Consumer Culture

The recent explosion of interest in midcentury modern relics has antiques dealer Lee Cuthbert knocking on wood (Heywood-Wakefield, of course). Her young Decatur store, Victory Vintage, specializes in post–World War II furniture, accessories, artwork and educational aids. Reproductions and retro-flavored paper goods are available, too. While her inventory is similar to that of shops such as City Issue and Twentieth Century Antiques, Cuthbert’s low prices and unusually personal customer service have us snagged. Look for swell discounts on items that haven’t moved for more than 60 days.
303 E. College Ave., Decatur. 404-373-5511. www.victoryvintage.com.

The only thing more embarrassing than getting naked in front of a stranger is having pesky pubes sticking out of a cute bikini. Hence the reason we ladies regularly do get naked for a stranger when it comes time for a bikini wax. The usually uncomfortable beaver deforesting is painless and quick at medi-clinical spa INSTITUT’ DERMED. We recommend a Brazilian (nothing left but a tiny landing strip) with Debbie Carroll, whose skills will leave you smooth and fresh in 20 minutes and include a plucking of any left-behind or ingrown hairs. Forget about bumps from shaving — you’ll be smooth sailing sans pain with this wax.
3726 Roswell Road. 404-261-5199. www.idermed.com.

It might not sound soothing to get needles shoved into your body, but at ACUPUNCTURE WORKS it is, and you’ll come out feeling balanced. The licensed acupuncturists pinpoint your aches and pains by delicately and professionally inserting needles that help treat conditions like chronic back pain or menstrual cramps. Even if you don’t have a specific pain, the treatment can increase oxygen and blood flow, leaving you energized. And if acupuncture isn’t your idea of a relaxing body treatment, Acupuncture Works also offers plenty of massages to help you mellow out.
3115 Piedmont Road, Suite E-102. 404-949-0550. www.acuworks.net.

The best thing about CHAPTER 11 BOOKSTORES is what they aren’t. Though often located in strip malls, they manage to avoid being big-box stores. With books ranging from the newest Harry Potter to your favorite Charles Dickens novel, they offer a smart, broad selection without being snooty, intellectual havens. They aren’t trying to be cool with cappuccino bars and mood lighting, and yet they are cool in our book. Seriously — these people sell really cheap books. With four locations in Atlanta and 12 locations OTP, Chapter 11 has won us over with convenience, knowledgeable staff and books at an everyday discount of 11 percent.
6237 Roswell Road, 404-256-5518; and other locations. www.chapter11books.com.

Yes, they’ve got the usual Tommy, Ralph and Nautica out the wazoo, but what sets FILENE’S BASEMENT apart from the rest of the discount pack is the unpredictable but frequent infusion of hipper and more rare offerings: Diesel jeans, Missoni dress shirts, Valentino suits, French Connection T-shirts, Zegna ties, Ben Sherman slacks, even Prada shoes. And when it runs its New York Fashion Week promotion or gets the occasional delivery from a famed Manhattan style palace that begins with a “B,” the store has been known to be awash in Dolce & Gabbana, John Varvatos and Armani.
3535 Peachtree Road. 404-869-4466. www.filenesbasement.com.

It’s down to one store now in Atlanta, but give LOEHMANN’S credit for updating its selection to include some of the hottest brands for the under-30 set — Theory, Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Versace, D&G — in addition to the usual work clothes for career gals. It’s livened up its jeans section with Diesel, Seven, Mavi and other of-the-moment brands and, for those with a little extra spending money, the chain now carries Kate Spade bags and shoes. If you’re rushed for time, however, head straight to the back room: Everyone knows that’s where the best stuff is.
2480 Briarcliff Road. 404-633-4156. www.loehmanns.com.

All you shy closet kinks can keep your dirty little secrets safe by shopping on INSERECTION’s website. The adult fantasy superstore’s site is easy to navigate and well organized with colorful pictures and detailed descriptions of its products. With a full selection of videos, DVDs, toys, accessories, magazines, lingerie, video on demand, and an Inserection dating site, you can shop in the privacy of your own home 24/7. What’s more, you get a free gift with every purchase. Just remember, you have to be at least 18 years of age to do it.
www.inserection.com.

Attention bridezillas: Knock the stress down a few notches by calling Bold American Catering. Nerve-racking details are the specialty here, from placing chairs perfectly to choosing beautiful garnishes. This high-end company with reasonable prices, staffed with chefs from the likes of the Food Studio and La Tavola, does it all — event planning, venue design, contracting with florists and other vendors, cuisine prep and service, and cleanup. Its custom menus are inspiring. Cornmeal-crusted grouper with peaches, spring onions and lavender honey sauce, anyone?
887 W. Marietta St. 404-815-1178. www.boldamerican.com.

A haven for comics, cards, games, figures and accessories, TITAN GAMES AND COMICS offers nearly everything a hardcore geek could ever want or need. Three locations are conveniently located throughout the metro area to suit your sci-fi and fantasy cravings. Titan’s website is a virtual conduit to all the stores and offers a link to upcoming gaming events, eBay auctions, and a special page for new comics and merchandise. The locations in College Park and Duluth offer game leagues for heated bouts of Warhammer or Call of Cthulhu, among others. Heck, they’ll even help you find like-minded gamers. A social life is waiting, so go for it.
5436-J Riverdale Road, College Park, 770-996-9129; 2585-C Spring Road, Smyrna, 770-433-8226; 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770-497-0202. www.titangamesandcomics.com.

OK, so it’s a national chain, but PLATO’S CLOSET has more of the feel of a neighborhood boutique than your typical big-box retailer. Though the findings are rarely fancy, serious diggers can occasionally score labels like Armani Exchange and Bebe among the standard selection of Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express and similar brands. Plus, with eight locations in metro Atlanta, they’re easy to find.
1428 Dunwoody Village Parkway, 678-320-0760; and other locations. www.ecoline.com.

Over at CHAMELEON COSMETICS, we’ve found the kind of personalized service that’s difficult to get when you’re fighting crowds at the mall. The Virginia-Highland boutique invites customers to stay and play with complete make-up sampling stations and wash-off sinks. Owner Pandora Golden customizes concealer and foundation shades and sells them at prices comparable to the department stores’. A complete range of skin-care products includes toners, face masks and preparations made especially for men.
1054 St. Charles Ave. 404-685-9868. www.chameleoncosmetics.com.

For those who didn’t know, SATELLITE RECORDS used to be an actual satellite, one of an East Coast chain of dance music vinyl stores. Now, however, Satellite is locally owned and operated, and doubly proud to be the shop around which both bleary-eyed bedroom DJs and transient transatlantic superstar jocks can be found. From humble beginnings in the basement of Wish to its current Moreland Avenue storefront, Satellite has remained the spot for record spinners, or just to spin through to pick up flyers for the week’s hawt happenings.
421 Moreland Ave. 404-880-9746. www.satelliterecords.com.

The girls who love girls who love dogs at Camp Woof have the city’s best hound playground. Your pooch can expect personalized attention and shameless displays of affection from the staff. A webcam allows you to see Spot play with 40 pals on a jungle gym and pint-size furniture from the convenience of your desk chair. For dog-lovers on the go, Camp Woof also features a small gift shop and offers boarding, grooming and obedience classes from the cleverly named Beastie Darlings trainers.
608 DeKalb Industrial Way. 404-499-9008. www.campwoof.com.

Over the last year, we’ve been pleased to find that the beautiful buildings lining EDGEWOOD AVENUE are being put to increasingly good use, with retailers popping up at the corner of Edgewood and Randolph. More like a gallery than a store, Bleu Orchid offers a Zen-like display of slender stilettos from brands including JLO. Nearly next door, Clay’s Gallery sports abstract paintings and other artwork. Just across the street, we find ourselves gazing wistfully into the Lighting Loft, where we can indulge our every desire for modern and nouveau-retro interior lights and lamps.
Bleu Orchid Shoes, 572 Edgewood Ave., Suite 119. 404-653-0664. Lighting Loft, 593-B Edgewood Ave. 404-522-2074.

The crazy thing about the Lakewood Antiques Market is that, with its 1,500 dealer booths, you really do need the full three days that it’s open every month to see all that’s there. We’ve found beautiful antique buttons, gently used train cases, old apothecary bottles and enough vintage postcards and posters to decorate a whole house. And though the retro furniture and old-time armoires leave us wanting them immediately, we always find ourselves biting our tongue and making offers late Sunday afternoon, because we know that’s when we’re most likely to find a bargain.
2000 Lakewood Ave. 404-622-4488. www.lakewoodantiques.com.

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Though the big-box chains certainly sell everything under the sun, we’ve always preferred the mom-and-pop shop feel of HIGHLAND HARDWARe, with its faint smell of woodchips and service-with-a-smile staff. But don’t let that atmosphere confuse you: This store is a serious business with a national reputation for its emphasis on woodworking. Its selection of tools is sold nationwide through both its catalog and website, while classes on everything from power tool techniques to the care and maintenance of finished surfaces continue to elevate the 27-year-old store’s profile as a leader in its industry.
1045 N. Highland Ave. 404-872-4466. www.tools-for-woodworking.com.

Could we take our beat-up economy cars to someplace other than Cactus Car Wash? Probably. But why would we? When we come in early in the morning, we get delicious coffee. When it’s cold outside, there’s a nice fire to keep us warm. And now the heat has us pleased that we can buy chilly beverages while we wait. Televisions and magazines keep us occupied while computer stations and Wi-Fi keep us from having to skip a beat on the workday. Taking our cars here leaves us feeling more pampered than our automobiles, which do indeed emerge from the wash and wax services looking shiny and new.
575 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-876-3232; 2980-A Piedmont Road, 404-846-4040. www.cactuscarwash.net.

There was once a time when we could call on a Wednesday to book a Saturday appointment with Robin at GROW. But with a move to an expanded salon in Decatur Station (the old location burned down) and its new status as a Bumble and Bumble salon — taking stylists and colorists to NYC to get up to speed on the latest techniques — we now have to book our Saturdays a month in advance. With an additional Reader’s Choice this year, it’s safe to say our little beauty secret is out.
627-C E. College Ave., Decatur. 404-373-7775. www.growsalon.com.

The trickling fountain and New Age music in its ultra-modern Buckhead spa are just the beginning of the soothing experience at DOBEL SALON AND SPA. Try the Desert Stone therapy, a Swedish massage coupled with hot stones, or the mineral-rich Italian Fango mud treatment to detoxify tired limbs. Other favorites include the cellulite-reducing Peppermint Sea Treatment and the Bacial pore cleansing (especially for men) to keep you clear of back-ne. Complimentary valet parking and refreshments keep the experience divine.
3365 Piedmont Road, Suite 1250. 404-264-1007. www.dobelsalon.com.

An inky paradise of perverse pain and pleasure, BLACK CAT TATTOO is located in Decatur and attracts and employs a number of L5P regulars. An unpretentious location is the headquarters for the heavily inked carnival of artists with a head full of design ideas and bodies that serve as a fleshy canvas to exhibit their craft. The house rocks in many ways since many of the employees and customers are active in the rock and burlesque scenes. Nervous first-timers are welcomed into the easygoing, no-pressure environment with a helpful, and yes, quite colorful, staff.
1059 Oak Tree Road, Decatur. 404-636-0400.

With their creations divided into categories like Tuesday Supper Club, Saturday Shoe Shopping, Dancing Till Dawn and Meeting His Parents, TURQ DESIGNS takes the guesswork out of choosing the right jewelry for life’s special occasions and events. Friends Lee Addison and Katherine Weeks made jewelry for fun, but they soon discovered that their hobby had potential to become a successful business. Now their bold semi-precious stone necklaces and earrings are sold all over the country as well as on the company’s website. Their mother of pearl Hilary earrings are perfect for summer and — true to their word — their green turquoise Lane necklace has definitely been credited for winning over the boyfriend’s folks.
404-733-4400. www.turqjewelry.com.

When we want our attempts in the kitchen to turn out right, we turn to THE COOK’S WAREHOUSE for the tools that will get us there. Heavy-bottomed cookware from All Clad and Swiss Diamond transfer heat more evenly, resulting in fewer incidents with scorched recipes. Star-shaped ice cube trays and sure-shot pourers keep our parties swinging while all manner of cookie-cutters keep our baked goods looking good enough to eat. And when we run out of inspiration, the demo kitchen offers affordable cooking classes that revive our creativity.
www.thecookswarehouse.com.

When rushed to find those last-minute gifts for a Mother’s Day brunch, friend’s engagement party or brother’s birthday dinner (how did we manage to forget about those soirees, anyway?), we never take a second to stress about what to buy. Instead we stop in at METROPOLITAN DELUXE on our way over, because we know we’ll find something that will please everyone. With its selection of glorious fresh-cut flowers, divine candles, slutty soaps and cheeky cards, you can please both the irreverent sibling and the finicky mother-in-law all in one trip.
Also at 1034 N. Highland Ave., 404-892-9337, www.metropolitandeluxe.com.

What we really like about Oh! Fine Lingerie is that a visit to the west Buckhead shop is like a trip into the kinds of boudoirs you see in black-and-white films. And with its selection of gauzy, vintage negligees and robes, you probably won’t have a problem picturing yourself in just such a place. Elegant, racy and lacy lingerie from the likes of Simon Perele, Cosabella, On Gossamer and even some break-the-bank pieces from Cavalli line the walls. Kittenish bedroom slippers tucked beneath the displays help shoppers imagine their complete ensemble, and vintage jewelry rests next to the register, just in case you need a little bling for your bada-bing.
3209 Paces Ferry Place, Suite 8. 404-949-9901.

Surrounded by newly erected condos and just blocks from Georgia Tech, MAC’S BEER AND WINE has been inciting a big Mac attack, so to speak, among fans of booze and brew. As spacious, spotless and well-lit as the high rises sprouting around it, Mac’s offers an easily navigated selection of bottles ranging from small-batch bourbons, craft rums, tequilas and singular scotches to massively marketed luxury vodkas. Mac’s offers the kind of global booze selection the condo dwellers will need when they see their association fees.
21 Peachtree Place. 404-872-4897. www.macsbeerandwine.com.

Can two music stores survive on the same street in a small hipster enclave? In Little Five Points, the answer is a resounding yes. Eric Levin has carved out a nice niche market for his CRIMINAL RECORDS enterprise, offering an impressive selection of domestic and import CDs. Oh, sure, DVDs, magazines, comics and toys are available, but this is the place for CDs. It’s rapidly turning into a great venue to catch a wide variety of live music, too. Criminal hosts a ton of cool, stripped-down in-store performances for your listening pleasure. After the set, get the artists to sign — what else? — their brand new CDs.
466 Moreland Ave. 404-215-9511. www.criminal.com.

For feeling refreshed and revived, we find that the facials and peels at APROPOS SKIN THERAPIES are worth the trip. With a focus on state-of-the-art facials, this is the only location in Georgia where you can blast your dead skin cells and free up those fresh and shiny layers through Plasma-Ablation. For sensitive skin, the extra-gentle Papaya Enzyme Cleanse removes impurities without irritation, and for a delight to your skin and nose, try the Pumpkin Enzyme peel. High in antioxidants, the treatment improves skin texture and tone while reducing redness. The sweetest treat: A neck massage comes with any of the facial treatments.
1425 Market Blvd., Suite 545, Roswell. 770-518-7070. www.apropos-skintherapies.com.

Perfect for the beginner and novice shooter, and pretty good for experts, SHOWCASE PHOTO AND VIDEO SUPERSTORE has equipment and supplies for both digital and film photographers. Its selection of inks, instruction books, papers and printers push it well above the competition. Showcase’s selection is bolstered by its nostalgic (or is it purist?) persistence to keep real, old-fashioned darkroom chemicals in stock. The staff is surpassingly helpful, friendly even, and the accompanying Showcase School of Photography can help anyone take their skills to the next level.
2323 Cheshire Bridge Road. 800-886-1976. www.showcaseinc.com.

Crate and Barrel has come a long way since 1962, from a unique mom-and-pop shop in Chicago to a 130-store mega-chain that embodies the word “home” for Generation Y. Because it offers products for every conceivable domestic scenario (churning ice cream, guzzling margaritas, washing the dog) and features a variety of styles (classic, mod, rustic), C&B is ideal for a single-registry wedding. Couples can do the whole shebang online, and the easy-to-shop Web list is especially convenient for out-of-town gift-givers.
404-239-0008. www.crateandbarrel.com.

Tucked into a corner on West Marietta Street in the hip west side district, BELLA AZUL is the place to shop if you want to stand out in the crowd. With racks of clothing by hip and edgy designers such as Peter Som, Y&Kei, Catherine Malandrino and Great China Wall, the boutique is a fashionista’s godsend. With its large denim selection, independent designers’ jewelry, as well as bath products, home goods and candles, the lifestyle boutique is well worth a trip from any part of town. Check out the store’s Designer Wednesdays, a weekly event in which a different featured designer is marked down 20 percent.
1011-B Marietta St. 404-249-9150. www.bellaazul.com.

It’s all too easy to find knock-off handbags, home furnishings and more that claim to be unique, yet inexplicably line every window and display case in the mall. But over at BEEHIVE CO-OP, things are a little different. The co-op showcases clothing, accessories, jewelry, furniture, home decor, bath and body products, and even kids’ stuff, all made by local and regional artists. With each artisan renting a space and sharing the duties of minding the store, prices for the literally unique items stay reasonable. Stop in the first Friday evening of each month for a fashion show, refreshments and 15 percent off your purchase.
1831-A Peachtree Road. 404-351-1166. www.beehiveco-op.com.

When Cabbagetown’s YOYO BOUTIQUE AND ART SPACE opened up, we all kept wondering what was in store. Though the shop offers a small selection of vintage clothing, what we keep going back for is its assortment of cult brands from around the continent. We get regular compliments on the funky-printed Canadian OK-47 skirts and muscle shirts we’ve purchased there, as well as a whimsical butterfly hoodie from local label BlackBlack. Steady shipments of new merchandise keep us browsing on a regular basis to see what other items will soon become our signature pieces.
188-A Carroll St. 404-389-0912.

If you’ve got a Carrie Bradshaw-size designer shoe fetish but a salary more like a grad student’s, we recommend a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue’s Semi-Annual clearance Sale. With names like Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Prada lining the racks at up to 60 percent off, you won’t have to worry your pretty little head about where you’ll find the rent money. A helpful hint: If you don’t see your size, don’t assume they don’t have it. Salespeople here are friendly, so speak up and ask them for help — they often keep other sizes in the back.
404-261-7234. www.saksfifthavenue.com.

When it comes time to wine and dine our significant other, we’ve yet to find a place supplying better accoutrements than STAR PROVISIONS. Their picnic baskets beg to be filled with the crusty bread and artisan cheeses lying just steps away, as does a sizable selection of seasonal dinnerware that keeps our food looking festive. Beyond accessories, chunky hunks of delightfully fresh fish glitter over ice and ruby-toned cuts of our favorite red meats rest comfortably in a nearby cooler. Creamy cheese well worth the dough beckons from another room, where jams and honeys also offer mealtime inspiration.
1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-365-0410. www.starprovisions.com.

Both novice and expert runners know that if they want to save their soles (and ankles, or calves) they need to head to PHIDIPPIDES. Staffed by some of the most knowledgeable salespeople you’ll find in the city, these guys will not rest until they’ve analyzed your every movement quirk and determined the best shoe to keep you jogging safely. Each fitting requires a light jog up and down their floor in several different styles of shoes and lots of questions to make sure you’re as comfortable with the decision as they are.
1544 Piedmont Road, 404-875-4268; 220 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, 404-255-6149. www.phidippides.com.

For its second full year under artistic director Jasson Minadakis, ACTOR’S EXPRESS lived up to its rep as Atlanta’s most vital theatrical venue. Bookended by the darkly comic Killer Joe (the season’s most delightfully disturbing play) and the more challenging examination of Southern character, Hazard County, Actor’s Express produced the plays most likely to start arguments — in a good way. Even the shows that didn’t quite click, like The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer, had more ambition and ideas than most other playhouses’ best successes.
887 W. Marietta St., Suite J-10. 404-607-7469. www.actorsexpress.com.

Shopping at any thrift store is a crap shoot: Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you go home empty-handed. But the fact that lots of nice, concerned people need the kind of tax deduction that can only come from donating to a recognized charity means your chances of finding some decent stuff at THE SALVATION ARMY aren’t half bad. During a couple of recent trips to the store just outside Avondale Estates — less picked-over than some intown locations — we picked up like-new shirts by Lorenzini and Ike Behar, saving us from having to go slumming in Neiman-Marcus.
2857 E. College Ave., Decatur. 404-299-0703. www.salvationarmy-georgia.org.

When friends come to town, there are few things we enjoy more than taking them on a quick drive by BUDDY’S and saying, “That gas station has a great selection of wine.” We bring the skeptical in to peruse the shelves filled with bottles ranging from the aptly titled Cheap Red Wine, to the crowd-pleasing bottles of Luna di Luna’s blends, and a refrigerator of chilled whites practically begging to be picked up for a cookout on the fly. Though the options tend to vary with every shipment, we’ve never found an occasion where we couldn’t stop in and find something to fit both the event and our budget.
1079 North Ave. 404-523-5414.

While the CD market is fading in the MP3 era, you wouldn’t know it at ELLA GURU, an expansive storefront tucked into a pleasant corner of the Toco Hills shopping center. The store doesn’t hedge its bets by selling vinyl, concert tickets or comic books; it’s all CDs, all the time, with the occasional in-store appearance. Don’t go expecting an edgy atmosphere — or the attitude that goes with it — just one of the larger selections of used and new CDs in town. If you’re selling, Ella Guru pays close to the local top dollar, and its own prices are pretty reasonable, considering that even Best Buy has jacked up costs for new music.
2993 N. Druid Hills Road. 404-325-1350. www.ellaguru.com.

When it comes to the best selection of vintage clothing, STEFAN’S in Little Five Points reigns supreme. The carefully selected and immaculately preserved clothing for women and men can date anywhere from 1900 to 1979. The shop sports a dazzling array of dresses ranging from ‘50s full skirts to ‘70s Pucci prints. Worth-the-trip accessories include shoes, hats, lots of bold jewelry and a large selection of vintage eye frames. When browsing, don’t forget to scan the labels: We once snagged a mint-condition Chanel silk blouse from the ‘70s.
1160 Euclid Ave. 404-688-4929. www.stefansvintage.com.

Crowded into a narrow space in the heart of Little Five Points, WAX ‘N’ FACTS is home to thousands of vinyl records, new and used CDs, imports, DVDs, music magazines and posters. This is as close to an old-fashioned record store as you’ll likely ever see because the emphasis is on used, new and collectible records. The staff knows its stuff; there’s no searchable database or website of any kind. Proprietor Danny Beard has been selling records for longer than many of his customers have been alive, and he still takes the time to actively support the music scene.
432 Moreland Ave. 404-525-2275.