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November 21, 2005

It's looking a lot like ... you got it ... Christmas!

Every year is seems the Christmas season starts just a little earlier than the previous year.

Sure, it is mid-November, but it is never too early to be thinking about presents for family and friends -- especially with Christmas being approximately five weeks away.

But if you are thinking "gift ideas" and hoping to get your shopping completed before 11:59 p.m. Dec. 24, the local businesses of Mariemont offer a complete eclectic array of items that will make great stocking stuffers and presents for everyone -- especially to the people on your shopping list outside your nuclear family such as godparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, church members, the babysitter, the dogsitter, the neighbor's kid that raked your leaves or anyone else.

For example, gift certificates from any one of the village's stores will be satisfactory.

Eva's Esthetica has gift certificates for pedicures, manicures, facials and a variety of skin products. The recipient of the certificate will be able to redeem the certificate on any day he or she would like to "treat" themselves.

Say you are having some out-of-town visitors for the holidays. A thoughtful gift idea would be a shave and haircut from the Mariemont Barber Shop.

"I have people who come in here all the time to buy gift certificates for their family or friends. But I think the gift of giving a man a shampoo, haircut and a shave would be treat for any man, not to mention a good gift," owner Ron Salzano said.

The Villager, Mariemont's gift store, boasts an annual "12 Days of Christmas" sale. Every day, starting December 12, the store will place a different item on sale.

"One day it may be our candles, or our books. It could be our gift wrap. But we go through just about everything we have," owner Carol Desmond said.

Pat Moores and Judy Runnels, owners of the Framing Guild, say they receive many requests for gift certificates around the holiday season.

"People will purchase a painting or picture for someone. And instead of having it matted and framed, they will buy a certificate so that the person receiving the picture can come in and choose what style of frame they want," Runnels said.

One aspect regarding the holidays people both love and loathe is all the wonderful food. Yes, it is delicious -- and gaining a couple extra pounds is always the ramification. But The National Exemplar is rewarding those who love to feast during the holidays.

According to National Exemplar spokeswoman Lisa Hopkins, for every $100 in gift certicates you purchase, the restaurant will reward you with an added $15 gift certificate. (A gift for a friend, you could say, and a treat for yourself).

Of course there is the Dilly Deli, and if you know someone who loves wine and cheese then there will be no problem finding an excellent gift idea within the restaurant.

There many more businesses within the village district, so be sure to check them all out and inquire about their holiday ideas because there is no reason holiday shopping should be so hectic when it can be this easy.

For a phone directory to all the businesses, search under "businesses" of the Mariemontbuzz.com and scroll down.

Posted by johnston at 03:28 PM

November 16, 2005

Thanksgiving dinner at the National Exemplar

Maybe you don't like to cook the huge meal associated with Thanksgiving. Or maybe you just don't have the time. Perhaps you are hosting a large party of family and friends and just don't have room to accommodate everyone.

Worst case scenario: On Thanksgiving Day a disaster occurs and the turkey is overcooked or a team of hungry dogs (like the Bumpesses) tear through the house and devour the bird.

Whatever the reason or cause, the National Exemplar wants to treat you and your family to a wonderful holiday meal.

On Thanksgiving Day, the restaurant will be serving the traditional turkey meal with all the fixings between noon and 6:30 p.m. So if you want to be served this year instead of being the server, just stop on in or call the restaurant for reservations.

The National Exemplar will be the only village eatery open on Thanksgiving.

Posted by johnston at 05:29 PM

November 11, 2005

The new and the old at The Villager

The Villager has been an integral component of Mariemont for virtually the village’s entire history.

The store, located next to Mio’s and across the street from the Best Western Mariemont Inn, has been in operation for more than 50 years.

“It was a five-and-dime store while I was growing up in the area,” Carol Desmond, owner of The Villager, said. “This store is where you would go to get a toy or buy some candy. We have some of the old pictures hanging of the store back in the day.

“It was the fun place to go for the kids, and it was a treat to go there and pick something out.”

Desmond has owned the village store for 15 years, making it a staple go-to stop shop in the community.

The store harbors a historic aesthetic and intrigue dating back to its grand opening over five decades ago, but it has shed its rustic and old-timer skin and now accommodates to a broader demographic and clientele.

‘We have had the five-and-dime image for a while, but we have worked to slowly change it. It is my hope to offer higher-end items and slowly change our look,” Desmond said. “A lot of people come in and say the store has a nostalgic look. We want to keep the homey feel and keep the memories but don’t want people to think that is all we carry.”

The Villager is a gift store and carries an eclectic variety of items, such as party goods, cards, stationary, books and decorations.

“Basically, anything you would need to plan a p arty or to buy a gift for someone,” Desmond said.

And if you are planning a wedding, The Villager also offers personalized wedding invitations.

Recently Desmond began selling Bera Bradly bags, which have become popularly across the country.

“The Bera Bradly bags are upscale bags with seasonal print patterns. We are starting a bag mailing list that is bringing in a different clientele,” Desmond said, adding the bags have become popular gift ideas amongst customers. “People will approach me at bridal shows and ask about the bags. The bags are selling very well.”

The Villager sells a lot of books and children’s literature; not as much as Desmond would like, she said, but if there is a book that a customer wants then special orders are available.

The store also possesses one thing that not too many stores can boast: The village’s post office is located in the back left-hand corner. Upon first entering, one may not see the post office amongst the books, cards, toys and pictures, but the blue and white eagle emblem signifying the U.S. Postal Service is there by a window with a smiling employee ready to help.

“It is really called a contact station. We can do just about anything, but we can’t do check-through customs or passports ... but practically anything else,” Desmond said.

The contact station carries the same hours as the store, which is 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and it is closed on Sundays.

So, if you are in need of a good gift for a family member, friend or even for yourself; if you need to mail a letter or postcard, or if you just want to catch a glimpse of some village history, just visit The Villager.

Or for more information, call 271.0523.

Posted by johnston at 06:08 PM