When you shop at these stores, not only are you supporting a locally-owned business, you’re also supporting Kentucky artisans and producers. The following stores and resources will help you keep the Kentucky in Christmas this year.
Kentucky Soaps and Such
The name really does say it all. Not only will you find Plainview Farm soaps, creams and other products on the shelves of Kentucky Soaps and Such, you also can shop for unique Kentucky gift items. “We go as local as possible,” says Jessica Towle, the shop’s soap artisan. “We have handmade, Kentucky crafted products such as food, jewelry, pottery, metal art, paintings and books by Kentucky authors.”
As for their anchor product line, Plainview Farm, Towle says they continue to improve their offerings all the while utilizing the versatile goat milk as a primary ingredient. “We do have a new luxury bar, it’s our same recipe but with added shea butter,” she says. They’ve also been moving all their lotions to jarred creams that are paraben and preservative free.“We’ve taken a more all-natural approach,” Towle says.
While visiting the downtown Stanford shop, Towle encourages patrons to have a bite to eat across the street at the Bluebird Cafe or stay in one of the five Wilderness Road Guest Houses nearby. All three ventures are owned by Jess and Angela Correll with the hopes of keeping people coming to the eastern Kentucky town. For more information to do some online shopping, visit the Kentucky Soaps and Such website
Kentucky Crafted Retailers
Works of art created by Kentucky’s talented craftspeople can be found all around the world thanks to the many stores, museums and shops that sell Kentucky Crafted products. Many of those business are designated as official Kentucky Crafted Retailers by the Kentucky Arts Council. Kentucky Crafted Retailers Directory
Kentucky Proud
The Kentucky Proud Market is a 5,000-square-foot space devoted to specialty foods and beverages, gifts and artwork. Add the store’s cyber presence to its bricks-and-mortar-location and you have a seemingly endless array of Kentucky gift-giving options. Everything from jewelry to jams, popcorn to pet treats, and socks to salsa can be found here—it’s enough to make a Kentuckian, well, proud.
The Shops at Lexington Center
410 West Vine Street, Suite 220, 859-455-3342, kentuckyproudmarket.com
You also can find Kentucky Proud products by type (meats, beverages, snacks, etc.) at the online KDA Country Store and search for Kentucky Proud Retailers
A Taste of Kentucky
When you step into one of A Taste of Kentucky’s three retail locations or browse its online store, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the Kentucky products mother lode! Celebrating its 31st year in business, A Taste of Kentucky provides a fount of gift-giving options—everything from crafts and books to tableware and food items—for anyone looking to share a bit of Bluegrass State cheer this holiday season.
Owner and founder John Hassmann says sweets are big sellers this time of year, including Kern’s Kitchen’s Derby Pie; Kentucky Bourbon Barrel cakes; bourbon candies from Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve and Rebecca Ruth; Bauer’s Modjeskas; and Mom Blakeman’s creamed pull candy. And of course, A Taste of Kentucky sells “lots and lots gift baskets.”
Three Louisville locations:
Aegon Center
400 W. Market Street, (502) 566-4554
Mall St. Matthews
5000 Shelbyville Road, 502-895-2733
Village Square in Middletown
11800 Shelbyville Road, 502-244-3355, atasteofkentucky.com
Shop Kentucky Monthly
From magazine subscriptions and books to holiday items and housewares, celebrate the best of our Commonwealth with gifts from the Kentucky Monthly online store.