Treat Yourself: Shop in Murphys

Ever find yourself wishing you didn’t have to shop for the holidays (or any time for that matter)? Chances are it’s because you haven’t experienced the utter charm of shopping in a small, historic town like Murphys. This year, ditch the mall, and come on down for the most laid back, treat-filled shopping experience you can imagine.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Irresistible Boutique Shops

Part of the charm is not just all of the adorable little shops, but the many places you can stop and enjoy tasty treats, a delicious meal and a brew or some wine-tasting. But let’s start with the shopping experience itself.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Foodie Shops

With its reputation as a foodie destination, it’s no surprise Murphys’ boutique shops also cater to the discerning gourmand. Check out Creative Cookware’s large array of food prep equipment, beautiful server ware and dishes, and everything you expect from the best cooking stores. You’ll also want to head over to the Spice Tin for some exceptional and hard-to-find flavorings, spice blends and so much more. Next up: Marisolio Tasting Bar. Here’s where you’ll discover your absolute favorite olive oils and balsamic vinegars by tasting first from their high quality selection. What a treat!

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Small Town Essentials

For the perfect small town shopping experience, you’re going to want some family essentials like independent book and toy stores. Check out the new Books on Main (formerly Sustenance books) and the Murphys Village Toy Store. For young children you can also find toys and books (as well as yarn, knitting and crocheting supplies) at Maisieblue. Let’s not forget your furry companion; Murphys Dog Store has the best in dog toys and acccessories for your pooch.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Unique Gifts

Everyone has that impossible-to-shop-for person on their list, right? So maybe it’s time to visit somewhere out of the ordinary, like DEA Bathroom Machineries – which offers bathroom fixtures from antique to 70s. Or, how about your harley-riding uncle and aunt? You’re bound to find something they’ll love at Murphys Motorcycle Company. Looking for hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items? Moon Alley Candles creates the most beautiful candles you can find anywhere, and Quyle Kilns offers hand-decorated kitchenware and dishes from their own local clay.

We’ve got sports and movie fans covered too. At KCK Collectibles, not only can you find sports cards and movie memorabilia, you can also browse through their selection of records and comic books. And lastly, any outdoors enthusiast will find a wealth of handy, well-designed essentials at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company, AKA SNAC.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Fashionista Favorites

Murphys might be located in the sleepy foothills, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your groove on with our fashion-foward apparel and accessory stores. From …And Then Some, with its leather and vegan bags, gloves, wallets and hats, to Jane & Jean Boutique with their custom graphic tops, Kristine’s Clothing with its personal stylist vibe, Shirt Tales with their jeans, tops and jewelry, and Murphys Trading Post with their antique charm, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of styles and choices.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Décor to Die For

Almost all of the boutiques downtown offer up some home décor items, but those that specialize really go all out. If you’re looking for something that stands out from the regular fare you’ll find at the mall, you’ve come to the right place. Check out Ambiance, with its vibrant furnishings, Art on Main where you can often meet the artists, Murphys Trading Post & Boutique for antique charm, Murphys Treasures for holiday-themed gifts and décor, ND&X for furniture and lighting (along with body products), Potted Plum for a vintage, shabby-chic and rustic vibe, and Timbercraft Designs for hand-hewn wooden furnishings made from reclaimed timber.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: On a Budget

Whether you’re hoping to limit the financial outlay this year, or looking to reduce the environmental impact of your choices, consider visiting our high-quality consignment shops. Best Friends Consignment Shop will help you find some real treasures in clothing, jewelry and accessories, as will Murphys Repeat Boutique. Next! Upscale Resale specializes in vintage and antique furniture and home décor. Keep an eye out for My Little Apple, an infants and children’s recycled and upcycled store, which is due to reopen in a new downtown location soon.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Taking a Tasty Break

When you’re ready for a shopping break, you can stop in at one of more than a dozen fabulous eateries along Main Street for a gourmet lunch or dinner. Or, stop in at Aria Bakery for some fresh-baked goodness you can enjoy on a picnic in Murphys Community Park. You might need some sugar to keep you going, and that means visiting JoMa’s for artisanal ice cream (and optional hand-baked cookies for ice cream sandwiches), national-award-winning cupcakes at Lila and Sage, or hand made confectionary at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen. Of course, a superior cup of coffee will never go amiss, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at national, award-winning Gold Country Roasters, where they roast the coffee in-house.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Break for Brews

Murphys is so well known for wine tasting that you may not know the beer scene has been developing over the last few years. Beer afficionados will be delighted to make the acquaintance of some hard-to-find brews right here in Murphys in places like Murphys Pourhouse with its 16 rotating taps, Alchemy, which serves 11 beers on tap, Murphys Irish Pub, with its Irish and American beers, and the beautiful old Saloon at Murphys Historic Hotel. Look out for Murphys’ new tap room, The Watering Hole, due to open very soon on Big Trees Road.

MURPHYS SHOPPING: Inspired Wine

Whether you’re looking to take a break from shopping with a little wine tasting, or you’re shopping for the wine connoisseurs on your list, we’ve got you covered. With over a dozen wine tasting rooms in downtown offering locally made, award-winning wines from Viogniers and Chardonnays to Zinfandels and Barberas, you’ll find a wide array of varietals to suit every palate. In addition, many of our tasting rooms feature their own unique gift offerings, including gag gifts and rubber chickens at Twisted Oak, fedoras and other hats at La Folia, gourmet cheese market and lavender spa products at Lavender Ridge, and an art and jewelry gallery featuring local artists at Allégorie. Of course, visiting Ironstone Vineyards, just outside of downtown gives you access to their tasting room, jewelry shoppe filled with enticing pieces, and the opportunity to stroll their beautiful grounds, enjoy their museum, and see the 44lb-gold nugget on display.

More to See & Do

While you’re here, consider stopping in at the Murphys Old Timers Museum to see artefacts from the history of the area, from its Native American beginnings to the historic Gold Rush and on through to its agricultural heritage. You can also join their guided walking tours of downtown Murphys on Saturdays to get the full scoop on the history of town.

For a complete break, head underground and see some aeons-old natural beauty in the form of stalactites, stalagmites and other rare formations at Mercer Caverns. Stop in at the Wine Information Center (run by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance) and Murphys Tourist Information Center (run by Half Ass Adventures) at the east end of town to get full details on all there is to see in the area, with included discounts and special deals on wine tasting and recreation. Above all, have fun and hashtag your Murphys fun shopping images with #VisitMurphys for a chance to be featured in our social media.

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