 Shopping With Ken revisits River City Well, here we are Near Northians. Days, just days, remain until the arrival of Christmas. And yet those of us who share the chronic curse known as procrastination likely have yet to wrap a single present, primarily because we have yet to make a single purchase, right? In addition there are the shoppers who begin early with a couple of buys. Teeming with confidence they kind of coast along though early December until suddenly realizing scant time remains before the shopping ops come to a close and much of their list is untouched. The staff of Shopping With Ken (aka SWK) can not only sympathize with you, we empathize because we have been in the same leaky boat and have been known to be frantically floundering about on Christmas Eve, hoping for an intervention of inspiration. Today we not only present a plethora of presenting possibilities, but opportunities that do not involve heading down Alpine Avenue or fighting the traffic at Woodland or Rivertown malls. The following finds are each within walking distance of each other and nestled in the wonderful downtown Newaygo shopping district.  "Beer, if drank with moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.”- Thomas Jefferson  “Beer is made by men, wine by God.”- Martin Luther Newaygo Brewing Co. Not only is NewBrew a much favored stop for those of us who enjoy the awesome adult beverages they have on hand (*Seven Cousins IPA) and their unique and pleasing menu (*Buddha Bowl) but they are also an ideal spot for gifting. There are many NewBrew regulars who would enjoy the practicality of their triple insulated mini keg style growlers to be sure, but the Brewery’s swag goes far beyond that with cozy crew neck sweatshirts, bright colored t shirts, cuffed and uncuffed beanies, crowler and wine bottle koozies, stickers and more. All their retail stuff is 15% off, If you buy one bottle of wine, you get half off a second one and should you go with gift cards (always a judicious move) a $50 purchase also gets you a $10 card that you could stick in a sock or while there use the free card to relax with a glass or two of some seriously savory suds because shopping can be a grueling task.
 As Chicago one sang "Does anyone really know what time it is?" Timbered Spirit This well stocked store provides an eclectic array of items to be sure, but if you have a cottage or cabin dweller on your list drop in on Brian and Alyssa Locke’s place. We loved the lake art featuring our local waterways, particularly the clocks. They have a large selection of coffee mugs (always a good fallback item because if you change your mind or find something else you can keep it for yourself), kitchen gadgetry and we really felt attracted to the wide variety of jigsaw puzzles. After all, during our far too long winter every home should involve an ongoing effort at completing one (or 4) of the larger ones by spring.
Northwoods General Store What a find for gift seekers! Cool, cool stuff at every turn and the veritable motherlode of Yeti products which will make you a hero no matter who the giftee might be. Being a septuagenarian who might be a bit out of the loop, we learned about Muck Boots (50% off) tart melts and Cotopaxi T Shirts (buy one get one half off). If you know someone well enough to get them underwear they have the ever popular Saxx line that some have called ‘life changing’.  These are wrapped Surprise books marked with age and some clues to the type of book inside and packed full of goodies.  10% off all new selections “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”-Stephen King. Flying Bear Books & Creperie The hottest of the downtown hot spots has gifted the community with a wide variety of artistry with music, art, poetry, comedy and dance all the while serving up the culinary creations that emerge from their kitchen known as to-die-for crepes. Oh and they have books. Aisles and seemingly miles of books in a wide swath of genres with both new and gently pre read offerings. To SWK, one cannot go wrong with gifting a book. They’re easy to wrap (we have an issue with wrapping), cover a variety of interests, and can be a way to introduce a friend to a favorite author you think they might like. SWK once gave occasional N3 contributor Charles Chandler a Jim Harrison book and he has since devoured nearly all of the Michigan writer’s works. Suggestion: Should you have a true bibliophile on your list a gift certificate here is highly recommended. Why? Because for a true book lover part of the adventure is in the hunt.
 Gerber Magic Finders Keepers New and used items galore with over 50 vendors supplying the store with their wares. Located in the old Masonic Temple this is a prime spot for discovery shopping, where you enter with barely a clue what to get a particular person and find something that just seems to fit for them. Like the Gerber Baby Doll seen above. Can’t get that at Target.
Other Places
Downtown is also home to Parsley’s, if you have a fisherperson on your list, 37 North where one can find sporting apparel and recreational buys, Jerkie’s because for many no Christmas would be complete without jerky in your sock, and Sui Generis if your giftee’s desires are home furnishings (few would be disappointed by receiving a recliner). There you go folks. We’ll be wrapping things up (other than presents) this week so if you have a final suggestion or two let us know. And get going on the last minute shopping because we have some serious reveling in front of us. Oh and here’s a link to seeing the story behind SWK’s wrapping woes... https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/the-view-from-here-wrap-session
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