Hometown shopping
helps local economy, and it’s
fun
By DANA
DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
While
Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey offer a variety of shopping experiences,
what they don’t have is a full-fledged mall with chain stores. Phew,
many of us breathe a sigh of relief. Malls breed sameness, while
boutique shopping is not only more fun, it means one doesn’t end up
looking like everybody else or giving an unoriginal gift.
However,
that does not mean that shopping locally doesn’t have its own versions
of convenience and perhaps on certain days, protection from the elements
as we go about our consumerist business.
Consider
this: There are several mini-malls in Ketchum, which we actually prefer
to call mini-villages.
Susan
Kraai, of Holland Mich., in town for her daughter’s wedding took
time out to do some holiday shopping in Ketchum. Express photo by
Willy Cook
For
instance, on one side of the cozy table filled Courtyard on East Avenue,
there’s an art gallery, Zantman; Intima, a lingerie shop, the French
flavored women’s clothing store Commes Les Filles and Sound Wave, for
all one’s electronic entertainment needs. Opposite is the Hughes Jewel
Gallery; the women’s clothing store, Local Lady; Your House, a new
eclectic artifacts and rustic furniture shop, and Lyman Drake Antiques.
In the
swanky 511 Building, on Fifth Street and Leadville Avenue, there’s a
premium flower shop, Primavera, that specializes in decorating during
the holidays; the pet shop Thunderpaws; hip women’s clothing at
Theodore’s; the ultra glamorous vintage shop Déjà Vu, and a stylish
Italian restaurant, Rosina’s.
Rosina,
who used to own the popular Salvatore’s, is back in town in her new
space serving up all the Northern Italian dishes for which she has
always been beloved. The award winning 511 Building also has a nail
salon and A+ Computers to balance-out the building's offerings.
"We
are like SoHo here. It’s good for everyone when people shop here and
besides there’s nothing you can’t get in this building," Suzy
Hart, owner of Déjà Vu, said.
Giacobbi
Square isn’t merely a one-stop pharmacy and grocery some people assume
it is. There’s two full-on gadget stores with Chateau Drug and Ketchum
Kitchens. Jane’s Holiday House occupies a large space upstairs, and
downstairs, Jane’s Paper Place offer’s everything one might need
over the holidays, including cards, wrapping paper, ornaments and gift
ideas.
Also
downstairs, check out nighties and lingerie at the Undercover Agency,
replace your old suitcases at the Travel Smart Shoppe, and treat the
kiddies to wearable goodies at Chicken Lips.
Boise
residents Mark and Chris Schieve recently spent a day browsing in
the shops in the Galleria in Ketchum. Express photo by Willy Cook
The
Galleria on Leadville, with its large center lobby, is great for resting
and meeting up with other shopping family members. There one can mine
the gold with Jensen Stern Joallier, get Italian at Bellisimo, visual at
Sun Valley Eyeworks, and sporty with chic kids clothes at 2 Cool Kidz.
The Galleria also has Isabel’s Needlepoint; the bed, kitchen and bath
store No Place like Home, and three women’s clothing stores in
Maggie's, Elle Rose, and the Sports Connection. The Galleria Café
serves up bistro-style lunches and other edible respites.
The fun
barely ends there though as Ketchum’s Main Street, Sun Valley Road,
Leadville Avenue and Walnut Avenue are chock full of fab shopping spots,
too. Cool and unusual, there are also a few stores tucked into corners
here and there, not to be missed: Boca Mountain on Fourth Avenue and
Walnut, Sister on First Street and Leadville and Price Asher on First
Avenue and Sun Valley Road.
Sun
Valley Village is quaint and chic at the same time with its high-end
clothing stores, jewelry, outfitters, art gallery, book store and gift
shops.
Even in
Hailey, the core downtown area, while no bigger than an
"any-town" mall, serves up fashionable, affordable,
family-oriented and necessity shopping.
Who knew
that shopping near home could offer so many choices, while aiding the
local economy, something that benefits all of us?
In
promoting the cause of shopping locally, the Sun Valley Ketchum Chamber
& Visitors Bureau gets into the act by offering Chamber Choice Gift
Certificates.
"I
think its important to try to shop here because local businesses employ
our friends and neighbors and donate thousands of dollars every year to
local events and charities," Carol Waller, Director of the Sun
Valley Ketchum Chamber of Commerce said. "What goes around comes
around."
The
certificates, sponsored by Sun Valley Phone Directories, come in
denominations of $10, $25 and $50 and can be redeemed at over 100 local
businesses. They are available for purchase at the Visitors Center in
Ketchum.
Happy
hunting, shoppers!