Shop local this holiday season

CLARA DEL VECCHIO, News Editor

As the holidays approach, the stress to buy last minute presents always increases. With it perhaps being too late to order presents online, and it always being better to shop locally rather than order from unethically sourced corporations, here are 7 places in Gloucester to shop for holiday gifts this season in an attempt to ease the pressures of gift-giving.

  1. Alexandra’s Bread

Known for baguettes, focaccias, cobbles, and more, Alexandra’s bread sells a lot more than just baked goods. A range of tchotchkes and assorted trinkets are sold there, including funny socks, oven mitts, and artwork.

  1. Cape Ann Olive Oil Company

If you’re looking for upscale gifts to give some of the more bougie people in your life, look no further than the Cape Ann Olive Oil Company. Not only do they have a wide variety of infused olive oils, but they also offer a selection of jams and marmalades, as well as cookies, skincare, balsamic vinegars, and spices. If someone you know loves to cook with high-quality ingredients, the Cape Ann Olive Oil Company may be the right place to shop.

  1. Turtle Alley

Turtle Alley, one of Gloucester’s signature candy stores, is always crowded during the holidays, as the confections made there are some of the best around. Boxes of chocolate, fudge, or other candies can be purchased in-store, or shipped all over the country. If you want to give a loved one something sweet for the holidays, shop at Turtle Alley.

  1. The Bookstore of Gloucester

The Bookstore of Gloucester offers a wide variety of different books for any age and interest. Not only are books sold there, but puzzles and candles based on books are also available for purchase.

  1. Village Silversmith

While not an entirely local store, Village Silversmith is a great place to shop for any jewelry you might need around the holidays. Jewelry is a great gift for those who appreciate the finer things in life, or those whose interests you just can’t manage to pin down.

  1. Mystery Train

Mystery Train’s extensive collection of records is sure to hold exactly what a musically-inclined friend might need or want for the holidays. In addition to vinyls, they also sell LPs, eight-track tapes, and CDs.

  1. Coveted Yarn

Though perhaps a more niche shopping location, coveted yarn is a knitter’s heaven. Anything one participating in this domestic art could need can be found there, and can make a heartfelt gift for a family member, or a friend with a passion for the needle.