Shopping local for the holidays

—A sampling of what’s out there!

 

CRESCO - As Christmas approaches this week, Cresco businesses showcase their seasonal wares to shoppers. Following is a sampling of local businesses and a description of what they offer to customers searching for that perfect holiday gift:
 
Elm Street Gifts
 Elm Street Gifts, located at 116 North Elm Street in downtown Cresco, features a wide variety of unique gift items for holiday shoppers.
Mary Willis said, “We have marinades available, and people can make their own dips. We have a wide variety of meat sticks in flavors such as Bison, Wild Boar, Swamp Thing, and Pheasant.”
Willis pointed out framed prints with images evoking farming and rural life. She said Elm Street gifts also sells cutting boards, cider spices, cookbooks, St. Christopher medals, and a variety of Bibles and religious fiction and non-fiction books.
Additionally, the store features goat milk soaps, gifts for newborn babies, color-changing mugs and Poo-Pourri deodorizing toilet spray. 
In addition, it carriesBig Sky natural oils and diffusers, cooking oils, pastas, soup mixes and tea.
Elm Street Gifts is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call  (563) 203-2542 or visit their Facebook page @ElmStreetGifts.
 
Fisk Farm & Home Supply
Fisk Farm & Home Supply Manager Phil Fisk says the store offers specials at the lowest prices every day, and features a wide variety of items for customers.
“We offer everyday low prices, and help people find what they need at a good value and an honest price,” Fisk said.
Fisk Farm & Home, located at 625 2nd Ave SW, is open seven days per week. Melissa & Doug toys are 20 percent off until Dec. 31. Fisk said he is offering a sale price on the store’s Redwing Boots.
Hours are: Monday – Friday  7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 563-547-2492 or visit the store’s website at:  www.fiskfarmandhome.com/pages/Cresco-Store-Info.html.
 
Holstrom’s Gift & Jewelry
Holstrom’s Gift & Jewelry, located at 108 N. Elm Street, showcases vintage-inspired holiday ornaments, snow globes, music boxes and more.
Jim Holstrom said, “Our Old World Christmas ornaments are made just like the mercury glass ornaments. We also have snow globes, jewelry boxes, some great clocks from Howard Miller and elsewhere, and Wilton Armetale Servewear.”
Holstrom made particular mention of the Ne’Qwa Art ornaments.
“They have a hole on the top and the artists paint the ornaments from the inside. It’s just amazing,” he said.
As for jewelry, Holstrom recommends diamond earrings, as well as any diamond or color stone jewels.
Holstrom’s Gift & Jewelry is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (563) 547-4020 or visit their website: http://www.holstroms.com/ or Facebook page @HolstromsGiftJewelry.
 
Leuthold’s Clothing  Stores
Leuthold’s Clothing Stores, located at 202 N. Elm Street, features a wide variety of clothing and accessories for men and women.
Roy Gorter said holiday shoppers can expect 20-50 percent off sales throughout most of the store, although exceptions apply.
“A wonderful gift idea is our Smart Wool Darn Tough socks, guaranteed for life,” he said. “We carry a lot of Silver brand jeans for men and women, and a lot of fashion boots, and name-brand fashion.”
Gorter said Leuthold’s offers free gift-wrapping service for customers.
Leuthold’s Clothing is open every evening until 8 p.m., with the exception of Saturday, when they are open until 5 pm., and Sunday, 12- 4 p.m.
For more information, call: (563) 547-4041 or visit their Facebook page.
 
The Novelty Nook Gift Shoppe
The Novelty Nook Gift Shoppe’s Kelly Larson said the store is constantly accepting new items from its vendors.
“We always have new items coming in from our vendors; regularly check back because there is always something different,” she said. “Some of our vendors are running a few specials; we have 20 different vendors. We have some vendors here for the holidays alone, so it will be good to get in before the first of the year.”
The Novelty Nook features essential oils, home décor, jams and jellies, doll clothes, fairy garden items, furniture, jewelry, wooden plaques, and more.
Store hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday;  9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday;  8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (563) 547-8002 or visit their Facebook page @thebrickblock5.
 
The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts
The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts showcase numerous holiday items and spirits for the holiday shopper.
Manager Maria Larson said, ‘We’re offering 30 percent off of all of our Christmas gift items, and that includes boxed Christmas greeting cards.”
The store also features Russell Stover holiday candy, holiday beers and Egg Nog, Cheers wine from Marquette in Christmas tree bottles, and gift sets featuring different kinds of alcohol.  They also offer gift certificates and free gift-wrapping services.
Larson said, “Make sure you stop by and check out our front seating area. You can sit and have coffee, wine or a beer.”
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Christmas Eve: 10-3 Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve:  12-8 p.m.; closed New Year’s Day.
For more information, call (563) 547-3900 or visit its Facebook page @theoxnwren.
 
Ruppert’s Ace Hardware
Ruppert’s Ace Hardware Assistant Manager Terri Livrance said the store is stocked with a variety of holiday items:
“We still have a great supply of the projectors and the blow-up decorations. We also have a ‘Christmas Vacation’ (movie) theme, with bright lights,” she said. Everything is marked down. It’s a good time to stock up even if you are getting ready for next year.”
Livrance said Christmas trees and holiday interior decor are currently on sale. The store also stocks LED lights and “everything you will need to get festive for the season.”
Ruppert’s Ace Hardware is open its normal business hours, but is closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
 
ShopKo Hometown Cresco
Store Manager Al Krivachek said customers can look forward to significant discounts on holiday items.
“We have huge discounts on all of our seasonal merchandise and seasonal clothing. Customers can look forward to our after-holiday clearance markdowns,” Krivacheck said.
ShopKo is open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. during the week. Dec. 24, the store will be open until 6 p.m., and will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The store location is 22422 IA-9, Cresco.
For more information, call (563) 547-5953 or visit the website http://www.shopko.com/ .

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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