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If you're thinking what we're thinking, then you've been warning friends and family that it's going to be a "Very Macaroni Art Christmas" this year. Thanks for nothing, lousy economy. But before you bust out the ziti and yarn, head downtown to any number of adorable, independently-owned shops and do local business owners -- and your mother -- a favor. Metromix visited Pastiche and got owner Carla Stine's picks of some of the truly unique, un-mall-like and affordable items in the store.
Stine stocks Pastiche with fair trade, handmade and sustainable gifts from far and wide ... and a lot closer to home as well. She's an artist, designer and retail whiz who said she picks goodies that are, "enagaging, not just pretty to look at" and run the gamut, price-wise. "I like stuff that's totally unique to Springfield," she added.
Be sure to head to Pastiche on "Black Friday" (day after Thanksgiving for all you shopping-phobes) for an open house, where shoppers will enjoy special sales on certain items, 20 percent off any one item, additional discounts for people on the Pastiche mailing list (sign up!), snacks, free gift wrapping and all the "Pas-tea-che" you can drink -- a special blend of tea leaves created by an employee that is the liquid embodiment of Stine's store: warm, exotic, comforting and completely original.
Check out Carla Stine's great gift picks
