Holiday Gift Guide to Shopping Small in Rainier Valley
Are you among the many who have pushed their holiday shopping off until the very last minute? Rainier Valley is teeming with incredible small businesses that are chock-full of the perfect gifts for the special someone still on your list. While our neighborhood offers many great options, we invite you to explore a few of our staff’s favorite choices as you finish up your holiday shopping.
Unique Shops
For the flower or house-plant enthusiast in your life, Columbia City Bouquet offers one-of-a-kind bouquets for your special someone, as well as trinkets perfect for stuffing stockings!
Baol African Imports & Gallery
Walking into Baol African Imports & Gallery is like stumbling upon a hidden gem! Their selection includes everything from African clothing and fabric to artwork, ethnic jewelry, and more!
At Fire and Flourish Studio, ceramics take on a new level as local artists forge unique creations that add an extra flair of beauty to the simple moments of the day.
This quirky boutique offers eclectic clothing finds, jewelry, and locally sourced, unique gifts. If you’re still searching for something special for that last, hard-to-shop-for person on your list, this is the ideal place to start looking.
Online Businesses
This Black-owned business offers indulgent and affordable candles with 50-80 hours of burn time for lengthy enjoyment.
Restaurants
Who doesn’t love receiving a gift card to their favorite restaurant? An excuse to eat out and a bill that’s all paid for at the end? Count us in! Because as you know, we’re all about good food. While there are many great options to choose from, these are just a few of our favorite spots.
Packed full of flavor, this BBQ joint offers Jamaican flare and incredible soul food. Our team’s favorites? The burnt ends, rib tips, curried goat, and plantain waffles, just to name a few. An added bonus? They make their own bacon and lunch meat in-house for added indulgence!
This quaint all-American diner is the perfect stop for your weekend brunch. But be warned, their tasty creations have cultivated quite the weekend crowd! Be prepared for a wait should you arrive during peak hours. Rest assured, their cuisine is well worth it.
Looking for a quirky breakfast spot with a comforting atmosphere that locals have been flocking to for decades? With practically everything made from scratch, Both Ways Café continues to welcome locals in to relax for a hot cup of joe and delightful baked goods.
Umami Kushi offers unmatched Japanese cuisine with a unique take on beignets, okazu pan (a delightful grab-and-go snack filled with curry beef or other indulgent delights), and their flavorful yuzu kosho.
The perfect lunch spot! With generous portions and African flare, we’re so glad to have this joint in our backyard!
Wabi Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant
With a name paying tribute to the idea that subtle imperfections as beautiful, Wabi Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant offers one of the best happy hours in the city.
Bars & Breweries
What’s better than a night out at your favorite brewery or bar courtesy of your secret Santa?
Tucked into a strip mall in Columbia City, this fantastic brewery continues to crank out 16 constantly changing brews.
Unwind after a long week with a delightful happy hour, craft cocktails, and tasty bites. Their pre-made to-go cocktails are the perfect stocking stuffer for the enthusiast on your list.
One of Seattle’s most well-known LGBTQ and ally friend spaces, Union offers specialty cocktails, a fireside lounge, and a space for everyone to sit back, make new connections, and enjoy.
Sweet Delights
Rooted in Seattle, this family-run joint is passionate about giving back to their community. With every flavor made in-house in small batches, there are plenty of options to choose from – including non-dairy options!
Order online, then pick up your tasty treats! Drive-by in the morning, and you’ll be greeted by the sweetest of smells that can only come from a bakery. From holiday pastries to indulgent bread, Columbia City Bakery satisfies every craving.
Health and Wellness
With the tagline “indulge, engage, uplift,” QueenCare offers products true to their name, leaving you feeling refreshed with good energy.