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Holiday Shopping & Gift Guide
Part i: Cool gift-giving ideas from some of Charlotte's hippest stores
by David Aaron Moore qnotes contributor
It's that time of year again. Doesn't matter if you're celebrating Christmas, Chanukah or Winter Solstice, most Americans like to join in for the merriment of the holiday season by exchanging gifts with
family members, good friends and their spouse or significant other.
We took a look around town, and after careful consideration picked six stores from among our favorites in the heart of Charlotte that have some of the best and most interesting gifts to offer.
Check them out.. .and don't forget to tell them qnotes sent you! Best of all, stay tuned for our Nov. 24 and Dec. 8 print editions for more holiday gift-giving, shopping and decorating ideas.'
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Boris and Natasha
1214 Thomas Ave.
704-375-fl079
Look for Boris & Natasha on Facebook
A long-time
Plaza-Midwood
staple for funky
clothing and ac
cessories, Boris
and Natasha
boasts a bevy
of just about
everything a
fashionista could
desire and is
clearly a definite must see if you're shopping for a hard-to-buy-
for closet hoarder. Look for high-end alternative clothing from
such celebrated labels as Double Zero and French Connection.
For affordable style with a funky flair, be sure to check out
the store's collection of inspired scarves and other acces
sories. When it comes to high style foot wear for both men
and women, Boris and Natasha is the place to go for Jeffrey
Campbell shoes. Don't miss out on the Dec. 8 trunk showing of
leather goods and knitted and crocheted items (by local artists)
to pick up a gift like no other.
City Supply Company
1219 Thomas Ave.
704-347-2489
citysupplycharlotte.com
City Supply Company is
a long-time Plaza-Midvyood
business specializing in
unusual items, ranging from
original retro furniture, to
new retro-inspired and
minimalist home.furnish-
ings and accessories. In
addition to a large as
sortment of unusual and
comedic seasonal cards,
you'll find much more that's
suitable for anyone on
your holiday shopping list
Voluspa candles, a vast as
sortment of unique Christmas ornaments, stunning jewelry for
both men and women and a selection of prints by local artist
David French.
Green With Envy
1111 Central Ave.
704-344-8774
envycharlotte.com
Formerly known as
D.l. Central, the com
pany's owners and ad
dress are the same, but
now they've got a new
name, as well as a col
lection of new goods,
including clothing and
jewelry for both men
and women, bath sup
plies, garden supplies,
stationary and original
works by local artists.
Among the many good gift ideas available for the person-
that-has-everything are candles, clear stained glass picture .
frames, a tasty selection of standard and exotic chocolates,
gourmet popcorn, Moravian cookies and (getthis) microwave-
able pork rinds (available in cinnamon and barbecue flavors)!
Paper Skyscraper
330 East Blvd.
704-333-7130
paperskyscraper.com
Paper Skyscraper has
been a favorite holiday shop
ping destination in the LGBT
community for many years.
Home furnishing accessories,
kitschy parlor games and
quirky novelty toys for adult
kids, fun gift cards and a huge
library of stylish coffee table
books and tomes on unusual,
hard-to-find topics are just
a portion of what Paper
Skyscraper has to offer.
Check out this selection of store favorites: a shoe wine
caddy, designed to hold one bottle of wine and shaped like a
full-sized lady's high heel pump; handmade soy candles made
by the Charlotte-based Ella B. Pure Soy Candles with scents
and names inspired by Charlotte's favorite 'hoods and Charlotte
skyline marble coasters and ornaments made exclusively
for Paper Skyscraper, which feature a color rendering of the
skyline screen-printed onto marble.
The Rat's Nest
442 East 36th St
704-371-3599
See The Rat's Nest on Facebook
The Rat's Nestis a rela
tive newcomer to the line
up of unique and unusual
retail stores in Charlotte.
Located in NoDa, the store
carries a collection of all
things funky and vintage:
furniture, clothing and
accessories, household
items ranging from kitchen
appliances to electronics
such as working antique
televisions, radios and
even record and eight-
track tape players. And, if
you're looking for vintage
kicks. The Rat's Nest's collection of men's and women's cowboy
boots will give your spurs a nice complement. If you want to
take a loved one back in time for the holidays. The Rat's Nest is
the place to go.
White Rabbit
920 Central Ave.
704-377-4067
whiterabbitbooks.com
For nearly three decades. White Rabbit has proudly served
North Carolina's LGBT community ds the premier shopping
destination for those seeking LGBT-themed books, cloth
ing, Pridewearand
more. With its new
and brightly-painted
building on Central
Ave., you can't miss
this store. Stop in to
peruse through its
massive selection of
stylish underwear
from brands Andrew Christian, Cell Block 13, Timoteo, Private
Structure, Greg Homme, Pistol Pete, Nasty Pig, Junk Jeans
and more. If you have a movie lover on your list, check out
the store's selection of unique LGBT-themed DVDs. Rainbow-
inspired gifts and other odds and ends round out the store's
products, along with their selection of movies, toys and maga
zines of a more adult-like flair.
David Aaron Moore is a former editor of qnotes, serving in the role from 2003 to 2007. Moore is a native of North Carolina and the author of "Charlotte: Murder, Mystery and Mayhem" from-'^
History Press. Moore has worked for several mainstream and LGBT publications as editor, staff writer, contributor and freelancer.
Store and product photos: Matt Comer* Illustration: vectorcard.corh, licensed under Creative Commons.
qnotes Nov. IO-23.2012