Still “wrapping” up your holiday shopping? Come visit these local stores within a mile of LC!
By Amelie Reese
When asked the question, “Where do you like to shop,” what is your immediate response? Is it Amazon, Shein, or some other corporate superstore? There are so many political and personal reasons to shop locally. For example, you are supporting your downtown, by keeping it vibrant and active and making it a better and safer experience for all! Don’t you want to see Spokane’s store fronts filled with fun things and people? Another reason is you’d be supporting your neighbors who own the businesses, who then employ other locals to keep their store running and in order, instead of some stranger billionaire. Also, you are keeping our city budget healthier by putting money back into the economy through taxes when you buy locally, as well as keeping things in town up-to-date.
So may I ask, What kinds of things do you like to shop for or buy? Clothing, gifts, books? Well, there are so many places in downtown Spokane that have these things! So before you open your Amazon app, come check out these independent stores within walking distance of LC and make Spokane a better place!
Books
Aunties Bookstore
402 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.6 miles from LC)
Enjoy the ambience of creaky, wooden floors and book-stuffed cases in this charming bookstore. The employees are helpful and there is a wide selection of books in all genres and age groups throughout the store’s 12,000 square feet. If they don’t have the book you are looking for, they are always happy to order it for you and it will arrive within a week. They have many events and signings to attend, where they support local authors, host a variety of book clubs, and so much more! Also, you can sell your gently used books to Aunties in exchange for store credit
Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe
411 W. 1st Ave Unit 101, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.4 miles from LC)
A quirky bookstore-combined-cafe, Jupiter’s Eye specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery books. They have a large table in a closed-off space that can seat up to eight people, for your book club, DnD night, or monthly get-together with friends. They have delicious drinks, with my go-to being a sweet iced chai that tastes good no matter the weather, along with sandwiches and snacks to enjoy. Just imagine sitting at a table with a hot peppermint tea, a tomato and mozzarella sandwich, and your favorite book, ensconced in the ambient lighting and dreamy green walls of Jupiter’s Eye.
Gifts and Fun Things
Uncles Games
404 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.6 miles from LC)
A creative, independent game and puzzle store filled with board & card games, puzzles, trading cards, and many more toys, bordering Auntie’s Bookstore. Many RPG enthusiasts gather here to play, from the classic DnD to Star Wars Legion. Their employees are knowledgeable and can help you out, whether you’re searching for a gift for your best friend or interested in learning a new game. They also keep open-box games for you to test out or try before you buy. Get your nerd on at Uncles!
Atticus Coffee and Gifts
222 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.5 miles from LC)
Atticus Coffee and Gifts was named after Atticus Finch, the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus has a whimsical coffee shop in the back that really sets the atmosphere, along with a gift shop with so many fun things from vintage books to stationery supplies, aromatic candles to fun posters and prints. They also have Spokane-themed merchandise to send to your aunt in California. You will want to buy everything as soon as you lay your eyes on this wonderful brick building.
Boo Radley’s
232 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.6 miles from LC)
Out-of-the-ordinary and filled with so many hilarious items, you won’t find one boring thing here, from so many tiny hands to socks with irreverent and inappropriate sayings. Boo Radley is the mysterious neighbor in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Boo Radley’s is a neighbor to Atticus Coffee & Gifts. The store has such a fun and crazy vibe with its random assortment of silly items - it’s the ideal place to find a White Elephant gift. I highly recommend taking a peek inside.
Kizuri
35 W Main Ave Unit 100, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.8 miles from LC)
Did you know that Kizuri means “Good!” In Swahili? Kizuri is a fair trade store with things hand-made by people from over 40 countries. It has so many things from jewelry to pillows and fun clothes to cool trinkets. The owner is Jillian Joseph, a past ASB president at LC. You can spot her picture on the walls by the entrance to the commons here at school. There is something for everyone here, with toys and stuffed animals for kids, fun napkins, plates, and utensils for your parents, and beaded jewelry or hand-crafted notebooks for your friends.
Clothing
Do It With Soul
112 S. Cedar St, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.8 miles from LC)
Upcycled, new, and vintage clothes in an eclectic store whose atmosphere is unmatched. They have so many other things too, ranging from cute accessories to tarot cards, home decor to incense. They upcycle jackets and jumpsuits with band t-shirts and imported textiles. You can find unique, tie-dyed tees and sweatshirts, along with vintage dresses and flannels. Design your own charm bracelet and pick up a one-of-a-kind clothing item that nobody at school will have. It’s a large store filled to the brim, along with a downstairs, and dressing rooms. The brand represents a movement to be yourself and to “do it with soul.”
Global Neighborhood Thrift & Vintage
919 E Trent Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 (2.4 miles from LC - further but worth a bus ride)
Full of donated items, Global Neighborhood is a thrift store that has clothes, decor, and much more. Refugees who have come to Spokane are employed here and are provided with education, income, job training, and support to have a great life here in the U.S. Everything available at Global Neighborhood is sorted and displayed in organized categories. Clothing is arranged by size and color and books by genre and author. They even have a true vintage department. With everything being donated and used, shopping here is better for the planet. You can also donate to Global Neighborhood and they will sell just about anything you have in their store.
Fringe & Fray
1325 W. 1st Ave Unit 102, Spokane, WA 99201 (0.8 miles from LC)
A boutique that sells second hand, vintage, and modern clothing, jewelry, and home decor. Fringe & Fray has such a fun and chic atmosphere and has been around since 2010. They mainly sell in-season clothing that is affordable, getting new items in all the time. They support the community by selling things people have donated, that they have made themselves, or bought and don’t want anymore. Upcycled clothing is also a part of their establishment, so nothing goes to waste. Also, you can trade in your clean and gently used clothing in exchange for store credit or cash.
Now that you are aware of all the amazing independent stores out there, put your phone away, take a walk downtown, and interact with a real human being. Go analog! Support the local economy! You will thank yourself for it later. People appreciate getting gifts that you can’t find anywhere else, from one-of-a-kind local shops. So head downtown, whether that’s by car, bus, or foot, and finish your Christmas shopping before it’s too late! And remember, support locals, not billionaires!
