2005-10-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

After living in Cincinnati- not even a major city, but a city all the same- all my life, it was a shock for me to come to Athens and find no malls within a 15-minute drive (the University Mall does NOT count!). I have to admit, I still get abnormally excited when I go home and get to shop, or we take road trips to Lancaster or Easton (The Mall of All Malls).

However, Athens does have shops that provide for a unique shopping experience unavailable anywhere else. There are all kinds of little gifts and odd items that you would never be able to find in a huge mall. So I decided to profile some of Athens' shops to prove to you (and maybe a little bit to myself...) that Ohio University students are not completely deprived of the whole shopping experience.

So let's go on a shopping spree....

The first place on my list was Cross Court, located at 45 S. Court Street. When you walk inside, that unmistakable Hallmark-y smell hits you. (Don't think I'm crazy- you know the smell!) The difference is, Cross Court offers a much more unique selection than any Hallmark ever could. It has cards for every holiday imaginable, a scrapbooking section that makes those who have never taken up the hobby want to start, and gifts anyone would appreciate. Every time a holiday rolls around, the entire front of the store displays all kinds of items relating to it. Currently, Halloween costumes, stickers, cards, and more decorate the walls of Cross Court. Anytime someone I know has a birthday, I head up to Cross Court to find a card because I know I won't end up sending them a duplicate one, and can find something that totally fits.

Cross Court is open Mon.-Sat. from 9-5 and Sunday from 10-5.

Right next to Cross Court at 43 S. Court St. is The Other Place, a retail shop carrying ladies trendy clothing and accessories. They have an assortment unlike anywhere else. It is the perfect place to go if you suddenly need a pair of cute jeans (which does happen more frequently than you might expect!), a pair of heels to go out, or some jewelry or a fun purse to complete an outfit. The Other Place carries the latest fashions (lots of sequins currently cover the clothes and purses of the mannequins in the windows) and reminds students who live in the bubble of Athens that there is still an active fashion world out there!

The only downside to The Other Place may be its prices, which tend to be on the high side unless you are lucky enough to stop in during a sale. But hey, unless you're in Athens, you're likely never to see anyone with the same top as you! That's definitely a plus.

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Mountain Laurel Gifts is a few doors down at 25 S. Court St. As soon as you walk inside the shop, you feel like you have been transported to a log cabin. The natural wood floors and soapy smell give Mountain Laurel Gifts a homey feeling. All kinds of gifts, from Christmas ornaments to reasonably priced fine jewelry to odds-and-ends everyone would enjoy, are tastefully displayed throughout the small shop. If you are in the market for a nice, inexpensive gift, or if you simply feel the urge to splurge for something nice for yourself, Mountain Laurel Gifts is a great place to look.

Amy, the owner, says Mountain Laurel Gifts has something for everyone, from Athens townspeople to students. "We also offer gift wrapping," she said, which is something most stores cannot say.

Mountain Laurel Gifts is open Monday-Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 11-5.

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Artifacts Gallery is located at 2 W. State Street at the intersection of East State Street and South Court Street. This is one of my favorite Athens shops because of the amazing variety of knick-knacks it carries. (Who would not get a laugh out of a gun that shoots little rubber pigs or chickens?) Silly knick-knacks aside, however, Artifacts also carries specialty clothing for men and women and accessories like designer purses, funky belts, colorful hats, scarves, and gloves, and much more. Cases of fine jewelry take up almost an entire side of the store, which smells forever of insense. Beaded curtains and lanterns hang from the ceiling giving Artifacts a hippie/new-age aura.

A manager at Artifacts, Amy, is completely accurate when she said of the shop, "It's fun!" She describes the merchandise as unique, which is right-on. There is no question in my mind that I would not be able to find any of this merchandise at Wal-Mart.

Artifacts Gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10:30-6 and Sunday 11-5.

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Fig Leaf, located at 57 N. Court Street, is a specialty store carrying clothing for young women. The store is tiny, and gets a little packed sometimes, but it is well worth fighting the crowds! There are tops ranging from dressy to casual, and jeans that would make you the envy of any party. With plenty of accessories to accentuate every outfit, you might want to close your eyes before handing over the plastic. However, the complements you receive will make your purchases well worth every penny!

Fig Leaf does have higher prices than students surviving on a tight budget may be able to dish out. They do put merchandise on sale, though, and if you can resist going all-out, you can buy a shirt or accessory without feeling too guilty.

Fig Leaf operates two other stores besides the one in Athens. One is in Oxford on the Miami University campus, and the other is in Morgantown, W. Va. Fig Leaf's website offers a newsletter you can sign up for that highlights what's new at stores.

Fig Leaf is open Monday and Tuesday from 12:30-6, Wednesday 11-6, Thursday 12:30-3, Friday 11:30-3, Saturday 11:30-6, and Sunday 12:30-6.

Now we are in for a treat! It's time to uncover Athens' buried treasure: Athens Underground. Located at 90 N. Court Street, Athens Underground is a vintage resale shop unlike any you have ever experienced. Decending the stairs into the basement containing some of the most amazing items available in Athens, I feel like a child on a treasure hunt. There are tables, boxes, and racks full of old items, each with a history of their own.

Each room is another cavern waiting to be explored. Vintage men's and women's clothing occupies one section of Athens Underground, and is the perfect place to find a costume, or just some clothes that will make you stand out in the crowd of North Face-wearing students. An entire section is devoted to old yellowed books and boxes contain postcards sent from around the globe. Jewelry of every color and type is scatted on antique tables and in cases. The most outrageous sunglasses fill a rack by the door and trying them on leads to much amusement.

This is one place you will never be able to visit just once.

Themes is a new store in Athens located right next to the Fig Leaf. This shop reminds me of a very small, much more personal, Pier 1. It has unique home items, like dishes, lamps, and candles, as well as other gift-type merchendise. Themes has a bright, cheerful atmosphere created by the fun items it carries as well as the walls, which are painted bright yellow and red. Employees immediately greet you upon arrival and are eager to offer assistance in any way they can.

Anna, who has worked at Themes for about a year, said the store caters to almost everyone because of the specialty items it carries. People come in the store, she says, and think, "Oh, that would be a great gift for Christmas!"

Themes was formerly located in Pomeroy, then on East State Street, before moving to its current Court Street location. It is much more busy now, Anna says.

Themes is open Monday through Saturday from 11-5 and Sunday from 1-5.

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The Import House, located at 68 N. Court St., is a store you must experience all for yourself. When you walk in, the aroma of burning insense envelops you. A cage containing a tabby cat sits by the door. The walls of The Import House are covered in merchandise, and shelves along the sides are equally full. The shop has an unmistakable "hippie" feel to it, and I feel like I have been transported back into the days of daisies and peace signs my dad always reminisces about.

There are many unique items at The Import House. Shopping there is an experience in itself and one you can't miss if you choose to go shopping in Athens!

The Import House is open Monday-Saturday from 12-8 and Sunday 11-5.

Shopping in Athens, Ohio!!