To The 2024 Dads and Grads
Spring has officially sprung and the dads are out doing what they do: Snapping photos of the sunsets on Sunset, circling the Green Eggs at Ace Hardware, and fertilizing their lawns. In parallel, grads are calibrating to their next life phase: Could it be that the homework is all done, at least for now?
Dads and grads have a lot to celebrate, and we’re toasting to them!
How can we celebrate them properly, though? These two groups are notoriously difficult to shower with gifts. That’s why you’re here, though! We’ve put together our ultimate 2024 guide to celebrating your dads and grads Downtown Edmonds. So, pop a cold one and keep scrolling because showing your favorite humans how much you care has never been easier in your favorite city by the Salish Sea.
For The Keepers of Keepsakes + Grillmasters
Say hey to your favorite shopkeepers as they guide you to the perfect gift from places like The Paper Feather, The Papery, Crow, Bench & Board, or Ace Hardware. As we mentioned earlier, Ace needs no explanation (it is the place, after all, including for a quick bite if you need one). Oh! And don’t forget to reserve your cakes of all sizes from Cakes by Frosted, located right inside the sliding doors.
Two birds, as it were.
Podium menswear store
For The Homebodies
Dad or grad prefer a solo recharge? Yeah, that’s relatable.
Select something mid-century for them to gaze at our lounge on from Driftwood Modern; a vintage flag, doodad, or whatsit from Camp Vintage; outfit their kitchen at The Wooden Spoon; or get them a soft tee from Little Bipsy or Rogue (or, or! Something vintage or flannel from newly-opened Podium!).
Homebodies love to curl up with a good book. Gift them something to bury their nose in while lazing in a hammock or under a blanket by the fire pit from Edmonds Bookshop. Still trying to decide what to grab? The store team will be happy to help. If you know what you want, you can also order it ahead and pop by for pickup.
For The Art Lovers
The Edmonds Arts Festival is back for Father’s Day weekend (June 14-16, 10am–7pm Friday & Saturday, 10am–5pm Sunday) and offers the opportunity to bond over art while hand-selecting something perfect for your favorite people—together or as a welcome surprise. Nearly 200 artists will showcase their work at Frances Anderson, so the likelihood of finding something meaningful is exceptionally high.
For many, the Edmonds Art Festival is an annual tradition. Treat them to coffee at the newly-opened Stillhouse Coffee and a pastry from Copper Rose on your way. Then, get your grad a piece of art that reminds them of home when they’re away at school or some new lawn art for dad. Use the festival as a jumping-off point to explore all that Downtown Edmonds has to offer, especially if you go on Saturday—market day!
Looking to explore more evergreen art? Take yourself on an art tour down from the Festival to Cole Gallery and Art Studio, Graphite, and Young Asian Art Gallery. Or, invest in continuing education and sign up for an art class!
For The Glass Raisers
For the 21+ crowd, clink glasses at Calypso, Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina, ChurchKey Pub, Daphnes, Kelnero, Dusted Valley Wine Bar, or Vinbero.
Dad or grad pretty tapped into cold beers? Take them to Maize & Barley to check out what’s in the rotation or to Salish Sea Brewing Co. for their pick of fine hand-crafted ales and lagers. You can also pop over to the newly-opened Victor Tavern or Leftcraft for an elevated pub experience.
For sub 21s, choose either Salish location for root beer on tap!
For The Food-Lovers
There is something tried and true about a special occasion dinner out. Take yours to Salt & Iron Charcoal, Demetris, Fire & The Feast, Las Brisas Restaurante, or Kahlo’s Cantina. Don’t forget to cap the night off with froyo loaded with extra toppings (hey, you’re celebrating!) from Revelations Yogurt or one of Molly Moon’s rotating specials and a smiley stroll to the water.
Breakfast more their style? Hit up Claire’s Restaurant, Pancake Haus, or Rusty Pelican Cafe.
And, if you want to get more interactive with it, grab some seats at Table for 12 and the whole crew can learn how to cook what they’re eating.
For The Giftees Still Pulling All-Nighters
Whether they’re night owls or coffee connoisseurs, they’ll love a hosted visit or gift card to Red Twig Bakery Cafe, Walnut Street Coffee, or Waterfront Coffee Company. And, if they need a place to be productive behind a screen while meeting new people (with both cold brew and drip coffee flowing), gift them a membership to Workhorse Coworking.
For The Explorers
Whether your grad is taking a gap year or dad is searching for where he wants to spend his sabbatical, Edmonds is the place to learn all about Europe. Home to Rick Steves’ Europe, your dads and grads can get geared up while planning their trip on any budget. Bonus: They could plan a trip together.
How Are You Celebrating Your Dads and Grads This Year?
We hope we’ve given you a lot to work with to celebrate your dads and grads. See? They weren’t so hard to celebrate, after all.
If you take them out or give them a gift suggested in this list, show us by tagging us in your social media posts (we’re @edmondsdowntown on Instagram and Facebook) or add #loveedmonds to your captions. We’ll share your papa props, sparkle drink pops, heys, and hurrahs to our stories!
By Whitney Popa, photos by Matt Hulbert
