SPM Best of: Shopping

 published on Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Chelsea Kent / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best gas station: Quik Trip

Chelsea Kent / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best place to buy indie cred: American Apparel

Sam Nalven / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best bike store: Domenic's Cycling

Best Gas Station
Quik Trip
2111 W. University Dr., Tempe

Don't just fill 'er up at this gas station; pig out, get drunk, make friends or create the best tasting soda in human history. Granted, most are familiar with their neighborhood QT. It may be just a gas station, but it can also be so much more. QT's star player is the chicken taquito. Like its teammate the hot dog, it rotates in heated anticipation of customers shelling out a dollar to put it in the game. Don't be mislead by the crusty, chicken-like mystery filling one might spot coming out each end. The taquito's spicy taste and pillowy texture are sure to have customer's taste buds doing the wave. The American-owned QuikTrip is easily recognized and well-known in the Phoenix area. QuikTrips have had 49 years in the business of selling gas, not to mention the widest array of fountain drink choices in town. As many may already know, one can add vanilla or cherry extract to any of the many soft drinks available.

Reach the reporter at: lauren.cusimano@asu.edu


Best grocery store
Trader Joe's
6460 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, 480-838-4142

Trader Joe's will fulfill every basic grocery need, but the beauty of this above-average grocery is that even the basics have a healthy and unique twist. Many products boast organic labels or are imported from special locations. Beyond basics, the store's exotic cheeses, import wines and beers and phenomenal frozen dinners are more reason to skip the regular grocery chain. Hoegaarden White Ale and Wyder's Cider are two imports worth trying. Trader Joe's also has a huge selection of frozen meals, and most taste like home-made entrees. The stores are privately owned and operated, according to the company's Web site, and the staff treats their shoppers like they are family. The atmosphere of the store can be cute and cozy or hectic and claustrophobic depending on the time of day. The stores are rather small and aisles are narrow so invading others' personal space is a common occurrence. The prices are affordable and dissatisfaction is not often heard.

Reach the reporter at: melissa.matyas@asu.edu


Best sex shop
Fascinations
411 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-237-0167

For those who have never been to a Fascinations, picture a saltier Spencer's with a bondage room. Fascinations can be both funny and cute on top of being serious about getting down. Some examples include the "Dicky Sipping Straws" next to the tassel whip and the "Dr. Love's Pecker Stethoscope" next to "Alexa's Nubby Satisfier." Whether customers are there to stock gift bags for a bachelorette party or because their marriage is really going downhill, fast, Fascinations is ready to help. Each Fascinations is so friendly with the blinding, florescent lights and dozens of smiling faces on the personnel and the covers of DVDs. Fascinations' draw is not the vast library of literary sexcapades or the platform shoes, it's the prices. Where else can shoppers get body tassels for $12.99 or double locking cuffs for only $20.99? Nowhere, that's where.

Reach the reporter at: lauren.cusimano@asu.edu


Best place to buy indie cred
American Apparel
526 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-317-3000

There is something mesmerizing about hundreds of things that come in hundreds of colors. If you're looking for a way to fit in at the next Shins show, American Apparel is the place for you. While other people may walk by the store and see the crazy mannequins in leotards and neon T-shirts, indie kids are cool enough to walk in and think, "Hell yeah, I shop here." We all know indie kids have more important things to worry about than what their clothes say. They are obviously busy keeping everyone away from their favorite band to deal with any embellishments or unnecessary flair on their clothing. Here is where American Apparel comes in with their solid-colored basic goodness. And, of course, the anti-sweatshop manufacturing gives it humanitarian cred. But what's the real attraction to the store? Could it be the simple advertisements of seemingly ordinary people they've asked to throw on a T-shirt and pout for the camera? The illusion of effortless style and versatility of the clothing? The store's fluorescent lighting does no one favors? Or maybe that's the whole secret behind its indie credibility … no one gets it. Whether you get it or not, who could live without a pair of gold glittery hot pants?

Reach the reporter at: jvanzale@asu.edu


Best housewares
IKEA
2110 W. Ikea Way, Tempe, 480-496-5658

This was one category where the voting was almost unanimous. With dining room table and chair sets for $99 and bed sheets for $12.99, it's no surprise that nearly every college living space looks like a replica of the IKEA catalog. It turns out those Swedes know a thing or two about making low-cost chic furniture. The average room in college — whether it's a dorm or just a twosome shacking up — is either sleeping two people or just tiny in general. It helps that all of IKEA's housewares were made to fit into and make the most of small spaces. Their array of storage items is vast — another important item for college living. The store is pretty helpful itself. The whole upstairs is one giant idea book, where rooms are pre-decorated to show what items look fantastic together. Customers can also test every drawer, cushion and box. IKEA is one of the few one-stop-shops, where students can outfit an entire apartment, from kitchen to bathroom to bedroom, find the perfect candles to decorate it, and even stop to have some Swedish meatballs and lingonberry juice for lunch. The only worrisome part of IKEA is that most items need to be assembled at home. Although a few roommate friendships have been strained over the 3 a.m. "I told you, the instructions said that G fits into A! A! Not C!" argument, self-assembly is part of what keeps the cost so low. To add to its college appeal, IKEA is also trying to help the environment by charging 5 cents for every plastic bag used to wrap up items at checkout. The hope is that more customers will bring in reusable bags. And, finally … trying to say the names of half their items is fun in itself (an IKEA employee told us that those are the names of streets in Stockholm!).

Reach the reporter at: amanda.fruzynski@asu.edu


Best bookstore
Border's
699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-921-8659

Tempe is home to many an awesome bookstore, but Border's wins this round. The two-story literary playground on Mill Avenue is massive and usually has everything the heart desires. From cookbooks to comics, Border's has an amazing selection to choose from — and if they don't have what you need, they'll gladly special order it. Border's also gives its customers the opportunity to get many desired products in one store, with select CDs, a wide array of magazines and even Bert's Bees products. The store's flexible hours and coffee cafè also allow for prime study time and wicked late-night "Harry Potter" release parties. For being located smack dab in the middle of the Tempe bar scene, the store's quiet atmosphere provides an unusual getaway for its visitors and is usually drunkard-free. Border's is big, full of cool stuff and free of creepsters — what more could we ask?

Reach the reporter at: megan.pantak@asu.edu


Best tattoo parlor (Staff Pick)
No Regrets Tattoo
1006 W. University Drive, Tempe, 480-967-5200

You guys voted Club Tattoo as the best place to get new ink, but that place sucks. For those who want to get something more unique than their frat letters or a sticker for the back of your car, No Regrets Tattoo is the place. The tattooists at No Regrets can actually draw up their own stuff, and nearly all pieces are fully custom-designed. The shop specializes in traditional American and Japanese-style tattoos but can work with any idea that clients bring in. The black and white checkered floor adds to the shop's classic feel, and the parlor is owned and operated by one of the artists. So when ASU students finally regret that tramp stamp or need to cover up that tribal armband, they should head to No Regrets.

Reach the reporter at: dylan.winkler@asu.edu.


Best bike store
Domenic's Cycling
1004 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-7700

There aren't quite enough bike shops in Tempe, between Tempe Bike's 2 locations, Ehrhardt's Schwinn, Landis, REI, Bicycle Wheelers and Kore. But it's kind of official — ASU students prefer to pedal about three seconds to Domenic's Cycling. The shop, equivalent to the indie hipster of bike stores, provides bikes and parts to the hardcore cyclist and simple commuter alike. Domenic's offers complete bikes from companies like Trek, Cannondale, Bianchi, Soma, Surly and Orbea. The independent, two-story shop specializes in road cycling, but has a small collection of mountain, track and cruisers. Students can also find a ridiculously fun amount of handlebar tape, saddles, cogs, headsets and padded butt shorts. The store's staff is helpful, and willing to answer questions from even the neediest of patrons. Domenic's will special order just about anything and performs maintenance as well. Students who flash an ASU ID will receive a 10 percent discount, which is sometimes necessary as bikes and parts are not cheap. Domenic's is the cool, anti-chain bike store to go to — whether it's to buy a sweet carbon fiber wheel set or to replace the cow print bike seat some asshole stole during your geography lab.

Reach the reporter at: celeste.sepessy@asu.edu


Best place to buy last-minute gifts
Urban Outfitters
545 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-966-7250

When time is running out to get a present or two, Urban Outfitters is the perfect last minute resort. Who wouldn't want a cool accessory, a book of sex coupons or an "I Love You" toast stamper? So before entering a state of panic when suddenly remembering its your best friends birthday, chill out and head to the Mill Avenue store. Because of the variety of goods Urban Outfitters has to offer, shoppers can relax and just enjoy looking for the perfect present. The store has new things constantly coming in, so the chronic last-minute shopper can always count on the store to solve the problem. It's a safe bet for the "last-minute gift" because the merchandise is always trendy and relevant. It has cool clothing, home furnishings or books that will interest almost any person on a shopping list. For college students who love drinking sports, there are plenty of games along with beer pong gloves. For the less serious shopper, there are plenty of gifts that pertain to current pop culture humor, like the Hillary Clinton nutcracker. For funky friends there are art books and flasks, while girly-girls will appreciate their flowery candles and constant assortment of photo albums. Most decent gifts are offered around $20.

Reach the reporter at: jvanzale@asu.edu


Best accessories store
Forever 21/For Love 21
Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale, 480-946-7799

Your mom taught you to change your underwear everyday, but if she had told you to change your accessories everyday she would have mentioned For Love 21. For Love 21 specializes in accessories only — a whole fabulous store of them — while sister store Forever 21 is known primarily for its up-to-date cheap fashion knock-offs. For Love21 is the destination for anyone who has outgrown the gaudy glitter of Claire's but still needs a bangle or bangin' set of earrings on the cheap. With an immense selection and dirt-cheap prices, one is bound to find something they never knew they needed. It's the perfect place for any last-minute jewelry additions that can change an entire outfit. Just don't expect to hold onto the jewelry for too long — the store specializes in trends, not timelessness. If For Love 21 is nowhere in sight, Forever 21 stores still offer a smaller, yet fruitful jewelry selection.

Reach the reporter at: lana.burke@asu.edu


Best thrift store
Buffalo Exchange
227 W. University Dr., Tempe, 480-968-2557

Buffalo Exchange is the perfect place to get rid of clothes, shoes and accessories bursting from your closet and dressers. The store will buy your junk and give you money or store credit to purchase other peoples junk. Secondhand designer and vintage fashions are what it looks for, so flee market finds might not make the cut. Buffalo Exchange is all about recycling used items that shouldn't get caught in a landfill. Buffalo Exchange has everything you need to start a new wardrobe. Denim, jewelry and shoes are among the most desired items in the shop. Buffalo Exchange is great for finding everyday wear but a favorite for finding out-of-the-ordinary pieces like funky items from past decades. Students on a budget can also take advantage of the low prices for themed parties and Halloween. Not only does the store cater to college students on a budget, but also does its part for society. Any items chosen are resold, and unworthy pieces are donated to those in need. Buffalo Exchange is also involved in charity events like Coats for Cubs. The Humane Society of the United States holds this event to provide used furs for bedding to orphaned and injured wildlife. Buffalo Exchange is an Arizona native, but over 13 states play host to this treasure chest.

Reach the reporter at: melissa.matyas@asu.edu