The 3/50 project was designed in support of one’s local economy. The basic idea is that if a person picked 3 local stores, spent $50 in each of them per month, the local economy would grow immensely. Since we decided to start our life and business here in Cleveland, I have been fully committed to our economy. This holiday I have decided to fully embrace the idea behind the 3/50 project. Everyone who receives a gift from the Widow family this season will receive something bought at a local business.
My challenge to you this season is to do the same.
Skip Target this year. Support our friends that make Cleveland the city we all chose to live in. You may not be able to buy more gifts in quantity this way but the quality and thought behind each gift will shine through. There are SO MANY amazing places in this city to support this season and so many great holiday events, that I have compiled a list of some of my favorites that I will be purchasing holiday gifts at this year:
STYLIN’
The Banyan Tree offers many different gift options for many different folks. They have an amazing clothing selection for men and women. They also feature kids clothes, super rad jewelry, home elements, accessories, plus…I fell in love with the business card holders. I am such a nerd.
I discovered Revive after we moved to the heights. It is 3 blocks from my house and I found myself perusing the fair trade items one day before picking the boy up from school. I was certainly surprised to see that they carried Ethos Paris, a line of fair trade clothes from Paris, a perfect gift for a conscious minded fashion forward gal.
Danielle DeBoe, owner of Room Service, makes it hard for you not to love her shop. She is a sparkling personality whose love for the city is self evident. She stocks her store with goodies and she tries desperately to sell as many local products that she can. She even goes as far as opening a holiday shop, Made in the 216 that features gifts made by Cleveland designers. Her store offers something for everyone, from the book lover to the vintage concert poster lover.
LIBATIONS
I love my coffee. I tend to make my brew at home in a french press or my Dolce Gusto however I sometimes find myself craving something more. At those times, Erie Island Coffee saves my day. Located across the street from the restaurant (on east 4th), EIC offers deliciously warm, caffeinated goodness. For those coffee lovers out there, a gift card makes a simply warming present.
My best friend and her father have brewed beer to give as gifts together every Christmas since we were in high school (of course she absolutely NEVER drank it when she was under 21). The Brew Kettle is their preferred venue for this activity. They offering brewing and dining, so you can eat before you brew, while you brew, or after you brew. The best thing about this gift is that it is LOCAL and HANDMADE. Can’t get much more thoughtful than that.
Besides the Chef and the Iron Chef, my other favorite man in this city is Erich Lasher, self proclaimed beer nerd, my friend, and very knowledgeable owner of La Cave Du Vin. Since the cave is within biking distance to our house, I find myself enjoying it weekly. A fan of sour beer (aka lambic) I am immediately drawn here because of their fine fine selection. And sometimes it’s even on draft. And sometimes that draft is Cantillon. Mmmmmm. Oh yeah, they have wine too. A gift certificate for the serious beer or wine drinker will ignite their taste buds and possibly introduce them to something new and delicious. They also have gift sets.
FLAURA & FUANA
The other morning the kids and I went to the butterfly museum. As we were leaving Catcher ran into the Cleveland Botanical Gardens Museum Store before I could yell ‘NO!’ I followed him in praying that he didn’t plow over something made of glass and found myself smack dab in the middle of awesome. The Botanical Gardens store has almost everything for the flower lover or gardener. They even have holiday decorations with a floral theme. I know because I bought some. Who doesn’t want a mini Christmas tree made of funky red bulbs? I asked the gentlemen behind the counter where the proceeds went and he informed me that all sales went directly back into the museum. The kids section is also pretty cool especially if you have a boy who hearts bugs like I do. (gift cards and museum memberships also available)
After dining at Big Al’s Diner (see foodie section below) this morning, the family took a walk on Larchmere. We discovered a great little flower shop called In Flora Veritas. The owners Claudia & John were there and I found out that Claudia has a background in interior design. Most of her arrangements reflect that. In Flora Veritas also has some really cool gift ideas including beautiful hand blown vases, very cool garden fountains, and a really funky pig (that I desperately need to go back and buy).
TUNES SCREEN PAINT
Right now one my absolutely all time favorite painters has an exhibit at The Cleveland Museum of Art. His name is Gauguin and he’s got some talent. The Cleveland Museum of Art Store is home to many many exquisite gifts featuring such artists. I am personally fond of these.
I buy play tickets for Christmas like Danny DeVito drinks Limoncello. The Playhouse Square is my go to for all tickets. Last year I bought my dad tickets to The Bard’s The Comedy of Errors (it was fantfreakingtastic) and this year I plan I buying him tickets to this. Good thing he avoids my blog like the plague or my grand plan would be RUINED.
Movie passes are a great holiday gift. But movie passes from LOCAL NON CHAIN theatre is the most superb gift of all. And guess what Cleveland? We have some kick ass indie theatre’s in this city. Kick ass. The CINEMATHEQUE shows classics like 8 1/2 as well as a new flicks like Jim Jarmush’s The Limits of Control. They have 2 locations, east & west. Ceder Lee is a staple of anyone who grew up in Cleveland. Indie films and beer. A perfect combo for a perfect night. (gift cards available at both locations)
MUNCHKINS
The kids are obsessed with Play Matters Toy Shop. I have a feeling that most of my holiday shopping for them will take place here. Play Matters is pretty cool because all of their inventory focuses on play. Role play, doll pay, interactive play, brain play, exercise play…it’s all there.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History Gift Shop sells all things dinosaurs. That is seriously all you need to know. D-I-N-O-S-A-U-R-S!!!
Stores that give back to the community always attract me more than stores that don’t. However, even if proceeds from Sunbeam didn’t go to the Vocational Guidance Services, I would still heart the store. But they fact that they do makes me HEART them even more. Sunbeam is filled with darling children’s clothes, toys, activities, and love. The shopkeeper Janet makes you feel like you have known her for a lifetime. Sunbeam is a great business and that is sure evident in the fact that they have been open for 29 years.
Playhouse Square is mentioned twice on this list because tickets can also be a great gift for kids. The Children’s Theatre Festival is a great great tool for introducing the wee ones to the wonderful world of music and drama. We have taken the boy to see The Dream Jam Band and I am looking forward to taking them both to the show in May 2010. They also have a super cool Very Hungary Caterpillar show for the munchkins in January, the widow family will be there with bells on. Introducing your kids to something besides th TV and the Wii this year will surely be the best thing you could ever do for them, holiday or no holiday.
FOODIE
Remember awhile back when the Chef & I GOT MURDERED in the Most Interesting Couples Contest? Well after we sewed our ego’s back together I discovered that even though we lost (horribly) we actually won. How’s that you ask? Well friends, we won because we actually learned about some really really interesting people including Amanda owner of Tremont’s own Lilly Handmade Chocolate. The Chef has bought me chocolates from Lilly multiple times. He really loves to buy them for me when he’s in trouble, like he was last night. Ahem. I don’t see any delicious chocolate sitting around????
For the foodie friend or family member, a CSA membership could be the best gift they receive. Farm Share is a local CSA that brings fresh local veggies, fruit, and breads to your home year round. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
I am a terrible cook. I would love to learn how to cook if only there was someone who could teach me. Hmmmmm….That’s why cooking classes are a brilliant gift for the holidays. And it just so happens that a very cute boy from Cleveland will be offering up some of his culinary skills at Chef School.
Supporting local restaurants is KEY to supporting your local economy. And that’s not just because we own one. When you support your local restaurants, you are supporting a whole gaggle of people. From the employees to the purveyors to the farmers. A gift certificates to a Cleveland Restaurant this year will also allow you to introduce someone who doesn’t have a clue about how phenomenal our culinary mecca of Cleveland is. So GO OUT & buy gift cards from every single one of these phenomenal establishments: The Greenhouse Tavern, Lola, Happy Dog, Farenheit, Momocho, Flying Fig, Lolita, Bar Symon, Sweet Melissa’s, Tartine Bistro, Lucky’s, The Baracelli Inn, Luxe, Big Al’s Diner, and countless others.
I am GIVING YOU my word that I am only going to buy from local proprietors this holiday season. I would like you to do the same. I… have a challenge for you. For the next 30 days I would like you to buy ALL of your holiday gifts from local stores. You may not be able to get as many gifts as you would from Target or Amazon but I promise you this: the thought that you put into the gift will show. When you buy at local shops you actually have to think about what fits the person you are buying for. Where as when you buy online or at a giant conglmerate you can be easily swayed by so many different things: advertising, marketing, sales, etc.
My challenge comes with great reward. I have a phenomenal giveaway for ONE fortunate Chef’s Widow reader.
Ready?
One month from today, December 14th, I will give a reader of Chef’s Widow the following local items:
Pretty spectacular right? Wanna win? Here’s how. There will be 9.7 millon ways to win. You can enter once or try them all…
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Tweet a link to this post. Make sure you include my twitter handle/@chefswidow. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet.
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Post a link of this giveaway on YOUR own blog. Leave a comment with a link to your post.
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Share this post on your Facebook profile. Leave a comment with the link to your profile.
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Leave a comment telling me what your favorite LOCAL gift buying haunt is. I will frequently update the above list with your comments.
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Last but not least, shop LOCALLY for the holidays, copy your receipts (w/ all financial info blacked out) and mail them to me at the restaurant: The Greenhouse Tavern attn: Chef’s Widow 2038 East 4th Street Cleveland OH-IO.
Bonne chance bitches…and remember every dollar you spend locally truly DOES make a difference.
I’m a big fan of shopping at Phoenix Coffee. Most if not all of my friends/family love coffee, and theirs is damn good!
http://twitter.com/dlayphoto/status/5780648532
http://www.dlayphoto.com/post/246537648/chefs-widow-has-a-pretty-cool-post-about-shopping
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=501745674&share_id=177608959603&comments=1#s177608959603
chef school… must have more info!!! I’m thinking this is just want I want from my darling hubby for my 40th. It would be even better if he sent himself and learned to cook something other then scrambled eggs in the micro. But I’m being selfish! Its my 40th b-day and I believe I would enjoy this more then he can even comprehend!
Chef School? Also SUPER interested in this….. can’t find the info on the link you posted! Please share more!
On The Rise Bakery on Fairmount is a another local gem. A perfect loaf of bread makes a great hostess gift – who doesn’t love bread? Go for the olive loaf or the French epi. Yummm.
I’m a fan of the banyan tree myself. They have a few clutches I’ve had my eye on. Also, let’s not forget the CLE Clothing Company – I should buy all my friends my “heart of it all t-shirt.
I tweeted – http://twitter.com/allisonpeltz/statuses/5782891133
We were in Cleveland this weekend to visit family…sister, brother-in-law, and daughter working City Year Cleveland. Our restaurant of choice to celebrate the occasion was the Greenhouse Tavern…we were not disappointed…it was wonderful. And the weather in Cleveland on Saturday was superb…much better than Virginia!!!
http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1028991842
Already started at Banyon Tree last week. One of my fav places to shop. I also like to check out Something Different on 25th for gifts. Always a great selection of ornaments and interesting items.
Cleveland Heights represent! Thanks for mentioning all my favs here in the Heights! I also wanted to add that I totally have a secret crush on Erich Lasher! (not so secret anymore I guess..) I would also recommend Heart and Sole on Coventry as well as Big Fun! Both owned by Cleveland Heights natives!
I tweeted it, I am also linking on my blog, but you are already linked as you are on my blog roll, and I will def be buying local, although, if I buy local AND online do I get a special prize, or maybe a solid “hi 5″
Books: Two Dollar Rare Bookstore on Euclid and E 69th is nothing shy of amazing. Mac’s Backs on Conventry (shared entrance with Tommy’s) is a great used bookstore also.
Vintage/antiques: Suite Lorain on Lorain and W 71st–vintage clothing, jewelry, everything!
Misc: Shaker Square Farmer’s Market has amazing meats, produce, jewelry, skin care, candles, etc. I bought jars of cherry jelly and bees wax candles for gifts there.
Housewares: Kitsch City on the Detroit Shoreway has amazing housewares. Also–Athena Pepper Mills (would be my perfect gift) are sold at a spice kiosk at West Side Market
Jewelry: Unforkgettable Jewelry–great handmade jewelry from antique silverware silverwarebracelets@hotmail.com
Recreation: Season pass to the zoo=$53… includes tots for free and adult plus one guest for 365 days
BTW, the Christmas ornament selection at the Botanical Gardens is AMAZING! There will be a couple of ornaments from there gracing the GHT Christmas Tree.
LINGG….have you been to LINGG….you must go….it’s AMAZING!!!!!
http://www.lingg.us/index.html
and my favorite place to shop locally is the shaker square farmers market, i’m there EVERY saturday at 7:45 AM doing my grocery shopping and i love it!!!!
Wow, what a great giveaway! It’s awesome that you are trying to boost up the local economy this Christmas season. Most of my local purchases are food & beer related.
Of course supporting the vendors at NUFM and other farmers markets. My favorite farmers are Plum Creek (for chicken, veal, duck, eggs, etc.) and Bluebird Meadows (best PORK ever, plus grass fed beef).
Someone already mentioned On the Rise, but for those looking for great bread on the westside, be sure to check out Blackbird Bakery. It opened recently by some former On the Rise Employees.
And what would the holidays be with out beer? Everyone knows about Great Lakes, but how about taking a growler of your favorite Fat Head’s beer to Christmas parties?
Oh, an area that I don’t think that has been covered yet is sporting goods. I highly recommend The Backpacker’s Shoppe in Sheffield for all your outdoor needs!
I just started my shopping and wen to “Once Upon A Time” in Rocky River. Great toy store with very friendly employees. Can’t wait to go back without my kids!!
Just shared a link on my facebook page. What an awesome idea. Now I’ll try to post a link to my page – I just got a macbook and am still learning
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1538325260
I love it! What a great idea and a giveaway all in one. You are the bestest!
And of course it’s posted on my blog :
http://slightlybitterincleveland.blogspot.com/2009/11/350-holiday-style.html
Tweeted!
Thanks so much for posting this. A lot of people I know appreciate a gift even more if they’re told that it was bought locally. It makes them feel special, knowing that their gift is unique or one-of-a-kind. And even if it isn’t, knowing that their gift came from one of the little guys still makes them feel good. What sounds better: “I picked this stationery out for you at Target” or “I picked this stationery out for you at this little local shop down the street.”? For me the answer’s clear.
I’m buying card decks from Cleveland Independents for my foodie family this Christmas, and I already spent some money on gifts at Visible Voice Books in Tremont. Room Service is my new favorite gift shop, and I love that I can walk there from my new house. For my music loving friends I shop at Music Saves on Waterloo, where I can pick out my own free record for every ten I buy. And for the embarrassingly large amount of comic geeks in my life, I gift shop at Carol & John’s in Lakewood.
Rozi’s Wine House in Lakewood is where I’m dropping cash for bottles of craft beer and wine to present to party hosts/hostesses this holiday season.
I’m also digging the Made in the 216 Holiday Shop in Gordon Square.
I’m pretty obsessed with buying local. We’ve got great places to do it in our city.
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/kakaty/status/5797597154
I am totally in love with all the shirts from C.L.E. Clothing Co. I know you can get them at Room Service/Made in the 216 but they also have a holiday kiosk in the South Park Mall (Strongsville) and you order direct from their website. My husband and I are starting to have quite the collection.
Be sure to check out DUOHOME in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Great accessories and a beautiful selection of holiday ornaments too! The owner, Tim, is extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
it’s been tweeted – and i’m TOTALLY doing this with my fiance. we’re saving up for our wedding next year and were super bummed we’d have to cut back on holiday spending. but this post gives me new hope that christmas will freaking rock this year!
http://twitter.com/vasilicious
it’s also been posted on facebook – i really hope my friends do this!!
http://www.facebook.com/avasil
Couldn’t have said it better. Local gifts are the best and definitely support the local economy. That is really the only way niche stores will survive. If we don’t shop at them they will go away and places like Ohio city and Tremont will become boring like all the rest. Some of my local favs are Indigo Imp, Jeni’s Ice cream (miles market), and lily’s chocolates.
My favorite place to shop (besides our AWESOME mom and pop bike shop) is Lion and Blue in Lakewood. I can always find beautiful and unique jewelry for the ladies (and dudes) in my life.
My credit card and I love Banyan Tree, but I have an Akron local favorite too – Zelio Noto. It’s a clothing store with some unique pieces and it’s near a local coffee shop and store with art pieces – always fun to browse. http://www.zelionoto.com
When I lived in Cleveland, I loved Big Fun and High Tide Rock Bottom. I know, I know – but you can always get crazy gifts there for crazy people!
Does it get any better than the Westside Market? I also LOVE the Banyan Tree!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dawgpndgirl/statuses/5805171766
Here’s a place in Lakewood to check out for Earth-Friendly gifts:
http://www.greensmartgifts.com/
Last weekend I had a birthday gift idea for a hard to buy for friend…a cactus to brighten up his apartment. Being a novice plant owner (ok, I have never owned anything other than a basil plant) I decided to head to home depot. On the way there I passed by Gali’s Garden Center on chagrin and made a split second decision to take a look around. I am so glad I did as they had the perfect cactus. They offered to replant the cactus in a prettier pot, and added ribbon and tissue paper, making it look fabulous. I dont think home depot would have been so attentive to the little details.
hey widow!!! i love your give-aways but i am sadly, never picked. i think i might be shooting myself in the foot on this one, since i dont live in the same city as you, but i love your blog and would love to win something, especially michael symon’s book. if you watch iron chef, i got in trouble on sunday with my chef-boyfriend for rooting for cora/morimoto (sorry i cant spell his name). of course, i lost completely. however, i live in Omaha, NE. we have a lot of local shops and a lot of walmarts. but i live in this area, called Dundee, its a neighborhood in midtown Omaha. its CRAWLING with local businesses, i dont have a car, so i get to go into the “main” street of dundee and shop. theres a great bookstore called “page turner’s bookstore” i am ALWAYS looking for a great deal on books, my chef had his entire collection of cookbooks/cooking books stolen, a lot of which were signed. i find great deals on books at pageturners. and i know the owner, hes a very sweet man. one of my absolute favorite places to go! right down the street is a convience mart and a quiktrip, i choose to go to the convience mart because i, again, know the owner and he and his wife both work there. and its a tad cheaper than quiktrip and a bit closer. another place, its not in my neighborhood, but its not far. its this great bead store, gemstones, in downtown omaha, i love going there to talk to the owner, someday when i have enough time and money, i will take a class, until then, i go there and get my beads for my jewelry that i make myself for my friends and i. like i said, i probably wont win dittly but i try! i love the personalization of going to a place that is small and you can actually talk to the owner, they know you by name, you are an actual person. not just a dollar.
Thanks Amelia for including FarmShare among the excellent local shopping ideas. We’ll have our line-up of holiday gift boxes available soon! I’ve posted on FarmShare FB page and website as well! Ok, time to go shopping!
I love Banyan Tree, the Westside Market, Big Fun, and a jewelry store on Coventry that I can’t remember the name. Oh yeah, I also love your blog!! I posted on facebook and I also emailed it to all my friends as well. I’m going to purchase my gifts locally this year as well. It was something that I was thinking about, and seeing your post really brought the idea home. Thanks!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home
as I plan to give a copy of Michael Symon’s book to all my friends, it would only be good karma that i win one, no?
http://twitter.com/rambleonsylvie
[...] Sawyer (psst – go vote for him to win the Jame’s Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year award). Her recent post has all kinds of great info for shopping around the CLE. Cool Cleveland adds to the party with a [...]
Just linked to this contest from my blog (but hopefully I’m the winner, not one of my readers!)
http://www.kakakakaty.com/2009/11/18/awesomesauce-roundup-linkfest/
I think this is a great idea!! A few years ago I put together a “taste of Cleveland” basket as a gift that included GLB Christmas Ale, Rica Rica sauce from Teahouse Noodles and the tri-flavor popcorn from that yummy place in Westside Market. Lilly’s chocolates or Michael Symon’s book would make a wonderful addition to this – among many others!!!
Posted on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=12325747
I love the Jewelry at City Buddha on Coventry. Beaded, Silver, wood. Big Fun as well.
They both help with the bulk of Holiday shopping
I love to make a mean ice cream cake from Mitchell’s Ice Cream! Yumm.
http://twitter.com/dawgpndgirl/statuses/5859296796
Lava Lounge, Edison’s and Hoopple’s are probably my favorite Cleveland joints.
Cross-posted via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/dsideserf) and Twitter (@dsidesd).
Will also post to ClevelandLeader.com.
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/12039/
So many great local places. Visit my SIL at Uncle John’s Plant Farm in Olmsted Falls- great gifts, floral related!!
The bakeries here are amazing- Michael’s and Gentile’s on Broadview and Farkas on Lorain, best oldtime bakeries and fabulous value!
Best new bakery- Blackbird on Sloane and Detroit in Lakewood- OMG- best stick buns ever! Pricey- but actually worth it!
Of course CLE clothing. They now have a kiosk in Strongsville Mall.
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/bealinctown
Posted on facebook via http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?id=39000502&ref=nf
I absolutely LOVE shopping at Duohome in Detroit Shoreway and the Westside Market is Cleveland’s most amazing asset.
Most the times when I buy cd’s I go to Vertigo Records
For books I go to Schuler Books (theres a couple locations, but its based out of Grand Rapids)
In my old haunts (Holland, MI) I went to Cobblestone Crafts and Hobbles for Comic Books.
And thats really all I can think of.
Oh I also shared this on my facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/timothy.terlouw)
I would love a gift from On the Rise. The croissants are to die for. Last time I went home for the holidays my husband and I took three dozen for my family to enjoy. Not only did they enjoy them, but they only lasted about .2 seconds. Bread is the way to my heart, and On the Rise is by far my favorite! We drive 40 minutes to get there, and do it quite frequently. If you haven’t gone there….GO!
I also shared this link on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1380463080
What a wonderful mantra – I couldn’t agree with you more. Love picking out unique, heartfelt Christmas and Birthday gifts for my friends/family – as you said, it really doesn’t get any better than Banyan Tree, Room Service, ooh and Lilly’s. . .And, of course how much fun is choosing among our AMAZING local food and bar scene when making plans
We are so very lucky to live here*
xo
ps – Spreading your important message via facebook, twitter, and blogger
Hi Chefs Widow!
Thanks for the inspiration to shop local, have fun and be real!
I have linked your stroy/contest to my friday entry.
http://www.iheartcleveland.com/ihc/blog/2009/11/thankful-for-weekend.html
enjoy!
-Charity