15 boutiques showcase enticing gifts
TOWER OF POWER HOLLYWOOD U2 CHUBBY CHECKER MOTOWN MAGIC NYE SHOWCASE MARTY HAGGARD
As the holidays approach and gift shopping becomes overwhelming, it helps to have a game plan. Whether you are looking for an Arizona-themed gift or a unique shopping experience, these boutiques in metro Phoenix can fill your holiday needs.
Phoenix General
If you have no idea what to buy, stop by Phoenix General, where they offer a little bit of everything from home decor to apparel and gifts. Located on Seventh Street, it also offers desertthemed merchandise that ranges from cactus designs to Native American-inspired jewelry.
5538 N. Seventh Street, No. 120, Phoenix. 602-237-8922, phxgeneral.com.
For the People
The owners are all about creating a unique, positive and artistic aesthetic. At this gorgeous storefront, you can grab a cup of Kream Coffee while you browse the collections of functional modern products from around the world. At this Uptown location, you can find inventory from local artisans and world-renowned makers that includes art, decor, housewares, paper, furniture, lighting, desktop products, travel, games, scents and more.
Details: 5102 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. 602-954-4009, forthepeoplestore.com.
Antique Sugar
This retro retailer is set up in a renovated 1950s office building in downtown Phoenix that gives them 2,000 square feet of space. Antique Sugar offers wearable and collectable vintage fashions that are also environmentally conscious. With a range of styles for men and women, some are also perfect for costume parties.
Details: 802 N. Second Street No. 104, Phoenix. 602-277-5765, antiquesugar.wixsite.com.
Vintage by Misty
Misty Guerriero is a vintage collector who decided to share her talents with the world when she opened her first shop over 10 years ago. Now, she offers vintage finds from the ‘40s to early ‘90s from big-name designers like Chanel, Gucci, Emilio Pucci and more. She collects these rare fashion finds from London, Paris and all over the world. Browse through her collection in the heart of Scottsdale, where you can expect to find bright colors, patterns and great textures.
Details: 7046 E. Fifth Avenue, Scottsdale. 480-994-1292,
vintagebymisty.com.
Purple Lizard Boutique
Purple Lizard offers eclectic collections of clothes, hand-crafted jewelry, shoes, hats, scarves, Mexican art, Dia de los Muertos items and more. This shop has been around for 20 years and isn’t going anywhere. Here you can find a mix of local artisans and wellknown designers like Krista Larson, Magnolia Pearl, Ewa Walla and others.
2827 N. Fifteenth Avenue, Phoenix. 602-728-0980, purple lizardboutique.com.
Kiss Me Kate
This women’s boutique offers many different labels that can fit for any occasion. You can find oneof-a-kind items like jewelry, handbags, belts and scarves. Their inventory includes unique fabrics, leathers and patterns that will give you plenty to look through as you shop.
5039 N. 44th Street, Phoenix. 602-8406173, kissmekateaz.com.
Antique Trove
This Scottsdale antiques mall features handpicked vendors and a focus on customer service. You’ll find a little of everything vintage from its 140 vendors, including Southwest jewelry and home decor. While you’re in the area, it’s a quick drive north to Old Town Scottsdale to peruse turquoise, Native American pottery and other shops filled with Southwest decor. For a sense of place and Old West nostalgia, this neighborhood is worth browsing.
2020 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-947-6074, antiquetrove.com /scottsdale.
Desert Botanical Garden shop
You can’t find a better setting than the Desert Botanical Garden. There are few boutiques in town that offer such a sense of place. From handmade pottery with a desert theme to Arizona books, prickly-pear candies and gourmet salsas, this is great place to find quality Sonoran Desert gifts. You can visit the shop (as well as Gertrude’s) without paying garden admission, but if you have time, take in all the garden has to offer.
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480941-1225, dbg.org.
Modern Manor
Phoenix, Scottsdale and other Valley cities are just starting to appreciate their Midcentury Modern roots. On a side street off the beaten path in Phoenix’s Melrose District is this treasure trove. Kylie and Ryan Durkin developed a love for Midcentury furnishings after shopping estate sales. They’ve become a leading resource for local restaurateurs and others with their impressive collection of furniture, lighting and accessories.
716 W. Hazelwood St., Phoenix. 602-2MODERN, modernmanor store.com.
Sweet Salvage
The Valley of the Sun was a little late to the fleamarket frenzy, but it’s making up for lost time. This store in Phoenix’s Melrose District undertakes a four-day sale on the third Thursday of each month. There’s always a line around the building — sometimes the block — when Sweet Salvage first opens its doors. Each month has a theme to the antique, vintage and salvaged items on display. And the inspiring vignettes are better than anything you can find at antiques malls.
4648 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602279-2996, sweetsalvage.net.
Frances
This charming shop has been a longtime staple near Camelback Road and Central Avenue in Phoenix. It’s right on the lightrail line and within easy walking distance of the Newton, plus several fun dining spots, such as Federal Pizza and Windsor, on Central north of Camelback. Frances sells jewelry; clothing for men, women and children; and home gifts and decor. Owner Georganne Bryant is a big supporter of local artisans and crafters and hosts Crafeteria, an early-December event in the Frances parking lot where about 40 independent artists sell their wares.
10 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-279-5467, francesvintage.com.
Bunky Boutique
Bunky is the type of resilient, young boutique that’s helping redefine the city center. The shop is noteworthy for its hip clothing, jewelry and cards, much of it made or designed locally. The setting also is noteworthy. It’s next to Giant Coffee, in a building remodeled by an architecture firm and former tenant. The industrial-chic building features concrete floors, industrial lighting and a wall of modern glass doors that disappear on temperate days. Bunky sells clothing for men and women, and there are gift-worthy baby items, too.
1437 N. First St., Suite 103, Phoenix. 602-252-1323, bunkyboutique.com.
Cosanti Originals
If you want a true Arizona gift or souvenir, this shop should be a priority. Cosanti is the brainchild of the late architect Paolo Soleri. The bronze windbells crafted here are one of a kind. So is the setting. Soleri, the Italian-born architect, ended up in Arizona to attend Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture at Taliesin West in Scottsdale. He is probably the state’s best-known architect after Wright. At Cosanti, you get a feel for Soleri’s style and dedication to arcology, his concept of fusing architecture with ecology. The windbells still support the Cosanti Foundation’s work.
6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley. 800-7523187, cosanti.com.
Technically a gourmet grocery, pizzeria and bakery, LGO is as close to an urban general store as you can get. Find a huge selection of wines (they make great gifts) and an impressive selection of other ideas, from children’s classic toys to soaps, candles, plants, Jonathan Adler pottery, journals and coffee-table books. This Arcadia hot spot is a great place to shop while waiting for one of the wood-fired pizza.
4410 N. 40th St., Phoenix. 602-8407777, lagrandeorange grocery.com.
This redevelopment of a long-empty Midcentury building has brought a new shopping-and-dining gem to central Phoenix. The Newton houses chef Justin Beckett’s latest restaurant, a bookstore and a garden shop, all easily accessible by light rail. It’s home to Changing Hands Bookstore, a thriving independent bookseller that’s a stop for authors on tour (there’s another Changing Hands location in Tempe). The bookstore sells Melissa & Doug children’s toys, local pottery, jewelry and tons of gift items. Its First Draft Book Bar (with coffee and morning pastries, too) is a great place to stop and get inspiration while creating a shopping list. Next to Changing Hands is Southwest Gardener, a longtime local home-decor and gardening gift shop. Before or after shopping, plan to enjoy a memorable meal at Southern Rail, featuring modern Southern comfort food.
Third Avenue and Camelback Road, Phoenix. Changing Hands: 602-274-0067, changinghands.com. Southwest Gardener: 602279-9510, southwestgardener.com. Southern Rail: 602-2000085, southernrailaz.com.