There's a saying about boxing gyms: The more rundown, the more legit. While Cowtown Skateboards isn't exactly rundown, the store offers the same sort of lived-in feeling, not unlike your favorite pair of Vans. Two decades ago, the flagship store in Phoenix took over an old Cowtown Boots location, and because signs were too expensive at the time, the owners kept the Cowtown sign and the brand was born. That same level of ingenuity continues to reign as Cowtown has grown Southwest skate culture through events and branded merch. Whether you're a serious skater looking for high-quality trucks or just a fan of the subculture in the market for dope clothing, you'll find it at Cowtown.

Formerly called the Wag N' Wash, this local spot recently underwent a name change. But that's pretty much the only thing that changed at Bark If You're Dirty, the best dog wash in town. The front of the store is a pet shop filled with everything you and Fido might need, from food and treats to collars and toys. Check in at the counter and select which type of wash you want. Does your dog just need a quick shower? Or more of a deep clean with conditioner to make their fur shine and smell nice? Once you've made your selection, follow a staff member to the back into a space filled with large metal bathtubs with side flaps that fold down to help get your dog inside. Adjust the water temperature and get to washing. Each bathtub comes with a flexible shower head, scrub brushes, shampoos and soaps, and a stack of towels. If your pooch is brave enough, there are also hair dryers to ensure Fluffy is as fluffy as possible. Walk back through the store on your way out and grab a treat for your freshly cleaned pup.

Stemistry would be notable if just for the awe-inspiring fact that its founder and owner, Dylan Capshaw, 17, is possibly the youngest owner of a brick-and-mortar store in the country. He goes to high school full time and owns and operates these shops while running a wildlife rescue and taking helicopter lessons, among other interests. But the business stands on its own as a destination. Stemistry concentrates on two things — coffee and flowers — and does both extremely well, selling top-quality and often local products in an adorable ambiance full of rustic charm and greenery with friendly service. Some of the coffee drinks even incorporate flowers, such as the photogenic signature rose latte, and you can enjoy your java jolt while pulling stems from the build-your-own-bouquet bar. The concept, which launched in Scottsdale in March 2022, was such a success that a second location followed less than a year later in Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix. Capshaw, a history buff and an old soul, paid homage to the historic venue by naming a few of the specialty drinks after prominent Phoenicians of the past.

The Plant Stand is the place for metro Phoenix plant enthusiasts and newbies looking to add greenery to their homes or businesses. With its extensive selection of plants, including popular indoor varieties, exotic options and hardy succulents, there's something for everyone. The store's location on 10 acres with four greenhouses is impressive, allowing for a wide range of plants to be cultivated and displayed — and events, which brings this nursery to a higher level in more ways than one. The unique feature of using the store's enormous size as a venue for yoga and cannabis sessions adds an exciting twist. The combination of plant shopping, decor selection and wellness activities makes The Plant Stand more than just a nursery — it's a destination that caters to various green interests. The imported pottery selection also adds to the appeal, offering a variety of decor styles to complement both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Pueblo is a plant-lover's desert oasis. The Grand Avenue shop has a whole host of houseplants, and upon walking into its airy warehouse space, your eyes may need to adjust to the lush greenery popping out at you from every nook and cranny. Owners Michael Lanier and Coby Bruckner, and their team, offer a helping hand to select the perfect plant and answer questions about care. But Pueblo is more than a plant shop, curating an ever-changing roster of planters, home goods and gifts. And, Pueblo invites guests to linger, from browsing its vintage gardening library to cozying up on its patio, where the uber-cute khaki three-wheeled Italian truck turned coffee bar Caffio Espresso serves daily.

Whether you're making a Muppet costume, a sofa cover or a wedding dress, SAS Fabrics has what you need. It's always a little overwhelming to walk into SAS's Tempe or Phoenix locations; open the front door and you're immediately met with a dizzying assortment of fabrics in every print, color and texture you can imagine. Besides the fabrics, SAS carries elastic, buttons, trim, zippers and everything else to put the finishing touches on your project. The helpful and knowledgeable staff will cut your fabric and send you home with a smile so you can begin the creation process. At SAS, the only limit is your imagination.

In terms of baking ability, we're pretty mid. We won't ever be mistaken for the Cake Boss, but we can make a mean batch of cupcakes that will be the hit of the office Christmas party. And when we need something for our baking that goes beyond what we can find at a grocery store, ABC Cake Decorating Supplies is where we go. We can get a Darth Vader edible photo image for our nephew's birthday cake and edible glitter for a batch of baby shower cupcakes. There are cookie cutters, a huge selection of flavorings and themed cupcake papers for all the major holidays. It's a one-stop shop for bakers of all skill levels, and if you need an informed opinion, the experienced staff will help you choose what you need to make your next batch of cookies a success.

Far from the lauded Melrose District, the motherlode of vintage shops in the Valley, lies this lesser-known but just as impressive bastion of furniture and decor. At a strip mall in Ahwatukee neighboring a Kohl's, Vintageous stealthily sells a frequently rotating selection of midcentury modern dressers, desks, lamps and more. But instead of fighting through claustrophobic rooms tightly clogged with towering shelves of tacky tchotchkes, old dishware and other yard-sale detritus, the inventory is well-curated and the roomy shop is easy to navigate and well-organized. The prices are reasonable, too, especially for the quality — you'll find no shoddy, build-it-yourself bureaus or pressboard end tables here, just solid pieces in great shape for the same or maybe less than what you'd pay at a major chain store. It's also a treasure trove for old jean jackets and great gifts ranging from martini shakers to ashtrays. We once found an iron toilet paper holder in the shape of a dachshund with an extra-long tail for the rolls that gives our recipient no end of delight to this day.

There's a certain satisfaction that comes when you know you've picked just the right gift. If you've got a housewarming party coming up, you'll experience the feeling if you walk through the doors of one of UrbAna's two Valley locations. Cocktail lovers would appreciate midcentury modern-inspired glassware by Rialto, while a friend who spends all his time in the kitchen would get plenty of use out of Staub baking dishes. White coasters with delicate gold cactuses are a good fit for any Phoenix home, and taper candles paired with matches in apothecary jars are always a welcome gift. Or you could give the new homeowners an UrbAna gift card, allowing them to choose their own perfect gift.

Nostalgia, anyone? That "this feels like the past" vibe will wash over you as soon as you walk into Mesa Typewriter Exchange. Owner Bill Wahl's father opened the shop in 1949, and since that time, the space has housed innumerable vintage typewriters, from early-20th-century models to chic midcentury examples. People who want to step away from their laptops and spend some time in front of an old-school typewriter will likely find something that will fit their writing needs. With so many choices, customers are sure to find what they need, whether it's a functional machine or just a twee home accessory. Mesa Typewriter Exchange also rents typewriters as well as repairs what you've already got at your home or office.