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PrintShops at the Decorators' Show House
Britto travel bags at etc boutique. Photo by Tim Johnson.
UNIQUE GIFTS FOR MOM If you asked Toni Miller Dunleavy what was in her 700-square-foot store etc boutique, she might say handbags, women’s clothing, jewelry, children’s toys . . . and then add “etcetera.” Everywhere you look, you’ll see a plethora of unique items you’re not likely to find anywhere else in the area.
Britto’s polycarbon travel bags stand out. They are light enough to pick up with one finger, swivel around easily and feature bright designs that can help you spot them at the airport. You’ll also find top designer handbags. The Jack Gomme line from Paris is available in fewer than a dozen places in the U.S. Bo’s Art bags are handmade by a husband-and-wife team of artists. Other finds include Icon leather bags, Klimt bags featuring famous art and Orla Kiely leather bags from London.
You’ll also see handmade European clothing, along with many designs in earth tones and neutral colors. There’s a corner with gift items priced less than $40 and another section of affordable charms to create your own jewelry. I also saw handblown salt and pepper shakers and limited edition bottle stoppers.
etc boutique, 543 S. Drexel Ave., Bexley, 235-6921. Open Tue & Thu 10:30 am-7 pm, Wed & Fri till 6 pm, Sat till 5 pm; closed Sun-Mon; open other hours by appointment.
HOME SUPPLIERS Menards, a Wisconsin-based company with many stores throughout the Midwest, opened its first Columbus store in April. It offers low prices on just about anything you might need to maintain or repair your home or business.
The company has an everyday competitive-price guarantee. If you find a lower everyday or advertised price on an identical item at any local retail store that has it in stock, Menards will beat the price by 11 percent. You’ll find outdoor furniture, grills, gardening supplies, tools, lumber, siding, shingles, drywall, windows, doors, appliances, mattresses, bath accessories, laminate tiles, carpeting, snacks, pet food, paint, lighting and laundry supplies.
Menards, 1805 Morse Rd. (east of Karl Road), 262-7354; menards.com. Open Mon-Sat 6:30 am-10 pm, Sun 8 am-8 pm.
BLOOMING BARGAINS A variety of merchandise can be found at the gift and garden shops at the Decorators’ Show House April 30 through May 22. The event—a biennial fundraiser for the Columbus Museum of Art, hosted by its Women’s Board—has been a tradition for 37 years.
Whether you get tickets to tour the house or not, you can visit the adjacent tent that is free to the public. It has three sections. The Gift Shop features new items, including jewelry, priced at $40 or less. The Garden Shop offers high-end flowers such as orchids that are ready to take home; prices in this section are $4 to $50, and hanging baskets are $30. Trifles and Treasures highlights donated items for sale and could include china, paintings, Limoges, antiques and collectibles. Stock is constantly replenished, so you’ll find different items each day of the sale.
The shops at the Decorators’ Show House, 4125 Oxford Dr., Upper Arlington, 519-1664; columbusdecoratorsshowhouse.com. Open April 30-May 22: Tue-Thu 11 am-8 pm, Fri-Sun till 5 pm; closed Mon.
PARADISE FOUND You have an opportunity to visit the world-famous Schnormeier Gardens for free June 1 through 5 from 10 am to 4 pm. The garden is privately owned and open to the public only one week each year. Budget Travel rated the garden as one of the top 10 in the world. There are no designated walking paths, so roam at will up and down the rolling hills. The 75-acre estate includes a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home, Japanese teahouse, garden house, Chinese pavilion, nine garden areas and numerous bridges and waterfalls. Unique sculptures also are there for you to enjoy.
Schnormeier Gardens, 8701 Laymon Rd., Gambier (about 50 miles from downtown Columbus, near Mount Vernon), (740) 427-2612; schnormeiergardens.org.
