10 Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops to Get Holiday Gifts from This Year

You should buy from local Southern Illinois gift shops this holiday season.

Shopping local will help the community and give you a better experience. While there is way more than 10 to list, there are a few local gift shops that offer quite a bit of nice goodies that you might want to get for your friends and family. You should definitely look around at other nearby local shops when visiting these areas.

In the guide, I’ll cover 10 great local Southern Illinois gift shops for you to get your last-minute holiday gift ideas for your friends and family.

Why Choose Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops this Holiday Season

You should choose local Southern Illinois gift shops this holiday season for multiple reasons.

For starters, it supports local, which the region highly depends on for economic stabilization and support. Your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are running these businesses. They need your support more than ever since tourists are not always around.

You’ll also get a better experience. Why go to the same old retail chain store that sells the same old junk everyone else sells? Shopping local gives you locally made and inspired gifts that you can’t get anywhere else.

Here are some Great Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops

Here are a few local Southern Illinois gift shops to choose from this holiday season.

1 – Garden of the Gods Outpost in Karber’s Ridge

Garden of the Gods Outpost is a general store located along Karber’s Ridge Road near Garden of the Gods.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

They sell everything from Shawnee National Forest apparel to patches and cups. They also sell a lot of Sasquatch-themed apparel and gifts. While you’re there, you might as well get some of the best soft serve ice cream around.

2 – Riverside Mercantile in Elizabethtown

Riverside Mercantile is located in the heart of Elizabethtown, Illinois, which is the eastern terminus of the River to River Trail.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

This store sells a lot of Southern Illinois-made items. You can find apparel, jewelry, crafts, and even candy made right here in Southern Illinois. They also have some of the best hand-dipped ice cream you’ll ever taste.

3 – Glaciers End in Marion

Glaciers End is a food-based general store located in the City of Marion, Illinois.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

Glaciers End creates its own sauces, pickles, and other related products. These would make great stocking stuffers or gifts for friends and family who love food items. They have some of the hottest hot sauces I’ve ever had.

4 – Shawnee Trails Wilderness Outfitters in Carbondale

Shawnee Trails Wilderness Outfitters is an outdoor recreation store located in Carbondale, Illinois, near the historic Strip.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

This store sells everything the hiker, backpacker, paddler, or climber in your life needs. They have canoes, climbing gear, backpacks, trekking poles, outdoor apparel, and footwear. If you need hiking and outdoor gifts, this is the place to go.

5 – Vienna Town Square Mall in Vienna

Vienna Town Square Mall is located in downtown Vienna, Illinois, around the antiques and crafts district of the town and it’s also the location of Tunnel Hill State Trail.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

This store and other stores around it sells a lot of antiques and craft items. I’ve walked through the stores, and there are a lot of great selections to choose from. If you have friends and family who like those items, be sure to check them out.

6 – Makanda Boardwalk in Makanda

Makanda Boardwalk is the hottest thing going on in the big town of Makanda, Illinois, which is also home to Giant City State Park.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

The mall has all kinds of different shops. There is a cool rock shop, an ice cream and snack shop, gift shops, and more. You’ll definitely find all sorts of gift ideas when you visit this boardwalk.

7 – Wine Trail Mercantile in Cobden

Wine Trail Mercantile is located in Coben, Illinois, right by the Iron Wisk, which is a really good place for breakfast and brunch.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

The mercantile sells all sorts of goodies that would make the perfect gift for your loved ones. They have vintage gifts, local crafts, food items, antiques, and more. There is something for everyone at this little mom-and-pop general store.

8 – Super City Antiques and Collectables in Metropolis

Super City Antiques and Collectables is located in the heart of Metropolis, Illinois, which just so happens to be the Home of Superman.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

You can find all sorts of great antiques and collectables at this store. They have something for everyone of all ages. Who knows, you might be able to find some cool Superman items at this store, that.

9 – Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch in Lick Creek

Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch is located in Lick Creek, Illinois, and they have more than just a bunch of fun critters.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

You might be able to buy a gift card or visit the farm to view the alpacas. We’ve been, and we had a really fun time visiting them. They also have a store that sells alpaca wool items like socks (my favorite winter socks), stuffed animals, clothing, and even the fabric itself.

10 – Nance’s Trading Post in Murphysboro

Nance’s Trading Post is a store located along the shopping center of Murphysboro, Illinois, which is home to the Big Muddy Monster.

To find this store, go to this Google Maps Link.

You can find all sorts of goodies at this shop. They have antiques, crafts, and collectables. I’m sure you’ll find whatever you need when you visit.

Final Thoughts About Local Southern Illinois Gift Shops

As I said, this list of local Southern Illinois gift shops isn’t complete. There are many other shops to choose from that I recommend you look for. I just had time to write about 10 of them.

If you want to recommend another store, I welcome you to comment with the store name, what it sells, and how to get to it.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!