Sunday, December 1, 2013

Countdown of 26 small, local, and direct sales businesses for alternative shopping this holiday season!

         Hello all and Happy Holidays! 
I know it's been forever since you have heard from me! I have been busy, busy, busy working my way towards a brick and mortar bookstore. We have a name - it's official, The Scribbled Hollow. I've been  building our website and other various aspects of our business. This week I and my boyfriend counted down on our business Facebook's 26 other businesses we thought would be good for holiday shopping. While theses businesses may be owned by friends, or favorite places to shop, there are a few we have never stepped foot in and they were all chosen without incentive from their owners. I hope you enjoy! If you would like to follow me on Facebook you can catch me here: 
and


            Dogs Etc. Pet Boutique - #26
FB: Dogs Etc. Pet Boutique 

Dogs Etc. is a small specialty pet store in the Park West Mall in Peoria, AZ. It's great for cute and unique gifts for your pet as well as pet lovers. They support the local rescue community and they also have great treats!  


Facebook Comment:  i luv this place. they do photos to during the holidays with your pet.

            
            Southwest Gardener - #25
            FB: Southwest Gardener

Ever been shopping for a CUTE garden gnome? Well, shop no further. Southwest Gardener has a great many wonderfully cute and useful garden items for the gardener in your life. 


            Dog Eared Pages Used Books - #24
FB: Dog-Eared Pages Used Books

This little bookstore was under threat of closure this last summer. They didn't give up and the community stepped up to help keep them in business. If you're looking for books and want to support a dream and a company that won't give up - you can't go wrong here.

            Whozitz & Whatzitz Unique Gifts and Cards -#23
FB: Whozitz and Whatzitz Unique Gifts and Cards

Looking for the unique? An eclectic range of gifts for everyone in your life? This will be a great place to shop this Christmas! Don't give the gift people expect.


            The Oink Café - #22
FB: The Oink Café
Website: www.oinkcafe.com 

This place comes highly recommended from bacon lovers! And with 5 different types of bacon, how could you go wrong for the bacon lover in your life? 


            Junky Trunk Boutique -#21
            FB: Junky Trunk Boutique

With a name like Junky Trunk how can you resist checking out this little shop? And according to the person who suggested it for our countdown she adores the place. Who's the fashion person in your life? 


           Thrifty Joe’s - #20
           FB: Thrifty Joe's Books & Music
           Website: www.thriftyjoesbooksandmusic.com

Don't get me wrong - this is a fantastic used bookstore but it does something even better. Have a record lover in your life? You know those large black discs from forever ago? They have a room full of them, just head straight back. 


           Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Café - #19
           FB: Beaver Street Brewery
           Website: www.beaverstreetbrewery.com 

If you want to give a piece of downtown Flagstaff, stop in for something from Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Cafe. It's a gift they won't forget soon. 


           Lulubell Toy Bodega - #18
           FB: 13. Lulubell Toy Bodega
           Website: www.lulubelltoys.com 

If when you think of toys, you think Hot Wheels, My Little Pony, and baby dolls, you need some education - stat. Lulubell's Toy Bodega can help you with that. 


          Elgin Nursery - #17
          FB: Elgin Nursery & Tree Farms
          Website: www.elginnursery.com 

If you ever get the crazy idea to give your true love all the gifts from the song 12 days of Christmas, Elgin will be able to help you out with the 12 pear trees. Seriously, though, this a wonderful place to shop for plants with friendly and knowledgeable staff.


           Changing Hands -#16
           FB: Changing Hands Bookstore
           Website: www.changinghands.com 

This is an awesome indie bookstore and if you're looking for a truly special gift for someone, I recommend keeping an eye on them year round for when that person's favorite author comes to sign. Can't make it in person to the signing? Not to worry, the Changing Hands staff can help you out with getting a book signed and shipped. 


            Don Lencho’s -#15
            FB: Don Lencho's Mexican and Seafood Restaurant
            Website: www.donlenchos.com 

You know that person in your life? The one always looking for authentic Mexican? Help them in their goal with this little hole in the wall in downtown Peoria. 


            Rainbow’s End  -#14
FB: Rainbow’s End
            Website: www.rainbowsendflagstaff.com

In Flagstaff and need a funky boutique to pick up fashionable items? Here you go. 


          The Poisoned Pen -#13
          FB: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
          Website: www.poisonedpen.com 

If you're looking for atmosphere in a bookstore look no further! Poisoned Pen should teach lessons on atmosphere. Since they don't though, you're going to have to settle for a wonderful shopping experience. 


         La Fonda -#12  
         FB: La Fonda Mexican Restaurant
         Website: www.lafondaflg.com 

Is it possible to get more authentic than a 56 year old Mexican restaurant in small town Arizona? Possibly, but will they be better practiced? Well, you're definitely going to have to start here to determine it! 

        
         Peace Surplus -#11  
         FB: Peace Surplus
         Website: www.peacesurplus.com 

Shopping for an outdoor enthusiast? Well as the outdoor capitol of Arizona Flagstaff boasts a good many stores, our personal favorite was the friendly and long lived Peace Surplus. 


         Jesse James Comics -#10  
         FB: Jesse James Comics
         Website: www.jessejamescomics.com

Have a comic lover in your life and don't have a clue about them? Since Jesse James is known for hiring experts I'm pretty sure they'll be able to make you a "gift hero." (Had to try that one on for size.) 


         Milano Music Center -#9
         FB: Milano Music
         Website: www.milanomusic.com

If you grew up in Arizona involved with music, you know Milano's, but did you know they are an Arizona company? Relive your childhood and share with your kids the love of music. 


        Easley’s Fun Shop -#8
        FB: Easley's Fun Shop
        Website: www.easleys.com

Known for their costumes at Halloween time but they keep up a good selection year round. Use your creative mind to it's fullest extent! Masked ball at New Years anyone? 


       Samurai Comics - #7
       FB: Samurai Comics
       Website: www.samuraicomics.com 

Sometimes, all you need is a good, old fashioned comic book. Or maybe a subscription. Or maybe action figures. Or... Well look no further! 


        Westside Furniture -#6
        FB: Westside Design Furniture
        Website: www.westsidedesign.com

New furniture for Christmas? I'm not saying no! But just in case you are, no worries this little furniture store has plenty of cool knick-knacks. 


        Bookmans -#5
        FB: Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
        Website: www.bookmans.com 

Started in Tucson, traveled to Flagstaff, and then hit Phoenix, this is more than just a used bookstore. Need a musical instrument? CD? Movie? Book? Knick-knacks? Antiques? If you can't find at least one gift here, you need new friends. (You're stuck with the family.) 


       BBW Boutique -#4
       FB: BBW Boutique
       Website: www.bbwboutique.com

Dresses, shirts, skirts, oh my! This is one of our favorite finds with wonderful and unique clothes! 


        Four Peaks Brewing Company -#3
        FB: Four Peaks Brewing Company
        Website: www.fourpeaks.com 

Personally, we love their Kilt Lifter Ale but they have plenty more going for them! Don't want to do a gift card? Get a t-shirt, or hat, or.... 


          A-Z Print & Ship -#2
          FB: A-Z Print & Ship
          Website: www.azprintship.com

Shipping sucks. Let the pleasant folks and good prices at this local shipping store make it suck less. 
  
                                       
            Pixie Fish Bowtique -#1
            FB: Pixie Fish Bowtique

Need something cute, fashionable, and useful this holiday season? Look no further! 


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