 Unlike many small
communities that have seen their downtowns become home to empty
buildings, Lincoln's square is alive and vibrant, thanks to local
merchants deciding to host their wares and make their living in the
town they love.So join us as we do a quick window-shopping tour
of the square.
First has to be a visit to the Main Street Lincoln office to pick
up this year's special Logan County Christmas ornament. The ornament
this year honors the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Woman's Club
building and is only $16.
Just in case the Main Street office is closed, the special
one-of-a-kind ornament can be purchased at The Treasure Chest,
Action Rentals and Sales, MKS Jewelers, and at Beans & Such.
While we are on Kickapoo Street, let's stop in at the Treasure
Chest. The store has a year-round Christmas room so you can bet
there are plenty of Christmas-type gifts to choose from, and they
are throughout the store. Plus there are hundreds of small gift
items that you can't find anywhere else.
Serendipity Stitches is a great stop for unique presents as well.
There is a lot more to Serendipity than just yarn. Wine caddies,
scarves and knitted hats are big sellers this year. The store also
has all the books and tools for that knitter on your list. Another
great gift is a gift certificate to have that special award or
picture professionally framed -- maybe even a picture of the family
gathered this Christmas.
Beans & Such is the place to go for specialty coffees, and right
now there is $1 off every pound. But the business also has some
magnificent handmade Christmas wreaths that anyone on your list who
savors the beauty of Christmas decorations would enjoy.
Action Rentals and Sales is busy getting new furniture in
people's homes for the holidays. They have a special
Christmas-season-only sale on recliners that is hard to beat. If you
have a sports fan on the list, then a new recliner would be a great
gift. NBA action, 26 college bowl games and the NFL payoffs just
around the corner make a new recliner a really caring and special
gift.
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Mary Todd's Hallmark says business has been great this Christmas
season. Besides signature Hallmark cards, there are thousands of
interesting and special gifts to remove several names from your
Christmas list. Something that is new this season and a real hot
seller are magnets featuring letters to make words such as "family"
or "celebration." There also is an assortment of figures, animals and
other decorations to make the signage more personal.
MKS is busy this year too. Besides high-quality diamonds and
other fine jewelry, MKS has the Kameleon jewelry line, which allows
someone to replace just the stone in a setting, allowing one piece
of jewelry to become many. Hot diamonds also are popular. This
sterling silver line also features a small diamond in the mounting,
making the pieces very affordable but with a touch of elegance that
shows you care.
What would a trip to downtown be without visiting Abe's
Carmelcorn. Besides the signature tins of popcorn available, Abe's
is seeing a big interest in their gourmet foods, which offer rare
and unique tastes. Their soup and "Snack Attack baskets" also are
selling well this season.
Besides the retailers, and there are more than just mentioned,
there are a half-dozen choices for a great lunch or coffee around
the square, with many specialty foods and pastries to help make the
shopping excursion an enjoyable day.
So before you give up on finding gifts for those
hard-to-purchase-for folks on your list, come to downtown Lincoln
and spend a few hours visiting the many stores.
Shopping locally can be fun, and it helps keep our economy
thriving.
[By
MIKE FAK]
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Shopping locally
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