Davis Squared, aka D Squared, opened in – no surprise – Somerville’s Davis Square in 2007. Owners Paul and Melisa Christie had been working in Davis for years, Melisa at the gift shop Pluto, which closed in 2005, and Paul behind the bar at the (much missed) Gargoyles restaurant, which closed in 2011. Their shop has become an equally well-loved part of the square, one of those “third places” where customers stop in to chat, bring friends, buy a card or find a gift for pretty much anyone.

The first thing you see when you walk in is a wall of brightly colored birthday cards.

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There are more cards by the register and elsewhere, and even in these days of texting and email, Paul tells me cards are the backbone of the business. The Christies also sell wrapping paper, a bit of stationery and individual stickers from inspirational “You Don’t Have to Get Everything Done Today” to ones featuring typewriters, book covers, Dolly Parton, cute birds – and one that says, “Hello, I am mean because I grew up in New England.”

A big table at the front holds a good selection of cookbooks, some pretty ceramic wares and lots of fun kitchen accessories. I was immediately drawn to funny (and often snarky) Blue Q potholders and towels, and some timers: a meditating yoga cat, a facsimile of an old-school record player and a “Kitchen Disco” version that (of course) flashes lights and plays music at the end of the countdown. Davis Squared also carries bar accessories; shakers, mixers, bottle openers and miscellaneous items including a book of “Old Man Drinks” that contains “Recipes, Advice and Barstool Wisdom.” If you want recipes and info about cocktails in Paris, Tokyo, Italy, Mexico City or even exotic New England, guides are on hand. A variety of tea blends line a shelf, and I saw an “Entering Somerville” bag of coffee beans, a self-proclaimed “Wicked Bold Blend.”

More fun kitchen and food stuff: Pigeon bag clips, pizza magnets, french fry birthday candles, hot dog erasers, pickle slice sticky notes and chili sauce and ramen noodle lamps.

There’s also chocolate. Davis Squared carries local favorite Taza among other brands; while I was chatting with Paul at the register, a woman came in and bought three Hammond Red Velvet bars, saying “I’m so excited you have these back.” It’s always good to have a little chocolate in a store! 

Somerville-related products are a specialty, including T-shirts in assorted designs and colors for men, women and kids, and baby onesies. I’ve purchased several mugs that say “Someone in Somerville Loves Me” for far-flung family members, and there are at least a half-dozen other styles of Somerville mugs and a “Real Housewives of Somerville” coconut soy candle “Infused with Sass, High Drama and Secrets.” Prints (including a very nice one of The Burren), tote bags, coasters, keychains and baseball caps round out the souvenir collection, with a little Boston thrown in – some T gear and “Make Way for Ducklings” items.

Other great baseball caps live elsewhere in the store. I particularly liked the ones made by a husband and wife team in Portland, Maine, with embroidered patches – a squirrel with a hamburger, a pigeon with Dunkin’ coffee and doughnut and one featuring a seal riding a unicorn floaty toy, designs also available as T shirts or bags. Fun! There’s more Blue Q: a full rack of witty socks, chewing gum, sticker sets, tins, skin creams and its wonderful bags of all sizes, made from 95 percent recycled material. Toward the back of the store, there’s a personal care section with a good assortment of soaps, creams and candles and incense for bath time atmosphere. If you prefer fun to peaceful, the store has light-up bath balls, disco light Boogie Bath Ducks as well as a Shower Disco light attachment. There’s also an alcove with things to give kids and babies: socks, bibs, colored pencils, a few books and Jelly Cat plush toys. I saw a star, a sun, acorns, eggs, a croissant, a peanut and lots of different animals; there seems to be nothing Jelly Cat doesn’t make.

I’ll also mention celebrity prayer candles, (Taylor Swift, Bob Marley and more), very nice jewelry, a peace sign lamp, reading glasses, magic butterflies and some sweet clip-on reading lights shaped like a bird, temporary tattoos, sun catchers and some very nice home goods – handcrafted mugs, bowls and even a few wool throws. You can run in and grab a birthday card or two or spend some serious time browsing. There’s a lot to look at in Davis Squared.

Davis Squared, 409 Highland Ave., Davis Square, Somerville