Very Local Guide to Goods and Gifts

By

Annalee Anderson, Guest Writer

on

Whether you need to bring a hostess gift, send birthday wishes, cheer up your best friend, make a sincere apology, welcome a new baby, make a lasting impression, spread holiday cheer, give recognition, show appreciation, or just because—here is a very local guide of goods and gifts to compliment any sentiment.

Dog treats from Bear’s Bites  {East Peoria}    //     For the pet lovers and four-legged friends in your life, check out Bear’s Bites! This boutique makes single-ingredient, all-natural, high-quality treats, seasonings, and dog food. It’s the perfect spot to stock up on gifts for Fido.

Outdoor gear from Bushwhacker  {Peoria}    //     If you have outdoorsy folks to shop for, we have the perfect stop to checkout! Bushwacker has everything needed for all types of recreational adventures:  biking gear, boating necessities, camping accessories, apparel, footwear, snowsport gear, and so much more. Locally owned and stocked with a knowledgeable staff, we highly recommend checking out Bushwhacker.

Bushwhacker

Headbands from Indie Gift House   {Peoria}    //     A Gen Z’s cornucopia! Indie Gift House is owned by our friends at Hello Headband®, who use the space in the back for headband production and sell a unique collection of gifts in the storefront. This boutique is constantly adding to the collection—at any given day, expect to find plants, lovely scented candles, funky knick-knacks, jewelry, cards, and, of course, Hello Headband!

Flowers from LeFleur Floral Designs + Events  {Washington}    //    Sending a beautifully curated bouquet from LeFleur is always well received! Whether it’s a vase design or a hand-tied arrangement, flowers are appreciated for every imaginable occasion.

LeFleur Floral

Handcrafted candles from Made by Michelle   {Peoria}    //     Handcrafted, uniquely scented soy candles and wax melts, all made-to-order! Michelle makes the wax, and her husband carves the bowls. They’re simplistically charming and the aesthetic is sure to fit every decor style.

Bohemian gifts from Moon Dancer   {Peoria}    //     If you haven’t experienced Moon Dancer, add this shop to your list. This magical bohemian boutique is stocked with eclectic clothing, artisan jewelry, hippie bags, hula hoops, and mystical and spiritual gifts. Shop for tarot cards, funky clothing, handmade jewelry, natural crystals, incense, oils, art-inspired merchandise, spiritual tools, smudging supplies, and more.

Gourmet olive oil from Olio + Vino   {Peoria Heights}    //    Satisfy the foodie in your life with a gift basket full of delicious gourmet olive oils, balsamic vinegars, bottles of wine, cheese spreads, and crusty breads! The knowledge staff at Olio & Vino are amazing at curating beautiful pairings. Turn this wine bar into a weekly stop—there’s plenty of gifting potential and an amazing place to relax and socialize.

Gourmet popcorn from Popcorn Heaven   {Peoria}    //     Not sure what your gift recipient enjoys? We recommend gifting gourmet popcorn. With over 55 flavors, Popcorn Heaven is stocked with amazing flavors to share. Stop in for freshly popped popcorn and stock up on savory, sweet, chocolate or mixed flavors.

Man-gear from Rambler   {Peoria}    //    This is a man boutique and the perfect spot to shop for those hard-to-buy-for men in your life. Rambler is a moto-outdoors inspired men’s specialty shop with a focus on quality, American-made, adventure-ready goods. This boutique is worth a stop to explore the ever-changing gear.

Rambler

Eclectic treasures from Relics   {Peoria}    //     If you’re not sure what gift to buy, a stop at Relics will be the perfect solution. This eclectic shop has beautiful and unique plants (grown by Plants, Peace, & Love), funky kitchenware, charming home decor, funny cards, and a whole section of Peoria goodies. Relics is a must-stop for anyone who’s difficult to shop for—you’ll be sure to find the perfect souvenir.

Relics_21

Retro records from Ribbon Records   {Peoria}    //   If you’re gifting for someone who loves music and authentic, vintage items, this retro shop is an immersive and captivating stop. Surf through a large collection of records and browse racks of classic garments to find the perfect “new” and unique treasure.

Charcuterie ingredients from Supreme House of Cheese   {Toluca}    //     For the cheese lovers in your life, stop into Supreme House of Cheese to gather all the ingredients for a homemade charcuterie box. This fourth-generation owned family business offers fresh local meats, deli cheeses, and a grocery store to find all the fixings for a wonderful grazing platter. This unexpected and wonderful gift is always well received!

Board games from The Zone II   {Pekin + Peoria}    //With three locations, this locally-owned and operated shop is an amazing stop to find amazing interactive gifts. The Zone offers a great selection of affordable comic books, posters, scrolls, collectibles, cards, apparel, board games, accessories, and everything in between. Keep this shop on your radar as they offer weekly game nights and tournaments.

Funky antiques from Urban Artifacts   {Peoria}    //     One-of-a-kind collectibles and antiques can be found at Urban Artifacts! Warning: prepare to walk into this shop to browse and leave with treasures for every person you know and a plan to redecorate your entire home. With so many amazing curated antiques and retro finds, this is the easiest place to find gifts for the people hardest to shop for.

Urban Artifacts

VBS from Vanilla Bug Spray  {Pekin}   //  PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER ALERT!  Sold nationwide, VBS (Vanilla Bug Spray) is made right here in our neck of the woods! With no harsh chemicals, this amazing insect repellent is even safe for children and pets. If you’re buying for anyone who enjoys being outside, they will love this spray! You can find this product locally at Corner Curio, Busy Corner, Lick Creek Golf Course, Parkview Golf Course, Sunset Hills Golf Club, Pekin Country Club, Artistic Flowers, Kountry Nook, and Pekin Bass & Bow.

Authentic French macarons from Voilà Macarons   {Peoria}    //     Voilà Macarons is an authentic European Macaron bakery. The owner, Diana Natale, has dual citizenship in both America and Germany. Her globally exposed palate inspires the best flavors of Paris and brings an authentic French Macaron to Peoria. With 30+ flavors, these macarons are perfect for any occasion.

Author
Annalee Anderson, Guest Writer
Discover Peoria, IL