Goods & Services

Getting into trading card or tabletop games isn’t easy; with 1,000 different titles available, it’s often a terrifying prospect for beginners. That’s why the Valley is lucky to have a place like Imperial Outpost. The shop covers all your gaming needs, from miniature games and non-collectibles to board games galore. Plus, there’s no reason to ever go home to play your favorite game, as the shop has several gaming rooms, a snack bar, and even a painting room. That last bit speaks to what makes the shop truly stand out: inclusivity. Because even if you don’t know what game to buy, the shop fosters excitement regardless of your intent or skill level. You can wander around from different displays, watching others play or browsing boxes, and readily find your next obsessive-level hobby. In that way, Imperial Outpost feels like a genuine haven, and one that makes the Valley seem all that more playful and enjoyable for its mere existence.

Charissa Lucille is a true literary badass. As creator and operator of Wasted Ink Zine Distro, they (Charissa’s preferred pronoun) celebrate the most indie form of publishing: the humble zine, a DIY approach to publishing open to anyone with pen, paper, and access to a copy machine. Wasted Ink sells zines online and in its wonderful new location at Nurture House, and it also offers workshops and advice to anyone who shares a passion for zines. Spend some time in the shop (online or in person) and you’ll get a taste for the variety and amazingness of the offerings. We’re so glad that the Phoenix Zine Fest — spearheaded by Lucille and Wasted Ink, but felled by the pandemic — will be back (albeit in a virtual format) later this fall.

Move over Hallmark: Hazel & Violet is in the house. After slogging your way through all those sappy cards in grocery stores and gift shops, it’s so refreshing to stumble upon the cards created by Nancy Hill in her letterpress shop inside the historic Bragg’s Pie Factory. For starters, they’re printed on her impressive collection of letterpress machines, which means they have that wonderful type and texture that’s lacking from generic greeting cards. More importantly, they reflect one of Hill’s best qualities: her wicked sense of humor. Of course, you can find cards that are sweet at Hazel & Violet, where the presses are often running things like wedding invitations. But you can also find cards with bite. Several of Hill’s cards feature words and images that reflect the local scene, from cactus decor to Midcentury Modern architecture. And you can even make your own cards during one of her letterpress workshops, which adds a whole new layer of creativity to the act of giving greeting cards.

It’s been a tough couple of years for Phoenix mall culture — Metrocenter shuttered in summer 2020, followed by Paradise Valley Mall in spring 2021. But there are still a number of large-scale shopping centers still thriving, and our favorite is Arrowhead Towne Center in northwest Phoenix. It’s big and filled with stores we want (and can actually afford) to shop at, like H&M and Lululemon. Arrowhead has a few tenants that aren’t at other malls, too, like pop-culture shop Box Lunch and mattress mecca Tuft & Needle. Dining options abound, like Chompie’s, Fired Pie, and Little Tokyo. All told, if we want to experience the simple, rapidly disappearing joy of a day at the mall, Arrowhead Towne Center is our destination of choice.

The Museum Store at Phoenix Art Museum has an incredible selection of items related to its most popular exhibits — far beyond basic stuff like catalogs and postcards. It also carries more general objects with an arts focus, including many inspired by some of the world’s best-loved artists and masterpieces. You can pick up scarves, toys, kitchen wares, office gizmos, jewelry, ties, posters, puzzles, books, and home decor. They’ve got options in a wide range of prices, from simple pens to fancy furniture. It’s a perfect place to shop for a baby shower, an office party, or an anniversary gift. The store even has a section featuring works by local artists, where you can buy ceramics, jewelry, and other fun finds. If you can’t find a gift for someone here, you should probably just bake them cookies or something.

Fantasia Crystals doesn’t beat you over the head with New Age beliefs. Instead, the store cultivates an environment where visitors feel safe questioning and exploring a wide range of worldviews. The staff is friendly and attentive, and skilled at helping people find just what they’re looking for, even if they walk in not knowing exactly what that might be. The store carries a large selection of items, including crystals, tarot cards, candles, sculptures, jewelry, and more. One entire room is packed with books, including many that are hard to find in other places. Fantasia Crystals also has a useful lineup of classes, whether you want to learn to make jewelry or discover the basic tenets and practices of paganism. Positive energy and acceptance abound here, giving people a unique place to shop as well as fresh ways to think about the world.

A while back, we told some friends we were going to check out Zombi World Market’s new, larger digs a couple of doors down from its original storefront. They all said they were intrigued by the store but had never actually visited. We get it. If you’re not familiar with practices like Santeria, hoodoo, or folk magic, walking into Zombi World Market sounds a little intimidating. But nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you’re a practitioner, a newbie, or just a curious passerby, the staff will quickly put you at ease. The shop sells a fascinating mix of goods, from candles and crystals to conjure oils and vintage books on occult topics. No question is too silly or basic for the staff (we know — we’ve asked some pretty elementary ones). And if you really want to learn more, Zombi World Market offers readings and classes so you can further explore the realm of the spiritual.

Practical Art is part retail shop, part community gathering space, and part art gallery. More than 150 artists and makers who have Arizona ties or call Arizona home sell their pieces through this store. Many of Phoenix’s best-loved and most renowned artists have work for sale at Practical Art, including Brent Bond, Tato Caraveo, Jake Early, Annie Lopez, Carrie Marill, and Ann Morton. The shop carries a wide selection of functional and decorative pieces, including garden decor, furniture, kitchen wares, jewelry, and more. (You can make a personal shopping appointment or shop online.) Nobody else comes close to carrying such a wide selection of works made by local artists. The store also has an Art Club that gets you exclusive artworks, and exhibits that change monthly to help you learn more about all the amazing artists in your midst.

Back when Arizona Art Supply was the only art store in Phoenix, it was the place to go for graphite erasers and tempera paint and handmade easels. Today, 70 years later, it’s not the only place offering paint and palettes and pencils, but it’s certainly the best. That is, if what you’re after is every manner of drawing, painting, sculpting, and crafting supply, neatly organized and offered at competitive prices. We love the chatty staff, most of whom are visual artists themselves, and often rely on their advice when we’re ready to try a new type of watercolor paper or wonder why our clay isn’t drying fast enough. We do sort of wish their sale-price markdowns weren’t so tempting, but only because we’re about out of room in our art studio and have taken to stashing Arizona Art’s red-tag items in the trunk of our car.

Oops. You’re halfway through a Jersey-knit shrug when you realize you’re going to run out of Fair Isle wool. You know you can’t trust an internet shop to match your dye lot, and there’s no knit store in town that treats its customers like the royalty you know yourself to be. What to do? Drive to Wickenburg. Fiber fans far and wide know that Isabelle’s will not only have what they need to start or finish knitwork, but they’ll be nice about selling it to them besides. Isabelle’s carries local spinners like Mary Gavan and well-loved wools from Plymouth to Malabrigo. You’ve never seen so many notions and needles in one knit shop, or so cozy a knitting room as the one Isabelle’s provides. It’s the perfect place to tie one on.

Our mind starts spinning the moment we walk into a SAS Fabrics store. “What could I make with this? How would I use that?” SAS Fabrics represents endless creative possibilities in each of its Valley locations. We love to run our fingers over the cozy fleece, delicate lace, faux mink, and heavy brocade. There’s enough faux fur to create an army of Muppets. There are plenty of accessories here, too, from piles of zippers and rolls of elastic to fun patches and tubs of buttons. The staff is knowledgeable and ready to help, not just because you’re not allowed to cut your fabric, but because they know the exquisite feeling of having a sewing project turn out perfectly.

Did we find a still-sealed copy of The Archie’s Everything’s Archie for only $20? We did. A mono pressing of The Beatles’ Second Album with the shrink wrap was not only affordable, but also in dead-mint condition. The only thing better than the bonus dollar-record bins tucked under the counter at this east-side shop is the quality of the products it peddles to novice and longtime collectors alike. The ‘In’ Groove’s stock is not only neatly organized, but each disk (including that nice, clean copy of The Love Generation’s rare third album we scored on our last visit) is slipped into a high-end plastic sleeve so potential buyers can see what great shape the vinyl is in. The knowledgeable staff always takes time to talk with us about our purchases, and when we say, “We’ll be back!” they know we mean it.

A Spotify user data report came out earlier this year that stated that of all the major cities of the world, Phoenix buys the most CDs. We don’t buy many these days ourselves, but when we do, we get them at local entertainment chain Zia Records. Zia locations still have a large selection of new and used discs. The used CDs in particular are super-affordable, and you can often pick up some hard-to-find gems, like titles by local bands and rare imports. Of course, once you’ve made your CD selection, there are countless other things to browse at Zia, too, such as records, toys, books, video games, and clothing.

We know a number of people who took up a musical instrument to pass the time during the pandemic (although not as many as started baking bread). When our friends asked for suggestions on where to get a guitar or a ukulele or, in one notable case, a banjo, we directed them to Bizarre Guitar & Drum in the Melrose District. This year, Bizarre Guitar celebrated 45 years of equipping Phoenix musicians with instruments, and the shop shows no signs of slowing down. We love to visit the showroom, where the walls are lined with everything from the humblest starter guitars to some stunning Taylors, Fenders, and Gibsons. If you’re into skins rather than strings, you’re covered too: the store has Drum in the name for a reason. Bizarre Guitar’s staff genuinely wants to see you walk out with the instruments, equipment, and accessories that are going to work best for you, whether you’re a lifelong musician or a new pandemic player.

Got a special night coming up? You know, one of those Marvin Gaye on the stereo, rose petals on the bed kind of nights? Get yourself to Groove. The local chain stocks a wide assortment of naughty merchandise — there are sexy get-ups for men and women, toys, BDSM accessories, instructional books, lubricants, and a big selection of condoms (gotta play safe, after all). The stores are brightly lit, colorful, and well-stocked, and the staff is helpful, friendly, and doesn’t make you feel weird for asking questions. We like the Thomas Road location best, which is decorated graffiti-style by local artists. Props to Groove for giving the lovers of Phoenix an open and unashamed atmosphere to find everything they need for a night of romance.

We don’t judge how others choose to spend their spare time. Some people like to golf, some do crafts. Others relax by engaging in less wholesome activities. Whatever your vice, north Tempe mainstay Smokin’ Lingerie probably has what you need for it. If drugs are your thing, there’s a significant portion of the store devoted to that, including a large assortment of glass accoutrements, as well as vape equipment, rolling papers, scales, and back issues of High Times magazine. If you’d rather stock up on gear for other pastimes, Smokin’ Lingerie has a big selection of, well, smokin’ lingerie plus accessories like hosiery, costumes, and shoes. There’s also one of the bigger adult DVD sections left in this town, plus plenty of sex toys and a varied — and frankly, quite eye-opening — assortment of BDSM gear (anybody in the market for a human-sized cage?).

A cigar is an occasional vice for us, but every so often, when we feel like indulging, we get what we need at Big Sticks. Whether you’re looking to smoke on a budget or you feel like dropping more than a Benjamin on a single stogie, the store’s humidor will have what you’re looking for. Outside the main humidor, the shop sells everything from pipes and tobacco to cutters and humidor boxes. There are lockers for your stash if you’re a frequent customer, and even a dropbox where you can donate cigars to veterans. And when you feel like sticking around to smoke, Big Sticks has a bar that sells beer and wine, and several rooms with TVs and big comfy couches. It’s like your own personal rumpus room.

Honestly, stores full of used things are just more interesting than places that only sell new stuff. We like to be surprised by what’s on the next aisle and daydream a little about where some of the stock might have come from. Bookmans’ two Valley locations are our favorite spots to find used everything: the fine folks at the buy counter take books and movies, sure, but also craft supplies, knick-knacks, toys both modern and vintage, records, musical instruments, maps, and plenty more. Some of the more valuable items get put in a case and slapped with a price befitting their worth, but for the most part, the used goods at Bookmans are priced quite reasonably. And since the stores are constantly taking in more stuff, we think it’s only sensible to visit frequently to try to find a new-to-us treasure to take home.

There really is no store in Phoenix quite like Curious Nature. Imagine a Victorian-era mad scientist who dabbles in witchcraft — that’s the vibe. Curious Nature has an easy-to-navigate website, but we prefer to go in person. You’ll see tarot decks, butterflies in paperweights, antique photographs, nature-themed stickers, and books on a variety of scientific topics. But what we find most impressive is Curious Nature’s bones. Ducks, gophers, bears, armadillos, and bobcats are just a few of the animals represented. You can even buy human bones that the staff assures us are ethically sourced — from a sternum all the way up to a full skull. The delightfully creepy selection at Curious Nature never fails to send a shiver up our spines (which we plan to keep for ourselves, thank you very much).

Okay, technically, Cutie isn’t a “dollar store”: Most of the items cost $1.50. But “dollar-fifty store” doesn’t roll off the tongue, and you’ll still be shocked at how low your total is when you shop at one of Cutie’s two Valley locations. The stock here is mostly Daiso brand, a discount label from Japan, and it changes often. We go to Cutie for Asian-style dishware, fuzzy socks, notebooks, craft supplies, snacks, ramen, and way more. Our $1.50 earbuds aren’t fancy, but they haven’t broken yet. Last time we went to Cutie, we picked up a mini planter with a corgi on it, some bento box supplies, seaweed-flavored potato chips, and a plastic sushi pen. Relentlessly cheerful Japanese pop music plays on the intercom system, making every trip to Cutie that much more — what’s another word for cute?

Dean Livermore must dream in chrome and hot rod flames. The namesake founder of Hot Rods by Dean has been building his reputation as the man for restored, custom, and kit hot rod builds since opening his 12,000-square-foot facility in 2001. Livermore was named the IMCA Super Nationals Builder of the Year in 2009, and his staff has a combined 60 years of experience building hot rods, specializing in custom fabrication and custom paint jobs. Dean’s Hot Rods have been finalists multiple times for the Hot Rod of the Year awards by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, and its vehicles have been entrants in several Goodguys Car Shows. Recognized rods include a modified 1935 Ford pickup truck, a chopped and customized 1933 Ford Coupe, and a 1951 custom-built Ford Mercury.

Appropriately located off the Arizona Cross Cut Canal bike path (okay, multiuse path), Rage Cycles is a well-loved and established bike shop in south Scottsdale. Upon entering, you’ll see shiny new bikes — gravel, commuter, mountain, and more — along with bike accessories and a three-stalled maintenance bay toward the back. Those accessories include lights, helmets, seats, and gear, and that bay is manned by skilled, no-nonsense bike mechanics always armed with answers to your problems. Brands sold here include Salsa, Surley, BMX, and Juliana, as well as stuff from local bike-makers State. There’s also plenty of room in the crusty parking lot if you’re looking to test-ride one of Rage’s many rigs. Just be sure to not down too many complimentary cold ones at Free Beer Friday beforehand.

It’s cuteness overload the moment you walk into Kei Collective; open the door, and you’re in a world of rainbows and baby animals and anime girls with big, sparkling eyes. The shop also stocks plenty of goods for people whose aesthetic runs more toward spooky than kawaii — plague doctor stickers, Victorian-style goth chokers, and devil earrings. What we love about Kei Collective isn’t just the eye-popping assortment of clothes, accessories, and home decor; it’s the fact that the shop celebrates and highlights the artists that create the merch. Kei Collective has more than 36,000 followers on Instagram and does a lot of its business online, which makes us feel lucky that the brick-and-mortar shop is right in our own town, allowing us to see all the cool stuff up close and in person.

Now that the world is opened up again, it’s time for those of us who dress in yesteryear threads to get out and show off our best cotton-poly blends — and there’s no better place than Antique Sugar to pick up some new-old vintage duds. A visit to our fave vintage shop always results in a pile of purchases, and last time we visited we nabbed a 1970s Nik-Nik shirt and a three-piece suit made entirely of spun petroleum. Women’s wear is this shop’s strong suit, though, and that daisy-patterned jumpsuit our friend Sue recently found there went great with a pair of Cuban-heeled slingbacks from 1967 — with the original price sticker still attached. Sizes small and large are always represented, and the friendly staff will give you their kind but honest opinion about what you’re trying on. Pour a little Antique Sugar on us, honey!

For threads that reflect your fascination with true crime, your love of Halloween, or the darkness in your soul, look no further than Western Evil, a label run by Neil Preston Autry out of Maricopa. He screen-prints everything himself, including leggings adorned with mugshots of serial killers like John Wayne Gacy and Aileen Wuornos; T-shirts based on drawings by Misfits-era Glenn Danzig; and enamel pins that mash up Disney characters and cult leaders (“Mickey Manson” is a popular design). Autry has built a following on Instagram and TikTok due to his black humor and bad-boy good looks — the better to expose more people to his counterculture clothing designs. You might be able to catch him around town at conventions like Mad Monster Arizona, but if not, his website is always open for business.

We’re old enough to remember when wearing a shirt with a Warner Bros. character on it was first the height of middle-school fashion, then later the absolute dorkiest thing ever. So it’s amusing to us that shirts of that kind are now a hot trend. If vintage T-shirts of the music, sports, or pop culture variety are your thing, then Wang’s Vintage will thrill your soul (and empty your wallet). Check out the store’s Instagram page if you don’t believe us — you’ll find everything from a 1980s ALF shirt to a Dragonball Z baseball jersey, or a 1970s Fleetwood Mac concert tee. You can purchase through Instagram, or head to the brick-and-mortar shop in midtown Phoenix, which is bright, well-organized, and stocked with shirts, vintage jeans, and a few other things.

Truth be told, we can’t afford a lot of the shoes in Many Worlds, but we still love to stop by the sleek black-and-white Phoenix storefront to drool over the high-end kicks on display. The store carries familiar brands like Nike, New Balance, and Adidas, but the merch is nothing you’ll find at Foot Locker. We’re talking Adidas Yeezy 350 V2s, Air Jordan 1 Metallic Gold 2020s, and New Balance 997 Aime Leon Dores. (And that’s just the goods on the shelves; the kicks locked up in cases are far more valuable.) There’s also a smattering of streetwear for sale, including a badass Phoenix shirt in honor of the Suns’ playoff run. Many Worlds share its space with sister business Reshoevn8r, which offers shoe cleaning and refreshing services, as well as products to help you keep your sneakers looking fresh to death at home.

We know people who run marathons, and we know people who struggled through their first Couch to 5K program. They all go to Runner’s Den for what they need. The unpretentious shop in uptown Phoenix has been serving generations of Valley joggers for more than 40 years, and whether your terrain of choice is trail, road, or treadmill, you can find shoes, socks, apparel, snacks, energy gels, sunglasses, and more to make your runs better. But far more valuable than the store’s merchandise are the intangible things it offers: advice, online resources like calculators and articles, marathon training programs, group runs (when there’s not a pandemic on), and encouragement when the going gets tough. Runner’s Den is more than a store; it’s a community.

Sure, Spirit Halloween stores crop up all over Phoenix come fall. But maybe you need a costume sometime other than mid-autumn. And maybe you’d rather support a longtime, locally owned establishment rather than a corporation whose entire business model is to swoop in and inhabit the carcasses of all the stores that failed that year. Mardi Gras Costume Shop in Scottsdale is our go-to any time of the year; the tightly packed aisles represent endless dress-up possibilities. Mardi Gras rents costumes in addition to selling them, and if you’re a theater professional or just really serious about your look, the store also offers professional-grade makeup. Whether you’re looking to make a splash at a theme party or Halloween bash, Mardi Gras is your go-to costume destination.

Graf artists, DJs, MCs, and b-boys/b-girls would have to crisscross the Valley and hit up several places to pick up the various tools of their trade if Trill didn’t have all of them under one roof. This one-stop shop for all aspects of hip-hop culture has been doing it and doing it and doing it well since 2018 with its lineup of supplies, streetwear, and music gear. Its spray-paint wall is stocked with MTN and Hardcore. Record mats and audio cables for your turntable are available, as are brands like Supreme and Anti Social Social Club in the clothing section. Trill reps the local hip-hop scene by hosting regular shows on its indoor stage and displays works by local artists. You might even run into a celeb during your visit; rappers like Kool Keith, Lord Finesse, and part-time Valley resident Ice-T have dropped by.

“Some things never change” can be a negative statement or a positive one, but when we’re talking about Scottsdale Sidewalk Surfer, it’s absolutely a good thing. This local retail mainstay has been outfitting and supplying chill dudes in the Valley since the late 1970s. Sidewalk Surfer has hundreds of boards in all sizes and styles, plus parts and accessories like wheels, bearings, grip tape, and stickers. The large apparel section caters to men, with brands like Volcom, Dickies, Billabong, and Sex Wax all well- represented. There’s a small selection of roller-skates, and sneakers and sandals by labels such as Vans and Reef. The staff is welcoming, experienced, and passionate about skateboarding; you’ll leave with exactly what you need to hit the street in style.

Take a hike, REI. The Arizona Hiking Shack (“locally owned since 1972”) has been our go-to adventure store for literally decades. The place is heaven for hikers, mountain climbers, canyoneers, and explorers, packed with ropes and slings, all manner of outdoor gear, and plenty of guidebooks and topo maps. True to its name, the Hiking Shack has everything you could possibly need for any wilderness walk. But it really shines when outfitting for an extreme adventure. Tommy Caldwell could have racked up for the Dawn Wall here, no problem. Pro trip for adventure addicts: Get a higher credit limit before dropping in, because you’re going to find a lot of what you want.

When you step into Phoenix General, you’re in for a curated experience, with clothing that’s been thoughtfully chosen and displayed by owners Kenny Barrett and Joshua Hahn. They pride themselves on offering sustainable goods, created and shared ethically, and the items they select reflect a fabulous blend of refinement and comfort. This is your go-to place for our WFH-Zoom era of elegantly casual fashion — think T-shirts by Jungmaven and floaty dresses from Ali Golden. They’ve put a creative spin on gift-giving with themed boxes, but make it just as fun to shop for yourself with a unique assortment of cards, candles, desk accessories, and other small items that help to brighten up your look and the spaces where you spend your time. Phoenix General carries a mix of international and local items, which means you can support the creative scene in Phoenix even as you shop for goods made far away.

When we were first exploring Midcentury Modern home furnishings, we headed to this local decor institution, a practical museum of Eames chairs and Harry Bertoia sculptures and Hollywood Regency lamps. Our search stopped there. A teakwood boomerang table and a Milo Baughman scoop chair were our first purchases, but we have a feeling we’ll be going back for that Feldman Lighting brutalist chandelier, and maybe for a sandwich at Valentine, the front-of-the-house restaurant where midcentury geniuses meet to nosh. Modern Manor’s new services include staging and interior design, and the nice folks who run the place are always up for a chat about that occasional table you’re considering.

Anytime we need to kill an hour or four, we head over to one of The Brass Armadillo’s two Valley locations. Our attention span fizzles long before we run out of things to see at this antique mall. Anything you like that’s old-timey, vintage, or retro, one of the booths at The Brass Armadillo probably has it. We’ve bought vintage Pyrex, old records, classic issues of Arizona Highways, and so much more. Sometimes we zip through quickly looking for something in particular, but more often, we stroll up and down the aisles, looking for something special that catches our eye. Pro tip: If you sign up for the mailing list, you can find out when the store is having a sale, making the treasures you find at The Brass Armadillo a little more affordable.

The beauty of ABC Cake Decorating Supplies is that it caters to both decent amateur bakers like ourselves and true pros with the skills to do it for a living. We shop there for cookie cutters of every shape and size, baking stencils for dusting powdered sugar on our creations, cool cupcake liners, and pretty bakery boxes for when we’re feeling fancy. But if we ever decide to up our baking game, we know we can head to ABC to find pans of every size, an array of flavorings and extracts, gumpaste flowers, and even airbrush machines. The best part is that the staff is equally friendly and helpful whether you’re a pro or just gearing up to make your first batch of cupcakes.

Giving your pet a bath in the home tub can be a real back-breaker. Stop wrestling with Mr. Wiggles and playing slip-n-slide on your bathroom floor — head to Wag N’ Wash. You can use one of their pet-friendly washbasins to get your dog smelling good and looking fancy. There’s even conditioner, for a silky finish. If you don’t want to complete the task yourself, you can have one of the friendly staff members polish your pcup. This place is a pet lover’s paradise. After you get your four-legged friend beautified in the grooming room, walk the aisles shopping for dog and cat food, accessories, and plenty of treats. Feel free to bring your dog in with you — he or she might pick out what they want to snack on from one of the many accessible buckets of bully sticks and cow ears.

When it came time to send flowers to our favorite uncle, we were a little shy about our budget, yet we wanted something special. Enter Community Florist, where friendly staff crowded around with photos and flower samples to help us get the most begonia bang for our buck. We finally settled on a houseplant from the pretty, verdant jungle that Community stocks, but came back a few weeks later to order one of the floral masterpieces we’d seen one of the shop’s designers building. Corsages and funeral floral arrangements are also on the menu, and Community’s staff will even phone you with a progress report if you’re worried your daisy bouquet won’t reach its destination in time.

Dig It Gardens has an all-around good vibe. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the lush plant offerings have something for everyone at all price points. Load up on potting soil geared specifically for desert cacti, snag some beautiful clay pots, or grab that aloe plant that you always wanted. Even if you’re not there to buy anything or aren’t interested in gardening, its labyrinth-like outdoor nursery is ideal for a stroll among a variety of thriving cacti and other plants. But be careful: At least one of Dig It’s staffers will unapologetically endorse blowing an unreasonable portion of your income on plants and gardening supplies.

People have vastly different relationships to plants, a fact that isn’t lost on Bosque at Pueblo founder Michael Lanier and his partner Coby Bruckner. Their Grand Avenue plant shop is a haven for both plant pros and the plant-curious. You can discover plants you’ve never seen before, meet other people who share your affinity for nature, and learn the fascinating histories of plant life at the Bosque. The shop carries tiny plants and massive ones, and has all the information and inspiration you need to help give them a good home. It’s also filled with gift items, from macrame plant holders to vintage-style botanical illustrations. By coupling an eclectic inventory of plants and plant-related items with a contagious curiosity about plant life, Lanier and Bruckner have created the city’s best place to match houseplants with new homes.

Changing Hands, which has long leaned into the idea of bookstore as community gathering space, takes that concept to the next level. The Phoenix location is home to a bar where you can enjoy drinks and a nosh while you read, and you’ll find works by local artists on its walls. There’s also a room set up with tables where people gather for casual conversations or attend book-signings and poetry readings. The store has a robust lineup of online events for readers with diverse interests, and often reflects the big conversations happening in contemporary culture through its choices of books and happenings. Both locations have charming children’s sections, a great selection of magazines you won’t find elsewhere, and a wide assortment of gifts that make it fun to just kick around and explore instead of simply popping in for that one book on your must-have list. Here, you encounter a bookstore that feels like home; it’s a place you want to return to again and again to experience new and familiar treasures.

In last year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we pondered which outlet could fill the void after the iconic All About Books and Comics closed after some 40 years. As it turns out, the best contender, Glendale’s Drawn To Comics, has more than stepped up to the challenge. Part of its success was because, as COVID restrictions hampered the obsessive box-digging preferred by hardcore readers, DTC found ways to maintain a safe, socially distant shopping experience, promoting community and connection at a time when people needed it most. And DTC continued to do the work of any great shop: cater to comics fans of all ages, carry a massive catalog of back titles, share picks and recommendations, and generally hype folks to embrace comics. Because of those efforts, comics fans across the Valley still have a place to gather and celebrate these beloved stories and larger-than-life heroes. A Herculean effort? Nope, this was the work of 100 versions of Superman.