If you still have last minute gifts to buy and want to avoid the mall, consider shopping in downtown Kent. Both Kent Station and Kent’s historic district have some unique options. Here are a few of my favorites:

Earthworks Gem Design Studio: Steve St. Louis has some beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry that your sweetheart will love.

Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts: Consider a gift certificate to treat a loved one to a yoga or tai chi class or a massage treatment.

Balanced Athlete: This First Avenue shop has a great selection of running gear including exercise clothing, shoes and more. Owner Eric Sach can hook you up with something perfect for the athlete on your gift list.

Cypriana: This natural home store features wonderfully natural and organic products for home, bath and baby. In addition, owner Susan Thomas is an expert at designing custom slipcovers and embroidery for your home.

Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage: Treat yourself or a friend to a delightful massage, facial, skin care treatment or waxing. The personal care boutique also has some great stocking stuffers including make-up bags, eye masks, make-up, brushes and more.

English Cottage Collection: This darling shop on W. Meeker St. has different items every time I stop in. Filled with home decor, baby and gift items, this store has something for everyone in every price range.

American Charm: American Charm, also on W. Meeker, has a wide variety of fun, trendy and eclectic gift items, including home decor, children’s gifts, stuffed animals, purses, jewelry and more. You’ll love this shop’s American charm.

Children’s Bookshop: I love this lively children’s book store which is full of great books, learning tools, games, toys, teaching supplies and more. Find the ideal gift for the child or teacher in your life.

Renaissance Yarns: Now at Kent Station next to Dave’s MiniHobby Shop, Renaissance Yarns has a beautiful selection of yarns, patterns, knitting tools and other gift items for the creative one on your list. Not sure what to buy? Ask Nancy or her helpful staff to make some suggestions.

Just the Thing: For the fashionista in your family, check out Just the Thing at Kent Station. This charming boutique specializes in custom jean fittings. Buy a gift certificate so your fashionable friend can pick out her favorite jeans.

Marie Haggin Accessories: Now next to Chico’s at Kent Station, Marie Haggin Accessories has hundreds of gift ideas including unique purses, handmade jewelry, wedding crystal, fashion accessories and more. You’ll never find the same thing twice.

Peridot Nail Salon: Tired from your holiday shopping? Stop by Peridot at Kent Station and enjoy a manicure or pedicure. Afterward, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for your next holiday task.

Topaz: If you’ve got trendy, young shoppers to buy for, visit Topaz, next to Road Runner at Kent Station. This new fashion boutique has great, affordable pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Kent.

Other possibilities for last minute gifts include: Bella home & garden, City Frame, Discovery Shop, Goju Karate & Pilates, Salon Avoni, Howell’s Religious Books, Distinctive Images Barber Shop and Styling Salon, NW Electrology & Permanent Makeup, Nature’s Vignettes and more. To learn more about these businesses, visit Kent Downtown Partnership or Kent Station online.

If you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, try one of downtown Kent’s many restaurants for lunch, dinner, coffee or a cocktail:

Wild Wheat Bakery & Cafe, Kona Kai Coffee, Spiro’s Greek Island Restaurant, Shindig Martini Bar, Bittersweet, Maggie’s on Meeker, Vibe Bar and Grill, Bev’s Cucina, Pat’s Bar & Grill, Zephyr, Zao Noodle Bar, Johnny Rockets, Pizzeria Fondi, Duke’s Chowder House, Chipotle Mexican Grill, The Ram, Dillettante Mocha and Espresso, Jamba Juice and more.

Happy Holidays,

Dana Blozis
Virtually Yourz

Nancy Skorupa, owner of Renaissance Yarns, recently kicked off a fundraiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Skorupa and a group of talented local knitters met at Bittersweet restaurant in Kent earlier this summer to create an Aran square knit throw to be awarded to the winner of a special prize drawing. Tickets for the drawing are $5 each and are available at Renaissance Yarns at 207 East Meeker Street in downtown Kent. All proceeds for the drawing will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The drawing will be held in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with details to be announced later.

Skorupa said this is the second year her knitting group has sponsored the fundraiser. Last year the group raised just over $1,600. For this year’s fundraiser, the group put together a throw of 20 squares of different designs all of the same color – passionately pink, the signature color for breast cancer. Most of the knitters participating in the project are from the Kent area; the group also includes a knitter from Salt Lake City.

“This is such a great project,” Skorupa said. “Not only will the winner get to take home this beautiful throw, but they’ll be contributing to a cause that is near and dear to all of us.”

For more information about the drawing or to purchase tickets for a chance to win the passionately pink throw, contact Nancy Skorupa at Renaissance Yarns at 253-852-YARN, 877-852-YARN or info@renaissanceyarns.com.

Located in the heart of downtown Kent, Renaissance Yarns is a cozy boutique-style yarn shop featuring a variety of yarns, needles, patterns, accessories, classes, knitting circles and more. The store is open seven days a week. For more information including store hours and class schedules, please visit www.renaissanceyarns.com. Renaissance Yarns ~ feel the fiber!

If you are a knitter, or know someone who is, you will love Renaissance Yarns on East Meeker in downtown Kent. This shop has anything and everything for the creative knitter in a stylish, boutique setting. Owned by the bubbly and knowledgeable Nancy Skorupa, this charming store is not your grandmother’s knitting store and it certainly outshines the giant “big box” craft stores. If you are looking for the right materials, ideas for a project, or a knitting group to join, check out Renaissance Yarns. Nancy will lead you in the right direction!

If you are a knitter, or know someone who is, you will love Renaissance Yarns on the backside of Kent Station, next door to Kent Station Family Dentistry. Located conveniently in downtown Kent, this shop has anything and everything for the creative knitter in a stylish, boutique setting. Owned by the bubbly and knowledgeable Nancy Skorupa, this charming store is not your grandmother’s knitting store and it certainly outshines the giant “big box” craft stores.

If you are looking for the right materials, ideas for a project, knitting or crochet classes, or a knitting group to join, check out Renaissance Yarns. Nancy, Liz and the rest of the RY team will lead you in the right direction!

Renaissance Yarns
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 115
Kent, WA  98032
253-852-YARN
info@renaissanceyarns.com

[This item has been revised since its original posting. Renaissance Yarns moved to Kent Station in Fall 2008. This post reflects its new location.]