Page 28 - BusinessWest November 14, 2022

Gifts Close to Home
Western Mass. Offers Plenty of Local Shopping Options
By Kailey Houle
It’s not always easy to find the perfect gift item for everyone on your list, but, thankfully, Western
Mass. provides plenty of experi- ences to share — from axe throwing to massages; from wine tastings to pottery making — not to mention gift items like books, toys, locally created art pieces ... the list goes on. So, if you’re looking to shop local, eat local, and support area busi- nesses and organizations — and, in turn, boost the region’s economy at a time when it could really use the lift — here are some suggestions to get you started. Happy holidays, and happy shopping!
Agawam Axe House
396 Main St., Suite A, Agawam
(413) 292-6549; www.agawamaxe.com The Agawam Axe House is one of only a few axe-throwing spots in the area. With an 18+, reservation-only hour slot, people can practice their aim in one of the six lanes available; parties and events are also welcome. For a more family-friendly approach, Aga- wam Axe House offers ‘footbowling,’ the perfect combo of the fun of throw- ing a football and trying to knock town 10 pins in bowling for ages 12 and up. Gift certificates are available online and in-store.
Berkshire East Mountain Resort
66 Thunder Mountain Road, Charlemont
(413) 339-6618; www.berkshireeast.com
Berkshire East is a four-season resort that offers a downhill mountain bike park, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoe trails, three zipline tours, whitewater rafting trips, one of the longest mountain coasters in the world, an adventure park, a rustic farm inn and wedding center, a res- taurant, and lots of facilities at which to host an event or stay at after a day on the mountain. It also hosts group events. Passes, admission, and gift cards are available online.
Bohdii Boutique
34 Center Square, East Longmeadow (413) 224-1672; www.bohdiiboutique.com
The Bohdii Boutique is a women’s clothing boutique with a focus on trendy and affordable clothing. It also sells shoes, jewelry, hats, and acces- sories; there is also a home and well- ness section, stocked with phone cases, wine glasses and wine tags, dog clothes, candles and matches, and keychains. The boutique holds pop-
up events throughout the month at both its East Longmeadow and Bos- ton locations.
Champagne Apothecary
38 School St., Westfield
(413) 579-5077; www.champagneapothecary.com
At Champagne Apothecary, owner Amber Champagne-Matos — a licensed esthetician and herbal-
ist for almost a decade — offers a
vast variety of handcrafted self-care products, scents, and gifts, includ- ing but not limited to nail care, hair care, skin care, men’s grooming, fragrance, and Champagne-Matos’s own line, ETHYST Skincare. Gift cards are available. She offers virtual skin- care sessions and business-consulting sessions as well.
Common Grounds Cafe
2341 Boston Road, Wilbraham
(413) 279-1700
Coffee Grounds Cafe in the Wilbra- ham Shops offers a variety of coffees, teas, lattes and breakfast foods. The menu of this family- and pet-friendly establishment changes regularly, with seasonal options available for takeout or delivery. A small seated area is also available for dining in. Wilbraham Local Gift Cards are accepted here.
Connecticut Valley Brewing Co.
765 Sullivan Ave.,
South Windsor, Conn.
(860) 644-2707; www.ctvalleybrewing.com Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. has a taproom in South Windsor that offers an array of IPAs, pale ales, sours, lagers, NEIPAs, spiked seltzers, spiked smoothies, and more. Events are held at the taproom with a family-friendly atmosphere. In late 2019, the compa- ny launched Birdhouse Coffee, a café and roastery that celebrates ethically sourced and produced coffee, and
in 2021, it launched its an in-house kitchen producing a variety of share- ables, entrees, breads, pastries, and more.
CyclePottery
42 Maple St., Florence
(413) 333-8893; www.cyclepottery.com CyclePottery studio offers classes, les- sons, and workshops for beginners to advanced potters; birthday parties, special occasions, and private work- shops are also available. Extra-needs- friendly classes are available as well. The facility boasts five Brent wheels, a production-size Skutt kiln, a smaller L&L kiln, a North Star slab roller, two
large hand-building tables, two large glazing tables, lots of light, and two porches. Gift cards are available online and in-store.
Echo Hill Orchards & Winery
101 Wilbraham Road, Monson
(413) 267-3303; www.echohillorchards.com
Echo Hills is a family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchard that grows apples, peaches, pears, pump- kins, sunflowers, and wildflowers in season. It makes wine, moonshine, spirits, and liquors out of fruits that are grown on the farm, using apples as the base. The winery and distillery offers tastings, also including a vari- ety of seasonal drinks made in-house. Because outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, food-truck vendors are on site to help soak up the alcohol.
care, facials, waxing, body treatments, spiritual wellness, and enhancements. There are also a handful of hot-tub and sauna rooms for visitors, both indoors and outdoors. Gift cards are available online and in-store.
Elements Massage
379 Russell St., Hadley
(413) 301-0625; www.elementsmassage.com/hadley Elements Massage (not associated with Elements Hot Tubs Spa) offers
an array of massages and packages, including but not limited to deep tis- sue, Swedish, sports, trigger point, stretch, and couples massages. Gift cards are available online and in store.
Enjoy Boutique
4 Deerfield Ave., Shelburne Falls
(413) 687-0827; www.storeenjoy.com Enjoy Boutique is a boutique clothing, accessory, and gift shop, specializing in ethically and sustainably made goods; it sells brands like Cut Loose, Free People, Origin, Magnolia Pearl, and more. Adjacent to Shelburne Falls’ famed Glacial Potholes and just a few blocks from the gorgeous Bridge of Flowers, the boutique includes fair- trade items, organically grown textiles, eco-conscious wares, and one-of-a- kind artisan goods.
Feel Good Shop Local
(413) 252-5400;
www.feelgoodshoplocal.com
Fueled by the COVID-19 cri-
sis, Feel Good Shop Local was founded in 2020 to ensure local small businesses would not be left out of the online shopping and discovery experience. The website has different options for how to shop: by occasion, price, recipient, interests, values, and what’s popular. The array of local shops feature clothing, jewelry, blankets, candles, accessories, skincare, and much more — and local retailers are being added all the time.
Flora! the Shop
61 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls (413) 695-7379; www.floratheshop.com
Flora! the Shop is a gift shop offering a wide variety of items:
art, photography, and canvas prints from featured artists and artisans from Boston to Brooklyn to Burbank, as well as jewelry, face masks, lip balms and butters, calendars, chocolate, coffee and tea, candles, blankets, incense, planters, ornaments, pet bowls, pet placemats, gifts for holidays and spe-
Elements Hot Tub Spa
373 Main St., Amherst
(413) 256-8827; www.elementshottubspa.com Elements Hot Tub Spa offers an array of spa packages and services, includ- ing but not limited to massages, skin-
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SHOP LOCAL
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