The Hunters Point section of Long Island City is in the midst of massive change. Residential high-rises have soared, restaurants and bars multiplied, and even a beach has opened up. Shopping has started to change, too.
Chain stores and shopping malls haven't arrived just yet, but you will find a small number of shops and boutiques -- both new and old -- giving residents local options for unusual gifts. Visit these offbeat local shops when you want a unique gift for that special person.
1. Art-O-Mat - Long Island City Art and Artists
Art-O-Mat is a fun neighborhood store on Vernon Blvd where visitors can shop for local handicrafts and artisan-made items, or browse the back room gallery for work by neighborhood artists.The store's hottest items include prints of Long Island City street scenes by artist Sharon Florin ($75 framed; $60 unframed), magnets made by local artists featuring neighborhood icons like the Pepsi Cola sign ($2.50-$4.50), and a wide range of handmade jewelry, pottery, and even CDs by area musicians.
This place is perfect for unique holiday gifts and souvenirs and affordable one-of-a-kind items.
- Art-O-Mat, 46-46 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
- Friday and Saturday 12-7, Sunday 12-5, and by appointment
2. Slovak-Czech Varieties
(c) Laurel Angrist
What will bring you back every Christmas is the wall stocked high with puzzles, marionettes, and wooden toys. These make great gifts for kids, and will put a gleam in the eye of many adults.
Up for a culinary adventure? Try a loosely translated cookbook. I recommend the Czech National Cookbook ($25) with big color photographs and step-by-step instructions for traditional dishes like "Potato-Prune Dumplings" and "Old Bohemian Easter Cake."
- Slovak-Czech Varieties, 10-59 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, 718-752-2093
- Monday - Saturday 11:30-7:30, Sunday 11-5
3. Celtic Arts
This small Irish gift shop sells lovely Celtic jewelry at affordable prices, including silver pendants and earrings ($25-$80) and gold and antique pieces for $100 and up. It's a place to find Belleek china ($25-$300), widely collected pottery from Northern Ireland.An entire wall showcases paintings by Irish-American artists, but the most original art is by shop owner and artist Sean Crean. He makes stunning mosaics out of hand-cut Italian glass ($500-$1000).
Cheaper gift items include prints of Scottish and Irish family histories ($20), and printed Irish blessings ($40 framed; $20 unframed).
- Celtic Arts, 24-15 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, 718-482-7624
- Monday - Friday 10:30-6, Saturday 12-3; but closed Saturdays in summer
4. The Purple Pumpkin
The Purple Pumpkin is the place to go when you're stumped for a gift idea or need a party item, especially cards, balloons and overstuffed gift-baskets.They have a good selection of kids' toys and some of the hottest items are the creative wooden animal puzzles ($10), bath toys ($5-10), and baseball stadium replicas.
The store employees will help you create an original gift basket for any occasion ($25+), with bath products, gourmet food items, or baby shower gifts. The store also stocks good choices for last-minute gifts like frames and photo albums ($15-25) and scented candles ($1-$10).
- The Purple Pumpkin, 47-14 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, 718-784-7300
- Monday - Friday 10-7, Saturday 10-5, Open Sundays 11-3 in December only
