Have you been downtown recently? We have a Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Jos. A. Banks, Coldwater Creek and many of the other great shops in Brick Market. You’ve got to check it out and buy local-most of us can walk and for those heading our way for unique gifts for Christmas on a weekend stay make sure you check out the shopping at the new and improved Brick Market Place.
For buying presents to send to those who come to visit you in Newport and would love a reminder try Only in Rhode Island or the souvenir shop at the Museum of History. Some of my favorite shops are like finding little treasures-the perfect whimsical gift can be found at Primavera on Bowen’s Wharf or MacDowell Pottery on Spring St.
Up the hill on Mill St. is House-another shop filled with posh items for your home and many hostess gifts-and fabulous jewelry-send the man in your life to their direction! Karen Vaughn on Bellevue has unique silk scarves, fascinating jewelry from exotic places-lots of fun ideas for entertaining too.
Newport Wine Cellar is a new shop opened recently on Bellevue across from the Viking Hotel-featuring tastings in a handsome shop with a knowledgeable staff-we all know wine is the quintessential gift for those who have everything. And to go with that wine is chocolate. Former Pastry Chef Laurent Vals (he worked at the Clarke Cooke House, Spiced Pear and Asterix) has opened shop online at LAURENTVALSCHOCOLATES.COM and sells his artistic and luscious designer chocolates at Papers, Only in Rhode Island, the Green Grocer and Sweet Berry Farm. I just finished my newspaper column interviewing the talented chocolatier-check it out in the Newport Daily News this Saturday-his work is dazzling!
Remember-buy local for Christmas!
