If you're a thrifter or looking for very curated interesting pieces, I would recommend skipping…read morethis place. The back clothing section is overpriced and not very well curated... quality is not cohesive throughout, with some very cheap feeling items being priced high just like more expensive feeling items. I've stopped in relatively often over the years as I am in the area but have never once found anything to purchase.

The White Rabbit is such a fun find! Emily is the owner and she's there every time I've gone to…read morethis charming store! The store has so many cool and interesting little things, like beaded keychains, hair accessories, candles, jewelry, greeting cards and decor. Some of it is vintage and some is locally hand made. The back of the store is the thrift clothing section. Everything looks to be in excellent shape. There's also records, shoes and purses. I saw a Dior coat, and some items by Burberry and by Alexander McQueen. They are selective about their selection of items they accept. There isn't any of that awful stuffy smell. It feels and looks like everything is brand new. It's easy to look and touch things without the fear of everything falling. This store isn't stuffed at all. I can't wait to return and see what else they have.

I adore Ten Thousand Villages. Every time I go, I end up buying a few items to gift people. They…read morecarry Judaica (menorahs, mezuzahs, etc),, cards, candles, jewelry, photo frames, desk organizers, baskets (oh, the baskets!), bowls, rugs, coasters, wall art, mirrors, and more. The coffee samples are a nice touch. If you give your phone number, you'll get texts with discounts of 25-30% (I mute them and when I go to the store, I open the text thread). It's ideal for quirky, cute finds!

Such a cute, unique little shop in WeHa. My friend and I stopped in to have a look around and I…read morefound the cutest Christmas ornaments on clearance. I've also been thinking about the custom jewelry that's sold here that is made out of shrapnel and a copper bicycle shaped pizza cutter. Very unique gifts for people from all over the world, definitely worth a look see!

Good Cause Gifts, is a beautiful gift shop in West Hartford Center. They are non profit and support…read morethe disabled citizens within the community. There are so many beautiful and unique items in this store. They sell home decor items, dog items, toys and clothing for babies, women's clothing and jewelry, and seasonal items. There's a nice selection of West Hartford themed items, if you're visiting here, or if you'd like to get someone a gift from West Hartford, this is the place. I personally loved the variety of candles and each one is labeled with a specific West Hartford location. They way the store is decorated is so attention detailed and lovely. The employees are pleasant, always ready to answer questions and chat. They also offer gift wrapping on anything you purchase. I love stopping by this store. While the items are a bit more costly, they are supporting a wonderful cause, and they are not easy to come across in other places. I'd say treat your self or someone you know to a little gift from Good Cause Gifts, you'll be doing a good cause.

This is absolutely the cutest locally owned business I have seen in a while. The staff is so…read morefriendly and helpful! As soon as I entered they told me all about the business. They help adults with all kinds of disabilities and they are not for profit. There's an assortment of clothes baby items HomeGoods and so many very cute things. This is going to be my newest go to gift shop. While there I bought the cutest little jacket I can't wait for fall to wear it!

I love this store! Nancy, the owner, is lovely, and the products are unique and pretty. Yeah…read morethey're a little pricey, but it's worth it and you get what you pay for. They sell all sorts of jewelry and other knick-knacks that make great gifts. Great to explore and indulge in a beautiful piece!

Very cute store with quality pieces. A little pricey for me personally but if you have the budget…read morefor it, these pieces are worth it. I happened upon this place via a sign they had on the sidewalk of Main Street down which lead me down an alley and to my left there it was.

My wife and I are driving around Connecticut (we grew up here, but many many years ago) and are…read morehitting up some local book shops while in the area. We were making our way through West Hartford when we stumbled across the River Bend Bookshop and just had to check it out. This shop is super cool looking because it's basically just inside of a small apartment. The shop itself has a cozy New England vibe and has a small to large section of pretty much every genre. Sadly, the horror section seems to be one of the smaller sections but hey, I don't live here, so clearly they know what their customers are looking for. Near the cash registers they have a nice selection of merch for the shop (sadly, no River Bend Bookshop Magnet) and a cool section dedicated to local authors and stuff like that. Overall, River Bend Bookshop is a super nice little book shop for the area and definitely a place worth checking out. Sadly, I didn't make a purchase on this trip because I can only fly back to LA with so much stuff, but I very much enjoyed checking this place out.

This is one of those places I wish I had growing up in CT. I make it a point to try and stop in…read morewhenever I'm back. This place just has that cozy, local charm that you won't find at other bookstores. The selection is great, the prices are fair, and their selection of bookmarks is pretty amazing. Could'a left with ten, but I need to cut back.

Right next to The Hartford Baking Company, I came across the CUTEST store. Vivid Hue Home is likely…read morethe most appropriately named little boutique. What caught my eye first was the beautiful assortment of colorful summer dresses. These dresses as well as the layout and the design of the store are very reminiscent of Lilly Pulitzer. In addition to the dresses, they have some home decor items, accessories, and some beautiful wine glasses. Everything is super colorful. There's also a section of men's items and items for baby. I'm so glad I discovered this super cute and super colorful boutique. I will be back.

Your attitude, your prices, your inventory could all need improvement. This is a high priced…read morebusiness that does not merit customers, unless you are into that type of thing.

The new store????? LOVE. The expanded space is so perfect and filled with amazing finds…read more The home and cookbook sections have seen me plenty already. I found a Jamaican plant based cookbook that I have to grab next time I'm in. I purchased the heirloom tomato candle because I just could not stop thinking about it. I love how everything in here is so unique. I always recommend stopping in when people ask me where to stop in Hartford. Rory can always get my money haha!

This is such a neat spot on Pratt Street. For me, it's a perfect spot for buying a gift for the…read morecool person in your life. I popped in yesterday and bought some hilarious Birthday and Mother's Day cards as well as a trivia/card game. They have socks, kitchy kitchen stuff, lots of CT and Hartford themed t-shirts and much more. The layout is easy to navigate and the guy who was working on 4/8 was jamming out some sweet Prince tunes and he joked that he appreciated that me and my coworkers were singing along to it. Definitely check it out.

Outstanding variety of gifts such as wreaths, candles, mugs, dishes, soaps, lotions - colorful and…read morewhimsical. Always outstanding customer service with Margie and her mom. Such a treat to go in and browse to find that special something for your home, body or a friend. Always decorated nicely for the seasons. A super great store to shop in. Thank you. And now ice cream coming, I can't wait. :)

Great selection, I ended up buying candy cigarettes from my youth the chalky ones and gum cigar the…read morenostalgia. service was great and loved the homie feel of the shop.

Adorable little kids store! Great service! My kids are older now but I just wanted to visit and see…read morewhat they offer. We ended up getting some temporary tattoos and the value was very good for the quality. Highly recommended for families with young kids. High quality selection of kids toys and books!

If you ever want to find super unique toys, games, and gifts for anyone (including yourself),…read moreBirdie's is it. I'm a big game dude who's been to toy & game conventions and I truly appreciate both the selection of cool things here and also the warm cozy vibes you get as soon as you walk in. The thing I like most about Birdie's is that the toys here are things you're not gonna find at Target, Walmart, or Amazon. You're getting to see really cool gems that have been sourced and curated and hand-chosen from a variety of less-known, special out-of-the-box places. The store is cozy, it's personal, and every corner has something that feels like you're finding a little secret thing you would never have known about otherwise!!