Best Kink Outfitter 2012 | Leather Masters | Best of Dallas® 2020 | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Dallas | Dallas Observer
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Best Kink Outfitter

Leather Masters

So you need a leather jock strap. Or maybe it's a nice, well-made harness you're after, or possibly a collar for the special submissive in your life. Leather Masters has all things leather and latex for the discerning BDSM-er, plus all the rings, stretchers, straps, sheaths and toys your love life has been crying out for. The Deep Ellum shop (they also have a location in San Jose, California) can also custom-make an outfit, if your imagination is ranging even further than what they have in stock.

Best Convenience Store

6-Twelve Food Store

You can go to a 7-Eleven, we guess, if you like harsh lighting and stale, corporate snack cakes. Or you can hit Oak Cliff's 6-Twelve, which has exactly the same stuff (beer, gum, dodgy-looking packets of caffeine pills). We're not going to lie to you: We're basing this one entirely on the name. Plus, the neighborhood is a little low on stores, convenience or otherwise, meaning if you're on your way to a party and get a call to bring snacks, you have limited options. Stock up on some Takis (Mexico's finest rolled chip, preferably in "Fuego" flavor) and a box of wine and you'll be good to go.

Best Computer Repair Center (Non-Genius Bar Division)

Micro Center

When your laptop starts emitting black smoke and making agonized dying-cat noises, people like to helpfully chirp, "Just go to the Genius Bar!" like they've just solved world hunger or something. When you have a PC, the temptation to punch those people in the eyeball is rather fierce. Luckily, Micro Center's there for you, located in Richardson's outer edges, just a short drive up U.S. 75. You'll drop your machine off at their help desk, then watch as they whisk it off to a just-visible workroom area, one that's always crowded with sad, broken machines waiting to be made whole again. In a few hours or days your electronic baby generally comes back good as new. Feel free to take it home and hug it to your chest muttering "precious, my precious," with a situationally inappropriate amount of intensity. We know. We've been there.

Best Makeup Counter

Neiman Marcus

The women of Neiman Marcus are here to help with your face. They know that some of it's dry and the rest of it's greasy. They know you need a red lipstick that doesn't make your teeth pop out like yellow Chiclets. They know all of that in the kindest way, and they will happily — and patiently — show you 15 different eyebrow pencils until you find one that's exactly the right shade of medium/light ash (whatever that means). Best of all, you don't have to go to the mall every time you need a refill on foundation. Just slip in Neiman's side door, get your beauty fix and be on your way. Don't worry about that extra $70 you just inadvertently spent on all those products you didn't know you needed until one of those helpful ladies came along. Happens to the best of us.

Best Body Jewelry

Obscurities

Yes, you can try to pierce your nose yourself, if you want to end up with an extra nostril. And you can use crappy, nickel-plated jewelry from the mall if you enjoy unsightly rashes, green tinges and possible infections. Or you can do the grown-up thing and get yourself over to Obscurities for the high-quality stuff: implant grade stainless steel, real gold, plus any number of gorgeous glass and wood spirals and plugs. If you're getting pierced there or just buying replacement jewelry, they'll still gladly sit you down in a chair, put on sterile non-latex gloves (don't have those in your disgusting bathroom at home either, do you?) and pop in your shiny new appendage. The jewelry's not cheap, but that's because it's top-notch. Do it right and spare all of us the sight of your crusty, infected lower lip.

Best Tipsy Treasure Hunt

Lula B's East

Whether in Deep Ellum for brunch, lunch, an early dinner or just a round of drinks, Lula B's is always a great place for some primo tipsy treasure hunting. After entering the two-story secondhand store, no matter which way you stumble you'll discover every nook and cranny is filled with amazing out-of-date finds, from old books and vinyl records to vintage apparel and shoes to ornate furniture, jewelry and knickknacks. With more than 75 vendors and thousands of square feet of space, there's bound to be something for every buzzed browser. And better yet, frequent visits unearth new treasures.

Best Secondhand Store

Garland Road Thrift

While it's been frequented by East Dallas hipsters and Lake Highland grandmas for years, Garland Road Thrift has managed to stay out of the thrift-store limelight (which is why we're so hesitant to tell you about it). The enormous florescent-lit warehouse is filled with bargains, and has everything from furniture and electronics to shoes and clothes, puzzles, games, baby items, curtains and glassware you'd find for at least four times as much in antique shops around town. It's a thrifty person's haven, as long as you're willing to dig for the good stuff.

Best Place to Develop Film

BWC

Since 1975, Dallas photographers have had a reliable place to get their film developed, printed, scanned or mounted. BWC covers digital and analog photographers from pros to hobbyists, whether the film the photographer shoots is 35mm, 120mm, 220mm or 4-by-5, or whether the film needs to be processed in C-41, E-6 or traditional black and white chemistry — don't even think about taking that old roll of black and white film to Walmart or a drug store. BWC has long been the go-to place for the photography industry. Where else can you get your photos printed on 4-by-6 or 8-by-10 for Grandma, as well as photos printed on oversized canvases, banners, fancy desk calendars or flip-flops?

Best Women's Clothing Store

Milk & Honey Boutique

This trendy boutique, located on Henderson just a few doors down from The Pearl Cup and chic knickknack shop We Are 1976, exclusively carries women's clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. The store's aesthetic is charming and warm; it has a similar vibe to Anthropologie, but without the corporate feel. The merchandise is fresh and true to current trends without costing a fortune, and discounted treasures can always be found in the shop's bountiful sale section.

Best Place to Buy an Old Camera

Don's Photo Equipment

Need an affordable vintage camera strap to replace the awful stock strap that came with your first D-SLR? Or maybe that old 35mm camera that someone found in the attic needs a lens cap? Still need 35mm film or some photo paper to develop in the darkroom? Don's Photo Equipment started selling new and used photographic equipment to Dallas professionals and hobbyists about 15 years ago, and as the analog industry went digital, the shop has managed to keep its feet firmly planted in both worlds. Accessibly located in the heart of Dallas' Design District near downtown, Don's employees will happily talk shop with you all day even if you never spend a dime (whereas the competitor nearby would rather cut the conversation short and end the transaction). Don's covers all a photographer's basic needs from camera bodies and lenses to studio lighting and darkroom equipment to photo albums and killer vintage camera straps. And Don's buys used photo gear from individuals and estates. So, before tossing that old 35mm camera out, please, take it by Don's.

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