With the holidays fast approaching, every week until Christmas KATC is sharing unique, local gift ideas from different spots in Acadiana.
On Thursday morning Abby Breidenbach took us to several spots in Acadia Parish where you can support local businesses and be guaranteed to find the perfect gifts for under your tree.
Antiques on the Avenue
Antique items and one-of-a-kind assembly art pieces can be found at Antiques on the Avenue in Rayne. The store, housing nine rooms of unique items is open Thursdays through Saturdays and by appointment. The Palmers, who own the shop, create one of a kind pieces with antique items. Their shop is filled with things they've collected from their travels. The store is located at 201 E. Louisiana Avenue in Rayne.
"Its an eclectic mix. A lot of different things. We started off as collectors ourselves and finally bought this building," says co-owner Eddie Palmer. "A lot of masculine and feminine things in here. A lot of glassware, plates, and a lot of wood. We have a huge collection of vintage coffee pots. Kind of the things to have sitting out in your kitchen. Anything and everything that you wouldn't find other places."
Puddles and Lace
Shop for everyone from new moms and infants to dads, brothers and grandfathers at Puddles and Lace. The store has swaddles, smocked clothes, shoes, toys and books for the little ones. For men, clothes, hats, and unique gifts are available. The shop sells plenty of other giftables from mugs to women's accessories, sleep masks and pillowcases and more. It is located at 300 N Parkerson Avenue in Crowley.
"We carry apparel from your newborns up to men. From your dressy smocks, to your casual everyday, different things like that but what sets us aside is our men's selection," says manager Christy Fruge. "We have something for dads, grandfathers, teenage boys. We have a wide variety of gifts. You name it , we have it."
Cajun Dance Lessons in Church Point
For the friend or family member who can't sit still, Cajun dance lessons could be the perfect gift. Ashley Dugas is teaching private and group lessons at Cajun Country Lounge and Dance Hall in Church Point Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays. There are two options between a one hour or two hour class. Visit her website here to register.
Cajun Country Lounge and Dance Hall owner Amelia Lyons says that every Sunday a Cajun French Band plays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm so dancers can stay and practice with live music.
Candyland Cottage
For the friend or family member with a sweet tooth, Candyland Cottage is the kind of place you'll want to let them pick their own gift. From the homemade fudge to the 27-pound gummy bears to the vintage toys and candy, this is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or just pick up stocking stuffers, every day through Christmas Eve.
"A lot of parents bring the kids in and that's part of their gift. It's almost like a shock when they walk in seeing all the candy," said owner Stewart Laurents. "All the toys we have have candy as part of them. We have the worlds largest gummy bears. We start off a pound and a half and our biggest is a 26 lb gummy bear. Things you can't walk into other stores and find."
Viewer Recommended locations for Shopping Local in Acadia Parish:
In Acadia Parish and know of a local business that should be included in our list for great Christmas gifts?
Send an email to news@katctv.com with the subject line: Shopping local for Christmas. Include the name of the business and the city in the parish where it is located.
We'll include those businesses in this article under our viewer recommended section.
On November 4, Abby visited Vermilion Parish to share suggestions for shopping local.
On November 11, Abby visited Jeff Davis Parish
On November 18, Abby visited Lafayette Parish
On November 29, Abby visited Evangeline Parish
On December 2, Abby visited Iberia Parish