Consumer Culture 2014

Best Of 2014

Best Resale for a Cause: Great Things (pictured: employees Roberta Meggs, Rachel Stanley and manager Traci Bullock, with Jamie)

NEXT: Best New Store »

Staff Picks

Best New Independent Boutique

T’Shanell

4444 The Plaza Road 704-430-5107

Tamara Lytch was named for Tamara Dobson, star of ’70s cinema classic Cleopatra Jones. Like her namesake, Lytch’s signature style is bold… Continue

Best Independent Men’s Retail

LeMond Modeling

516 E. 15th St. 704-712-9531

Going into this jewelbox of a shop, located in the heart of the burgeoning Area15 arts neighborhood, is like going down the… Continue

Shoe Shop That Makes Us Salivate

SHU

1426 S. Tryon St. 704-372-6223

http://www.shusalon.com
If you’re on spending freeze, do not — we repeat, do not — follow this ladies shoe store on Instagram. You will… Continue

Best Revived Vintage Clothing

FROCK Shop

901 Central Ave. 704-236-4196

http://frockshoprevival.com
If you adore artistic vintage style but don’t have the time or the stomach to paw through racks of hit-or-miss at less… Continue

Best Resale Therapy

Clothes Mentor

901 S. Kings Drive (980) 613-8744

http://www.clothesmentor.com/charlotte
This emporium of almost-new clothing and shoes is the right fit for women who want mid-range fashions like Nine West and BCBG… Continue

Best Thrift Store

Value Village

6300 South Blvd., Suite 300 704-295-1468

http://www.carolinavaluevillage.com
Like individual snowflakes, every Value Village has a slightly different character that makes it unique. At the South Boulevard location, you’ll find… Continue

Best Resale for a Cause

Great Things

1914 Beatties Ford Road 704-394-9292

Forget, for a moment, the pristine $8 Stuart Weitzmans, entire rack of Chico’s brand clothes, the quality plus-size selection and the Dollar… Continue

Best Pop-Up Retail Event

Bang Bang Fashion’s Hella Good Hot Mess Resale Trunk Shows

1600 Central Ave.

The retro fashion goodness is evident in racks of high-waisted shorts, flowing midi skirts, dashikis and crazy jewelry. Hippy, hipster and ’90s… Continue

Grandest Opening That Maybe Could’ve Marinated A Little Longer

Charlotte Premium Outlets

5404 New Fashion Way

It felt like the gods of conspicuous consumption had finally smiled upon us, and throngs came to worship before the golden calf… Continue

Best Used Bookstore

The Last Word

230 East W.T. Harris Blvd., Suite B11 (704) 966-WORD

The joy of reading isn’t all there is to find at this gently loved books outpost. There’s also the joy of discovering… Continue

Best Indie Bookstore

Park Road Books

4139 Park Road 704-525-9239

http://www.parkroadbooks.com
As title titans go, Barnes & Noble and Amazon are hard to beat. But indie Park Road Books has hung in there… Continue

Best Bookstore That’s Not Really a Bookstore

Red@28th

2424 N. Davidson St., Suite 112A

Not that there aren’t books at Red@28th, but with a full liquor license, hookah, ongoing events and the noise level, who can… Continue

Best Comic Book Shop

Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find

1957 E. 7th St. 704-375-7462

http://www.heroesonline.com
If you strip away the storied history, sponsored conventions and star-powered endorsements of Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, you’d still have a… Continue

Best Gaming Shop

Save Point Video Games
They offer a great selection of retro games and consoles, as well as current-gen systems and games. Not to mention the rarities… Continue

Best African American Hair Salon

Hera by Him

5309 E. Independence Blvd., Suite 1 704-568-8771

Sometimes it’s worth a few extra dollars to be able to walk into a salon and get top-notch services without all the… Continue

Best Natural Hair Salon

Revolution Ego

312 N. Myers St., Suite 115 704-951-7386

http://www.revolutionego.com
With more natural hair salons opening every day in Charlotte, it’s not enough to be relaxing, knowledgeable and talented. CEO Tinesha Matthews… Continue

Disneyworld of Salons

Salon Central

2925 E. Independence Blvd. 704-910-0168

http://www.saloncentralnc.com
Salon Central bills itself as a no-wait salon, mainly because there are literally dozens of individual shops located inside the building. If… Continue

Best Charlotte-Centric Retail

Dupp & Swat

2424 N. Davidson St., Suite 112B

http://www.duppandswat.com
Charlotte’s coolest boutique is stacked with local love, from clothing and accessories to the artwork on the walls, and the monthly Beautiful… Continue

Best Tattoo Shop

Fu’s Custom Tattoos

3200 N. Davidson St. 704-376-4556

http://fustattoos.com/wp/
At Fu’s, you leave with a lasting memory, and it won’t be Hep C. The lauded NoDa shop that sports an observation… Continue

Best Gift Shop for your BFF

Pura Vida Worldly Art

3202 N. Davidson St., Suite A 704-335-8587

http://www.puravidaart.com
Pura Vida can feel a bit like walking through one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s dreams, except you can buy things. The shop… Continue

Best Gift Shop for your Mom

Paper Skyscraper

330 East Blvd. 704-333-7130

In the market for kitschy kitchenware, toys, magnets, small change purses, books, playing cards, or some combination of all the above? You’ll… Continue

Best Place for a Nontraditional Engagement Ring

Custom

3206 N. Davidson St. 704-980-9840

http://www.madebycustom.com
There are other customized jewelry shops around town with a bigger selection, but no one tops Custom’s creative energy. Lee and company… Continue

Best Zumba Teacher

Diana Stewart of Queen City Danceout

Locations vary 704-999-4071

http://queencitydanceout.com
Let’s face it — dancing in a gym full of mostly women is a little awkward. Diana Stewart makes it a little… Continue

Best Way to Sweat It Out

Arrichion

125 Winona St. 704-201-4586

http://www.arrichion.com
We all know how difficult hot yoga workouts can be (who hasn’t seen the “Yoga Mat for Sale, Used Once” Craigslist ad… Continue

Best Adult Ed

With These Handz Sprite DJ Academy

516 E. 15th St., Suite 12B 704-625-0411

http://www.withthesehandz.com
The art of DJing is a lot more than picking out a party playlist on your iPhone. With These Handz’s expert instructors… Continue

Best Adult Novelty Shop

The Reddoor

3609 South Blvd 704-255-2041

http://thereddoorstore.com

Charlotte likes to go down South — for sex toys, that is. The Reddoor, our venerable oldie but goodie, proves size does… Continue

Best Underwear

White Rabbit

920 Central Ave. 704-377-4067

http://www.whiterabbitbooks.com
Charlotte’s best known secret is you can be straight (no H8) and a huge fan of White Rabbit. Though technically a bookstore,… Continue
Reader Picks

Best New Store

Winner: Athleta Continue

Best New Store (Opened in Last 12 Months)

Winner: Athleta Continue

Best Local Clothing Store

Winner: Boris & Natasha Continue

Best Local Consignment Shop

Winner: Buffalo Exchange Continue

Best Place to Buy Vintage

Winner: Buffalo Exchange Continue

Best Gift Shop

Winner: Paper Skyscraper Continue

Best Shoe Store

Winner: Nordstrom Rack Continue

Best Jewelry Store

Winner: Diamonds Direct Continue

Best Local Fashion Designer

Winner: Caleb Clark of Enemy To Fashion Continue

Best Home Accessories Store

Winner: Ikea Continue

Best Furniture Store

Winner: Ikea Continue

Best Bicycle Shop

Winner: Espada Bicycles Continue

Best Hair Salon

Winner: Modern Salon and Spa Continue

Best Natural Hair Salon

Winner: Revolution Ego (inside Sola Salons) Continue

Best Makeup Artist

Winner: Jennifer Yates Continue

Best Barber Shop

Winner: No Grease Continue

Best Nail Salon

Winner: Polished Continue

Best Massage Therapy

Winner: Massage Envy Continue

Best Tattoo Shop

Winner: Ace Custom Tattoo Continue

Best Piercing Studio

Winner: SADU Body Piercing & Modifications Continue

Best Dry Cleaner

Winner: Elite Cleaners (Multiple locations) Continue

Best Shoe Repair

Winner: Dean’s Shoe Repair Continue

Best Alterations

Winner: Anna’s Alterations Continue

Best Realtor

Winner: Laurens Adams Threlkeld Continue

Best Bank (Specify location)

Winner: Fifth Third Bank, NoDa Continue

Best Auto Dealer

Winner: Hendrick Automotive Group Continue

Best North Carolina Product

Winner: Cheerwine Continue

Best Car Wash (Specify location)

Winner: Autobell, Charlottetowne Avenue Continue

Best Vet

Winner: Long Animal Hospital Continue

Best Pet Store

Winner: Petsmart (Multiple locations) Continue

Best Doggie Daycare

Winner: Carolina Doggie Playland Continue

Best Fitness Studio

Winner: Dowd YMCA Continue

Best Yoga Studio

Winner: Okra Yoga Studio Continue

Best Bookstore (New or Used)

Winner: Barnes & Noble Continue

Best In-Store Pet (TIE)

Winner: Tater at The Dog Salon Continue

Best Record Store

Winner: Lunchbox Records Continue

Best In-Store Pet (TIE)

Winner: Patsy the Wonder Dog at Paper Skyscraper Continue

Best Vape Shop (TIE)

Winner: Vaping Xtreme AND Mad Vapes Continue

Best Head Shop

Winner: Infinity's End Continue

Best Sex Paraphernalia Store

Winner: The Reddoor Continue

Best Dentist

Winner: Bateman Family Dentistry Continue

Best Plumber

Winner: Hobbs Plumbing Company Continue

Best Car Mechanic

Winner: Woodie’s Auto Service Continue

Best Heating & Air Repair

Winner: Morris Jenkins Continue

Tweet
Pin It

Browse Music

Browse News

Browse Arts

Browse Edibles

Browse Film

Browse Style

Browse Blogs & Columns

Browse Best of Charlotte

Browse POPS

Browse DNC Du Jour

Browse Business

You searched for:

Browse Best Of:

Year

Section

Category

Other Searches

Best Of 2014

Staff Picks

Reader Picks