Akron Empire Favorites 2014: Favorite Place To Do Your Holiday Shopping

Akron Empire Favorites 2014: Favorite Place To Do Your Holiday Shopping

by Brit Charek

You voted, we listened! We asked our readers to tell us their favorite things to do in the Empire, and you responded with amazing ideas-- some of our own old favorites, and some things new to us that we're excited to check out!

We've been rolling out the winners one category a week-- Click HERE to see the categories we've already covered.

With the biggest shopping weekend of the year right around the corner, this week we are announcing your favorite places to do your holiday shopping!

1. Crafty Mart

Photo courtesy of LoveWhatIDo Photography.

Crafty Mart has been hosting annual handmade markets downtown at Musica for five years, and this year they are having their biggest event yet! Crafty Mart will take place next weekend, November 29 & 30, at three locations: Musica, the Akron Art Museum, and Summit Artspace.

There is free parking on the street and in the library parking deck on the corner of High and Market Streets. There will even be a trolley provided by the city of Akron to get shoppers to all three venues!

For more information, check out Crafty Mart's website or follow them on Facebook!

2. Don Drumm Studios

Photo courtesy of Don Drumm Studios website

Don Drumm Studios has been an Akron staple since the early 70's. The two building gallery provides a unique shopping experience where you can purchase a variety gifts made by more than 500 different artists from all over the country, including the work of Don Drumm himself!

Don Drumm Studios is located at 437 Crouse Street, right across from UA's Infocision Stadium. For more info, visit their website.

3. Portage Trail Barn

The Portage Trail Barn Sale is a consignment shop which features local artists and handmade makers. Their slogan (which also happens to be my mantra) is "Shop Local. Buy Handmade." We're so excited for their next sale. The barn will be open December 4th, 6th and 7th just in time for all your holiday shopping needs! Joanna wrote about last year's Winter Barn Sale-- see that post again by clicking HERE.

The Portage Trail Barn is located at 151 W. Portage Trail Ext. in Cuyahoga Falls.For more info, see their website or follow them on Facebook!

Honorable Mentions:

Square Records
Square Records is the perfect place to shop for the music lover in your life! This local record shop has become an institution in the Highland Square Neighborhood. Record Store Day at Square Records was one of the first things I wrote about for Akron Empire-- click HERE to see that post again!

Square Records is participating in Record Store Day's Black Friday event. Doors open at 11am!

They are located at 824 W. Market Street in Highland Square. Check out their website or Facebook page for more information.

the Bomb Shelter

The Bomb Shelter is more than just a cool store-- it's a experience. It's basically a big warehouse full of just about everything. They sell a variety of vintage kitschy goods, from furniture and cars to smaller items like kitchen accessories, telephones and radios. The staff, including the shop dog, Gravy, is really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

I wrote about it back in 2012-- click HERE to see that post again.

Thanks again to everyone who voted! Check back next week as we reveal more of your favorites!