
As the days grow shorter, how do you keep your home light and full of cheer? Candles are a perfect solution to stave off winter gloom. With a seemingly endless variety of styles, colors and scents, you can use a different candle each day to suit the occasion, holiday, or mood. Start building your collection at these delightful specialty shops around Northeast Ohio.
9516 Diamond Centre Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
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Brighten your home while showing off your local pride with a purchase from Cleveland Candle Co. Their Cleveland Collection pays tribute to Great Lakes sunsets, Edgewater Park, snow, and other instantly identifiable features of the city. Buy them individually or get all seven in a pre-packaged assortment. Each month, a featured candle is offered at a 20 percent discount. Create your own one-of-a-kind scented candle in-store at the candle bar or via online instruction. All three locations of Cleveland Candle Co., including Coventry and Ohio City, open at 11 a.m. daily.
22935 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, OH 44126
Josh Ruminski, the college student and entrepreneur who founded Happy Thoughts Candles, considers his company to be a social movement. While fighting his own mental health battles, Josh wanted to find a way to help others with their personal struggles. Each product is labeled with a positive saying to generate encouragement and conversation, while 20 percent of the company's proceeds are donated to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Candles come in dozens of refreshing scents, including rainwater, freshly-mown grass, and coffee, that are chosen for their relaxing, therapeutic qualities. Place orders online for pickup or delivery.
100 Park Ave., Suite 122, Beachwood, OH 44122
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Want to boost your green living points? Head to The Candle Studio to make or buy their eco-friendly soy candles. As a source of light that uses no energy, candles are naturally green, but soy burns much cleaner than traditional paraffin. The candle bar is stocked with more than 90 essential oils you can mix and match to create your own personalized scent. You can also use your choice to customize room sprays, body lotions, and other home and body products. If you prefer, shop the extensive inventory of pre-made scented items. The Studio is open Thursday through Sunday and reservations are required. Follow their Facebook page for information about events with their mobile candle pour bar.
533 Trelake Dr., Canal Fulton, OH 44614
Kim Galley, founder of Kinfolk Candles, proudly invites you to "Come Stick Your Nose in Our Business!" After spending years perfecting the optimum natural soy vegetable wax for container candles, Kim started her at-home business in 1998. The thriving business outgrew the family basement, and Kim moved Kinfolk Manufacturing to a roomier facility in Canal Fulton. Kinfolk's best-selling eight-ounce jar candle comes in 100 scents, with unique and whimsical options such as Chocolate Orchid, Fruit Loops, and Santa's Whiskers. A handy glossary provides helpful definitions of each scent. Follow their Facebook page for information about shops carrying Kinfolk Candles or place an order on their website.
1001 W. Main St., Sugarcreek, OH 44681
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Candles, vases, and other decor items let you give your home a seasonal facelift quickly and inexpensively. Located in the heart of Amish country, R Classic Elements makes it easy by changing their own inventory to correspond with the seasons. In 2010, owner Renee Miller decided to expand the shop's offering by making hand-poured soy candles in her home. Production eventually moved to the shop, and the line was named Shanesville Candles. The jar candles, which come in 8-ounce and 12-ounce sizes, feature homey scents such as Lush Linen, Zucchini Bread, and Mint Tea. Store hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day but Sunday.
1345 W. 78th St., #2048, Cleveland, OH 44102
In 2009, recent college graduate Sarah Sampsell went to work in her sister's eco-friendly skincare salon. When they couldn't find just the right candles to carry in the salon, Sarah decided to make them herself, and Sweet Dish & Darling was born. The quirky name refers to the original candles, which included a recipe for a "sweet dish." While the recipes are gone, the candles and their trademark burlap packages are still handmade. Candle styles include screw-top jars, enamelware mugs and tumblers, and travel tins. Try the best-selling Sea Salt & Amber or one of the other appealing scents such as Sunday Brunch, with notes of cinnamon, French toast, vanilla bean, and maple syrup. Order online for delivery (free shipping on orders of $75 or more) or select local pickup at their Cleveland workshop.
8125 Columbia Rd., Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
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Wildcrafted Aromatics has a goal to ensure all its products as eco-friendly as possible, even after they've been used. Candles are made with eco-soy and beeswax, eco-cotton, hemp wicks, and natural herbal dyes. Many come in reusable jars, tins, and upcycled glasses that may be reused after the candle has burned. Products come with minimal packaging that is 100-percent recyclable. One of their more popular products is the citronella lavender ceramic lamp, handcrafted from Lake Erie clay. Wildcrafted Aromatics is one of the vendors on display at The RIFT, a Cleveland shop showcasing local craftspeople selling homemade and repurposed items. "RIFT" stands for "Repurposed and Intended for Today." Hours are 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily except Sunday, when closing time is 5 p.m.
Cleveland is not generally considered a tropical location, but thanks to Tim & Laura Thornton, you can "bring home the beach." Inspired by sights on a trip to the Panama Canal, the couple came up with the concept for Cleveland Coconut Candles. Their signature product is candles poured into half or whole coconut shells sourced from a supplier in Florida. A wide ribbon-style wick creates a tiki-torch effect as the candle burns. The tropical theme is enhanced with scents such as Jamaica Me Crazy, a blend of pineapple, orange, honeydew melon, coconut, jasmine, rum, and vanilla. Many scents are also available as classic jar candles. Order on the website or follow them on Facebook for information about appearances at festivals and other local events.
Scientists tell us smell is our sense most closely linked to memory. What scent takes you back to a special time or event in your life?

Shopping is as much of an activity as it is a necessity, but unfortunately, we don't always have the opportunity to head out to our favorite Cleveland shops. Thankfully, we can still support our local small businesses just as fervently by shopping online. We encourage you to support these great boutique stores from home by purchasing a gift card for later use.
12620 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120
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Have you been learning a new skill or picking up an old hobby while lounging around the house? Let Fine Points Inc. help you hone your knitting talents! Owned by a talented knitwear designer, Fine Points Inc. boasts a staff and selection that will guide you through your project without — ahem — spinning a yarn. A variety of knits, yarns, patterns, and guidebooks are available in-store and online, as well as stunning jewelry and clothing. Consider using a gift card for a future class or event hosted in this cozy boutique shop.
17025 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44111
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In case you didn't know, the customized apparel and wall designs at Only in Clev can be found only in Cleveland. Their collections hit right at home, featuring garb and goodies designed for the neighborhoods, nationalities, sports, and schools that make the city of Cleveland unlike any other. Show your local pride by purchasing a gift card, or shopping online, and representing Lakewood, Ascension, Irish Heritage, and everything in between.
400 Park Ave. Ste. 174, Orange Village, OH 44122
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Stand out and celebrate your individuality with handmade, one-of-a-kind products from Blackbird Fly Boutique. Carefully and creatively curated footwear, apparel, accessories, and housewares are brought in from around the world in limited quantities to ensure that your style is unique in Cleveland. Not only can you grab a few outfits that look absolutely amazing, but you're also supporting a local business that's women and minority-owned.
4164 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
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While you're stocking up on supplies, gifts, and items for your family, don't forget about your furry friends too! Lake Erie Pet Food Co. provides locally-made pet food delivered fresh to your home. All food is produced in Northeast Ohio and is AAFCO approved for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. Best of all, they offer free local delivery Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as curbside pickup at the shop.
30179 Detroit Rd., Westlake, OH 44145
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Cara's curated cache is yours to browse at Cara's Boutique. A staple of Westlake since the early 1990s, Cara's brings the best gifts, accessories, and clothing to the area for women of all styles. Shoppers will delight in their selection of high-quality merchandise at exceptional prices. Shop online or buy gift card so you can scoop up their latest arrivals or get your hands on a bell seller like their socks, handbags, tumblers, and cozy cardigans.
19275 Detroit Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
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Now is the perfect time to purchase a gift card or shop online for "Stay Home" items from by Lovely Paperie. In addition to apparel and accessories, Lovely Paperie also offers holiday items, bags, home-entertaining supplies, unique Cleveland gifts, baby and toddler clothing, and, of course, a wide collection of paperie. If you're looking for a gift for someone special later this year, let Lovely Paperie and Gifts give you a few suggestions.
Market Hall, 3441 Tuttle Rd. #403, Shaker Heights, OH 44122
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Add a little Luster to your gifting experience. Located in Market Hall, Luster is the go-to spot for finding the perfect gift for the person who seems to have everything. Even if you're not sure what to get a coworker or acquaintance, Luster has you covered. Fun and functional items for girlfriends, hosts and hostesses, in-laws, and best friends at practical price points. No matter the occasion, you can count on Luster to help you pick a memorable, meaningful gift for anyone on your list. While the shop is closed for now, you can still shop via Instagram, Facebook, and FaceTime.
Do you have a favorite boutique store in Cleveland that you can't wait to visit? Let us know in the comments!

Here at Cutler Real Estate, we love food in every form! More specifically, we love the diverse groceries and authentic items found in the unique purveyor shops that stock everything from meat and cheese to exotic spices and sauces. With a calendar full of meals to fill, we want our shopping list to be as tasty as possible.
If you're looking to introduce new cultures and cuisines into your diet, you've come to the right place. On this list, you'll find twelve of the finest specialty and gourmet food shops around Northeast Ohio that deliver the world's flavor right into your shopping cart.
An homage to fromage, Fromage du Monde welcomes Canton residents into a world of cheese. This artisan cheese house is ready to serve you selections of the finest cheeses sourced from regions around the globe. Sample a few favorites with their cheese flight, pair the best cheeses and meats on their charcuterie board, or order up a cheese panini and cup of homemade soup for lunch. Interested in becoming a cheese connoisseur? They'll gladly teach you how to "speak cheese."
While we love a good cappuccino, we also love to curl up with a book and a nice cup of tea on a cold, wintery Ohio day. What better place to stock up on everything tea than the Ohio Tea Company? Opened in November 2015 by Terry Gabet, Ohio Tea Company is your source for loose-leaf teas ranging from favorites like Earl Grey and English Breakfast varieties, to herbal blends like Berry Blues and Lemon Ginger. Don't forget to stock up on tea filters and an infuser to start enjoying tea on a grand scale.
The right oils can lend remarkable flavor to any dish. At The Olive Tap in Medina, you have the opportunity to taste the difference and experience the quality that has earned the freshest olive oils and balsamic vinegars industry acclaim. They carry a selection of gourmet specialty foods like pastas, tapenades, olives, sauces, salsas, and jams to help you curate a meal precisely to your desired taste. Hoping to test out a few new recipes? The folks at The Olive Tap will be happy to suggest tasty dinners you can prepare with their oils.
3441 Tuttle Road Ste 103, Shaker Heights
Spice up your pantry while supporting your local Northeast Ohio nonprofits by shopping at Spice For Life. Spices, herbs, salts, peppercorns, chili peppers, and seasoning blends are all on deck at this stall within the Van Aken District Market Hall. While their products will make your plate a tastier place, their kindness makes our world a better place too. All of their profits are donated to various nonprofit organizations throughout the area that support human trafficking victims and prevent future instances of this prevalent problem in Ohio.
You don't need to travel across the Atlantic Ocean for the best European foods — simply head to the west side of I-71 in Brunswick and stop at European Specialty Food Market. Check off your entire grocery list as you shop their imports of meat, fish, cheese, pastries, sweets, and alcoholic beverages. Get a jar of borsch, just like grandma used to make. Cook up a fresh smoked sausage from Hungary, kielbasa from Poland, or weisswurst from Germany. Wash it all down with French wine or a Belgian beer, and you'll be overjoyed that you can eat so well without a passport.
Heinen's Grocery Store is a Cleveland institution. Since the 1920s, this butcher shop turned grocery store has been the one-stop-shop for everything you need to fill your refrigerator and pantry. Among their inventory of fresh, frozen, and packaged foods, Heinen's also carries local favorites from the state in nearly every department. Experience Ohio the way it was meant to be tasted by loading your shopping cart up with produce, cheeses, meats, and pastries from local farms, butcheries, and bakeries.
A hidden gem that you must unwrap, Mel's Sweet Shop lets you indulge your confectionary cravings. Once known as Penny's Sweet Supplies, Mel's is a cake decorating and baking supply store full of delicious goodies. They'll make sure you're stocked with the molds, frosting, fondant, and candy you need to make any sweet treat. Keep an eye on their calendar, too — they host candy making and cake decorating classes throughout the year. Just do us a favor and save a bite for us.
25650 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights
Say hola to the vibrant tastes of Latin America at Las Americas Latin Market & Restaurant. This specialty grocery store is full of flavor and ready to give your meals a little Latin flair. If you're new to Latin foods, you're in luck! Las Americas is also a restaurant. They serve up delicious Mexican and Peruvian cuisine so you can sample, savor, and plan your next meal.
Authentic South Asian groceries and cuisine are available at Sunny's Asian Food. This family-owned establishment lures you in with their sweet complimentary chai and aromas that tempt you to venture over to their kitchen in the back of the store. Serving up homemade Indian foods all week, we dare you to taste an item off of their menu and try to leave empty-handed. Once you sample their authentic offerings on the all-you-can-eat buffet, you'll fill your hands with as many groceries as you can carry so you can make these South Asian staples at home.
Cheese and mustard — you need both in your refrigerator, and Old Brooklyn Cheese Company has them ready for you. Not only do they carry local, domestic, and imported cheeses, but they also produce their own raw milk cheeses using milk from Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster. The Old Brooklyn Cheese Company cheeses are only rivaled by their handmade mustards — or as they like to call them, Cleveland Caviar. Grab both, get home, and savor the flavor of Cleveland's finest cheese and mustard pairings.
8064 Columbia Road, Olmsted Falls
We don't have just one reason why we love Grand Pacific Popcorn Company — we have nearly 40! #1: Cheddar Pretzel Ale. #2: Bulldog Blend. #3: Red Cinnamon. Better yet, why don't you pay a visit to their shop in the Grand Pacific Junction and sample their savory, sweet, and seasonal flavors. While you're there, pick up some old-fashioned candy and soda to keep your sweet tooth satisfied all year long.
14492 Pearl Road, Strongsville
Jerky, smokies, sauces, and snacks — the best of the best are available at Jerky -n- Spice. They've got palate-pleasing variations of beef jerky, turkey jerky, exotic game smokies, seasonings, salsas, condiments, and sauces that cater to every taste imaginable. Where else in Ohio can you taste kangaroo, ostrich, alligator, buffalo, and antelope in the same shop? If you'd like to make your own sausage or jerky at home, they'll provide you with a kit and give you a few tips.
Where's your go-to destination for specialty and gourmet foods around Northeast Ohio? Let us know in the comments!
Here at Cutler Real Estate, we are very passionate about supporting the work of talented artists and makers, whether that's through visiting a neighborhood flea market or shopping at a local small business. And with the holidays coming up, we can't wait to scour the city for locally made gifts to give our loved ones!
This year, support both local businesses and local makers in one fell swoop at these
With the ease of online shopping, it may be tempting to throw your entire holiday shopping list into your Amazon shopping cart and call it a night. But what if we told you that Cleveland is home to a bunch of amazing boutiques and shops where you could find unique, handmade gifts — without leaving the comfort of your hometown? By #ShoppingLocal, you can support makers and small businesses from our own backyard, all while purchasing original items that you can't find in a big department store. On this list, you'll find trendy boutiques, pet shops, candle companies and more — so that you can find the perfect gifts for your friends and family members. Feel good about your holiday shopping knowing that you've supported a small business this season!