Consumer Culture
The term “retail therapy” is dorky and cliché, but there is something to be said for the healing power of shopping. Spending money is a form of catharsis, and we’ve scoured Atlanta’s retail scene for the best places to get it all out.
There weren’t many new places to blow dough this year, but we rustled up plenty of stores that make us proud to shout, “Recession be damned!” and dust the cobwebs off our wallets.
While some of us are buying on a budget and others have the means to splurge, everyone feels good about shopping at locally owned businesses. The Beehive Co-op, in its recently opened retail space, charmed us with its selection of handmade jewelry from local artists and indie crafters. And we love the new ATL apparel company Streetela for making local street art wearable.
Among our other faves are a B&B-slash-urban farm in the heart of the city, a beautiful chocolate shop that makes its confections from scratch and a tattoo parlor that knows how to ink skin of all colors. And for retail therapy in its most literal form, may we suggest the to-die-for luxury mani-pedi at Nouvelle Nail Spa or G Salon’s $40 spa deal?
Sure, it might be time to stop saying “retail therapy,” but indulging in it will never go out of style.
— Gwynedd Stuart and Bobby Feingold
Best Personal Trainer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Pet Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Piercing Parlor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Pilates Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Place for Fashion Bargains BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Art Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Realtor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Shooting Range BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Shopping District BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Sneaker Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Spa BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Sporting Goods Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Tattoo Artist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Tattoo Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Taxi/Rideshare Service BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Thrift Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Toy Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Used Book Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Veterinarian Clinic BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Vintage Clothing Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Vinyl BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Wine Shop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best women’s clothing store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Yoga Instructor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Yoga Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Personal Trainer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Pet Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Piercing Parlor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Pilates Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Place for Fashion Bargains BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Art Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Realtor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Shooting Range BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Shopping District BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Sneaker Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Spa BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Sporting Goods Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Tattoo Artist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Tattoo Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Taxi/Rideshare Service BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Thrift Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Toy Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Used Book Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Veterinarian Clinic BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Vintage Clothing Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Vinyl BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Wine Shop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best women’s clothing store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Yoga Instructor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Yoga Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Best Bootcamp BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Bed & Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Hair Salon BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Garden Shop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Bridal/Wedding Prep BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Clothing Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Gym BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Consignment Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Local Boutique BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Nail Salon BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Pawnshop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Place for Fashion Bargains BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Jewelry Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Shoe Store BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Spa BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Local Fashion Resource BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Tattoo Studio BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Shopping District BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Realtor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Browse by Category