Emporia Offers One-of-a-Kind Gifts and the Latest Trends Without the Hustle and Bustle

The holidays are upon us–and we’re all searching for that perfect gift. Emporia offers an array of tempting choices from the fine retailers of our distinctly dynamic shopping districts. If you’ve been following our posts this year, you’ll remember reading about the MET&L Prairie Pour Tour and the Spirits Trail and finding fabulous ice cream. All those and more can be found in our town’s holiday shopping districts!

Holiday districts, you say? Of course! Emporia boasts three distinct shopping district destinations: the Downtown District, the Bluestem District, and the Mall & Pavilions District. Read on and see how each one will entice you with its own specific charms.

Emporia’s Downtown Shopping District encompasses the area of Commercial Street and its side street neighbors Merchant and Mechanic, from 12th Avenue south. The Downtown District trail is a shopper’s delight, from De Stijl Art & Antiques (1117-½ Commercial),  Shelbys’ Sassy Designs (1115 Commercial) and The Dusty Trail Gift Shoppe (1107B Commercial) at the top of the trail all the way down to Poehler Mercantile Antique Mall (301 Commercial) and La Rumba Latin American Goods (124 Commercial)  at the base. 

As you wind your way from one end to the other, don’t miss the Dynamic Discs Retail Store at 912 Commercial; Jack’s Lawn & Pool Store at 829 Commercial; and Eclectic Bikes at 823 Commercial. The lower 800 block of Commercial isn’t known as the Granada Block for nothing–be sure to stop in at Granada Coffee Company, the Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop, the Emporia Granada Theatre, and the Emporia Arts Center for an array of perfect, thoughtful gifts!  

Continuing your stroll along our bustling and beautiful Commercial Street into the 700 block, be sure to stop in at Bath Expressions at 722 Commercial; Merchant Cycles at 716 Commercial; Trox Gallery & Gifts at 715 Commercial; and Flint Hills Music at 701 Commercial. In case you need sustenance along the way, you’ll feel right at home popping into one of Emporia’s many family-owned eateries that are sprinkled along Commercial Street and throughout our city’s shopping districts.

The 600 block of Commercial is also the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 (your path to another Emporia Shopping District detailed below), and you won’t be able to resist the adorable pets and accessories at L&L Pets, 621 Commercial. Plum Bazaar, 615 Commercial, is owned by three local sisters, and features an extensive array of beads, stones, and hand-made jewelry, along with fiber arts and crafts supplies. aka The Sports Fan at 524 Commercial is the downtown headquarters for athletic apparel. Be sure to stop in at Zen Den, featuring clothing for all sizes and ages at affordable prices (11 E. 4th).  Angelita’s Fashion at 328 Commercial features special occasion attire as well as centerpieces and party favors. Across the street, Cookie’s Leather & Apparel at 317 Commercial rocks a full line of riding gear and accessories.

Attention all ranchers, farmers, cowboys, and cowgirls! The Bluestem Shopping District has your names written all over it! Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply, 2611 W. Hwy 50, is the granddaddy of all suppliers of western wear, agricultural supplies, and gifts geared toward rural life. Keep on going, and you’ll discover Emporia Flea Market & Antiques (2705 W. Hwy 50), where treasures abound! Almost next door at 2727 W. Hwy 50, you’ll find Waters Hardware, with an extensive gift shop as well as a wide assortment of gardening wares. 

Kari’s Diamonds & Bridal Boutique–your stop for all things sparkly!– at 1015 Industrial Road is the bridge to another of Emporia’s shopping districts: the big-name retailers in the Mall/Pavilions District! From Ross Dress For Less and Marshalls to Shoe Dept. Encore and Hobby Lobby, Emporia’s newest shopping center–The Pavilions at 24th and Industrial Road–offers name brand experiences for less! Just south of The Pavilions you’ll find the Aldi/Walmart collection of retailers that includes Dollar Tree as well as ample dining and lodging choices. 

Continue south on Industrial, and take in the Flinthills Mall. From Dunham’s Sports and Maurices to Buckle and Bling to Shoe Sensation and Claire’s–not to mention Harbor Freight Tools, Hibbett Sports, Bath & Body Works, Sutherlands Home Improvement & Hardware, and PetSense–there’s something at the mall for everyone at every price point. Whether you pop in for a movie, or buy tickets as gifts, don’t forget the B&B Theatres, also at the Flinthills Mall. Just across the street, you’ll find Sports Connection for all your athletic apparel needs.

Even in the midst of the joyful holiday season, it’s still vital that we take time to honor our Mother Earth. Here at Visit Emporia, we do our best to conserve the natural resources with which we are blessed. While you’re visiting us, we hope you’ll also take time to learn more about our Visit Emporia Pledge, which encourages everyone to be good stewards of our community and environment during your time here with us. 

1. Stay golden.
2. Leave no trace.
3. Respect the land and its people.

Find out how YOU can take the Visit Emporia Pledge here.

Visit Emporia is the official Visitor Information Center for Emporia offering brochures and maps of Emporia, surrounding areas, and the state of Kansas. Drop in to visit us at 719 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See the Visit Emporia website for more information or check us out on Facebook,  Instagram, and Twitter for more activities and events.

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