Written for LakePlacid.com by guest blogger Christie Sausa.
Local’s Guide to Holiday Shopping
It’s almost that magical time of year again! Now that the holiday season has arrived, you might be thinking about your holiday shopping list and how to support local businesses and gift uniquely Lake Placid gifts your family and friends will love. Well, look no further than this list! From foodie gifts to fashion finds, we have the details and recommendations for the best choices on Lake Placid’s Main Street.
Fashions
For Adirondack lifestyle wear, check out Adirondack Field! New to Lake Placid’s Main Street, Adirondack Field has been online for two years and utilizes domestic garment companies to produce their garments, including their specialty flannels, making them not only well-made but also American-made. Owner Dan Kelleher recommends the Pine Knot flannel. Named after the first Adirondack Great Camp on Raquette Lake, the mellow blue, cream, and tan flannel is pre-shrunk and offers a looser fit, making it work for all genders. You can order online or, better yet, stop in and try one on in the store! While you’re there, check out the other items, including leather goods and accessories.
You might not think of “boutique shopping” when you think of Lake Placid, but you should! There are a few unique destinations to add to your shopping list.
First, head to Ruthie’s Run, a Lake Placid tradition since 1968, and pick up a special edition Lake Placid Dale of Norway sweater, only available in-store. The shop also stocks other brands like M.Miller and Vuori, but the Dale of Norway sweaters are popular with locals and visitors alike, available in men's and women’s sizes.
If you are looking for even more designer finds, visit Cinderella’s. A few doors down from The Golden Arrow, this cozy and elegant boutique is the only store in Lake Placid to feature designer boutique brands like Alice & Olivia and luxury accessories.
Looking for new shoes? Lake Placid’s only full-service running store is The Fallen Arch. They advertise that 98% of their customers keep their shoes after purchase and pride themselves on helping their local and visiting clientele find the perfect fit. But they are more than just running shoes! The Fallen Arch also carries brands like Ugg, Dansko, and Birkenstocks. One popular pick for stocking stuffers? Goodr Sunglasses! Known for their cheeky names and affordable price tag, The Fallen Arch stocks an impressive variety of Goodr sunglasses and their NEW Snow G Snow Goggles! Under $100 and boasting several color options, these are an excellent gift for the skier or snowboarder in your life!
For the Olympic and hockey fans in your life, visit the USA Spirit Shop, USA Hockey Store, and the new Mike Eruzione Team Shop! Located in the Bass Plaza halfway down Main Street, each store offers unique sports apparel and memorabilia. The USA Spirit Shop specializes in Olympic and Team USA apparel, including Lake Placid-specific shirts, hats, and hoodies, while the USA Hockey store focuses squarely on hockey. The new Mike Eruzione Team Shop, just opened this summer, is a must-visit for the 1980 Hockey team fan on your shopping list. Perhaps most appealing are the USA 1980 Miracle on Ice replica jerseys, which come either blank (no name) or with the 1980 team member (name on back) options. The shop also offers signed memorabilia and stocking stuffers like commemorative pins, pucks, and hats. Shoppers appreciate the wide variety of apparel and accessories each store presents.
Foods
Lake Placid isn’t just about clothing; there are plenty of gift options for that foodie friend or relative who has seemingly tried it all.
Adirondack Chocolates has plenty of gift box options for the chocolate lover in your life, including box assortments (up to five pounds!) with milk, dark or mixed chocolates, and truffles. But they also offer other chocolate treats like homemade almond butter crunch, hand-dipped pretzels, coconut and mint patties, turtles, and my favorite, almond bark. Stop in and grab a box (or several) of your favorite Adirondack Chocolates treats, and while you’re at it, get stocking stuffers like hot chocolate mix and chocolate-covered Oreos, and check out their selection of locally made Adirondack gifts. They also offer online shopping so you can send gifts to family and friends out of the area.
Nearby, Adirondack Popcorn offers fresh, small-batch butter and specialty popcorn and sells various-sized gift tins in their Main Street location. Local favorites are the Moose Crunch and Adirondack Jack specialty varieties. They also sell them online if you can’t make it to the store!
Maple syrup rarely fails to please, so visit The Maple Shop. The relatively new shop next to Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery sells all maple products, so not only will you find maple syrup, but maple cookies, maple glazed nuts, and more!
If your gift recipients appreciate savory along with their sweet, check out Enuf Pastry and Cheese. Located off Main Street (but well worth the trip), they specialize in elevated pastry and cheese and stock an impressive selection of specialty sweets. They also stock a variety of specialty jams, mustards, honeys, oils, vinegars, crackers, salts, meats, cheeses, and pickles for the charcuterie board of your dreams, OR can make boards for your special event! And even if you don’t buy anything this time, follow their Instagram for mouthwatering images of their creations!
Finds
Buying holiday-themed holiday gifts is a no-brainer, and Lake Placid Christmas Company is your one-stop shop for all things Christmas. Best known for their decorations and ornaments, including their famous Adirondack chair ornaments (which come in various colors!), some also swear their fudge is the best in town. Visit this family-owned business and enjoy the magical spirit of Christmas all year round!
Nothing says holidays like ice skating, and Locker Room 5 fulfills hockey and skate needs in the winter (in the summer, the business offers lacrosse items and paddleboard/kayak rentals). What better gift for a friend or family member than ice skates? Owner Jake Burns advises that men's and women's Jackson brand skates are expected to be hot sellers this winter and is happy to offer 15% off if you mention this blog!
Sports enthusiasts will also love High Peaks Cyclery. Stocking gear and apparel for skiing, hiking, biking, and everything in between for forty years, High Peaks offers something for every sportsman (and woman!) on your list. Visitors and locals alike appreciate the variety and quality of the gear provided and the expertise of the staff.
What if you are shopping for your furry friend? Man and Beast, Lake Placid’s only pet store, has you covered! This season, owner Sabine Weber highlighted several items sure to get tails wagging. Enjoy counting down the season with Bocce’s Advent Calendar, filled with twelve days of USA-made doggie treats. Want to keep your pet occupied during the stressful Holiday season? Pick up SodaPup’s durable pet treat dispenser and toys. And if you want to remember or celebrate with your pet uniquely this season, purchase the tree ornaments in which you can place your pet’s pawprint or picture. All these picks are under $20 (USD), so stop by and get yours before they are gone! And if you are shopping for cats, I can attest as a cat owner that there is also a great selection of cat toys.
Always a favorite, The Bookstore Plus is Lake Placid’s second-generation locally-owned bookstore with books and accessories for everyone! If you know what your friend or family member likes to read, ask one of the knowledgeable staff members, and they can give you an excellent recommendation (or two). And for stocking stuffers, check out their fun pen offerings (including gel pens!), tote bags, bookmarks, and, my favorite, reusable stickers.
Lastly, Lake Placid’s Pure Placid offers a flagship store experience and transformative self-care products like candles, soaps, and more to help you “claim your calm.” My favorite product of theirs is the Mt. Marcy lotion, with fragrant notes including mandarin, sandalwood, and rose. It’s a fresh, clean scent that reminds me of spring, even when it’s winter outside.
Were you looking for more resources for your holiday shopping excursions? Check out our shopping page for complete shopping directories for Lake Placid and surrounding communities.
