Best Of Dallas® 2006 Winners
Shopping & Services
Not long ago, a young newlywed couple came into Sara Lee Goffs Plano store looking for the first piece of furniture for their new apartment. They needed a couch, and Goff had just the thinga large, softly curved number, more a huge cushion than a sofa, but its ergonomic design was exactly what they were looking for. It was just made for screwing.
No, really. Thats literally what it was made for; its S-shaped curves provide backor maybe front and sidewayssupport for the different positions so loved by limber young couples. Ring up another sale and another (presumably) satisfied customer for Goffs Condoms to Go. Heres hoping the couples marriage outlasts their furniture. (While were at it, lets hope theyve heard of Scotchgard. Eww.) What they may lack in taste, they appear to make up for in enthusiasm.
Taste, hope, satisfaction, comfort and sex: Its all part of the romance business for the diminutive Goff, a 60-something grandmother who left a career in landscaping design to open her first shop for sexy Dallasites in 1992. Since then, her chain of prophylactic, lube and novelty shops has grown to a chain of stores, the latest called Saras Secret, a name she adopted to avoid a repeat of run-ins she has had with religious folk who would rather not see the word condoms glowing in red neon letters on suburban storefronts. Its the same merchandise, minus the picketing, the protesters writing down her customers license plate numbers and the visits from local cops. Well, cops still visitin fact, Goff says she works closely with local police chiefs to allay any community worriesbut they come in as customers these days.
If I went in under Condoms to Go, I guarantee you theyd be picketing me, Goff says of the new name.
Of course, that which we call a dildo would, by any other name, get you off, but some people would just as soon not know that. In a way, you can include Goff among their number. Since its illegal in Texas to sell anything intended to stimulate the genitals, dont go into a Condoms to Go store and ask the clerk for a vibratorin the same way you dont go into your local head shop looking for a bong. Condoms to Go doesnt stock dildos. They do have a wide, multihued variety of novelties, which sometimes just happen to be shaped like big penises.
Battery-powered penises. That vibrate.
I just sell them, Goff says. I dont ask them what they use them for.
Ah, Texas. It may be 2006 in other parts of the worldEurope, say, or New York. Here, were still creeping up on the new century, sexually speaking. Not that its slowed down Goffs business any. Two years ago Condoms to Go was named one of the top 100 fastest-growing businesses in DFW by SMUs Cox School of Business.
Heh-heh. We said Cox.
Sorry. Went all Beavis on you there for a moment. Where were we?
Time was, to find a selection of condoms, youd have to go to the mens room at a bowling alley or filling station or risk embarrassment at your local drugstore. At Goffs stores, you leave your blushes outside in the parking lot. She aims to make her shops as unsleazy as possible. She doesnt sell porn, for instance, though if you buy enough other items, the clerk might toss in a racy DVD for free, to provide inspiration for the perspiration.
Goffs own inspiration came from her sonsort of, and not like that, you sicky. Shed been divorced several years and had raised her two kids when she decided to re-enter the dating scene. This was the age of AIDS, however, and her college-age son had some advice. If youre going to be promiscuous, you need to be safe, he kidded her. Not long after came her first store on Greenville Avenue. Since then, its been a long, sometimes bumpy ride to create a place where customers can be comfortable shopping for lovemaking aids.
Comfort is key for Goffs business plan. She carefully trains her staff about various products. She will sell to teens but only provided they first stop by with their parents, and she makes sure that some of the racier products dont end up in window displays. That care helps explain why the majority of her customers are womenparticularly in her suburban shops, where sometimes as much as 75 percent of her customers are female.
They can go into any of my stores, and they feel comfortable, not like drugstores, Goff says.
Oddly, its often men who get most embarrassed perusing the goods. Theyll eye a novelty but figure the missus wont want anything to do with it, Goff says. They say, My wife would not like this...She wouldnt let me bring this home. Id be divorced. And often enough, the women come back to close the deal.
Who says housewives are desperate? Patrick Williams
Whole Foods, we love you, but sometimes we need household cleaning products that aren't made with lemons (you also don't sell Fritos). Albertson's, you work, but you can't satisfy our craving for fresh basil pesto and imported chocolates. Until someone learns to combine these two extremes under one roof, Lovers and Greenville is still our best option. Tom Thumb's Old Town store (5809 E. Lovers Lane) is great for the basic essentials--toilet paper, garbage bags, Oreos--and it also stocks Natural Lay's, Ruffles and Cheetos, which are a million times better than any of the fancified kettle chips you'll find across the street (trust us). Central Market (5750 E. Lovers Lane), on the other hand, fulfills all of your freshest needs, while indulging our foodie flair. If you plan it right, you can make it in and out of both stores in about an hour, just in time to prepare your fresh Atlantic salmon and unclog that bathroom drain.
While he's not the only fountain of knowledge to be found at a Dallas record store (the old guys at CD Source could probably fill a canyon with all the records they've owned over the years), Good Records' C.J. Davis is undeniably the most enthusiastic, always eager to hip us to his latest musical discovery. You'll never see him roll his eyes at your guilty pleasure purchases either. No snarky High Fidelity attitude here. The guy will talk your ear off about music if you let him, and though his recommendations might not hit the mark 100 percent of the time (we're still not sure how we feel about Tunng), you'll at least hear something you wouldn't have otherwise. Thanks to C.J., you just might end up with the kind of record that will last you through 1,000 rainy days.
This is not a Best of award for every Whole Foods store on earth. This is specifically for the Lower Greenville store, because it has more East Dallas history than corporate Whole Foods probably even knows about. This store really started out across the street in the early 1970s when Harper's Head Shop began selling Tiger's Milk Bars and found there was more money in food than bongs. H&M Groceries evolved, which later became Bluebonnet, which then moved across Greenville to the current location. Whole Foods bought the store in 1986--the fifth store in the chain. It's small for a Whole Foods these days, but that just gives it the perfect intimacy for Old East Dallas, of which it is a treasured and essential element. Open every day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Rats. The milk's soured and the ground round's freezer-burned. Nothing to do for that but order in--again--or trek to the supermarket. It's a ponderous task, but the Kroger Signature Store on Mockingbird Lane offers some accoutrements other area grocers cannot and avoids those that make for a frustrating shopping trip. If you just need some garlic, why sift through 1,000 different kinds at the gourmet grocers? Kroger's got your plain and simple cloves. Here's the value-added part: The foodstuffs look good, but there's other stuff to look at too. By the fried pies are some cutie-pies. Scanning the fresh fruit are some ferocious SMU frosh. Yes, the selection is fine--from foreign foods to sushi--but the eye candy is even more divine. Like the '80s scene at the Old Town Tom Thumb, this has become the store that's now destination uno for anyone with "tasty hookup" on his or her shopping list.
Keep your shirt on! We know you can't buy a suit at Bass Pro Shops. And we're not recommending it for skaters or head-bangers. Sheesh. Be a little broader-minded, OK? We're just saying that for a broad mid-range of casual and outdoorsy clothes, it's a great place to shop. The store brands, Redhead and Bob Timberlake, offer reasonably priced pants and shirts in a variety of styles, from office-appropriate to fish-camp. Just up from those in price are Woolrich and Columbia, with the high end at Tommy Bahama and Callaway (golf). Of course, what every man really needs is a pair of $110 Filson khakis so tough a bear couldn't bite 'em. But not every man knows that. Yet.
Tents and camp stoves and solar showers and all of that stuff you need for camping--at least in the lower to middle price range, it's all pretty generic nowadays. Everybody has the same brands. So the point is to pay the lowest possible prices. Academy consistently hits that mark, with fully stocked shelves and friendly salespeople who give you the impression they actually like working there. The merchandise covers a broad range of outdoor activities, from camping to backyard grilling to passing out in a hammock.
Sometimes people get the idea that REI is a camping store only for extreme rock-climbers and people who trek through the Alaskan wilderness, which is not really right. They have some of that stuff, but more of what they offer is aimed at the average family willing to shell out some extra bucks for equipment that will last. Small tents at REI, for example, cost $50 to $100 more than the ones at the big-box stores, but REI's tents are just about bullet-proof, backed by a no-questions-asked lifetime satisfaction guarantee. And anyway, haven't you always wanted titanium tent stakes? Sure you have. The store's tricky to find: You have to drive westbound on the north service road from Welch toward Midway and watch for it on your right, set back from the road.
In the years since they set up shop at the corner of Abrams and Gaston, Green Living has become much more than simply a store. Their seminars--including those on gardening, keeping chickens and being bat-friendly--are informative and usually include tasty baked goods. They've launched community efforts to keep electronics out of the landfill, and their Web site is a cornucopia of info on how to live greener in the metroplex. The 10 principles by which they select what products they sell--including sustainability, recycled content/biodegradability and fair trade practices--ensure that whether you're picking up a onesie, a low-flow showerhead or a gallon of no-VOC paint, you can purchase with a clear conscience.
Amazing "tech" fabrics have been invented for outdoor wear. They keep you dry but not sweaty, cool but not wet, warm but not itchy, even bugless. Whole Earth sells the best selection, including socks and caps in "Smartwool"-- real wool from real sheep but re-jiggered so it never gets scratchy. This is where you also can get Prana knickers in a blend of nylon and Spandex that's abrasion- and wrinkle-proof and also quick-drying. Mountain Hardware jackets here are made of "conduit silk" to let them breathe. Or you could go for a Marmot hoodie made of "microporous polyurethane impregnated with silicon dioxide particles." How about Ex Officio's "Buzz Off" line? The clothes themselves repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, midges and charging rhinos, according to the label. Well, not the rhinos. We made that up. But it might work if you put the clothes on first and then run real fast.
The closet swap always seemed like such a good idea in theory. You grab all the stuff you'll never wear, such as those disastrous purchases, made on a whim, now living rent-free in the back of your walk-in. Your friends do the same, and everybody trades. One girl's trash is another girl's treasure, right? Wrong. Turns out nobody really wanted those lime green leopard-print pedal-pushers. But at the Buffalo Exchange, things are different. The salesmaidens (and misters) know good stuff when they see it, and they're happy to buy it from you. And you're happy to rummage through the well-filtered selections from other emptied Dallas closets. Great finds have been made at the Exchange, from a $30 Betsey Johnson sundress to just $5 for that vintage Alf tee. Would that all other swaps--spit, wives, whatever--were such positive experiences.
Your all-time favorite dress shirt is missing buttons or frayed at the collar and cuffs. Before it becomes Goodwill fodder, take it to Q Shirtmakers and have it cloned into custom-made duplicates. They do men's and women's shirts, suits and dresses and will find fabrics that don't itch, fade or fall apart. Custom clothing isn't out of the reach of the ordinary working stiff. In fact, the better made the garment is, the longer it will last. And in true shirts-off-their-back style, Q organizes a charity drive every year. For several weeks each summer they give discounts on custom-made shirts and suits when customers donate used ones. All donations go to Family Gateway, which helps people get back in the workforce. Wish more businesses were cut from that cloth.
Walk into the Village Shoe Service shop and you'll instantly know that Mr. B.H. Hawkins and his crew mean business--and they get plenty of it. Shoes, boots and sandals in various states of repair litter every corner awaiting "Hawk's" ministrations. He'll also work wonders on leather goods and luggage on the bench in back. Not only will Village Shoe fix your flats as good as new, they'll tell you straight up when you'd be better off finding a whole new pair, even if it costs them the job. Guess that's why it's called "service."
Need to party like it's 1969? This boutique is stuffed to the rafters with wearable vintage clothes reflecting the height of youthful fashion from the Laugh-In era. Go-go boots, macram belts, minidresses, floppy hats, dashikis, Nehru shirts, poly flares, mod sunglasses--this is where the wardrobe of the Woodstock generation waits to be recycled. Owners Debbie Cardenas and Leslie Daum cheerfully help customers navigate the crowded racks in their cozy shop and they might even unearth some special finds from the mysterious back room. Most items run in the under-$50 range (with vintage T-shirts going for as little as $6), and they make an effort not to stock only tiny sizes (thank you!). Accessorize your sock-it-to-me outfit with retro bracelets, hoop earrings and swingy bags. A fun place to shop? You bet your sweet bippy.
Held a couple of times a year (most recently at the end of August), the Fashion Industry Gallery Finale sale gathers under one roof loads of designer markdowns from Dallas' highest-end retailers, including Tootsies, Forty Five Ten, Rich Hippie, Krimson & Klover, Turtletique, La Femme Couture, Elements, Octane, Friction, Crimson in the City and others. For a $10 entry fee, shoppers can comb two floors of clothes (men's and women's), shoes, bags, jewelry and other desirables, all marked down at least 75 percent off the original price. We've found Carrie Bradshaw-worthy heels for $19, three-figure handbags for $50 or less and frou-frou lingerie at Target prices. To sustain shoppers' energy, they sell freshly made cookies (though the size 0 Highland Park ladies ignore those as they paw through boxes of $15 boots). Go and make a day of it. Then go home and play dress-up with the bargains.
Here's the deal: At most mall retailers the salespeople treat the average shopper like an interruption and an annoyance. But at Nordstrom they not only try to find what you want and make sure that it fits (we dig their giant dressing rooms too), they'll go several extra miles to make you a loyal customer. We recently went on a shoe expedition. Dillard's and Foley's were hot as saunas. Neiman's never managed even a "May we help you?" so we trotted down to the competition. There, a sweet gal in the shoe department apologized for not carrying the brand and style we wanted, but she then made some calls and found us the store that did and made sure they had our size and would hold it for us. Whether you buy a lipstick or a chaise longue, you'll get a handwritten thank-you note from the Nordstrom employee who sold it to you. Amazing.
It's not easy to get into the prosaic strip mall across from Mockingbird Station. Traffic is heavy, the driveway narrow and the stoplight fleeting. Even once you're there, it would be easy to miss the narrow storefront tucked into the corner under the shadow of the stairs. If you persist, though, your wardrobe will thank you. The friendly Mr. Wong and his staff at Art Tailor are magicians with a needle, whether you need a same-day hem or a custom suit from scratch. They'll fix your buttons so you can keep that belly in or let out your waistband so your gut can roam free, all at rates so reasonable you'll almost go out of your way to buy the wrong size.
There can't be a much more ringing endorsement of a wig shop than seeing autographed photos of drag queens adorning the entryway. That is exactly what you find as you cross the portal of Lemmon Beauty Supply. Tucked away in a decidedly unglamorous strip center at Lemmon and Wycliff, this shop is nicknamed "Kentucky Fried Wigs" in a nod to the KFC that anchors the center. Packed inside the tiny emporium, stacked floor to ceiling along every wall, is a vast array of false fabulosity: Every conceivable style of wig, fall, switch, chignon, ponytail and braid. Craving a high Dolly Parton 'do? No prob. Britney Spears pigtails? Check. Can't live without a fuchsia page-boy? Gotcha covered. From synthetic designs to natural-looking human hair creations, no style is left out. Custom styling is available. And check out the 99-cent eyelashes and the array of crowns and tiaras. Love the beehives and the bling.
Are there times when you sit pondering what to do with this cow skull you found out in the field? Well, the answer is this little nook at the zoo. The Nature Exchange, located in the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo, is a trading post for items you find in nature. And that tire in the Trinity doesn't count. From interesting fossil finds to everyday pine cones, you take your items in, the experts educate you on your find and then you get points toward another item in the store. And get this, they are so committed to the educational value of their program, they won't even take money for their stuff. That's conviction. But before you grab that road kill to tote in, check out their trading guidelines first. Ya gotta draw the line somewhere.
What do babies, bikers and brides have in common? They all can get apparel personalized at Keep U-N Stitches in Casa Linda. Owner Gina Maria Volpe, in business since 1997, and her two assistants can stitch everything from ladybug designs on babies' bibs and diaper covers to bikers' and rock bands' "sometimes unmentionable" logos on their shirts and caps. They'll also add special motifs to bridal lingerie. Hey, they'll even add fancy stitchery to coffin linings. Now that's going underground for business.
After a two-year, $170 million expansion and renovation that was 10 years in the planning, NorthPark, that grand old lady at the northwest corner of Northwest Highway and Central Expressway, has survived her facelift. Overseen by Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, the daughter and son-in-law of NorthPark developer Raymond Nasher, the expansion of Dallas' first great large-scale mall now includes a pair of new parking garages, a 200,000-square-foot Nordstrom, a new AMC movie theater, 110 new stores in 260,000 square feet of new two-story space and a 1.3-acre garden called CentralPark. The renovation and additions maintain the sleek integrity of NorthPark's original design and don't deviate from the use of clean lines, modern architecture and signature cream-colored East Texas brick and polished concrete floors. Nasher's devotion to putting art in public spaces continues to provide NorthPark with eye-pleasing sculptures. Even with the noisy new food court (NorthPark's first), the 41-year-old mall is still airy and elegant. Hitting middle age, the lady's looking better than ever.
Our grannies may have knitted to save money, but these days a handmade sweater from a designer pattern with handspun yarn can run well into three figures. To make sure you're not dropping stitches after dropping all that dough, get to know the nice knitters working at PassionKnit in Snider Plaza. They'll start you out slowly then ease you into tougher patterns (though we'll never understand those Kaffe Fassett designs). Thursday nights you can join others for group knit-purl-gossip sessions. Besides picking up tips on the best needles (we prefer bamboo, which they sell here), you can often hear some of the best Highland Park hussy stories as you whip up that afghan. And stock up at the season-end sales, where the top-end yarns are marked down 30 to 40 percent.
One of the perks of working for the Dallas Observer is that right across the street from our soulless glass office is a rather unusual automotive service and repair shop. Advantage Tire Pros, which also specializes in brakes, shocks, alignment and minor repair jobs, has this quirky business philosophy by which they don't try to screw you once you turn over your car to them. They also stick to their quoted estimate, which is almost always better than anyone else we've tried. They do exactly what you want them to do and return your car on time. Then, in an act that should qualify them for sainthood, your car remains fixed long after you take it home. Their customer service is so friendly, you almost regret that their work is so good you won't be seeing them anytime soon.
Jerry Moreno and his son, Jordan, run this business and work together on everything from late-model roof replacements to antique restorations. Their prices tend toward the reasonable, and the work is solid. Body shops and car dealers know where to get rag-tops fixed, obviously, but it's harder for the average car owner. Repairing and replacing convertible tops is not a skill you find on every corner, especially not doing it the right way. These guys know their way around both the material and the complicated rigs that lift and lower tops these days.
Yeah, you really should get out there and scrub all that urban grime off your windows. How about doing it right now? You're not going to, are you? No, because it's a nasty job--scary, too, if you're talking second stories. So here's what you do: Call these guys. They have five trucks ranging around town. If it's not November or December (when everybody thinks of it at the last minute), they often can give you same-day service. They're fast and efficient. They clean inside and out. And they know to be careful with carpets and flower beds. Full estimate before they start. Call anytime.
You had a leaky outdoor faucet you were gonna fix. You could have called a plumber, but you figured that would cost so much you might as well just torch the joint and go for the insurance. So now you're halfway through the plumbing job. It's old jack-leg pipes and stuff. You can't finish unless you find something called a 3/4-inch galvanized nipple. You told the doofus at the big-box store what you were looking for, and he started to lift his shirt. So look: go where the plumbers go. Go to Teter's in Lakewood. They've got all that stuff. They're real nice. They deal with amateurs. And who knows? You might meet a plumber. Park on the side, where all those plumbing vans are lined up.
So what's so great about Abbott's? Consistency. You're not going to get any haute coiffure at this traditional barber. No highlights, perms, layering--none of that crap. What you do get is a friendly welcome and good conversation, and no matter whose throne you settle on, you get a sharp, slick cut finished off with an honest-to-God straight razor. And don't forget to compliment them on their nice rack--that's at least a 12-point buck on the wall.
It's short hair we're talking about, not the height of the stylist. Henri Burgos stands tall among hair-snippers specializing in close 'dos. Such concentration. Such attention to detail. He seems to cut one hair at a time and still manages to turn out a snappy chop in an hour or less. Don't be surprised if he refuses to mow off your curls unless absolutely necessary. He's been known to turn customers out of his chair if he thinks a style isn't ready for a trim. Every now and then he'll ring up to ask how the hair's doing and if the cut's holding up OK. Now, that's a man who cares about his craft. We like his personal style too. In a noisy salon populated by heavily tattooed, wildly pierced scissor-jockeys, he's the quieter, clean-cut one.
For any guy who likes women and hates Ryan Seacrest, finding a good place to get your hair cut can a cumbersome quest. On one end of the grooming spectrum are the Super Pro Clips of the world, whose sense of aesthetics is betrayed by their locations in depressing strip malls. Ten bucks with Edward Scissorhands--well, you get what you pay for. Even more annoying are the trendy hair salons who charge you 50 bucks or more to look like the third member of Wham! Occupying the lonely middle ground between these two types of establishments is Lakewood's Willie & Coote Salon, where they keep guys looking like guys, only with an appropriate dash of style. They can texture your hair--thin out the thick parts--without making you look like an anchorman. And they'll keep you neat and tidy without turning you into a slick North Dallas prick. For some of us, that's no small feat.
Forest Park Dental Care may not be the fanciest office in Dallas, situated as it is in a nondescript low-rise office park just off Interstate 635. But when something's gone south in your mouth, you don't care about landscaping or leather waiting-room furniture. You want to get in quick, you want to get fixed right and you don't want to feel a thing. That's the forte of the folks at Forest Park. Dr. Blake Williamson maintains an easy demeanor, takes care to explain things as they go and won't make you wait until next Christmas for an appointment. All that and he gives new patients free custom whitening trays too. Now open wide!
He was in Dutch and trying to make up for some pretty bad behavior, but when our man brought us NoKa chocolates in their distinctive and very snazzy stainless steel box, our heart melted and our mouth watered. These handcrafted bites of heaven are concocted from some kind of magic dark chocolate, a dollop of fresh organic cream and, who knows, some secret love potion that makes whoever bites into them forget any and all transgressions. The sweets aren't cheap--a few will cost about $20 and more can go up into the hundreds--but sometimes a make-up gift this good is better than diamonds. Make that almost better.
If you think that deleted e-mail or trashed Word document is going to hide your tracks, think again. This small start-up can recover just about anything from any computer, becoming a quiet Dallas success story in less than two years. Their computer forensics techniques have drawn the attention of government agencies, large corporations and even civilians in tracking down the questionable computer activities of disgruntled employees, industry competitors and cheatin' spouses. Why the success? After founders Rafael Gorgal and David Cowen contributed to the popular Hacking Exposed series book Computer Forensics, the calls for help began. Hackers, beware!
Please, before you go spending 40 bucks at PetSmart on a marabou-cuffed jumper for your otherwise hip and dignified canine, get in the car and get your shih-tzu to Armhole. The boutique, recently relocated to the Mondrian Building in Uptown, features spunky, punky and modern clothing (for humans). The shop is beloved for its T-shirt press for which there are binders and binders of iron-ons (ranging from vintage TV show logos to ironic sayings) and fine-fitting American Apparel tees. But most important, and more on topic, the shop stocks dog tees as well, ready for proud pet parents to customize. Try a hot pink kiss print on the rump of a gray jersey for a ladies' pug, or a striped tie on a black shirt for a post-punk pit. Perhaps your teenage bitch totally needs a Degrassi tee to show her fictional school spirit. Whatever the message, Armhole has it collared.
Right next door to City Vet, this shop carries lots of specialty items for dogs and cats, from embroidered pet placemats to beds in hip, contemporary fabrics, to natural, good-for-'em treats and grooming supplies. We also love their selection of Ezy Dog products--especially the neoprene-lined collars and bungee cord leashes. And when you finally figure out that the grocery-store brand isn't doing the trick, City Pet Supply has a multitude of premium dog and cat foods. You'll find Science Diet and Nutro, along with more esoteric lines such as Wysong, California Natural and Merrick's (a Texas-based company). To take your dog to the next level, check out the raw frozen foods from FarMore and Nature's Variety. City Pet Supply is also one of the only pet stores in the area to carry food mixes--dehydrated grains, veggies, fruits and herbs that you rehydrate and combine with fresh meat and oils--by Sojourner Farms, Dr. Harvey's and The Honest Kitchen. Not sure what to pick? Consult Sadie, the store dog--she's probably tried them all.
There are normal dogs and then there are pocket-sized canines that thrive on bonbons and never having to walk anywhere. We've lived with a mastiff, a German shepherd mix and a particularly feisty basset hound, and our pooches have never worn rhinestones, drunk bottled water or been named after a fairy. But if we did have a tiny yapper, we would outfit him or her in splendor at Dog Specialties. With items such as crown-shaped food bowls and crystal-studded collar tags, there's something for every pampered prince and spoiled bitch. The store also carries dog-themed items for humans to enjoy.
Dallas North Aquarium wasn't going to let a little disaster put them out of business. Though a fire devastated their sales floor and fish room on May 4, they never closed the store, selling supplies out of the back during rebuilding. We visited just days before the fire, so we could tell that when they reopened in July, the store was better than ever. Beautiful saltwater, freshwater and planted display aquaria greet you near the front door, and the store offers pretty much any aquarium supply you could ever want--including great bargains on used equipment and a full complement of respected brands such as Eheim, Hikari and Oceanic. Is your fire eel desperate for frozen bloodworms? On the hunt for a bunch of ludwigia repens? Have no idea what live rock is? Your quest will inevitably lead you here.
Sure, PetSmart and Petco have goldfish. They have African cichlids. They might even have an oddball or two--a dojo loach or a black ghost knife. But once you step into the Fish Gallery, you won't think of buying fish anywhere else again. The store (recently expanded) is filled with tanks of amazing freshwater fish that you'll never see at a pet emporium--Senegal bichirs, roseline sharks, baseball-sized orandas and the hard-to-find Siamese algae eater. Their cichlid selection is likewise astounding. We don't have space to list the Malawi and Tanganyikan beauties they have on display. If you have dreams of being the next Takashi Amano, they have aquatic plants, or if you like spending hundreds of dollars on demanding, finicky fish, their saltwater selection's decent too. And the Aquarium Environments side of the store will help you pick out or custom-design the aquarium you've always wanted. C'mon, go for a custom 450-gallon. What are credit cards for anyway?
There comes a time in a hipster's life when decisions have to be made. The costume party is in two hours, and a decade must be decided upon. Will you wear '80s chic or '60s mod? These are the hard questions, especially when time is of the essence. Whatever your quandary, the Counter Culture store in Deep Ellum is guaranteed to have what you need at a reasonable price. The staff is always available to help with a wayward zipper (or four, depending on your outfit), and the store's small enough that they can easily point you in the right direction for your thrift clothing needs. Avail yourself of the scarf bin, too, but remember: Avoid the Mockingbird Station location like last year's asymmetrical bangs. There, you'll pay twice the price for similar vintage gear.
In The Graduate, Mr. McGuire says it best: "I want to say one word to you. Just one wordAre you listening?...Plastics." He wasn't talking about jewelry, but it still applies. Especially when it comes to Adventures in Synthetics. Using plastics, as well as other uncommon materials such as foam and styrene, Dallas jewelry designer Mary Ann Atkinson creates unique pieces of jewelry that dance on the line between space-age and whimsical but never flirt with tacky. The clear bracelet coils are bold but unsuspecting on the wrist, and their simple, colorful, graphic embellishments are vital and special--no two are alike. The graceful pieces are, without a doubt, wearable art, and their packaging is just as thoughtfully designed to serve as a flattering frame.
Best Place to Get Naked in Front
of Students
of Students
Texas Massage Institute
If you need regular massages to make your life and limbs loose again but don't want to work a second job to pay for it, the students at the Texas Massage Institute can give you a rubdown on the cheap. For only $30 an hour--nearly a third of the normal rate--students at TMI will give you the TLC you need. If you pulled a muscle, have serious back pain or any other recurring problem, we recommend that you see an experienced massage therapist. But for runners and cyclists who need someone to work out the everyday aches and pains that go with the sport, TMI is your Costco.
A few years ago an earnest but out-of-it Dallas publication of the local city monthly magazine variety, trying to break into the "Best of" field (fat chance!), described the monthly Buchanan Markets show at Fair Park as the city's best "flea market." Oh, no, no, no. Flea market it is not. Buchanan's, held toward the end of every month, except during the State Fair, is a glorious bazaar where the discerning eye may discover true treasure. And maybe some junk. But not very much junk. No, this is a true antiques show--the best in Dallas. Check for dates at buchananmarkets.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday (when it's being held); 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Three bucks a head for adults, kids under 12 free. Free parking and shuttle available.
Best Imitation of a Real Town Square
The Legacy Town Center
Plano's attempt at New Urbanism, the Legacy Town Center looks at first like a real town square featuring quirky shops, charming apartments, a movie theater and plenty of people happily ambling about on a Friday night. There's even a guy hanging out on a sidewalk, playing guitar. Of course, this vision of urban living is curiously homogenous--everything is all white and all the businesses and residences seem to be targeted to members of the same lofty tax bracket. The Legacy Town Center is to urban living what Euro Disney is to Europe, what corporate rock is to the Ramones, a too-smooth imitation of the real thing. But still, in today's centerless neighborhoods, it does give hometown-hungry Plano-ites somewhere to gather.
If you're looking for a toaster, coffee table, vintage toy, collectible mixing bowl to replace the one you broke, even a wedding dress, there's a good chance you'll find it at the all-volunteer Gift and Resale Shop, operated by its next-door neighbor, White Rock Center of Hope. Some 54 churches in the area and two civic organizations united in 1988 to provide emergency aid to the needy in this part of Dallas, and since that beginning, more than 200,000 people have received help and hope through this charity's efforts. The shop opened in '98 and accepts tax-deductible donations that they sell at extremely affordable prices.
We've seen it dozens of times at this tucked-away branch of the java chain. She comes in first, a little nervous, not sure exactly whom to make eye contact with. Order a frapp or wait to see if he shows up and offers to buy? She sits, checks her lip gloss, tries to look relaxed. Then he arrives: Dockers, Polo shirt, a little too much cologne. "Are you?" he says. "I am!" she says. They take a table by the window and start the "tell me about yourself" routine, filling in the stuff they couldn't say on Match.com. Meanwhile, Amanda, Aileen, Albert, Jeff and the other nice baristas efficiently whip up the mocha-choke-a-lattes and will even bring them to the table, like in a real caf. The date-friendly ambience means the music's never too loud, the whir of coffee machines (stuck way at the back of the shotgun-style room) don't drown out a good joke and the parking lot is close by if escape from a potential date-turned-stalker is needed.
Halloween is really just around the corner, and it's never too early to begin preparing an outfit. Afraid of humiliating yourself by trotting out another unimaginative store-bought atrocity? Fear not, there is help. For more than 100 years--that's right, a century--Dallas Costume Shoppe has answered the call of Halloween revelers searching for the perfect ensemble. Owner Michael Robinson is on hand to offer snappy sartorial suggestions, and with thousands of in-stock pieces to choose from, you are sure to find a look that screams you and "Boo!" The vast stock spans all styles and eras, from nuns and knights to hookers and hobos, from kings and queens to cowboys and can-can girls, from centurions and soldiers to vampires and vixens. Not just a Halloween staple, Dallas Costume Shoppe also specializes in legitimate costuming for commercials, films, corporate events, photo shoots and theater. Be sure to say hello to Mr. Mata, a veritable Dallas institution who has celebrated the All Hallows' Eve season with Dallas Costume Shoppe for more than 60 years.
This huge store seems to go on forever, and it's crammed full of eclectic furniture and accessories with a Southwestern edge: Hand-tooled leather couches, rugged coffee tables, antique rugs, dining tables and chairs, lamps and art you don't see at generic furniture stores. Even if your house doesn't have a cowboy attitude, you can find pieces that mix and match with other styles, especially ethnic art and accessories. We especially love the generously sized easy chairs. Though there are plenty of different leathers and fabrics in stock, you can also special order. If you shop on the weekends, they might be giving away free margaritas or some other cool beverage to make the hot work of shopping easier.
When you bought your house 30 years ago, you remember thinking, "This olive shag carpet is where it's at." Or maybe you used a word such as "groovy" or "boss." No matter your past floor-covering transgressions, Floor & Dcor will help you atone. We drooled over beautiful tumbled travertine and glossy black marble. We marveled at the reasonable prices on laminate--starting at just 69 cents a square foot. We've had friends come from as far away as Denton and Canton to shop at this warehouse of wondrous flooring options. They also carry structural and decorative items such as sinks, mirrors and moldings. We'll keep mum about the shag, as long as you don't tell anyone about our blue scallop-shell sinks. Hmm, meet ya there?
Anyone can order blooms over an 800 number. If you want to send a unique flower arrangement, call Avant Garden, known for simple but lush flower displays in sleek containers, often with blossoms in one color mounded for impact. Avant has a reputation for touches of whimsy, like a live chrysalis with a due date for the butterfly tucked into a bouquet of roses. Owner Brian Bolke (also co-owner of fashion retailer Forty Five Ten) often is called on by national shelter magazines for party and wedding ideas, so he's always got something new up his sleeve. The tiny three-story shop at Highland Park Village is a fun place to browse for your own ideas. Call Avant's style "luxurious simplicity"--harder to achieve than it sounds.
The brightest bulbs have figured out that Lights Fantastic has the biggest selection of contemporary lighting in the city, with top brands such as George Kovacs, Lightolier and Foscarini. Check out their new Zaneen Gallery, with almost 100 examples of the European line's sleek, architecturally styled flush-mount fixtures, pendants and wall sconces. They've got art glass from Oggetti, WPT and Tech Lighting and the new LED lighting from Traxon. More traditional folks will find Stiffel, Quoizel, Hubbardton Forge and Schonbek chandeliers. Check out their extensive line of specialty bulbs for those hard-to-match odd sockets.
For a kinder, gentler approach to getting a caffeine buzz, Tempest Tea serves dozens of varieties of hot, iced and bubble teas. The menu includes black teas (hearty and strong such as Thunderbolt, full-bodied such as Black Toffee in Bed, and finessed and elegant such as Golden Sunrise), green teas (Jasmine Pearl, Dragon Well), white teas (White Snow and Apricots), Rooibos teas (non-caffeinated Ginger) and Masala Chais (Red Chais at Night). In other words, Starbucks' menu has nothing on Tempest Tea. Choose your tea, then relax on a banquette, pull out your laptop or book and sip away. Pastries and wraps are available for breakfast and lunch. Or share a classic afternoon tea with friends: three courses with scones, finger sandwiches, dessert and a pot of the brew of your choice. You can also purchase tea accessories and gift baskets. Dallasites Brian and Jodi Rudman--he's a doctor, she's a lawyer-turned-actress--started Tempest Tea in 2002 with the motto "drinking to improve life." Tea-riffic.
You're putting in a dream kitchen. Why not dream big? French-Brown has specialty tiles--murals, hand-painted, Italian, mosaics, metallic, glass, marble--that you don't see at most tile retailers or Home Depots. Shopping the good stuff gives you ideas. Expensive, yes, but if you are tiling a backsplash or the wall behind a stove, you won't need much. Find the accents at French-Brown and supplement with less expensive field tiles. Or use a handful of handmade tiles for a killer fireplace surround. French-Brown also offers floors in exotic woods, unique parquets, slate, cork and high-end vinyl for the modernist. Open on nights and weekends by appointment only.
Your Ford Expedition's car key with the fancy transponder inside pooped out? Golden's Keys can make, cut and reprogram it for $60, cheaper than many dealerships, and they'll do it in 20 minutes. Lock yourself out of said vehicle? They'll come to your rescue. Threw out the lover who talked you into buying that overpriced SUV in the first place? They'll change the locks on your house after-hours if necessary. (Right now, Golden's only does Ford transponder keys but hopes to add more manufacturers in the future.) This may be a number to keep on the refrigerator door.
Fly to London without moisturizer? Land in Paris sans gloss? With the new airline carry-on regulations making the "new normal" a new horror for the dry-complexioned and dusty-lipped, Lush offers what they swear are products that won't end up confiscated at the security gate. They sell moisturizers in solid form called "body butters." They also have solid shampoos, cleansing bars and slices of soap that turn into yummy bubble baths when they hit water. Lush's skin softeners and enhancers are natural and fresh (they're marked with expiration dates) and feel luxurious to the touch. NorthPark's is Lush's only Texas store.
You gotta love a shop that carries rhinestone tiaras and scepters for that little princess in your life. Om Imports has walls draped with inexpensive (seriously, like $4) necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and belts that glitter with imitation jewels. From fake diamond studs to chandelier earrings to necklaces guaranteed to turn your cleavage into a cascade of sparkle, Om will deck you out for that big event. No one has to know your necklace and earrings together cost less than a sawbuck.
Can't spend the time combing flea markets looking for cool stuff? Junkadoodle does it for you. This shop west of Inwood Village finds new and old stuff perfect for a casual home. (We usually hate plaques with cute sayings but almost made an exception for "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it." Almost.) Weathered dressers, funky chairs, offbeat art, refurbished light fixtures and iron bases for glass tables are in abundance. Western and Mexican kitsch abounds. Call it shabby chic or movie ranch rustic, Junkadoodle's style is witty and fun.
When you are painting your ceiling, paint from Lowe's will do. But serious painters head to Walnut Hill Paint for its variety and high level of service. Great for color-matching while you wait, the store carries ordinary brands such as Benjamin Moore but also stocks brands you may see in Metropolitan Home, including Pratt & Lambert, Martin Senour, Williamsburg Historical, C-2 Ultra Premium and metallics. They're also a great source for Cabot and Olympic stains, Dura Seal and Cook's Oil Glazing. They can also help you figure out the products and tools you need and often give hands-on training in faux finishes. Tell people your decorator did it.
With great gear for someone who will never get closer to a cow than steak at Del Frisco's, Cowboy Cool is a little shop with a big rhinestone heart. Our favorite boot: Liberty's 62 Muerto, a hand-tooled black number covered with bone-colored skulls and only $2,200. Jeans by Parasuco have Western details. Shirts come with snap buttons and names such as "Johnny Cash." The handmade silver belt buckles are a great way to get the feeling without breaking the bank. Owner Heath Calhoun's goal is a custom-made look bought off-the-rack. If you want to play the rock 'n' roll star who gets away from it all at his/her ranch in Wyoming, this is the shop for you.
If you want a Wal-Mart-sized selection of guns, go to Cabela's. But if you're looking for a gun to place under your pillow and you want the man who sells you that gun to treat you like a friend and not just another customer, go to Ray's Hardware and Sporting Goods. At Ray's, the men behind the glassed-in counters understand that buying a gun is a personal decision. Some gun owners want a pearl handle on their six-shooter. Others want a chrome-plated sawed-off shotgun. And some want the same model gun Robert E. Lee used during the Civil War. At Ray's they've got all that and more, which is why this is the favorite spot of elephant hunters and SWAT team leaders.
In the Brazilian Amazon the locals favor a thick red juice that tastes best when it's served in a wooden bowl. The juice, called acai, comes from little berries that grow high in trees. Until recently, acai wasn't available in the United States--even finding it outside of the Amazon was tough. Now you can buy it online in powder form. But the closest thing you're going to get to the real stuff is bought in pulp. Locally it's at Coisas Do Brasil. They also sells candies unique to Brazil, such as bananas sprinkled in sugar.
We were gonna mention the Virgin Megastore in Mockingbird Station till we remembered, yeah, that sucker's a furniture store now. Then we thought, oh, well, how about Tower Records on Lemmon Avenue? It's never taken home one of these coveted accolades, and it does have a pretty decent import section. Then we remembered, oh, yeah, Tower's in bankruptcy and probably not long for this world. So we're going to settle on an old favorite, and not just because bits and pieces of some of our collections now reside in the racks. Seriously, this is supposed to be the best, right? So what else do you call a store (two, actually) that stocks everything new, used and in-between (we call 'em "imports") and has room enough for more local discs than former Observer music editors' shelving units? Don't get us wrong: Good Records is great, absolutely, and tops when it comes to the in-store. It just doesn't have the stock, and cool only gets you so far when you want and can't have.
A&R Records, open since 1969, occupies a squat brick building in a part of town where it's necessary to keep the front door locked at all times. Inside, there's all the equipment needed to make a CD, a cassette or a record. What makes A&R special is that it's one of the last places left that still makes vinyl. The closest vinyl plant, according to the company's vice president, is in Nashville. A&R has pressed records for Prince, Beyonc and more local acts than they can name. Currently they do most of their work for hip-hop artists and DJs. The plant is usually open until 3 p.m., and the manager says he's more than happy to give tours.
If you ask us, kids these days already know too much stuff. We blame it on those Internets, or maybe MTV. And that is why we love Celebration Station. The family fun zone is not educational, nor is it culturally significant. Not one brain cell will be taxed during an entire day there. Kids can drive bumper boats and go-karts, play paintball and miniature golf, hit the batting cages and the pizza counter. And when they're tired of getting hot and sweaty from physical activity, they can head inside and feed tokens into the arcade games in exchange for little yellow tickets. Come to think of it, there may be a lesson to be learned: No matter how hard you try or how much money you spend, you'll forever be 40,000 tickets shy of taking home that awesome lava lamp.
So a drunken night in a limo with confetti, a stocked bar and seven of your closest friends was not the best time to wear a white skirt. Now it makes sense. We use Freedom Cleaners in the Old Town shopping center because they can fix anything. They don't make promises, but they haven't let us down yet. Whether you're bringing in a sackload of work shirts or a party-battered white skirt, they smile and ask about your day. We actually believe they care. These people are nice, and we love them--almost as much as that white skirt.
We've never been so disappointed with Borders Books and Music as we have in recent months; bet you didn't know they gotta wear uniforms at the West Village location, which is an enormous turnoff. And Barnes & Noble, well, a chain's a chain, and it ain't no damned good unless it's on a bike, bud. Which leaves us, as always, with the perennial fave, the hometown hero that's been offering books, new and used, for pennies on the dollar ever since people actually read. We're as much in love as ever with the mother ship on Northwest Highway, which always has something to sell us even if they're out of what we came for in the first place. It's the quick stop that turns into the day trip, especially as the weather cools and the hot chocolate's tempting us from the Black Forest Caf in the corner; never has dusty lit tasted so cocoa-y. And the vinyl bin provides the best deals in town; picked up a Bloodrock debut the other day for a couple of bucks, or a fraction of what eBay suckers are plunking down for the acid-rock head trip. Other bargains await around every corner and in every crevice; go now, before we pocket what you seek.
Weird one, isn't it, for the local to write; should have outsourced this one to an outta-towner (like, say, John Travolta, who can be found in the Four Seasons in Las Colinas as often as a drunk golfer, or a movie-studio publicist who has to baby-sit celebs as they make the rounds pimping product). We've heard bad things about the W, alas. And as much as we love to drink at the Belmont, well, it's still a motor hotel; trendy's fine, but what's the thread count? Which leaves us considering the Holy Trinity: The Mansion on Turtle Creek (softest beds ever, not to mention softest handscan't, and won't, explain), the Adolphus (sweet suites, and if it's good enough for Borat...) and the Melrose (or is that the Stoneleigh...oh, what's the dif?). Not one of 'em tops the Uptown retreat that looks, feels and acts more like 19th-century Paris: the Hotel St. Germain, which is so exclusive it has only seven suites, most with Jacuzzis and every one decorated like royalty's about to walk in, lie down and take a nap. And the restaurant's one of the best in town. So we hear. Like we can afford $650 suites. C'mon.
Best Way to Screw a Local
Harry Winston Moving in Next to William Noble
Look, we don't know the first thing about fancy jewels; just don't kick us in ours, that's all we gotta say on the subject. But this much we do know about William Noble: His stuff is rare, fancy, expensive and among the best bangles and baubles sold anywhere in the United States. His two-decade-plus run in the Highland Park Village attests to that; you don't stay in the highest-rent district in town that long selling crap to chumps. So what's Highland Park Village owner Henry S. Miller doing leasing space to Fifth Avenue carpetbagger Harry Winston, better known as the jewelry-maker to the stars? Making a killing, yeah, but also looking to injure a local who's been around for a good third of the Village's 75-year run. Trust us: This ain't going over well with the jet set, which loves its Billy Noble--SMU grad that he is, nice kid--and would probably spread the wealth were Winston further away...like Rodeo Drive and not Mockingbird Lane.
Best Repurposing of a Crap Mall
Olla Podrida Turns Into Hebrew School, Seriously
Olla Podrida closed down exactly 10 years ago this summer, and if you're not from around these parts, let us explain how much of a heartbreaker that was for some of us natives. See, it was an oddball mall at Coit Road and LBJ Freeway built, from what we hear, out of abandoned airplane hangars. Best we can recall, the inside was wood, wood and more wood; our hazy memories recall the place looking like a pirate ship. And it wasn't your average mall, but one filled with artsy-craftsy kiosks--glass-blowers, landscape artists, people who made things with rope, candy-makers--in other words, everyone who sooner or later wound up at the West End Marketplace till it shuttered earlier this year. Well, Olla Podrida is now the home of Akiba Academy and Yavneh Academy--schools for the Chosen People, as opposed to, oh, the Da Vinci Academy, which is a school for the Accepted People, and there's a big difference. The Hebrew learnin' facilities purchased the mall three years ago, tore the place down and built in its place some fancy new kosher digs. Oh, but Olla Podrida lives: There's a band from Austin with the same name (more or less--it drops one "l") featuring David Wingo, who writes the music for the movies of David Gordon Green, who's from Dallas. And the circle is complete.
Toy stores come and go in this city like rain showers in June; if we had a nickel for every one of them that's come and gone in Preston Royal Shopping Center alone, well, we wouldn't be writing Best of Dallas items for damned sure. But this is sort of the best of all worlds for us: Froggie's has the kitschy throwback toys, the novelty nothings, the expensive gewgaws and trinkets that make every toy store more like a money pit. But it also has its Thomas the Tank Engine table (since adopted by every other joint in town) that keeps the kids busy for hours (share, damn it!) and a sizable book selection that allows us those joyous moments of silent introspection as our young ones settle in for a little Curious George while we peruse the musical instrument section and consider how badly we really want Junior to have a drum kit. And there's always Best Cellars next door--for the wine to go with the whine after you neglect to buy the young one what he/she really wanted, which you'll lose two days later anyway.
We've come around on Zeus Comics & Collectibles on Oak Lawn Avenue; now that some of us have kiddos well on their way to becoming full-blown nerdlings, hey, we appreciate the action figure as much as the next dork (and if you touch that 1st Appearance Superman on our desk, we will kill you). For the same reason, we love Lone Star Comics, which has as many games as it does new issues of Astonishing X-Men. But when it comes to comic books, there's but one legit player in the area: Jeremy Shorr's Bachman Lake store, where back issues live forever in their plastic bags and cardboard boxes waiting for you to snatch 'em up; fanboys can't live by new product alone, after all, not with the recent renaissance in comics in which new writers, such as Brad Meltzer and Grant Morrison, take old stories you thought disposable as a kiddie and render them indispensable as a grown-up. And Titan is all about breeding the next gen of fanboy: Shorr's got a play area for the little ones, next to the rack of kids' comics (Teen Titans much?).
Best Attitude Adjustment
Dr. Lynne Auerbach,
Uptown Chiropractic
Dr. Lynne (as she prefers to be called) tackles migraines, aching joints and that nagging pain in your lower back (you know the one) with no pretense, just a skilled hand and one helluva friendly staff. Her practice, Uptown Chiropractic, is a sanctuary of healing, conveniently located near lunch hot spots and errand destinations, so there's no excuse not to fit a visit into that busy schedule. After a lifetime of headaches, a couple of wreck-related injuries and a fear of chiropractors, we've found our savior in the one who made them all things of the past. Plus, the office throws these festive patient appreciation events that make us feel, well, appreciated. It's a doctor visit we never dread. And that's saying something.
Owner Tony Gates and his Urban crew have won before in this category, and we're not opposed to throwing it their way again, because they seriously never fail us. Five minutes from needing a delicate pair of earrings, a knickknack that screams "whimsy!" or the perfect touch of random to add on to a joint gift that needs our personal stamp, Urban always has the answer. For flustered shoppers, they provide friendly help when needed but also know when leave to us alone to overanalyze our options (Hmmm, fantastic, modern vase vs. bold, yet flirty bracelet, vase vs. bracelet...) in both their original Skillman Street location and their new digs on Lemmon Avenue, just opened this year. And, of course, there are the flowers. What's more endearing than adding fresh flowers to your gift? (Maybe buying said gift on time, but that's so not our style.)
Let's face it, Mother Nature is pissed. In the face of droughts, onslaughts of disease and pests and record heat, gardeners have but one choice: Go native. Plants and vegetables that evolved to deal with North Texas' semi-arid climate and endemic pests need less to produce more, eliminating midnight stealth watering and complicated concoctions of fertilizers and pesticides. Redenta's has long been the champion of native plants and organic gardening, and its two locations are known for wide selection and expert advice. Not only will Redenta's help your garden go green, but it will also help keep it that way.
Planning a Saturday shopping trip? You'll be running all over town. Here for shoes. There for jewels. Hither for purses. Thither for dresses. If all that consumer commuting has you down, head to Emeralds to Coconuts, your one-stop shopping for all that is casual, eclectic, traditional, gaudy and simple in women's clothing. Known for their linen and cotton apparel, Emeralds also has a fantastic selection of scarves and jewelry, along with the trendiest, and yet most practical, footwear of the season. There's a distinct import flavor to Emeralds to Coconuts' selection of colorful worldly goods but enough basics to keep a girl happy too. It's always refreshing to get out of the mall and into some 'nuts.
Oriental is a third-generation company in business since 1911, and unlike much of their competition, they know what they're doing. Most companies use steam-cleaning equipment on Orientals and Persians, which gives only a surface clean. Companies that don't know a Mazlaghan from a Bibikabad can get into all kinds of trouble with dyes, materials and construction. Ellen Amirkhan, third generation proprietor of Oriental Rug Cleaning, is a respected lecturer and published author on the topic. Oriental blows rugs free of grit, then immerses them for washing. Then the rugs are rinsed, groomed and dried. Finally they are inspected for spotting or to see if they need to be washed again.
We like art. We like supporting local artists. We hate the dearth of places that offer pieces by local artists. We're not talking about galleries or studios that just hang paintings or photos, we're talking about shops that offer a selection of works you can wander through. We want to walk in and peruse wall art, furniture, decorative objects, jewelry and more, knowing that among the fanciful items there are local artists waiting to be discovered. ART is ART is such a place. The Lakewood storefront run by mom and daughter team Renata Holder and Carrie Stollings is replete with one-of-a-kind items ranging from mid-century side tables to ultra-modern chairs, from abstract floral paintings to landscape photography, from blown-glass vases to plastic ashtrays. The store has a friendly vibe that's only natural since the gals are so supportive of local creatives. Thus, we were naturally drawn to supporting them.
If we had to guess, we'd say that a music video is way out of the picture for many local bands. Too expensive, no contacts, lead singer with acne--there are handfuls of reasons. Screw all that. Dallas bands have a secret weapon if they just know where to go. There's a Kurosawa and Malick right in their own backyard. Too strong a reference? Yeah, probably, but the team behind Tactics Productions has outrageous skill and serious cred. In the summer of 2001, Kristofer Youmans (producer, director) and Kristopher Hardy (director, director of photography) directed their first video, Centro-matic's "Janitorial on Channel Fail." The study in vibrant color and cruising movement led them to create visual launching pads for bands such as The Hourly Radio, Burden Brothers, Rocket Summer, Baboon, the Fags, Deathray Davies and the Paper Chase (for whom Tactics crafted one of their finest productions and their own favorite, "Said the Spider to the Fly"). The team since has expanded to include Justin Wilson (editor) and Erin Fairbrother (producer) and has garnered much attention for this year's study in fraternal order, Slowride's "Morals and Dogma," as well as the intimate expression of Centro-matic's "Triggers and Trash Heaps."
Let's say you decided one evening to get a piercing or two. Hey, there's a studio--let's stop here. A few days later, maybe a Sunday afternoon, your piercings are giving you problems and that studio's not open. In fact, you can't find a piercer on duty anywhere. Until, fortunately, you stop at Taboo Tattoo. Tim leads you to his studio and fixes your problem--at no charge. And gives you some great aftercare tips. A few days later, another problem--again, Tim takes care of you for free. In the meantime, you've also looked at his piercing portfolio at tabootattoodallas.com and seen the rooks, daiths, navels and surface piercings that he's done. You've wised up. Next time a large-gauge needle comes near your body, Tim's going to be the one wielding it.
They call it the "Best Little Pore House in Texas" and a Bliss Spa facial is 70 minutes of intense attention to not only the pores on your face, but the skin on other parts of your body. It starts with a dark room and pretty music, cleansing and a hot towel to open the pores, then extractions of blackheads and whiteheads (ouch, but thanks!) and hydration. While a mask soothes your face, you get a lovely massage of neck and shoulders and even your feet. It's as much a massage as a facial, but your skin feels clean and radiant when you leave. When you pay your bill, you might run into Cuba Gooding Jr. or some other celebrity who just submitted their pores to the same thing. Bliss Spa is known for its little extras--cheese and crackers and heavenly brownies. Not ready to head home just yet? Pop into the steam shower in the changing room. Let the valet pour you like a limp noodle into your car. Basic Facial is $100 plus tip. Check the online "menu" for a wide variety of other facials, everything from microdermabrasion to the "triple oxygen treatment," whatever that is.
Photo albums, costume jewelry, Royal typewriter, prom dress circa 1967, sketched portrait of Colombian monkey, black clutch with railroad clasp, one copy of The Piano Artistry of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards on vinyl and one adorably snaggle-toothed dog named Frito. Since Dolly Python (a perfect hybrid of vintage boutique and antique store) opened late last year, it seems our grandmother's attic is right around the corner. OK, so maybe she didn't keep a live brindle-coated mutt up there, and her stock wasn't so popular she had to expand twice in one year, but you get the idea. Lucky for us, Dolly doesn't require anyone to straddle panels of insulation or endure rising heat as they search through the thousands of gems that pack the Python. The hunt for ever-changing aged treasure is definitely the best part--a variety of sellers such as Jason Cohen (of Forbidden Books & Video and Gallery fame) have booths here--but it's also nice to know proprietors Gretchen and Mac Frizzell love spending time there as much as their patrons. The store hosts the occasional after-hours party and Frizzell, her vintage fashion expertise, and mascots Frito and Lucy, are rarely far from the counter.
Cats, when they're born, take a solemn vow to get sick only at the worst possible times. In keeping with their mantra of "at our convenience, not yours," your cat will invariably develop a life-threatening condition in the middle of a holiday weekend. Fortunately for us, City Vet has Saturday hours. We've come to recognize--nay, be comforted by--the particular smell of City Vet disinfectant. Their friendly vets have treated our pets and answered a plethora of questions through many a disease and injury. Their two locations also offer dog boarding and doggie daycare--hey, is that your Weimaraner on the webcam? You'll never be so proud as when you capture that screenshot of Bowser at daycare taking a whiz on a toy poodle.
Catherine Niblack, the "cake lady" of Duncanville, was born in Sweden into a line of famous bakers. An uncle, she says, baked for the king, whose favorite treat was the uncle's mocha cake. The uncle later came to California and baked for Hilton Hotels. He left behind a book of recipes that Niblack still uses. Her cakes, baked in her home kitchen at the rate of one per week, are the stuff of legend among people lucky enough to see and taste them at area weddings. The serving slices are twice the size offered by most bakeries, at $2.50 a slice for wedding cakes and $3 for groom cakes, still based on the king's mocha in many cases. The number above is her home phone, and she can be called during "normal business hours." Appointments can be made to see pictures of her work. There have been occasions when her cake was the only thing at the wedding party that guests remembered years later.
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