Shop This Way

New shops make downtown Carlisle the place for holiday gifts

December 2, 2008

New downtown businesses such as History on High offer a wide variety of high-quality merchandise for the discerning shopper.

The holiday shopping season is here. For many Americans, this means fighting for a parking space at the mall and sorting through seemingly identical inventories of mass-produced goods. It can be a real Nightmare Before Christmas.

Luckily, Dickinsonians have other options. Downtown Carlisle boasts a number of newly opened businesses that offer a variety of fine gifts just a few minutes' walk from campus.

The Cumberland County Historical Society's new gift shop, History on High, offers upscale gifts crafted by local artisans, including ornaments, toys, jewelry, purses, art pieces and locally made foods such as Cumberland County chocolates, soups and salsa. There are historically themed gifts, unique CDs and Dickinson College commemorative items. "We have small items such as handmade candles and gift cards, and larger items, such as our magnificent water fountain displays," said store manager Kim Laidler. "Our prices range from 50 cents to thousands of dollars—there's something here for every budget."

For the free spirit on your gift list, try The Dancing Skirt, a shop that specializes in distinctive, sari-like silk skirts and dresses inspired by co-owner Tara Quigley's travels to India. Locally created artwork and jewelry and select antiques round out the offerings at this brand-new business, which Quigley calls "creative clothing for a creative spirit." You'll find unique boutique shopping at the eclectic Leaf of Eve. Birdhouses, jewelry, handbags and clothing are favorites here, and with a college ID you receive a 5- to 35-percent discount on Christmas ornaments that you pluck from the shop's Christmas tree.

Is there a hard-to-buy-for retro friend on your list? Have no fear—Miss Ruth's Time Bomb is an explosion of offbeat vintage and retro fashions and accessories for the young and fashionably hip. Impeccably preserved Jackie O suits and bombshell pencil skirts share the space with funky-punk baubles, modish original designs and T-shirts with attitude to spare.

For crème de la crème, try Best Dressed List, a consignment shop that carries designer clothing and accessories at a fraction of the usual retail price. "We have top pieces from Prada, Chanel and Gucci, to name a few," said Marilyn Leathery, the store manager. "Customers who are used to shopping in large cities have been pleasantly surprised by our store." A few doors down, Leonna's sells affordable urban-chic fashions. Named after the owner's oldest child, Leonna's carries a wide selection of brand-name jeans, tops and accessories that cater to youthful women of all shapes and sizes, and the owner promises that nothing in the store is priced higher than $25.

Searching for delicious treats for holiday entertaining? Two new bakeries can fill that order with panache. Filippo DeVita uses his two decades of experience as a cruise ship pastry chef to create inventive goodness from scratch at Tony's Pastry and Bakery. Tony's offerings of traditional Italian pastries, fresh-baked breads and lunch items will have you saying, "that's amore." Fancy Cakes concocts custom-designed cakes that are edible works of art. Holiday cookies, a variety of desserts and cupcakes are also available, and you can select from many muffins and other breakfast goods to welcome overnight holiday guests.

And don't forget your favorites, all within walking distance, such as the Whistlestop Bookshop, The ClothesVine, Garden Gallery, Fly Away Home and Nancy Stamm's Galleria are just a few of the businesses that continue to create a vibrant downtown shopping community. Lulu's, Y-Not Gift Shop, Camilia's Sin Tea Parlor & Gift Shop, Pat Craig Studios and Colucci & Company also remain must-stop shops for those with artsy, eclectic tastes (Colucci & Company also gives a discount with Dickinson ID).

For a personal touch, consider engraving jewelry and other items at Myers Awards; hand-engraved, hand-painted and calligraphic gifts are also available at Deb's Studio. A visit to FanZone will please the sports fan in your family, and L. Weibley & Friends can provide gifts with down-home appeal.

For those who have everything, many salons such as Didia and Studio Hair East offer massage and manicure services. Most of Carlisle's independently owned eateries also offer gift cards for the foodies in your life.

So save your gas money for gifts and take a stroll through downtown Carlisle this holiday season. You just might find an ideal gift for everyone on your list.