How Our Favorite Local Home Boutiques Are Handling the Holidays
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, many businesses are getting creative for the shopping season.
With Halloween over — and most stores already locked and loaded for Christmas — the holiday shopping season is upon us. But with COVID-19 restrictions still firmly in place, things are bound to be different this year. Here’s a look at what some local boutiques are doing to keep shoppers safe while adding extra sparkle.
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In a typical year, Splurge in Fox Chapel hosts a one-day Sip and Splurge event, where customers enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, but for 2020, owner Kym Pelcher is spreading out the fun.
The week-long Sip and Splurge event, which started Monday, will feature daily giveaways, store discounts and, of course, beverages. Pelcher also promises never-before-seen holiday displays. Also new this year is the shop’s online holiday decor and gift guide, which is available to peruse here.
At Allison Glen in Pine Township, which prior to this year would close for a week leading up to a holiday kickoff party as the owners prepared the space, the seasonal decor already is in stock. As a bonus for the end of a difficult year, Allison Glen will host several first-time VIETRI events in the store, including a VIETRI virtual personalization event, a Lastra DIY gift set and a gift with purchase offer.
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In Sewickley, House15143 is offering curbside pickup service when you order online or by phone, as well as free local delivery with any $75 purchase. Co-owner Danielle Franks says the store also is offering private shopping appointments, which can include your family or your “pod.” Need help selecting the perfect gift? The shop will create custom gift baskets and boxes tailored to the recipient’s interests. “We are trying to make the holidays easier for everyone to shop small,” Franks says.
VON WALTER & FUNK PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA
Von Walter & Funk in Lawrenceville, which recently reopened its brick-and-mortar shop for in-person shopping on Saturdays and Sundays, is offering curbside pickup seven days a week, plus free local delivery with any $50 order.
Hot Haute Hot in the Strip District — also operating on reduced in-person hours — offers appointment-only shopping times on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Another local business with private shopping appointments in place is love, Pittsburgh, which specializes in items made by local artisans. In addition to its normal curated gift boxes, the store, which has locations Downtown and on Mt. Washington, is offering holiday gift boxes filled with locally sourced Pittsburgh cheer. A holiday catalog featuring the different boxes is available here.
More local boutiques are likely to have special shopping plans as we get closer to the holidays, so be sure to continue to check their websites
