Are you looking for the perfect place to do your shopping for holiday gifts? A place that is close to home…friendly salespeople…where you run into friends and neighbors rather than fighting crowds…that has convenient parking…and access to a wide variety of gifts that aren’t the same thing found in every mall.
Surprise!!! It is all available in downtown St. Johns – with a lot more to offer than many realize. The Downtown Business District has more than 125 businesses packed into just five short blocks and side streets where you will find antiques to high-tech items; things for children from baby blankets and hats to “Melissa and Doug” toys to books written by local authors to slot cars and role-playing games for teens; clothes to outfit men in casual wear to tuxes, along with casual wear for women; custom-embroidered sportswear for men and women; items for the house from tools to kitchenware to electronics to appliances; party supplies and shops with treats for the family cat and dog; as well as places to buy beautiful flowers or unique gifts made by area artists, along with several kinds of mint candy made locally. Don’t forget savings bonds from a local bank or postage stamp collectibles.
If you are shopping for someone who doesn’t really want any more “things,” there are gift certificates for services for all kinds of things from tax and accounting help, to legal assistance, to professional photographers. You can find beauty and barber shops, spa treatments and pet grooming. There are restaurants and bars, dance studios and even a place to learn karate/self-defense. All offer gift certificates for that certain someone.
If you are trying to buy for the person who has everything, consider giving a donation in their honor to one of the many non-profit organizations that will improve life for others: Basic Needs, St. Vincent’s, Clinton County Arts Council, the Senior Center, Community Resource Volunteers, Briggs Public Library, Clinton Northern Railway Museum, Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum, the St. Johns Area Community Fund, the Veteran’s Memorial or another organization of your choice. A gift for them, a tax deduction for you.
How often have you heard that there aren’t many shops left in town? How often do you patronize those that are here? The more we all patronize our hard-working retailers, the more likely they’ll be able to stay here, and maybe more will come. Consider giving your home town a gift this year by shopping locally as you buy gifts for your loved ones. It’s easy to shop like a tourist in your own downtown! Our beautiful historic downtown is located on Clinton Avenue from State Street (M21) to Steel Street and includes the side streets of Walker, Higham, Railroad and Ross.
A list of businesses and merchants can be found on their website at www.DowntownStJohns.org. Come Discover Downtown St. Johns during this festive holiday season.
