2014 Consumer Culture Large


Consumer Culture

One thing we can all agree on: The best shopping experiences usually start with the people behind the businesses. Old faithfuls such as Decatur Package Store, with its well-stocked, well-labeled shelves (we count owner Herb Chereck’s “Herb’s Choices” as one of our many blessings), and 2014 Trophy Case inductee Army Surplus Sales, Inc., show the importance of legacy businesses to neighborhoods. A new generation tested Atlanta’s retail waters this summer at a number of pop-up shops Downtown (below), where creative entrepreneurs behind brands such as FRESH.i.AM, Arbitrary Living, and Fallen Arrows brought life and foot traffic to vacant storefronts. Mike Tyson’s Sunbrimmer Records, added a tightly curated vinyl collection to Avondale Estates, a ‘hood that was in desperate need of a shop dedicated to music.

In keeping with this year’s backstage theme for Best of Atlanta, we went behind the scenes at Grammy award-winning rapper Killer Mike’s SWAG Shop, where we discovered that his wife, Shana “Shay Bigga” Render, is the key to the barber shop’s success. We also dropped in at some of the city’s houses of ink such as West End Tattoo, which helped mold City of Ink owners Miya Bailey and Tuki Carter. A visit to Southern Star Tattoo’s Ponce de Leon Avenue location revealed the elements that go into making a great tattoo shop, from the booths to the autoclave.

Decisions like choosing the Best place to maintain your hooptie aren’t always simple. We’ve done the hard work for you, making our 2014 Best of selections with the consumer and the folks behind the counter in mind.

— Gavin Godfrey

Best Used Book Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Book Nook

Best Head Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Glass Objects

Best Veterinarian Clinic BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
The Village Vets of Decatur
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Vintage Clothing Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
The Clothing Warehouse

Best Vinyl BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Criminal Records

Best Wedding Photographer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Kristen Alexander

Best Wine Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Perrine’s Wine Shop - Westside

Best women’s clothing store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Anthropologie

Best Yoga Instructor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Kashi Atlanta Urban Yoga Ashram

Best Yoga Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Kashi Atlanta Urban Yoga Ashram

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Inn
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Army Surplus Sales
Army Surplus Sales has called Downtown its home for more than 50 years. Although it looks small from the outside, this store is massive in both size and scope. Whether you’re looking for WWII binoculars, camping equipment, the scariest knives you’ve ever seen, or just browsing for oddities, Armymore...
Army Surplus Sales has called Downtown its home for more than 50 years. Although it looks small from the outside, this store is massive in both size and scope. Whether you’re looking for WWII binoculars, camping equipment, the scariest knives you’ve ever seen, or just browsing for oddities, Army Surplus Sales probably has it. The shop caters to every walk of Atlanta life, from local and international law enforcement, community and sports organizations and churches, to generally curious consumers. With low prices and a staff as friendly as Ned Flanders, it’s obvious why this place has become an Atlanta institution. less...

Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Scott Antique Markets, Atlanta
For more than two decades, Scott Antique Markets has built a reputation as one of the region’s best places to go treasure hunting. Every second weekend of the month, the popular market opens with more than 3,300 booths in two huge warehouses. It’s paradise for antique lovers and vintage thrifters.more...
For more than two decades, Scott Antique Markets has built a reputation as one of the region’s best places to go treasure hunting. Every second weekend of the month, the popular market opens with more than 3,300 booths in two huge warehouses. It’s paradise for antique lovers and vintage thrifters. You can find almost anything in this place, from a centuries-old clock to copper cookware to Persian rugs. For the best selection, get to the market at the crack of dawn to beat out other shoppers. Going early on Thursday can often lead to snagging awesome deals from vendors before they’ve met with anyone else. Thanks to generations of Scotts and their dedication, we have one of the biggest monthly indoor antique shows in our own backyard. less...

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