 SCHMANCY
The plush toys at Belltown’s Schmancy boutique aren’t just for kids.
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Unique gift ideas
The search for the perfect gift can be downright stupefying when you're in that "I'll know it when I see it" mode, especially after being exposed to those ubiquitous scented candles. Luckily, Seattle has many delightful, quirky places to direct your energies.
Archie McPhee
(Ballard/Crown Hill)
A kitschy toy store for kids and adults alike, the shop has punching puppets, wind-up toys, bobble heads, costumes and party favors.
B-Bam! Custom Tees
(Capitol Hill)
While at B-Bam!, inject some originality into your wardrobe with the store's abundant inventory of T's, hoodies, tanks and undies ready for your personal touch.
Bluebottle Art Gallery and Store
(Capitol Hill)
At this art gallery and gift shop, mirror frames double as paintings, nightlights plug in to illuminate art photos, and clock hands tick slowly across cartoon abstractions.
ChefShop.com
(Magnolia/Interbay)
It sounds like ChefShop.com's home is somewhere in cyberspace, but really, it's a shop in the Interbay neighborhood.
Destee-Nation Shirt Company
(Fremont)
Located in a converted construction trailer in Fremont, Desteenation sells logo T-shirts sporting original art from independent businesses in Seattle, California and Hawaii.
Fireworks (Westlake Center)
(Downtown)
This colorful mini-chain of local shops carries handcrafted items, many from Northwest artists. You'll find dainty jewelry, paper star-shaped lighting, ceramics, mosaic mirrors and a large selection of artful Judaica.
Galactic Boutique
(Capitol Hill)
You can bet the handmade accessories and fashions you take home from this Capitol Hill shop will be in bright colors that pop.
George
(Georgetown)
It's kind of hard to describe what you'll find at this arty Georgetown shop. The pat answer is "gifts," but that doesn't begin to describe the weird and wonderful goods you'll find.
Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. and 826 Seattle
(Greenwood/Phinney Ridge)
Leaving the planet? Don't book your flight without hitting up this truly one-of-a-kind Greenwood shop for cool and kooky sci-fi novelties.
Hitchcock
(Madison Park/Madrona)
Inspired by the styles of Alfred Hitchcock's leading ladies, this well-edited shop carries a collection of accessories that pay homage to the poise of Kim Novak in "Vertigo," or the 1950s elegance of Grace Kelly in "Rear Window."
Open Books: A Poem Emporium
(Wallingford)
One of only two poetry-only bookstores in the country, tiny Open Books stocks a near-measureless number of poetry and prose titles. This is a place for browsing titles known to the rest of the world by special order only.
Portage Bay Goods
(Fremont)
This eclectic shop is filled with locally made crafts, baby items, cards, bath and body and other gifts.
Schmancy
(Downtown)
Schmancy is a treasure trove of heavy-metal action figures, anthropomorphized household items and plush toys that seem to be directly imported from the weirdest dreams you've ever had.
Seattle Caviar Co.
(Eastlake/Lake Union)
This simple, elegant shop on Eastlake specializes in caviar from the Caspian Sea, the likes of which you will never, ever see in your local supermarket. Trust us.
Sharper Image
(Downtown)
This man-boutique specializes in gadgets ranging from ionic air purifiers to massage recliners.
Tottini
(Eastlake/Lake Union)
Gen X parents tired of all the cutesy baby accoutrements out there should take a trip to tottini, where pink and baby blue take a backseat to fashionable colors.
Utilikilts
(Pioneer Square)
The Utilikilt adapts the traditional Celtic garment to the average Northwesterner's need for a place to hang his hammer. They're just the thing for the active, outdoorsy feller who's plenty confident in his masculinity.
Vain
(Belltown)
Living in the old Vogue dance club, the hair salon showcases original, independent designer pieces; only limited-run, hand-made and one-of-a-kind fashions make the racks.
Wild at Heart
(Ballard/Crown Hill)
This woman-owned and -operated adult boutique discreetly serves the desires of daring Fremonsters, Wallingfordians, Green Lakers and Ballardites with provocative clothing, adult DVDs and a vast selection of condoms and massagers, in nearly every shape, size and temperament.
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