Gifts for friends, family and more: Shop local in Atlanta this holiday season

Criminal Records in Little Five Points is a locally owned and independently operated new and used record store with items including hard-to-find LPs and CDs, plus comic books and music magazines. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

This holiday season, ditch the big-box stores and support local businesses when doing your holiday shopping. Whether you’re shopping for a friend, grandparent, teacher, or even a furry friend, below are just some local options to consider for gifting this holiday season.

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Atlanta Vintage Books

Here’s a novel idea: head over to Atlanta Vintage Books to browse a vibrant collection of over 75,000 vintage and collectible selections for the bookworm in your life. From out-of-print options to first editions, signed copies and much more, you’ll be sure to find a special book that will surprise and delight. Not to mention: you may be greeted by a feline friend hanging out by the shelves or the couches!

Location: Brookhaven - 3660 Clairmont Rd; Website: atlantavintagebooks.com; Contact: 770-457-2919

Big Peach Running Company

Sprint on over to Big Peach Running Company to find a gift for the runner in your life. Big Peach focuses on making sure that every runner is geared up for the best shoe that will fit their lifestyle and set them up for success for crossing that finish line, injury-free. Feel free to purchase a gift card that can allow a proper shoe fitting in-store.

Location: Multiple Locations; Website: bigpeachrunningco.com

Broad Street Mercantile

This little family-run boutique is located in Chamblee and offers a lovely selection of thoughtful gifts. Shop for everything from home decor and candles to jewelry and clothing, as well as items for newborns and newlyweds.

Location: Chamblee - 3520 Broad St; Instagram: @broadstreetmercantile; Contact: 470-519-2643

Criminal Records

For music lovers, a gift from Criminal Records will literally be music to their ears. This independent record store in Little 5 Points has a large variety of new and vintage vinyl, as well as comic books and graphic novels.

Location: East Atlanta - 1154 Euclid Ave NE; Website: criminalatl.com; Contact: 404-215-9511

East Pole Coffee

For the coffee aficionados in your life, start brewing the idea of gifting coffee beans and cute merchandise from local roastery East Pole. They will serve as great gifts this holiday season that will warm up spirits all around.

Location: Midtown - 255 Ottley Dr NE; Website: eastpole.coffee; Contact: 404-939-6498

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Inman Park Pet Works

Pampurr your pet this holiday season with a gift from Inman Park Petworks. They carry premium food brands full of healthy and high-quality ingredients, as well as all sorts of clothing and accessories to make sure your furry friend is paw-sitively stylish.

Location: East Atlanta - 914 Austin Ave NE; Website: inmanparkpetworks.com; Contact: 404-522-4544

Junkman’s Daughter

This eclectic staple in Little 5 Points is a perfect place to find a gift for your edgy, funky friends. They offer a selection of vintage and punk clothing and shoes, as well as eccentric, kitschy home decor. No matter what you choose, it’ll be sure to stand out.

Location: East Atlanta - 464 Moreland Ave NE; Website: thejunkmansdaughter.com; Contact: 404-577-3188

Love Street

As the name would suggest, this little Smyrna boutique is full of love. Love Street offers everything from jewelry and clothing to wall art, plants and other unique items that are perfect for the special ones in your life who have made an impact on you.

Location: Smyrna - 1275 Concord Rd SE; Instagram: @lovestreetlife; Contact: 770-434-8578

Squash Blossom Boutique

If you’re looking for a chic boutique for the fashionable friend in your life, consider shopping at Squash Blossom Boutique. They have two locations (one on Memorial Drive and one near Decatur Square) that both offer a selection of trendy clothing, jewelry, accessories and home decor.

Location: Multiple Locations; Website: squashblossomboutique.com

Virginia Highland Books

Choose from a selection of carefully curated novels at this quaint Virginia-Highland bookstore. Bookworms of all ages will be sure to appreciate a gift from this local neighborhood bookstore near Piedmont Park.

Location: East Atlanta - 1034 North Highland Avenue NE; Website: vahibooks.com; Contact: 470-819-4705

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