BEST SHOE STORE

DSW

THE LOWDOWN: Sandals, sneakers and pumps; dress shoes, casual shoes and trendy shoes; knock-offs, designer styles and unique looks—DSW has about as large of a selection as you’ll find anywhere in the city. The inventory changes frequently, so different stores may have differing options.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.dswshoes.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Sole

Courtesy of Worthmore Jewelers
Worthmore Jewelers

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Worthmore Jewelers

THE LOWDOWN: Jewelry shopping is painful, from the price tag to picking out the perfect piece. So why not make shopping for that ever-important occasion a bit less stressful? The staffers at this hip Atlanta boutique are willing to go the extra mile for their customers, minus all the pretentious stuffiness generally found in the fine jewelry realm. Who knew throwing cash down on diamonds could actually be fun?
THE BASICS: 500-L3 Amsterdam Ave. 404-892-8294. www.worthmorejewelers.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Tiffany & Co.

BEST OUTLET SHOPPING

North Georgia Premium Outlets

THE LOWDOWN: A 45-minute drive from Atlanta, the North Georgia Premium Outlets boast 140 stores with reduced prices, special savings and often out-of-season goods. Stores include Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth, Nike, Coach, Williams-Sonoma, Hugo Boss and Burberry.
THE BASICS: 800 Hwy. 400 S. 706-216-3609. www.premiumoutlets.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Tanger Outlet Centers, Commerce

Courtesy of No Mas! Productions
No Mas! Hacienda

BEST FURNITURE STORE

No Mas! Hacienda

THE LOWDOWN: Castleberry Hill’s zany Mexican restaurant-and-boutique hybrid is quickly becoming a favorite among the neighborhood’s artsy crowd. Within the sprawling two-story building, browse through imported furnishings, lighting, home décor and even some work from local artists. Not a bad idea to grab some lunch and a few drinks upstairs at the Cantina before scouring the selection.
THE BASICS: 180 Walker St. 404-574-5678. www.nomascantina.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: West Elm

Tim Wilkerson
Paris on Ponce

BEST ANTIQUE STORE

Paris on Ponce

THE LOWDOWN: When Atlantans want to find something for themselves or for others that no one else has, they head to this spacious antique shop, which stocks a little bit of everything. With furniture and collectibles filling a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, it’s hard not to find a piece or two you absolutely must have.
THE BASICS: 716 Ponce de Leon Place. 404-249-9965. www.parisonponce.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Kudzu

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Best Buy

BEST PLACE TO BUY APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

Best Buy

THE LOWDOWN: Gadget freaks are big fans of this store, where easily accessible displays make it possible to check out everything from plasma screen TVs and laptops to the latest in refrigerators and stoves. But don’t think the average person is left out—the selection here also appeals to everyman and everywoman. Consider the large selections of music and movies, and it’s hard to leave the store without a little more than you came for.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.bestbuy.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: BrandsMart USA

Luis Gonzales
Highland Cigar

BEST TOBACCO SHOP

Highland Cigar Co.

THE LOWDOWN: Smokers have been relegated to the sketchiest fringes of patios, dive bars and street corners all over the city since anti-smoking laws have tightened in recent years. These ostracized individuals can find respite in the plush lounge of Highland Cigar Co., where smoking isn’t only encouraged—it’s celebrated.
THE BASICS: 245 N. Highland Ave, Suite 140. 404-477-2415. www.highlandcigar.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Tobacco Loft

BEST CAMERA STORE 

Wolf Camera

THE LOWDOWN: For the hobbyist photographer, Atlanta-area Wolf Camera stores offer basic supplies for all of your point-and-shoot needs. Most locations primarily specialize in digital photography.
THE BASICS: More than 60 Atlanta area locations. www.wolfcamera.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Showcase Camera

BEST HARDWARE STORE

HIGHLAND HARDWARE

THE LOWDOWN: Is it the tool tutorials? The woodworking classes? The down-to-earth, helpful staff? What is it about Highland Hardware that our readers always seem to love? Perhaps it’s the fact that in the chi-chi district of the Highlands, where nothing seems very useful, a hardware store is a reminder of purpose, a monument to getting things done, a touch of the “real.”
THE BASICS: 1045 North Highland Ave. NE. 800-241-6748. www.highlandwoodworking.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Home Depot

BEST GARDEN SHOP

Pike Nurseries

THE LOWDOWN: Those with green thumbs are drawn to this garden center’s variety of plants, which range from the commonplace to the more exotic. But those who are less familiar with growing things come for the knowledgeable staff, who offer advice to even the least garden-savvy customers. The store also carries a variety of gardening supplies and accent items for outdoor spaces both large and small.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.pikenursery.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Home Depot

BEST ART SUPPLY STORE 

Sam Flax Art & Design Store

THE LOWDOWN: The low-key façade of this Northside Drive shop houses an astounding selection of supplies for everything from painting and ceramics to drafting and presentation design. To help out with those last-minute deadline crunches, it’s also open on Sundays, and will most likely have whatever obscure imported pencil or heavyweight handmade paper you’ve been searching for.
THE BASICS: 1460 Northside Dr. 404-352-7200. www.samflaxsouth.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Binders

BEST TOY STORE

Toys “R” Us

THE LOWDOWN: Not only is this emporium a place where a kid can be a kid, it’s also a place where adults can get in touch with their inner children. Just ask all those guys and gals buying action figures and the latest video games. Chances are, they’re not taking them home to little Suzie and Bobby Junior.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.toysrus.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: The Toy Store

BEST FLORIST

Hall’s Flower Shop and Garden Center

THE LOWDOWN: Open for more than 60 years, Hall’s is a family-owned flower shop that offers high-quality flowers and plants. Its gourmet baskets, featuring fruit, candy, balloons or stuffed animals, make great gifts for any occasion, and its same-day delivery policy provides unparalleled convenience.
THE BASICS: 5706 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain. 404-292-8446. www.hallsflowershop.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Buckhead Blooms

BEST STORE FOR ECO-FRIENDLY GOODS

Whole Foods Market

THE LOWDOWN: This store and its environmentally friendly ways have proven a welcome addition to the city’s grocery scene. In addition to a wide selection of organic produce, as well as packaged organic foods and personal care products, the market offers an impressive array of ready-to-eat items from its salad and hot bars, bakery and deli. Some locations even offer in-house restaurants with dishes that are cooked to order.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: The Fresh Market

BEST COMIC BOOK STORE

Oxford Comics & Games

THE LOWDOWN: This is a geekster’s paradise, boasting a heroic selection of comics, graphic novels, posters, games, action figures and miscellaneous memorabilia. But you don’t have to be well versed in Wolverine’s tortured history or all the different varieties of kryptonite to appreciate Oxford Comics: Regular pop-culture devotees are just as welcome (and rewarded) as novice nerds or veteran role-playing gamers.
THE BASICS: 2855 Piedmont Road NE. 404-233-8682.
THE RUNNER-UP: Titan Comics and Games

Spark St. Jude
Criminal Records

BEST CD STORE 

Criminal Records

THE LOWDOWN: This locally owned boutique (in the ever-chic Little Five Points area) has consistently received major acclaim for its hand-picked selection of CDs, vinyl, toys, comics, DVDs and music mags. In addition to supplying Atlanta with the best possible combination of tragically hip music paraphernalia, Criminal is also a driving force on the local music scene, regularly hosting live performances and album release parties.
THE BASICS: 466 Moreland Ave. 404-215-9511. www.criminal.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Best Buy

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

Guitar Center

THE LOWDOWN: Guitar Center will match the sale price of other vendors. Even if you’ve already bought that flashy guitar from them, if you see it offered more cheaply elsewhere, take Guitar Center the proof and, our sources tell us, they’ll give you a refund. Huge selection, plus a loud cacophony that will mask the fact that you can’t actually play.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.guitarcenter.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Earth Shaking Music

BEST BOOKSTORE

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

THE BASICS: This chain keeps its customers coming back with constantly changing displays of the latest and greatest in both fiction and nonfiction, a wide selection of periodicals and shelves filled with titles both old and new. The coffee and baked goods in the in-store cafes keep readers going as they relax, study and talk about what they’re reading.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations. www.barnesandnoble.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Borders

BEST STORE FOR SPICING UP YOUR SEX LIFE

Love Shack

THE LOWDOWN: Even a good thing gets old. That’s why Love Shack offers what were called “marital aids” in the 1950s: lubricants, “toys,” adult films and magazines, and sexy accessories. The best part is that you don’t have to be a stripper to feel normal shopping here. It’s not sleazy—it’s adventurous.
THE BASICS: 4050 Fulton Industrial Blvd. SW. 404-472-0201. 5674 Roswell Road NE. 404-255-5699. www.loveshackonline.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Starship