Keep your holiday dollars local by shopping at these local gift spots
Joy to the world – the Christmas shopping season has begun. You can get into the Christmas spirit by shopping at one of Cincinnati’s unique, locally owned and operated merchants. Collectively, Cincinnati’s small businesses offer gifts that you can and cannot find elsewhere. So, don't delay. Shop local today.
In search of: Alcoholic beverages
New Riff Distilling
24 Distillery Way, Newport; newriffdistilling.com.
New Riff Distilling is more than just a distillery. The facility has a gift shop that offers bourbon and other spirits produced on-site, branded barware, clothing, food items, glassware, keychains, ornaments and pet toys.
Gift shop hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Revel OTR Urban Winery
111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine; revelotr.com.
Revel OTR Urban Winery is a boutique winery, wine collective, full bar and event space. Revel wines are made 100% on-site. The winery offers gift cards, shirts and wine. Consumers can buy the wine bottles on-site or request to have them delivered.
Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m., Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m.
In search of: Candy
Fawn Candy Co.
Two locations: 4271 Harrison Ave., Green Township, and 2692 Madison Road, Norwood;fawncandy.com.
Fawn Candy’s selection includes buckeyes, caramel apples, chocolate-covered nuts and fruits, fudge, gummies, handmade chocolates, jellybeans, popcorn and truffles.
Harrison Avenue hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Madison Road hours are Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Schneider's Sweet Shop
420 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue; schneiderscandies.com.
The shop sells a wide assortment, including caramels, chocolates, fudges and opera creams.
Hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Sweet Tooth Candies
125 W. 11th St., Newport; sweettoothchocolates.com.
The shop’s offerings include buckeyes, chocolate-covered cherries, meltaways, opera creams, peanut butter bolsters and turtles.
Hours are Thursday to Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m.
In search of: Books
Blue Marble Books
1356 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas; bluemarblebooks.com.
Blue Marble Books is a children's bookstore that sells books, puzzles, stuffed animals and wooden toys.
Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.
The Book Rack
8315 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township; cincybookrack.com.
The Book Rack sells books, games and puzzles.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Bookshelf
7754 Camargo Road, Madeira; cincybookshelf.com.
The Bookshelf sells books, calendars, games, journals, posters, puzzles and stationery.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
2692 Madison Road, Norwood; josephbeth.com.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers sells books, games, gift cards, puzzles, totes and toys.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ohio Book Store
726 Main St., Downtown; ohiobookstore.net.
Ohio Book Store sells books and magazines.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roebling Point Books & Coffee
Three locations: 601 Overton St., Newport; 306 Greenup St., Covington; and 301 Sixth Ave., Dayton; roeblingbooks.com.
All three Roebling Point Books & Coffee shops sell books, candles, coffee (by cup or bag), gift cards and hats.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The Friends of the Public Library Used Book Store at the Warehouse
8456 Vine St., Hartwell; cincylibraryfriends.org.
The Warehouse sells used board games, books, CDs, DVDs and puzzles.
Hours are Monday from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In search of: Games and collectibles
Comic Book World
7130 Turfway Road, Florence; comicbookworld.com.
The store sells action figures, books, comic books, games, model kits, puzzles and role-playing games.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Comics2Games
8470 US Highway 42, Florence; comics2games.com.
Comics2Games’s inventory includes action figures, books, comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, games and toys.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Funland Forge
627 Monmouth St., Newport; funlandforge.com.
Funland Forge sells collectibles, comic books, games and toys.
Hours are Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Queen City Comic & Card Company
Two locations: 6101 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, and 6600 Dixie Highway, Fairfield; queencitycomics.com.
Both shops sell books, collecting supplies, comic books, gaming cards and toys.
Hours are Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
In search of: Toys
Coolest Toys on Earth
Two locations: 6840 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, and 314 Main St., Milford; coolesttoysonearth.com.
Coolest Toys on Earth offers brainteasers, fidgets, games, puppets, puzzles and toys.
Mariemont hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Milford hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Flying Pig Toys
7757 Five Mile Road, Anderson Township; flyingpigtoys.com.
Flying Pig Toys sells art, books, crafts, games and toys.
Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
House of Plastik
834 State Route 125, Withamsville; houseofplastik.com.
House of Plastik offers candy, collectibles and vintage toys – such as Star Wars and Power Rangers.
Hours are Monday, and Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
King Arthur’s Court
3040 Madison Road, Oakley; kingarthurstoys.com.
King Arthur’s Court sells games, gifts and toys.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stoney's Village Toy Shoppe
323 W. Sixth St., Covington; stoneystoys.com.
Stoney's Village Toy Shoppe offers games, puzzles and toys.
Hours are Thursday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and daily by appointment.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Keep your holiday dollars local by shopping at these local gift spots
