What's Your Favorite Store...

16 years ago

for just going and roaming around. The one that always brings a smile to your face.

A little over a year ago, a Christmas Tree Shops store opened near me. Last year, it was still pretty much a 'secret'--but by now everyone's discovered it. I just love the stuff they carry, and their prices. Oh, for those who have never been to one, it's not just Christmas stuff. They do have a large seasonal section (which, of course, is Christmas at the moment) but they also home goods of all kinds, books, lots of frames and albums, some food items, toys, and lots of other things. It's sort of like a 'lots' type store--no matter how many times you go, you never know exactly what they'll have and the prices are always excellant. I'm in there 2-4 times a week, most weeks.

So, where do you like to pop in for a fun morning or afternoon?

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Comments (43)

wildchild
16 years ago
Powell's City of Books in Portland OR.

I don't like to shop in general but I do like to browse hardware type and restaurant/kitchen supply stores.
orie
16 years ago
Book stores, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. William- Sonoma is pretty cool, too. I can totally get lost in catalogs, books and mags! Yikes!
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alisande
16 years ago
My DS told me I would like the Christmas Tree Shop. I haven't visited it yet. I love Borders, TJ Maxx, and AC Moore. Even better are the little, offbeat, independent versions of the above.
minnie_tx
16 years ago
I am one who really likes my Wal-Mart stores we have one across the state line in ARk so it gives me variety and I get a lot of exercise. We have some of the larger dept stores but since I'm not out and about in the working world anymore I don't fine things that appeal to me there as they once did.
I like the shop in the Cracker Barrel restaurant too. This is a long way from the stores in Chicago and Miami. But I live a different life style now!!
bunglogrl
16 years ago
William-Sonoma. I don't usually buy anything, but I lose track of time drooling over all the pricey gadgets. I wonder if they'd let me cook something on their stove?

Time flies when I'm at Pier One or Cost Plus, too.
stephanie_in_ga
16 years ago
I will go to book stores just to browse. Here I usually go to Barnes & Noble b/c it's closest, and there is a Starbucks adjacent. When we lived in Tennessee, I could get to a Davis Kidd booksellers in about 25 mins. It is a 2-story store, so there is a lot to browse! A coffee shop inside, and on weekends they would have live music ensembles. I had a couple friends who were also always up for a "girls night out" to Davis Kidd. Party girl that I am, that's where I would most like to hang out on a Saturday night.

Walking into a bookstore makes me relax instantly. It's like a spa for me. I get a buzz seeing the shelves and shelves of books.
williamsburgjane
16 years ago
Walmarts is mine!
ntt_hou
16 years ago
I love bargain shopping at Ross, TJ Max, Marshalls and 1/2 Price Books.

There's also this local nursery that carries lots of my favorite fruit and flower plants. Wish I have money to buy 1 of each from this nursery. I hang around there once in a while. The lady owner have given me an orchid for a Lunar New Year gift. It's something that may not have cost her much but meant alot to me. I'll never forget her kind gesture.
caroline94535
16 years ago
I love well-stocked thrift stores, the ones with thrifty prices. Our Goodwill has priced itself out of my circle.

I'm with Stephanie_in_GA about bookshops. I can spend hours in a good bookstore; if there's a cafe, I can spend the entire day!

I also do theraputic shopping/looking at Hallmark's, the Garden Center, and Tractor Supply Company. Lately I've been caught hanging out in kitchen cabinet shops.
donna37
16 years ago
Our small town doesn't have any of the bigger type stores, would have to drive 100 mi. one way just to look:(
I like the local thrift shops, WalMart and if there was a bookstore locally, I could stay in there for ages.
Lily316
16 years ago
TJ Maxx, Marshall's Gabriels, Barnes and Noble, and Salvation Army for designer jeans.
sable_ca
16 years ago
My favorite place to browze, daydream and just spend time is a smallish shop that specializes in cottage-y and shabby chic accessories, called The Woodenickel, in Pacific Grove, on the Monterey Peninsula. Its areas are designed according to color - white and cream, pink and rose, blue and yellow - and theme - Victorian, retro, outdoorsy, and holiday. It's one of the most uinique stores I've ever seen.

My second favorite is any good Ace Hardware.

Our area used to have many delightful book stores, but they have virtually all disappeared. I think this is because of the huge Border's in one of our malls, and also due to Amazon. Am not crazy about the atmosphere in Border's, so DH and I surf Amazon now.

Here's the Woodenickel's website, although it doesn't do justice to the place and the pictures could be better, but apparently they're still working on it.

Well, THS just rejected that url, so here it is:
www.woodenickel.com/
patti43
16 years ago
I'm not much of a shopper either, but I just love going to Tuesday Mornings. You never know what they will have--I've seen Waterford and Wustoff knives, but then I see a lot of "stuff", too.

For clothes, Steinmart's. I like their houseware section, too. Lots of unusual stuff.

Big Lots is fun, but they crowd so much stuff in you can barely get those little carts through the aisles.
mcmann
16 years ago
I can spend way tooo much time in Marshall's, Linens'n Things, Bed, Bath & Beyond, JoAnn Fabrics, Michael's, Barnes and Noble - all the usual places.

But my favorite places are 'antique' shops and the one of a kind stores that are unique to each little town.
mcmann
16 years ago
And since my South Jersey neighbor posted this - I 'll specify some of those little New Jersey towns - Collingswood, Haddonfield, Mount Holly, Mullica Hill, and all those cute little (usually overpriced) shore places.
okwriter
16 years ago
Lorec Ranch, a place is in Oklahoma City. I think they mostly have furniture on their site, but they have tons of cool stuff in the store! Garden art, Mexican pottery, lamps, on and on...

Here is a link that might be useful: Lorec Ranch
debnfla8b
16 years ago
I go to Books-A-Million a lot. Only because we don't have a Barnes and Nobles! My hubby and I like to haunt old book stores, little antique shops. I adore a good kitchen gadget store. But the only one we had here in town closed a long time ago. I go over to Destin FL to a kitchen gadget store in their new shopping center.

Our daughter is in college over in Pensacola and to my delight, we discovered several old book stores, what-not-stores...I guess something like a Goodwill store. Jessica has hunted out all the good nurseries to go to so I can drool over roses if they have any in stock.

But my MOST favorite store of all would be any garden nursery. Roses are my complete addiction and I love going to look at them and take my time choosing the ones to come home with me.

Deb
Linda Wayman
16 years ago
Most of my favorites are no longer in this area. I used to love Fred Gattas and Service Merchandise. Both had almost any home accessories and small appliances anyone could think of. They closed years ago. Then there was Handy City, it was a big box store with an arts and crafts section. It closed years ago. I still like Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Hancocks. I wish we had a JoAnn's locally. From all I've heard of it I know I would like it. Of course Home Depot and Lowes holds my interest. I also like to shop at WildBird's Unlimited and the local independent garden nurseries. Now that I'm writing this an antique mall comes to mind. I think it might be my favorite, but then there's a little shop called Checkerberry that I like. I rarely buy because it is handcrafted items that are rather pricey, but I like to browse.

I guess I have a lot of favorites. I like to shop for anything that is home, garden or bird related. I just don't like shopping for clothes or make up.

Linda
marilyn_c
16 years ago
One that is named "Junk and Disorderly". I've bought some wonderful things there....big kitchen cupboards with glass doors, an antique doctor's cabinet made out of metal with a cast iron base and a beveled glass door, Japanese fishing floats. And Nan, the lady who owns it, is very reasonable and always cuts me a good deal.
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
William Sonoma
Crate and Barrel
Cracker Barrel
Walmart
sharon_fl
16 years ago
I enjoy browsing the antique and shabby chic shops here-there are oodles of them!
debnfla8b
16 years ago
I thought of one that has been gone for years now. I used to love going into this store and just looking. I would buy crochet thread by the case because it was so soft and made beautiful bedspreads and doilies.
It was Woolworth's. I remember they also had the best coffee in town and their hamburgers were out of this world.

Deb
mrsjjb
16 years ago
Hallmark (card shops) - always makes me happy
Crate & Barrel
Cracker Barrel
lydia1959
16 years ago
Sable's 'Wooden Nickel' and Marilyn's 'Junk and Disorderly' both sound like stores that I would love!

The store I most like to browse in my neck of the woods would be TJMax. I can always find neat things there!
FlamingO in AR
16 years ago
I would KILL to browse thru an IKEA store. Who lives near one? I'm jealous and may have to come and visit you! lol

I like hobby stores, any will do. Bookstores next, then homewares. I've never been in a Crate and Barrel, I think I'd love that too. Organizational stuff thrills me.
jaybird
16 years ago
Fabric shops...............any fabric shop!!
jaybird
16 years ago
you need to come and visit me! There is a new HUGE IKEA store just a bit south of here. It would be an easy day trip. Come on down, I have a guest room with your name on it!
grammahony
16 years ago
I like our Ace Hardware too. But I guess my favorite would be Mulhall's Nursery in Omaha. It's full of out doors decorations, gnomes, frogs, bird things, flower garden things, stepping stones, and PLANTS.
Leslie
caflowerluver
16 years ago
Thrift stores, always looking for that unusual item. And I like looking for bargains at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Tuesday Morning. And I buy all my books at used bookstores. And used furniture stores, not antique stores, they are way over priced. I think there is a theme here.
Clare
jennmonkey
16 years ago
oooh, I'm with Wildchild. I LOVE Powell's Books in Portland. I could spend days in that store!
vannie
16 years ago
I never met an antiques store I didn't like! Especially those w/ reasonable prices!
czech_chick
16 years ago
Some of my favorites are...

Wal-Mart, Macy's, Target, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Borders Books & Music, Restoration Hardware.
frostedc
16 years ago
Hobby Lobby, Micheal's, Hallmark, and shops at Amish Acres.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amish Acres
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
I love to Browse any store for Whimsical Items. In fact, I just spent an hour at The Artful Home website. Awesome stuff, but not affordable for me.

IKEA, Lowes, Home Depot, EXPO, Gardenridge Pottery and of course Hobby Lobby. I am more apt to spend money at Hobby Lobby...always something I NEED!

Gayle
deemarie5500
16 years ago
Lord & Taylor's is my all-time favorite
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
Okay, Flamey...I have an Ikea 15 minutes from my house.

When are you coming?
frostydays
16 years ago
WAL-MART
Cherryfizz
16 years ago
I love going to the Cook's Shop here in Windsor. Nice little store.

I also like wandering around in Home Sense (like Home Goods) never buying but just looking at everything.

Book stores too - I could spend hours in them.

Anne
ronf_gw
16 years ago
Axeman in Minneapolis. It's not just a store it's an experience. It's a surplus store. you never know what you'll find.
you remember those 5 stainless steel balls on a string that swing back and forth clicking and clacking? They had one in the front window display...made from bowling balls!!
Maybe it's a guy thing.
Ron
stephanie_in_ga
16 years ago
flamingo, I'm 30 minutes from a IKEA. I have a friend who goes there at least once/month. It's become a joke that when I notice something new at her house, or she *has* to show me some new gadget I ask "Did'ja get it at IKEA last week?" Most people here take there out of town guests to the Georgia Aquarium, she takes them to IKEA! She is so funny, sends out emails to our friends "I'm going to IKEA Tuesday, who wants to ride with me?"

I can tell ya, if you knocked on her door and said "You don't know me, but I heard you would take me to IKEA" She would tell you "Just let me get my keys!"
junkyardgirl
16 years ago
Pier One. I've never actually BOUGHT anything there, can't afford it, but I love it nevertheless.
FlamingO in AR
16 years ago
Excellent! Jaybird, are you in TX? That's doable! lol Monica, next time I'm in PA, I'm coming to your house. And Stephanie- I like the company you keep! rofl I like your GF already.

Man. The nearest I ever get to one is when we go to FL. I'd have to drive from the Gulf to Orlando, though, and the Tampa traffic is formidable. Add the fact that I'm not from around there and I doubt if I'd do it and survive. So- looks like one of you ladies may just get me one day! Gosh, I have such nice friends! lol
Kathsgrdn
16 years ago
Pier One, Junkyardgirl, back when I lived in Tucson as a poor airman in the Air Force, they used to be cheap stores that you could get neat things in. They even had some clothes in the Tucson store. Now, they're so expensive, but you can find some good deals when they have a sale.

Another favorite is Cracker Barrel, and Joseph-Beth Bookstore. I also like little shops that sell gift items and antiques.

What's Your Favorite Store...

Comments (43)

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