Goods Staff Picks

BEST PLACE TO MAKE MONEY WHILE YOU SHOP: The Mustard Seed Photo By: Thomas E. Smith

BEST PLACE TO MAKE MONEY WHILE YOU SHOP: The Mustard Seed consignment boutique emphasizes the “boutique” part. The one-of-a-kind vintage and designer pieces make shopping here feel like ransacking your fashionable friend’s closet. Clothes are organized by color, so shopping for a dress or blouse is as easy as picking what shade you want. And it’s a great place to consign. You can drop stuff off every day but Saturday, and you make 45 percent of the selling price. Clothing that’s there after 60 days is automatically donated, so the selection is always changing. And you can make money on all the clothes you don’t wear anymore in order to buy new stuff. 311 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-221-4022.

BEST PIMPIN’ SALESMAN: Casablanca is a vintage clothing store that offers something from each of the last five decades: flared jeans, hip-huggers, jean jackets, leather pants, fedoras and more. With racks overflowing with second-hand treasures, it’s sometimes difficult to find what suits you best, but Hollywood Donny (the legendary salesman) will make sure you are either “pimpin” or “rockin” before you walk out the door. 3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-6999.

BEST BEADS AND BANGLES: Previously in the Carew Tower and now in OTR’s Gateway Quarter, Little Mahatma is far from your typical jewelry store. Find colorful, unique jewelry and artifacts from all over the world adorning the walls and filling the glass cases. This shop is anything but little in selection. Use their worldly wares to decorate your wrists, fingers, ears and neck or find some folk art for your shelves. 1205 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-723-1287.

BEST PLACE TO FIND MARIMEKKO PRODUCTS IN CINCINNATI: MiCa 12/v sells a bunch of contemporary, craftsy things like silver mushroom paper weights and hand-embroidered tea towels, but what really sets them apart is the fact that they carry products from Finnish textile company Marimekko. They have handbags, flatware, children’s products and towels all with the line’s signature bright and bold patterns, and they’re only one of two Marimekko retailers in Ohio. That’s pretty impressive for Cincinnati. 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3500.

BEST STREET PUSHER OF RARE GOODS: Unheard Of, the self-proclaimed pusher of rare goods, is a big city sneaker boutique that carries shoes from Nike’s rare Indie line to New Balance’s Lifestyle line. They’re also working with companies like Rouge Status and DC to create their own clothing line, which consists of T-shirts, jeans and jackets. And if that’s not enough to get you in there, they also carry national brands like Kid Robot, Creep Street and Crooks and Castles. Unheard Of has you covered from head to foot. 323 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-744-9444.

BEST SHOE SHOP FOR YOUR BUCK: Take your shoe fetish to a whole new level at Shoetopia. The moment you step foot into this charming store, it feels like stepping into your own fantasy walk-in closet full of shoes. You might even look at your own generic footwear in shame. But not to worry, there are plenty of options to dress up your feet without lightening your wallet. They have mind-blowing sales and, for all those animal lovers, even carry fashionable, vegan-friendly footwear — words you thought were mutually exclusive. 4044 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-591-SHOE.

BEST DRINKING GAME SUPPLIER: Riddle Road Market Photo By: Thomas E. Smith

BEST DRINKING GAME SUPPLIER: Riddle Road Market is a reliable pal of all UC area residents who need to stock up on party supplies or sober up from too much partying earlier in the night. They supply more than a dozen varieties of beer, ping pong balls ($1 a piece), cups, blank CDs, hot pizza, flour, soups and plenty of snacks to sober up on. Although it’s small and a bit cramped inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and homey. The walls are plastered with photos of Riddle Road Market friends, creating a sense of community that bigger establishments can’t match. The staff is consistently friendly and personable, which lends a downhome feel. 533 Riddle Road, Clifton, 513-475-9463.

BEST GIFT SHOP: Some people go to the Cincinnati Art
Museum to look at art, and some people go to shop. The
museum’s gift shop is like Spencer’s Gifts, but tasteful
and without all the black lights. They have a huge selection
of posters featuring the works of artists like Van
Gogh, Chagall and Monet and signed copies of Andy
Warhol’s Pete Rose poster. And don’t forget their collection
of books, postcards, mugs and their giant selection of all
things Charley Harper. That red cardinal looks cute on just about everything. 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, 513-721-ARTS.

BEST ECLECTIC HOME FURNISHINGS: Forget IKEA (even though we love inexpensive home goods), because HighStreet is the place if you’re looking for class with a little bit of sass. Each “room” in the store has a different story, and they’re all your story. Shop from their selection of furniture, jewelry or books that make you want to travel and (gasp!) read. The art scattered around the store is void of pretension, and the prices are as lovely as the men who ring you up. 1401 Reading Road, Over-the-Rhine, 513- 723-1901.

BEST FIRST ANNIVERSARY: Located next to The Comet, NVision holds all of your vintage dreams on two floors. Choose from racks and racks of dresses and T-shirts while navigating around the antique furniture and funky accessories. There’s something around every corner and even more in the basement. And if that doesn’t satisfy your artsy taste buds, NVision also hosts art exhibitions. Stop in and celebrate the store’s first birthday by buying yourself something. Happy birthday! 4577 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-4577.

BEST FLEA MARKET FOR FLEA MARKET FANS: Feel like an archeologist as you loot through more than 250 dealers’ goods at the Burlington Antique Show. For 28 years they’ve been providing bargain hunters and collectors with everything from random, bizarre ceramics and books to rugs and furniture. The show is held the third Sunday of the month April through October. They even have food and lemonade. Burlington Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, www.burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

BEST PET SUPPLIES AND SUPPLEMENTS: Does your dog shed excessively? Or smell? Or keep you up all night with itching and scratching? Dinovite has a solution. Based out of Crittenden, Ky., this family-owned and operated company makes supplements that provide your pooch with the delicate nutrients, digestive enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids that can’t be found in normal dog food. They also provide natural, soothing shampoos. All of which help restore your pet to the non-stinky, nonitchy dog they were meant to be. Go to their Web site for a customized solution to your pet’s problem. Also for cats. 101 Miller Drive, Crittenden, www.dinovite.com.

BEST PLACE TO GET A NEW PET: At this point, it would just be ridiculous to get your pet anywhere besides the SPCA. Puppy mills, anyone? The organization truly cares about animals and is dedicated to finding good people who will love pets more than their own children. (You know who you are.) And you know the money being spent on a dog or cat helps the others who have yet to find homes, not some big corporation. So if you aren’t sold yet, just stop by and try not to fall in love with one of the adorable puppies. 3949 Colerain Ave., Northside, 513-541-8100.

BEST HOMEOPATHIC VET: The Mt. Healthy Animal Hospital/Veterinary Clinic believes that the health of your pet should come naturally. They advocate high-quality, organic foods and herbal supplements as a way to restore balance to a sick pet instead of subjecting them to unnecessary medications. Dr. Robert Neubauer actually takes the time to assess the well being of your pet and provide alternative solutions to typical, thoughtless veterinary action. Why would you rub poison on your dog to kill fleas if you didn’t have to? 9199 Pippin Road, Mount Healthy, 513-931-9127.

BEST PLACE TO PAMPER YOUR POOCH: Strasse Dog Photo By: Thomas E. Smith

BEST DOGGIE SPA AND BOARDING: Jeff Voelpel, owner of The Pet Spot in Norwood, has been in the pet boarding business for years, and he’s not one of those owners who’s just there to sign checks. He actually works there. His hands-on approach proves his love for dogs, and so do his services. The Pet Spot offers up doggie daycare, grooming, training and boarding for a reasonable price with a trained and caring staff. They even have a Certified Canine Massage Practitioner. Sometimes dogs need spa days, too. 2503 Norwood Ave., Norwood, 513-351-7768.

BEST USE FOR YOUR BEARCAT CARD: Why not let your parents pay for a permanent reminder of your college years? Since 2004, Beelistic Tattoo has offered UC students the opportunity to get inked or pierced on his or her parents’ dime by accepting the Bearcat Card. So what will it be: a chemistry text book that will last one term or body art that will be there when you get your first job? 2510 W. Clifton Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-221-8202.

BEST PLACE TO BUY DETOX SUPPLIES: Worried about some dirty little secret from earlier in the week showing up on your drug test? The Smoke Store has your back. Conveniently located a block from UC’s campus, the Smoke Store is a neighborhood- friendly, independently-owned supplier of detox drinks to get you over that drug test hurdle. Choose from orange, grape and fruit punch. 2824 Jefferson Ave., Corryville, 513-569-0420.

BEST BIKINI WAX: This experience is never really a pleasurable one, so it’s important to find a waxer with experience who can make it as quick and painless as possible. Alesia at Heavenly Bodies is that waxer. She’s been a licensed cosmotologist for 30 years and a licensed instructor for 20. Her salon is located in aconverted house, so it’s automatically a
comfortable environment. It’s also clean and smells good. She’s professional, friendly and commiserates with you as she rips those wax-covered strips (and your hair) off. Ouch. 3608 Marburg Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-8252.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A NON-BORING MEETING: Most people would agree: Work meetings are no fun. Jenny White begs to differ, and she proves it with Boost, her 4600-square-foot urban loft specifically designed to take the drudgery out of offsite meetings. An “inspiring, creative space” that features hardwood floors, brick walls and city views, Boost is a comfortable environment meant to relax the mind while simultaneously motivating productivity. There’s even a Wii for your nonproductive moments. 538 Reading Road, Downtown, 513-621-8222.

BEST FRAMING VALUE: You know that when the parking lot right out front of the building has cobblestone, you’re in for a treat. As one part of Final Friday, downtown’s solution to bringing artists and art lovers together, Art Design Consultants is boasted as the “#1 art and framing retailer in the country.” That’s where you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces for the eclectic art lover as well as inexpensive, custom framing. 1310 Pendleton St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-723-1222.

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSES: Park + Vine Photo By: Thomas E. Smith

BEST PLACE TO SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY: With our busy lifestyles these days it’s hard to find time to spend with your family, so why not make it cheap, informative and fun? The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center wants to bring you back to family with classes for the whole unit, couples and/or children ranging in topics from expanding your creativity to achieving personal wellness. All classes are affordable and are nestled in a beautiful old mansion. 4244 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-591 5332 or www.theplaceforfamilies.com.

BEST SPA WITHOUT THE SPA MENTALITY: The Inner Peace Holistic Center brings you the spa without the price and the pageantry. They offer the traditional Swedish massage but then delve into reflexology, body wraps, hot stone massage and even extreme eyelashes. They also staff a Reiki master and intuitive healer for spiritual consultations, readings, energy balancing and axiatonal integration. They’re right in the middle of downtown and open until 9 p.m. during the week if you need to relieve some stress after a tough day at the office. They also have great deals to pamper expectant moms. 708 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-784 0403.

BEST WAY TO SAVE YOUR SOLE: It’s hard to get rid of a good pair of shoes, so don’t. Take them to the Mt. Lookout Shoe Repair. With more than 20 years of experience, they can do major work like repairing soles, heels and toes, creating new heel liners and insoles or reattaching exterior pieces. They work on all brands — including Prada, Gucci and Birkenstock — and all of their work is guaranteed. They even fix belts and bags. 3152 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-8160.

BEST CHEAP WORKOUT: Forget the ritzy, pricy health clubs and their trendy ellipticals. The good ol’ YMCA has all you need under one roof. First off, a $55 monthly fee grants you membership to all YMCA branches around town. The Central Parkway Y offers a heated indoor swimming pool, an expansive fitness center and personal trainers. There’s even fitness testing, massage service and plenty more, all of it conveniently located downtown. 1105 Elm St., Over-the- Rhine, 513-241-5348.

BEST OLD-FASHIONED BARBER SHOP: There are a few old-fashioned barber shops downtown, but the Cincinnatian Barber shop might be the most old-fashioned. It’s been downtown for years, right by the Courthouse. It’s a two-chair operation, but really only one chair is used. The guy who runs it has an opinion on everything, and all walks of life walk in there: lawyers, judges, etc. It really is a throw back, and you can get a decent cut with good conversation at a reasonable price. 906 Main St., Downtown, 513-421-7233.

BEST NEW-FANGLED WAY TO SELL COFFINS: Most people aren’t dying to get in, but when you stroll down Main Street downtown you’ll notice a showroom offering something you don’t see every day: caskets for sale. Main Street Casket offers savings up to 80 percent compared to what most funeral homes charge. Most caskets start at $999, which includes delivery to the funeral home. They also sell urns for cremation and pet caskets. 722 Main St., Downtown, 513-293-3537.

BEST OLD-FASHIONED CAR WASH: Car washes are a dime a dozen, but rare is the one that’s been a community go-to for 55 years. Parkway is that long-standing sentinel,churning out one clean & shiny motorvehicle after the next since the Eisenhower administration. In addition to its impressive history, Parkway’s bays are manned by friendly, experienced shammy-wielders who really know how to make a car look good. 3330 Central Parkway, Clifton, 513-559-1733.

BEST PUBLIC INSTITUTION: The Cincinnati Public Library Photo By: Thomas E. Smith

BEST PUBLIC INSTITUTION: The Cincinnati Public Library does it all and then some. They have community kick-offs for reading initiatives featuring well-known authors; the library’s Brian Powers brought local awareness of the King Records legacy to a higher level by planning a year-long celebration with exhibits and programs; they’re the chief supporter of the Books by the Banks festival; they do a phenomenal job of promptly purchasing all the art-house films and documentaries that Esquire/ Mariemont won’t show; and they get plenty of copies of hot, in-demand CDs (like Springsteen’s Working on a Dream) as soon as they’re released. All that without even mentioning their books. That the library is doing all this during a recession and at no charge to the user is amazing. Main Branch: 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-369-6900.

BEST SELECTION OF RARE MOVIES: Independently owned and operated by Northside locals, Bughouse Video offers the greatest selection of non-mainstream films available for rent in the city. Their extensive catalog (4,147 titles currently posted online) lists some of the rarest “off the beaten path” films, ranging from cult to documentary, foreign to film-noir, Bgrade horror to ’70s psychedelia and everything in between. 4170 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-3700.

BEST AUTHENTIC BOOKSTORE: Duttenhofer’s near UC is a magical place with shelves and shelves of books crammed into tight rows. There are all sorts of dusty treasures buried there, and you could spend an afternoon just browsing titles and admiring old bookcovers. It’s the kind of place where Bastian found The Neverending Story. There’s history and charm and sometimes a cat. They even have vintage postcards that have already been written on for you to snoop through or buy. 214 W. McMillan Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-381-1340.

BEST BOOKSTORE TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN: You’ll either feel like a kid yourself or you’ll be inclined to procreate within a matter of minutes when you walk into the Blue Manatee. There is literally writing all over the walls from fans of the adorable children’s shop. Here you can find books, Ugly Dolls and games, even a coffee shop with organic, fairtrade products for parents who just finished running around the store. The staff is friendly and helpful. You almost wish there was a manatee mascot walking around the store so you could have your picture taken with him. Her. It. 3054 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-731-2665.

BEST BOOK BARGAIN: It’s hard to cuddle up at home with a book when you can’t afford to buy one, and that’s where the Friends of the Library Sale can help. You can get a lot of reading material for minimal green at various Cincinnati Public Libraries, but check the Web site or call first to see which library branch will be having a sale. Or, if you’re feeling impatient, you can go to the “Friends Warehouse” at 8456 Vine St. in Hartwell, where a sale is held almost every Wednesday. friends.cincinnatilibrary.org.

BEST REPLACEMENT FOR KALDI’S: The beautiful and sophisticated new Iris BookCafe is a welcome departure from the dated, grungy stereotype of too many Cincinnati alternative hangouts. It’s as sleek and stylish as a Chelsea contemporary art gallery with its contemplative shades-of-gray-and-black decor contrasting nicely with the wood floor and tables and the light coming through the windows. A model of the “buy local” movement, it serves coffee brewed by Coffee Emporium, tea from Essencha, soups from Myra’s Dionysus Cafe, ice cream from Aglamesis Brothers and sandwiches made with Shadeau Breads. 1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-BOOK.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD HARDWARE STORE: Forget Home Depot and Lowes, the Northside Ace Hardware store is a real hardware store, its small space crammed to the gills with anything and everything you’d ever need, from gardening tools to hammers. Can’t find it? Ask for help. The employees know exactly where everything is — don’t try to find things yourself … you won’t be able to — and they can get it for you quicker than you can get it for yourself. It smells like fertilizer, like a hardware store should, instead of the open, air-conditioned smell of large chain retailers. And it’s a great place to get a key made quickly. 4171 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-1271.

BEST BIKE CO-OP: MoBo wants to help you help yourself by providing you with the tools, space and guidance you need to fix your bike on your own. It’s a non-profit run by volunteers with a passion for biking, community and sustainable transportation. They work for bicycle advocacy and empower you because, as they say, “Teach a man to fish…” 1415 Knowlton Ave., Northside, www.mobobicyclecoop.org.

BEST PLACE TO GO BEFORE YOUR POWER GETS KNOCKED OUT BY HURRICANE-FORCE GULF WINDS: When it comes to gear for life in the outdoors, Gear Up has it all. This local family outfitter offers everything from basic, hearty hiking packs and tents to the more hardcore freeze-dried food and water purifiers (for those pesky Waterworld moments). After a trip there you’ll be able to climb a mountain and survive the Apocalypse. 8113 Connector Drive, Florence, 859-746-2267.

BEST URBAN PATIO/BALCONY ACCESSORIES: Outside is a store for the urban dweller who doesn’t have much outside space of their own. Think Bass Pro Shops for the city life with a little bit of funky urban flair. It’s a great place to find a gift for someone who already owns everything. Plus they have urban garden gnomes. 16 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-744-9344.

BEST URBAN GARDEN: Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you have to be without green space. They don’t call it the urban jungle for nothing. City Roots brings the best of the outdoors to downtown by providing people with plants and gardening supplies centered around city living. Get your vegetables, herbs and perennials here. 1133 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-ROOT.

BEST URBAN OASIS: Imago is a natural retreat for city residents surrounded by everything unnatural. This urban preserve consists of 16-acres of land smack dab in the middle of Price Hill and is a welcome and open escape for the public. Take time to explore the grounds or participate in any of their special events and programs or even summer camps. Imago is known for its uncommon wildlife; there have even been coyote sightings. 700 Enright Ave., Price Hill, 513-921-5124.

BEST RETREAT: Located just 35 minutes from downtown, Grailville offers spiritual, cultural and educational opportunities on 300 acres of land. They have organic gardens, hiking trails, woods, pastures, ponds, creeks and a labyrinth for walking meditation. They’re committed to spirituality, ecological sustainability, social justice and creativity. The grounds are open to men and women, but some events at Grailville, like classes and writing workshops, are for women only, so call ahead. 932 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, 513-683-2340.

BEST SUGAR RUSH: Minges Candy has so much candy you can feel the cavities coming on by just browsing. Any kind of sweet tooth would love this store, especially ones who might have certain fetishes for, say, cherry chew drops. Most of the candy is sold in bulk. They even have pinata mixes! 138 W. Court St., Downtown, 513-241-7376.