The List: Destinations
Maplewood
Maplewood's bustling stretch of Manchester Road, and the surrounding area, is packed with great shops where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts, including lots of locally made, handcrafted goods. The area is walkable, with ample street parking and (bonus!) no meters to feed.
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Pawscout pet tag • The waterproof Pawscout device attaches to a collar and allows your furry friend to be tracked with a free app that displays photos, contact info, vaccinations and medical issues. If your pet goes missing, nearby users will be alerted. Even better: There's no monthly fee. $19.99 at Airedale Antics, 7316 Manchester Road.
Beer Paws Beer Biscuits • Even dogs can enjoy craft beer with these peanut butter-flavored treats that are high in protein and fiber. The biscuits are made from the brewer's mash, produced in the beermaking process, from more than 50 craft breweries around the country, including Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. and 4 Hands Brewing Co. Available in a 12-ounce tub. $14.99 at Airedale Antics, 7316 Manchester Road.
Beer Paws Beer for Dogs • Man's best friend can also be man's best drinking buddy. Beer Paws Beer for Dogs is a tasty blend of beef base, malt extract and vegetarian K9 glucosamine that can be added to your dog's food, freezed and enjoyed on a hot day or just lapped up from a bowl. (There's no alcohol in this "beer.") Single bottles contain 8 ounces. $6.99 at Airedale Antics, 7316 Manchester Road.
Baydog Frisco Treat Pouch • This handy pouch attaches to a leash or belt to help you keep track of treats, poop bags and even a slimy tennis ball while you're walking the dog. Baydog is a veteran-owned company that gives a portion of its profits to Save A Vet and Warrior Dog Foundation. $19.99 at Airedale Antics, 7316 Manchester Road.
Larder & Cupboard Strawberry Lemon Verbena Perserves • Larder & Cupboard's Strawberry Lemon Verbena Preserves, housemade by store owner Cindy Higgerson, are delicious with toast, desserts, cocktails, cheese and more. But you don't have to take our word for it: The Good Food Foundation honored the preserves with one of its 2018 awards. $11.00 at Larder & Cupboard, 7310 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Expedition Chocolate Co. chocolate bar • An indulgent chocolate bar (2.8 ounces) by St. Louis chocolatier Rick Jordan is made from cacao nibs aged in Rally Point Rye whiskey barrels from St. Louis-based StilL 630. A delicious local collaboration for the chocolate lover in your life. $10.00 at Larder & Cupboard, 7310 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Roughneck Beard Batter • Help the whiskered guy on your list avoid resting itch face. The shea butter and hemp seed oil in Roughneck's natural, organic Beard Batter is formulated to replace lost moisture and prevent itching and dryness. A dime-size blob is all it takes. (2.6 ounces) $15.00 at Roughneck Beard Co., 7282 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Maven Bonfire Wood-Wick Soy Candle • There's a wonderfully fragrant, cleverly named — e.g. Bonfire, Pot Brownies, Don Draper, Library Book — handmade candle (16 ounces) for everyone on your list at Maven. Just light at the base of the wick, and enjoy the crackling ambience. $25.00 at Maven Bath & Candle Co., 7290 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Maven License to Chill artisan-made cold process soap • A piece of natural sea sponge is nestled inside this bar of moisturizing soap, so in addition to being functional, it's also a work of art. Maven's handcrafted soaps are made with plant "fats" — shea butter, coconut oil, rice bran oil and olive oil — instead of animal lard, and minimal packaging means little waste. (6.5 ounces) $10.00 at Maven Bath & Candle Co., 7290 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Maven Jax artisan-made cold process soap • No two batches of soap at Maven look alike, and an array of fun scents — such as Jax, the shop's classic fragrance for guys — means there's a soap for every body. They're handcrafted and made with plant "fats" (shea butter, coconut oil, rice bran oil and olive oil) instead of animal lard, and minimal packaging means little waste. (6.5 ounces) $9.00 at Maven Bath & Candle Co., 7290 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Masai fringed scarf • Keep warm with a colorful, plaid scarf manufactured by members of the Masai tribe in Kenya. Proceeds from sales at Get the Word Out help pay for school fees, clean water and medical expenses for Kenyan orphans. $30.00 at Get the Word Out, 7405 Manchester Road.
Beaded sandals • These handmade, intricately beaded sandals, brought to the U.S. from a Nairobi market, will add a splash of color to your wardrobe. Proceeds from sales at Get the Word Out help pay for school fees, clean water and medical expenses for Kenyan orphans. $40.00 at Get the Word Out, 7405 Manchester Road.
Banana fiber Nativity • Decorate your home for Christmas with this handmade 12-piece Nativity, and marvel at the level of detail achieved by the artisans using banana fiber and corn husk. Proceeds from sales at Get the Word Out help pay for school fees, clean water and medical expenses for Kenyan orphans. $30.00 at Get the Word Out, 7405 Manchester Road.
Amani elephant and giraffe ornaments • These colorful animal ornaments are made in Nairobi's Amani workshop, where women who have been abandoned or abused, along with their children, learn to sew, quilt, dye fabric and make handcrafted items. Proceeds from sales at Get the Word Out help pay for school fees, clean water and medical expenses for Kenyan orphans. $15.00 at Get the Word Out, 7405 Manchester Road.
Kazuri spiral clay bead bracelet • Artisans at Kazuri, a workshop in Nairobi, mold clay into beads that are then fired and turned into jewelry like these spiral bracelets. Proceeds from sales at Get the Word Out help pay for school fees, clean water and medical expenses for Kenyan orphans. $24.00 at Get the Word Out, 7405 Manchester Road.
Postcards from Penguin • The bibliophile in your life will enjoy sending (or saving) these postcards, which feature more than 70 years of iconic book-jacket designs from the publisher's inexpensive paperbacks. $25.00 at The Book House, 7352 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
"Absolutely Everything!" • Subtitled "A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention," this 352-page hardback volume by Christopher Lloyd will keep little ones (or curious grown-ups) busy for a while. It's filled with fun full-color illustrations, photographs and annotated graphics. $21.99 at The Book House.
Timolino Coffee & Tea Maker • Timolino's gravity-filtering system lets you brew the perfect cup of tea or coffee with no mess. Just scoop loose-leaf tea into the 16-ounce brewer, add hot water, allow to steep and then place the whole thing over a cup to dispense from the bottom. $18.33 at Traveling Tea, 2707 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood.
Dras Fab meat hook • Grill that steak to juicy perfection with this versatile hand-hammered-steel meat hook, crafted by Andrew Andrasko of Dras Fab Fabrication + Design. Its pigtail hook will let you flip a hunk of meat with a simple motion. $25.00 at NHB KnifeWorks, 7328 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Handmade cutting board • Wood cutting boards by St. Louis craftsman Doug Edmondson will instantly elevate your charcuterie presentation. Styles and prices vary; this one is made with cherry, maple and walnut. $95.00 at NHB KnifeWorks, 7328 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Amethyst rose necklace • This is definitely a statement necklace: a shimmering amethyst rose with sterling silver hangs from turquoise-colored titanium mesh, which can be pulled taut or shaped a bit more elegantly for added flair. $189.00 at The Silver Lady, 7318 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
Printed wine hand towel • Rough day? Wine about it with these clever printed hand towels by Mud Pie. Assorted designs are available, and the woven cotton towels measure 26 inches by 16½ inches. $8.99 at Intaglia Home & Garden, 7195 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
"No worries" pillow • This is one wise throw pillow. The other side reads: "99% of the things you worry about never happen," something we all need to be reminded of from time to time. $36.00 at Intaglia Home & Garden, 7195 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
St. Louis-themed coasters • Enjoy a little local nostalgia while also protecting that tabletop from unsightly water rings. These printed coasters feature a variety of St. Louis-area locations, signs and memories. $12.50 at Intaglia Home & Garden, 7195 Manchester Road, Maplewood.
While you're there
Holiday happenings • On Nov. 24, Small Business Saturday, shops will offer food and wine tastings, demos and special deals. At the Christmas Tree Walk, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7, visitors can sip cocoa, take a carriage ride, put in a good word with Santa, watch the tree lighting, and check out holiday decor and entertainment at area businesses.
Grab a bite • Grab a bite • A mouthwatering selection of restaurants ranges from quick and casual — Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (7434 Manchester Road), Tiffany's Original Diner (7402 Manchester Road), the Crow's Nest (7336 Manchester Road), Las Palmas (7356 Manchester Road), the Muddled Pig (2733 Sutton Boulevard) — to refined and relaxed — Reeds American Table (7322 Manchester Road), Acero (7266 Manchester Road), the Benevolent King (7268 Manchester Road).
Or grab a beer • Unwind after a day of shopping by sampling the suds at Tapped (7278 Manchester Road), Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southeast Avenue) or the Side Project Cellar (7373 Marietta Avenue).
Other shops • Maplewood is a haven for foodies. At Vom Fass (7314 Manchester Road), find oils, vinegars, gourmet foods and spirits. Indulge a sweet tooth with chocolates and other confections at Kakao (7272 Manchester Road). Or pick up a "meat pack" for your favorite carnivore at Bolyard's Meat & Provisions (2810 Sutton Boulevard).
More info
http://cityofmaplewood.com