Shopping in Salem

Upon their 40-acre parcel in South Salem, the Kreitzberg family sets aside 10 acres of land for other families–and their dogs–to come and explore more than 15,000 potential Christmas trees, including douglas firs, grand firs, and noble firs. A pond, a barn, and abundant wildlife swirl together to form a picturesque backdrop, and nearby, the Kreitzbergs manage warm bonfires and pass out complimentary hot apple cider and coffee.

For almost 10 years, the team at Fall Line Skate Bike Sno has stocked and painstakingly repaired bicycles, skateboards, and snowboards inside their shop. They also handpick all the gear that appears on their store shelves, which includes brands such as Free Agent, O’Neal, and Element. Stop in and you can find hoodies, replacement parts such as wheels and tires, and safety gear such as helmets, kneepads, and wipeout repellent.

Each member of Fall Line Skate Bike Sno’s staff is a passionate skater, boarder, or cyclist; they even tapped into their expertise to build a BMX track and skate park at the Oregon State Fair.

Overflowing with Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, and more than 150 varieties of freshwater pearls, Planet Bead's extensive bead collection furnishes DIYers and beading students with the tools create custom jewelry. The beads are available á la carte, along with a selection of beading kits and instruction books. Meanwhile, in a classroom stocked with comfy chairs and custom-built crafting tables, resident bead experts guide students through complex patterns during one-day workshops. Each class focuses on a single project, such as making an anklet from Czech seed beads or guessing the number of beads Hulk Hogan could thread into his mustache.

A small group of artists walks past racks of tassels, fringes, and beads, dragging fingers gently across the myriad textures of more than 2,000 bolts of fabric. The Instock Fabrics show room wraps and rolls a rainbow of textiles and accessories that beg to be converted into slipcovers, drapes, or a friend for a lonely kite that keeps trashing the house. Tags from popular brands, such as Covington, Waverly, and Braemore, dapple the aisles, and a gallery for custom orders parades more than 20,000 additional fabrics, distinct trims, and pieces of hardware. After perusing swatches for a bedspread or a pillowcase, patrons can suss out the tablecloth situation or utilize a set of precut curtains as a vine-style swing to perfect their Tarzan bellow.

Slab Handcrafted Soap Company's dedicated soapsmiths blend and cut soaps by hand. With extreme care and consciousness of the suds-making process, these artisans forge blocks from a blend of palm, coconut, and olive oils, and exotic butters—ingredients that cohere into smooth, rich bars. These slabs not only clean skin, but also moisturize it—unlike commercial soaps, which are made with a milling process that extracts the natural moisturizing glycerin, they contain a high glycerin content. The all-natural soaps can last one person 4–5 weeks through regular use and only slight nibblings.