Shopping local, shopping active

 So, yes, the weather outside (at the moment) is a bit frightful. But for active folks who would rather be out logging in miles on the road, this is a great time to check off some items from holiday shopping lists. If you're like me, not crazy about the mall...you can spend some time shopping locally and staying true to a love of cycling and all things active. I mean... shopping can be a marathon of sorts right? Here are a few places around the Back Roads and Beaches route to shop for active and truly unique gifts and have a great afternoon doing it. I've tried to outline a few local shopping itineraries that include some other stops that make shopping fun and create a fun, festive afternoon or evening.

Near Avon Lake:

Las Cazuelas--Yum!

Marty's Cycle Center,  located at 453 Avon Belden Rd. in Avon Lake has lots of great cycling gifts. How about a gift certificate for a precision bike fitting? Look for the lighted bike out front. And located right around the corner from Marty's you can get your Mexican food fix at Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant.

When you're finished there, right down the way are John Christ and Klingshirn Wineries. Pick up some local vino for gifts while you sip some of the local varieties.

Strip Steakhouse, photo by Holly Miller

Not far from here you can also check out Old Avon Village which is decorated and reminiscent of a more old fashioned holiday. Old Avon Village features various boutiques and a bakery. There are also several great gourmet eateries here. Strip Steakhouse will be having a happy hour buffet from 3–6pm daily through Dec. 17. Check out the map below which includes some other possible stops for an Avon/Avon Lake itinerary:

Near Oberlin

Downtown Oberlin

 If you're an art lover or shopping for one, you won't leave Oberlin empty-handed. There are many galleries and gallery shops that have all sorts of unique and unusual items.

Uncommon Object

Uncommon Objects, Ginko Gallery and Riverdog are just a few. You can also find unique jewelry, home furnishings, imported African items and more. Don't forget Inspired. We featured them a few months ago in the blog. Another great opportunity to check-off gifts for hard-to-buy-for people on your list. If you're interested in local history and the Underground Railroad you can learn about them at the Oberlin Heritage Center. And when you're finished with your tour, stop in at the gift shop and pick up a book or two to share. While you are in the area, check out the progress of the Oberlin Gasholder Building Restoration. The Gasholder Building is the future home of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center and park and ride facility. It will be a wonderful service to visiting cyclists.

Future home of the Oberlin Underground
Railroad Center

If you're looking for active gifts or gear, try Swerve Bike Shop or Molnar Outdoor. Both locally owned shops have friendly staff willing to answer all your questions. 

When you're ready for a break and something to nibble on, I'd recommend the Oberlin Inn for a fancy, festive sit down meal, The Feve for a burger (beef or vegan) and a beer or Quick and Delicious for some down-home comfort food.

I've put together a map to make it easier to formulate your itinerary:



These are just a few suggestions in keeping with our active spirit and local theme. Hopefully you'll find exploring these local businesses and organizations as exciting and fun as we do. You'll find many other maps and suggestions by visiting the Visit Lorain County website.

Along the Route — Inspired

Inspired has cycling tshirts too!

Another great stop for cyclists along the Back Roads and Beaches Route! Located right in front of the Oberlin Public Library, you'll find Inspired. This great new Fair Trade, Eco friendly store offers a variety of unique and useful items and gifts. You'll find fashion for the whole family as well as toys, purses, bags and jewelry. Inspired has coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolates and other goodies. Inspired is located at 57 South Main St. in Oberlin. Their hours are Mon–Sat 10am–7pm and Sun noon–5pm. You can reach owner Debbie Bush at 440-774-1565.

Oberlin’s Alternative Gift Fair and Market

Oberlin’s Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment (SEPA) seen here this past summer at the Oberlin Farmers’ Market, will be selling goods at the Alternative Gift Fair and Market.

from the Oberlin Heritage Center:

The second annual Oberlin Alternative Gift Fair and Market is presently underway: Monday through Friday, December 8-12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bent Corridor of the Oberlin College Science Center, and Saturday, December 13 from 1-5:00 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library (65 South Main Street). The Alternative Gift Fair offers holiday gift-buyers an alternative to buying “things” for those folks on their gift lists who don’t really need anything. Instead, these Alternative Gift Fair purchases give many times over – providing good feelings for both recipient and gift-giver, and a big help to local nonprofits working hard to stretch limited resources to serve the needs of others. Gift items for sale at the Market include fair trade coffee, tea and chocolates, handmade textiles from Guatemala and Morocco, crafts from India and Oberlin, and much more.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is participating with a booth that features the Oberlin Heritage Trail Buy-a-Brick project, Historic Playing Cards to benefit the Endowment Fund for History Education, and many items from the Museum Store, including an incredible array of hand-crafted jewelry by Oberlin Heritage Center trustee, Jean Simon. Overheard from a woman buying holiday jewelry for her daughters, “I love jewelry and wear many different styles and designs, yet I ALWAYS receive compliments whenever I wear Jean’s jewelry.” Jean Simon’s jewelry is one-of-a-kind, beautifully crafted, elegant and fun at the same time. Plan to stop by the Alternative Gift Fair and Market sometime this week, browse, buy, and most importantly contribute to some very worthy Oberlin organizations this holiday season. The Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored by the Office of the President of Oberlin College. Out-of-towners may do mail-order holiday shopping through December 15 by e-mailing members@oberlinheritage.org and requesting a copy of the Alternative Gift Fair Catalog.