Ditch the Mall: Local Holiday Shopping Options Abound in Baltimore

"Ah, perfume!"

She thanks you with feigned enthusiasm that poorly masks the fact that she knew what she would find under the wrapping paper � the same gift you've given her the last three holiday seasons.

Sure, it's not much of a surprise, and it's not particularly creative. But she likes it. She uses it. And it's certainly more affordable and easier to obtain than the latest iThingamajigger.

But what about when you can't -- or don't want -- the go-to option anymore, and a trip to Best Buy is about as appealing as streaking naked through the snow? What are your choices? What's left?

Fear not. An appealing option with the promise of novelty and a personal touch is right in front of us � though in the past, sometimes overlooked. Baltimoreans need only to look in their own backyards.

"You can get everything you need right in your own neighborhood," said Donna Langley, the director of Baltimore Main Streets, one of the many organizations making an effort this season to keep holiday shoppers local.

An initiative of the Mayor's office, Baltimore Main Streets is part of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation. Its mission is to revitalize and rejuvenate Baltimore's commercial districts � a task with seemingly increasing value as another holiday season gets underway during a time of economic struggle.

Baltimore Main Streets works with 10 designated neighborhoods, and its annual Miracle on Main Streets (MOMS) event is one of its most successful community contributions. The volunteer-driven program brings communities together by facilitating different holiday events throughout the month.

For instance, on Saturday, Santa Claus arrived via tugboat to Fell's Point's "Old Tyme Christmas," and in Pigtown this Friday, kids can share milk and cookies with Santa Pig.

"I think there's a lot of history in our Baltimore neighborhoods with shopping," Langley said. "You hear the stories of people remembering going to the commercial districts and seeing the department stores and the displays in the windows. It really was an experience to go shopping for the holidays and visit the city.

"I think a lot of our neighborhoods are trying to bring that experience back. � It's not just about filling your holiday list. Although you can get that done too, it's really about having the full holiday experience."

Baltimore Main Streets reports having 1,000 local merchants participate last year's MOMS. In a post-event survey, the Hamilton-Lauraville district reported that of 75 percent of customers who came in during MOMS were new to their stores. In Highlandtown, 71 percent of merchants attributed increased sales to MOMS.

"What the Main Street communities offer in addition to a unique shopping experience is that next door to the stores are restaurants or coffee shops," said Press Secretary at the Mayor's Office Ian Brennan. "This enhances the experience, drinking a cup of coffee or hot chocolate."

Langley and Brennan say that the benefits of getting people to do their holiday shopping while strolling the streets of Charm City are threefold. It pulls the community together, it keeps local money in Maryland, and it's green. Shoppers don't have to drive far, if at all, and buying local means less shipping.

Still, shopping locally for the holidays is merely highlighted by the economic downturn; it's not a new concept. Baltimore's thriving artisan community is accustomed to the experience of keeping business in the backyard.

Artists like printmaker Val Lucas have seen the positive results. As a member of Charm City Craft Mafia, Lucas' Bowerbox Press has been a part of the group's last four annual Holiday Heap craft shows.

Held inside St. John's Church on St. Paul Street, last Saturday's Holiday Heap featured 45 vendors with handmade work ranging from kitchenware to books to clothing to jewelry.

"Once you've actually come to the show and you've talked to the person who has made the artwork and the crafts, you kind of get a feel for the people who live in your community," Lucas said. "These are the people that are your neighbors and your friends. And people are more willing to support a person they can actually see than a corporation.

"If you buy from someone, they're going to be able to pay their rent that month. So you're really supporting people on a close level. It's much more personal than buying in a big store because you're actually face-to-face with the artist."

"There's a connection with the actual artist who is there," said Annie Howe, who sold her Bmore Papercuts at Holiday Heap. "You get to actually talk to them and ask how they made their work, what they use, all the materials to get that one-on-one connection."

Kohli Flick, assistant manager and design consultant at Hampden's Red Tree, agrees that shopping locally is a unique experience from buying mass-produced goods at the mall.

"There's a lot more community involvement and a lot more interest in seeing the community succeed," Flick, a jewelry maker, said. "I think ownership of the community [is cultivated] as well."

In fact, local shopping has its own day now. For the first time ever, November 27 marked "Small Business Saturday," dubbed so by American Express's OPEN sector for small businesses.

Local businesses and merchants had the option to join with the promise of supporting the movement. To encourage customers to stay in the neighborhood, American Express cardholders earned $25 credits for making purchases from small businesses.

Red Tree participated in Small Business Saturday with successful results, as did other local businesses like Fell's Point's aMuse Toys, a favorite holiday shopping destination of both Langley and Brennan.

As evidenced by Baltimore's Small Business Saturday Facebook page, there is no shortage of local holiday shopping in Charm City.

"I think people are definitely coming around to the idea that mass-produced and 'made in China' is not necessarily the best thing," Lucas said. "And if you're being a little bit more careful with your money, you're going to think about what you're buying. The handmade, the local movement, you're not spending money on shipping, you're buying from someone who's in your local community and they're not shipping all over the world and the country.

"The small, local businesses and even the one-person businesses � it's going to be a continuing trend, I hope."


Comments? Questions? Find us on Twitter, Facebook, or send us an email.

Learn more about Bmore and sign up to receive a new issue every week via email.


Photos of Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap Indie Craft Show by Arianne Teeple