By: Kerry Garrett
Staff-Writer
Looking for a place to shop this holiday season and want to help support small businesses? Instead of buying into the ultra-consumerist frenzies of shopping malls in December (or simply just don’t want to bother with over-priced gifts), there are plenty of local businesses in South Bend to consider looking into.
Erasmus Books
Erasmus Books is located at 1027 E. Wayne St., and it may be hard to locate at first. At first glance, it’s just another house on a regular neighborhood block. Look closer for a red roof and a sign hanging off of the shingles, reading a brief, yet succinct, “BOOKS”.
Erasmus Books has two floors, and it is quite literally full to the brim with used books. You can find books on history, philosophy, theology, politics, fiction, children’s literature and many other genres. The books are low in price, but always in good condition. Erasmus is a hidden gem for readers, autodidacts or anyone who just wants to play with the old dog who wanders around between rooms.
Miami Village Consignment Shoppe
Miami Village Consignment Shoppe is located at 2123 Miami St. It is full of very fashionable, well-kept vintage clothing at very affordable prices. The front of the shop is mainly dedicated to formal and business wear (almost all of which are under $20), jewelry, racks of shoes to scour through and jackets. In the adjacent room, there is bridal wear, scarves, evening gowns and socks. At the back of the store, for anyone feeling a little decadent, is a wide assortment of leather and fur coats. In the basement is surplus, where you can fill an entire paper grocery bag of clothing for all of $8. The people are very friendly and sociable, and they probably will convince you to take something home.
Griffin Books
Griffin Books is located at 121 W. Colfax Avenue, and it is more than just a bookstore. The first floor is primarily board games, movies, card games, DnD figurines and toys. Downstairs, in the basement, is where the books are kept – along with records, cassettes and VHS tapes. It has an abundant science fiction, theology and history section, and it also sells books printed in French, Russian, Spanish and a few other interspersed languages.
