Best Used Bookstore 2016 | Recycled Books | Best of Dallas® 2020 | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Dallas | Dallas Observer
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Best Used Bookstore

Recycled Books

Known as "the big, purple building on the square," Recycled Books is a beacon for book and music lovers from across the country. Located in the historical Wright's Opera House on the corner of Locust and Oak streets in Denton, Recycled offers three levels filled with shelves of used books. It's quite a change from the tiny storefront on University Drive where Recycled first opened in the early '80s. Today, the used bookstore is emblematic of Denton's "independent and arts-loving spirit" and offers rare books, records, CDs, DVDs and VHS (as well as other collectibles) all at affordable prices. "Just as Walt Whitman commented that great poetry requires great audiences, Recycled is able to be what it is because of its great customers and the community it's a part of," its website reads, and the Observer agrees.

Best Army/Navy Store

The Army Store

There's nothing like a well done military surplus store. Sure, they often appear the same, with racks of old uniforms, displays of button insignia, dangling backpacks from various nations and cheeky T-shirts that say "Infidel" in Arabic. But the Army Store, Dallas' oldest surplus store, takes the concept to a professional level. The prices are reasonable, the stock is clean and well-presented and the staff friendly. Even better for aficionados, the stock rotates nicely so fresh finds are there to reward repeat visitors. The family-owned store doubles as the best place in Dallas to buy airsoft paintball weaponry.

Best Place to Buy Something Cute for Baby and You

Gypsy Wagon

A modern cowgirl's oasis in Knox-Henderson, Gypsy Wagon offers a plethora of clothing, home decor, shoes, hats, children's toys and clothes. Although abundant in its bohemian Western wear, the store is carefully curated. From Free People tribal dresses to Minnetonka leather cowboy hats, Gypsy Wagon carries the perfect outfit and accessories for a festival weekend or a road trip to Marfa. Bring that Boho Texas feeling home with their home goods selection — from cactus vases to bright hand-stitched pillows. Have a little cowgirl? Check out the kids' corner with onesies from KicKee Pants, embroidered Mexican dresses, leather baby moccasins and cowboy boots. And if you are shopping with the little one, the cute plush unicorns and longhorns will make for a great distraction.

Best Place to Buy Weird Kinky Stuff

Leather Masters

This outlet is where craftsmen carefully stitch, stud and staple leather gear for BDSM sex. In 2005 California-based Leather Masters bought a boot shop and opened a fetish supply outlet in Deep Ellum. It may not seem like a big deal to the uninitiated, but having experts on staff and the ability to make alterations on premises is a huge plus. Honestly, who wants to be uncomfortable when dangling from a harness while someone whips your genitals? Well, you know what we mean.

Best Stone and Rock Vendors

AAA Sand & Stone

Look at your neighbor's yard. Behold the array of large rocks and stones laid out in such complex and bewildering patterns that future archaeologists could try to match them with myriad astronomical alignments. Then ask yourself, how do I get my own yard looking as Druidic and mysterious? The answer, you wannabe pagan, is AAA Sand & Stone. It's a 5-acre playground of earthen material with enormous racks of rocks, slabs of stone, collections of car stops, miles of mulch and groupings of gravel to examine. Watch your fingers and back muscles as you handpick your rocks, or depend on their delivery service and fleet of trucks to deliver.

  • 10550 Miller Rd, Dallas, TX 75238 Phone:, Dallas, 75238 Map

Best Citibank ATM

7-Eleven

A couple years ago, Citibank changed strategies. Where once they focused on 120 cities around the world, they decided to cut 20 from their consumer banking portfolio. Dallas was one of the 20 they cut. When Citibank abandoned Dallas, cardholders who moved to Dallas from out of state discovered that the only place to find an ATM is a 7-Eleven convenience store. The preferred store for such bank-seekers largely depends on location, but special consideration should be paid to locations that accept check deposits. For that, the 7-Eleven on Garland and Easton takes the cake.

Best Educational Kids Store

Lakeshore Learning Store

Although most parents might consider Lakeshore Learning solely for teachers, the store caters to any caregiver interested in providing children with learning experiences. These toys aren't superhero focused or purple and pink. They are fun exploratory toys — like kinetic sand and water beads, water tables with magnetic fishing poles and toy fish, parachutes and balance boards, light tables and Magnatiles. Although at times pricey, Lakeshore Learning is one of few toy stores in the Dallas area that carries educational supplies and toys. When your child is playing with toys from Lakeshore Learning, they are also building skills and knowledge. Their curiosity is engaged, not their brand awareness.

Best Tattoo Artist

Liz Cook

She slings ink better than most artists, creating lifelike images with her permanent art. She's been featured in the Observer and appeared on several cable tattoo shows. Her designs have garnered her a legion of followers on Facebook (more than 1 million and counting), and she's become a celebrity among celebrities. But all of this fame hasn't gone to her head. Liz Cook still slings ink out of her shop Rebel Muse Tattoo in Lewisville. "Tattoos are a collaboration," she says. "A lot of times I try to get the feel for it to understand that personality and be able to push the piece past what was requested."

Readers' Pick:

Deborah Brody Pittman

Best Furniture Store

Nebraska Furniture Mart

Sometimes you just have to stand in awe at the scale of America's vast supply chain as it feeds its hungry consumers. Bigger may not always be better, but humongous is pretty darn impressive no matter what it's describing — dinosaurs, Donald Trump's ego, breasts, or in this case, the biggest furniture store in Texas. Forget IKEA. It only feels huge because it's maze-like design never let's you leave. The Midwestern import NFM has everything imaginable to furnish your home, from electronics and appliances to furniture, rugs and outdoor kitchen gear. All of it is from affordable lines from makers like Ashley, or our favorite, Flexsteel. Higher-end furnishings are also displayed in a store the size of a small city that's open and airy, so you don't feel like a lab rat. Better still, the salespeople are knowledgeable, plentiful and friendly but don't attach themselves to shoppers like a commission-hungry remora. Also, their warehouse pickup area is a marvel of logistics.

Readers' Pick:

Nebraska Furniture Mart

Best Tattoo Shop

Dark Age Tattoo

Located on a corner of the historic square in Denton, Dark Age Tattoo offers customers more than a simple tattoo. The artists tattoo true art. Tattoo artist Rember Orellana opened the shop in 2014 after serving a three-year stint at Cat Tattoo in Dallas. Now he's world renowned for his complex work, appearing in several tattoo magazines. The shop consistently receives five stars from its customers, praising the artists for their ability to walk customers through the tattoo process, as well as offer great attitudes and professionalism when it comes to their art. Originality is the most important part of what he does at his shop, Orellana says. "There are so many great artists that do realism really clean and really straight, but what makes the difference is when you have style."

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