everyonepoops The economy is still in the dumps, and no one even tries to hide how blatantly they buy in to the commercialization of the holidays, anymore. But Long Beach is crawling with interesting and unique places to pick up a gift for everyone on your list, and holiday shopping can actually be an interesting way to explore the city in all its quirky weirdness. Why not get creative this year? Forget the chains and search for those gems you can’t find anywhere else. Here are our picks for places you can’t miss out on when it comes to uniquely Long Beach shopping this season. And check back often, because we’ll be adding to it almost every day:

 

depotcreativereuse The Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse
This often-overlooked gem is a must for artists, collectors and off-the-wall personalities. Packed with bins full of random pieces, parts, trinkets and scraps, the Depot is a great place to pick up supplies for homemade gifts. The owner initially had a hard time convincing Long Beach city officials that a store with an inventory of items “too good to throw away” that were to be sold for reuse to artists and DIY enthusiasts would be a worthwhile investment. But the Depot is now considered a big part of what makes the East Village neighborhood a unique place to shop. You can always browse for a collection of odds and ends to make your own gift, but during my latest visit there were a few unique, recycled things that stood out. The notebooks made by Merry Blues Art are perfect at $3 for the aspiring writer in your life. With the recent plastic bag ban in Long Beach, residents are stocking up on reusable totes to take to the grocery store and The Depot has some crocheted from old plastic bags—$15 and under.
320 Elm Ave | East Village Arts District | Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm

 

primalflowerfront Primal Flower
A newcomer to 3rd Street, Primal Flower is already making a strong impression on the Long Beach arts scene, as owners Shelley and Jeremy are responsible for a marriage of unique styles. This organic, sustainable florist is the first of its kind in the area, and is stocked with one of a kind gifts and floral arrangements. Flowers aren’t the only things you’ll find here, either. Check out Tweak My Sneaks on Facebook to preview some of the art that hangs on Primal’s walls.
407 3rd Street | East Village Arts District | Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-5pm

 

inretrospect inretrospect
This relatively new addition to Retro Row is among the larger of the district’s shops. Inretrospect is a vintage lover’s dream. You’ll find everything from vintage furniture, to contemporary and 70’s pop art. There’s an enormous vintage clothing section, classic board games, old movie posters, classic novels, and an impressive vinyl collection in the back. They even carry home goods to give your pad an extra dash of personality. Shopping here is more about the experience and the thrill of a good find, rather than just crossing something off a shopping list. Some excellent finds include vintage frosted gin glasses ($12), the ultra-gaudy 70’s jewelry (prices vary), and a set of two awesome orange vintage chairs ($800 each).
2122 4th St | 4th Street Retro Row | Mon-Thurs 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat 11am-8pm Sun 11am-6pm

 

lildevils Lil Devils Boutique
No self-respecting hipster parent should have to find themselves at Baby’s “R” Us again after stepping inside this 4th Street boutique. Lil Devils specializes in clothing with an edge for kids and parents alike. Their unique styles are perfect for those who have had it with the same old trucks and flowers that adorn every kids apparel item in the world. Ditch those boring designs for something fun, different, and downright adorable, like the Dia De Los Muertos baby silverware set ($9), the baby poo toddler t-shirts from Bored Inc. ($22), and a slew of punk and metal onesies and shirts (prices vary). Mommy’s little monster demands it!
2218 4th St | 4th Street Retro Row | Sun-Thurs 11:30am-6pm Fri-Sat 11:30am-7pm

 

notperfectbutclose Hot Stuff
An apparent Long beach tradition, Hot Stuff has been offering “a little of everything” for over 30 years. Most of what they carry is geared toward women, but anyone would have a great time just browsing the shelves. There’s a large selection of tongue-in-cheek and edgy gifts for girls who love to show a little attitude. One half of the store is restricted to of-age customers, as it features the adult greeting card section which they have become known for. As a matter of fact, Hot Stuff isn’t just good for holiday shopping; anything you need a hilarious greeting card, you can’t go wrong here. We suggest getting your holiday greeting cards here- they start at $2.
2121 Broadway | Mon-Fri 11am-7pm Sat 10am-6pm Sun 12pm-5pm

 

fingerprintsrecordracks Fingerprints
This one almost seems to obvious for inclusion in our list, but in an age when record stores are being muscled out by the almighty mp3 download, Fingerprints in still thriving. Music lovers of any persuasion will find an abundance of CDs, vinyl, a carefully selected collections of books and magazines, and shelves full of unique gifts. Drop in for the old school music nerd on your list, or for the romantic who lives for the crackle of his turntable’s needle. You could always go the route of a gift certificate, but to show your true Long Beach pride, grab the Sublime incense burner for $12.
420 4th Street | East Village Arts District | Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm Fri-Sat 10am-11pm

 

feedstore The Feed Store
If you’re the kind of person who loves to give charitable donations in the name of a friend or family member as a gift, the feed store is more than perfect. As a branch of the non-profit Graceful Hearts, all sales go toward feeding needy families in the area. Their retail location is a joy to browse through, with the décor and ambiance of small general store miles away in the countryside. The Feed Store carries everything from furniture to clothing, jewelry, and books, and even includes many recycled goods in their inventory. There’s plenty to browse in this earthy-smelling wonderland, but what really stood out was the Old Crow punch bowl set from the 50’s ($95).
2001 4th St | 4th Street Retro Row | Tue-Thurs 11am-6pm Fri 11am-7pm Sat 11am-6pm Sun 11am-5pm