Poler Flagship Store
Outdoor stuff purveyor Poler's original store was great, if a little cramped. That's not a problem anymore. The new Poler Flagship Store is a spacious 3,000 sq ft space where you can grab, tug on, chew, and otherwise test out their tees, bags, tents, jackets, beanies, hoodies, hats, and other goods before you decide to buy. There's also a selection of collabs with the likes of Raen, Stance, and Nike SB, camp-friendly goods from Juniper Ridge, Pendleton, Leatherman, and Airblaster, a playful mural by Lori D, and a gallery to serve as a pop-up exhibition space. Basically it's everything the old space was, just bigger and better.
Aquarius Records
The Bay Area has been synonymous with great music since the '60s, and one of its best record stores has been around nearly as long. Established in 1970, Aquarius Records is the oldest independent record shop in the city, offering up a selection of music that's as eclectic that the folks who shop there — they claim to only stock records they love, and thanks to an interest in everything sludge metal to bluegrass, that makes for a fantastically weird selection. As you'd expect, the staff is friendly and helpful, and explain perfectly how the store has managed to thrive for over four decades.
The Boston Shaker
There's no shortage of great places to grab a drink in Boston, but if you're the type who'd rather be mixing your own drinks, plan on stopping by The Boston Shaker. This Davis Square store is dedicated to the art of crafting cocktails, and as such stocks a ton of quality tools, ingredients, drinkware, and books. And if you're looking to expand your drink-making abilities, they also host classes on a regular basis to help you hone your craft.
Boerum House & Home
If you're outfitting an abode in Boerum Hill, you need to make a trip to Boerum House & Home. This new shop is set in an open, two-story space, and offers home goods, accessories, kitchen supplies, books, sundries, jewelry, and other knick-knacks from over 130 local designers, makers, and artists. With such an eclectic selection, you're sure to find something that suits your taste, and if supporting local talent wasn't enough for you, the store's proceeds will be donated to a number of local charities — making it a win-win-win proposition all the way around.
The Thing
It might look messy, but what it lacks in organization, The Thing makes up for in sheer volume. One of the oldest second-hand stores in Greenpoint, its ground floor offers kitchenware, furniture, camera equipment, books, clothing, and, according to the store, "assorted bric-a-brac." But head to the back and down the stairs, and you'll find the shop's true treasure: over a hundred thousand vintage records, all selling for bargain-basement prices. Just remember to clear your schedule before you go, because the store has been known to swallow shoppers for hours at a time.
Recycled Books
Yes, the name sounds more like a description of what they sell than an actual name for a store, but when you boast a selection like this, it fits perfectly. Set inside a former opera house, Recycled Books is 17,000 square feet of used goodness, offering three floors of books, a solid selection of vinyl, CDs, and more than enough nooks and crannies to take up an entire afternoon. Grab a cup of coffee at nearby Jupiter House, head on inside, and prepare to lose a few hours — and likely spend a few dollars, as well.
Rewind Audio
Looking for some killer vintage audio equipment? If you're anywhere near SoCal, you should hit up Rewind Audio. Located just off Sunset Blvd., this beloved shop offers quality vintage turntables, receivers, amps, speakers, as well as the occasional album. Just be sure you're ready to buy, because with a faithful following and a constantly changing inventory, odds are good that if you see something you want, it won't be there the next time you return.
Spillers Records
It's one thing to be an old record store — they're becoming more rare by the minute. But it's quote another to be the oldest record store in the world. That title is held by Spillers Records. Established in 1894, this landmark store pre-dates vinyl, as it offered phonographs, wax phonograph cylinders and shellac phonograph discs when it opened. Today, it sells a solid selection of vinyl and CDs at competitive prices — but while what you pay might be fair, you can't put a price on history.
12 Tonar
It's not the biggest record store around, so don't expect to find a huge selection there. That said, what 12 Tónar lacks in size, it makes up for in excellent curation and charm. Located in the heart of the city, this unique little shop is set up for extended browsing, offering multiple places to sit down, listen to music, read magazines, enjoy a free espresso or tea, or just meet up with other interesting individuals — including regulars Björk and Sigur Rós. And thanks to their doubling as a record label, they frequently host concerts, too, with summer Fridays set aside for live music outside in their garden.
Todd Snyder Townhouse
We hesitate to call it a department store — it's way cooler than that — but the new flagship Todd Snyder Townhouse store is far more than just another clothing shop. Spread across three floors, this unique destination offers a tailor shop, whiskey bar serving Stumptown coffee, and a floor of carefully curated items. And while the store certainly carries co-branded products from Alden, Champion, Superior Labor, and Tricker's, it also stocks the latest and greatest from the likes of Aesop, Leica, and Moscot.
Breakaway Records
Some record stores sell CDs. Some sell movies, too. Breakaway Records sells neither. Instead, like a true record store, it sells nothing but vinyl, with both new and used albums on offer. The selection covers virtually every genre and encompasses recordings from the 1920s all the way up through current day — with special attention payed to the sounds of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. And don't worry if you don't have anything to play them yet: the store also sells quality vintage turntables, receivers, and speakers.
Pharmacie
You go to the pharmacy to get medicine and other stuff for your body. You head to Pharmacie to get stuff for your home. This Uptown shop is filled with interesting goods, including items like apothecary, lighting, pillows, jewelry and accessories, barware, and decorative pieces. A few pieces of furniture are available as well, but you can rest assured no matter what grabs your eye that it'll be a quality item with enough panache to not be boring, yet enough class that it won't be out of style anytime soon. [Scouted by Seth]
