BEST OF DAYTON: The best places to find an extraordinary gift for moms (or anyone)

The 2nd Street Market crowned top winner in Best Place for Unique Gifts category.

Credit: Kyle Nagel

Credit: Kyle Nagel

There is certainly no shortage of great options when it comes to shopping in Dayton. This is especially true if you want to shop local.

Dayton and its surrounding charming communities offer tons of great boutiques and shops for clothing and gifts.

These are the local destinations the public voted as the Best Place sfor Unique Gifts in the 2018 Best of Dayton contest.

These could lead you to the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

>> Where to find some of the best gifts for the moms in your life in the Oregon District

🥇WINNER: 2nd Street Market

If you've been to the 2nd Street Market, you know it's a wonderful local gem.

It’s a destination for dining and shopping that is open year-round. It has a European market vibe and is filled with friendly local growers, bakers and artisans.

If you haven’t been, it’s time to take a stroll through the historic freight house and visit the more than 50 vendors who combine for a mix of charm and sense of community. The market is operated by Five Rivers MetroParks.

“The market is a place where the community can gather and find unique and local items,” said Lynda Suda the market manager. “The vendors are invested and very connected to the community, and it shows.”

Looking for a special gift?

There’s a huge selection of handcrafted and special items ranging from terrariums designed with air plants in glass or wood vessels, creations from an artisan wood turner, or handmade jewelry made in vintage-industrial style.

Did we mention the sweet treats, bread and cheese?

Find a complete list of vendors here.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

And there’s a reason the 2nd Street Market also won best farmers market.

>> 2nd Street Market best spot for local produce and unique gifts

Everything fresh and local you might need is for sale including honey, fresh vegetables, free range brown eggs and farm-raised pork, chicken and lamb.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: 2nd Street Market

WHERE: 600 E. Second St., Dayton

WHEN: Open year-round. Thursday- Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. with live music from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

🥈SECOND PLACE: Heart Mercantile 

Who doesn’t love and appreciate a great sense of humor in this crazy world? If you dabble in witty humor and sarcasm and enjoy that witty humor and sarcasm on T-shirts, mugs, cards, notepads and more, Heart Mercantile is the place for you.

Heart has a little bit of everything: mugs, shirts, candles, soap, cards, etc. — all with delightfully snarky sayings, hilarious puns, or just bursting with Dayton pride.

Do yourself a favor and follow Heart on Instagram and delight in their message board and their products.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Heart Mercantile

WHERE: 438 E. Fifth St., Dayton

MORE INFO: WebsiteFacebook 

THIRD PLACE: Yellow Springs Toy Company  

Remember Mr. Fub’s in Yellow Springs? That space is now home to Yellow Springs Toy Company, and it offers tons of unique gifts for the young and the young at heart.

Toys, games, puzzles, pretend play costumes and sets, figures, books, kits and more line the shelves.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Yellow Springs Toy Company

WHERE: 252 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs

MORE INFO: WebsiteFacebook 

🏆 BEST OF DAYTON 2018 WINNERS LIST

The first-place, second-place and third-place winner of each individual contest are organized by topic. Click on the links below to read through the results in each broader category and then each individual contest.

>> Food & Dining winners

>> Bars, Beer & Nightlife winners

>> Arts, Music & Entertainment winners

>> Shopping & Services winners

>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners

>> People & Places winners

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