By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor
It’s the holiday shopping season once more, sending shoppers scouring stores both far and wide in search of the best gifts for their friends and family.
For local store owners, this time of year is one of the busiest and most important in terms of driving sales. And while buying online remains an option, shopping locally helps support Northside businesses and the community as a whole.
The Northside Chronicle has reached out to three local stores to share what they think would make the best gifts from their respective businesses. Check out their suggestions, or see The Chronicle’s past gift guides in previous December issues to help keep your holiday shopping local this year.
Johnny Angel's Ginchy Stuff
For more than 50 years, Johnny Angel and the Halos have been a major part of the Pittsburgh music scene. But what people may be less aware of is that the titular Johnny Angel, also known as Jack Hunt off the stage, runs a business in Chateau.
Johnny Angel’s Ginchy Stuff is a combination knick-knack/antique store and museum. Visitors can shop for various pieces of nostalgia from yesteryear, while also visiting the museum to see mementos from celebrities Hunt has worked with over his long career.
But what exactly does “Ginchy” mean? “Ginchy is a word that just means cool,” Hunt explained. “So when you come into my store, it’s all stuff that’s from your childhood.”
Many of the items available for purchase are things one would expect from a shop run by a rock n’ roller. There’s albums and pieces of music memorabilia, such as classic figurines of The Beatles.
However, there’s also plenty of things that break the mold. Looking around the store, one can find sports memorabilia, antique straight razors and any other thing that Hunt decided was “ginchy” enough to sell.
Despite being a staple of the Pittsburgh scene for many years, Hunt said surprisingly few local people pay a visit to Johnny Angel’s.
“(About) 80% of people who come through my door are from out of state or out of country,” he said.
Nevertheless, the holiday season has always meant big business at the store, and Hunt is especially excited for this year. He had to miss most of the 2024 holiday season due to medical problems.
Those looking for gifts in line with the holiday at Johnny Angel’s will be happy to know there is an array of holiday music albums available for purchase from across the decades.
As to what Hunt thinks is the best gift idea in his store, he recommends his autographed sports memorabilia, including one signed by Roberto Clemente.
However, no matter what a person purchases at Johnny Angel’s, it’s sure to be Ginchy.
Johnny Angel’s Ginchy Stuff is located at 1800 Preble Ave. It is open Fridays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance to the store’s museum is free, though donations are accepted.
The store can be contacted at (412) 322-1830. For more information, visit ginchystuff.com/
Pandora 7 Full Circle
A relatively recent addition to the Northside shopping scene, having opened up around a year and a half ago, Pandora 7 Full Circle is a combination art gallery and antiques store.
Featuring the works of local artists, the products available for sale at the store are myriad, including homemade jewelry, paintings, t-shirts, knick-knacks and even locally made honey.
“I think I have more salt and pepper shakers than anyone in Pittsburgh, Jennifer McClain, co-owner of Pandora 7, told The Chronicle. “But people buy them. They’re a hot commodity.”
Jennifer runs the business alongside her sister Heather McClain.
While their product line may seem disparate, it does have a focus, namely, getting people to see the potential of what they already own.
“We’re mainly about reusing and up-sourcing, and showing people how they can use what’s in their home,” Jennifer said.
Not only are the products eclectic, but so too are the prices. Pandora 7 has items for sale at $2, $20, $200 and even $2,000, which Jennifer said is their upper limit on price.
As for what she thinks would make the perfect gift, Jennifer has a personal preference.
“I love metal toys,” she said, “and I have a lot of metal toys.”
Pandora 7 Full Circle is located at 903 Western Ave. It is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. The store can be contacted at (412) 728-8203
Farmer’s Daughter
One Northside store that really loves getting into the holiday spirit is Farmer’s Daughter Flowers.
Head into the flower shop as early as mid-November, and you’ll see Christmas trees, Yuletide decorations and wreaths adorning the walls.
This year the store is taking a focus on one particular aspect of the holiday. “We really amped up our ornament game,” said Lauren Work, owner of Farmer’s Daughter.
Yes, Farmer’s Daughter doesn’t just feature ornaments on their tree, but they sell them too. Decorative bulbs and varied designs are available for relatively low prices, often under $25.
For Work, the season is an easy one to love. Not only does it mean big business, but also it’s an opportunity to see so much of the customer base.
“We get to see customers from all over the year in one chunk of time,” she said. As for what she thinks is the perfect gift from her store, Work is of two minds. “I’d want a wreath for sure,” she said, before adding, “I’d love a coffee mug.” Not only does Farmer’s Daughter sell coffee mugs, but they also sell bags of their own brew of coffee, called “The Farmer’s Daughter Sunflower.”
In addition, Farmer’s Daughter offers workshops on making decorations, including classes on making wreaths, a perfect choice for some holiday decor.
Farmer’s Daughter is located at 502 East Ohio St. It is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store can be contacted at (412) 231-1238. For more information, visit thefarmersdaughterflowers.com/
