Shop Kent this Christmas!

If you still have last minute gifts to buy and want to avoid the mall, consider shopping in downtown Kent. Both Kent Station and Kent's historic district have some unique options. Here are a few of my favorites:

Earthworks Gem Design Studio: Steve St. Louis has some beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry that your sweetheart will love.

Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts: Consider a gift certificate to treat a loved one to a yoga or tai chi class or a massage treatment.

Balanced Athlete: This First Avenue shop has a great selection of running gear including exercise clothing, shoes and more. Owner Eric Sach can hook you up with something perfect for the athlete on your gift list.

Cypriana: This natural home store features wonderfully natural and organic products for home, bath and baby. In addition, owner Susan Thomas is an expert at designing custom slipcovers and embroidery for your home.

Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage: Treat yourself or a friend to a delightful massage, facial, skin care treatment or waxing. The personal care boutique also has some great stocking stuffers including make-up bags, eye masks, make-up, brushes and more.

English Cottage Collection: This darling shop on W. Meeker St. has different items every time I stop in. Filled with home decor, baby and gift items, this store has something for everyone in every price range.

American Charm: American Charm, also on W. Meeker, has a wide variety of fun, trendy and eclectic gift items, including home decor, children's gifts, stuffed animals, purses, jewelry and more. You'll love this shop's American charm.

Children's Bookshop: I love this lively children's book store which is full of great books, learning tools, games, toys, teaching supplies and more. Find the ideal gift for the child or teacher in your life.

Renaissance Yarns: Now at Kent Station next to Dave's MiniHobby Shop, Renaissance Yarns has a beautiful selection of yarns, patterns, knitting tools and other gift items for the creative one on your list. Not sure what to buy? Ask Nancy or her helpful staff to make some suggestions.

Just the Thing: For the fashionista in your family, check out Just the Thing at Kent Station. This charming boutique specializes in custom jean fittings. Buy a gift certificate so your fashionable friend can pick out her favorite jeans.

Marie Haggin Accessories: Now next to Chico's at Kent Station, Marie Haggin Accessories has hundreds of gift ideas including unique purses, handmade jewelry, wedding crystal, fashion accessories and more. You'll never find the same thing twice.

Peridot Nail Salon: Tired from your holiday shopping? Stop by Peridot at Kent Station and enjoy a manicure or pedicure. Afterward, you'll feel refreshed and ready for your next holiday task.

Topaz: If you've got trendy, young shoppers to buy for, visit Topaz, next to Road Runner at Kent Station. This new fashion boutique has great, affordable pieces you won't find anywhere else in Kent.

Other possibilities for last minute gifts include: Bella home & garden, City Frame, Discovery Shop, Goju Karate & Pilates, Salon Avoni, Howell's Religious Books, Distinctive Images Barber Shop and Styling Salon, NW Electrology & Permanent Makeup, Nature's Vignettes and more. To learn more about these businesses, visit Kent Downtown Partnership or Kent Station online.

If you've worked up an appetite shopping, try one of downtown Kent's many restaurants for lunch, dinner, coffee or a cocktail:

Wild Wheat Bakery & Cafe, Kona Kai Coffee, Spiro's Greek Island Restaurant, Shindig Martini Bar, Bittersweet, Maggie's on Meeker, Vibe Bar and Grill, Bev's Cucina, Pat's Bar & Grill, Zephyr, Zao Noodle Bar, Johnny Rockets, Pizzeria Fondi, Duke's Chowder House, Chipotle Mexican Grill, The Ram, Dillettante Mocha and Espresso, Jamba Juice and more.

Happy Holidays,

Dana Blozis
Virtually Yourz

First Avenue South - Discover Kent's Historic District

If you haven't checked out downtown Kent lately, you are missing out on some great businesses as well as some wonderful dining and shopping options. Check out the latest list of local businesses, in the heart of downtown Kent:

Earthworks Gem Design Studio
Bella home and garde
City Frame
Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts
Vibe Bar & Grill
Cypriana
Wild Wheat Bakery & Cafe
Spiro's Greek Island Restaurant
Shindig Martini Bar
The Balanced Athlete
Discovery Shop
Bittersweet Restaurant
Goju Karate and Pilates
Salon Avoni
Howell's Religious Books
Distinctive Images Barber Shop & Styling Salon
NW Electrology & Permanent Make-up
Perk Up Place
Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage

This weekend the historic district and businesses on Meeker Street are celebrating with their annual Holiday Open House. Visit www.kentdowntown.org for details.

Reminder: Election Day at Earthworks!

Don't forget: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 is Election Day, and our friends at Earthworks are hosting a nonpartisan celebration of our electoral system. View my previous post for details!

And please, please, please make time to vote.

Election Day at Earthworks!

This announcement is from my friends Steve & Donna St. Louis at Earthworks Gem Design Studio on First Avenue South:

"Hello to One and All,

Everyone's invited to attend an all day event on November 4th, Election Day 2008 at Earthworks. We will be running the returns all day, and probably well into the night. We will have some stuff to nibble on and some light libations (after 5:00 P.M.) as well. Perhaps some plain ol' WHITE water, RED wine, or BLUE martini's...who knows?

Also, quite noteworthy, this is NOT A PARTISAN EVENT. While everyone is encouraged to cheer on their favorite, respect for another's political preference(s) is of paramount importance...this is an event to celebrate the unique opportunity we have as a culture to freely elect the leadership of this great nation every four years. If things get rancorous or out of hand, we will respectfully ask for a tamping down of partisan passions, and if this doesn't work, we will kindly wish everyone a good evening and go home. RESPECT for another's views is the key.

Finally, to anyone who attends the event, we will offer a 10% discount on any purchases of regular on-hand store inventory. Now, we realize that 10% doesn't seem like much nowadays, but the many of you who know us understand that we NEVER offer discounts ("...offer uniqueness and quality, price it right to begin with, and dispense with the mark-ups found in "Sales"), so for us this is a big deal.

We look forward to welcoming all of you to our celebration.

Steve and Donna Saint-Louis
Earthworks Gem Design Studio"

Upcoming Downtown Kent Events

There is a lot going on in downtown Kent this fall. Among the many events are:

Cypriana's Grand Opening - 10/17/08 (4 to 7 p.m.) and 10/18/08 (1 to 4 p.m.)
PICC "Little Pumpkins" Halloween - 10/31/08 (2 to 5 p.m.)
Election Results Open House at Earthworks Gem Design Studio - 11/04/08
23rd Annual Holiday Open House - 11/14, 11/15 & 11/16 (times vary)

Earthworks Gem Design Studio

If you haven't visited Earthworks on the corner of First Avenue South and Titus Streets in downtown Kent, make time to stop by. This jewelry boutique, owned by Steve & Donna St. Louis, is one of my favorite jewelry stores. I bought a gold & silver ring designed by Steve there a few months ago, and I just love it. It's pretty, funky and different. They have unique jewelry, hand created by several different artists. They have a great selection, particularly of wedding jewelry. I stopped by last week to check out wedding bands for my fiance and they had a good selection ranging from affordable to pricey. What I liked is that there were unique choices...not just your usual gold and silver bands with the occasional diamond tossed in. In addition to their inventory, they also do customized designs, jewelry cleaning and appraisals - your one stop jewelry shop, I guess you could say. Stop in next time you're downtown and make sure you tell them Dana said, "hi!"

First Avenue Block Party - Friday, September 12

On Friday, September 12, the merchants of First Avenue South are holding their annual Block Party from 4 to 9 p.m. Stop by and see what the night has to offer.

The evening will feature special menus from The Wild Wheat Bakery, Bittersweet and Spiro's Greek restaurants as well as specialty food samples at Bella home & garden.

Stop by Earthworks Gem Design Studio and see jewelery designs from artists Holly Yashi, Tivi and Vinosus.

Watch Auburn Mountainview High School jewelery arts program make hand made glass beads, sip vintage wines in the wine garden, and enjoy local music.

Music by Debra Page will start off the evening, followed by Brazillian musician Eduardo Mendonca who will perform from 6:00 - 7:30. Sponsored by 4Culture by the Kent Arts Commission.

Wrap up the evening with the music of local band Grey Sky Falling sponsored by The Wild Wheat Bakery, Kent Downtown Partnership and The Merchants of First Ave South "...The Block that's really Happening!" See you there!