2015 Consumer Culture Large


Consumer Culture

Here’s the thing about consumer culture that we all tend to forget: When it comes to cultivating the character of our city, there’s nothing of greater value than how we choose to spend our dollar. The places we buy and barter from become our politics. Every time we swipe our debit card, it’s like exercising the right to vote.

This is especially true for the evolution of Atlanta. As a rebounded housing market attracts developers to the city’s core, many bring the threat of suburbanization in tow. With the growing morass of cookie-cutter mixed-use construction come chains and brand names as bland and predictable as the architecture.

But the city still has a soul. And that’s what we choose to champion. Every year, we ask readers to vote on their favorite local shopping destinations and service establishments. Then we gather our own critical mass to determine the standout artisans and entrepreneurs whose enterprises contribute to an overall sense of community or creative expression. This year, the critics picks run the gamut — from the Cord Shoes + Boots founder who’s brought the craft of handmade shoemaking back to the Southeast to a record label exec who’s countering the celebration of black male stereotypes with his Never Sold Dope line of hoodies and tees. Among the noted trends, we couldn’t help but appreciate the enduring love for all things vintage in furniture and fashion along with the neo-nostalgia for ATL-branded gear, whether it’s an exclusive cap from Fresh.i.Am or a sophisticated tie clip by Block and Hammer.

Whether you’re looking for the best boutiques or the right spot to soothe those aching feet, we’ve got you covered. Just remember, your vote counts in these streets.

— Rodney Carmichael, senior writer

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best screen printer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Baron Press

Best Shooting Range BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
QuickShot Shooting Range - Atlanta
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Shopping District BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Buckhead

Best Skate Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Stratosphere Skateboards

Best Sneaker Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Wish Atlanta

Best Spa BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Jeju Sauna

Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Your DeKalb Farmers Market

Best Sporting Goods Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Dick’s Sporting Goods
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Spa BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
H Massage

Best Tailor Services BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Sid Mashburn

Best Tattoo Artist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Mike McMahon

Best Tattoo Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Only You Tattoo

Best Taxi/Rideshare Service BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Atlanta Checker Cab Co Inc

Best Thrift Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Goodwill Thrift Store & Donation Center
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Toy Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Richards Variety Store

Best Used Book Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Book Nook

Best Head Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Vaperite Good cbd shop

Best Veterinarian Clinic BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
The Village Vets of Decatur

Best Vintage Clothing Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
The Clothing Warehouse

Best Vinyl BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Criminal Records

Best Local Clothing Designer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Maelu

Best Wedding Photographer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Bhargava Chiluveru

Best Wine Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Le Caveau Fine Wines

Best Wine Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Perrine’s Wine Shop - Westside

Best women’s clothing store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Anthropologie
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Yoga Instructor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Swami Jaya Devi

Best Yoga Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Tough Love Yoga

Best Yoga Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Kashi Atlanta Urban Yoga Ashram

Best Reason to Live in Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Guest Critic

Best Reason to Live in Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Guest Critic

Best Thrift Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Last Chance Thrift Store
Last Chance Thrift Store offers an opportunity the convenience of technology has damn near made extinct: the chance to hunt for hands-on bargains. Clothing, household wares, LPs, etc. each have their designated spot. Well, sort of. But that seriously makes the visit even more fun. Come with an open mindmore...
Last Chance Thrift Store offers an opportunity the convenience of technology has damn near made extinct: the chance to hunt for hands-on bargains. Clothing, household wares, LPs, etc. each have their designated spot. Well, sort of. But that seriously makes the visit even more fun. Come with an open mind and similar schedule and you might just leave with a darling 1960s cocktail dress for $7 or a stack of pristine wax for even less. www.lastchancethriftstore.com. less...

Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Kiwi Vintage and Green Home Market

Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Broad Street Antique Mall

Best Thrift Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
ReStore

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Inn
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Shoe Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Friedman’s Shoes
“When you’re a rookie, you get the word not to buy shoes until you get to Atlanta.” Michael Jordan had one spot in mind when he told GQ magazine that back in the ’80s: Friedman’s Shoes. Talk about timeless, this shoe store is as legendary as the celebrity clientele whose autographed photosmore...
“When you’re a rookie, you get the word not to buy shoes until you get to Atlanta.” Michael Jordan had one spot in mind when he told GQ magazine that back in the ’80s: Friedman’s Shoes. Talk about timeless, this shoe store is as legendary as the celebrity clientele whose autographed photos and jerseys decorate the walls. When you specialize in extra-large shoe sizes, from 8 to 22, you tend to attract a lot of pro athletes. Former Hawks star Dominique Wilkins was a regular during his reign. Hell, the whole team was in Friedman’s heyday, not to mention practically every other player in the NBA. A visit to the store in South Downtown today is like a three-story shopping museum for players who prefer old-school gators and contemporary Italian designer boots. Bruce Teilhaber, whose father-in-law Philip Friedman founded the shoe store in 1929, has laced his share of icons with some fancy footwear. Like the time when boxing promoter Don King dropped $64,000 on 110 pairs of shoes in one visit. In a sense, Friedman’s is still one shoe store where size still doesn’t matter. Just ask Shaq, whose 22D shoe size stays in stock. less...

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