Meet Your Merchant: Carson City merchants getting in Christmas spirit

With the holiday season now officially under way (and Black Friday looming on the horizon), here's a look at some of the local gift shops that are getting into the holiday spirit:

Evergreen Gene's, Inc.

Where: 1811 N. Carson St.

Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. starting Monday.

Contact: 775-882-1807

At this gift shop, owners Gene Munnings and wife, Rowena, and his father, John, import ornaments and toys from abroad while making a point of selling products made in the United States.

The Munningses reopened their store at the Carson Shopping Center in January after spending three years near the former Carson City Wal-Mart on South Carson Street. Now the Munningses have transformed their 2,100 square-foot gardening and gift business to include a Christmas-themed store, too.

They will offer free samples of sipping chocolate throughout the holiday shopping season amid a selection of ornaments that span the globe, including Poland, Italy and Germany as well as German-made nutcrackers and other wooden toys.

Purple Avocado

Where: 904 N. Curry St.

Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and until 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Contact: 775-883-6233

On the Web: www.thepurpleavo

cado.com

Located in an old house near downtown on Curry Street, the Purple Avocado prides itself on "gifts that you don't see in just any old place," said co-owner Sue Jones, who runs the gift shop with husband, Stan Jones.

Jones said the store includes popular collectible items such as Willow Tree statues as well as ornaments, magnets and scented candles. She also offers free gift wrapping.

Her store motto is: "Best friends, brides, babies, birthdays and bunko."

Jones said she is optimistic for the holiday shopping season, which kicks off on Black Friday when she will be serving apple cider to customers.

Sierra Gifts

Where: 911 Topsy Lane #210

Hours: Everyday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Contact: 775-267-0750

This gift shop, which also has a satellite store inside the Carson Mall called The Christmas Store, offers everything from NFL-themed wreaths to a ceramic nativity scene populated by moose.

Owners Terry and Michel Chonez run the store out of their Topsy Lane location, which provides their Carson Mall location with gifts and holiday knickknacks. The store also features popular collectibles, such as Jim Shore Disney statues, as well as various Christmas ornaments.

The Chonezes have been at their Topsy Lane location for three years after spending eight in the former Park Lane Mall in Reno. Terry Chonez said holiday gift shopping is a family affair, especially given the economy as people look for ways to cut back on spending.

"I think it's a one-of-a-kind gift, if you can find it and you can afford it, and it's calling to you, then that's what's going to sell to the person," Terry Chonez said.

Sugar Pine Cove

Where: 1910 College Parkway, Suite 130

Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and until 5 p.m. on Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Contact: 775- 884-4603

Teri Basa was wrapping her store in garland and building Christmas trees Tuesday as she prepared for the holiday shopping season. Basa relocated her gift store in June to a shop off College Parkway.

To help welcome people into her new store, Basa is holding an open house from 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. She said cider and cookies will be served.

She said she will also feature Pandora Jewelry and Troll Beads during the open house. Sugar Pine Cove features Annalee ornaments and Department 56 collectibles, Basa said.

"I've been in business for 11 years with an incredible clientele," Basa said. "So they've followed me over here."