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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2007)
EW ’s gift guide 2007 ALL FROM INFINITY MERCANTILE something old = something new REWORKED, REUSED, RECYCLED GIFTS A PERFECT SOLUTION FOR STUMPED SHOPPERS By Adrienne van der Valk W hen it comes time to make a holiday shopping list, three distinct categories of people are likely to emerge: Those untrusting of the gift-giving process who tell you exact- ly what they want, the pragmatic souls who would like nothing better than to receive a gift certificate and go shopping themselves … and the high pressure “great expecta- tions” types, the friends and loved ones who are undy- ingly smitten with the whimsy of holi- OAK ST. VINTAGE day gift selection (or are just using the season to test you on how well you really know them). For these Yule-time hopefuls, no Gap, Borders or Harry & David effort could possibly yield the “perfect” thing, that OAK ST. VINTAGE item that is just so unique, so “them,” they Another must-stop shopping experience for can’t believe someone else picked it out. those on the hunt for something unique, recycled So how can you find the holy grail of and affordable is Infinity Mercantile on 8th gifts without devoting all your free time to Avenue and Blair Boulevard. Owner Jane Ann shopping for the quirky, stylish and utterly Porter designed Infinity to provide not only qual- deserving free spirits on your list? Luckily, ity used duds but a locally owned boutique expe- a handful of local Eugene shop owners rience featuring art, accessories and original have the answer. clothing items shoppers won’t find anywhere The bold lettering of Deluxe fashion else. “Three generations of a family could come in here and find things,” says Porter. “We have a shop’s sign has graced Willamette Street for large customer base. We’re very well rounded.” a few years now, undergoing some changes Designers Laura Lee Laroux and Manya in both content and management along the Mankiewicz (who also woman and manage the way. Owners Mitra and Aaron Chester stock shop, respectively) feature their handcrafted not only funky and fabulous resale clothing fashion belts, leg warmers, mittens, for men and women, but also an assort- dresses (some redesigned out of cro- ment of gift-worthy accessories, cheted afghans), clutches and hats, some made by local artists as well as among other items. The fabulous many redesigns by Mitra herself. INFINITY jewelry selection comple- Flowery earrings and MERCANTILE ments a variety of soaps hair wear, collaged and candles and artsy belt buckles, leather- screen printed tees and work wristbands ties by Trinity Cross. and a variety of Always part of the bags and purses Last Friday Artwalk, are among the Infinity also features a irresistibly fun different artist each one-of-a-kind month, adding to the items waiting to visual splendor of the tempt you as you shop’s kaleidoscope-like approach the front atmosphere. check-out counter. A very new addition to the world of Eugene resale is Oak Street Vintage . This is the store every kitsch lover in town wishes s/he had opened. Sitting stoically at 14th and Oak, this house full of “mid century artifacts” seems always to have been there, resplendent in its devastatingly tempting array of random, cool, old stuff. “When I was 14, my dad gave me my first record,” co- owner Cora Frazer explains. “Ever since, I’ve liked retro things. But E VINTAG . T S K your house OA fills up after a while, so you have to bring the fun stuff to the peo- ple.” In business just over a month, Frazer and partner Carl Ernst stock (and arrange beautifully) kitchen and dining items, furniture, clothing and accessories, lamps, clocks, phones, records, magazines and tchochkes galore, all harkening back to earlier times when orange and green ruled the decorating world and crinoline was everyday wear. If your hard-to- shop-for people don’t think they have vintage taste, they might just need a set of sapphire blue highball glasses to bring them around to the fabulousness of life flavored with a dash of the past. ■ Hunky’s Ladies want you to get your Hookah for Xmas early . . . they go fast! 40 different flavors of Shisha Beautiful Hookahs, All Accessories Hunky Dory Pipes, Tobacco, Gifts 2 7 1 W . 7 t h, Eu g en e • 5 41 - 34 5 -1 85 3 • M on -S a t 10 - 8 • S u n 1 2- 6 Eugene Weekly’s Gift Guide 2007 • 3
