TCD’s 2011 Local Gift Guide

Fair Trade for All flies its flag. Photo by Jennell Jenney.

Many people are focusing less on material things and more on experiences this holiday season, but it’s easy to shop locally for gifts of all kinds. Consider a gift certificate to your friend’s favorite salon, movie theater or book store.

If you are looking for a more unique gift item, you’ll find several great options across the city. Milwaukee has been named one of only seven “Fair Trade Cities” in the nation, joining hundreds of cities in countries all over the world. Not surprisingly, we have a decent number of fair trade stores, where merchandise is fairly made and equitably purchased and the stores are locally owned. And don’t forget your local vintage shops and boutiques. Buy local this year and help your neighbor. Happy shopping!

Vintage and Unique Gifts:

Fischberger’s Variety
2445 N. Holton St.
You could spend hours in Fischberger’s looking through home goods, fabrics, games, toys and great gifts. There’s something for everyone on your shopping list.

Sparrow Collective
2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Find lovely clothing items, jewelry, baby gear, notebooks, and more — all made by artists and designers in Milwaukee.

Annie’s 2nd Hand Chic
1668 N. Warren Ave.
Great for vintage clothing, knick knacks and ugly Christmas sweaters galore!

Dragonfly
1117 E. Brady St.
This is a great spot for vintage cocktail glasses and shakers. You will also find an a collection of home items and other knick knacks.

Victory Garden Initiative
Looking for something unique? Give the gift that keeps on giving. Buy a fruit or nut tree to have planted in a friend or loved one’s yard OR have a tree planted anywhere in the Milwaukee area in someone’s name.

Madam Chino’s Look Nook
100 A E. Pleasant St. 3rd floor
Find vintage men’s and women’s clothing, handmade jewelry, vintage fabrics, coffee mugs and more!

Luv Unlimited
2649 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Get your vintage clothing, accessories, jewelry and and home items here!

Daly’s Pen Shop
275 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Beautiful, refillable pens for the student, writer or executive in your life. Ballpoints and fountains, starting at about $20 and going up to over a thousand.

U-Turn
6905 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
U-turn has filled a niche in East Town Tosa, offering tasteful and fun consignment fashion on North Ave. Everything that comes out of the store is on at least its second life – right down the shopping bags made from discarded t-shirts and mens pants.

Etsy.com
Search “Milwaukee” to find great handmade and vintage gifts in the area. Arrange to pick up your item and skip the cost of shipping!

Boswell Book Company
2559 N. Downer Ave.
Find all of your book gifting needs at Boswell this year.

The Little Read Book
6703 W. State St., Wauwatosa
Stop by the Little Read Book for hard-to-find gems and a knowledgeable staff.

Outwords Bookstore and Gift Shop
2710 N Murray Ave.
Shop Outwords for LGBT history, culture and fiction.

Rainbow Booksellers
5704 W. Vliet St.
If you have young people to buy for, visit Milwaukee’s last freestanding children’s bookstore in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

Woodland Pattern
720 E. Locust St.
Find small press poetry publications, chapbooks and literature from local artists at this nonprofit storefront in Riverwest.

Fair Trade:

Four Corners Fair Trade
5401 W. Vliet St.
Make the environmentally conscious choice and shop for sustainable holiday items from chocolates to clothing to coffee.

Fair Trade for All!
8730 W. North Ave.
Shop Fair Trade and find unique gifts, clothing and home decor.

Outpost Natural Foods
100 E. Capitol Dr.
7000 W. State St., Wauwatosa
2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Find fair trade food items and gifts at the Outpost location closest to you!

Rishi Tea
427 E. Stewart St.
Rishi tea offers their teas, teaware and gift sets online for purchase.

Stone Creek Coffee
2266 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. (more locations on the website)
Choose from a selection of Fair Trade coffees for the holidays.

Sven’s Coffee
2699 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Sven’s offers a selection of Fair Trade and organic coffees that would be great to add to any gift basket.

Movie Theaters:

Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse
6823 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
Give the gift of film this year with a Movie Club Card ($35). The card gets you admission to five films and includes three small popcorns. Good for Rosebud or Times Cinema.

The Times Cinema
5906 W. Vliet St.
Buy a Movie Club Card or a gift certificate to this unique theater that shows Hollywood classics, independent cinema, unusual films and more. Enjoy food and beer while you watch a fabulous flick!

Boutiques:

Fred Boutique
522 N. Water St.
Shop from a selection of of chic top, jackets, dresses, shoes and accessories. And don’t forget to check out their pop-up shop on the 2nd floor of the Grand Avenue near Stone Creek Coffee.

Lela
321 N. Broadway
Shop the collections of designers from around the world.

Boutique Larrieux
315 N. Broadway
This upscale boutique offers contemporary designer apparel and accessories for women from sizes 12-24.

Uncommon Items
1316 E. Brady St.
This boutique specializes in handcrafted jewelry, original art and unique clothing items.

Beig Boutique
301 W. Main St., Waukesha
This woman’s boutique  offers forward fashion that includes regular and plus size clothing.

Mainstream Boutique
603 Main St., Delafield
Mainstream Boutique has trendy, fun fashion for the special lady in your life.

Upscale Resale
181 N. Broadway
Upscale Resale is a consignment shop for men that includes designer brands from Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren and more.

For ways to give back this holiday season, visit TCD’s guide to holiday food drives.