Shop Local

{slider=CHOCOLATES & CANDLELIGHT}

Nestled in Timberlea – right behind Mac’s – Chocolates & Candlelight is your go-to for not only (you guessed it) chocolates, but exclusive jewellery as well. Melanie Ference owns the beautiful shop that is inviting in all that it offers.  The Kameleon is an exclusive jewellery line carried by the shop, with hundreds of options to complement rings and pendants, with interchangeable pops, or stones.

And speaking of stones, Kameleon boats semi-precious ones, like Swarovski Crystal – affordable and elegant.  There’s an online catalogue also.

Next is gourmet baskets – these are “for the lady who has everything,” says Ference. Ranging from candles to bath items, Chocolates & Candlelight can custom-build whatever it is that you need, and they ship  cross-country.

“We have many exclusive lines when it comes to chocolates and gourmet items. These are Canadian and European companies, and items not available at big box stores,” continues Ference.

Christmas and home décor is another speciality of the shop, which has been operating for over a decade now.

“We have Snow Babies, which are collectible figures popular in the 1980s and are now back, along with the traditional Santa and snowmen figurines,” she says.

For home décor you can find gorgeous lamps, unique pictures and art pieces.  Ference says men should shop at Chocolates & Candlelight because they make it easy for them and fast as well.

“We are efficient and have excellent customer service,” she said.

The company won the 2012 Silver Spoon Award for Best Booth Presentation at this year’s A Taste of Fort McMurray event, and 2011’s Outstanding Customer Service – Business – Gold Star Award.

Chocolates & Candlelight: 22 Millenium Drive #4  Fort McMurray, AB T9K 2S8 • (780) 743-3878

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{slider=CAMPBELL’S MUSIC}

For the musically inclined significant other in your life, look no further than Campbell’s Music.  Located in the heart of downtown, the business is celebrating their 36th anniversary this year.

“We have a wide variety of guitars and pianos, which are our popular holiday items,” shares Mychela Burt, senior sales associate at Campbell’s.

Brand names like Yamaha, Taylor, Cort, Fender, and Gibson line the store, and everything from acoustic to electric guitars is available to fit anyone’s budget.

The store also carries band instruments like trumpets and trombones. Most women like flutes for gifts, shares Burt.

And why should you pick Campbell’s to shop? Burt says as much as diamonds are a girl’s best friend, they only last so long.

“You have only so many fingers for jewellery. A guitar lasts a lifetime,” says Burt, who plays the guitar and joined the company 11 months ago.

Campbell’s Music: 10011 Franklin Avenue #101  Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K7 • (780) 743-8614 

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{slider=OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS}

Located on the southern entrance of Thickwood right across from Sobeys, Outdoor Essentials has been in town for 10 years.  It is the place for the outdoors aficionado on your list.

From winter jackets to heated boots, you name it and they’ve got it. Pam Bowie is the general manager.  Her father-in-law owns the place.

“Winter jackets are our top sellers during the holidays.  North Face is the most popular. It’s a recognized name and comes with a life-time warranty and different colours,” explains Bowie.

Lowly and Fig clothing are also popular. They are made in Canadian women’s casual clothing and travel clothing respectively.

Columbia’s heated boots are ideal for Wood Buffalo winters, -40C temperatures, and also make for good gifts. Laundromat sweaters are novelty items from Nepal – they are hand-made and also available at Outdoor Essentials.

Outdoor Essentials: 213 Timberline Drive  Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1S2 • (780) 743-5121

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{slider=CARIBOU FLOWERS}

Yes, no shopping list is complete without flowers.  Caribou Flowers, located on the River City Centre’s main floor, has been calling Wood Buffalo home for 35 years.

“I think we are one of the oldest businesses in town,” shares owner Sharon Young.

She says Christmas arrangements and centre pieces for tables are in demand during the holidays.

Contrary to popular belief, the flower shop doesn’t sell many Poinsettias during the holidays, because “grocery stores carry them,” explains Young.

She says men often know what they need when they come to Caribou Flowers.

“They have instructions from their wives,” chuckles Young.

Bath products, candles, and metal and ceramic decorative containers are some of the other items the shop carries. Young says people should come to Caribou Flowers because “all their floral needs are met; we have service, quality and guarantee.”

Caribou Flowers: River City Centre, Suite 508-8600 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G8 • (780) 743-2004

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