Goods & Services

We were fans of the shop Mike Esposito founded in 2015 well before his name spread far and wide beyond Phoenix this summer, even making it into the Washington Post. We’ve always appreciated his record drops and videos, and the way he leans into authenticity and absolute passion for vinyl culture. But that respect got ramped up after he took to YouTube to share a tip he surely knew would leave heads exploding. He’d been told that a company renowned for using original master tapes to make its costly reissues of vinyl records was actually using digital files. He took a lot of heat, but the company eventually confirmed it was true. So now we can add another layer to our hometown pride, and keep on digging both the store’s impressive vinyl offerings and Esposito’s expertise.

If you’re one of those people who laments the fact that Halloween only comes once a year, you’re in luck. Because at Terror Trader in Chandler, it’s always spooky season. Terror Trader operates like an antique mall. The space is filled with individual vendors selling all things horror, from DVDs and props to horror memorabilia and apparel. We love the store’s monthly Sales from the Darkside events, when horror fans can shop, get grub from local food trucks, participate in cosplay contests, and generally nerd out with like-minded folks. None of the goods are available on the store’s website, which means that you’re just going to have to make a trip to Chandler to see all that Terror Trader has to offer.

When it comes to zines, Wasted Ink is the Valley’s one-stop shop for all things hand-stitched and stapled. Founded in 2015, the distro has been a vital space and storefront for the self-publishing community. WIZD maintains a library of over 1,500 zines and has helped organize and run the annual Phx Zine Fest since 2016. Their shelves provide a kaleidoscope of stories, how-to guides, and personal narratives from writers and artists based in Arizona and beyond. The folks at WIZD have been vocal and steadfast in their commitment to signal-boosting the contributions of BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled, and neurodivergent creators. They’ve also hosted workshops, open mics, and events over the years, forming strong connections with the Valley’s arts community. The best part about the zines at WIZD? They’re really affordable. If you’re looking for unique literature you won’t find anywhere else that won’t break the bank, WIZD offers DIY lit that’s cheaper than the cost of a Happy Meal.

Poetry doesn’t have to be fancy: Sometimes you can say all you need to say on a single sheet of paper. That’s the guiding ethos behind Rinky Dink Press, Phoenix’s premium purveyor of poetry micro-chapbooks. Each micro-chapbook features a handful of poems written by local and national poets on a cleverly folded sheet of paper. Through the magic of this origami publishing process, RDP has assembled a run of very cheap micro-chapbooks that offer way more bang than their $1 price tag. Selling their titles individually and in bundled sets, the self-styled punk press has made appearances in Poets & Writers and tabled at conventions and book fairs across the country. Don’t be fooled by their small books: Like Ron Burgundy, they’re kind of a big deal.

Even in the age of online shopping, we still love a good day at the mall. Chandler Fashion Center has something for everyone. The lineup of 180-plus retailers includes Apple, Tilly’s, lululemon, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Urban Outfitters, to namedrop a few. The 20-screen Harkins Theatres multiplex is excellent for friends and date nights, and the Crayola Experience Studio, Joystick Arcade, and splash pad are lit for the younger folks. And once shoppers get winded, they can grab a bite and quench their thirst at a myriad of spots in the food court and throughout the area, including Hop Social Tavern, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, and P.F. Chang’s. To wrap up the day or night, The Cheesecake Factory and the Starbucks inside Barnes & Noble offer dessert and coffee.

Senegal and Beyond is the kind of unique shop we didn’t know we needed in Phoenix, but now we can’t get enough of. Opened earlier this year by GG and Matt Berger, a Senegalese woman and her American husband, the shop is stocked with Senagalese teas and coffees, snacks, house-mixed spices, jewelry, and other gifts. Sauces and seasonings that stir the senses line long wooden shelves as the tri-color flag of Senegal drapes over a fridge full of cold drinks shipped express from the West African coast. Senegal and Beyond is both a delightful place to stop and a window to a culture that many in Phoenix are not familiar with, all from a storefront in midtown.

“Metaphysical store” conjures certain images and associations: incense, New Age, Stevie Nicks vibes. Zombi World Market cuts against that grain. It eschews “Sedona crystal shop” aesthetics for an earthier, occult-y vibe — less The Secret, more The Invisibles. Owner Jinn El-Masri’s passion for all things Santeria, Vodoun, and ceremonial magic inform the shop’s energy and offerings. Zombi specializes in Indigenous and diasporic spiritual traditions. If you want to deepen your knowledge about the loas, learn the finer points of Afro-Caribbean mysticism, or attend fascinating occult talks and workshops, Zombi is definitely the spot. There’s more to this world market than voodoo, however. The shop has an eclectic and expertly curated book section, sells homemade crafts (yes, including candles and incense — it a metaphysical store, after all), and also offers unusual curios and antiques that El-Masri has collected over years of world travel.

Whether you think that rose quartz is going to fix your love life, or you’re just really into geology, Rare Earth Gallery has what you want. The north Valley shop carries a truly impressive assortment of rocks and crystals, from a palm-sized heart-shaped quartz to epic amethyst slabs that cost thousands of dollars. The dazzling bounty of the earth is on full display here in the form of delicate jewelry, mineral specimens from around the world, and small polished stones that appeal to all ages. We love the beaded bracelets made from tumbled stones and one-of-a-kind pieces mounted on stands. Even when we’re not looking to buy, we can’t help but stop in whenever we’re in Cave Creek to see what Rare Earth Gallery has in store.

Maybe don’t tell the curators this, but we tend to spend as much time in museum gift shops as we do in the galleries — and Phoenix Art Museum is actually the only museum where we make a point of hitting the shop before we explore the exhibits. Carefully organized areas make it easy to find items for particular spaces like offices or kitchens, and we appreciate being able to find a great selection of affordable gifts from collapsible flower vases to puzzles featuring images of great works of art. The museum carries an impressive variety of jewelry for days you’re feeling classy, and a fun assortment of art-themed T-shirts for days you’d rather keep it simple. We never get bored shopping here, thanks to new merch tied into the ever-changing exhibition lineup. Best of all, the shop carries work by local artists, so we can support the creatives in our midst while we’re shopping.

Buying art can be intimidating, either because it’s way out of your price range or because you don’t know much about art in general. That’s never a concern at Practical Art, where the mood is always mellow. The shop carries pieces by more than 100 Arizona-based artists, who make furniture, garden decor, kitchen accessories, children’s items, jewelry, ceramics, and much more. One artist makes whimsical salt and pepper shakers to spice up your breakfast nook; another makes ceramic plates with saucy sayings perfect for office gift exchanges when you’re feeling just a tad passive-aggressive. The staff is always happy to share insights about local artists, and there’s an art club you can join to get access to special offerings. While you’re there, you can check out the store’s latest exhibition or talk with fellow art lovers who pop in to see what’s new.

It’s a good sign that artists and art students shop here. But Blick is fabulous for the rest of us, too. You can pop in and get a quick gift like a Moleskine notebook for the poet in your life, buy a frame for that print you never had a chance to hang on the wall, or grab a set of neon Sharpie markers for your friend with the white couch. Or you can snag a bunch of black cotton canvases and some glow-in-the-dark paint for your next house party. If you’re looking for alternatives to doomscrolling, pick up some clay so you can work with your hands, or buy a kit so you can carve a small soapstone figurine to display on your mantle. Blick can empower you to face down the tyranny of technology, and discover all the ways you can have fun with different materials from metal to paper. Love the earth? Choose their eco-friendly and recycled supplies. Love a kid? Check out their children’s art supplies. They’ll be happy to give you guidance, or just let you do your own thing. Now that paints a pretty picture.

These fiber folk take their yarn very seriously, but still manage to create an environment that’s welcoming for people of any skill level, or absolutely no skills at all. The shop has a stellar lineup of classes, where you can learn the ins and outs of beginning knitting or crocheting, try your hand at weaving and spinning, or see how you like doing needle felting. Whether you want to make a granny square throw or a needle-felted one-eyed monster is up to you. The shop has an incredible selection of yarns, and even carries fibers a local artist dyes by using desert plants. There’s a wonderful community spirit here, because curiosity is always supported and knowledge is generously shared.

Hopefully you don’t get triggered recalling all those seasons of Project Runway, when emerging designers would spend part of every episode frantically searching for just the right bolt of fabric with the perfect pattern, texture, weight, or flow. You can re-create their experience at SAS, a shop that’s practically stuffed wall to wall with fabrics — some traditional and others pretty out there. SAS can be the place you search for the ideal fabric for a prom dress or a tailored vest. But we love it for its funkier, whimsical side that inspires people to just stop in and play by picking out offbeat fabrics and accessories to buy for no particular reason, except the fact that it might rain one day, or you might want to mix up your cosplay vibe. SAS gives you incredible choices, and plenty of affirmation for your inner sewing nerd or wild child.

There are several reasons why, among other great shops, Imperial Outpost is the tip of the spear for gaming culture around Phoenix. They have a massive inventory of board, card, and tabletop games, from the big faves (such as Magic) to obscure titles (ever heard of Blood Bowl?) And what better way to try out that newly-purchased game than by playing it right there at the shop? Then, when it comes time to bolster your deck or expand your gameplay, the Outpost has supplies and add-ons galore. But all of that only hints at the store’s true importance: the human element. Whether you’re an old pro or a bright-eyed rookie, the store welcomes players with a passion for great gaming. And it rewards commitment by fostering a community that’s as much about robust competition as celebrating the simple pleasures of socialization. It’s a place where life can be enjoyed because people want you there, and they provide all the necessities — whether that’s D20 dice or friendly faces — to make gaming so much more. So, you could shop elsewhere. But it’s Imperial Outpost that’s home to the pure nerd magic that’s essential to any city.

From Coil to Carly Rae Jepsen, there’s something for all tastes in Zia Records’ dense stacks of CDs. Zia stocks plenty of new discs, but where the chain particularly shines is in its vast selection of used items. Zia’s Valley locations are treasure troves of cheap popular releases and deep cuts. Zia offers cash and store credit for CDs, so there’s usually a pretty good flow of new stock trickling into their stores, and the staff has pretty high standards for used disc conditions and won’t put anything on their shelves that’s too scratched or scuffed. Genre representation is also quite strong: If you’re looking for jazz or metal or hip-hop, they have dedicated sections packed with interesting titles. You want Santana and Rob Thomas’s “Smooth” single for a couple of bucks? No problem. How about albums by Phoenix world music/noise weirdos The Sun City Girls? You just may be in luck, buddy.

Where have generations of Phoenix musicians gone to buy their instruments? That would be Milano Music in downtown Mesa, which has been around since 1946. Whether your newly minted band kid needs his first clarinet or you’re a veteran rocker looking for a fresh axe, Milano has brand-name options in a variety of price points. Not sure your middle school student is going to stick with the violin? Milano offers rental instruments for low monthly payments, and insurance is included, so if your daughter’s flute is damaged in an unfortunate school bus incident, you’re completely covered. For professionals, Milano carries every instrument you’d find in a symphony orchestra or a rock band, plus the accessories you need to keep them working in good condition. And if you’re just getting started in music, Milano can help with that, too; they offer lessons for all ages.

Typewriters are a perfect ode to analog — a way to eliminate notifications, distractions, and get to writing. Bill Wahl recognizes this need, and for the last 70 years, his family has owned Mesa Typewriter Exchange. Opened in 1949, it’s been a mainstay in the downtown Mesa area. And just when typewriters seem like a thing of the past, people have become interested in reliving nostalgia with the sound and feel of something they used as when they were younger. The shop is a museum of sorts, with typewriters from every decade lining the shelves. The vintage technology appeals to collectors, writers, and even younger generations who want to try typing on the device. Of course, writers gravitate toward the typewriters because they want to get away from screens and the constant stream of stimuli on their computers. Living in the past isn’t always a bad thing.

The ease and discretion of ordering, ahem, certain personal products online can’t be denied. But there’s something to be said for visiting a store where you can check out the goods in person. At local chain Groove, you’ve got everything you want for a pleasurable evening solo or with others: lingerie, condoms, books, lube, sex toys, BDSM gear, bachelorette party merch, and way more. The atmosphere is sexy, not seedy, and the helpful staff won’t hover but are more than happy to answer questions and give suggestions. With four Valley locations, you’re never far away from what you need for a good time.

Imagine this: it’s 11 p.m. on a Saturday night, and you’re smack-dab in the middle of a night of boozy reveling in Old Town Scottsdale when it hits you. Oh shit, I need a smoke. Whether you’re coming from Bevvy or Boondocks, Hi-Life Smoke & Vapor isn’t far away. Both Scottsdale locations of Hi-Life have the best selection of artisanal glass pipes, disposable vapes, hookah supplies, and other smoking accessories. Whether you’re pining after a nectar collector in the shape of a sprinkled doughnut or a bong that looks like Mickey Mouse, Hi-Life has displays for days. The service is great, too, and you even get a free vape on your first visit.

We don’t care for pigeons. But parakeets and parrots? That’s another story. Birds and Then Some in north Phoenix is a pet store that specializes in domestic handfed baby birds. The bright, clean shop is stocked with well-cared-for birds and everything you need to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained. Depending on the day, they’ve got zebra finches, cockatiels, canaries, and caiques, plus cages, perches, food, and a delightful selection of toys. The staff are devoted bird-lovers and want to send you home with the right pet for you. And even polite looky-loos who just want to enjoy seeing the selection of birds at the store are welcome.

Whether you’re a law-enforcement professional, a forensics student, or you just really like watching Law & Order, you’ll love Crime Scene. The shop’s focus is providing forensic supplies to law-enforcement agencies and schools, but the public can buy the same gear that the pros do. That includes crime scene tape, fingerprint kits, blood-detecting equipment, and even body bags. For fans of true crime and police shows, Crime Scene sells activity kits in which participants use forensic evidence to solve an imaginary murder, as well as gift bundles full of toe tags, evidence bags, and more. The store even sells jackets that say Forensics on the back, but don’t try to use them to impersonate a professional — you want to be the one solving crimes, not committing them.

What do you get for the person who has everything? Perhaps a sheep’s brain in a jar? Okay, maybe not, but Curious Nature is the place to get items you can’t find anywhere else in Phoenix. The self-described “fine natural history emporium” sells macabre, rare, and fascinating goods. The dark little shop looks like the study of a mad scientist. It’s filled with artfully displayed insect specimens in frames, skeleton stickers, books on the occult, jewelry made out of animal bones — you get the idea. And the store isn’t just for buying things; they offer classes in art, taxidermy, reading tea leaves, and more. Curious Nature is set to move into a larger space on Seventh Avenue next year, and we can’t wait to see how their offerings will expand.

Every time a new Jurassic Park movie comes out, interest in dinosaurs spikes. But dinos are always top of mind at Tyrannostorus, one of the coolest little shops in town. The Mesa boutique stocks real fossils and pieces of dinosaur bone, plus a fun selection of science-type goods. Think replicas of Egyptian canopic jars, authentic meteorites, space-themed games, and crystal-growing kits. And of course, there’s plenty of dinosaur-themed items, from purses, hats, and stuffed animals to books, bath bombs, and replicas of claws. We never get tired of browsing the store and marveling at the merch. A visit to Tyrannostorus is sure to thrill science nerds of all ages. Best Cactus Merch

As longtime desert-dwellers, it’s been fascinating to watch the cactus become a popular motif in the past couple of years. We’ve always been proud of our saguaros, our prickly pears, and our organ pipes, and we show off our love for desert flora with goods from Frances. The perenially popular central Phoenix shop celebrated its 15th anniversary last year, and cactus-themed items are among its most beloved products. Frances sells cactus stickers, cactus earrings, cactus T-shirts — even cactus baby toys. Everything is stylish and fairly priced, making the merch both a great gift idea and stuff we’d be happy to take home for ourselves.

Our gorgeous winter weather often brings with it out-of-town visitors. We feed them, entertain them, and when it’s time for them to buy some souvenirs to take back with them, we show them the goods at Kactus Jock. The two Old Town Scottsdale locations have a wide selection of souvenirs that are fun without being cheesy. Relatives and former roommates have snapped up T-shirts with the official Old Town Scottsdale logo, hot sauces from Cactus Carlos, spring training shot glasses, desert-themed metal art, and plenty of postcards to send home. But Kactus Jock isn’t just for tourists. We may arrive with visitors in tow, but we leave with stuff for ourselves, such as Mexican glassware and Arizona-made spice rubs.

If the giant “Bicycles” sign doesn’t tell you what this retro-looking shop on Indian School Road sells, the window panes made out of wheels and spokes should do the trick. Landis Cyclery has been fixing and selling bikes in the Valley since 1912, and now has a location in Phoenix, two in Tempe, and another in north Scottsdale. If you need a new bike, or maybe just a little air in your tires, Landis is ready to help. The large store’s stock includes road bikes, mountain bikes, kids’ bikes, bike helmets, cycling shoes, gloves, tires, you name it. The shop also offers bike maintenance and services to get your dusty ride up to speed. Just try not to end up gathering armsful of merchandise as you wait, as we can’t seem to avoid. Helpful staff get you set with everything you need to hit the streets.

The downtown Phoenix art walk isn’t the only cool thing that happens on the first Friday of the month. North of Roosevelt Row, Ivory House Vintage Shop hosts the Rollin’ Retro Market. Held at North Phoenix Baptist Church, Rollin’ Retro Market combines two things we love: shopping and roller-skating. Your $3 entry fee includes skate rental and access to dozens of vendors selling vintage goods plus jewelry, clothing, art, and more. The whole affair is a groovy, high-energy event we look forward to each month. And if you can’t wait until First Friday to shop vintage, you can head out to Ivory House’s west Valley storefront at 650 North Estrella Parkway, Suite A4, in Goodyear.

We’ve often said that we only get up in the middle of the night for two things: air travel and the VNSA Used Book Sale. It’s held every year in February in an exhibition hall at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, and the name is actually a misnomer: When the sale began in the 1950s, it was just for books, but today you can find records, DVDs, magazines, games, puzzles, maps, and more. Hundreds of thousands of items are for sale, most for absurdly low prices — all biographies and vinyl records are just $1 each, for example — which is why book dealers, resellers, bibliophiles, and the like start lining up the night before to be first in the door. A few tips for the newbies: Bring lots of bags in case you don’t get a shopping cart; if you see something you think you want, grab it, because it may not be there in a couple of minutes; and you’ll get through checkout faster if you bring cash. Happy hunting.

Maybe there’s a time and a place for luxury boutiques, but we’d rather be shopping at Desert Crafted, where the vibe is genuine, creative, and calm. Instead of being bombarded by glitz, we’re embraced by desert tranquility here, where we always find a changing selection of goods curated by local artist Laura Plecas. On any given visit, we might find desert basics such as wide-brimmed hats or woven handbags, or self-care goodies like candles or exfoliating body brushes. We can always count on finding great gifts here, from unique earrings to ceramic trays with an evil eye motif. And the shop also carries original artworks by Plecas, which makes it a perfect place to start your journey as an art collector.

Now that we’re all spending less time on the couch and more time out in the world again, shopping for clothes feels like a grand adventure. That’s especially true at Phoenix General, where you’ll find a carefully curated selection of fashions that strike the perfect balance between timeless and trendy. One day, you’ll spot a denim jumpsuit with clean lines, and the next day you’ll find a hand-knitted top with a geometric design and playful cutouts. Shelves hold accessories like hats and handbags you won’t find in other shops around town, to help give the basic pieces in your wardrobe fresh life. Most importantly, the customer service here is superb, and we always feel great leaving the shop knowing we’re supporting a local business with strong roots in Phoenix.

In our opinion, there aren’t enough stores in metro Phoenix that are dedicated to outfitting men. And even fewer that offer carefully curated clothing and accessories that you don’t see on everyone. But at least we’ve got Cave + Post Trading Co., which opened last year in central Phoenix. Cave + Post calls itself a “men’s mercantile and general store.” We call it the best place to find well-made, subtly stylish goods for ourselves and the men in our lives. Think striped summer button-downs by Marine Layer, retro sunglasses by AO Eyewear, hats by local designer Iconic Arizona, and a fun selection of graphic T-shirts. There’s always something new to consider at Cave + Post, which is why we find ourselves visiting the store and the website again and again.

Well, it’s come to this: Clothing from the 1990s is now considered vintage. Let’s put that alarming development aside and focus on the fact that you can find stuff from the ’90s, plus every other decade of the 20th century, at Antique Sugar in downtown Phoenix. The store sells clothing and accessories for men and women, and there are new treasures every time we stop in. Midcentury letter sweaters. Groovy 1970s rock T-shirts. Gorgeous Mad Men-style party dresses. Prices are reasonable, and there are bargains to be found, especially on the days when Antique Sugar marks a lot of their items at $5 to make room for new acquisitions. You can find out when the sale days are, as well as keep up with what’s in store, on Antique Sugar’s always-entertaining Instagram feed.

When Rihanna announced her pregnancy by posting a photo of herself, baby bump on full display, in a hot pink puffer coat, it went viral. But we couldn’t help but notice the necklace she was wearing, a pearl and jewel number that purportedly cost $11,000. The superstar bought the eye-catching piece at Vintage by Misty, a small shop with a big reputation in Old Town Scottsdale. Vintage by Misty specializes in designer goods from the ’60s to the ’90s, everything from groovy Pucci sunglasses to disco-fabulous 1970s Gucci handbags to suede Chanel boots. There are no bargains here, but when you’ve been featured in British Vogue as one of best designer resale stores in the world, you don’t have to offer deals. And if you’ve got any top-quality goods you’re looking to part with, Vintage by Misty may take them, either by buying them outright or through consignment.

We appreciate a stylish pair of sneakers — on ourselves or others. So we love to browse the offerings at Many Worlds in central Phoenix. The clean, hip space is stocked with kicks from Nike, Adidas, and more, including plenty that are hard to find. On a recent visit, we ogled the Air Jordan 1 in a variety of colorways, super-comfortable Adidas Yeezy slides, and even tiny Nikes for little sneakerheads. Many Worlds shares space with Reshoevn8r, a sneaker-cleaning store and service, meaning our shoes always look their best. Besides sneakers, Many Worlds also carries branded hats, T-shirts, and water bottles, meaning we can truly look cool from head to toe.

Trill is a high-energy hip-hop shop promoting the genre’s four fundamental elements: breaking, MCing (rapping), DJing, and graffiti. For starters, there’s a dance floor in the middle of the shop for b-boys and b-girls to breakdance; in May, during their third-anniversary shindig, Trill hooked up the best breakers with $3,000 cash. Trill also provides a stage and sound system for local rap artists and DJs to perform, and they hook up graffiti artists in town with plenty of paint and wall space to use it on. In addition, the store slings everything hip-hop: the dopest streetwear from brands such as Supreme and Anti Social Social Club; art supplies; music in vinyl, CD, and cassette formats; DJ gear; sneakers; and toys and collectibles.

Cowtown Skateboards touts the fact that it focuses on “skateboarding only,” allowing the circa-1997 chain with stores around the Valley to dial in on providing the best products at affordable prices. Cowtown sells brand-name decks, trucks, bearings, grip tape and wheels, skate gear and sneakers, slaps, skate mags, helmets and pads, and other merch — even healing cream in case you munch it. But besides just selling things, Cowtown is also dedicated to nurturing the local skateboarding community. The company hosts skateboard events throughout the Valley, including some that are for locals only and some that benefit charity, as well as PHXAM, an event that draws competitors from around the world. Whether you’re a beginner dropping in or a pro flying in to compete, Cowtown has the knowledge and gear to get you off the ground.

If you’re wondering about that zero-waste life or just want to take small steps toward a more sustainable existence, Desert Refillery is the place to start. Since 2020, owners Kyle Walters and Tiffany Skoyen have been working hard to bring the zero-waste philosophy to Phoenix and educate the community through their passion. Desert Refillery is the place to go for a bring-your-own-container station where you can fill your vessel with laundry detergent, dish soap, hair conditioner, and more. They also carry various sustainable products for everyday life, such as beeswax wraps and compostable utensils. Outside the shop, you can find them on Instagram giving tips, tricks, and recommendations for living more sustainably.

We’re fortunate to live in a state where the outdoors recreation is so easily accessible. But making the decision to hike, camp, kayak, or boulder means needing gear, and to us, needing gear means a trip to Arizona Hiking Shack. We go to the large, neatly organized shop for apparel from well-known brands like Columbia; rope for rock-climbing; camping gear from tents to lights to food; hiking shoes; and safety equipment to make it home in one piece. The website is sparsely stocked, but don’t let that fool you. The store is chock-full of equipment for pretty much any outdoor activity you can do in the state. Arizona Hiking Supply also offers classes like Backpacking 101 and a large section of books and maps, because really, knowledge is the best tool of all.

You don’t have to be the Mother Brain to figure out why The Gaming Zone is the best place in the Valley to buy and sell video games. The employees at either location are friendlier (read: less snarky) than other local stores, the trade rates are better, and the sheer depth of the selection is staggering. Besides a voluminous amount of titles, consoles, controllers, and accessories for sale from throughout gaming history — from the Atari 2600 to newer must-haves like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X — The Gaming Zone also offers numerous rarities in its collection. That includes a number of unique “repro” (or reproduction) cartridges of unreleased, custom-made, and homebrew games for such old-school systems as the Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and Super Nintendo. And when you tire of searching for finds like Link hunting for pieces of the Triforce, both locations have arcade classics available for play. Game on.

Everything is in earth tones. There’s always a brass shelf. Cristin Clark has curated her shop in downtown Mesa into a time capsule of the 1960s and ’70s with pieces she’s sourced from all over metro Phoenix. Large pieces of teak furniture sit in the window, staged with pothos vines and restored artwork that give off the same vibes as an old-school James Bond film with a bit of extra bohemian charm. Clark has been curating and collecting furniture and vintage memorabilia most of her life, so the aesthetic of Buckhorn Vintage comes naturally. The best way to keep up with the latest items in the shop is through Facebook and Instagram; make sure to follow so you don’t miss out on that piece you’ve been looking for.

If antique shopping was an Olympic sport, this is where you would want to train. You can build up your endurance strolling through all the aisles filled with objects, then get in some weightlifting when you try to carry the bag with all your fun finds. One day, you might find a collectible you’ve been trying to track down for years; another time, you could stumble on the perfect piece of vintage furniture for that quirky space where nothing else ever seemed to look just right. The selection here is huge, and the shop is filled with unexpected finds thanks to the hundreds of vendors who bring their quirky delights. You’ll find home and office decor, jewelry and accessories, and plenty of craft items or artworks that can transform your spaces into wonderlands of vintage color and design.

When you’re done binge-watching a bunch of baking shows, it’s perfectly natural to have the uncontrollable urge to throw on a ruffled apron and dig through your cupboards for just the right baking cups. Right? It’s happened to us more than a few times, and we always feel better knowing this baking supply shop is there to inspire new edible creations with fun themes, colors, or designs. We love looking for just the right baking tool, fondant, or luster dust. And it’s great to have the option of ordering from their catalog when you’re got the luxury of planning ahead for parties where your cakes or other goodies have to bring the wow factor. We never feel embarrassed to ask questions, and we never get tired of trying new things using what we’ve found here, whether we’re cooking for a big family reunion or a small office shindig.

Everyone knows that pets rule the world, so it makes perfect sense that Pet Planet would take top honors. Here, the focus is on healthy food, treats, and supplements, and you can find choices that aren’t always available in other pet supply stores. Whether you’ve got a new puppy or a senior cat, the knowledgeable staff will help you find just what you need. Value days and sales help you save money, and you can always find a fun assortment of toys to enrich your pet’s life along with collars and other necessities with a fashionable twist. When you just want to bring a little more TLC into your pet’s life, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.

Showering up with some ordinary soap gets the job done, but rinsing the dirt off with the help of a fragrant bar from Tracy Perkins and her crew at Strawberry Hedgehog truly puts that old quote about treating your body like a temple into action. Not only do they look beautiful, dotted with herbs, seeds, or flowers that add to the overall magic, the essence of the vegan soaps lingers long after your shower. You can feel the softness on your skin and smell the captivating blends. The varieties of chunky soap bars include sweet orange and clove, blueberry-lavender, and calming coconut. Real soap fanatics can join Hedgehog’s monthly soap club. But they don’t just sell soap. There are body care items from facial cleansers to oil for your bushy beard. The whipped body cream is like slipping on a silk suit. It’s also cool that their mission includes being cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.

History is full of horrors, but it can also be full of beauty. Baseline Flowers has a rich history in the Valley: Founded in 1950 by the late Hiroshi Nakagawa, the shop started as a vegetable and flower farm that was part of south Phoenix’s Japanese flower farms, an area where Japanese-American families came together to farm and start anew after World War II. While all the other shops from this time in Phoenix’s history are gone, Baseline Flowers is still standing — proud and resilient as a sunflower. Baseline Flowers offers a rich array of flowers and does custom floral arrangements. The shop also occasionally puts on events such as their A Slice storytelling series. While flowers themselves live short and ephemeral lives, the people at Baseline Flowers who cultivate them and present them in such beautiful fashion have been doing this for a long, long time. History isn’t just in books — you can find it in bouquets, too.

If you’ve ever been intimidated by trying to care for just a single plant, you know how important it is to find flowers, herbs, and trees that really fit your environment. Berridge Nurseries has a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere so you’ll never hesitate to ask questions or feel embarrassed because you don’t know even the basics about water, soil, or light. We love the fact that staff are super knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful, but never take the hard sell approach that leads to poorly paired people and plants. They’ve got a huge selection of pottery and planters, along with all the necessary tools for gardening, and decor in myriad styles. It’s the best one-stop nursery in town when you want to enjoy caring customer service, explore charming gifts, and have a bounty of beautiful plants to choose from.

A time machine seems to have taken a whole lot of people back to the 1970s, because we’re seeing houseplants at every turn these days. On home renovation shows. In co-working spaces. In friends’ tiny apartments. Unfortunately, loving the look of houseplants doesn’t always translate into knowing how to keep the darn things alive. Dig It Gardens excels at assisting plant experts and the merely plant-curious with finding the right flora for their homes and offices. They carry a great selection of plants for hanging baskets, giant floor pots, or open shelves, and they’ll never turn you loose without making sure you know just what your new greenery needs to thrive. You can get creative with their workshops, where you might fill a skull or a pumpkin with a fun assortment of succulents or herbs. Or, you can join the fun on customer appreciation days when they bring in live music, food trucks, live art, free sips, and local vendors. Dig It Gardens isn’t just a plant shop. It’s a creative community, and we’re here for it.

There’s not a lot new to say about Changing Hands Bookstore. The Valley mainstay has been an independent business for nearly 50 years. The two locations carry new and used books, plus an eclectic and ever-changing selection of merchandise, including puzzles, kitchen goods, home decor, novelties, jewelry, and accessories. The events calendar is packed with writing workshops run by local authors, storytelling events, book club meetups, and appearances by local and national writers. If you visit the central Phoenix location, you can grab a glass of wine or beer at the popular First Draft Book Bar. But in addition to all this, Changing Hands is and always has been a powerful voice for the value of indie bookstores as well as social justice, racial equality, and acceptance for all. We’re proud to shop there.

A hop and a skip away from Cartel Coffee Lab and Buffalo Exchange near Arizona State University, Ash Avenue Comics & Books is the third point on a triangle of Tempe culture — places where hipsters and nerds and old heads alike converge to give each other the gift of fab and find their new favorite thing. Ash Avenue carries single issues and graphic novels, offering a broad assortment of mainstream Marvel/DC titles along with FantaGraphic collections of old comic strips, Love & Rockets, obscure creator-owned titles, zines, and other ephemera. The Ash Avenue staff are friendly and well-versed in all things comics, so they’re more than happy to be your Virgil as you navigate the netherworld of illustrated storytelling. The store also buys comics if you’ve got some sweet collectibles or complete runs of in-demand titles you’re looking to trade in. It’s a cozy, neatly organized place where you can go to marinate in all things weird and nerdy without fear of judgment or getting put on the spot by someone demanding to prove your comic book nerd bona fides.

The moment the next installment of Phoenix Flea is announced, we start squirreling away extra money. You see, the one-day modern market typically held a couple of times a year is a veritable wonderland of things we want to buy. The April market had more than 100 vendors, including local favorites Paige Poppe Art, Keep Nature Wild, Iconic Cocktail Co., and The House of Used, plus food and drink purveyors such as Mustache Pretzels and Honey Bear’s BBQ. We love the wide range of available goods, the convenient location in downtown’s Phoenix’s Heritage Square and Science Park, and the hustle and bustle of the large crowd each market draws. The next Phoenix Flea is November 26, and you bet we’ll be purchasing our tickets in advance so we can get in and start shopping as quickly as possible.