Saturday, December 17, 2011
 
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Shopping downtown can lead to the perfect gift

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[December 17, 2011]  It may be hard to believe, but Christmas Eve is just one week away. For many shoppers, this is crunch time as they rush out to find the perfect gift for someone special -- the gift that thus far has eluded them in all their previous searches. 

HardwareThere 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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