For a perfect small town experience during the holidays, visit West Chester. You’ll find merry and magical things to see and do, all designed to get you in the spirit. Trees are twinkling, storefronts are sparkling, greens are festooning lampposts. Come visit and enjoy the shops, galleries and restaurants in this historic borough.

  You can support local businesses, complete your seasonal shopping with minimal carbon impact, and find unique gifts for everyone on your list (and a little something for yourself). Try a West Chester holiday shopping walk-about this year.

  If you’re looking for something sparkly this season, downtown West Chester is the place to shop for that perfect piece of jewelry at one of about a dozen jewelers and accessories stores. New on the scene is BIG Diamond Importers & Fine Jewelry (15 W. Gay St., 610-692-7707) offering a large selection of diamonds and jewelry at wholesale prices. You’ll also find custom jewelry service from the first consultation to the finished product, including full service repair, cleaning and engraving.

  To look your healthiest and best for the holidays, check out Exposed Organics (128 E. Gay St., 610-692-2363; ExposedOrganics.com), providing hair and skin care products for your family, locally made, with natural and organic ingredients. Their products offer the endless possibilities drawn from Mother Nature.

  If your goal is to insure that the men in your life look their best, you can't do better than Main Line Custom Clothiers (6 E. Gay St., 484-905-7098). For formal wear, tailoring, custom shirts and quality business suits, it's the place where men will receive personal service for suits for every professional or social occasion. Wedding day prep is a specialty at the shop. Start online to find gift certificates and easy measuring instructions.

  For a different kind of love, you just may find it at Fast Frame (27 W. Gay St., 484-947-5154), a frame shop featuring quality craftsmanship and fast turnaround backed up by their design and craftsmanship guarantee. If you don't love your finished framed artwork, they’ll re-craft or redesign your piece, in the same price range, within 30 days of the sale — at no additional charge!

  Watch the tails wag when you bring your best friend down to Wag Your Tail (22 W. Chestnut St., 610-436-9247), a boutique for you and your pet. Products for cats and dogs are produced from recycled items and the pet foods are all made in the U.S. from natural or organic ingredients. Well-behaved dogs are always welcomed at Wag Your Tail.

  Affordable and fashionable are the key words at Artifact Boutique for Less (200 W. Gay St., 610-431-7111; ShopArtifact.com), where women of all ages can find stylish skirts, tops, bathing suits and complete outfits — usually for under $75. Aside from an amazing selection of clothing, Artifact also boasts a variety of gift items and accessories including jewelry, shoes and belts.

  If you're looking for something out of the ordinary and with a Spanish flair, try Novadades Nueva Generacion (150 E. Gay St., 484-995-9291). You’ll find formal and fun apparel, boots, Latino DVDs and party items.

  We're all looking to stretch our shopping dollars this year, particularly when it comes to shopping for the home. Get twice the value at the new Twice Is Nice Shoppe (126 E. Gay St., 484-887-0011; TwiceIsNiceShoppe. com), a consignment furniture shop offering quality used furniture and home decor. Besides offering gently used furniture, they have candles from their own line, plus handmade cards and works from local artists.

  For fun and funky shopping try Revue Boutique & Gallery (138 E. Gay St., 484-356-7163; RevueBoutiqueGallery. com), an eclectic shop offering edgy clothes, fine handmade jewelry, consignment clothing and housewares. For one-of-a-kind apparel, there's the Alternative Apparel line for tights and comfy soft yoga pants. Or for fun hats, check out snappy fedoras and English driving caps, and owner Catherine's own knit goods. Prices from $2 to $200.

New Restaurants

   Thai cuisine has finally come to downtown West Chester in a big way with the arrival of Nooddi-Thai Chef (10 W. Market St., 610-430-3300), Jazmine Thai (344 W. Gay St., 610-696-3332) and Spice Indian Thai Bistro (113 W. Market St., 610-431-0113). With such a selection you’ll have to try them all to compare and contrast. There are authentic noodle dishes and choices of Thai or Indian, plus influences from China to Malaysia, Vietnam to Japan. On the extensive menus, you’ll find prices reasonable and quality high.

  If you're looking for something other than what the Colonel is offering, check out Mo’s Rhythm Kitchen (156 W. Gay St., 610-429-1700), where the wings are plump, moist and crispy and the ribs tender. The variety of sauces include some hot ones that can give a nice kick, but not overdone. Macaroni & cheese and baked beans are both homemade and are great with the catfish sandwich. Primarily take-out, some sidewalk seating and open very late on weekends.

  The Olive Branch (142 W. Gay St., 610-431-7141) is an intimate, owner-operated restaurant open at 7 a.m. on weekdays (8 on weekends) to serve all three meals everyday. Breakfast gets you going with strong coffee, waffles, pancakes and egg specials, followed by a lunch menu of salads and sandwiches. In the evening, choose entree-size or tapas-size plates, which give you a chance to sample, like grazing through appetizers. The scallops and the lobster mac & cheese are fast becoming favorites, as is the cheesecake dessert. BYOB, corkage fee.

  Ribs are smoked for 12 hours, then slow-cooked in BBQ sauce for ultimate tenderness and flavor at Pig Out BBQ Pit (134 E. Gay St., 484-887-8107; PigOutWestChester.com). As at its Glen Mills store, there are original BBQ sauces — from mild to hot — that flavor slow-cooked meats. Try their signature item, Carolina Pork Sandwich, slow-cooked in a spicy vinegar-pepper sauce and served with coleslaw, or the wings and sandwiches at this take-out restaurant. Open seven days a week; offering party trays, free delivery depending on some orders.

  Seeking to be the first “gastro pub” in West Chester, Rams Head Bar & Grill (40 E. Market St., 484-631-0241; RamsHeadBarAndGrill.com) has taken the place of Baxter's, which has moved downstairs. As a gastro pub, Rams Heads combines a bar atmosphere with fine dining and quality food, while maintaining affordable prices.

  The Giunta tradition of culinary excellence continues with the opening of Nonna’s (116 E. Gay St., 610-430-0203; NonnasWC.com). At the location of the former Trattoria Enoteca Alberto, Nonna's promises to be a treat for all Italian food lovers. -CL-