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Shopping in downtown Olympia

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Olympia toy store Captain Little. Photo credit: Alec Clayton

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The wonder of shopping downtown Olympia is the variety of unique goods to be found within easy walking distance. Here are five recommended downtown shopping destinations.

Traditions Fair Trade at 500 5th Ave. SW, is right across the street from Capitol Lake. Traditions offers a smorgasbord of craft items from around the world and specializes in handmade items from low-income artisans and farmers from more than 50 countries - all made available through fair and equitable trade relations. No products of corporate giants to be found here. What you can find are drums and other musical instruments, unique clothing, toys and games for children, and much more, all handcrafted and unlike anything you'll find anywhere else. As an added treat, Traditions has its own café, where you can have a coffee or lunch on a break from shopping.

A block away is Childhood's End Gallery at 222 4th Ave. W., which also offers a cornucopia of unique, handmade gift items.

"We just received several styles of American-made, hand-turned, wooden kaleidoscopes and teleidoscopes, which are always a hit for all ages," owner Richenda Richards said. "A gallery staple for the season are the hand-blown glass ornaments from Seattle's Glass Eye Studio. The ornaments, which each contain ash from Mt. St. Helens, come in dozens of colors and we have an outstanding selection."

Childhood's End sells craft items from local and Pacific Northwest artists and crafts people including jewelry, original prints, ceramic and turned-wood items, glass art, painting and sculpture.

Lily's What to Wear Boutique at 202 4th Ave. W. is self-described as kooky. Located in the funkiest block of downtown Oly, Lily's is a little shop that specializes in women's clothing of all sizes and styles and for all ages. It also carries jewelry, shoes, hosiery, and hats for both men and women. And did we mention wigs? Yes, it has wigs in all styles and sizes.

Captain Little at 121 5th Ave. SE on the corner of Washington Street is Olympia's newest and biggest toy store. There's no better place for Santa to shop. Captain Little has a huge selection of toys, games, children's books and cards. On its website (www.captainlittle.com) you can meet the Captain's eight-person crew (including Capt. Little himself, the store's "spokesmouse"), and find out what each of their favorite games and hobbies are. Kelsey's favorite game, for instance, is Telestrations, and her favorite book is Madeline. If you have children, Captain Little should be your first shopping destination in Olympia.

Rainy Day Records at 501 5th Ave. E. is a long-standing Olympia landmark. It's a place to shop for CDs and vinyl albums you'll never find anywhere else, from esoteric classics to hip-hop and more. They even buy and sell turntables (but don't just show up with turntable in hand; stop by or call 360.357.4755 and talk to James or Adam first). They also buy used CDs, DVDs, cassettes, and LPs (no VHS or 8-tracks) from 2-6 p.m. every day, and no appointment is necessary. They are busy, however, so they encourage you to call first.

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