One-Stop Shopping along Pennsylvania's Main Streets

Dreaming of Main Street, all bedecked in holiday decor, shops bustling with merriment and markdowns - just like the ones you used to know?

This season, the lights and good cheer are going up across more than 100 Main Street communities around Pennsylvania, all part of a community-based approach to revitalize downtowns and central business districts across the state. The approach to the Main Street program is four-fold: organize and work toward common goals; find new or better purposes for Main Street enterprises; help sell the image of Main Street; and get Main Street into top physical shape, capitalizing on its assets.

And the assets of many of Pennsylvania's small towns and boroughs of business are its shopping districts. So leave room in the suitcase to stock up on homemade, handcrafted or "had to buy these" souvenirs.

Choose a gift for the home at Accents by the Bay in Erie or a gift for that special someone at Joden World Resources jewerly in Grove City.

It's no myth that in Pittsburgh's Countryside, on Main Street in Butler, is the Unicorn Gift Store, selling gourmet food, fine silver jewelry, decorative arrangements and bath and body products.

In DuBois, the kids will be in heaven in Toy Heaven, but wall-to-wall fun for all ages means you might by staying awhile.

You may get lost in Founder's Crossing, Bedford's tri-level artisan and antique co-op with 145 dealers and a wide range of talents including ceramics, ironware, furniture and antique treasures from the 1890s onward.

Into industrial, primitive or cottage-style decor? Easton's Salvage Goods has a great selection of antiques with an urban attitude.

The Landmark Towns of Bucks County - including Bristol Borough, Morrisville, New Hope and Yardley each offer small-town charm with one-of-a-kind retail experiences. Search for collectibles at Another Time Boutique in Bristol; buy some ibuprogen at Burn's Pharmacy just to gawk at the setting for a scene in M. Night Shyamalan's Signs. Peruse the gorgeous pieces of glass, creating lighting and art at Topeo Gallery in New Hope or choose a gift that will last a lifetime from T. Foster & Co. jewelers in Yardley.