Capitol Hill is a must for holiday shoppers 
keeping it local this season. With the neighborhood booming it’s a better time than ever to venture into, around, and through Pike and Pine. But a plan is in order.

Begin at Cone & Steiner (532 19th Ave. E., 582-1928), just east of the bustling corridor. A neighborhood market that offers groceries and gifts, you can cross items off both lists. Cone & Steiner carries local produce and meat as well as farm-fresh eggs and dairy products, plus prepared food including baked goods and grab-’n’-go meals. Apart from greeting cards and a limited art selection, most gifts are limited to cookware and diningware, though the selection in these categories is anything but limited.

If you’ve come to the market not for groceries or gifts but for a pick-me-up prior to heading west, prepare to pick your poison: craft beer or old-fashioned sweets. C&S houses a rotating tap and a self-serve candy bar. No matter your purpose, be warned: You may spend more time browsing than you’d budgeted. If ever there was a market you’d like to window-shop at, it’s Cone & Steiner.

On familiar Pine Street, pop into Sugarpill (900 E. Pine St., 322-7455). The apothecary atmosphere is a cure for most anything. The exposed brick and distressed dark wood are warm and inviting, and the aroma of the botanical brews draws you in all the more. At Sugarpill you can just as easily plan for your next cocktail party or for your next cold—the store’s tonic and syrup selection is solid. While either product can be gifted, available too are more customary presents such as body and skin-care products, fragrances, candles, and an assortment of accessories.

Outside Sugarpill, chances are you won’t last long. A half-block takes you to the unlikely anchor of the Capitol Hill retail revival, Elliott Bay Book Co.

(1521 10th Ave., 624-6600). Read the staff recommendations. Trust them. Then cross the street to Everyday Music (1520 10th Ave., 568-3321), home to a huge selection of new and used vinyl (and, yes, it’s OK to give used music as a gift, as long as it’s good).

With your media needs checked off your list, head to Arabica Lounge (1550 E. Olive Way). Order a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, claim a couch, and, well, lounge a while; the cafe is meant for precisely that. Then pop over to the eclectic and excellent Ghost Gallery (504 E. Denny Way) for art and jewelry made by local hands.

Finally, head to the shops on Melrose Avenue, where you are sure to find the perfect gift. Try Glasswing (1525 Melrose Ave., 641-7646). Carrying men’s and women’s wear and decor perfect for just about any space, the giving potential is limitless. Not limitless is your budget, but while prices here are rather steep, the timeless products are quality. E