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.

The act of buying a new vehicle tends to be about as exciting as a root canal. Not so at Tempe Autoplex, where shopping is like walking around a chrome-plated toy store. There are thousands of vehicles across the 12 individual dealerships, which means a selection to fit most budgets, lifestyles, and color preferences. Don't think of it as yet another affordable car dealership — it's more of a monument to the grander car culture of the Valley. Tempe Autoplex's mere existence demonstrates just how vital cars are to the larger cultural makeup of the region. Even those among us with an apathetic outlook on cars could find ourselves swept up by the allure of wandering around 80-plus acres of pure vehicular power.