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Produced & Maintained by Idaho Mountain Express, Box 1013, Ketchum, ID 83340-1013 
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Copyright © 2002 Express Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 


For the week of Nov 27 - Dec 3, 2002

News

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!

 

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The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.