Mission Hills – All About the Holidays
By Dixie Hall, MHBID President and Owner of DixiePops
This holiday season, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice, please join me in shopping local as you comb through your gift list. Explore locations along West Lewis, Goldfinch and Fort Stockton, onto West Washington and West University and Reynard Way, and remember India Street to the west too.
You may wonder why I am always suggesting, urging and cajoling Mission Hills’ residents to “shop local.” It’s because there is no better way to show your appreciation for all that our local businesses do to contribute to the sense of “community” which makes Mission Hills a place to call home and not just an impersonal collection of houses and random business centers. Personally, I love recognizing customers as they come in and chat. As a customer, I enjoy going where someone knows my name and appreciates my business.
As tough as it has been for our local businesses, their philanthropy has continued through gifts of funds and commitment of time and energy to our schools and community-based organizations. I again ask that before you go online or head to the mall, think of our local businesses and whether they might have the special gift for you. Local support of local businesses will help our neighborhood thrive.
The holidays are a joyous season of giving and time spent with family and friends. Most often it is also a time for gift-giving to a host and hostess or a gift-exchange among loved ones, or with a favorite colleague. During the holidays, there’s plenty of pampering and indulging to be enjoyed, without leaving Mission Hills. Our wide assortment of shops are filled with small and large shopping treasures and offer a variety of price ranges and gifting possibilities. In Mission Hills shoppers turn errands into adventures.
West Lewis Street is all aglow with unique gift items galore. On West Lewis, when you buy a special holiday something for someone, remember to buy something for yourself as well. Indulgences, from one-of-a-kind children’s and women’s clothing, a retail and kitchen studio filled with gourmet groceries and curated home and kitchen ware, to hard-to-find grown-up beverages and curated collections of specialty florals and vintage good abound on West Lewis. Noteworthy too are great places to grab a warm coffee or tea, enroll in yoga and exercise classes, drop off all your dry cleaning and laundry services, and enjoy salon services.
Reynard Way stand outs for the holidays are CAKE Bakery and The FrameMaker where you might want to order delicious baked goodies or have a long awaiting piece of art beautifully framed. Self care services provided by Saffron & Sage and convenience store items are also offered in the neighborhood.
On India Street, also recognized as International Restaurant Row, stocked and ready to go for a traditional British Christmas, Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea will not disappoint. Don’t miss their annual visit from Father Christmas (Santa Claus), Saturday December 11, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., complimentary photos, punch and shortbread and gift for the kids are planned. On Christmas Eve from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., join Shakespeare Pub & Grille for an evening of tradition, music, and fun, and sing along to your favorite Christmas carols accompanied by a British styled brass band. Also on India Street holiday tamales, pizzas, traditional dinners, sandwiches, gelatos and international foods are ready for you and your holiday guests.
On Goldfinch Street and on Fort Stockton Drive catch up with friends and family over a festive beverage or a meal. Browse the real estate listings. Perhaps enjoy a massage or a facial. Get a fresh hair style. Buy a holiday gift or three. On West University Avenue there could be a piece of jewelry waiting for you.
West Washington Street is our busiest and most diverse commercial area. It is filled with music lessons and listening options, dining and desserts and grown-up drinking, gourmet ice cream and cheese, self-care and beauty, excellent groceries, and everything your pet may need. And for those year-end must-do’s, don’t forget our neighborhood banks, dentists, insurance agents, realtors and accountants.
Indeed, Mission Hills’ wonderful selection of small and large treasures has something to offer even the fussiest person on your list. Please don’t just take my word for it. Discover for yourself how much more our neighborhood has to offer this holiday season.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Category: Business, Entertainment, Events, Food, Historical, Holidays, Local News, Music, Restaurants
