Ask me where I shop and I will give you the same answer every time: right here at home. I grew up on Main Street, back when my family's store, Tea Rose Quilts, was in the building that is now our Absolute Charm office, so local shops are in my blood. Fredericksburg boutiques are some of the best in Texas, and these are the ones I keep going back to. With the holiday season almost here, they are also a great place to start your gift list.
Felt Boutique and Hat Bar
204 E Main St.
Felt is where I got my custom hat, and it is one of my favorite things I own. Their stylists help you pick a felt hat in your color, then shape it, trim it and finish it with bands, pins and accents until it feels like you. They also do custom branding and engraving, and Felt carries jewelry, bandanas and fun accessories, so it is easy to pick up a little something even if you are not ready for a hat.
It is even better with friends. A few of my girlfriends and I all wore our Felt hats out together one winter day, and every one of them looked completely different.
Tip: Reserve your hat bar time on their website, especially for a weekend.
Zertz
106 E Main St.
Zertz is my go-to for shoes, hands down. I can always find a pair I love, from everyday sandals to something fun for a night out. They also carry jewelry, clothes, accessories and gifts, with brands like Kendra Scott, Birkenstock, Free People, Farm Rio and Z Supply. It is one of those stores where you go in for one thing and walk out with an outfit.
Wild Hare Clothing Co.
108 S Lincoln St, Suite 108. Just off Main Street.
Wild Hare is where I bought my first pair of Mother jeans, and I have been a fan ever since. It is a women's boutique with elevated, timeless pieces in beautiful fabrics, including apparel imported from Europe. It sits just off Main, so it feels a little like a secret and is calmer than the busiest blocks. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5.
Tips for Shopping Main Street
- Start early. Weekday mornings are calm. Saturday afternoons are busy.
- Shop early for the holidays. Main Street gets busier every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and Small Business Saturday is November 28 this year. A November weekday is the calmest time to check off your list.
- Park once. Main Street is walkable, and side streets like Lincoln are a short stroll.
- Break for lunch. Calivence and Vaudeville are two of my favorite stops between shops. See my guide to where to eat and drink in Fredericksburg.
- Make it a girls' weekend. Book both suites at Bubbly, our B&B one block from downtown, and you can walk to every shop.
Why I Love Shopping Local
Every time you buy from a Fredericksburg boutique, especially during the holidays, you are supporting a local owner, a local family and the Main Street that makes this town so special. I see it from both sides, as a shopper and as a luxury REALTOR® who helps people find homes close to all of it. If you love the idea of strolling to these shops from your front door, read my post on living within walking distance of Main Street or take a look at my Fredericksburg luxury homes. I would love to help you find your place in town.
