Looking for a gift or clothes while working/visiting downtown Tucson?

Someone asked me if there was anywhere to shop downtown and upon reflection, here’s a list of 20 plus businesses, based on some research from the Downtown Tucson Partnership website and my own personal knowledge (click on the blue links for further info):

Desert Bloom 27 N. Stone Ave., 792-9882. Monday-Friday 9:30 am–5:30pm, Saturday Noon–5pm. Fine jewelry, unique gifts, distinctive home and garden accessories.

Flanagan’s Celtic Corner 222 E. Congress St., 623-9922. Wednesday-Friday 11am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm. Celtic jewelry, pottery, t-shirts, Guinness items, more.

Friends of the Library Bookstore at the Joel D. Valdez Main library, 101 N. Stone Ave., 594-5500. Monday to Friday 11 to 2 p.m. Low cost books,CDs, DVDs.

Hotel Arizona gift shop, 181 W. Broadway, 624-8711. Greeting cards, Southwest gifts, more.

Hydra Leather and More 145 E. Congress St, 791-3711. Monday-Saturday 11am–7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm. An eclectic mix of fashions, lingerie, shoes, and accessories for men and women.

Indian Village Trading Post 110 S. Church Ave. #4199 (La Pilita Village), 623-1162. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 10 am-3 pm. Jewelry, clothes and shirts native to Tucson.

June’s Corner Store 10 E. Broadway, Suite 108, 622-8100. Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm. A large selection of greeting cards and gifts.

Mahlia Collection 410 N. Toole Ave. Suite 1, 791-2185, Monday to Friday 9 to 5 p.m. Jewelry, furniture, couture, accessories.

Maynard’s Market 400 N. Toole St., 545-0577, Sunday through Thursday: 7am – 8pm,
Friday and Saturday: 7am – 10pm. Gourmet foods, specialty gift items (candles, tshirts, Vy & Elle bags, greeting cards), more.

Old Town Artisans Shops 201 N. Court Ave., 623-6024. September–May: Monday–Saturday 9:30am–5:30pm, Sunday 11am–5pm, June–August: Monday–Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 11am–4pm. Located in the El Presidio Historic District is the little city block of Old Town Artisans. Five shops: Dawn Stewart (jewerly/fine art), La Zia (native arts & crafts), Old Town Pot Shop (pottery, artwork, & more), The Outpost (fine art & handicrafts),Tolteca Tlacuilo (world imports).

Perri Jewelers 13 N. Stone Ave., 624-4311. Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Diamonds, watches, jewelry, guaranteed jewelry and watch repair.

Re-Threads 66 E. Pennington St., 884-5553. Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 10am-2pm. Recycled fashions.

Rockin’ Queen, Inc 45 S. 6th Ave, 461-1076. Monday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm. Women’s high-quality clothing (100% bamboo, cotton & silk).

6th Ave. Stylez 41 S. 6th Ave., 409-7928, Monday to Friday, 11 am to 7 pm. Men’s and women’s casual clothing.

Studio 220/Got All Your Marbles 220 E. Congress, 628-1433. Thursday-Saturday 10:30am-2:30pm. Featuring our own interchangeable marble jewelry, as well as other fun, creative jewelry and art.

Tiendita Gift Shop at La Pilita Museum, 440 S. Main St., 882-7454. Tuesday to Saturday, 11 to 2 p.m. T-shirts, greeting cards, ceramic crafts by local artists, more.

drawing of La Pilita Museum by Nancy Lenches, 2004

Tucson Children’s Museum (Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Gift Shop) 200 S. 6th Ave., 792-9985. Tuesday to Friday 9 to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm. Plush novelties, coloring books, toys for children.

The Museum Shop at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block 140 N. Main, 624-2333. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday noon-5pm. A splendid selection of works by Arizona’s most talented artists and craftspeople. One-of-a-kind handcrafted glass, pottery, textiles, jewelry, and multimedia artworks available in this lobby-level shop.

We keep waiting for Downtown redevelopment to occur, for Downtown Tucson to have another “hey day” for more shopping and gifts. But check out what’s there now, and let me know if I missed any favorite shops which you frequent.

A full page ad in the Arizona Daily Star on Monday, Jan. 18, page A 21 mimics a “WANTED” poster. The advertisement, paid for by Take Back Tucson is soliciting “500 unpaid volunteers” to “take back Tucson”. The ad does not mention any recall names of politicians.

The event will be held at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Reid Park (S. Country Club and E. 22nd St.), ramada #28, with registration & packet pick up starting from 8 to 9 a.m., then neighborhood walks to collect the needed signatures, then a free barbeque from 12 to 2 p.m.

The ad also touts that this effort is truly bi-partisan and inclusive (“Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives, Independents and Libertarians, Rich and Poor, Young and Old, Drops outs and Drop ins”).

The website does list the 3 politicians that the group has targeted. Facing recall are Republican Mayor Bob Walkup (in office since 1999), Ward 3 Councilmember Democrat Karin Uhlich (in office since 2005), and Ward 1 Councilmember Democrat Regina Romero (in office since 2007). The Mayor is serving his 3rd term, Uhlich was just re-elected in November, 2009 to a second four-year term, and Romero is half way through her first four year term. For info (and photos) on the current Mayor and Council click here.

The ad expresses dissatisfaction with $70-90 million spent on Rio Nuevo, $14 million over budget for the 4th Avenue Underpass, selective free rent for “chosen” business friends and an anti-business attitude, loss of Spring Training, millions spent on pet projects, and the $32 million deficit facing the City. Whew, no wonder there is such general unhappiness with City politicians.

Website for further info: www.TakeBackTucson.com, no phone # is listed. The website homepage and goals end with this statement “We believe that Tucson deserves better”. If this bi-partisan recall effort is successful, this Take Back Tucson group (led by businessman Humberto Lopez) needs to propose viable candidates to replace the Mayor and these 2 Councilmembers, as no names have surfaced so far.

I happened to heard Mr. Lopez on Friday, January 15 on Raj Koli’s real estate radio talk show on 1330 AM KJLL, speak about his frustrations with the City and passion in instigating this recall. Mr. Lopez (HSL Properties) owns a number of properties in town, most notably the Hotel Arizona downtown at 181 W. Broadway Blvd.

Stay tuned to see if this recall effort can gather enough valid signatures to force a recall and a special election. These Take Back Tucson organizers must get between 14,000 and 18,000 valid signatures, depending on the recall target.