In the gift shop up front, find beautiful porcelain, books, tabletop stuff, and gifty things, and in the back is the floral design studio. The mother and daughter who own it have backgrounds in art and interior design. I’ve gotten beautiful aged terra-cotta containers there; it’s great for hostess gifts. For flowers for those pots or a quick bouquet, I also love R&R Secret Flowers. I love that she grows everything on her own in-town farm.
This is a new quirky gift shop in Five Points owned by two guys who handpick everything. At first I thought it was all THC drinks and mushroom tea, but they also have a really great selection of books and gifts. It’s crystals and tarot cards next to local pottery and bestsellers.
Yes, this shop caters to art school students and artists, but it’s such a beautiful place to look around. I’ve bought markers and sketching tools there, and these gorgeous Japanese gouache paints just because the box was so pretty. They have every kind of pencil you can imagine. It’s upstairs in a building downtown, so it kind of feels like a hidden surprise.
When my mom’s in town for my birthday we go to Heery’s to shop for clothes. It’s an Athens institution, right on a downtown corner near the arch. I’ve been shopping there since college, but my mom will find stuff, I’ll buy things, and the college kids will find stuff too—it’s got great range. It’s where you go in town for Hunter Bell, Tanya Taylor, Veronica Beard, something to wear to a spring party.
It’s an Athens staple for antiques and china—a great place for gifts for friends who like to host and set a proper table. It has all the heritage china and William Yeoward, Herend, Juliska, Simon Pearce, but also younger, fresher brands like Weezie Towels out of Atlanta. It feels old-school (they still wrap presents!) but not old-fashioned. It’s in a cheery little cottage in Five Points, and after shopping you can walk around the neighborhood or pop into the lunch counter at ADD Drug and grab some UGA memorabilia.
Rebecca Wood has been making her vibrant glazed pottery for more than thirty years. Her studio feels like stumbling into a secret artist’s studio, but there’s a bustling shop attached. I collect platters and scallop bowls (any color!) and love to give her dipping and nut bowls as presents. Everything feels one of a kind and unique to Athens.
I love the packaging of these chocolate bars—bright, poppy, colorful—and I like to tie them on top of wrapped presents. They have this Bulldog Bark that is perfect. Peter Dale, who owns the restaurant Five & Ten, owns Condor with his brother, and it’s a lovely place to pop in for a coffee or gelato too.
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