Story by H.M. Cauley. Photos by Jenni Girtman.
This time of year can give shopaholics and organized gift-givers a head start on their holiday wish lists. November is prime time to buy for family, friends, spouses and partners: The selection is plentiful and the crowds have yet to reach critical mass. These four intown destinations allow you to knock out most of your shopping at once, especially if you want to take breaks and make a day of it.
The Shops Buckhead Atlanta
3035 Peachtree Road. 404-939-9270. theshopsbuckheadatlanta.com
Where to park: Free self-parking is offered up to three hours with store validation. Valet is $5 for five hours before 2 p.m., $7 for five hours after. The $10 weekend rate goes at 5 p.m. Friday until 11 p.m. Sunday for five hours; more than that is $20.
Embrace the posh posture of The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. This six-block shopping nirvana is elegantly arrayed with inventory from A-list designers alongside well-known brands and a few locally owned boutiques. The Paris-based Hermès offers watches, jewelry, perfume and, most famously, scarves and shawls of silk or cashmere in a variety of sizes, colors and prices that reach $1,100. Just about anything from Dior will wow the fashionistas on your list. Browse the collection of handbags, leather goods, clothing and accessories in the 5,000-square-foot store.
Get ideas for both guys and gals at Tom Ford's flagship store, an emporium of formal and casual clothing, eyewear, handbags, shoes and cosmetics. The new Robert Talbott gives menswear a similar upscale style with silk and Egyptian cotton ties and shirts, as well as casual clothes and accessories.
See what Atlanta-based designer Adetutu "Tutu" Longe has in store at Hottie+Lord, which focuses on such super-feminine styles as silk floral skirts, velvet pants and lace blouses. Prices start at around $100. For the men on your list, drop by Attom, the cutting-edge store co-owned by Swiss retailer Zola Dias and Atlanta Hawks player ThaboSefolosha. You'll find name brands such as Rick Owens, Kenzo and Maison Margiela, along with a top-flight sneakers and footwear.
Take a break for a leisurely lunch at Le Bilboquet, an intimate French restaurant serving crab salad, wild mushroom risotto and duck confit for lunch. Or grab a gourmet burger and a peanut butter shake at Shake Shack. For a snack, drop by chocolatier Cacao for a salame di cioccolato, a chocolate "salami" rolled with shortbread and amaretto cookies. At $12, it makes a great gift.
Insider tip
Customize gifts by selecting material from fabric bolts at Robert Talbott, and the California-based company’s craftsmen will turn out made-to-order bow ties, pocket squares, shirts and more.
Ponce City Market
675 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-900-7900. poncecitymarket.com
Where to park: Find a metered street space or spot in the pay lot adjacent to the building.
The former Sears building puts retail, dining and entertainment under — and on top of — one roof, so the holidays are sure to attract out-of-town guests and gawkers. Start off chill with a freshly pressed juice from Lucky Lotus, have lunch in the extensive food hall and wrap up with a glass of Prosecco and dinner at City Winery.
In between, check out the market's array of specialty stores. For displays of civic pride, the independently owned Archer Paper stocks an array of Atlanta-themed hats, pencils and vintage-inspired glassware. During the holidays, ornaments are priced from $10 on down. "You can pick up a pencil for $1, and there's not a lot over $50," says manager Lindsay Hattrick.
Posman Books provides a bright, airy space for abundant, attractively stacked shelves of books for grown-ups and younger readers, as well as games, toys and cards.
At Binders Art Supply, drawing pencils, markers, paper, ink and brushes can be found alongside frames and easels. For unique creations by local artisans, head to Citizen Supply, where handmade and limited-quantity items make up the vast inventory. Check out the casual tees, prints, posters, cosmetics, banners and delectables from as little as $5.
It may take some planning to pull off a gift from Cobbler Union, the bespoke men's footwear shop. But who wouldn't enjoy a customized pair of shoes made in Spain? Other options include calfskin and suede belts, merino wool socks, passport and business card holders, and briefcases. Some accessories are around $20, but expect to pay about $400 for shoes.
Insider tip
For the DIY types, consider a gift certificate to an in-store class at Candlefish. "We have one class that makes two 9-ounce candles, and another that lets you bring your own vessels," says Erin Hurley, the workshop manager. "And all classes are BYOB, so they also make great date nights."
Little Five Points
Intersection of Euclid, Moreland and McLendon avenues. littlefivepoints.net
Where to park: Very tight metered street parking, tiny store lots and neighborhood street parking are options. Consider taking MARTA to the Inman Park station and a Lyft or Uber home at the end of the day.
The juncture of Euclid, McClendon and Moreland avenues in Inman Park has long been a destination not just for shopping, but for people-watching, entertainment, food and fun. Where else in town do you walk through a gaping skull to grab a burger (The Vortex), or sip craft brews in the basement of a restored mansion (The Wrecking Bar)?
One of the biggest emporiums at 10,000 square feet is Junkman's Daughter, billing itself as an "alternative superstore" crammed with folk art, embellished T-shirts, games, wigs and such unexpected finds as glass pipes or Pez dispensers. You're apt to uncover a few vintage items, but the bigger selection awaits at The Clothing Warehouse. The all-consignment shop for men and women specializes in yesterday's finery, be that jeans, dresses, suits or ties. Most items are priced below $50, but expect to pay more for a pair of Western boots or a leather jacket.
Khadija Maiga co-owns Cultural Accents with her sister in Senegal, where they locate many of the jewelry, handbags, artworks, masks and drums on the shelves. Look for brightly colored fabrics in dresses, skirts and blouses priced from $25.
For those who like their music on the vintage side, Wax 'N' Facts treasures classic vinyl albums. Danny Beard says he can't count how many he's packed into the shop, but he knows every genre is represented. Some re-issues and new vinyl are available from $20, but many are $1. Beard also stocks new and refurbished turntables from around $100.
Insider tip
Clothing Warehouse marketing coordinator Kayla Williams says items range from the 1940s into the late 1990s ad suggests customers check out the selection of sunglasses and silk scarves. “We have bins and bins of scarves to dig through,” she says.
West Midtown
atlanta-westside.com
Where to park: The best bet is the parking deck behind Yeah! Burger at 1168 Howell Mill Road.
Once a funky zone of rehabbed warehouses, the westside of Midtown has become trendy and chic, thanks to the influx of upscale shops that serve young, professional locals. It's home to the men's fashion stores Steven Alan (carrying labels such as Relwen and Daryl K) and Sid Mashburn, as well as the women's specialty shop Calypso St. Barth. The neighborhood of contemporary lofts and condos was a good fit for the newly arrived Design Within Reach, an exclusive retailer for the Herman Miller Aeron chair and compatible contemporary design. Its iconic pieces include the Womb chair, a sleek seating piece with polished chrome legs, and Noguchi coffee tables with walnut bases and glass tops. (They're part of the High Museum's permanent collection.) Many holiday shoppers seek the hand-painted, Girard wooden dolls, priced at $190.
Discover more whimsical ideas at Simply Put Paper & Gifts. During the holidays, owner Ashley Woodman puts out a selection of mixology tools, books and glasses for the home bartender, as well as sneaker cleaning kits, microwaveable serving dishes, books, cards and crystal energy bracelets, all priced below $35. If you're shopping for kids, Seed Factory stocks puzzles and educational toys, arts and crafts supplies, clothing, stuffed animals and classic children's books.
End a productive shopping adventure at such popular eateries as JCT Kitchen and Bar, West Egg and The Optimist.
Insider tip
The new Savannah Bee Company sells a line of body butters and creams made from royal jelly, and also offers a place to take a break and sit down to a tasting of five mead drinks made from honey.
