8 Reasons to Shop Local - Mount Dora, FL

I have no intention of camping out Thanksgiving night to be the first one in to a big box, I prefer to sleep in after giving thanks and gorging myself. And I much prefer to shop local in Mount Dora! The quaint little town has a ton of amazing shops of all kinds - no chains! I wish I could mention all of them but you probably need to go baste a turkey or something. Here are eight of my favorites:

CHECKERED MOON
237 W. 4th Ave., Suite 3
CheckeredMoonSouth on Facebook

On your shopping journey in downtown Mount Dora you're going to see shoppers everywhere carrying the signature yellow bag from Checkered Moon. The sign on the door says "Color Makes People Happy." Checkered Moon is definitely a happy place full of eclectic gifts for everyone on your list. Adorable baby clothes, books and toys, wine-themed gifts, apparel, décor, hand-poured candles, and so much more! Their inventory is constantly ebbing and flowing so you're going to want to stop in here more than once. (And they have mermaids!)




Artwork in Checkered Moon
Mount Dora, FL


LOVE HOME HARMONY
120 E. 4th Ave.
LoveHomeHarmony on Facebook

Love Home Harmony is truly a beautiful shop that will grab your attention as soon as you enter. The combination of vintage, repurposed and handmade furniture will make you want to throw your Rooms To Go stuff out and start all over, right now! You can even attend one of the many classes and paint your own piece of furniture or create a piece of art under the extremely creative tutelage of Proprietress Carolyn Wood. My personal favorites are the pillows - cats AND mermaids! They're purrfect gifts!

Love Home Harmony
Mount Dora, FL


EM'Z ON FIFTH
200 W. 5th Ave.
Em'z on Fifth on Facebook

Owner Clara Schneider takes local to a whole new level at Em'z on Fifth. The gorgeous ladies' apparel is made in America and it shows in the quality. Tyler Candles (you really need to try these candles!) smell scrumptious and are hand-poured in Tyler, Texas. Em'z features resort wear and accessories; jewelry, shoes, scarves, and jackets. The personal service and attention keeps Em'z fans coming back for more! Mount Dora's classiest boutique offers gift certificates, free gift wrap, alterations, and are happy to special order your size if it's not in stock. Gather your girlfriends for a private girls' night of shopping and wine, just give Em'z a call and they'll set it up. This is a fun place to shop for gifts and for, of course, YOU!

Clara at Em'z on Fifth
Mount Dora, FL


BARREL OF BOOKS AND GAMES
128 W. 4th Ave.
Barrel of Books and Games on Facebook
barrelofbooksandgames.com

This adorable bookstore has a special place in my heart. As a lover of books, it pains me to see independent bookstores becoming a thing of the past. We have to save them, dear reader! Barrel of Books has an impressive collection of new and used books. You might be fortunate enough to encounter one of your favorite Florida authors doing a book signing here. If you're lucky enough to live near Mount Dora join the book club! Personal service abounds, if there's a book or game you want, owner Crissy will do everything she can to find it. Just visiting and happen to fall in love with Barrel of Books and Games? They ship anywhere in the country. Find the perfect gift here for book lovers, children, and those nerdy types who collect bobbleheads and Star Wars collectibles. New and nostalgic games as well as unique stocking stuffers can be found here. Listen up: Now until December 10th, you can purchase a $100 gift card for $90! No expiration and no exclusions!


Barrel of Books and Games
Mount Dora, FL


PAPILIO
120 W. 5th Ave.
Papilio on Facebook
papiliomountdora.com

Stepping in to Papilio is like taking a stroll through the forest. A breath of fresh air, nature-inspired art and gifts, garden décor, air plants and succulents. You can find a perfect gift for anyone here; educational toys for children, bath and body products for men and women, handcrafted jewelry, and beautiful accessories for your home, inside and out. This season Papilio's Christmas décor is a must-see! Live outside the area? Papilio's has an online catalogue, see it here: papiliomountdora.com

Papilio
Mount Dora, FL


JULIANNE'S COASTAL COTTAGE
135 E. 4th Ave.
Julianne's Coastal Cottage on Facebook
juliannescoastalcottage.com

Why do I love this store so much? Mermaids! Lots of them! I feel right at home in this shop, they have everything you need for coastal living and entertaining. For the Parrothead on your list check out the new Margaritaville Village by Dept. 56. Julianne's has gifts galore for the mermaid in your life; quilts, apparel, jewelry, gourmet food and Florida wine! I can't escape this store without buying a gift for someone (or for me!).

Julianne's Coastal Cottage
Mount Dora, FL


ESSENTIAL THERAPIES GARDEN SPA
1518 N. Donnelly St.
Essential Therapies Garden Spa on Facebook
essentialtherapies.com

If you are a follower of my blog (thank you!) you know Essential Therapies is my happy place. For gifting this season, SoapRocks and bath bombs make awesome stocking stuffers, and Essential Therapies carries a full line of skincare, diffusers, and essential oils. (This place smells amazing!) Don't forget the men in your life! I know some manly men who love a gentleman's facial or pedicure. For mom and dad or new parents or any dynamic duo, a couples massage is the ultimate gift.Who wouldn't want a day of pampering? Purchase gift certificates for spa packages or individual services. You can buy them online and oops, if you forgot someone, you can purchase a digital gift certificate and Essential Therapies will email it to the recipient!

SoapRocks at Essential Therapies Garden Spa
Mount Dora, FL


MAGGIE'S ATTIC OF FLORIDA AND THE CELLAR AT MAGGIE'S
237 W. 4th Ave., Suite 5
Maggie's Attic and the Cellar at Maggie's on Facebook
www.maggiesattic.us

You might be a little weary by now from walking around Mount Dora, your arms laden with gift bags. Stop in Maggie's for a glass of wine and finish your shopping while you're there! Maggie's has an eclectic gift selection as well as a huge selection of wine and craft beers. Pick up a bottle or two  for hostess gifts and your own holiday entertaining. Purchase a curated six-pack of craft beer for that guy who has everything. For corporate gifts let Sommelier Jerome help you choose just the right wine (they will give you a discount if you buy a case!). Gift cards and wine club memberships make thoughtful gifts too, you can purchase in store or online. Easy-peasy! Go to their website for details: www.maggiesattic.us

Maggie's Attic and the Cellar at Maggie's
Mount Dora, FL

So are you all done with your shopping? I hope you enjoyed downtown Mount Dora as much as I do. Thank you for reading, following, and sharing, I appreciate you!

Just keep swimming!




  



Comments

  1. Thank you, Florida Mermaid, for sharing some great options for shoppers...Many of these shops have great gifts and Christmas cheer! We love people like you who shop local first! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

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