Need a gift today in Deep Ellum? Start on Main Street. Texas Life Outfitters has Texas and Dallas themed gifts, and 1890 Marketplace a block away sells spice blends, olive oils and gift sets for the cook in your life. On weekends, Kettle Art Gallery sells local art and prints. For handmade goods from Texas makers, Mosaic Makers Collective is a five minute drive away at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Every name and address below was checked on the shop's own website. Hours and stock change, so check before you go.
Texas gifts on Main Street
Texas Life Outfitters
2814 Main St, Suite 102, Dallas, TX 75226 · Deep Ellum Website: texaslifeoutfitters.com
A Dallas-owned and operated shop with "original Texas designs." Its website lists Texas and Dallas T-shirts, hats, kids' clothes, and gifts such as magnets, pillows, games, drinkware, key chains, books and plush toys. It also sells oils and diffusers. The site does not say the products are made in Texas, so ask in the store if that matters. The Deep Ellum page posts these hours: Monday 12 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday 12 pm to 7 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Phone: (972) 503-2556.
Gifts for someone who cooks
1890 Marketplace
2642 Main St, Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75226 · Deep Ellum Website: eighteenninety.com/marketplace
A Texas spice and gourmet food shop that started with the 1890 Grille in Granbury. Its site lists its own spices and spice blends, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet foods, chef tools and olive oil skin care. It also sells gift cards. A spice set or a bottle of olive oil is an easy gift when you are not sure what someone wants. The Deep Ellum shop is one of three stores. Its website does not post hours for this store. Map listings show it closed Monday, open 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am to 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11 am to 5 pm Sunday, so call (214) 306-6766 to confirm.
Local art and prints
Kettle Art Gallery
2650-B Main St, Dallas, TX 75226 · Deep Ellum Website: kettleart.com
A Deep Ellum art gallery that has shown local artists since 2005. Besides original work, it sells fine art prints and artist-designed glasses through its online shop, which offers pickup at the gallery. A print from a Dallas artist makes a gift you will not find anywhere else. The gallery's posted hours are weekends, 12 pm to 5 pm, and by appointment, so this is a Saturday or Sunday stop. Its current show, "Where Beauty Survives," runs through Sunday, November 15.
Handmade goods, a short drive away
Mosaic Makers Collective
1011 S Pearl Expressway, Suite 160B, Dallas, TX 75201 · Dallas Farmers Market, in The Shops at Harvest Lofts Website: mosaicmakers.co
A shop that sells work by local makers and artists. If you want a gift that was made by hand in Texas, this is the most likely place on this list to find it. Its site lists hours of 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday through Monday, closed Tuesday. It is about a mile and a half from Deep Ellum, across from The Shed at the Farmers Market. The shop also has stores in Bishop Arts and Waco.
Before you buy
- Check the day. Kettle Art is open on weekends only, 1890 Marketplace is closed Monday, and Mosaic Makers is closed Tuesday.
- Ask what is local. "Texas design" and "made in Texas" are not the same thing. Ask where an item was made if that matters to you.
- Call ahead for candles. None of these shops' websites promise candles in stock. If a candle is a must, call first.
- Think about the person. A Texas-themed item, a spice set or a print all work as a gift. Pick the one that fits them.
- Ask about gift wrap. If you need it today, ask at the counter.
A simple trip
1890 Marketplace (2642 Main St), Kettle Art (2650-B Main St) and Texas Life Outfitters (2814 Main St) are all on Main Street in Deep Ellum, a couple of blocks apart. Park once and walk between them. If you want something handmade, drive about five minutes west to the Dallas Farmers Market for Mosaic Makers Collective.
Why buy gifts from a local shop?
A local shop can tell you what is in stock today, which saves a trip. Staff can also point you to something that fits the person you are shopping for. And the money stays in Dallas.
Know a Dallas shop that should be on this list? Tell us at help@askonhand.com.