The Local Lens – Shop Local this Saturday

Shopping Local this Saturday’s Jingle & Mingle is a great time to do some retail therapy and run into friends and neighbors you don’t see every week. The stores are decorated, there is holiday cheer to enjoy, and lots of great gift ideas. For a little Village, we certainly have a lot of different centers!

Here’s my strategy:

Start with Raleys Incline Center, along the boardwalk with Forever Rox, and see if you can’t find something you like and can afford with their (unheard of!)20% discount. Stop next at Mountain Hardware…so much more than hammers and nails. They sell outdoor sports clothing, holiday décor, and more. Save The Potlatch for last because you won’t want to leave or miss their EXTRA specials, because it is also Customer Appreciation Day. And don’t miss Tahoe WARF and their Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser at Gus’ BBQ.

Now it’s time to hop across the street (using the crosswalk!) to Luxe Nails for nails, wine, and treats. By now, you might need a different kind of relief from all that retail therapy. Go visit Incline Acupuncture for a free balancing auricular acupuncture from 11-3 with Pam.

Susie Scoops and Village Toys are next. You are probably feeling guilty (like me) for passing by those Toys for Tots barrels without dropping off a gift. I will be stopping there before Saturday to buy a birthday gift, a good reason to shop there all year long.

OK, now you’ve warmed up for the big time…on to the party at Christmas Tree Village. Here’s a bit of Incline history:  Back in the day of Chamber mixers, this was THE happening place along the entire North Shore. Every shop had homemade cookies and was decorated to the hilt. This center still has those kind of vibes, but it’s a daytime event.  So…Tahoe Gifting is the happening place, complete with a DJ and apps from Paxtons. If you don’t know who Paxton’s is, notice the name change at Austin’s the next time you go there. If you simply MUST make a handmade gift, this is the day to get introduced to The Cut, a dedicated space for workshops and creating! I am hoping Karma has their Christmas karaoke so I can sing Jingle Bells as loud as I want…But I will need liquid refreshment first from Crosby’s. After my healthy juice from Thania’s? This is the ONLY day of the year I have an espresso chocolate martini. They are SO GOOD! I don’t want to miss anyone else at Christmas Tree Village, so I am going to walk the whole boardwalk, stopping at Village Pet Thrift, Happy Tiers, and Mofo’s for some complimentary pizza offerings before I leave Christmas Tree Village.

Village Center is next. Start with the upper center and Wyld Peony (pick up a specialty wreath!). I hope you saved a few dollars for the thrift stores…all 3 of them in Village Center! You’re almost done for the day, so why not top it off at Grocery Outlet with a wine tasting of VERY affordable wines and pick up something for dinner. 

But if you really want to shop til you drop, then please make one last stop: Iron & Wood in Country Club Center. By now, you’re loose enough to swing that club in their indoor center. Here’s your chance to buy that gift for the hardest guy on your list. A session or three to work on his/her golf swing this winter. 

I hope I didn’t leave anyone out! Hopefully, your route to and from the centers will bring you by the Visitor Center for Tahoe-logo’d gifts and to see the holiday lights firsthand at Lakeshore Realty across from Incline Beach.

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