at info@theseasonedgourmet.com.
Honeybee
This boutique in Porter’s Neck offers a carefully curated collection of potential gifts. Owner Julie Bell said, “We really encourage people to get one thoughtful gift, instead just getting the most expensive thing, or going for quantity.” Bell said her staff is happy to help customers find the right gift, even for difficult-to-shop-for friends and relatives.
Honeybee is located at 8211 Market St. and can be reached at (910) 319-7693. Its inventory and specials rotate frequently, so updates are posted on its Twitter and Facebook pages. Honeybee is open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday
The Blind Elephant Speakeasy
Down an alley off of Front Street, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the Blind Elephant is hidden behind a steel door. Behind that door is one of the best deals around if you’re shopping for a whiskey enthusiast: the Blind Elephant’s “Bourbon Club.”
Membership to the Bourbon Club includes 30, one-ounce pours of bourbon. Bartenders can guide members through their extensive selection of rare and expensive bourbons, while the members track his or her journey with ratings and tasting notes. Of course, members are also welcome to take 30 pours of their favorite, if they prefer. Membership is $100.
The Blind Elephant is located down Smith Alley, at 21 N. Front. St., between Port City Java and Front Street Brewery. It can be reached at (910) 833-7175 or through its website. The Blind Elephant is open from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday.
Painted Lady Bonsai
The store behind the sign that most Wilmingtonians recognize from the corner of Market and 23rd streets, Painted Lady Bonsai is more than just a place to get a bon-sai plant.
The cost of the trees, which range from $20 to over $200, includes owner Ronald Sellers’ expertise with maintaining the tree and his eccentric sense of humor. You can read more here about Ronald Sellers and his bon-sai collection.
Painted Lady Bonsai is located at 2 N. 23rd St. and can be reached at 910-762-8974 or via email at bonsai@paintedladybonsai.com (Sellers requests emails have “Bonsai Tree” in the subject to avoid getting flagged as spam). Painted Lady Bonsai is usually open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday, but calling ahead is recommended.
Know of any more unique gift ideas in the greater Wilmington area? Let us know in the comments section, at PCD@localvoicemedia.com or on our Facebook page.
