16 Reasons to Shop Local This Holiday Season

Shop Local on the Lower Shore

If you haven’t yet finished your holiday shopping or, maybe haven't even started, think about doing your shopping from small businesses across the shore. Shopping at a locally-owned and operated business is truly a unique experience. 
While everyone was hunkered down during the COVID pandemic, local shops, restaurants and galleries were struggling to create new ways for people to shop and eat out. Let’s show some love this holiday season and give those hard-to-buy- for on your list a unique gift made right here on the lower shore. ​

For the Drink Lovers

Rise Up Coffee- Who wouldn’t love their slogan; Grown by Friends. Roasted by Friends. Enjoyed by Friends.  Coffees, espressos, blends, coffee club, swag and gift cards are available. 
Wind Mill Creek Winery is a fairly new winery and vineyard located just on the outskirts of downtown Berlin. The main building is a meticulously restored 1858 homestead which has been in the family for decades. New this season is an igloo village, yes, you just read that right! No one else is offering this anywhere, so if you’re looking for a gift that is unique, this is it. Rent the igloo by the hour and sip their selection of delicious dry wines. You can even have their wines shipped direct to your family and friends. 
Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery whose name literally means the water’s edge is located on the banks of Wicomico Creek south of Salisbury.  Bordeleau offers tastings in their cozy tasting room or weather permitting outside on their patios.  A loyalty program and wine club membership are also available and make great gifts. Stock up this holiday season on some of their award-winning wines.
Seacrets Distilling Company offers plenty of award-winning spirits, in a variety that will suit any palate. A fearless collection of premium small-batch, handcrafted spirits; bold spiced & gold rums and sweet white & coconut rums, ultra-smooth vodka and exceptionally refined gin. Their flavored vodkas are a must try – lemon drop, orange, ruby red grapefruit, bumbleberry and passion fruit, macerated with fresh fruits.  And don’t forget their traditional bourbon and American whiskey. I gift basket of these selections will be a huge hit! 
Burley Oak Brewing Company, as their apparel says hand-crafted goodness. Burley Oak is located in Berlin and is a local favorite. Pick up a growler or two for that craft beer lover on your list.
Evolution Craft Brewing Company might just arguably be the best restaurant and taproom in Salisbury. They offer gift cards and a loyalty program which includes all seven of their restaurants. We couldn’t say it better than they do, “Ever-better beer for ever-better food. An excellent recipe for ever-better times.”
Tall Tales Brewing is located between Salisbury and Ocean City.  This brewery has gift cards, growlers,  branded apparel, and the coolest outdoor pizza oven and bar anywhere in the area.
The Buzz Meadery is located in downtown Berlin, Maryland.  They are devoted to using local produce and honey to create unique flavors of mead.  This is a great new idea for holiday giving.

Specialty Crafted & Unique

Uncle Jon’s Soap, Beards, Bath & Beyond
Ok, yes, they have gift ideas for everyone but this is especially good for the guys on your list. They’ve got the dudes covered with everything from shave soap tubs, shave brushes, aftershaves, head balms for the bald, mustache wax, grooming kits and so much more. You’ve got to check it out! Free shipping is provided on orders over $100. 
Beach Memories Jewelry, located right on Main Street in downtown Berlin offers gorgeous, hand-made glass beads and glass bead jewelry. One particularly cool item is the sand encased glass bead. Put a little sand in your beads and create a lasting memory for anyone on your list. They will also lovingly and respectfully create a beautiful piece of keepsake jewelry with your loved ones cremains. A truly special gift indeed. 
Jeffery Auxer Design Studio offers hand-blown glass items from ornaments to lighting fixtures. Is items are not only unique and gorgeous but both functional and ornamental. Even more cool? Give someone a gift of a class where they can create their own holiday ornament. He studio and gallery are right behind the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin

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Art Lovers on Your List

Bishop’s Stock Fine Art, Craft & Wine in downtown Snow Hill is a mainstay of the downtown and not only offers 2 and 3-dimentional art but also offers jewelry, textiles and boutique wines. Purchase a wine club membership and discover some really great small batch wines. Each December, owner, Ann Coates has a ‘bin sale’ offering unframed works by regional artists. This is a great way to own or gift some really fabulous art!
OC Center for the Arts is a must stop to take in their wide selection of art by regional and local artists. Their gift shop also sells a variety of handmade items including jewelry, pottery, prints and handbags. Gift someone on your list a class (virtual for now) in all varieties of medium from pottery to watercolor to oils and photography. 
Salisbury Art Space or SAS is located in downtown Salisbury and has a large gift shop selling a wide variety of hand-made items from local and regional artists.  Another great gift is a gift of membership. Memberships are a way to show your support year-round.
The Mudhud Clay Art Studio, located in Salisbury is a clay studio offering membership levels for creating your own clay masterpiece. The Mudhud offers, classes, memberships and giftcards. They also host ‘clay’ parties perfect for the holidays or birthdays. 
 

For the Bibliophile

The Greyhound Indie Bookstore, offers a wide selection by local authors. Owner, Susan Ayers Wimbrow is an author herself. She has a wide selection of books for both young and old. ​

Sweet Tooth Fixes

Smith Island Cake, YESSSS. From traditional cakes to cake bites, there’s a flavor for everyone, even gluten free. These sweets are the real deal, no knock-offs here. They offer shipping too! Come to their store in Crisfield and you won’t be able to resist a little holiday indulgence. 
On What Grounds Coffee House on Main Street in Berlin has so much more than coffee. Stop in and check out their wide selection of house made chocolates, packaged beautifully for a ready-made gift. 
This holiday season, visit a Main Street. Step out of your car. Take in the sights and sounds of the Beach to Bay Heritage Area. Buying a gift card to any main street business supports all our small business owners. After all, they are our friends and neighbors. 
 

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