25 Ways to Shop NoCo for the Holidays, pt 1

Nearly every time I visit St. Charles County, I run into former North County residents who tell me (whether I want to hear it or not) exactly why they had to “get out.” Things were getting bad, they’ll say. So much had changed. And besides, there was nowhere to shop!

Of course, if what you’re looking for is mile after mile of sparkling new chain stores, North County probably can’t compete with St. Chuck. But is there still plenty of quality shopping in NoCo, in the form of small independent retailers? You bet.

In fact, this list of 25 ways to shop North County for the holidays could have easily been much longer. And in case you don’t know, when you support independent local stores instead of big chains, at least $45 out of every $100 spent remains right here in the community. At a chain, it’s only 13 bucks. So if you want to do some good this holiday season and support your community at the same time you’re snagging some fun gifts, why not shop at these 25 great NoCo retailers:

1) Stems, 301 rue St. Francois, 63031, (314) 972-7836

When I’m working as a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens, this stylish floral shop in Old Town Florissant is exactly the type of place I’m looking for. Housed in a circa-1885 former mercantile once owned by Henry Albers, the decor is fresh and creative, the ambiance is fantastic, and even the store owners (and their super cute daughter) are magazine-ready. If you need inspiration for Christmas decorating or you’re shopping for ornaments, holiday decor or any sort of live or silk floral arrangement, definitely check out Stems. Owner Jenny Thomasson also sells gift certificates for her in-house floral design classes.

2) Nagle’s, 19 Patterson Rd, 63031, (314) 838-4444

I can’t decide what I like more – the sheer expansive wonder of Nagle’s old-timey variety store or the fact that owner Mike Nagle is a second-generation variety store man. His father ran the late Ben Franklin store  in Glasgow Village, and Mike has managed to keep that vintage mercantile feel alive and well. I don’t know any kid who wouldn’t brim with glee inside his store. Heck, Nagle’s is a sensory whirlwind for most adults, offering everything from toys, candles and gag gifts to birthday balloons, kitchen tools and wind chimes. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, jam-packed in wonderfully soaring aisles.

3) Alaska Klondike Coffee Co., 3200 N. Hwy 67, 63033, (314) 830-3488

I’m a tea drinker, so I have to trust my picky, java-loving husband when it comes to coffee, and he gives Alaska Klondike a hearty thumbs up. This simple storefront and coffee house features some of the finest coffee beans in the world, which owner/master roaster/former Alaskan Steve Richards roasts fresh every day. If you’re looking to buy top-quality coffee, gourmet cookies, flavored drink syrups, or perhaps some decadent cocoa made with eight kinds of chocolate, Alaska Klondike is for you. It’s also a great place to buy real burlap coffee sacks, perfect for crafts or green gift wrapping.

4) Missouri Mercantile, Hazelwood Mills, 63042, (314) 227-5005

This unique store at Hazelwood Mills draws shoppers from all over the state, and it should. Owner Bill Olwig has compiled an incredible selection of products produced right here in the Show Me State, especially food and wine. Missouri Mercantile sells Missouri cheese, salsa, jam, sausage, pet treats, salad dressing, BBQ sauce, lots of wine, and so much more. The best part is you can fill a gift box with whatever items you choose, and the box is shaped like the state of Missouri!

5) North Central Hobbies, 9630 Lackland Rd, 63114, (314) 426-0031

If there are pre-teen boys out there who would not like this fun hobby shop in Overland, I haven’t met them. For the past 25 years, owner Bill Egsieker has been feeding the dreams of model builders, puzzle solvers, kite flyers and remote control car lovers. And now, North Central Hobbies even has a huge slot car track that you can rent out for races. Before you hit the big toy stores, definitely give this neat place a try.

6) Pat Simmons, local author

Looking for a gift that really celebrates St. Louis? Award-winning local author Pat Simmons has not only built a loyal nationwide following with her Christian romance novels. She has also drawn legions of NoCo fans because many of her stories are actually set in North County! I hear the Whistle Stop and Thyme Table in Ferguson are both featured locations. And if you order directly from Pat’s website by December 17, she’ll send you autographed copies of her books in time for Christmas.

7) Deportes Atletica, 10005 St. Charles Rock Rd, 63074, (314) 426-4665

As the Hispanic community has grown in North County, so too has the need for quality soccer equipment, and Deportes Atletica in St. Ann has delivered in spades. This small store, which also sponsors leagues and has its own fields, sells a nice variety of soccer balls, cleats, nets, bags, and all kinds of fun gear representing professional teams from around the world. And did I mention – the folks here really know their futbol.

8 ) Smart Dogs, 396 St. Ferdinand St, 63031, (314) 921-2833

If your image of a pet groomer is a chaotic, messy place with hair flying everywhere, Smart Dogs in Florissant will change your mind right away. Clean, sophisticated and housed in the cutest old building with exposed brick and rustic beams, this full-service grooming salon is also a fabulous little pet boutique, where you can shop for organic dog treats, eco-friendly collars, leashes, toys, bowls, and even a dazzling doggie wardrobe. Another bonus: Helfer’s Pastries and Deli, featuring real whipped cream pies and other delights, is right next door.

9) Northern Arts Council (NAC) Gallery, 27 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, (314) 521-0299

I had a small hand in opening this community art gallery in 2007, so I already knew it had great merchandise. But when I visited again recently, I swear I wanted to buy half the store! Featuring an eclectic array of work from North County artists, the NAC Gallery offers paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, prints, sculpture, leather work, and more – and most items are very reasonably priced. Normal hours are on Saturday mornings (or by appointment), but be sure to stop by NAC during Ferguson’s Christmas Glow: Dec 11-12 from 6-9pm. The gallery is so lovely at night.

10) Billiesdesigns75, on etsy

As if being an online super-mall of handcrafted items isn’t cool enough, etsy is also fabulous because it allows you to find local artists. Here’s the shop of a Florissant gal named Billie, who makes lovely one-of-a-kind jewelry and also accepts custom orders. (If only etsy would let you search its 170,000 stores by zip code, who knows how many other creative North Countians you’d find!) On Saturday, 12/19, you can shop Billie’s jewelry in person. Her first show will be at Bunker’s Tavern, 297 rue St. Francois in Old Town Florissant, from 12-3pm.

11) Trailblazer Bikes, 11 Paddock Hills Center, 63033, (314) 839-1434

Christmas isn’t Christmas unless somebody gets a bike, so you might as well ask Santa to swing by Trailblazer Bikes in Florissant. Despite its diminuitive size, this independent local bike shop offers a gamut of beach cruisers, BMX bikes, mountain bikes and pretty much anything bike and cycling related. And yes, they are competitive with the big box stores…just with better customer service.

12) Afro World, 7276 Natural Bridge, 63121, (314) 389-5194

I don’t care who you are. Everybody in North County should make a visit to Afro World. This unique Normandy emporium, which has been in business nearly 40 years, proudly celebrates African and African-American culture with an eclectic mix of artwork, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and so much more. The fact that the store is housed in a funky 1960s bank building is worth the trip alone. So is its large gallery of original paintings featuring prominent African-Americans. (Even Gary Coleman gets some love.) But what I really adore about Afro World is the delightful gentleman who works at the counter (so sweet!) and the fact that he’s selling awesome, eco-friendly canvas bags for a knockout price. Seriously, seventy-nine cents for a USA-made, natural canvas makeup bag with a lovely graphic on it! And they come in gift bag and tote bag size too! People, get yourselves to Afro World!

Be sure to check back later this week for part two of the NoCo Holiday 25…

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