Shop Small, Shop Local at Blackhawk Hardware

This holiday season will be unlike any other in recent memory. Extended families will celebrate the holidays via Zoom. Public tree lightings will be viewed virtually instead of by a crowd gathered at the town square. Children will visit Santa, separated by a wall of plexiglass. And with an unprecedented number of people doing all of their holiday shopping online, delays in deliveries are to be expected, further dampening the holiday spirit. 

Consider capturing some of the joys of holidays past by shopping at a local retailer such as Blackhawk Hardware. This second-generation, family-owned business has been a staple in the Charlotte area since 1977. Blackhawk feels more like a modern-day general store than a hardware store with its extensive inventory of gourmet kitchen gadgets, tableware, housewares, pet products, plants, and gardening supplies, making it an ideal one-stop shopping destination for all your gifts. Traditional hardware merchandise can now be found on the newly opened lower-level sales floor, part of the store’s recent 12,000-square-foot expansion. Now with 42,000 square feet of retail space, Blackhawk is a leader among local small businesses.

Like most stores, Blackhawk has implemented some changes to help customers prevent the spread of COVID-19 while delighting in the splendor of holiday shopping.  All employees and customers are required to wear face masks; hand sanitizer is available at the entrance of the store, and additional cleaning protocols are in place. Customers who are uncomfortable shopping in-store can arrange for curbside pick-up. 

During the holidays, Blackhawk is a destination for its unique selection of ornaments and has been recognized for being the leading store for Christmas ornaments in Charlotte. While this year’s Christmas ornament display and holiday merchandise have been spaced out to allow for social distancing, customers will find an extensive selection of ornaments reflecting many interests. Customers can select from ornaments of multiple different dog breeds, dozens of birds, different cities across the U.S. and abroad, and blown glass from Poland. For customers with a sense of humor (or who want to celebrate surviving the events of the past year), Blackhawk has face mask Santa, glass toilet paper, and glittery hand sanitizer ornaments. 

One thing that has not changed is Blackhawk’s “postal service” to and from the North Pole. As in years past, children can drop off their letters to Santa at a special mailbox set up in front of the store. Any letter with a return address is guaranteed to receive a reply from Santa and his elves if mailed by Dec. 16.

Gifts for Everyone

With so much to choose from, shoppers can check everyone off from their gift-giving list. We asked Jenny Stenhouse, buying agent for Blackhawk Hardware, for her gift recommendations.

• For the Bourbon Lover
  Whiskey Wedge by Corkcicle. An artful way to perfectly chill your favorite spirits, it's the ideal whiskey glass for anyone who enjoys smooth sipping. During freezing, the ice forms a wedge shape on one side of the glass. When you pour a drink, the wedge melts slowly to help retain your drink's full flavor.

• For the Home Horticulturalist
  Decorative Self-Watering Planter. Between Zoom calls and managing your child’s distance learning, it can be hard to remember to water your plant. The Decorative Self-Watering Planter keeps plants hydrated for three weeks. 

• For the Birdwatcher
  Wild Bird Seed Houses by Mr. Bird. A wonderful gift for anyone and a delightful treat for backyard birds. Once the seed is nibbled away, the birds may nest in the box for years to come. The perfect gift and at a price for any budget.