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Where to Shop Local in Greater Cincinnati This Holiday Season

By on Mon, Dec 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm

With all businesses suffering from the economic fall-out of COVID-19, this year is perhaps one of the most important to shop local during the holidays. Greater Cincinnati stores and independent shops need your support as they continue to navigate various health and safety guidelines while jugging their own livelihoods (and those of their employees). Shopping local this year will have a direct impact on their ability to stay open and navigate this storm — you can make a difference just by wielding your purchasing power. So here is a list of Greater Cincinnati shops. It is not comprehensive. There are many, many more local boutiques than are listed here. Please view this as a starting point — a bit of inspiration — to explore and acknowledge the breadth of what our friends, neighbors and local shopkeepers have to offer before you hit the "buy now" button  on Amazon.
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Fleurish Grounds 5907 Bramble Ave., Madisonville The Fleurish Grounds brick and mortar plant shop in Madisonville might be one of the best things to have grown out of COVID-19 for owner Christine Funke. What started as a pop-up in her garage is now a storefront, where she sells plants, pots and home goods. She has based her design and aesthetic around her West Coast roots, dubbing the look “modern coastal Midcentury.” Her plants range anywhere from $7 to $160, with the average customer spending around $20. Plants can be bought in pots made by local artists as well as artists from Funke’s hometown in California. “I really try to keep inventory that fits everyone's style: a timeless style that can fit any home without breaking the bank,” she says. Photo: Provided by Fleurish Grounds

Fleurish Grounds

5907 Bramble Ave., Madisonville
The Fleurish Grounds brick and mortar plant shop in Madisonville might be one of the best things to have grown out of COVID-19 for owner Christine Funke. What started as a pop-up in her garage is now a storefront, where she sells plants, pots and home goods. She has based her design and aesthetic around her West Coast roots, dubbing the look “modern coastal Midcentury.” Her plants range anywhere from $7 to $160, with the average customer spending around $20. Plants can be bought in pots made by local artists as well as artists from Funke’s hometown in California. “I really try to keep inventory that fits everyone's style: a timeless style that can fit any home without breaking the bank,” she says.
Photo: Provided by Fleurish Grounds
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Wolfpack 1813 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Walk into Over-the-Rhine’s Wolfpack or take a scroll on their Instagram (@shopthewolfpack) and you’ll be hit with a distinct flavor of warm, earthy tones. And if you’ve done the former, maybe you’ve met the owner’s lovable dog Timberwolf. Owned by Katherine Dalton, the cozy store’s mission is grounded in selling clothing, homegoods and gifts that are sustainability minded. As stated on their website, that means items that are ethically sourced and made by people who are being paid a living wage in a safe environment. Those are ideals worth getting behind. Wolfpack, 1342 Main St., Over-the Rhine, shopthewolfpack.com. Photo: @shopthewolfpack

Wolfpack

1813 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Walk into Over-the-Rhine’s Wolfpack or take a scroll on their Instagram (@shopthewolfpack) and you’ll be hit with a distinct flavor of warm, earthy tones. And if you’ve done the former, maybe you’ve met the owner’s lovable dog Timberwolf. Owned by Katherine Dalton, the cozy store’s mission is grounded in selling clothing, homegoods and gifts that are sustainability minded. As stated on their website, that means items that are ethically sourced and made by people who are being paid a living wage in a safe environment. Those are ideals worth getting behind. Wolfpack, 1342 Main St., Over-the Rhine, shopthewolfpack.com.
Photo: @shopthewolfpack
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Originalitees 2809 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills Cincinnati-based Originalitees opened its flagship storefront this summer in East Walnut Hills. Originalitees is a locally owned and operated clothing line that specializes in state, city and neighborhood pride apparel. With quality, comfort, affordability and style at front of mind, owner Khisha Asubuhi sells only products that she would wear herself, including funky Ohio socks and Cincinnati streets tanks. Photo: facebook.com/originalitees

Originalitees

2809 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills
Cincinnati-based Originalitees opened its flagship storefront this summer in East Walnut Hills. Originalitees is a locally owned and operated clothing line that specializes in state, city and neighborhood pride apparel. With quality, comfort, affordability and style at front of mind, owner Khisha Asubuhi sells only products that she would wear herself, including funky Ohio socks and Cincinnati streets tanks.
Photo: facebook.com/originalitees
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Handzy Shop + Studio 17 W. Pike St., Covington Think bright colors, cute sayings and shopping ops for your BFFs. “Handzy Shop + Studio is a boutique with the cutest collection of clothes, accessories, stationery, gifts and more,” says owner Suzy Strachan. “We are all about offering upbeat products that foster friendships and make people happy. In the studio, we design our signature line of stationery, which you can also find in the shop.” Photo: facebook/handzyshopstudio

Handzy Shop + Studio

17 W. Pike St., Covington
Think bright colors, cute sayings and shopping ops for your BFFs. “Handzy Shop + Studio is a boutique with the cutest collection of clothes, accessories, stationery, gifts and more,” says owner Suzy Strachan. “We are all about offering upbeat products that foster friendships and make people happy. In the studio, we design our signature line of stationery, which you can also find in the shop.”
Photo: facebook/handzyshopstudio
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Deerhaus Decor 135 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine Located in Findlay Market, Deerhaus provides a brick-and-mortar location for local craftsmen and artisans to display their work, which ranges from soaps and ceramics to jewelry and woodwork. There are also unique maker-made items from across the United States that all share similar characteristics of being accessible and sustainable with a woodsy vintage vibe. Find locally made waxed canvas aprons next to naturally dyed raw silk scarves, salvaged breweriana and hand-sewn stuffed animals. Photo: Adam Doty

Deerhaus Decor

135 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine
Located in Findlay Market, Deerhaus provides a brick-and-mortar location for local craftsmen and artisans to display their work, which ranges from soaps and ceramics to jewelry and woodwork. There are also unique maker-made items from across the United States that all share similar characteristics of being accessible and sustainable with a woodsy vintage vibe. Find locally made waxed canvas aprons next to naturally dyed raw silk scarves, salvaged breweriana and hand-sewn stuffed animals.
Photo: Adam Doty
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BlaCk OWned Outerwear 822 Elm St., Downtown Owned by Means Cameron, BlaCk OWned Outerwear offers tracksuits, jackets, shirts and hats for men, women and children at its downtown retail shop. Its mission statement is “to promote black ownership while challenging societal inequities through fashion and storytelling.” Photo: facebook.com/imblackowned

BlaCk OWned Outerwear

822 Elm St., Downtown
Owned by Means Cameron, BlaCk OWned Outerwear offers tracksuits, jackets, shirts and hats for men, women and children at its downtown retail shop. Its mission statement is “to promote black ownership while challenging societal inequities through fashion and storytelling.”
Photo: facebook.com/imblackowned
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Queen City Alchemy 1808 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Emily Little first launched her line of soaps and body products as “Little Organics,” with a focus on herbal medicine, informed and filtered through her Appalachian heritage. Now, more than a decade old, Little Organics is Queen City Alchemy, a high-end locally made holistic skincare line featuring soaps, serums, balms, deodorants and other botanicals crafted using non-toxic, compassionate and therapeutic ingredients. There are no dyes, no fillers, no parabens and no sulfates. The line is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and part of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics from the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. Photo: facebook/queencityalchemy

Queen City Alchemy

1808 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Emily Little first launched her line of soaps and body products as “Little Organics,” with a focus on herbal medicine, informed and filtered through her Appalachian heritage. Now, more than a decade old, Little Organics is Queen City Alchemy, a high-end locally made holistic skincare line featuring soaps, serums, balms, deodorants and other botanicals crafted using non-toxic, compassionate and therapeutic ingredients. There are no dyes, no fillers, no parabens and no sulfates. The line is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and part of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics from the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
Photo: facebook/queencityalchemy
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High St. 1401 Reading Road, Pendleton Local design/lifestyle store and studio High St. set up shop at the intersection of Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton and Mount Auburn in 2006. The design hub and storefront has gotten a bit of a makeover and some new branding recently, but still boasts an impressive selection exceptional curiosities. Spending time exploring the nooks and crannies of the shop is extremely rewarding. You may discover a bowl of antique prosthetic teeth, a stuffed jackalope head, vintage locks, plush and eclectic pillows, 18th-century French mouthwash, an existential coloring book, plants and other magical and macabre magnificence. If you are struggling for a new look or how to arrange your new purchases, High St. also offers interior design services for both residential and commercial spaces. Photo: facebook.com/shophighst

High St.

1401 Reading Road, Pendleton
Local design/lifestyle store and studio High St. set up shop at the intersection of Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton and Mount Auburn in 2006. The design hub and storefront has gotten a bit of a makeover and some new branding recently, but still boasts an impressive selection exceptional curiosities. Spending time exploring the nooks and crannies of the shop is extremely rewarding. You may discover a bowl of antique prosthetic teeth, a stuffed jackalope head, vintage locks, plush and eclectic pillows, 18th-century French mouthwash, an existential coloring book, plants and other magical and macabre magnificence. If you are struggling for a new look or how to arrange your new purchases, High St. also offers interior design services for both residential and commercial spaces.
Photo: facebook.com/shophighst
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Hail Dark Aesthetics 720 Main St., Covington At this oddities and record shop in MainStrasse, the storefront is stuffed with taxidermy, tarot cards, religious ephemera, Black Metal-style jewelry, branded Ouija boards and a bunch of dead snakes. For good or bad, there aren’t too many other stores where you can buy a pig fetus, tarot cards and the Twin Peaks soundtrack on vinyl in the same transaction. Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Hail Dark Aesthetics

720 Main St., Covington
At this oddities and record shop in MainStrasse, the storefront is stuffed with taxidermy, tarot cards, religious ephemera, Black Metal-style jewelry, branded Ouija boards and a bunch of dead snakes. For good or bad, there aren’t too many other stores where you can buy a pig fetus, tarot cards and the Twin Peaks soundtrack on vinyl in the same transaction.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Cincy Shirts 1301 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 2709 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park Cincy Shirts is a “vintage” T-shirt brand helmed by a local stand-up comedian that mines both the past and present to create apparel showcasing Cincinnati’s unique institutions and idiosyncratic culture. You can shop all their shirts, accessories and more online or in-store. Curbside pick-up is also available. Photo: Adam Doty

Cincy Shirts

1301 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 2709 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park
Cincy Shirts is a “vintage” T-shirt brand helmed by a local stand-up comedian that mines both the past and present to create apparel showcasing Cincinnati’s unique institutions and idiosyncratic culture. You can shop all their shirts, accessories and more online or in-store. Curbside pick-up is also available.
Photo: Adam Doty
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The Native One 1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 326 Scott Blvd., Covington Anna Steffen founded The Native One as a pop-up in 2017 when she was just 20 years old. The brick and mortar (and online) shops offer easy and affordable trend-based women’s fashion with cross-generational appeal. The stores are stuffed with everything from rompers and oversized outerwear to affordable statement footwear and lacy underpinnings. You’ll also find accessories, apothecary and home décor. Earlier this year, the brand moved OTR locations and expanded into the space that formerly held Japanese gastropub Kaze. Steffen says the new location features stylistic ties to the West Coast. Photo: facebook.com/shopthenativeone

The Native One

1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 326 Scott Blvd., Covington
Anna Steffen founded The Native One as a pop-up in 2017 when she was just 20 years old. The brick and mortar (and online) shops offer easy and affordable trend-based women’s fashion with cross-generational appeal. The stores are stuffed with everything from rompers and oversized outerwear to affordable statement footwear and lacy underpinnings. You’ll also find accessories, apothecary and home décor. Earlier this year, the brand moved OTR locations and expanded into the space that formerly held Japanese gastropub Kaze. Steffen says the new location features stylistic ties to the West Coast.
Photo: facebook.com/shopthenativeone
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Continuum 1407 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine This pink and plant-filled women’s clothing store and bazaar features a curated selection of items from independent artists, designers and makers. Owned by Ericka Leighton-Spradlin, the high-end concept shop has a playful sense of humor and an eye for contemporary silhouettes, with brands including No. 6, Cold Picnic and Paloma Wool and plenty of other covetable objects: locally made ceramic jewelry, minimalist fragrances, eco-friendly nail polishes, architectural footwear and indie publications. You can now shop their emerging designers (and all other products) online. Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Continuum

1407 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
This pink and plant-filled women’s clothing store and bazaar features a curated selection of items from independent artists, designers and makers. Owned by Ericka Leighton-Spradlin, the high-end concept shop has a playful sense of humor and an eye for contemporary silhouettes, with brands including No. 6, Cold Picnic and Paloma Wool and plenty of other covetable objects: locally made ceramic jewelry, minimalist fragrances, eco-friendly nail polishes, architectural footwear and indie publications. You can now shop their emerging designers (and all other products) online.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Lucca 126 W. Elder St., Findlay Market Owner, designer and machinist Lindsey Estes specializes in creating laser-cut wood, natural gifts, supplies and décor. If you can etch it or laser-cut it into wood, paper or leather, she’s probably made it. Find alder wood greeting cards, Art Deco wood-framed mirrors and hanging ornaments to appease everyone from Fiona fans to people who want to put the Roebling Bridge on the tree. Photo: facebook/luccaworkshop

Lucca

126 W. Elder St., Findlay Market
Owner, designer and machinist Lindsey Estes specializes in creating laser-cut wood, natural gifts, supplies and décor. If you can etch it or laser-cut it into wood, paper or leather, she’s probably made it. Find alder wood greeting cards, Art Deco wood-framed mirrors and hanging ornaments to appease everyone from Fiona fans to people who want to put the Roebling Bridge on the tree.
Photo: facebook/luccaworkshop
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Indigenous Craft Gallery 1609 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills This handmade craft gallery is a showroom for goods from more than 150 artists across the United States, with a focus on local and regional makers. Though the name suggests a sort of folksy lean, the work is well-made, sophisticated and contemporary arts-and-crafts, not kitsch. The 2,000-square-foot gallery features a selection of rustic and whimsical pottery, blown art glass, functional wood kitchen items, creative fiber art, handmade jewelry and garden décor. Photo: facebook/indigenousgallery

Indigenous Craft Gallery

1609 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills
This handmade craft gallery is a showroom for goods from more than 150 artists across the United States, with a focus on local and regional makers. Though the name suggests a sort of folksy lean, the work is well-made, sophisticated and contemporary arts-and-crafts, not kitsch. The 2,000-square-foot gallery features a selection of rustic and whimsical pottery, blown art glass, functional wood kitchen items, creative fiber art, handmade jewelry and garden décor.
Photo: facebook/indigenousgallery
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MiCA 12/v 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Providing local and independently made crafts and homegoods in OTR since 2007. “We’re essentially a gift store, but we focus on local artists and indie makers,” says co-owner Carolyn Deininger. “We sell anything from clothing to jewelry to bags, ceramics, paper goods, baby gifts and all kinds of unique gifts with a local focus or made by indie artists that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.” Photo: Paige Deglow

MiCA 12/v

1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Providing local and independently made crafts and homegoods in OTR since 2007. “We’re essentially a gift store, but we focus on local artists and indie makers,” says co-owner Carolyn Deininger. “We sell anything from clothing to jewelry to bags, ceramics, paper goods, baby gifts and all kinds of unique gifts with a local focus or made by indie artists that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.”
Photo: Paige Deglow
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Artichoke OTR 1824 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Brad and Karen Hughes opened their Artichoke storefront down the street from Findlay Market in order to offer marketgoers a convenient destination for cookware. From basics to unique pieces not available anywhere else, you’ll find the tools you need to throw down in the kitchen like you’re an Iron Chef; think colorful ceramic tagines, SMEG brand appliances and beautiful bundt pans. Pop in to browse or order over the phone for pick-up — just make sure you don’t step on lazy shop greyhound Gus. Photo: Brittany Thornton

Artichoke OTR

1824 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Brad and Karen Hughes opened their Artichoke storefront down the street from Findlay Market in order to offer marketgoers a convenient destination for cookware. From basics to unique pieces not available anywhere else, you’ll find the tools you need to throw down in the kitchen like you’re an Iron Chef; think colorful ceramic tagines, SMEG brand appliances and beautiful bundt pans. Pop in to browse or order over the phone for pick-up — just make sure you don’t step on lazy shop greyhound Gus.
Photo: Brittany Thornton
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UNheard Of 15 W. Fourth St., Downtown A “street pusher of rare goods” offering T-shirts, hats, hoodies, skate decks and more. If you know a sneaker freak, then you need to know the name and location of this store. Brands include Vans, Nike, Thrasher, Birkenstock, Adidas and more. UNheard Of says: "The high demand, low quantity items that we carry is what draws our crowd out from every corner of the United States. You can surely find something unique to match your own personal style every time you step in to our store!" Photo: facebook/unheardofbrand

UNheard Of

15 W. Fourth St., Downtown
A “street pusher of rare goods” offering T-shirts, hats, hoodies, skate decks and more. If you know a sneaker freak, then you need to know the name and location of this store. Brands include Vans, Nike, Thrasher, Birkenstock, Adidas and more. UNheard Of says: "The high demand, low quantity items that we carry is what draws our crowd out from every corner of the United States. You can surely find something unique to match your own personal style every time you step in to our store!"
Photo: facebook/unheardofbrand
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Coda Co. 400 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue This hip and crafty shop features maker-made products from upcycled and natural materials, like macrame wall hangings, coffee-bag pillows and bourbon barrel pub tables. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Kelti and Tanner Ziese, she is the softer side of the business, hand weaving macramé wall hangings out of cotton rope — organically attached to driftwood collected from the banks of the Ohio River — while he works with reclaimed bourbon barrels to create a variety of wood furniture and accessories. Kelti also curates a comfy selection of boho-chic clothing items for going out, or staying in. Online shopping available. Photo: facebook.com/codacompany

Coda Co.

400 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
This hip and crafty shop features maker-made products from upcycled and natural materials, like macrame wall hangings, coffee-bag pillows and bourbon barrel pub tables. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Kelti and Tanner Ziese, she is the softer side of the business, hand weaving macramé wall hangings out of cotton rope — organically attached to driftwood collected from the banks of the Ohio River — while he works with reclaimed bourbon barrels to create a variety of wood furniture and accessories. Kelti also curates a comfy selection of boho-chic clothing items for going out, or staying in. Online shopping available.
Photo: facebook.com/codacompany
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Downbound Books 4139 Apple St., Northside Downbound Books is perhaps the newest addition to Cincinnati’s community of independently owned bookstores. A Cincinnati native, owner Gregory Kornbluh returned to the city after a 13-year stint on the East Coast where he worked as a bookseller at a shop outside Boston and later in sales and marketing for Harvard University Press. With just over 500 square feet, Downbound aims "to present books, ideas, and authors that aren’t always so easy to discover elsewhere." Browse and buy online, or make an appointment to book a COVID-friendly, private shopping experience. Contactless pick-up for orders is available. Photo: Kaitlyn Handel

Downbound Books

4139 Apple St., Northside
Downbound Books is perhaps the newest addition to Cincinnati’s community of independently owned bookstores. A Cincinnati native, owner Gregory Kornbluh returned to the city after a 13-year stint on the East Coast where he worked as a bookseller at a shop outside Boston and later in sales and marketing for Harvard University Press. With just over 500 square feet, Downbound aims "to present books, ideas, and authors that aren’t always so easy to discover elsewhere." Browse and buy online, or make an appointment to book a COVID-friendly, private shopping experience. Contactless pick-up for orders is available.
Photo: Kaitlyn Handel
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Paper Wings 1207 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Mike and Carolyn Deininger, the owners of MiCA 12/v, opened a paper goods storefront just a few doors down on Vine Street. Paper Wings features original and unique artwork by indie creators, as well as quirky greeting cards, fresh stationery and local art on paper. "I always loved buying school supplies, new notebooks and pencils,” says Carolyn. “I loved to write stories and kept a journal. A brand new notebook or sketchbook is full of potential. I still feel that way.” Photo: Holden Mathis

Paper Wings

1207 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Mike and Carolyn Deininger, the owners of MiCA 12/v, opened a paper goods storefront just a few doors down on Vine Street. Paper Wings features original and unique artwork by indie creators, as well as quirky greeting cards, fresh stationery and local art on paper. "I always loved buying school supplies, new notebooks and pencils,” says Carolyn. “I loved to write stories and kept a journal. A brand new notebook or sketchbook is full of potential. I still feel that way.”
Photo: Holden Mathis
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