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12 unique locations you didn’t think of to shop for Christmas gifts in Louisville

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12 unique locations you didn’t think of to shop for Christmas gifts in Louisville

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Small Business Saturday may feel like a cleansing sigh after the chaotic frenzy of Black Friday and we have a tip to make the “buy local” tradition even more enjoyable. How about shopping for unique holiday gifts in places that are also fun to visit?

To make your holiday shopping experience even more unique this year, we visited some of Louisville’s one-of-a-kind gift shops, including a Scandinavian bakery, a botanical garden, the Louisville Zoo, and a host of the city’s iconic museums.

“Buying local means you get to explore the unique neighborhoods and experiences of Louisville,” said Jennifer Rubenstein, executive director of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance. “You’re often meeting business owners and neighbors, finding items that reflect our city’s culture, all while giving the local economy an extra boost. It’s a lot of fun.”

This year, Shop Small Saturday is Nov. 30, and according to the Louisville Independent Business Alliance, buying local not only supports local business owners by keeping two to three times more dollars recirculating through the local economy, but it also builds more local jobs and community wealth.

Here are 12 off-the-beaten-path shopping destinations where you can take your time, discover something new, and feel pride in supporting Louisville businesses.

704 Central Ave., derbymuseum.org

Located inside the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Ave., the Derby Museum Store offers something special for everyone — from the tourist commemorating a bucket-list experience to the seasoned Kentucky Derby party planner.

In the store and online, customers can find fun souvenirs, official Derby glasses, licensed Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs merchandise, beautiful home décor, apparel, jewelry, games, and more. Many items can be customized for corporate gift options. The store sources many one-of-a-kind gifts from area artists and small businesses, showcasing local vendors to customers from around the world. At least 50% of the vendors featured in the Derby Museum Store are considered local and small businesses.

The gift store is open Nov. 29-30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting Dec. 1, it is open 12-5 p.m. on Sundays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

1100 Trevilian Way, louisvillezoo.org

The Louisville Zoo’s Main Plaza Gift Shop is the perfect place to find unique gifts for any age. For kids, you can choose from a large selection of plush animals, a wide variety of books and games, and nature-based toys. If you are hunting for something a little more “grown-up,” you’ll find jewelry, fun t-shirts, and sweatshirts plus a great selection of fair trade hand-crafted gifts from exotic locations throughout the world. A yearly membership to the zoo is also an excellent holiday gift idea.

Louisville Zoo admission/parking is not required to shop. The gift shop is located at the main entrance and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

1001 Trevilian Way, smornordicbakeri.com

Louisville’s only Scandinavian bakery offers a delicious mix of old-world elegance and downhome flare. Anyone would appreciate a sweet gift box filled with 100 % made-from-scratch pastries, but Smør offers more.

Owner Liz Huot curates a gift section in the bakery filled with Scandivanian-influenced items. One of the shop’s top sellers is a line of products based on the adorable “Moomin” characters, which are popular in Scandinavia in a series of novels, short stories, picture books, and a comic strip created by Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking Finnish writer and illustrator.

The shop also features bath and body products, children’s books and toys, home goods, stickers, and a lovely selection of holiday ornaments and decor, all of which offer a unique way to say “God Jul,” the Scandinavian phrase for Merry Christmas.

Smør Nordic Bakeri is open Thursday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6220 Old LaGrange Road, Crestwood, Kentucky, yewdellgardens.org

The Yew Dell Botanical Garden Gift Shop is a contemporary glass structure built within the visitor center. The unique design has won architectural awards. While the shop is small, the selection is a potpourri ranging from practical garden tools to the prettiest holiday decor. The stock includes items from local artists, small businesses, American-made, fair trade, and environmentally friendly.

Yew Dell Botanical Garden is a non-profit, which means all purchases from the gift shop and yearly memberships go directly back to supporting the garden.

The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. The store closes for the season on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Louisville’s Museum Row and further afield

Main St. in downtown Louisville, museumrowlouisville.com

Museum shops are filled with treasures you won’t find in big box stores. Nearly all museum stores can be entered without paying admission to the exhibits, although there is nothing that says you can’t mix in some pleasure by visiting your favorite museum before you shop.

Louisville’s Museum Row on Main Street is where the majority of museums are located. Here you’ll discover unusual jewelry, art books, housewares, stationery, posters, apparel, and home decor in all price ranges. Here are a few places to check out as you’re holiday shopping this year:

Just a short drive from Museum Row you’ll find The Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St., which will celebrate the season with its annual Speed Holiday Garage Sale. The deals include everything from $5 t-shirts and $10 hoodies, to70% off jewelry, postcards, toys and media, and more. The Garage Sale takes place from Nov. 29 (Black Friday) through Dec. 1 (Museum Store Sunday).

Happy shopping!

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

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