78 Best Places to Shop in USA

Elaina Garcia is Catalina's celebrity mermaid. After rescuing a drowning diver near Catalina's coast, she soon appeared on Inside Edition, People Magazine and The Drew Barrymore Show. As a certified PADI diver, she took the next step to become a PADI-certified mermaid. Her store in Avalon has a photo studio for guests to don a colorful mermaid tail and shell bra for a keepsake photoshoot. Mermaids can also have photos taken at scenic rocky seascapes, or on a sandy beach. Elaina also offers professional mermaid instructor courses and professional mermaid swim classes for ages six and up. Her mission emphasizes water safety and drowning prevention. Her gift shop sells jewelry and other mermaid-related items.

Hollywood vintage hunters and collectors love this hip open-air market. You're likely to find recycled rock T-shirts or some vinyl to complete your collection, in addition to antique furniture and quirky arts and crafts. This popular market is open from 9 am to 5 pm every Sunday—rain or shine—at Fairfax High School's parking lot and admission is $6 at entrance.

Visit one of the last independent bookstores with a Hollywood pedigree to discover books about film, music, art, and photography.

Hip and fun, this shop stocks some of the island's coolest T-shirts, accessories, and apparel for women, men, and kids, featuring funky, retro Hawaii themes and designs. Bruno Mars famously wore a tank top from this eclectic shop on a Rolling Stone magazine cover in 2021. You may spend more time browsing—and buying—here than you might expect. A second location is nearby on Kuhio Avenue. Note that the store opens at 1 pm.

For over 10 years this Queer, female-owned adorable bookshop in Queens has served as a central hub dedicated to supporting local authors and promoting the literary arts. It’s a refreshing alternative to the big-box book stores and online giants, especially with their in-store speaking and author events. While you're browsing bestsellers, indie titles, nonfiction, poetry, and well-curated Staff Picks, consider RSVPing to read a tale of your own at their popular Storytelling Show, a free open-mike-style reading series.

Established in 1970, Texas's largest independent bookstore is a homegrown alternative to Amazon and corporate chains. The quirky bookshop, staffed with a passionate team of dedicated booksellers, has been voted Austin's best bookstore for more than 20 years, stocking bestsellers along with books on topics from celebrity memoirs to alternative home-building texts; there's also an incredible children's section. Browse magazines; shop for literary-inspired tchotchkes and Austin- and Texas-centric gifts; and catch readings and signings by local and touring authors. Heavy-hitting literati luminaries, including former presidents, make stops here while on book tours.

With the likes of Dior, Etro, and Hermès, this walkable luxury shopping area is frequented as much by daydreaming window-shoppers as no-limit-credit-card holders.

Originally started more than 25 years ago as a specialty Asian grocery, the Buford Highway Farmers Market has grown into a full-blown international marketplace; a turn down each aisle is like a trip to a different country. Make sure to stop at the Eastern European deli counter.

This awesome little gourmet shop has been around for 75 years, and you'll be hard-pressed to keep your sweet tooth in check when you step inside. A major feature is the wall of international chocolate products, but there are also house-made foods, a deli counter, and specialty foodstuffs like teas, salami, jams, and crackers. It's a great place to shop for picnic supplies, hotel room snacks, or gifts to bring home.

This delightful shop is housed in a bright-red Maine barn filled with household items both useful and pleasing to the eye. Browse the collection of ceramics, linens, kitchen essentials, and more by small-batch makers, and pick up a few artisan treats, too.

Located directly to the left of the church as you walk into the Pueblo's open plaza, this shop of the talented Bernal family frequently updates what is sold, but there is always a beautiful collection of handmade, original pieces of jewelry, turquoise inlay wood wall hangings, and other unique items. In addition, the Dawn Butterfly Cafe serves a full menu of specialty coffees and beverages. Proceeds from the shop's sales go to the Coral Dawn and Paul J. Bernal Center for Arts and Literature.

This bustling food hall and market by the BeltLine draws both residents who live within walking distance and suburbanites driving in from afar. It houses spots like Ticonderoga Club, a venture of barmen Greg Best and Paul Calvert; Tex-Mex from Superica; and worth-the-wait ice cream from Jeni's. Plus, you can walk around with your beer from Hop City while you shop at the small outposts hawking everything from chocolate to handmade soaps.

Renys is a beloved Maine institution—or, as their slogan says, "a Maine adventure." It has 17 locations throughout the state, and a visit to Maine truly isn't complete without browsing the endless bargains at at least one of them. Damariscotta is where it all started seven decades ago, and the original store—a quaintly crowded clothing store at  116 Main St.—is still going strong. Stop in there for bargains on Columbia, Carhartt, and other brands. Then cross the street and browse the larger outlet at  163 Main St. for great deals on housewares, nonperishable food items, seasonal goods, toys, and much more. You'll be amazed at what you find. And don't miss Waltz Soda Fountain, open during the summer at the left side of the building. It's been there since 1948. Order a malted, egg cream, lime rickey, or Moxie ice cream float at the counter, and slide into a booth to enjoy your sweet trip down memory lane.

A haven for runners, walkers, and swimmers, Team Nashville is stocked to the brim with shoes and other performance gear. This neighborhood store has been operating for more than 40 years and is known for its exceptionally friendly staff who are committed to helping customers find the best fit.

This large independent records shop has been an integral part of the local music scene since 1982. With an outstanding selection of vinyl, CD, DVD, and cassette offerings, superb customer service, funky Austin-inspired gifts, and a packed calendar of free in-store concerts (including some pretty impressive names during SXSW), it may be the only Austin record store you'll ever need to visit.

It may not be a true farmers' market, but this is truly a market experience to remember. In a sprawling warehouse store 9 miles east of Atlanta, some 142,000 square feet are given over to exotic fruits, cheeses, seafood, sausages, breads, and delicacies from around the world. You'll find root vegetables from Africa, greens from Asia, wines from South America, and cheeses from Europe. The store also has one of the largest seafood departments in the country (with some species still swimming) and sizable meat, deli, and wine sections. 

The market is accessible by MARTA bus from the Avondale rail station.

The outdoor stalls at this mellow, parklike market offer tropical flowers, produce, soaps, kettle corn, coffee, coconut postcards, cookies, jewelry, koa wood, clothing, antiques and collectibles, handmade lei, silk flowers, and kitschy crafts. The made-on-site barbecue is a real hit. A food kiosk also serves shave ice, fish tacos, coconut water, fresh-fruit smoothies, and hamburgers. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available.

Half the store features new clothing from established and emerging labels, while the other side is stocked with well-preserved vintage clothing organized by color and style. They even have a denim bar filled with apparel for men and women. You'll also find plenty of shoes and accessories being picked over by the hippest of Angelenos.

A mixed-use development and outdoor mall, Atlantic Station covers about 10 square blocks, clustered around a green space known as Central Park. Retailers include IKEA, the Dillard's department store, Banana Republic, and H&M. It's easy to reach by car but is also accessible by free shuttle buses from the Arts Center MARTA station. An on-site concierge is happy to help you find your way around or to make dinner reservations for you at the more than a dozen restaurants here.

Every Sunday, rain or shine, loads of vendors come to Ballard Avenue to set up colorful, welcoming stands to sell produce and all types of local, artisanal foods, as well as gift items like candles and hats. Meanwhile, local buskers entertain foodies and families, and vendors cook up pizzas, crepes, dumplings, and more.

What started as a fundraising endeavor for a high-school trip to Italy in 2006 has grown into a four-store, family-owned empire peddling the preservative-free, non-GMO, chocolate-topped toffee that has been touted by Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart. You can watch candy being made while enjoying toffee milk shakes, pretzels, popcorn, brownies, or ice-cream bars. You can also stock up on souvenir tins. (Good luck getting them all the way home.)

Take a break while touring downtown Missoula and have a cappuccino or chai shake at Butterfly Herbs, or try the Butterfly Ice Cream Coffee Soda—a cold drink with multiple layers of sweetness. A local favorite, the shop sells herbs and spices in bulk, candies, soaps, candles, china, and other odds and ends.

Browse the small but mighty selection of books about Charleston and those by local authors, plus classics and a children's section. The shop also hosts an excellent, compelling walking tour, The Lost Stories of Black Charleston, and Charleston's longest-running ghost tour.

One of the best sporting-goods stores in the state, with locations in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, Cadillac Mountain Sports has developed a following of locals and visitors alike. Here you'll find top-quality gear, equipment, and attire for hiking, rock climbing, cycling (no bikes), paddling (kayaks only sold in Ellsworth), camping, cross-country skiing, and other activities. The knowledgeable staff is happy to answer questions and offer suggestions about where to go to exert yourself. In winter, the Bar Harbor store rents cross-country skis, ice skates, and snowshoes. For premier outdoor apparel brands, head to Cadillac's the North Face and Life Sports stores in neighboring spaces on the same street (other side) as its Bar Harbor store.

This upscale specialty market and café features classic paninis, salads, and every type of fancy, fizzy drink imaginable. It's an ideal spot to prep for a picnic. Note the locally produced items, such as Callie's Pimento Cheese and Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Small Batch Tonic Syrup.

The museum contains the world's most comprehensive collection of Tiffany stained glass, drawings, paintings, jewelry, pottery, and other objets d'art—so naturally shoppers come here for the representations of Tiffany glass, silk scarves with stained-glass motifs, and fine-art glass that Louis Comfort himself would have treasured. There are also many objects from world museum gift collections and a wide assortment of books about the Arts and Crafts movement.

This gem of a supermarket carries standard groceries and a surprisingly good selection of specialty items for such a small store. They also have excellent organic and Hispanic food aisles. Fresh poke is available by the pound at the butcher counter. This is probably the best place on the island for fresh fish, as the owner once fished with all his current suppliers and still maintains those connections. Grass-fed meats are plentiful too. Prices can be on the high side at times, balanced with good prices on other items.

It's a surprise to find such an upscale lingerie shop in a small town. The experienced saleswomen specialize in personalized, professional, and respectful bra fittings. The inventory includes dozens of fine brands in a wide range of sizes.