Support local! I've been to Manready Mercantile a couple of times now and it's always a great spot…read moreto find unique handcrafted gifts that feel very true to Texas. They have an extensive section of cocktail accessories, whiskey glasses, spices, barbecue sauces, candles, hand salves, soaps and leather items, in addition to men's clothing and hats, and many, many other things. Two of my close friends had a housewarming party earlier this weekend and they both are big old fashioned drinkers. I ended up picking up some stainless steel dice shaped whiskey stones and a Oaxacan old fashioned cocktail mix to complement their bar cart which they ended up loving. Whether you have a specific type of item in mind or just want to browse, Manready Mercantile has a huge variety of items that you won't find anywhere else. Aside from their unique items, Manready Mercantile really goes above and beyond to help create an experience that connects the customer with their products. They have a custom hat bar with a variety of patches that can be prepared just to your liking and a candle bar where guests are treated to an old fashioned while making their very own candle to take home. While I haven't done it myself, this seems like a great idea to do with a date, some girlfriends, or even your mom or dad. They also do a great job keeping up with their website if you want to order from the comfort of your couch or get a little preview of current inventory before heading into the store. The staff are all very helpful in describing their products and offering recommendations. Also, check out their instagram account. I've been following them for years and the owner Travis will often take followers on a behind the scenes look at how they make some of their products and all the work that goes into creating the brand.

I'm always on the lookout for a fun place to take a date. This definitely fills the bill! Although…read morethe person who normally does the candle bar was out, Bailey stepped up to teach us and did an amazing job! He has a great personality and a very deep knowledge about what scents work together, as well as teaching us about Manready Mercantile, which I had never been to. We started by sniffing each of the 40 or so different fragrance blends they had. We even tried combinations and got great feedback from Bailey about what typically works well and what a lot of people enjoy using. Manready uses 100% soy wax. Gentlemen, definitely take your lady here! You can have a drink and go home with a souvenir that will make her think of you every time she lights it. And ladies, my date said that this would be something she wants to take her girl group to! Please note that taking the class gets you to 15% off of merchandise the day of. This is a great place to pick up a birthday, father's day, graduation, christmas, or "just-because" gift for any man in your life.