Best of.......Bullshit_Shopping

Oh the fury!! I will never understand Salem!! I don't understand the need to step outside local shops for anything (except electronics....we don't have any store like Best Buy). Let the chastisement begin!!!
1. I have no children, so I suppose it's not fair to comment on the Best Children's Clothing Store. Oh well. When I was a kid, my mom shopped at Re-Runs for Kids. Cute little store, not to mention it helps Family Building Blocks. Cherry Redd has great rockabilly wear for kids. My kid is definitely going to look like Elvis!!
2. My husband is a picky picky person. I can't get him to wear half the clothes I buy for him. But the store I can't get him out of is Cherry Redd. I think over half his wardrobe now has been bought there. Great selection of Black Market Art Company, Lucky 13, and Dickies. It's also my favorite store for women's clothing but more on that later. Exit Real World has all the skater/surfer/boarder gear you can handle. Olive Boutique supplies one of a kind pieces! Those on the professional side will find Shryocks indispensable. Unfortunately we just lost Joe's Sporting Goods, so Work-n-Wear is the place for work boots/wear, Double H Western Wear for "yer wranglers," and the Kilt & Thistle for showing your Scottish pride!
3. Cherry Redd once again takes the cake for best women's clothing. I absolutely love their pin-up style dresses, and they offer classes on how to look like a pin-up girl, with professional photography to boot! The Meringue Boutique offers upscale shopping. Olive Boutique also has women's clothes. I haven't found a great adult woman's store yet.
4. It's hard to find a local resale/consignment shop. I would recommend The Maze in Keizer. There's also Big Gal's. And Re-runs for Kids.
5. When I go to buy furniture (which usually isn't often because I'm broke), I frequent EnerChi. They have beautiful feng-shui inspired furniture. If that sort of thing isn't for you, stop by Amish Workbench. If you are ready to buy that day, try Sid's Furnishings. They tend to kick you out if you are just looking. I also like to see what I can find at Engelberg Antiks II. It's a scavenger hunt, but you can find some very neat stuff.
6. If you're looking for some one-of-a-kind decorations, visit Ten Thousand Villages. They work with artists all over the world to promote fair trade practices. Although not local, it's worth a visit and your patronage because it sustains the global economy which is also important. For another unique home decor store, try The Arbor; way out of my price range, but I love to dream. Walk anywhere downtown and you'll find something that catches your eye!
7. Hardware. I'm not really the one to ask, but my husband really likes Saffron Supply Co. When he went to buy a ladder, they not only scoured to find him one, but not finding one at the store, offered to order him one. For building needs, try Parr Lumber - not local but close enough.
8. A lot of people like Jackson Jewelers. I happen to find them very unhelpful, but I'm the minority, so go - don't take my word. I really love Dave Wilson Designer Goldsmith. I want to be able to say I have the only one of something. If you're like me, a designer goldsmith is the way to go. Roy John is also a excellent goldsmith. Boucher Jewelers in Keizer has a beautiful selection of new and pre-owned jewelry.
9. Salem surprised me when they voted Kelly's Kitchen Store as best kitchen supply. We have two of the best kitchen stores around. Lullu's Tutto Cucina and Carl's Cuisine. They both offer cooking classes, as well as expertise. If you're interested in ethnic cuisine, Katmandu offers delicious cooking classes in curry.
10. I will never buy my flower seeds from anywhere but Egan Gardens. And every spring I will drive to Nichol's Garden Nursery to buy my vegetable and herb seedlings.
11. Shame shame! Willamette Humane Society and Salem Friends of Felines are the only places you should be getting your pets!!! To pamper them Davenport's Den is conveniently located at WHS, and South Salem Pet Supply specializes in health conscious feed. Double H provides feed for the equines. Yuppy Puppy remembers that dogs need accessories too!!
12. If you're looking for a bargain, WHS Thrift Shop is a great place to start. Also try Salem Friends of Felines' thrift store. I like to get my puzzles from the Union Gospel Mission Store, Salvation Army Thrift Store, or St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store. All superb selections where the money goes to a valuable cause.
13. Back to electronics. While we don't have a Best Buy, we do have Audio Source, Video Only, Norvac Electronics, and Dan Judy Automotive (for ham/cb radio supplies).
14. Ranch Records is it! Well, no, there's Harvest Music. But if you're looking for the best of the best in music, then Ranch Records is it!
15. Car dealers - normally something I don't want to think about, but for now, the necessary evil remains. So Electric Wheel is where I'd start. Then I'd try Lulay's Car Connection. Then I'd drive to Portland for EcoMotion.
16. I could spend my days at the library, but if we must own books, start with the Tea Party Bookshop. Next, The Book Bin. Then I'd move to Book Habit. There's the Paperback Exchange, and Reader's Guide in West Salem. There's no reason to go to Borders.