State Street has always been changing, but maybe never more so than in the last five years. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Cap Times features reporter Ashley Rodriguez and City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling about how COVID-19, some big-ticket developments, and the rise of national chains have altered the character of Madison’s iconic thoroughfare.
Despite Target and other big chains, State Street is still dominated by locally-owned businesses, and remains a great place to shop for holiday gifts. (Nearly 80% of businesses in Madison’s Central Business Improvement District are locally owned!) Here are a few of our favorite State Street places to shop, ranging from some newbies to some stores that have been there for a half-century or more.
Men’s clothes: Jazzman (307 State Street)
Jazzman just celebrated 50 years of making Madison males look a little sharper, from high-end sport coats to selvedge jeans. Next door is Jazzman’s sister store, Duet, offering similarly fashionable styles for women.
Vinyl: B-Side Records (514 State Street)
It does an old vinylphile’s heart good to see this 43-year-old music store full of a new generation of college students perusing through new and used vinyl of every genre. The staff’s end-of-year best-of lists are always essential shopping guides.
T-shirts: Raygun (670 State Street)
This Midwestern chain, new to State Street, offers stylish and snarky T-shirts. They have a lot of clever shirts with Madison themes, including one that depicts the storefront of Paul’s Bookstore, which spent decades at the same location. (Editor’s note: Raygun has been an advertiser of the Madison Minutes newsletter.)
Beauty and grooming supplies: The Soap Opera (319 State Street)
This longtime favorite is like a spa day in a store, offering bath and beauty supplies including soaps, moisturizers, essential oils, and more. Warning: If you take your young children into The Soap Opera, you’ll have to buy them something from the store’s extensive collection of rubber duckies.
Stationery: Anthology (230 State Street)
This store is jam-packed with greeting cards, stickers, notepads, pens, and more, supporting local and regional artists. Can’t decide what to get? The store will curate a “Good Things/Small Packages” grab bag for you at several different price points.
Board games: Gamer’s Library (449 State Street)
Tabletop gaming has never been hotter, and this store will have you covered, whether you’re getting a family game to play after dinner or a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards for the player in your life. The store also hosts regular gaming tournaments for players to match decks.
Jewelry: Goodman Jewelers (220 State Street)
Since 1933, this family-owned jewelry store has been at the same location on State Street, the perfect place to find those elegant earrings or statement bracelet for the person on your list.
Misc. Gifts: Madison Mod Market (310 State Street) and Little Luxuries (230 State Street)
For gifts that don’t fit neatly into one category or another, these two stores are just the ticket. Plus, they’re just fun to look around in. Madison Mod Market focuses on design-focused gifts (think glassware, candles, and cards) while Little Luxuries has fun gifts for all ages, including puzzles, soft toys, and holiday ornaments.
