Merrick Retailers Share Gift Ideas

Why go to the mall when there's no shortage of great holiday buys in town? Happily avoiding the crazy traffic and overcrowded mega stores. Patch visited a number of Merrick retailers to get the scoop on their hottest gifts this year. 

Let's Accessorize It and Let's Bag It!, located at 2161 Merrick Road, is a roomy store stocked floor to ceiling with the latest accessories, bags, jewelry, scarves, belts and more.  Actually two stores in one, the handbag part is owned by Lauren Harris and the jewelry side is the domain of owner Lisa Sher.

"We're the store that has everything you don't need but you want," Harris says with a smile.  Let's Accessorize It and Let's Bag It! offers a wide variety of accessories ranging in price from $25 and up.  "Our philosophy is we don't want anyone to walk out of this store without something."  

What's hot this season as far as accessories?  Harris says color is selling really well.  As for  jewelry, initial necklaces, and the stainless steel bangle bracelets with diamonds, priced at $100, are among the best selling items.

On the bag side, people are asking for the "Melie Bianco" handbag that Jennifer Aniston was recently featured toting on the cover of People magazine.  The store has the bag in different colors priced at $90. Also, "Big Buddha" bags priced at under $100 are also in demand.  On the higher end, the store recently had a trunk show showcasing its line of "Gustto" handbags priced at $600 that Harris says were very well received.

Yussel's Place: Judaic Arts and Gifts, located at 59 Merrick Avenue, has been in business for 22 years.  Owner Michael Freiser was more than happy to show us the store's large selection of merchandise for Chanukah.  Freiser proudly explains, "We offer a full gamut of gifts for all occasions for Jewish people and friends."

Whatever your budget Yussel's Place has something for everyone with prices ranging from $5 to $500. Popular this season are hand-dipped menorah candles and menorahs.  On display is a bright and varied selection of children's menorahs with unique themes such, trains, sports, ballet, and others.  Prices start at $25 and up.  

Yussel's Place's dreidel collection is both beautiful and extensive.  Available in a range of different designs from hand painted, ceramic, crystal to silver filigree, copper and pewter, they're priced from $10 - $250. 

Customers will also find a good collection of music CDs, holiday books and games for children and adults.  One of Freiser's favorite fun picks for ages nine to adult is the "No-limit Texas Dreidel" game priced at $22.50.   

Matty's Toy Stop, located at 2138 Merrick Mall, harkens to the old independent toy shops where instead of standing helpless in a warehouse, you're greeted by friendly staff, an easy to navigate layout, plus gift-wrapping is complimentary.  Matty's Toy Stop in Merrick is one of eight stores on Long Island and Thornwood NY, and was actually the second store to open in this now mini-chain.

Matty's Toys Stop is a great "go-to" place for many of the most popular and even hard to find toys. The employees have a good handle of what's in demand and in stock. We asked Justine Galgano, who has worked at the store for six years, which are some of the must have toys this season.  Hands down Galgano says this year's must-haves are "Zhu Zhu Pets," which have been flying out of the store.  She also notes that the "Barbie Glamour Camper" is also a hot ticket item, while for boys, "Transformers," "Bakugan," "Tech Deck" and "Flick Trix" finger boards continue to be popular.