Patagonia Cardiff-by-the-Sea
When most of us thing of Patagonia, our thoughts turn to snow-covered scenes and highly-insulated clothing. Patagonia Cardiff-by-the-Sea is here to dispel that notion. Thanks to its nearly-oceanfront location, this fairly unique store focuses most of its attention on surfing, with a more subdued selection of gear than you're likely to find at a skate/surf hybrid, a solid selection of surf boards, and, of course, tons of jackets, coats, and other implements for the type of weather you'll only find far, far away from here.
Electric Fetus
Yes, it does have a very... interesting name. But that's not the reason Electric Fetus widely known. Instead, it's gained popularity for its role as a gathering place for local music/culture enthusiasts since the late '60s. Although there's now plenty of ways to find new music without even looking up from your phone, the Fetus has maintained its following thanks to its friendly, knowledgeable staff, fantastic selection of vinyl, and frequent in-store performances. And don't worry if you're not close to the original store — they have locations in Duluth and St. Cloud as well.
Colonial Photo & Hobby
Sure, it's more convenient (and potentially cheaper) to order from Amazon or one of the myraid other online camera shops, but when it comes to service, it's hard to beat a hometown store. A store like Colonial Photo & Hobby. While it's a known quantity for residents of The City Beautiful — after all, it's been around for nearly 60 years — it's also a great resource for out-of-towners, as it not only sells but also rents high-quality cameras and lenses from the likes of Nikon, Canon, and more. Oh, and if you're looking for more than just shutterbug gear, it also offers a healthy selection of R/C planes, cars, and scale trains.
Austin Books & Comics
What makes a great comic book store? Is it the selection of new and back editions? A knowledgeable, friendly staff? A wide range of toys and other accessories? It really doesn't matter which you answered, because Austin Books & Comics has them all. Located north of downtown, this staple of the local comic scene, this surprisingly large store offers a fantastic selection of comics, graphic novels, comic-related clothes, toys, games, and more, so much so that you may find yourself spending way longer than you expected browsing their goods, and likewise a bit more money. So plan accordingly.
The Best Made Shop
Longtime readers of Uncrate will likely recognize the name from the company's axes, belts, and other implements. The Best Made Shop gives you a chance to visit the spot where the magic happens. This Tribeca space serves as a store, headquarters, and workshop space, hosting courses on Axe Restoration, Field Medicine, and Foraged Cocktail Making. The store itself offers a wide range of products — including the company's signature axes — in an inviting, open space. The grand opening is this coming Friday, with normal store hours running Noon to 7pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
Spoonful Records
Don't let its diminutive size fool you. While small from the outside, Spoonful Records offers a surprisingly robust selection of vinyl from inside its downtown location. Used and hard-to-find pressings sit alongside newer releases, with a stand up front dedicated to staff recommendations — many of which we enjoy as well. As an added bonus for those simply looking to pass some time, the back of the store is also home to two vintage pinball machines, which are sometimes — but not always — free to play.
Lindy & Grundy
It's hard to believe that L.A. was lacking a sustainable, old-school butcher when Amelia Posada and Erika Nakamura arrived on the scene, but they quickly corrected the problem. As the owners of Lindy & Grundy, they offer up beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, all of which is raised 100% organically, and comes from within 150 miles, save for the lamb that's sourced in Northern California. All of the butchering is done on-site, and unwanted bones are used to make stock, which is sold alongside soups, chili, pate, rillettes, and even dog food — so both you and your pooch can get a treat when you go.
Kittery Trading Post
Founded in 1938 as a 360 square foot shop, it'd be a great understatement to say that the Kittery Trading Post has grown a bit in its 75 year existence. This historic store — still owned and operated by the same family — now boasts 90,000 square feet of retail space housing a dizzying array of outdoor products. Whether you're looking for guns, knives, clothing, boots, tents, rods and reels, sunglasses, smokers, grills, navigation tools, luggage, decor, skis, snowboards, or accessories for your bike, RV, ATV, or snowmobile, they've got you covered inside their suitably rustic store.
Easy Street Records & Cafe
Seattle is a town known for its music, so when you say you're the longest running record store in town, that actually counts for something. Located on the west side of town, Easy Street Records & Cafe opened in 1988, and has outlasted some of the bands its hosted for in-store gigs, as well as its sister location in the Queen Anne. Inside, you'll find a huge selection of both new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and books, as well as a full-service cafe that offers up breakfast and lunch as well as beer, wine, and coffee.
Sloan/Hall
At first glance, you might be scared away by the women's fashion — but take a closer look and you'll find that Sloan/Hall is quite man-friendly. This unique store offers a number of products suitable for manly endeavors, including quality glass and stoneware, refurbished vintage furniture, high-end grooming and fragrance products, artwork, some accessories, and even the occassional bicycle. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye open for its sister store in San Antonio.
RK Motors Charlotte
Whether you're looking for a classic ride or just a hard-to-find limited edition, RK Motors Charlotte is a good place to start your search. Founded in 2010 by a NASCAR team co-owner and another lifelong enthusiast, they've already sold over 1,900 cars to satisfied collectors and drivers all over the world. Their 60,000 sq. ft sales floor is a car lover's dream, with roughly 100 cars on display at any time, many of them among the most desirable in the world. Even if you're not in the market, it's worth stopping by just to gawk at your dream car — or car-s. Plural.
Miller's Surplus
We're not sure we'd agree with its claim to be "The World's Greatest Store", but if you're in the area, Miller's Surplus is well worth a visit. Opened in 1951, this hard-core outdoor lifestyle retailer specializes in military-style goods with a healthy dose of attitude. In addition to the expected camouflage clothing and multitude of flags, you'll also find plenty of bags, belts, boots, workwear, and tons of knives, as well as a copious amount of survival gear — pretty much anything you'd need for your next mission venture into the wilderness.
