The Holiday shopping season is upon us, and if you start now, you still have plenty of time to buy something great for each of your friends and family. Riverside has so many incredible local businesses that sell unique and thoughtful gifts. So, before you pick up the Chili’s gift card in the Home Depot register line, take a look at our list and see if there’s something here that piques your interest. Don’t worry; your Amazon driver says they will be sufficiently busy without you this season.
Uniquely Riverside
Riversiders are a particularly proud bunch. We love to wear our Raincross, which the whole world can see. These stores carry Riverside-specific items for current residents and those who wish they never left.
- Mission Inn Museum and Foundation sells Riverside-themed art, apparel, and accessories and is the launching point for the new downtown tours offered by Mission Inn docents.
- Mardon Jewelers in the Canyon Crest Town Center, has served Riverside for over 60 years. If you see people around town in truly fine Raincross rings, earrings, and pendants and wonder where they got them, Mardon is it.
- Blue Door Museum Store inside the Riverside Art Museum, visitors can find local art and unique souvenirs for sale. RAM/Cheech memberships are also available at the Museum store, make excellent gifts, and are tax deductible.
- Raincross Gazette Who put that there?
- RCAA Gallery located on Lemon, it sells local, original art at affordable prices. Much of the art is Riverside-themed; all of it is Riverside-created.
Activities and Experiences
Give a friend a gift certificate or, even better, take a friend to experience something new. These local businesses offer unique opportunities to try something new and maybe even start a new hobby
Bookstores
Books are underrated gifts. I like to give books because it gives the recipient a peek into what you like and what you think they might like. Books are a personal gift that is long-lasting and often cherished.
- Cellar Door Books in Mission Grove, is a locally owned bookshop that offers a wide range of options for the bibliophiles in your life.
- The Downtowne Bookstore behind the Mission Inn Annex on Main, sells new and used books, apparel, and accessories. The Downtowne Bookstore also offers a membership program and hosts book club meetings in their renovated basement.
Apothecary Shops
Apothecary shops conjure the image of an old man in Round framed glasses mixing up something special for what ails you. The shops are not that. They have high-quality handmade toiletry and home-cleaning products produced right here in town.
Boutiques
These small retail businesses offer great alternatives to mall shops and big box stores if you still feel like getting out and going shopping.
- Vixen and Beard on Magnolia and Beatty, is a barbershop selling men’s grooming supplies and apparel. They have one of the only Pendleton Flannel vendor ships in Riverside.
- Mrs. Tiggywinkles has been a downtown staple for decades. It’s a great place to find a unique gift for a special friend.
- Mission & Main Mercantile
- Ampersand at the Riverside Plaza, sells Riverside-themed home decor and a lot of other fun gift ideas.
- Raincross District is more than just a thrift store. Vintage clothes and much more are in curated vendor-run booths.
For Your Furry Friends
We all love to include our hairy housemates in the holiday festivities. These locally owned pet stores sell the best for our furry friends.
For the Foodies
Everybody has to eat, but some take it more seriously than others. Food makes a great gift because they are likely to share it with you.
- Lot 22 Olive Oil Company in the Canyon Crest Town Center, allows you to taste a large variety of unflavored and flavored olive oils and create your own perfect blend or combination. You can also grab a gift certificate so your friend or family member can make their own perfect gift.
- Riverside Cookie Company in The Brockton Arcade, makes the chewiest, crispiest, moistest, and lightest cookies that you won't feel bad about eating four hundred of. They have been doing it for a long time, and your friends and family out of town will be thrilled to know that you can have these cookies shipped straight to them.
- Zurer Bread is the home sourdough bakery of Raincross Gazette's own food writer, Seth Zurer. You can order a single loaf or a sourdough subscription. The holiday season is soup season, and soup season is a sourdough season.
Shop for a Cause
- Freedom Shop | Rebirth Homes All products made by victims of human trafficking in transitional housing. All proceeds go back to the charity.
- Assistance League Craft Fair Assistance League helps kids with school supplies and new clothes.
- Foster Army Thrift store benefitting no-kill animal shelter. It's an excellent place to pick up a gift for furry friends as well.
No Storefront, No Problem
I would like to give special mention to a couple of Riverside entrepreneurs who may not have a shop to visit, but you can either find their products around town or use them at some of your favorite places.
Mark From Riverside is a popular social media personality around town. In addition to bringing good vibes and great publicity to local businesses, he offers the Mark From Riverside Club Card, which gives discounts at a constantly expanding list of local restaurants. As a club member, you can look for monthly BOGO specials and access to special events. The Mark From Riverside Club Card makes a perfect inflation-fighting holiday gift.
Hailey Bell is a young entrepreneur who trademarked her own version of our beloved Raincross and has built a small empire selling stickers, apparel, and accessories featuring the “Riverside Symbol.” You will find wire racks with her product at many of the shops listed above, or you can buy directly from her at her website. Hailey is young, and we know her best ideas are yet to come. Purchasing from Hailey Bell is an investment in Riverside's future.
If you know a business you think we missed, please let us know at info@raincrossgazette.com
