The Resort Plaza Shops: Who’s on your Christmas List?

Who’s on your Christmas list?

We all have hard-to-buy-for people on our holiday shopping list. Maybe it’s the big sister who has everything. Or the rather fussy (but dear) friend. Or a spunky little niece and her high energy brother.

What to do?

Head over to the Resort Plaza Shops at the Coeur d’Alene Resort for unique treasures, imaginative presents and memorable gifts. You’ll be supporting homegrown businesses, too, since all of the boutiques and eateries in the Plaza are locally-owned.

We love, love, love the holidays here at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and the Resort Plaza Shops are decked out in our finest sparkly, festive decorations. Giant ornaments hang from the ceiling, yards of garlands lit with twinkling lights and holiday music set the mood.

And talk about convenient. Never mind the weather, just park in the Resort’s covered parking garage and stroll over to the Resort Plaza. You can spend a leisurely afternoon cruising the boutiques and specialty shops where you are sure to find the perfect gift. Or…something for yourself. You deserve it, after all. Let’s get started on your gift list.

For the Outdoorsy Types

You gotta love a store that has roots in North Idaho and was named for a wild, redheaded Scotsman who traipsed around these parts in the early 1800s. The first Finan McDonald store opened in Sandpoint in 1987 and a sister shop has been in the Resort Shops for years. The outdoor-oriented store carries stylish and rugged men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories from Columbia, Ex Officio, Patagonia, Teva, Keen, the North Face and more.

Josh Yandell named his store Pistole Boardshop because, he says, he’s a fan of the punk band the Sex Pistols. The ‘e’ was added “Just to confuse people.” Josh opened the first Pistole store in Spokane nine years ago and stocked it with all things snow and skateboard related and has been at the Resort Shops for the past year. You’ll find Burton boards, Union bindings, Volcom and Levi brand clothing and more plus the Great PNW clothing, a locally-created line of sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats and stickers which celebrates life in the “the upper left.”

Instead of giving a gift you can always give an experience. A thrilling experience at that. Timberline Adventures, another locally owned and operated business, takes clients soaring above Lake Coeur d’Alene’s Beauty Bay on a two hour-plus zip line ride. This is a great family gift, too, as long as the kids are at least 7 years old and weigh 80 pounds.

For All the Pretty Ladies

Santosha is a shop with a story. When Susan Wentz and daughter Lilly Hubbard traveled to Vietnam as volunteers to work with the blind in a medical clinic, they met a brother-sister seamstress team who crafted beautiful clothing from indigenous fabrics. Susan and Lilly contracted with the seamstresses to supply a unique clothing and accessory line, returned to the U. S. and opened Santosha in Sandpoint five years ago. They added a second Santosha boutique in the Resort Plaza Shops this year which is managed by daughter Chloe Hubbard. A portion of store profits are returned to the Duc Son Pagoda Orphanage in Hue, Vietnam.

You could get lost in Memory Lane Gems where owner Lynn Rinker has curated a dazzling assortment of heirloom and fine jewelry, shabby-chic and repurposed furniture, fur coats, funky hats, blingy purses, Tiffany lamps and more from around the globe. “Eclectic” only begins to describe Memory Lane.

The Boardwalk at the Plaza carries timeless women’s clothing and shoes popular with the stylish set as well as a large selection of Brighton bags and jewelry.

Cloud Nine Bridal might not be your first thought for holiday shopping, but it is an ideal destination for your very own holiday outfit. With gorgeous special occasion dresses from Bill Levkoff, Jasmine and other top brands, you will find a unique, elegant party outfit. Owners Tara Ovnicek and Lisa Seher opened Cloud Nine earlier this year to “create a place where strangers that walk in the door, walk out feeling like friends.” And looking pretty fabulous, too.

For Tweens, Tweens and Tots

Is there someone on your Christmas list with a sweet-tooth? Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop is a nostalgic trip back to the days of old-fashioned candy stores and is stocked with 250 varieties of goodies including gumballs, jellybeans, rock candy, black licorice and much more. Husband and wife team Brett and Susan Sommer, who also own Figpickels Toy Emporium, opened the candy shop in 2011.

It is quite possible the Sommer family never really grew up. For the last 13 years, Brett and Susan and their sons Devin and Austin have provided all things fun for kids of all ages at Figpickels Toy Emporium.  Educational toys, goofy gadgets, books, trinkets, current must-haves and timeless classics fill the shelves of this happy place and a miniature merry-go-round gives pint-sized shoppers an unexpected thrill.

For wine fans

Locally crafted wine is an especially appropriate gift for the oenophiles on your list, and Castaway Cellars offers eight varietals to choose from. Columbia and Yakima valley grapes and a lotta love go into Castaway’s wines.  Owners and avid fly fishers Scott and Shelly Crawford are originally from Montana and have adopted Coeur d’Alene as their home. They opened Castaway Cellars last summer and hired professional chef Jason Clarke to serve as tasting room manager and special event food and beverages coordinator for private parties at the facility.

For dog lovers

Not every store has its very own back lab mascot. “Buoy is the boss,” laughs Labrador Store and More owner Leanne Wuest. “I just work here.” Labs are Leanne’s passion but the shop also stocks merchandise for over 100 breeds of dog including mutts and rescue pups as well as dozens of styles of collars and leashes. Dog-loving humans can find coffee mugs, picture frames, t-shirts and toddler wear emblazoned with canine pictures. Eighty-five percent of the store’s products are American made.

If they’re missing Idaho

Huckelberries are North Idaho’s signature food and you’ll find everything from huckleberry jams to rubs to taffy and salsa at Marketplace Gifts Coeur d’Alene. The store stocks Idaho-themed mugs, jewelry, shirts, hats, toys and décor items, perfect to send to those family members who wished they still live here or who came through on a visit and are still pining for the great Northwest.

Thirsty? Hungry?

Shop, coffee, shop, lunch, shop, cocktails, snacks. Sounds good, doesn’t it? When you need a quick pick-me-up, swing by Café Espresso for a hot, holiday, coffee drunk. When hunger strikes, have a hearty salad or a rib-sticking pizza at Tito’s Wine Shop, an eatery and a wine shop where you can grab a bottle to take home or give away. Then when your shopping is finished, celebrate with libations and snacks at Taphouse Unchained, a one-of-a-kind cycling-themed pub.