Goods & Services

Bookworms and collectors throughout the Valley have been known to stow away cash for this annual sale months in advance, and with good reason. For one glorious weekend in February, the Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association fills a warehouse at the Arizona State Fairgrounds with hundreds of thousands of donated books, from museum catalogs and ancient tomes to comics, paperbacks, religious texts, and even volumes in foreign languages. Vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs are also available for perusing. Best of all? A massive chunk of the selection can be had for less than $5, with many of those going for just a buck. Bibliophiles from all over gather in the chilly predawn weather to make sure they get into the sale early enough to get the best selection. Make sure you know how you’re going to bring all those books home, though — you’re likely to fill at least one shopping cart by the time you’re finished.

Vintage or modern? Buy a gift or treat yourself? These are the tough shopping decisions you never have to make at Phoenix Flea, because the answer is always “both/and” instead of “either/or.” With more than 100 artisans, makers, and curators in the mix, this market has something for everyone. And that’s a big deal in the run-up to winter holidays, when racing around town in search of unique goodies just won’t cut it. Phoenix Flea transcends mere shopping, because it feels more like a community gathering, filled with energy and positivity. Food trucks make it easy to refuel, and the downtown setting means you can top it all off with a fun walk when you’re done.

First, Amy Guerrero started teaching macrame classes around town, sharing her love for making things with others. Then, she decided to make a new home for her burgeoning maker career by opening the Sunshine Craft Co in the Melrose neighborhood of midtown Phoenix. That’s where she helps others discover the joy of creating textile artworks using knotting techniques. Now, she’s in full-on entrepreneur mode, offering a robust lineup of classes in her own space. People can pop in during DIY hours to buy kits and make craft items, or take traditional classes in everything from making felted cactuses to creating alcohol-ink collages. It’s a cheerful, cozy space to enjoy a paint-and-sip event with your friends or trade supplies during craft swaps. She’s even helping other crafters up their business savvy with workshops on how to start a handmade business.

There’s a bead for every personality at Bead World Phoenix, where sorting through trays of intriguing beads puts you in touch with parts of yourself you’d long ago forgotten even existed. It’s easy for beginners to navigate, with enough choices for creatives who are experienced with making beaded jewelry or other items. The shop offers classes at every experience level, so beginners can learn how to string beads, while others can learn to realize complex designs. While you’re shopping, you can get tips for making particular beads work together, and the staff is happy to help people find beads that reflect their unique interests. Best of all, Bead World Phoenix is a fun, affordable place to find beads that help you tell your story and embrace your singular identity.

Walk into Tempe Yarn & Fiber and you’re likely to see a diverse cross-section of people seated around a table learning to knit or crochet together, which elevates this retail store to community gathering space. Fiber art long has been a way of documenting and connecting both individual and group histories. You get the feeling at Tempe Yarn that it’s all unfolding before your eyes, and you can be a part of it, whatever your experience level. The store carries a broad selection of yarns and knitting tools, and it never makes people feel intimidated about asking for help with what to choose or which yarns are the best match for a particular project. You might walk in thinking yarn is about as glamorous as a glue stick. But you’ll walk out with a sense of wonder – and your very own knitting needles.

During a day and age that seem to value pretty and polished above all, Phoenix maker Alex Ozers is making jewelry that’s distinguished by its markings. Ozers creates hand-wrought metal jewelry, sometimes embellished with various types of stones. The metals are distressed with various tools to create a raw, organic feel that plays off the fact that nothing in life escapes scars. The scars are beautiful for this maker, whose work conveys the individuality of each person who wears it. Ozers shares his techniques in affordable art classes, empowering others to create and wear jewelry that reflects their own aesthetic sensibilities and life journeys. If given enough time, he’d make makers of us all.

If she only ever wears black clothing, it’s not because Nancy Hill has gone goth later in life. It’s because she spends so much time around ink — and boy, are we glad she does. Her dark frocks hide inky smudges, but Hill is out in the open about every other thing about the joys of letterpress. At Hazel & Violet, her Grand Avenue letterpress print shop, students can take Hill’s letterpress workshop, where they’ll learn to set type and run an antique printing press smeared with an ink of their choice. Hill offers time on letterpress machines large and small, as well as tutelage on the proper use of spacing materials, the right kind of ink to choose, and the proper trays to load it all into. Students print custom stationery, wedding invitations, and event announcements — or just throw caution to the wind and buy some of the gorgeous letterpressed coasters, calendars, and small-run art prints Hill offers for sale. All the joys of Arial Narrow, plus a whole lot more, can be found at Hazel & Violet.

The Latin meaning for the word occult is “hidden.” Keeping true to the meaning of their merchandise, Fantasia Crystals is hidden away in a Phoenix strip mall. You can drive down Seventh Street and never notice it. But spiritual seekers, Wiccans, and appreciators of really weird shit would do well to keep their eyes peeled for the store’s sign: Fantasia something for all of them. It isn’t a large store, but it makes up for its humble size with a dizzying array of items and ideologies for sale. Looking to stock up on chaos magick books and fill the gaps in your Aleister Crowley collection? It’s got you covered. Interested in reading up on Nordic mythology or getting a bag full of crystals for your Stevie Nicks altar? It’s got stones for days. Whether your interests lie in Western Ceremonial Magic, Wicca, or Eastern traditions, there are books and items available to help you in your practice. And if you need a little extra help, Fantasia regularly hosts classes on a variety of topics ranging from divination to the Kabbalah and beyond.

You can only drive past a shop that reads “Zombi Conjure Co.” in a font made of bones so many times before you have to stop and check it out. Opened earlier this year by Oshun priestess Oshun Atilewa, the shop sells supplies for a number of religions and belief systems, including “Root, Conjure, Cuban Santeria, Occult, New Orleans Voodoo, Hoodoo, Haitian Vodou, Palo Mayombe, and Ceremonial High Magic,” according to the website. There’s lots to see in the small space, and if most of it mystifies you, the staff is welcoming and eager to explain what everything is and how to use it. Tarot card readings are available for purchase, and the store holds inexpensive classes on topics like “Sacred Herbs and Spiritual Baths” and “The Art of Conjure: Mal de Ojo — The Evil Eye.”

We can safely say that there is no store in town like Curious Nature. It’s like walking into someone’s weird uncle’s den — and we mean that as a compliment. The small store is packed with strange, macabre, and fascinating items, most of which are nature-themed. Think gorgeous mounted butterflies, a surprisingly wide selection of animal skeletons and bones, and organs in jars. There’s taxidermy on the walls. There’s a basket of vintage death photos by the door. And yes, the store even sells human skulls, although you can expect to drop more than $1,000 to take one home. In addition to the merchandise, Curious Nature offers taxidermy classes and drawing events where you can sketch the store’s macabre offerings.

Airfare to Asia can be pretty expensive, but everything at Cutie’s two Valley locations is dirt cheap — $1.50, to be exact. Most of the products are Daiso brand merchandise, a Japanese company that has thousands of discount stores in Asia. Cutie has a little of everything, from snacks and craft supplies to holiday goods and socks. The Mesa location opened earlier this year and is significantly bigger than the original north Phoenix space. The larger footprint means there are wider aisles and way more to look at. We love to wander the store and fill our basket with low-cost beauty supplies, ramen, and paper goods while listening to the aggressively cheerful Japanese pop music.

Whether you like true crime, forensic science, or — oddly enough — movie posters, Crime Scene’s got something to interest you. The company does a lot of its business online, selling forensic equipment and supplies to entities like the FBI, the ATF, and the FDA, but interested shoppers can visit the strip-mall storefront to check out some very interesting merchandise. There are body bags, evidence-collection kits, crime-scene tape, and much more. And if movie memorabilia is more your thing, a few rooms of the space are dedicated to vintage film posters, some of which can be had at really reasonable prices. Whatever your motivation for checking out the store, it’ll be an unforgettable experience.

Half the fun of container gardening is picking the container, which is one reason Matt Pfeilstucker is one of the best makers around. Instead of boring, uninspiring planters, he makes planters with a fun twist — drawing on everything from zombie lore to skull iconography. His own personality shines through in his work, which helps others create spaces that show off their unique ways of looking at the world. In his world, every planter tells a story. His small-scale pots resonate with alternative culture, and you can find them in several art and retail spaces around town. Our favorites include his zombie baby heads, which we think everybody should fill with a festive plant and place on the dinner table for their most conservative relatives when holiday time comes around. They’re miniature works of art and conversation starters, all rolled into one.

Come on, you really think we would go with something else for this one? At this point, Changing Hands is metro Phoenix’s bookstore. Across its two locations, the Valley institution carries all the books you could ever need, with its buyback program ensuring you’ll be able to get rid of your old books in favor of something new (or gently used) and better. We’re particularly fond of the Phoenix location, which, while not as large as the main Tempe branch, is more centrally located, includes the First Draft Book Bar and plenty of dedicated space for lectures, readings, and other events, and usually has a more refined selection that’s easier to browse.

There is no hellish disdain like the look given by snarky comic shop staff when you ask if the new Power Rangers or My Little Pony annual is in stock. Luckily, at All About, you’ll never get this look. These are the nicest people in the business, able and willing to carry on a conversation about whatever your weird fascination is and tell you exactly where to find more of it. Their stock is immense, so much so that they have a second location four doors down with older, discounted materials for the more adventurous (our personal favorite find is a Batman graphic novel published in the early ’90s done entirely with then-cutting-edge digital art, with the titular hero pitted against a computer-virus Joker). Top that off with unlimited arcade games and an excellent drink selection at Bonus Round right next door, and you have yourself a New York slice of geek heaven.

Calling it “Bookmans” is kind of a misnomer. Walk into the labyrinthine used-media emporium, which also has locations in Tucson and Flagstaff, and you’ll certainly find books — thousands of them, from fiction and nonfiction to comics, manga, even vintage magazines — but you’ll also find a massive cache of DVDs and Blu-rays, CDs and vinyl records, classic video games and consoles, pop culture merch, and much more. As if that weren’t enough, the store also sells musical instruments — guitars, brass horns, woodwinds, drums — along with sheet music, production equipment, and even a couple of oddities (anyone want a hammered dulcimer?), all at economical prices. You could easily lose a day here, along with some hard-earned, well-spent cash, and if you need some more, Bookmans will take a look at any old stuff you’ve got lying around.

Need to snag some new sunglasses, get your watch fixed, and find the perfect gift for your bestie? Scottsdale Fashion Square will save you from having to run around town, with shops that carry everything from basics to luxuries. One shop has henna art, another has objects laden with Swarovski crystals. Scottsdale Fashion Square is home to both Apple and Microsoft stores, and you can get a Hallmark card in the same mall where you buy your Tiffany jewelry. Arizona’s only Wonderspaces arts venue sits just off the food court, as does a local theater called Desert Stages, which means there’s more entertainment than just watching people go up and down the escalator. Start at Nordstrom, where the cafe is more relaxing than the food court. Then end your mall day with a movie at Harkins Theatres, where you can top it all off with a cocktail or gelato.

If you’re sick and tired of racking up data by streaming music on your plan, just cancel your Spotify subscription and head to Stinkweeds in uptown Phoenix. The store, which has been in business for over three decades, has a wide selection of compact discs from buzz-worthy indie artists, groovy soul groups, and local musicians. Listening stations are located throughout the store, so you can try before you buy. Sure, they have vinyl, too, but you can’t play wax in your car. This Valley staple will help put your vehicle’s long-neglected CD player to great use.

Recently opened near Green New American Vegetarian where Scottsdale ends and Tempe begins, Pink Elephant takes a more feminine approach to record collecting. Decorated in a pink-and-black, ’50s-inspired style that recalls an old malt shop, the shop was designed by owner Danielle Frazier to be accommodating to female, LGBTQ, and other customers who may be turned off by the gatekeeping and low-key misogyny found at other record stores. Everyone is welcome at Pink Elephant, and while the shop is still growing its stock — the 3-inch singles hanging from the wall are a notable exception — we’re excited to see where it goes.

Many of the chain bike stores in the Valley want to get you and your bike in and out of the stop as quickly as possible. That type of service can lead to missed problems, which come back to bite you in the saddle when you take your two wheels out on the road. Sooner or later, cyclists find their way to Mike Cox at Curbside Cyclery. He and his wife, Steph, have been fixing and selling bikes at their little Ahwatukee Foothills shop for over a decade now. They want to hear about your latest race or what’s working for you on your rides, plus their store dog, Snickers, will keep you company while you wait. If you’re new to the sport, they’ll make sure you leave with the proper attire and equipment.

When we’re shopping for a new deck for our nephew’s birthday or want to add some sneakers to our closet, Cowtown is our skateboard shop of choice. It has what skateboarders need to hit the road and look good doing it, from boards and board parts to clothes, accessories, and protective gear. But we really love Cowtown because it’s a local business that puts a lot of effort into supporting and enriching the local skate community. It just participated in an event on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation that helped provide boards for kids interested in skating, and the annual Locals Only skateboard contest is a day of fun for participants and spectators alike.

In the Valley’s endless sea of Circle K and 7-Eleven franchises, Brian’s Discount Market is an oasis of snack-food delights. Tucked away in a strip mall in north Phoenix, the shop carries an assortment of sugar-addled goodies — like Slurpees, Cheetos, and Skittles — paired with more “exotic” delights, like off-kilter chips and soft serve. But more than all the sugar in the world, Brian’s real draw is the massive assortment of beer, be it classic American brews, sturdy IPAs, or even a chai ale — plus, like, six pumpkin concoctions. Convenience isn’t always measured in proximity or general customer service; it’s about feeding as many hungers as possible with the least amount of effort. In that sense, a Brian’s deserves to stand on every street corner from Litchfield Park to Queen Creek.

Let’s clear the air. Yes, we realize that Red Star Vapor is a chain, and a sizable one at that (there are 23 locations just in the Valley alone). But it’s a locally owned, locally grown enterprise that got its start here in Phoenix within the last five years and has since spread across four states like an enormous plume being exhaled by a hardcore vapehead. It’s also hard to ignore the sheer convenience of having a Red Star within relatively close proximity, each of which is staffed by knowledgeable and affable employees and stocked with a wide variety of juice and nic salt, most of it economically priced. Red Star also sells CBD now, and has enough mods, coils, tanks, pods, and batteries to keep you happily vaping and away from cigarettes forever. So the next time a nic fit hits, ditch the Juul and make a vape escape to your closest Red Star.

When Old Town Scottsdale comes up in conversation, certain clichés immediately come to mind: overpriced nightclubs, cowboy art galleries, meat markets, drunken party girls vomiting in Ubers at closing time. The first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t a head shop, and yet that’s where Hi-Life Smoke & Vapor Shop chose to hang its shingle. Originally started in 2005 as a glass-blowing shop, it pivoted into a smoke shop a year later. The store has taken that smoke-filled ball and run with it, stocking the building with a dizzying assortment of pipes, cigars, hookahs, electronic cigarettes, scales, and more. CBD and kratom enthusiasts can also get their fill at the shop. With a knowledgeable and friendly staff behind the counter, it’s the perfect place to stop with your buds before going to a bar nearby and paying $16 for a drink with the word “sex” in its title.

If Cersei Lannister and Bran Stark had to choose an apothecary who mixes up herbs for their medicines, they’d find it as tough as we do to pick a best dispensary. Except for a few posers, most do a good job — that is, they provide an adequate product that does the trick. We all have to have our secret go-to shop for special occasions when quality has to count above all. And in greater Phoenix, one seems to rise above the rest like a first-time dabber’s coughed-out smoke cloud: TruMed. These buds have withstood the test of time; we’ve been stopping by here for years and always have been impressed with the quality. Whether ordering up premium flower or tasty medicinal-grade shatter, the homegrown cannabis from TruMed’s Arizona cultivation center rarely disappoints. Other patients in the know agree with us. Placebo effect? Not likely in this walking endocannabinoid repository. The other great thing is the staff. Once out of the small waiting room, the budtender often greets you with a handshake before taking you to the expansive counters. While the waiting room can feel crowded, the showroom never is. Friendly people offering up top-grade marijuana — what more do you want?

With a Leafly rating that borders on perfection and a line of strains that can appeal to nearly every breed of cannabis user, this family-owned cultivator is a dispensary favorite here in the Valley, and for good reason. It might have to do with the fact that it was a key player in the local cannabis scene right from the jump. Sort of a “grassroots” thing, if you’ll excuse the pun. (Which you shouldn’t, in all honesty. It’s a terrible pun and we apologize.) Visitors to the site will notice a rising tally that accurately shows off how many patients, employees, and strains GreenPharms has been able to claim. If you’re looking for a real-time visual aid that shows just how well things are going down at the Pharm, you needn’t look any further. Experience its products firsthand to see what Green can do for you.

This Payson cannabis company has been churning out products that can get you higher than the mountainous terrain it calls home. Its uniquely delicious edibles, specifically the organic vegan gummies, are a true standout in the wide selection of products. The consistent quality of these gummies ensures that the only surprise you’ll get from them will be the initial reaction to just how damn good these things taste. And the high is just … it’s just …. wait, what were we talking about? All jokes aside, your first experience with Untamed’s line of edibles is guaranteed to be unforgettable. And if you think that claim is a little hard to swallow, then pick some up and see for yourself.

When it came time to pick a winner for this category, the choice was clear — Vapen Clear, in fact. Other cartridges sold by competitors sometimes contain such nonessential ingredients as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, polyethylene glycol, or coconut oil. But Vapen doesn’t resort to using any unnecessary filler material. The absence of additives and the presence of thick terpene taste make for a full high with a full flavor that’s glaringly apparent from the very first drag. Lab tests show that these crystal clear cartridges contain up to 99.52 percent total active cannabinoids. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s what we call an “A+” — truly head of the class.

The reliable and easy-to-use line of pens from O.penVAPE don’t disappoint, but it’s the Hero Grown Vaporizer that should receive a medal of honor. This patriotic piece of paraphernalia wins one for Uncle Sam every time you take a big ol’ red, white, and blue drag. You see, the sleek variable voltage battery helps O.penVAPE raise funds for its crusade to help veterans and active military deal with their various traumas, so that these brave men and women don’t fall victim to what has sadly become a new American tradition: opiate addiction. The pen comes in two designs, with one emblazoned with Old Glory herself, and the other rocking the desert camo look. Pick up one today and take a hit. All we ask is that you take your hat off before doing so.

This was a tough call, but we had to give Silver the gold. Its biggest claim to fame so far is taking first place at the High Times Cannabis Cup three years in a row. Granted, those years were 1997, 1998, and 1999, but its high Leafly rating and strong demand here in the Valley prove that its best days are not behind it by a longshot. No offense to Austin Powers or Sugar Ray, but SSH isn’t some late ’90s craze that eventually became lost in the sands of time. This love child of Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze is a real stress-melter, but without that wiped-out lethargic feeling. It’s like the mental equivalent of an end-of-day bath-bomb session, but with a cup of smooth cold brew readily available on the edge of the tub. Wake-and-bakers and nighttime users alike can truly appreciate this one, if they haven’t already.

Planning a camping trip requires more preparation than you might think. Whether you’re preparing for a brief sojourn somewhere 45 minutes outside of town, or gearing up for a three-week expedition through one of Arizona’s multiple national parks and monuments, if you are unprepared to any degree, the consequences could be dire. Arizona Hiking Shack has remained one of the Valley’s best outlets, not only for hiking and camping equipment, but for an expert level of guidance from the knowledgeable staff. Beyond a huge selection of professional gear and essentials for your next camping adventure, Arizona Hiking Shack takes customer service to the next level with guided camping excursions and canyoneering courses that anyone can sign up for. It also has an absolute trove of Arizona-based trailing, camping, and climbing guidebooks that you will not find anywhere else.

For years, Michelle Sasonov has been rocking her own unique fashion sense, blending dark, rock, and glam elements to glorious effect. And people have been asking Sasonov, who also goes by Mello Jello, where she finds her fabulous ensembles. Sometimes it’s local shops; other times it’s trips abroad. In every case, she picks distinctive individual pieces, then curates them into outfits that have a certain sizzle you just can’t find out there in mainstream mall world. Her Eternal Noir boutique on the Melrose Curve gives people a place to create their own amazing combinations without having to hunt for stylish offbeat options all over town. On any given day, you might find a pair of thigh-high suede boots, a bohemian fringe bag, or a cherry red bodysuit with plunging neckline. Jewelry, accessories, and art by local talents round out the offerings, making this the best new boutique in town.

Whatever era you’re seeking to imitate, you can find it among the racks of Antique Sugar. The well-kept store is fairly large and has a huge selection of vintage clothing for men and women, including snazzy shoes, bold accessories, colorful jumpsuits, Western shirts, and stunning dresses. The prices are great, especially considering that many of the finds are one of a kind. Vintage Sugar is constantly updating its inventory, and it’s super-easy to browse the latest merchandise via stories on Instagram. Whoever does the work of seeking out new pieces to add to Vintage Sugar’s collection has a keen eye for timeless, striking clothing that both wholly embodies the culture at the moment in time it was plucked from, and still looks beautiful when worn today.

We love a company that makes us look stylish and feel altruistic at the same time, which is why we keep adding Keep Nature Wild items to our closet. The Mesa company, which has been around since 2016, sells men’s, women’s, and kids’ tops as well as accessories. The merchandise promotes an outdoorsy lifestyle and respect for the environment; shirts with slogans like “I’d Hike That,” “Stand for What You Stand on,” and “The Desert Is Calling and I Must Go” are cool, comfortable, and durable. Moreover, the company picks up one pound of trash for every product sold through community cleanup events; if you’d like to join in, check the schedule on the website.

Shopping for clothes never feels like a chore at Phoenix General, where co-owners Kenny Barrett and Joshua Hahn take pride in creating a “desert modern” aesthetic that flows throughout the space. The merchandising is meticulous, which makes shopping for clothes feel like an artistic experience, informed by the pair’s amazing grasp of line, color, pattern, and texture. Phoenix General has everything from “Generic Queer” T-shirts to clothing bearing designs by the Fortoul Brothers. The shop also shares a small art space called Shortcut Gallery with the adjacent Framed Ewe store, where you often can enjoy works by local artists while you shop. Their fashion accessories include jewelry by such Phoenix artists as Carrie Marill, and they carry fun home decor and gift items, too. It’s hard to leave Phoenix General without something that truly makes your heart sing.

What used to be nerdy is ever so nice, now that fashion eyeglasses have become all the rage. They’re the single most important accessory for easily changing up your look, which means you should really be paying more attention to all your options. In a day and age when you can easily order sample eyeglass frames online, Framed Ewe gives you a reason to actually pop into a store and explore. They’re totally cool with people trying on oodles of frames, and ever-helpful instead of pushy. Framed Ewe carries brands you won’t find elsewhere, and they’re experts at helping people find frames that make just the right match — in terms of eye prescription and personality. Turns out, you can be nerdy and glamorous at the same time.

If you’ve lived in the Valley for any length of time, you’ll probably have London Gold’s jingle in your head by the time you’re done reading this. (Sorry.) London Gold is a family-owned and -operated local chain that’s been in metro Phoenix for more than four decades. We like shopping there because we receive excellent customer service no matter what we’re looking for or what our budget is. The knowledgeable staff takes its time to show us what we’re interested in from the huge selection of stock that includes everything from silver charms to elaborate estate treasures. And if online shopping is more your style, you can buy thousands of items off the easy-to-navigate website. It seems as though London Gold really is the best.

If you want to look like an extremely stylish rich person without actually breaking the bank, look no further than Poor Little Rich Girl. The resale store has an extensive collection of gently used clothing, accessories, and shoes, as well as brand-new jewelry and home goods, like sassy tea towels and dream catchers, made by local artists. Poor Little Rich Girl is full of hidden treasures and a great place to find anything your wardrobe might need, whether you’re looking for something vintage and cool or something classy and work-appropriate. Where else can you pick up a gold Michael Kors clutch for $36, or a bedazzled Kate Spade wallet for $28? Finding what you’re looking for is made extremely easy given the store’s excellent layout, with all clothes organized by color, size, and type (shirts, pants, dresses, etc.). You can also bring in your own things to sell at the store, and you can browse Poor Little Rich Girl’s well-curated Instagram and reserve a piece online.

There’s no competition when it comes to the quality and quantity of the rare, hotly sought-after streetwear available at Wang’s Closet in Tempe. With a constant inflow of eccentric and rare designer items — from sneakers and belts, to duffels, T-shirts, and jackets — this shop is the stop whether you’re an unwitting hypebeast or serious streetwear collector. The innards of its brick-and-mortar space are replete with shelves, racks, hooks, and hangers, all presenting items of pristine quality. The world of streetwear is synonymous with sneakers — of which Wang’s has no shortage — but beyond the impressive shoe selection, there is also a stunning amount of vintage T-shirts, many from past tours of popular bands and rappers. At Wang’s Closet, there are no knockoffs, no substitutions, and no questions about the legitimacy of its collection.

It is such a struggle for men to dress well in Phoenix. We’re thousands of miles away from the nation’s fashion epicenters, and the extreme summer heat discourages any kind of layering that’s essential for a well-put-together fit. Well Suited, the male-focused affiliate of well-known consignment shop My Sister’s Closet, is doing its best to help Valley guys get out of the fashion doldrums, providing access to well-kept designer duds at surprisingly decent prices. Brands like Rag & Bone, Hugo Boss, and Gucci make appearances in store and on the website, and the shop’s resale policy makes it easy to get rid of the clothes sitting in your closet.

Between growth spurts and blowouts, young ones can go through clothes fast. Baby Bloomers Consignment Shop can ease the pain you feel when you take out your wallet to replace that T-shirt or onesie. If you’re on a budget, this little shop in uptown Phoenix has a wide variety of fashions that will keep your kid looking cute. Be sure to dive into the bargain bin full of hidden treasures. But the inventory isn’t limited to threads for your toddler. Are you missing some Legos or train tracks? Find them along with an assortment of toys, movies, cribs, and other equipment that will keep your spawn smiling.

Phoenix is a modern, urban city, so it’s special when you can find small reminders of our Western heritage. One of those is Saba’s Western Wear Store in downtown Chandler. There’s been a Saba’s in that area since 1927, when customers still rode up to the store on horses. Today, the store serves locals and tourists alike, selling everything from shirts and hats to belt buckles, bolo ties, and Arizona souvenirs. There’s a huge selection of functional and fashion boots for men, women, and children. Saba’s offers well-known brands like Wrangler, Frye, Minnetonka, and Stetson. We recommend you stop in to experience a remnant of the Old West.

Any sporting goods store can sell you a pair of shoes. If you want to lace up in something that will help you go the distance, this family-owned running store will size you up in footwear that’s the perfect fit. The staff, many of them accomplished runners themselves, don’t stop there. They unite the local running community with evening group runs and clinics throughout the year. If you’re new to the sport and looking for a tribe to train with, the yearly fall training group will get you in shape for the 3TV Phoenix 10K/Half Marathon/5K in downtown Phoenix every November.

One of the best things about living in a tourist destination is that we’ve got our pick of world-class resort spas to patronize. The Spa at The Boulders is our go-to for the ultimate day of pampering and relaxation. Treatments include the Desert Rose Radiance, a body treatment that includes jojoba and desert rose exfoliation followed by a soothing aloe mask; and the anti-aging Vitamin C facial. The spa also offers a full range of beauty services such as manicures and pedicures, hair-color services, and eyelash tinting. And while you’re there, we recommend you grab lunch at the Spa Cafe or walk the resort’s famous labyrinth.

Costume shops should be places you want to visit all the time, not just when holidays or pop culture events roll around. That’s just what happens at Mardi Gras, where aisles filled with costumes and accessories inspire you to find new ways to bring the costume love into your everyday existence. Whether your kid needs to dress up for a school project or you want to bring a little spice to your love life, Mardi Gras gives you plenty of choices. Theater geeks delight in the makeup offerings, but there’s no reason you can’t have a little fun with fake blood and mime foundation, too. Maybe you’ve missed some opportunities to bring more costumes into your life, but Mardi Gras will cheerfully help you set that right.

We feel cool just walking into Trill. The shop has a whole wall of spray paint in every possible color for the artistic types, but we’re more interested in the great selection of stylish shirts plus chains, shoes, ballcaps, and other fashion accoutrements. A side room is dedicated to hip-hop memorabilia and new and used vinyl — we always find records to take home at reasonable prices. The store, which opened last year, has been in its new digs a little farther west on Indian School Road since May, and the new space is home to an Instagrammable boombox wall and a small stage perfect for performances.

Sometimes you feel fancy, but other times casual is the way to go. Frances has a fun assortment of clothing and accessories along that spectrum, with a focus on urban chic that doesn’t feel too overworked or fussy. It’s the go-to place for eclectic handbags, shoes, and earrings. Check out kitchen and home accessories with a touch of humor or charm, and affordable novelty gift items from vintage-style motel keys to candles wrapped in images of your favorite pop culture icons. Even babies get the fun goods at Frances, from cotton clothes to plush toys with a handcrafted vibe. The service is supreme, and they’ll cheerfully wrap your gifts before you head out the door.

Let’s face it, your house could use a little something extra. Or maybe, your office is looking kind of drab. Why not get that Raawii Large Strøm Vase or Seletti Wunderkammer Aluminum Bison Skull whose name you can barely pronounce but will make your home look like it belongs in the Museum of Modern Art? Want a candle that literally says “cigarette after sex”? Done. A lamp of a monkey holding a light bulb? Sure. The store is filled with unique pieces of furniture, accents, and home decor that you won’t find anywhere else. Stop by For the People, and your house will look so nice you’ll feel like you probably shouldn’t be sitting in it.

No hate on antique stores, but when we think of them, we usually think very cluttered, unorganized spaces, and weirdly enough, lots of toys. Maybe “collectibles” is a better word, but you get the point. A lot of antique stores are needle-in-a-haystack experiences where you have to dig to find a gem. That can be fun, but not all the time, and it’s certainly not the case at Camelback Antiques. Here, you’re first greeted by a friendly elderly person, and then you’re left alone to wander the aisles. The antique store is organized and easy to walk through, and treasures are hidden in plain sight. You’re able to get a big mirror for $20 that has the cashier asking you how on earth you scored that deal. Hey, they priced it, not you. There’s never any pressure to buy anything, but there’s plenty of fairly priced stuff to be tempted by. Don’t forget to check out the back room.

Thanks to the power of Instagram, more people than ever dream of ditching their 9-to-5s, burning their belongings, and crisscrossing the country in a van with dirty feet, three pairs of underwear, and a partner named Aspen or Kai. It took a couple of years to catch up, but #vanlife has arrived in Arizona. And with Boho Camper Vans, you can try before you buy. Launched in 2018 by David Sodemann and Brett Ellenson, two granola-types in their early 30s, the company rents out its fleet of five custom-built vans, each decked with a bed, outdoor shower, sink, and plenty of storage — basically everything you would need for an overnight to Sedona or a full-fledged Western states road trip. Ready to take the full plunge? Boho takes orders for sale.

Everywhere you turn, from Instagram to The Great British Bake Off, people are doing incredible things with cookies, pies, and cakes. If all those gorgeous creations inspire you to up your home baking game, we suggest heading over to ABC Cake Decorating Supplies. The no-frills space has everything you need to create, transport, and display your work: molds, cake pans (including a great selection of Nordic Ware), cookie cutters, seasonal and themed decorations, bakery boxes, cake towers, and much, much more. The staff is more than willing to help you find what you need, and if you’d really like to take your baking to the next level, the store offers a number of classes each month. Whether you’ve got a project in mind and just need supplies, or you’re looking for inspiration for your next creation, ABC is the place to go.

Leashes and chew toys and great freeze-dried liver. Doggy beds, snugglers, and organic gizzards. Grooming and trimming, just fit for a king. Wag n’ Wash has your pup’s favorite things. Scratchpads and tunnels and rich, grain-free kibble. Feathers and litter and catnip to nibble. Canned food so purrfect, your kitty will sing. Wag n’ Wash has your cat’s favorite things. Everyone’s favorite healthy pet store has grown into an institution, with franchises nationwide, since its founding in Colorado 20 years ago. The Phoenix location, with its trademark neon green awning in the Melrose neighborhood, remains our pick in Arizona.

Growing things in our desert climate can be tough, but when we feel like taking on the challenge, we stock up on everything we need at a Whitfill Nursery location. There are options for apartment dwellers and others who have limited space, like single small cactuses and mini pots. But if you’re landscaping a backyard, Whitfill’s got you covered, too, with enormous trees, metal yard art, and giant pots in a spectrum of colors. The local chain also has fertilizer, hardware, pesticides, and seeds. We’ll go there sometimes just for gardening inspiration and enjoyment; the shade-covered rows of fresh-smelling plant life act like an oasis in the desert.

Composting is both art and science, and it takes skill, patience, creativity, and yet more patience to discover that maybe it’s not as easy to do at home as you thought. Thank goodness for Arizona Worm Farm, which sells just about anything you could want from the compost world: compost, worms, castings, worm bins, and mulch. Unlike many other sources of compost — good luck trying to figure out when or if cities like Tempe and Phoenix are randomly offering free compost — the Arizona Worm Farm has a permanent location with regular hours. It sells its own compost, as well as compost from the city of Phoenix, which provides essential nutrients to plants and flowers that can take the place of commercial, chemical fertilizers. The Worm Farm offers a variety of sizes — you don’t have to buy in bulk unless you need to — negating the need for any future trips to Home Depot to get Miracle-Gro.

Camelback Flowershop has got it all. Not only can you get beautiful, artfully designed arrangements of fresh flowers, this florist curates a selection of high-end gifts and ready-made gift boxes featuring items like freshly baked cookies, signature candles, locally sourced honey, and letterpressed greeting cards. You can stop by for lessons on how to plant your own succulent garden or make a pit stop to the flower shop on a Friday afternoon for their Fresh Flower Happy Hour, when fresh flowers are half their usual price. The friendly staff will help you get the bouquet for any occasion, and they can even deliver it for you.

A houseplant by any other name is, well … dead. It happens more than anybody likes to admit, because green thumbs aren’t standard issue here in Arizona. Happily, Michael Lanier and Cory Bruckner are here for you. They have houseplants on the brain 24/7, and green thumbs galore. They’re constantly finding eclectic plants from ordinary to exotic, so people who hit up their shop have a vast array of options. Their plant shop — part boutique and part curiosity shop — has a lush feel, but also exudes warmth and charm. It’s filled with plants, fun planters, funky gifts, and oddities that make you want to linger. That’s fine with them, because they’re passionate about sharing their plant love and lore, plus practical tips for helping the plants you take home thrive. Go in for the plants, and stay for the conversation. What they’re really growing here is community.

The soil options are organic, the tools are quaint, and the chimes are mystical at Southwest Gardener, an adorable mom-and-pop store for those who prefer to grow their own plants. Situated next to the central Phoenix location of Changing Hands, Southwest Gardener presents an ideal stop for book-buyers who also need a last-minute gift for their green-thumbed friends. Hobbyists and die-hards alike will find plenty to love among the store’s modest but high-quality selection of seeds and soil. The accessories and decorations, meanwhile, are carefully curated for the gardener who envisions for his or her backyard not only cherry tomatoes, but a sanctuary for art and mindfulness.

Next time you have to buy a present, don’t take the easy way out (read: gift cards). Buy something cool and thoughtful at UrbAna, a small boutique that’s got something for everyone. Buy cookbooks for your mom, or skincare products for luxury-minded friends. There’s a small selection of baby gifts, and marble coasters perfect to bring to a housewarming party. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong buying someone a stack of Jcoco chocolate bars. But if you’re the one having the party, the store carries a great selection of stylish disposable paper goods. Just tell your guests that if they plan to bring a gift, they should pick it out at UrbAna.

Before there was swiping and clicking, there was writing. It’s a form of communication that’s never lost its charm. Keyboards are all well and good, but sometimes it’s nice to just whip out a piece of crisp, slightly textured paper and a beautiful pen. Write-Ons takes writing seriously, without taking itself too seriously. It’s filled with fine writing papers for capturing or sharing all your ideas, emotions, and dreams. There are cards galore, a wall filled with rolls of stickers, journals, invitations, thank-you cards, and more of life’s little niceties. You can buy pretty files to make your work life less drab, and small gifts like picture frames on days you need a quick little something for an office or neighborhood party. Stand inside long enough, and you might even get inspired to start sending real thank-you notes again, which can only up your classy factor with friends and family.

Blick has art supplies you didn’t even know existed, and friendly people who can help you figure out how to use them. Strolling the aisles is like being in a giant candy store for art nerds, and everyone feels welcome here — from the art-curious to the art pro. It’s a fun place to indulge your curiosity and poke around for new ways to express yourself. The paper selection alone is enough to get your heart racing. With materials ranging from watercolors and wood to soapstone and clay, it’s a creative embarrassment of riches. Shop here for stress-busters like markers in exotic colors, and gifts for friends from journals to off-the-beaten-path coloring books. Bottom line: Blick does the trick.

All the galleries could close down, and you’d still have an amazing time at Phoenix Art Museum, because the gift shop is like a giant emporium of art-inspired stuff, ranging from kitchen gadgets to office decor. If you can’t find a unique gift here, the person you’re shopping for is way too picky. At one end, it has purses, puzzles, and classy pens. At the other, there are collapsible flower vases and bookends shaped like Jeff Koons’ balloon dog. In between, shop for delicate tea sets, artist-made jewelry, and novelty T-shirts with artsy sayings. It’s a fabulous place to find unique books and toys, and there’s a wide price range so it’s easy to find both affordable and extravagant things. From savvy to silly, the museum store has a great selection, which means you look super-smart when it comes time to be the gift fairy.