By Susan Shinn

For The Salisbury Post

It’s not Christmas without a trip to the Salisbury Emporium. Among Mickey and Betty Black’s local handmade holiday offerings:

• Hand-painted slate and wooden signs from Linda Hendrickson of Antiquarian Treasures in Albemarle.
• Holiday and seasonal wreaths by Gail Reynolds, a retired educator who took up the hobby several years ago after she took a class at Ben Franklin.
• Lighted glass boxes by Bob Gobble of Salisbury. Gobble also has pen-and-ink sketches and watercolors for the art lover on your list.
• Stenciled signs from Abba’s Girls of Kannapolis.
• Hand carved wooden sculptures from Bob Gordon of Monroe. At the front of the store, Mickey shows off a case full of wooden Santas, each with his own personality.

The Emporium boasts 85 shops in its 15,000 square feet. It’s located at 230 E. Kerr St., and is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

So you’ll forgive Mickey and Betty for not chatting after church.

“Well, one of us doesn’t stop and talk,” Mickey quips.