Here’s a sampling of what’s available:
The Little Exchange
One of the Miami Valley’s most charming gift shops is The Little Exchange, located in the former Katherine Wright Library in Oakwood. The boutique is filled with beautiful holiday displays including wreaths and tabletop Christmas trees. In the past 70 years, the shop has given Dayton Children’s Hospital over two million dollars, most recently to support the Family Resource Center at the hospital. Store manager Melissa Willenbrink said three of the most popular gifts this season are the Wanderful Hydro bags that hold a water bottle and come in many colors, the Geometry towels made from recycled plastic bottles and the Christmas tree-scented Frasier Fir candles.
The shop also stocks everything from home accessories to women’s clothing and one of the rooms is devoted to Wright Brothers merchandise. Their website (thelittleexchange.org) also offers a wide variety of gift ideas. The shop offers complimentary gift wrap and can mail your gifts for you. (45 Park Ave., Oakwood).
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
We Care Arts
A gift from We Care Arts is not only a handcrafted treasure, it’s also magical for the people who create it. The mission is to change disabilities into possibilities. “We welcome adults with physical, developmental, and mental health diagnoses to join and share in the creative experience,” says art curator and teacher, Lacey Lamtz. The Artist-Clients, who make a commission on their work, create everything from paintings and pottery to knitted items, wood cutting boards and Christmas decor and cards.
We Care Arts has a shop at Town & Country Shopping Center and another at the Berkley Center, 3035 Wilmington Pike. They are also hosting a pop-up shop in the lobby of the Victoria Theatre during intermission and after the 2:30 p.m. performance of “Christmas with C.S. Lewis” on Dec. 21.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Aullwood’s Nature Store & Gift Shop
This is the perfect place to buy presents related to birds, animals and nature. You’ll find bird feeders, games, books, and jewelry. The Folkmanis animal puppets are popular; art pieces by Motawi Tile Works are a new addition and designed in the arts and crafts tradition. There are family puzzles with smaller pieces on one side for teens and adults and larger pieces on the other side for the little ones. Your purchases will help sustain the conservation and education mission of Aullwood Audubon, including care for the animal ambassadors, improvements for trails and nature sanctuary, as well as helping to reduce the costs for school field trips for local children.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
The Museum Store at the Dayton Art Institute
The Museum Store at the Dayton Art Institute is now located in a prominent position near the entrance to the museum. (You don’t have to pay museum admission if you let the person at the reception desk know why you’re there.) Here you’ll find items related to the permanent collection and special exhibitions as well as other art and decorative items and accessories.
“*We have nine local artists represented in the museum store across a variety of mediums including glass, ceramics, jewelry and textiles,” says store manager and buyer Erin Winslow.
There are hand blown ornaments by local artist Jim DeLange, there’s handmade jewelry by Sibilia that draws inspiration from Pre-Columbian art and culture and for the kids there’s an Eco-Kid Finger Paint set. The shop offers free gift wrap and all proceeds support “Art for All,” programs that nurture inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility. You can also order gifts online.
Credit: Submitted.
Credit: Submitted.
Carillon Historical Park Museum Store
This store carries products that commemorate Dayton’s world-changing history. Choose from apparel, books, historical toys and ornaments. Items made on-site at the 1930s Gem City Letterpress Company include notepads, coasters, and cards for all occasions. The Tree of Light Christmas card is a favorite, so is the brass ornament of the 1905 Wright Flyer III. “We do have our Christmas Shop with hundreds of Christmas-related ornaments, decor, books and apparel. And we have 2D ornaments of some of our buildings,” says Emily Peters, director of restaurants and retails. Located at 1000 Carillon Blvd.
The Westcott Shop
The Westcott Shop is part of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House Museum, the famous architect’s only Prairie House in Ohio. All the proceeds directly support the architectural landmark. The shop sells a variety of products inspired by Wright, as well as other architects and designers. You’ll find a range of items developed by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Home decor includes holiday decorations, dish towels inspired by Wright designs, flower vases. Westcott Shop is located at 85 South Greenmount Avenue in Springfield. The online store is westcottshop.org.
Museum store at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
This is well-known for its wide range of aviation and military-related gifts. The store carries hundreds of Air Force, Space Force and Aviation themed items ranging from lapel pins to leather bomber jackets. In addition, you’ll find rows of books telling stories that range from the invention of flight through the space age. Model hobbyists will find kits representing dozens of aircraft on display in the Museum.
New and unique items include the Air Force Propeller Pint Glass with a propeller lodged into the side of the glass, a new line of Spotter metal signs and nose art coasters made of tumbled marble. The nose art designs feature the Memphis Belle in her blue suit, the Memphis Belle in her red suit, the Strawberry Bitch, the 4 Queens and Dream Girl. The store is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation which supports the museum.
Credit: Photo by Ty Greenlees
Credit: Photo by Ty Greenlees
The CoSHOP at The Contemporary Dayton
The CoSHOP features small works of fine art as well as a selection of design home goods, wearables, wellness items and paper goods that are created by Dayton, Ohio, and Midwest artists and artisans. Located at the Dayton Arcade. Visitors can also shop online and pick up in store at https://codayton.org/shop.
Credit: Contributed.
Credit: Contributed.
Discoveries Gift Shop at the Boonshoft Museum
The shop stocks a wide range of products from plush zoo animals to dinosaur and space-themed toys, T-shirts, mugs, science kits, rock and mineral specimens and more. There are Ancient Egypt statues, winter and woodland animal ornaments as well as stocking stuffers. The newest addition to the shop is the personalized “Patience the Sloth” Christmas Ornament. Supporting the gift shop is supporting Boonshoft’s mission to continue providing meaningful educational experiences for guests of all ages. Located at 2600 DeWeese Parkway. Website: boonshoftmuseum.org.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
The SunWatch Gift Shop
The SunWatch Gift Shop offers authentic Native American jewelry and crafts as well as Native American inspired gifts. The shop features a range of books and original art by talented artists from diverse tribal affiliations including paintings, wearable art, and sculpture. SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park is located at 2301 West River Road, Dayton. Shop online at dsnh-discovery-shop.square.site/shop/sunwatch-shop/10.
Wegerzyn Gift and Garden Shop at 2nd Street Market
This shop supports Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation. It’s all volunteer-run and carries gifts for gardeners and plant enthusiasts including tools and a selection of house plants. You’ll find decorative thermometers and rain gauges, ornamental metal flower stakes, bird and bat houses, bee and butterfly habitats. There’s also decorative garden-themed metal wall art, Bamboo fiber Eco Sox, garden gloves, small toys, Amaryllis bulbs and paperwhite narcissus bulbs.
GET IN TOUCH
Meredith Moss is a longtime Dayton Daily News Lifestyles writer who wants to hear about your arts and entertainment show, store, business and more. Email her at meredith.moss@coxinc.com.
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