Shop Local. Shop Montrose. And Surprise Your Kids!

Kids just love Montrose! Where else can they ride a pony on the same streets where Mom and Dad shop? With Christmas coming up, do you really want to fight the crowds and get the same thing everyone else is getting in the big box stores? Why not make your gift shopping for your children enjoyable and stress free this year! Come to the Montrose Shopping Park, named so because you can shop in a park-like setting all decked out for the holidays. Let me introduce you to some of our “one of a kind” children’s gift stores and their delightful owners. In addition to being on hand to personally serve you, they also will creatively help with your gift wrap needs.

Starting from the left side of our happy photo, meet Jack, the owner of Critter’s. Jack and his wife Christine have thoroughly stocked their store with all kinds of goodies your kids would just love to find under the tree. If you think the critter Jack is holding is cute, wait ’til you see all of the other plush toys they have! Throw in a box of their handmade Hammond’s Candy Canes and the latest craze, Chocolate & Bacon Cocoa Mix, and you’ll have the makings of an unforgettable gift opening party!

Just about everyone in town knows Maureen, the owner of the oldest children’s bookstore in the country Once Upon A Time. This time of year you will find her and her daughters, Jessica and Amelia, recommending books and ringing up sales on the antique cash register. Their top sellers this year are “Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” by William Joyce, who has an Oscar-winning movie based on them, “Starters” by Glendale’s own Lissa Price for young adults, and “Team of Rivals” by Godwin – which Spielberg’s “Lincoln” film is based on. They also have a deal for Mom: Cookbooks are 10% – 30% off depending how much you spend. And to make things even more fun, find a copy of “Misty of Chincoteague” in the store to receive a mystery gift!

The spotlight is shining on MSPA president Ken of Grayson’s Tune Town as he serenades us on the corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard with his ukulele, not a sight you get to see every day. Wouldn’t little Jimmy love one of these, or how about a brand new guitar and lessons to go with? Grayson’s has been around over 50 years and they know what they are doing when it comes to music. There are some great December specials and I’m sure they’ll find a way to wrap up that guitar for you.

The attractive brunette next to Ken is Linda, the inspiration behind Montrose Candy Co. She’s holding a custom holiday gift basket chock full of Hello Kitty goodies that little girls love. They are happy to fill a basket for your child with best selling salted caramels in various flavors, nostalgic candies, and a whole selection of imported candies that their friends don’t have. Treat yourself to a frozen banana while you shop and take advantage of December deals. This month get a free Jelly Belly mini bean bin with scoop w/$20 purchase, or a free Peace-Love-Santa candy tube with $10 purchase, while supplies last.

One of our newest stores in the MSP is It Takes A Village, a colorful kids’ boutique owned by GiGi. This is such a fun place to shop for kids! You’ll find things like the best selling, machine washable, animal slippers GiGi is holding that come in reindeer, wolves, pigs, penguins, bears, lambs, kittens, owls and frogs! Her adorable daughter is modeling a cool spiked Madpax backpack.  In addition to running the store, GiGi was also newly elected to serve the shopping park on our board. She is also giving her talents to direct the children’s musical at her church.

This article wouldn’t be complete without Tom’s Toys, a Montrose throw back that parents and kids alike just love. Here you’ll find aisles of vintage toys, family board games, Legos, puzzles, kites, and action figures all with old-fashioned service and gift wrap.
So do shop local and shop Montrose. We’ll make you feel like a kid again!

  Mary Dawson