Tops in shopping

By Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Where I grew up in the North, the mall ruled. I spent many Saturdays there, loving the mix of stores and people. So when I moved to the great state of Virginia, I didn’t even consider shopping at what I called a “strip mall,” especially for something as important as Christmas. Good stuff is only sold in a mall, I figured.

Then I discovered The Shops at Hilltop – and my mind and wallet opened up.

Centrally located in Virginia Beach, the stores (more than 120 in all) are a shopper’s dream. Variety rules – in both selection and price point. Here we see what all of America can be: A mix of chain stores that we’ve come to rely on and locally owned shops with unique merchandise that help us support our neighbors.

A fan ever since my first visit more than a decade ago, I know I can easily scoot around The Shops at Hilltop, either walking for a bit of exercise or zipping my car from the West, North and East areas. I did the latter on a recent sunny day. My goal: Scout for Christmas presents. My challenge: Do so before my son’s school bus returned home. Could I really select 21 gifts in three hours? Yes, yes I could – and I had to force myself to leave because I hadn’t yet hit some of my favorites : Bahama Shop, Dan Ryan’s for Men, JodyG at Pizzazz , Kitchen Barn… and more. (Images of my son sitting on our porch with tears in his eyes because I wasn’t home pulled me away, but those stores and others will soon pull me back.)

The treasures I discovered that day:

For my BFF, a dog lover with a passion for fashion: Mrs. Bones Bowtique. Way too many tempting, designer gems in this gorgeous store with friendly and helpful staff. If I had a bigger gift budget, I’d purchase the double donut bed in maroon with paisley print and rounded pillow arms for lifelong friend. The extra large version that is 4 feet by three feet would be cozy for her black lab. It’s priced at $365. Other options: The stunning silver water bowl set in carved acacia wood for $84; a black leather jacket would look great on her Sadie Sue and was only $90; the collars in hundreds of styles (including an Ed Hardy design with “Mrs. Bones” imprinted on it) were so cute, colorful and reasonable at $36 that I think my friend would come back for several more if I bought her one.

For my workout buddy, who is a great decorator and does so much for everyone else: Nectar. I’ve worked out regularly for the greater part of a year, and it’s only because my friend picks me up three times a week and makes me smile as we drive to the Y. She would love just about everything in Nectar, which has home décor (much of it beach-inspired), entertainment supplies and more. My favorite pick on a quick look through was the retro fridge magnet that read “Stop me before I volunteer again” for $5. I can’t stop teasing my fellow exerciser about her volunteering to be room mom for both of her kids’ classes.

For the hubby, who works out way more than me, outside in the cold: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. What he would really love, and deserves, is a new kayak, and they have the best here. But Hubby borrows our neighbor’s and it’s barely used by anyone else, so a more practical gift choice would be a Mountain Hard Wear Polartec running jacket with a hoody. The tag says a “Super Power” hoody, so I think it would keep his cute ears warm. The jacket is quite dashing in blocks of black and gray with zippers here and there for storing essentials, and reflecting spots in the front and back of the jacket would help cars spot by sweetie while he ran in the predawn hours. I like the price -- $119 -- as much as its look.

For my book club friends: Stein Mart. We’re a typical group; we like to read but we like to drink more. I think my fellow members would love one of the surprisingly funky wine glasses here. There are 12 of us, and I could probably find one to match each of their personalities.

For my fashion-forward daughter: Coco’s Couture and Converse. This is the store I could see her one day not only wanting to shop at but also co-own. Their clothes and accessories are what I call “sophisticated funk.” You will fit in because you’re on trend, but a dash of something extra will make you stand out in the right way. Perfect for my daughter, if she were just a year or two older, I was tempted by their Vintage Havana plaid skirts priced at $49. Everything in the store made me stop for a second look – except the prices. They were surprisingly low for quality clothes.

For me: Ocean Art. Um, yeah, me. I always end up buying at least one thing for myself when I go shopping for the holidays. A framed poster from the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia’s Our Museum Evolution: Select Works from the Boardwalk Art Show exhibit earlier this year caught my eye with its rich reds and deep blues – and it ended up in my trunk after I charged $30 on my credit card. I also met Virginia Beach artist Russie Snyder, who was getting her bright paintings of flower petals framed, which Ocean Art specializes in. She might be selling them in the store one day, and I think her joyful renderings would draw in plenty of customers.

For my son: Young Chefs Academy. My son got mad a few months ago when we made up a chore chart and my daughter got more kitchen duty than him. “Cooking is FUN,” he said. Young Chef’s cooking classes would be perfect, and I know he would love their Head Chef utensils, which are colorful, silly and safe. They cost $10 each.

For my try-anything-and-laugh dad: Peace, Love & Balance. This yoga, art, jewelry and astrology store is paradise found. Brad Williams runs his astrology business from here, and the store invites you to stay, even you’re not into the stars, with its eclectic mix of yoga supplies, earth-friendly products and things that are just plain fun. Top on that list are the hula hoops in a variety of shapes and designs starting at $20. I can so see my dad spinning one around his hips.

For my son’s elementary school teacher: Anything Joe’s Personalized Gifts for Kids. Sure, there’s lots here for kids of every age, but I also think elementary school teachers would love the selection and the merchandise’s appealing colors. A favorite of mine is the art supply case that doubled as a drawing surface.

For my thrifty and totally pulled together mom: Double Take Consignment. This beautiful store was packed with people mid-week, and there’s one reason why: The merchandise, second-hand that it might be, was carefully selected. I can so see my mom, who has it going on like no one’s business, in a red Cinzia Rocca waist-length jacket marked down from $379 to $92.