50 Top Shops

Southern Living, Nov 2006 by Frazier, Jennifer Mckenzie

Grab your gift list, and get ready for some fun. Our shopping expert shows you where to go and what to buy.

Southerners are pros when it comes to shopping. So we pounded the pavement in search of the best and uncovered some of the region's finest shops. Some spots you'll recognize, others you won't. Of course, we can't list them all, so we'll have left off some of your favorites. Visit southernliving.com/november2006 to tell us your personal top picks.

For Splurges and Special Surprises

1 Neiman Marcus; Dallas, TX: Visit the first location of the department store icon where high fashion still reigns. www.neimanmarcus.com.

2 Tiny Jewel Box; Washington, D.C.: This six-story gem stocks vintage and new jewels, from pearls and diamonds to gold and glass. www.tinyjewelbox.com.

For the Casual Garden

3 duh for Garden & Home; Pensacola, FL: From pots that you can fit in the palm of your hand to gigantic planters as tall as an adult, the assortment of terracotta astonishes. (850) 439-0640.

4 Garden Deva; Tulsa, OK: Find handmade metal furniture and yard art made on-site. www.gardendeva.com.

5 Martha's Bloomers Home and Garden Store; Navasota, TX: All things garden from seeds and bulbs to pottery and tools fill this great store with a tearoom. www. marthasbloomers.com.

6 Eden. A Gift and Garden Store; Nashville, TN: Shop for plants, annuals, and herbs, as well as fabulous outdoor glass baubles and quirky bird feeders to give your garden some personality. www. edengardenstore.com.

For the Elegant Garden

7 Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts; Atlanta, GA: Part nursery and part antiques nook, the ivy-covered cottage boasts garden containers and birdhouses as well as leather picture frames and baby gifts. (404) 233-3400.

8 Southern Homes & Gardens; Montgomery, AL: Almost 300 acres brim with plants and decorations, including a 20,000-square-foot shop featuring treetrimming supplies, holiday china, and collectible ornaments. www.southern homesandgardens.com.

9 Garden Architects; Annapolis, MD: Sophisticated outdoor furniture, water features, and works by Frank Lloyd Wright accent this innovative place. www.gardenarchitects.com.

For the Art Aficionado

10 Objects of Desire Gallery; Louisville, KY: Contemporary jewelry by international artists keeps company with purses made of unusual fabrics. www.objectsofdesiregallery.com.

11 Tamarack Craft Center; Beckley, WV: Admire the hand-carved furniture, glass, pottery, and Appalachian quilts. www.tamarackwv.com.

12 Seldom Seen Gallery; Fort Lauderdale, FL Loaded with a variety of mementos from a $1 pocket angel to a $10,000 piece of hand-painted furniture, this institution breaks the normal gallery rules and isn't a bit stuffy. www.seldomseengallery.com.

13 Art & Invention Gallery; Nashville, TN: Located in a former garage, the four-room gallery showcases locally made fine art, handmade jewelry, and whimsical crafts. www.art andinvention.com.

14 Square Roots; Decatur, GA: Take home a bouquet of daisies and a handmade picture frame from the part flower shop, part folk art emporium. www.squarerootsdecatur.com.

15 Beans Ferry Pottery; Fulton, MS: Known for his Santa Claus ornaments crafted in the shape of Southern states, artist Keith Carpenter makes this gallery a great gift-giving stopover.www. beansferrypottery.net.

16 Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery; Lafayette, LA: This gallery spotlights the pottery, sculptures, folk art, and furniture of the Louisiana Crafts Guild members, including artist Carol Thibodeaux's ever-popular gourd roosters. (337) 266-7999.

For Kitchen Gadgets

17 Star Provisions; Atlanta, GA: This 4,000-square-foot chef's market is a gourmet's yummy dream with fresh bread, wine, and more than 200 types of artisan cheese. www.starprovisions.com.

18 Viking Cooking School; Greenwood, MS: This Delta store sells all types of cookware, including kitchen furnishings and grilling gadgets. (662) 451-6750.

19 Kiss The Cook; Wimberley. TX: Situated just off the quaint square in a small Hill Country town, the cookingsupply shop sells knickknacks for a few dollars and cooking equipment in the hundreds. www.kissthecooktx.com.

For Antiques and Furniture

20 Westheimer Antiques Market; Houston, TX: Look beyond the disarray for armoires, dressers, tables, and more. (832) 651-8477.

21 David Tims Antiques; Cropwell, AL: Find a bargain at this warehouse of beautiful antiques where there aren't a lot of tags but you can bet the prices are all good. (205) 338-7929.

22 Green Front Furniture; Farmville, VA: This array of converted warehouses and storehouses is filled with furniture. www.greenfront.com.

23 Stuart Kingston; Rehoboth Beach, DE: Family-owned for 75 years, the place stocks unbelievable Oriental rugs and porcelain. www.stuartkingston.com.

For Local Flavor

24 Fiesta on Main; San Antonio, TX: The Mexican decorations inside (paper flowers and pinatas) go for cheap, while Talavera pottery fills a courtyard right outside. (210) 738-1188.

25 A'Mano; Mountain Brook, AL: A combination art gallery and gift store, it sells everything from folk art paintings to jewelry. www.amanogifts.com.