The Best Places To Shop Local- The We Heart Astoria Gift Guide 2012

{WHA’ers: There’s nothing I’m more passionate about than supporting local businesses. This post is an updated version of my annual ‘Best Places To Shop Local’ gift guide. I hope this helps you get all your gift shopping done in no time flat, all while supporting some of our very favorite local shops.  Happy holidays, Astoria! -Mackenzi}

Loveday 31 (3306 31st Ave. Astoria) – One of the Astoria’s first shopping hot spots, Ivona Bilicic’s Loveday 31 is the perfect place to stock up on gifts for all your fashionista friends. Choose from a perfectly edited selection of vintage frocks, jewelry, jackets, coats, and shoes. Don’t miss their to-die-for belt section, too.

The Little Soap Shop (2207 36th St. Astoria)– This tiny Astoria shop bursts at the seams with handmade, organic and all natural bath and body products, perfect for filling stockings or gift giving for hard-to-shop-for co-workers. The Little Soap Shop uses only fine quality ingredients that create handmade, hand cut and hand wrapped goodies that are sure to please.

Belief (29-20B 23rd. Ave. Astoria) – Astoria’s newest retailer, Belief, is a wonderland of skate shop goodies. Lining the walls of this modern boutique are skateboard decks and accessories, sneakers, sweatshirts and other locally made objects of desire. If you’re looking for that hard-to-find guy gift, put Belief at the top of your list. Belief even offers skateboarding lessons at the brand new Astoria Skate Park- the perfect gift for hard-to-shop for teens and tweens!

Baby Noir (26-16 23rd Ave. Astoria)- Formerly Creator’s Co-op, this awesome kid’s shop is packed with unique clothing picks, sensible toys and a good selection of books for little ones thanks to The Story Nook’s shop-within-a-shop. Things to covet: Day of The Dead backpacks, foreign language baby blocks, hip kid’s clothing. 

SITE (35-11 34th Ave. Astoria) – The shop in Astoria for truly unique gifts (And yes, of course, I’m biased). This charming boutique features a curated mix of handmade, vintage and well-designed items for everyone on your list. Look for Melissa and Doug kid’s toys, Pacifica bath & body products, SITE exclusive Queens inspired jewelry, totes, t-shirts, & onesies, and a wide variety of great gifts under $20. SITE also has a great selection of holiday cards, ornaments and decorations, too. Things to covet: Typographic Maps of Queens by local artist James MacDonald. 

The Museum of the Moving Image Gift Shop (36-01 35th Ave., Astoria)- This fantastic museum gift shop is filled with unique cinematic gifts, books and trinkets that your friends and loved ones are sure to love.  A great place for unexpected stocking stuffers.

Long Island City Kleaners (L.I.C.K) (45-08 Broadway., Astoria)-  LICK specializes in exclusive kicks, hats, apparel and accessories for men and women. Look out for their selection of Good Wood and Mishka accessories.

Jewels of Buddha (31-90 37th St., Astoria)- Find unexpected, new-agey goods at this Astoria shop. They also have a fair share of wool hats, clothing and jewelry, too. A great place to stock up on winter accessories.

Raising Astoria (26-11 23rd Ave. Astoria) This newly opened baby and maternity boutique can help you cross off moms-to-be, new moms, and all those little ones off your list. Their ever changing consignment collection will help you outfit babies and toddlers on a budget but splurge on their Hape, Tolo and Jack Rabbit toys, too.

Pin Up Queens (22-03 Astoria Blvd. Astoria) Give her some retro sex appeal this holiday season! This relative newcomer is packed with vintage baubles, pin up inspired dresses and a few other special things she’s sure to love.

KrisTees (2401 23rd Avenue Astoria)– A contemporary women’s boutique right in the heart of Astoria. If you’re looking for upscale clothing with a downtown edge, look no further than KrisTees. A great choice for those looking for a fantastic new piece to wear to that special Holiday party, a luxurious gift, or just something totally special. Things to covet: KrisTee’s own Hell Gate Bridge Tote Bags, painted enamel bracelets, and silk and wool hand painted scarves.

Inside Astoria (28-07 Ditmars Blvd. Astoria) Don’t miss this gift shop in Astoria’s northern end. Inside Astoria features a wide variety of cocktail table & topical books, kid’s gifts, home decor and jewelry that makes stocking up for the holidays a cinch. Don’t miss their selection of t-shirts that feature neighborhood icons.

LIC: Living (535 51st Ave. LIC) The newest addition to the Western Queen’s retail line up, LIC: Living is the place to shop for exquisitely curated luxury gifts. From Tocca Candles to luxe ChillNorway Coats, this boutique is stocked with special finds. Things to covet: stuffed raccoon animals, gnome wine openers and vintage style glass vases. 

We’d love to hear from you, Astoria and Long Island City! Where do you do your local gift buying? Help us expand our list by leaving your comment below.