Eclectic art, couture, street wear, delectable edibles, potent potables and of course all things local round out an eclectic Ohio City shopping trip that will accommodate just about any holiday list.

The OHC Argus rounded up a slew of examples, but let the buyer beware that stock at these indie shops is constantly changing. The good news is that if an item referenced here is sold out, chances are something just as delightful has taken its place.

The Art Pad

4118 Lorain Ave.

216-622-0377

theartpad.com

One of Ohio City's newest blossoms, the Art Pad offers up oodles of 216 merchandise, from tchotchkes (stickers, magnets, lighters, key chains) to tee shirts—many of which feature the owner Rick Novario's original designs: a guitar that morphs into the Terminal Tower or the proclamation, "Toasted in Cleveland," among others. Giant old-school posters of Rock-n-Roll superstars (Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Who) line the walls, as well as unique Cleveland art. Everything is for sale in this Rock-meets-Cleveland OC newbie.

Fridrich Bicycle

3800 Lorain Ave.

216-651-3800

fridrichs.com

You like Fridrich's because they've been selling bikes from the same shop in Ohio City since 1883. You like them because they sell peddle cars in perfect pink or licked with stylized flames. You like their tandems and toboggans and Flexible Flyers and the cheery wagons that were made in Berlin, Ohio and are waiting to be filled with important kid cargo. And although you are awfully fond of the tiny push toys for the littlest tykes, what you like most about Fridrich Bicycle are the 25-cent candy dispensers lined up in front of the hobbyhorse display.

La Borincana Foods

2127 Fulton Rd.

216-651-2351

Behold a food mecca like no other in the city where the most adventurous gift food baskets are born. Everything lining the shelves of this dazzling gem is absolutely authentic. Try a jar of Pomeroon Cassareep cassava sauce "For Pepper Pot" from Guyana, or some of Walkerswood's Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. Who wouldn't delight in a jar of Inca's Food's Aji Panca pepper paste from Peru, Suya Khebab Barbecue Powder, or a can of Salisbury Corned Mutton ("with juices") under the tree?

Princebrim Dried Okra? Check.

Toss in a six pack of Inca Kola to wash it all down with, or a couple of bottles of Tusker Beer if your gift is for someone who is out of this world—or at least out of Africa.

Zubal Books

2969 West 25th St.

216-241-7640

zubalbooks.com

John Zubal's sprawling collection of books numbers upwards of 2.5 million, and while the venerable stacks are not open to the public, you can get a glimpse of this, the eighth wonder of the world housed right here in Cleveland. One corner of the first floor is stacked with a jaw-dropping array of gorgeous coffee table books that you may peruse. No, they are not in any order. Yes, you will have to paw through titles such as The Victorian Cabinet Maker's Assistant, Quilts in a Material World and 100 Great Guns to get to gems such as Art of the Maya, New York Interiors and Sculpture of Japan. Or maybe it's the other way around for you. Either way, each book will put you back just five clams. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Call ahead to confirm.

Something Different Gallery

1898 W. 25th St.

216-696-5226

somethingdifferentgallery.com

This Ohio City institution is brimming with the stuff that makes you inflate with breath then whisper want want want. Oversized hand painted martini glasses gleam, a balloon puppy piggy bank shines like silver and a textured peach scarf drapes a mannequin just so. Two thousand glass ornaments from around the world depict everything from a sushi plate to a kitty cat to a vintage view-master. There's something else different about this beautiful boutique; they carry clothing, purses, toiletries, lace items and even wind chimes that fit everyone's favorite three-word description: made in America.

RAM Electronics World

1898 W. 25th St.

216-241-0107

Yes, Virginia, there really is a shop in Ohio City where you can buy a mysterious machine called an 8-track player that actually works (ask your gram), a policeman cookie jar that talks (or a fireman or a friendly lion), record players that people carried around suitcase-style, and odd things like receivers made all the way back in the ancient times of the 1970's by someone named Luxman. There's also a whole host of new-fangled-flat-screen-digital type electronics that you young folk will understand.

Salty Not Sweet

2074 W. 25th St.

216-481-8925

saltynotsweetcraft.wordpress.com

Room Service

2078 W. 25th St.

216-696.6220

rscleveland.com

These two neighbors fit snugly next to one another on 25th and on any CLE hipster's wish list. At Room Service, you'll find sleek sophisticated urban wear for her, with simple asymmetrical dresses and black lace frocks sheathing midnight mint secrets among the ever-changing offerings. They carry home accessories and select men's items as well, such as Old Fashioned Tobacco Beard Oil and Hunting Camp Soap. Boutique-y baubles and bangles abound. Best of all, you'll find plenty of Clevo-centric stock with a concerted focus on all things "Made in the 216." Salty Not Sweet is another Clevophile haven. This shop is wall-to-wall local love, with Cleveland throw pillows, coasters and even tiny stained glass tile pendants in the shape of Ohio. Tees, handmade greeting cards and baby onesies with plenty of attitude ("union thug," "wickedly awesome," "locally grown"). Add candles, hand-thrown pottery, magnets and hats fashioned after dinos, deer and bunnies to round out the pure sweetness. After all, what's in a name?

Unique Thrift

3333 Lorain Ave.

216-631-0205

uniquethriftstore.com

While stuffing her stocking with a piece of gently used lingerie from Cleveland's number one thrift store is probably not a good idea, Unique is a must-stop for anyone hoping to snatch up a piece of that depression era Candlewick glass your old roomie collects. If you're lucky, you'll find it hiding behind a used crock-pot and rows of mismatched coffee mugs. It'll be yours for a song. Or what about the holy grail of thrift store finds: an unopened 50's-era Tuco or Picture Perfect jigsaw puzzle nestled between stacks of battered Candy Land and Monopoly boxes? For just pocket change, your puzzle-freak of a sister-in-law will flip for it. And hey, if you spy a Calvin Klein jean jacket that happens to be just your size, go ahead and scoop it up. It will be our little secret.

Joy Machines

1836 W. 25th St.

216-394-0230

joymachinesbikeshop.com

With chandeliers fashioned from handlebars, spoke protectors (aka dork discs) as art and one of the Guardians of Traffic holding court above it all, this is what a serious commuter bike shop looks like. And Joy has it all: seats and bags and bells and helmets festoon the walls that surround rows of bikes (Jamis, Linus, Pake, Redline, Surly, Torker, Xtracycle). With everything from cone wrenches to books (Bike Snob, The Enlightened Cyclist, Women on Wheels), Joy will easily help you check off the serious street riders on your list.

Glass Bubble Project

2421 Bridge Ave.

216-696-7043

glassbubbleproject.com

From hardcore funk to upgraded junk, the Glass Bubble boys have been turning it out Rust Belt style since 1998. Drop in to warm up by the 2,000-degree furnace and catch a demonstration—if you time it right. Don't leave without thoroughly perusing the studio's bustling retail department, where you'll find ring holders, pendants, tree ornaments and avant-garde art items that are open to interpretation. Every bit of it is one-of-a-kind and hand made in the heart of the 216.

Stocking Stuffers and Other Delights

Let's take it SoLo first with a stop at Campbell's Sweets Factory where you can buy a popcorn ball for every elf you know and a bag of that damnable Dichotomy corn for yourself that you cannot stop eating. Since you're here, drop into the Cleveland Hostel and pick up a tee shirt for anyone with the wanderlust. Next up, breeze through Penzey's for bottles of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Time indeed to head a block or so west and enter the wonderful world of Hansa Import Haus. Blink in awe before plucking a box of Mozart chocolates that's shaped like a violin (!) from the shelf or a box of Asbach Pralinen Zarte Flaschchem (tiny chocolate bottles filled with brandy). Good enough and then some. Cross the street and pick up a Comacho Liberty stogie from Cigar Cigar then walk over to the Market at the Fig for a jar of Abby's Ohio Apple Jam. The gift shop at Great Lakes Brewery? You bet. Pick up tees, ales, and all things beer before dropping by Irene Dever's Dairy stand at the West Side Market for $5 gift certificates redeemable at any WSM vendor. Come to think of it, a gift card for Dave's Supermarket fits into just about any stocking as well.

Deep in NoLo territory, peruse the beautiful handmade bats at Johnnyville Slugger and put in an order for the baseball lover on your list. Forget the next hour, you're lost in Deering Vintage and Elegansia where one-of-a-kind art-deco, 70's mod and couture items seduce you at every turn. Careful—go easy on the "me" shopping.

Wind down this OHC whirlwind at the very edge of the city, with a gift ticket to another world—the Cleveland Aquarium.