Your Gift Becomes Someone's Special Memory

Keep It Local, by Barbara Lawrence – April 11, 2012

There are many reasons you may be looking for a special gift: graduations, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and coming soon --Sunday, May 13^th will be Mother’s Day.  Or, maybe you just need to get something special for yourself.  
Gifts can be as unique as the memories you create.  Right here in the Catawba River District we have so-o-o much to choose from. Here are just a few places I suggest you look at or visit. Go and explore along the streets and see how much we have to choose from right in our own backyard businesses.

Made local, Made in NC, Made in USA or just very special!  A real shopping experience!

In downtown Belmont, along North Main Street, check out the Piccolo Antique Mall for things you never thought of finding.  A great selection of vintage items for the home can be found here.

Piccolo Antique Mall, 134 N. Main St., Belmont

3 Hip Chicks Boutique, 140-A N. Main St., Belmont

3 Hip Chicks Boutique, has locally made jewelry, made-in-the-USA Sweet Teas T-shirts, flip-flops and more cute ideas than I can list here. 

Surprise Me, at 132 N. Main St., Belmont

Just a couple of doors down is Surprise Me with locally made gift cards, a selection of NC made gifts and again, too much to mention.  You have to go see it all!  They do not have a website or Facebook page yet.

Available recently, locally made "one of a kind" silver jewelry by our neighbors Drew and Wendy Foster can be found at the Carolina Raptor Center, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, and on the Internet.  Visit the Facebook page for DW-Jewelry. 

A creation of DW Jewelry

The Catawba River Artisans have a location in Downtown Mount Holly on South Main Street.  The space was donated for use by The City Café and has been a great addition to the community.  Pottery, woven accessories, and a variety of works by professional artists are available here.

Catawba River Artisans, 128 S. Main St., Mount Holly

Sweet Peas Unique Gifts, also in Downtown Mount Holly, has some of the most interesting clothes, jewelry and accessories you will find. 

Sweet Peas Unique Gifts, 127 S. Main St., Mount Holly

Consider looking in these and other local stores for the special gift that adds to creating a special memory for your recipient.  There is more to find and we will connect them here.  Be sure to check out those with facebook pages and 'like' them, share them, and help us build a virtual local business collection as well.

About Barbara Lawrence – Barbara has a background in economic development and real-estate research. Her work has included revitalization of downtown Boone, downtown Gastonia and now Mount Holly.