Hampden, the anti-mall for quirky gifts
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Perhaps the antithesis of the mall scene, the Avenue (36th Street) in Hampden is home to a number of shops that redefine kitsch. But you'll find much more than just tacky and bizarre gifts if you look in the right places. From gourmet chocolates to signed books, Hampden has some class amidst all its cheesy lawn ornaments.
Ma Petite Shoe -- Shoes and Chocolate
While this store showcases its collection of funky, fancy and French shoes, it is also the place to visit when shopping for that special someone with a sweet tooth. Walk past the Parisian shoes and you'll find a mouthwatering selection of chocolates. Here the store breaks with the French theme to provide its customers with everything from Belgian truffles to chocolate bars from Ecuador. A warning to female shoe fanatics and any chocoholics: it may be difficult to get out of this store without purchasing a little something for yourself.
True Vine -- Records & CDs
This is a record store that actually does sell records. Of course, it offers an eclectic mix of CDs as well. The sign advertises "underground, obscure, classics," and the selection stands by that. If you have a friend who would appreciate a bizarre addition to his music collection, or if you're looking for a hard-to-find CD, stop here; some of the albums in stock here will prove next to impossible to find anywhere else.
Atomic Books -- "Literary Finds For Mutated Minds"
As for that person who's been a bit naughty this year, sandwiched between a smattering of comics, music, fiction and cult film classics, Atomic Books has an intriguing collection of adult literature. Ranging from lavishly illustrated guides such as The Art of Spanking and a photographic History of Lingerie to more informative how-to manuals like Guide to Getting it On!, this store's offerings will be plenty to keep you entertained. Don't forget to check out the rest of the store; you'll find not only A John Waters Christmas CD, but also some less overtly domineering titles, such as A History of Hand Knitting. While there are entire shelves devoted to politics, Bettie Page and lowbrow art, you can also find literature by relatively conventional authors, such as David Sedaris, Charles Bukowski and Dave Eggers. Atomic Books also carries a number of signed editions of certain books, particularly those written by Baltimore's beloved John Waters.
Cloud 9 -- Women's Clothing
A branch of the same Cloud 9 that could once be found on the upper level of the Towson Town Center, this shop is a welcome break from the same old fashion chains. For winter themed gifts, you can generally find plenty of bright knit hats, gloves, mittens and scarves, not to mention those incredibly useful mittens that convert to gloves.
Oh! Said Rose -- Women's Clothing & Accessories
This boutique is the sister store of Ma Petite Shoe, and you may run into some of the same cheerful, shoe-crazy staff. Flashy colored scarves, beaded handbags and eye-catching jewelry can be found interspersed with the buyer's fashion picks. Clothes created by local designers can often be found on the racks of this store.
Another feature of Hampden is a wide array of local art galleries. Wild Yam Pottery, Mud & Metal, and Paper Rock Scissors are a few examples. Carrying pottery, mixed-media, paintings and more, shops in this area are a great place to find some original works by local artisans.
If you are looking for something truly kitschy, the Avenue showcases a variety of antique shops and vintage clothing stores, such as Fat Elvis and Galvanize. The items you'll find at these stores will be one-of-a-kind gifts for friends with quirky tastes or older family members looking to reminisce. In case you're searching for a souvenir shop, Hometown Girl and Co. boasts that it is one of Baltimore's best.