Ceramics, candles, jewellery, cards, glassware, soaps, and lots and lots of art — whatever is on your holiday shopping list this year, Watson & Lou in downtown Peterborough has you covered with local and handmade versions of it all.
The beautiful shop and studio space has been a staple on Water Street since it was founded by Erin Watson and Anna Eidt in 2017. Now run by Katie Küntz, the store continues to support the local arts community by not only featuring work from independent artists, but by renting out studio space where these artists can hone their craft and create their masterpieces.
When you shop at Watson & Lou this holiday season, you support a carefully curated collection of local and Canadian-made products, with many pieces crafted by artists and makers from the Peterborough community.
“The holidays are such a fun time to be out shopping,” says Küntz. “We have tons of beautiful gifts and goodies for your loved ones, whether you’re shopping small, shopping local, or just looking for something meaningful and well-made.”
If you’re having trouble deciding on a gift for a loved one, you can find get inspiration from Watson & Lou’s curated gift guides posted on the store’s Instagram and Facebook pages throughout the holiday season.
So you can get ready for the holidays and spread some holiday cheer, Watson & Lou also stocks a range of holiday decorations and essentials from cards and wrapping paper to candy, scented candles, ornaments, socks, and so much more.
Since gathering as a community is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit, during the First Friday art crawl on December 5, the studio artists who work in Watson & Lou will have their doors open, welcoming community members to explore their studios and their work.
Guest artist Wild Rabbit Beads will be featured alongside Watson & Lou’s studio members, including colour artist Cydnee Hosker, stained glass artist Kari Walmsley, mixed media artist Em Farquhar-Barrie, and sewist Christine Brown. The store will also have a never-before-featured artist in the gallery, oil painter Kerry Viggiani.
“It’s a really great chance to meet the local artists, explore the space, and find something really special,” says Küntz.
If you’re shopping at Watson & Lou on the evening of December 5, don’t forget to head out to the Bankers Commons Courtyard via the alley right beside the store where you can browse even more locally made goods at the Holiday Night Market, being held in partnership between First Friday Peterborough and The Neighbourhood Vintage.
For your holiday shopping convenience, Watson & Lou is open seven days a week right up until December 23, ensuring, as Küntz says, “There’s lot of time to pop in, browse, and soak up a little handmade holiday magic.”
Located at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, Watson & Lou is open during December from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
To learn more about Watson & Lou and to shop online, visit www.watsonandlou.com. To get in touch, email hello@watsonandlou.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Shop The Boro is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in downtown Peterborough, created in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
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