What do you think of when you think "adult bookstore"? Throw all that out the window - Dreamers is bright, cheery, tastefully decorated, with a sharp and friendly staff. Massive selection of videos, including classics, but also a variety of lingerie, massage oils, etc.

Dreamers
3401 N. I-35
512/469-0539
www.dreamersdvd.com

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Antiques from the world over, some dating back a couple of hundred years, located in a most hospitable environment.

Nest
1009 W. Sixth
512/637-0600

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From puff paint to pastels, the abundant aisles contain everything that appeals to artsy-craftists and crafty artists citywide.

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Popular for the speakers of the house, from poverty stricken boom box users to the blank check, "put me together some of them there fancy component" types.

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Kevin, at the Central Park location, says, "We have a diverse selection with everything from literary journals to stuff in the gen-x sub-category." And with those Bookstop discounts - 10% off, with an extra 10% if you have Bookstop card - you can save enough to buy one more book than you thought you could.

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Outrageous T-shirts, brilliant postcards, and unique gift items that will light up your life.

Sparks Cards & Gifts
1014 W. Sixth
512/477-2757
www.sparksaustin.com

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Need a switch from the same old grind? The folks at Trianon will perk you up with a cup of house-roasted joe, or send you packing with everything you need to do it yourself at home.

Trianon

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Sometimes size does count, as in selection. Booksource has the biggest c-book collection in town, featuring the obscure, independents, and plenty of Silver Age books (ones over 25 years old).

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Certainly a title this store will get used to fast. They have so many clothes in stock, they've quit taking stuff 'til the fall.

Next to New
5435 Burnet
512/459-1288
www.next2new.org

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Picture yourself in a store, past the riverwith millions of costumes and othergreat buys. (Come on, everybody, hum along, it grows on you.)

Lucy in Disguise
1506 S. Congress
512/444-2002
www.lucyindisguise.com

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They may not be in Clarksville anymore, but they still boast the same fine selection of pots, chimes, kaleidescopes, and wooden boxes they always have. Don't forget to hit the gongs outside the Central Park location.

Clarksville Pottery & Gallery
4001 N. Lamar #200
512/454-9079
www.clarksvillepottery.com

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Readers concur: variety breeds consent. Full spectrum fun, with aisles filled with everything from the practical to the practically impossible to find elsewhere.

Breed & Co.
718 W. 29th, 512/474-6679
3663 Bee Caves Rd., 512/328-3960
www.breedandco.com

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Once again beading the competition.

Originals Jewelry & Fine Gifts
10225 Research
512/343-2011

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With sterling prices starting under five bucks and diamond deals of which most of us can only dream. The lack of pretension here is the crowning jewel.

Russell Korman Jewelers
3806 N. Lamar
512/451-9295

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The secret is out: This is the popular source for outfits to put some spice in your nightlife.

Victoria's Secret
various locations

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An engaging selection of fine spirits, with ambience straight up.

Wiggy's
1130 W. Sixth, 512/474-9463
1104 N. Lamar, 512/479-0045
www.wiggysliquor.com

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Our resident building expert, Suzy Banks, says this place has a good selection of multi-dimensional wood that moves fast and hence is always fresh and straight. Extra bonus: Collins Wood is available here exclusively. And what is Collins Wood? Ah, it's from a certified sustainable forest. Wooden you know it?

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For tunesters of any stripe or experience, Strait will set you up with the sheets, picks, strings, and instruments you require.

Strait Music Co.
3201 Bee Caves Rd., Suite 140
13945 Hwy. 183 N., 512/918-3743
straitmusic.com

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Seems this chain never takes a vacation from our reader's hearts.

Doc Holliday's Pawn Shop/Cash America
611 S. Lamar
512/443-7787

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Kevin, at the Central Park location, says, "We have a diverse selection with everything from literary journals to stuff in the gen-x sub-category." And with those Bookstop discounts - 10% off, with an extra 10% if you have Bookstop card - you can save enough to buy one more book than you thought you could.

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Our favorite guinea pig, Skinny, squeaks especially loud when treated to the exotic and tropical g. pig mix carried at PetSmart. And if you can't make a choice, given there are zillions, you're welcome to bring your pooch along to help.

PetSmart
1628 Ohlen, 512/835-7221
5400 Brodie, 512/892-3297
2601 S. IH-35 Pad E, Round Rock, 512/218-1816
www.petsmart.com

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Back again this year, one place where you can just say yes to drugs and nostalgic wonder.

Nau's

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You can find styles for miles in this center rich with specialty shops, and if you've shopped 'til you've dropped, there's Amy's Ice Cream to revive your spirits or cinematic delights in the cool Arbor. The center gets extra points this year with the opening of the huge - and enticing - Barnes & Noble superstore. But perhaps the readers chose the Arboretum for its charming cow statues, suitable for riding.

The Arboretum
10000 Research
512/338-4755

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Attention: now in a new location and twice as big. With local writers like Marion Winik and national best-sellers like Hope Edelman giving readings and signings, feminist everything (T-shirts, postcards, and, oh yeah, books), an informative newsletter, and music every third Friday of the month hosted by Diana Jones.

BookWoman
5501 N. Lamar #105
512/472-2785
ebookwoman.com

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With a piercing array of hoops and studs for all body parts. And that's just where the fun starts. Political activism peddled here, as well.

Planet K
1516 S. Lamar, 512/443-2292
3227 S. I-35, Round Rock, 512/252-2080
9407 N. I-35, 512/832-8544
11657 Research, 512/502-9323
3700 Guadalupe, 512/371-1920
10938 Research, 512/342-9088
3111 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/247-2222
727 W. Stassney, 512/707-9069
10730 S. I-35, 512/233-4300
12701 Hwy. 71 W., Bee Cave, 512/263-9945
2409 Manor Rd., 512/474-2010
planetktexas.com

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It's K-mart for the tragically hip and/or basically broke. If we ever get married, we're going to register here.

Goodwill
Main office: 1015 Norwood Park Blvd., 512/637-7100
2800 S. Lamar, 512/442-8802
836 Airport, 512/389-3277
Main office: 1015 Norwood Park Blvd., 512/637-7100
13096 Hwy. 183 #104, 512/258-5898
8965 Research Blvd., 512/832-0004
5555 N. Lamar, 512/451-2306
9801 Brodie, 512/280-8037
701 Newman, 512/478-6711
7100-C W. US Hwy 290, 512/288-7700
3910 Far West, 512/795-6387
6505 Burleson, 512/681-3301
7727 Burnet, 512/374-0260
1819-B S. Pleasant Valley, 512/389-0547
1700 W. Parmer #101, 512/719-4119
9111 S. First, 512/280-2204
1420 Wells Branch Pkwy. #300, 512/251-2777
2814 Bee Caves Rd. Ste.2814-B, 512/329-8771
www.austingoodwill.org

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You said it last year, so we will, too: the little Shriners are the best. With lots of cool jewelry, games, puzzles, books, cards, shower curtains, and sundry wacky stuff.

Toy Joy
403 W. Second
512/320-0090
www.toyjoy.com

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In a town full of the over-educated and under-employed, and with the main branch library shutting down for at least six months, let us now praise famously low prices on barely driven texts. Amen.

Half-Price Books
3110 Guadalupe
512/451-4463
www.halfpricebooks.com/

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With a mooooo-velous selection of cow-clothes for chaps and chicks, it's plains to see why Shepler's again rustled up the most votes.

Shepler's Western Wear
6001 Middle Fiskville
512/454-3000

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