 There are times when that elusive gift is in a place you least
expect to find it. For example, while searching for a special dip
mix at Abe's, you might come across this year's array of colorful
sock monkeys and viola, the light bulb comes on, and you realize
this is the perfect gift for your granddaughter or niece. A trip
to Mary Todd for a holiday birthday card may bring you to the
display of extra-special photo albums, and you realize your mom or
grandma would simply adore these.
If you drop in at Beans & Such, be sure to check out the little
display of notepads at the counter. Priced under $10, these
Victorian-style papers are elegant and would make the perfect
teacher gift or grab bag item.
This year the folks at Main Street Lincoln and the downtown
merchants have worked extra hard to draw attention to the retailers
in Lincoln's historic downtown district. Each weekend, different
businesses have been spotlighted, with comments about their
importance to the community coming from Main Street director Wanda
Lee Rohlfs.
For the past several Saturdays, and today and next Saturday as
well, there have been special drawings offering the winners Main
Street Money, gift certificates from featured businesses and other
gift items.
Each weekend has had its own Christmas theme song, and the
individual stores have also had their own special holiday song.
As the days to Christmas count down, this week the special
business on Lincoln's downtown square is going to be the Log Cabin
Quilt Shop. Everyone is encouraged to drop by the store, see what
they have to offer, and don't be surprised if you find a wonderful
gift idea for the crafty seamstress in your family.
The Log Cabin Quilt Shop, named after the log cabin quilt block,
is at the intersection of South Kickapoo and Pulaski streets.
Located on the southwest corner, it is directly across the street
from Serendipity Stitches, Lincoln's own little knitters' shop.
Log Cabin is owned by Donne Becke and husband Tim. The couple has
had their business in the downtown area for just a few days over two years.
The shop opened in December of 2009 in a small storefront on
North McLean Street, just north of the Pink Shutter Thrift Shop, and
the Beckes enjoyed some good success in that area.
However, this summer, when Barb Reinwald moved her store, the
Treasure Chest, to the New Beginnings Thrift Shop on Sangamon
Street, the Beckes were ready to make a move to the heart of downtown.
Recently Rohlfs offered some special comments about the shop: "Log Cabin Quilt Shop has added so much to the shopping in downtown
Lincoln. First, it is great and rewarding to know that yet another
business owner in downtown Lincoln is another fantastic, talented,
homegrown person. Second, the Quilt Shop has added to the integrity
of our historic district with another unique product and skill that
is part of our heritage."
Rohlfs continued: "I can remember when quilting was and when
quilting was not an everyday activity. The materials that are
available are of superb quality and of course can be used for a wide
variety of projects. It is also great that the location is right
across the street from the knitting shop. How wonderful it is to
have a specialty corner for special endeavors."
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Rohlfs also commented on the Beckes and those who attend to the
store on a daily basis, saying they are warm and friendly, which
makes the shopping experience at the Log Cabin Quilt Shop all that
much nicer.
For many people, Christmas isn't Christmas without the sights and
aromas of a freshly cut Christmas tree. A live tree adorned with
family ornaments can be one of the loveliest parts of the Christmas
season.
In Lincoln, the go-to place for that fresh tree is Cooper's Angel
Valley Tree Farm. Located on Lincoln's south side and owned by
Jeff and Val Cooper, the farm offers trees of all sizes. You're sure
to find one that is perfect for you and your family.
Angel Valley Tree Farm is also a local business that the Main
Street organization is grateful to have in the community. Last year,
the Main Street group made arrangements for the community to have a freshly
cut tree placed on the courthouse lawn, and that tree came from
Angel Valley. Once again this year, the courthouse lawn is host to a colorful,
live cut tree from the Cooper farm.
Rohlfs recently expressed her appreciation to the Coopers for
what they contribute to the holiday season in downtown Lincoln.
"I want to send a special note of thanks goes to Angel Valley
Tree Farm and Jeff and Val Cooper for their generosity in supplying
the downtown with our tree for the courthouse lawn," Rohlfs said.
"This tree farm gives you the feel of going out into the county
and finding a tree as it was so many years ago when that was the
only choice you had. What better way to start our Holiday Shopping
Season than to have the experience of cutting down your own tree and
bringing it home."
Rohlfs went on to say that the tree farm is another part of the
uniqueness and diversity of the Lincoln community and its small-business owners.
It's always good to remember the things that make our community
special. At Christmastime the true splendor of our downtown comes
to life. The stores we have in the heart of the town are unique,
special places where one can go and truly step back into a time when
shopping was a fun, family event, where shoppers knew the store
owners and looked forward to spending time in each location, not
just for the merchandise but also for the camaraderie.
Time is running out, so if you haven't made your way to downtown
Lincoln yet, make a point of doing it this weekend. You may be
surprised just how much fun it can be.
[By NILA SMITH]
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