Now that we are officially into the Christmas gift buying season, don’t even think about heading off to the malls and Big Box stores in Lexington and Louisville. Likewise, don’t end up with telephone dial-itis in your fingers from ordering everything online.
Instead, it’s time to look at what Downtown Frankfort shops have to offer. Whether you’re buying for a bibliophile (Poor Richard’s Books), a fan of all things commonwealth (Completely Kentucky) or a lover of tasteful bling (Glitterati), our shops have just what you’re looking for.
B’s Bakery is no stranger to anyone who loves the inspired sweet and savory creations of Beth Carter. But now Carter has channeled another of her passions – “things that tell stories of way back when”- into her newest venture, Miss B’s Antiques & Such.
Walking into the shop on Broadway and seeing a jolly man in a red shirt with a luxurious white beard, you might think Miss B had persuaded Santa to come work for her. (Nope, it’s just local resident Keith Douglas who minds the store on Wednesdays).
Nor is it elves who are responsible for stocking the store – just a talented group of 11 vendors, all from Kentucky with the exception of Beth Lewis, owner of Olde Tyme Marketplace in Madison, Indiana, whose home décor items are showcased in the front of the store.
One of those Kentucky vendors, Tim Farmer, is a name familiar to fans of his popular PBS show, Tim Farmer’s Country Kitchen.
“Tim and his wife Nicki bring in items from their own collection for us to sell,” says Carter.
Vendors refresh their spaces weekly, and good news for all you shoppers, Miss B’s Antiques is open seven days a week.
So, come in and take a look at what Miss B refers to as her “southern-y things.”
Another person who has turned her passion into a business is Kayla Carey, who opened The Kentucky Flower Market on St. Clair in May of this year. However, don’t expect to find a conventional florist at the location.
The Kentucky Flower Market is a flower collective, made up of a group of Kentucky flower farmers who compile their inventory to sell wholesale.
Carey’s farm, Rookery Flower Company in Franklin County, grows specialty cut flowers such as dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, mums, lilacs, and peonies in addition to shrubs.
“Our main business is not with drop-ins, although they are certainly welcome,” says Carey. “80% of our business is with wedding designers and retail florists, with the other 20% being people who come in for a plant or a bunch of flowers.”
Just in time for the holidays, Carey will offer a wreath making class using local greenery and herbs on December 7th. Cost of the hour-and-a-half class is $68.
She plans to have additional flower-focused events throughout the year, and says she wants to be more than just a store.
“We hope to be a focal point of the community and share our passion for locally grown flowers,” says Carey.
If Barbie was to pack up her suitcases and move to Frankfort, there’s no doubt what her favorite store would be. The Fancy Flamingo Boutique, across St. Clair from The Kentucky Flower Market, is absolute nirvana for “pinkaholics” like Barbie.
From the sparkly pink flamingo in the store window to a variety of home décor, apparel, jewelry, embroidery and gifts, the Flamingo is a pink lover’s paradise, whether that pink be coral, blush, rose, shell, bubblegum, fuchsia, salmon or orchid.
This store is so much fun that Barbies may even be able to drag their Kens along for some holiday shopping.
If you’re the kind of shopper who likes to “kill two birds with one stone,” metaphorically speaking that is, you’ll want to make one of your stops The Linen Closet and River City Provisions, both occupying a single building on Main Street.
The former is not just a place to pick up bed and bath items, but also has a curated selection of items for the rest of the house, as well as for the garden, bar and pantry.
The latter, currently occupying the rear of the building, offers an eclectic mix of items from bourbon-related goodies to crafts from local artists, as well as snacks to sate your hunger while you’re shopping.
But this will be your last chance to shop two-in-one as in January, The Linen Closet, in order to expand its inventory, will move into its new location two doors down in what was formerly EM-ME.
River City Provisions will take over the entirety of the current location, and it has big plans as well. Not only will it have more retail space available, but additional plans call for the back courtyard which links the store to the St. Clair Hotel, being transformed into an intimate spot with a scattering of tables and umbrellas for coffee and wine stops. These shops are just a few of the unique retail outlets to be found in Frankfort. Check this website to discover more places that will make your holiday shopping a breeze.