Best Comic Book Shop 2013 | Ash Avenue Comics & Books | Shopping & Services | Phoenix
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Best Comic Book Shop

Ash Avenue Comics & Books

Perhaps a trip to the comics shop sounds like a nostalgia-ridden adventure down memory lane. While it can certainly serve that function, Ash Avenue Comics is big on the now. With a solid selection of fresh indie books, notable graphic novels, and big-name serials, too, the Tempe standby eschews an old-timey feel for a selection that'll surprise anyone who's been on a hero hiatus. Not sure where to begin? Consult owner Drew Sully. The shopkeeper is (surprise) an avid comics reader and readily dishes on his favorite ongoing series like Uncanny X-Men or Hellboy in Hell.

Best Art Supply Store

Arizona Art Supply

Online supply stores and national art supply chains are gobbling up mom-and-pop art shops at an alarming rate. Yeah, it's a sign of the times, but when it comes down to where we like to buy our specialty colored pencils, airbrush paints, newsprint, and printing plates, we'll stick to Arizona Art Supply.

The locally owned and operated supply shop opened in 1951 and was one of the first stores in town dedicated to selling just art supplies. Today, it's one of the last of its kind in Phoenix. The store has expanded to include locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun City, and Tucson, but our favorite location continues to be the massive store in Central Phoenix. It houses a massive collection of everything you'll need for your next creative project, art-school final, or summertime craft. And if you really don't want to leave the comfort of your studio, you can shop for your goods on the Arizona Art Supply website.

Best Vintage Comic Book Store

All About Books and Comics

Whether you're looking to buy or consign vintage comics, All About Books and Comics is the place for you. This Central Phoenix shop has a great selection of back issues of vintage comics, including Captain America, Thor, Avengers, X-Men, Dr. Strange, Superman, Flash, Mr. Miracle, Spider-Man, and Iron Man. Can't find what you're looking for? A helpful clerk will check the backroom for the issue. Looking for vintage on the cheap? Check the dollar room. Want to play? AAB&C sells action figures, toys, and other superhero collectibles.

Best Fabric Store

SAS Fabrics by the Pound

Sometimes you need ribbon the length of a few football fields. Sometimes you need the little backs to stick teddy bear eyes onto a handmade doll. Other times you need pounds and pounds of glitter tulle — well, maybe that was just us. Either way, if you need all that jazz and you need it on the cheap, SAS is the only place to go. The prettiest vintage patterns, discarded patches, and the oddest little notions in town can all be found at the Tempe SAS at bargain-bin prices. Although SAS may not have a fabric selection as big as those at the national stores, and the customer service can leave a bit to be desired, we can't help going back time and time again when we're in a pinch to make a quick costume. The price is right and you just never know what you'll find at the bottom of a stack of old fabric scraps and bolts.

Best Knitting Supplies

Tempe Yarn & Fiber

No use crying over a dropped stitch. Tempe Yarn & Fiber has your back. For knitters of all levels, this is the place to come not just to buy supplies, but to learn new skills. On any day of the week, knitting groups meet at the store (including one specifically for dudes on Sundays), and the friendly staff is willing to help you tackle your latest knitting dilemma at any time of day. Or, if the issue is too large, they will happily direct you to one of the many classes offered to get you back on track. If you're a knitting pro, you can take it to the next level and learn to make your own yarn: Tempe Yarn & Fiber offers multiple classes on spinning and dyeing as well.

Best Running Store

Runner's Den

When savvy sprinters and cross-country junkies want the rundown on a great pair of footwear, they jog over to North Phoenix's Runner's Den. This locally owned shop has been a go-to source for running retail in the Valley since 1978 and with very good reason. Being runners themselves, the staff at Runner's Den are fanatical about footwear. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime customer looking to try a new brand, the sales associates at Runner's Den will go out of their way to find the shoes that help strengthen your stride and save you from injury. But be warned, with such careful analysis and enthusiasm for running, you will be asked to run around the building or, at the very least, jog in place at the store. From shoes and sweat-absorbing socks to fitness apparel and various types of electrolyte goo, Runner's Den remains the ultimate destination for die-hard cardio addicts.

Best Bicycle Shop

Landis Cyclery

One of our favorite things about Landis Cyclery is the staff's inverse proportion of knowledge and conceit. That is, the guys and gals who work at Landis know their cranksets from their derailleurs without the accompanying attitude we've found at other bike shops. Being both street- and dirt-friendly cyclists, we have higher-than-average maintenance and upgrade needs. Real-wheel cassettes, new RockShox forks, general repairs and tuneups, tires and tubes, fresh gloves — those sorts of things. We like to visit all four locations, but love the mid-size stand-alone shop at Southern Avenue and the Superstition Freeway best — mainly because it's been there longer than the freeway. In fact, the company was founded in 1912 and is still owned by members of the Landis family (who aren't related to infamous doping cyclist Floyd Landis). With this level of service and community support — the chain supports a number of local cycling events — we expect Landis to be around for another 100 years.

Best Shopping on Grand Avenue

Jackalope Trading Post

When Go-Kat-Go giddy-upped and left its Melrose Curve digs, some big changes happened. First, the owners changed the name to Jackalope Trading Post. Second, they set up shop next to downtown's destination dive bar, the Bikini Lounge on Grand Avenue. Here, in their historic home, the good folks of Jackalope Trading Post have fine-tuned the theme of their eclectic hand-me-down goods. Kitschy throwbacks to the Southwest's yesteryears fill the small space and keep shoppers' wandering eyes busy with vintage mechanic patches, antique kitchenware, distressed road maps, and retro resort key tags. Individually, the items at the Jackalope Trading Post are chaos, but collectively, they call upon time and a place that hipsters, roadtrippers, Arizona locals, and Americana lovers can all appreciate.

Best Shopping on Mill Avenue

Meat Market Vintage

In its second year as a brick-and-mortar shop on Mill Avenue, Ben Funke and Cory Martinez's Meat Market has further solidified itself as a go-to for hipster-approved vintage finds. That means Garfield engineer caps, teensy men's running shorts, plenty of cheeky T-shirts, and buttons emblazoned with phrases like "God, World's Greatest Father." Of course, it's not all jokery. The shop consistently brings in highly sought-after items like immaculate tooled leather bags, gorgeous dresses, killer cowboy boots, statement jewelry, and fur coats (you'll find faux and real when the weather's cool). And don't let the hipster designation deter you. The owners are mega-friendly and love chatting about their quirky finds.

Best Place to Buy Antiques on a Budget

Historic District Resale Mall

Looking for something unique but don't have much to spend? Head to downtown Peoria, to an antiques mall with an endless variety of goods at reasonable prices. These stores are packed with dolls, old-fashioned baby cribs, curio cabinets, bronze and Asian art, end tables, antique dishes, rustic furniture, and endless tchotchkes. Home to Home Furniture just opened its door between the two Resale Mall stores and also offers an eclectic mix of wares — a picture frame turned into a serving tray perfect for breakfast in bed, a four-fold Japanese room divider, vintage candy containers. The trio of shops increases your odds of finding exactly what you wanted, even if you didn't know you needed it until you saw it. It's worth a drive from just about anywhere.

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