Erie Reader

12/05/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

For that person who always likes to stand out in a room, consider some unique, locally designed pieces from Dotigan Clothing Co.., Rabbit 3, Produce and Protect Studios, or Melancholy Brand.

Or do a little poking around in some of our expertly curated boutique shops like the OG Erie vintage clothier The Dollhouse at Pointe Foure Vintage Boutique, or Primo Tailoring or Bespoke Tailoring, all conveniently located downtown.

If jewelry floats your fashionable friend's boat, consider an heirloom piece from a local jeweler like Lighthouse Jewelers, Dahlkempers, or Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery or something pretty from Relish (specializing in beach glass jewelry for that hyper-local look). Glass Growers Gallery & Gifts or City Gallery provides pieces with an artistic, unique flair. You can always go the handmade route with a piece from Claè Handmade, The Copper Twig - Photography & Jewelry, or Infinity Bonds.

More by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

12/05/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Really, the best gift for anyone who loves to craft is something homemade. Nothing speaks to the heart of a crafter better than an item made with love. But if you'd like to include something more, consider the craft! If your loved one is a knitter or crocheter, a skein of locally spun or hand-dyed yarn is always a treat. Check out Three Tulips Yarn Company or Slow Formations or Tupelo Acres for some thoughtful, hand-produced yarns and goods.

If scrapbooking is the cut of your crafter's jib, classes and supplies are available locally through Monkey Business Scrapbook Lounge.

The Village Smithy Emporium, located in the Liberty Plaza, offers a fabric supply alternative for those who choose to steer away from corporate box stores. Have a look around and find some other bits and bobs for the quilter or budding fashion designer on your list.

If you'd like to make your holiday cards particularly bespoke this year, consider making them on Grounded Print and Paper Shop handmade paper. Proprietor Ashley Pastore (40 Under 40 Class of 2022) often incorporates unexpected materials into her paper like flowers, dried invasive plant species, or naturally-sourced, foraged dyes – making each sheet one-of-a-kind.

Full guide below ⬇️

12/04/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

The Entertainer 🥃

If the loved one on your list loves to host, consider some items to make their next dinner party extra special. Locally made ceramics will create an elegant and one-of-a kind table setting. Allen Stoneware or Moose Head Pottery both carry an ample supply of drink and table wares. Check out Gem City Mercantile online for mix-and-match vintage china, glasses, and other tableware for a uniquely cottage-core, eclectic look.

If your giftee is an amateur (or professional) mixologist, consider a gift of locally distilled spirits like Altered State Distillery or Luminary, or some spirit-free cocktails from Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails. For balloon bouquets or arrangements, consider Balloons by Nat to make your giftee's next event stand out.

More by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

12/04/2025

Win a pair of tickets to see Frozen at the Erie Playhouse.

To enter you must
* Like this post
* Tag a friend in the comments
* Fill out the contest link below

https://www.eriereader.com/contest

Bonus: If you are an Erie Reader subscriber you get 5 bonus entries! Become a subscriber today ⬇️

https://eriereader.ac-page.com/newsletters

Winners will be announced on Dec. 5th at 12:00pm
GOOD LUCK!

Note: You MUST do all three actions to be entered. Winner will be notified via email provided at the contest link.

12/04/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Gifts for The Homebody 🫖

Wintertime in Erie offers something that our summers never can: coziness. For the loved one on your list who loves some serious cozy time, a gift facilitating that feeling is always welcome.

Warm bevvies are the key to that hygge life – consider a relaxing, artisanal, hand blended tea from the HopLeaf Tea Company, which combines the brewed flavors of hops with herbs and teas. A loose leaf peppermint hops or a barrel-aged pumpkin spiced black tea sound like the perfect pairing with twinkle lights, a roaring fire, and a vintage holiday record. Sweeten that brew with some local raw honey from Hogs and Honey, River Honey, or One Acre Honey and you've got yourself a cuppa cozy.

Additionally, key to a comfy night in are plenty of throw pillows and blankets. Visit one of Erie's own home decor shops like Vintage and Soul Home, Trellis on 8th, or Grasshopper for plenty of snuggly varieties.

Full guide by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

12/03/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Gifts for The Weekend Warrior! 🚲

If your loved one is the adventurous type, there's no shortage of local gift ideas for the active, outdoorsperson. Whether it's biking, hiking, camping, or all three, some high quality gear built to last from Hikes and Hose will always be welcome. Sustainably made bike bags to hold all the things for a weekend of bikepacking, water bottle holders, bags and totes – your Hikes and Hose gear will be up for any challenge.

Consider stopping by the Erie Bike Co-Op for some cycling supplies or a new-to-you bike. They have unique, rare, and vintage "fancy bikes" that are hard to find elsewhere. And you'll feel assured knowing that your purchase is going towards the group's mission of getting affordable bikes into the community, particularly for those folks who need them most.

If you'd like to give the adventurous spirit on your list an actual adventure, consider showing them the ropes (and ziplines) at Peek'n Peak Mountain Adventures or treating them to day on the lake via Your Sailing Adventure. Whether it's a sunset sail or lessons, an adventure on the water is a great choice.

Full guide below ⬇️

12/02/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Next up, The Grill Master! 🥩🦐

Just because summer is over, doesn't mean the grill has to go away. I have fond childhood memories of my dad out in a blizzard, grilling us up some dinner. For that die-hard grillmaster on your list, consider some locally made, custom barbecue tools and accessories from Bad Larry Barbecue – like some American-made stainless steel, heavy-duty grilling tongs and double-pronged skewers – your giftee will be grilling in style and quality.

For more of a culinary twist, consider a locally made barbecue rub from Underdog BBQ, like their signature Rust Belt Rub, or some locally made sauces from Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meats.

📸: Bad Larry BBQ

More by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

12/02/2025

Best of Erie 2025 Final Voting is open now through Monday, Dec. 15! 🗳️

Winners will be announced in our January issue, hitting newsstands on Thursday, Jan. 15.

We've tallied all your nominations and have narrowed it down to the top five nominees for your final Best of Erie Ballot! This is the home stretch - happy voting, Erie!

https://bestof.eriereader.com/

12/02/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Archetypes are anything but typical when you shop local. Gifts for...The Overstressed! 🕯️

The holidays are full of magic and wonder, and behind all that magic and wonder is someone working their ass off to make it all happen. And that's not easy. Gift the person in your family holding it all together the gift of relaxation. A locally-made coconut wax candle from The Candle Box Company, particularly from their aromatherapy collection, will help set busy minds at ease. Some handmade, all natural soap from Lady G Artisan Soap Company or a shower steamer or bath bomb from Erie Bubble Company makes any day a spa day.

Or, of course, there's always the option of giving your stressed-out loved one an actual spa day. Our top three Best of Erie winners from 2024 are Coventina Day and Medical Spa, Panache Salon and Spa, or ReJuv MedSpa, Salon, and Wellness.

Full guide by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

12/01/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Happy local shopping and happy holidays, to all of our Reader readers.

Up next, The Home Cook! 🧑‍🍳

Speaking as a proudly adventurous home cook, I can say with certainty that there is no greater gift for my ilk than a gift card to A Caplan Company. I could stop and look in there for hours. If you'd prefer to give something tangible, consider springing for some prime steaks from @ Gordon's Butcher & Market or Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meats. Or, for a thoughtful piece of art that doubles as a functional kitchen tool, consider a high quality, handmade spoon, scoop, or spatula from Erie Woodcraft or a custom made cutting board from Lake Erie Variety.

If you know the home cook on your list is toying with the idea of getting into sourdough bread baking, there is a constant supply of sourdough starter available at Herb & Honey Bakery . Locally milled flours are available at the Edinboro Market. Those items paired with some sourdough supplies (available locally through the aforementioned A. Caplan Company), and you're likely to be gifted your own homemade loaf in the near future.

Full gift guide by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️

📸: Kenneth Bownes

12/01/2025

The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from November 19, 2025

Summary of ordinances and public comments

11/29/2025

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2025 🎁

Next up, The History Buff! 📖

Erie has a rich and fascinating history with a strategic military spot on our Great Lake, our industry and manufacturing, our colorful tapestry of immigrant neighborhoods, and our natural resources like Presque Isle State Park. For local history buffs, the Carriage House Visitor Center and Gift Shop at the Hagen History Center, nestled into the former Carriage House of the Watson Curtze Mansion stocks local history books and publications (like their annual magazine, The Triangle), maps, flags, art, and collectibles (there are even options for the history-loving kiddo on your list). Or give a membership, so your loved one can visit the inspiring museum whenever they feel that itch for the past.

Additionally, visit the Bayfront Maritime Center Museum gift shop located within the lobby area of the Maritime Museum in the Blasco Library building for some local seafaring historical merchandise or check out Presque Isle Gallery and Gifts in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation for a book or art piece celebrating our natural history.

Full gift guide by Erin Phillips at the link below ⬇️