Kitchen a la Mode
19 S Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 821-5145
www.kitchenalamode.com
Ask proprietor Ben Salmon what’s the must-have household gift this season, and he is happy to point out the store’s displays of holiday decor and essential kitchen and serving items.
KALM Food Slabs
Another highlight of this season, though, is Kitchen a la Mode’s selection of American-made products. Most are labeled with their place of origin, and Salmon is eager to share more information about some of his favorite products.
KALM Produce candles
For example, he points to a display of American-made “Produce” candles in mason jars. The candles “burn for 80 hours,” according to Salmon and come in scents such as sweet corn. Also lighting up holiday tables, says Salmon, are candles in repurposed wine bottles that smell like wine. “You can almost smell the bubbles,” says Salmon of the champagne scent.
Salmon sells New England food slabs, as well as specialty stocking stuffers such as “Willie’s Hog Dust” and seasoned sea salts. A tagine makes an unusual and memorable gift for the cook in the family, while a collection of textured “sweater” mugs and bowls warms up the season.
KALM dishtowels
KALM Willie’s Hog Dust
And always welcome as a gift for self or others, Salmon offers a number of special sets and deals on Le Creuset, in a holiday festival of colors.
Kimaya Kama
108 West South Orange Avenue
South Orange NJ 07079
(Next to Reservoir Restaurant)
973 762-2385
https://www.facebook.com/KimayaKama
https://www.kimaya.com
Kimaya Kama clothing and scarves
Kimaya Kama offers gifts and gifts that enclose other goodies. One of the hot highlights of the holiday season, says proprietor Kimaya Kama, is fabric “envelopes” that do triple duty as gift wrap, as a tiny add-on gift, and as a useful make-up pouch. “These are truly unique,” says Kama, “and you won’t find them elsewhere.” Also flying out the door this season are imported cushion covers in a wide array of patterns and colors. “That’s an easy way to change the look of a room,” notes Kama. “And, of course, it makes a lovely gift.”
Kimaya Kama cushion cover
Scarves work for everyone, says Kama. “You never have enough and you always need one more,” she laughs. And a scarf purchased at Kimaya Kama does double-duty this year: not only do shoppers walk away with a warm gift, but the store donates a scarf to Saint Barnabas cancer patients for each one sold.
The shop window, notes Kama, is stuffed not only with textile goods, but with the store’s signature sparkles. Kama notes that she sells jewelry in all price ranges, from $3 fabric rings and $5 bangles on up. And just for fun and for the holidays, she suggests rhinestone stick-on jewelry-tattoos. “For the festive season,” she says. “bring on the sparkle.”
SparkHouse Toys and Books
15 Scotland Road
South Orange NJ 07079
(973) 821-5227
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparkhouse/117419371615562
https://www.sparkhouse.net/
Sparkhouse Toys owner Michael Casaren with Squishables
SparkHouse is the store where dreams come true, at least according to young shopper Annabelle, 6, who had her eye on a stuffed cupcake. “Squishables,” the super-soft stuffed creatures and treats, are a big hit this year at SparkHouse, according to co-owner Michael Casaren. “They come in cupcake shapes, an octopus, even a corgi,” says Casaren. “They’re very popular this holiday season.”
Likewise, the store displays and sells the New Jersey-designed “Automoblox,” which are wooden mix-and-match blocks in the shape of vehicles. Not just for kids, Casaren notes that “adults like these too.” Another home-grown goodie, notes Casaren, is the new board game “Start-Up,” which debuted this fall.
Sparkhouse Kids
The store, says Casaren, is stuffed with surprises — from a pacifier in the form of a mustache to a decorate-your-own Superhero cape — and it’s hard to choose just a few favorites. Says Casaren, “It’s all fun stuff here.”
