Consumer Culture Critic's Picks 

Nordstrom, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-336-4204.

BEST WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORELunaStop driving to Atlanta; you'll find the best collection of contemporary women's clothing, shoes and accessories at this Phillips Place favorite. Co-owner Tina Hart has described Luna's target shoppers as women, 24-48, who are educated and in the past have typically shopped for clothing in larger cities. Lines include Michael Stars, BCBG and Liquid. Nice.

Luna, 6809 Phillips Place Court. 704-554-6000.BEST MEN'S CLOTHING STOREBrooks BrothersIn a buttoned-down place like Charlotte, this buttoned-down store "suits" men just perfectly, with wool, poplin and seersucker classics. (Expect to pay between $500-700 per.) And cool sweaters and vests are perfect for Casual Fridays. Wrap it up with a dress shirt and a slanty-stripe tie, and you're ready for your next 7:30am meeting.

Brooks Brothers, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-367-1900.

BEST ANTIQUE SHOPJB's Hole in the WallAlternative name: Tent in the Parking Lot. No matter what you call it, if you're looking for something unique, JB's is Just Bitchin'. Wander through the front building along South Boulevard, then duck into the tents out back. You'll see some wacky stuff: an old traffic signal, perhaps, swivel bucket chairs like your parents had during the Nixon administration, or a Bay City Rollers lunch box. The search is half the fun.

JB's Hole In the Wall, 3813 South Boulevard. 704-522-7505.

BEST JEWELRY STORETiffany & Co.Since 1837, Tiffany & Co. has been delighting jewelry lovers with unique and timeless designs, presented in famous turquoise boxes with white ribbons. Its jewels are works of art (think of the famous six-prong "Tiffany setting" and Lucida-cut engagement diamonds), so much so that retrospectives of Tiffany jewelry have been held at the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Beautiful silver picture frames, stunning fine place settings and crystal candlesticks, too. You can't go wrong with any Tiffany's purchase.

Tiffany, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-365-7773.

BEST COSMETICS STORESephoraA repeat winner. SouthPark's Sephora is the leading retail beauty chain in Europe, and it appears to be winning over Charlotte as well. And why not? It offers more than 250 classic and modern beauty brands in fragrance, makeup, skincare, bath & body, and hair care. Choose from hot names such as BeneFit, Stila, Hard Candy, Anna Sui and more. Great men's stuff, too.

Sephora, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-366-5080.

BEST HAIR AND/OR NAIL SALONVarji & Varji SalonGreat stylists, great services, and a super-convenient Morehead Street location. This is truly a spot where you can get a snazzy cut and a bikini wax -- and then have someone touch up your makeup before you leave. PS: We love the fact that Varji & Varji gets involved in community fundraisers such as Spa on the Square and the Community School of the Arts' Boogie Woogie Ball.

Varji & Varji, 911 E. Morehead Street. 704-333-1957.

BEST MASSAGE THERAPISTPat GansterPat's been winning this category -- hands down -- for years, thanks to her attention to detail... and her attention to customers. She's patient and kind, and a great listener. Tell her where it hurts, and she'll take pains to take your pains away.

Pat Ganster. 704-358-9911.

BEST TATTOO AND/OR PIERCING PARLORAce Custom TattooingIt might have moved location (just around the corner, now on Thomas Street), but its customers would follow its artists anywhere, knowing that they'll get the same great no-pressure service and superior artistry in a clean facility. Aside: You must check out the Ace website (www.acecustomtattoo.com), which was "Last updated last night... no shit," and is "best viewed at a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher, with Internet Explorer 5+, in the nude, after drinking heavily."

Ace Custom Tattooing, 1525 Central Avenue. 704-342-3661.

BEST PLACE TO LEARN YOGAYMCA (Any Location)Time was, you had to purchase your yoga mat at only select vendors. Today, you can't turn around in your local drugstore without bumping into a yoga mat or exercise ball. We think it's great that Charlotte is stretching its limbs, releasing all sorts of stress. For interesting class offerings and room to move, we like the local YMCAs, which offer Beginner Yoga, "Gentle Yoga," Pre-Natal Yoga, Sports Yoga and more.

YMCA, various locations.

BEST SPABallantyne ResortIt only seems like you're driving forever to get there -- but when you walk through the doors, you're miles away from the craziness of everyday life. You're greeted with cushy spa slippers and a luscious robe, and then invited to relax with a beverage while gazing over the golf course. Specialty treatments include the Ballantyne Facial Classic, Field Lavender Massage, Milk Whey Bath or Field Lavender Soak, Herbal Wraps, Spa Manicures, Pedicures, and hair design. Swedish Massage is available for individuals or couples. Ahh... pure indulgence. Purely perfect.

Ballantyne Resort, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. 704-248-4000.

BEST HEALTH CLUBYMCA (Any Location)"You belong at the Y" is the slogan -- and great choices are the reason. The Y has all the workout equipment you're looking for -- from good ol' fashioned free weights and treadmills to the high-tech "FitLinxx" system -- plus an excellent variety of classes including body sculpt, yoga, spinning and Pilates. Best of all: It's not a snooty or an uptight place. Everyone is made to feel welcome and to feel like, well, they belong.

YMCA, various locations.

BEST INDOOR RECREATION FACILITYRay's Splash PlanetA very cool joint venture between the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Ray's place is home to an amazing water park with giant slides, "Moon Beach" and "Saturation Station." The Planet is also home to a fitness center with aerobic and dance room, cardiovascular theater, free weights and resistance equipment. Looking for fun? You know the saying: It's better when wet. (Runner-up: "My bedroom.")

Ray's Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore Street. 704-432-4RAY.

BEST PLACE TO BUY CDSManifestBack from the brink of extinction, two of the Carolinas' fixture CD shops were spared the chopping block, and Charlotte's was one of them. Though new management was prepared to Big Box the store, the employees explained how things were done in the past to make it so successful, and so far the give-and-take has worked in the stores' favor: deep catalogue, knowledgeable staff, tons of used in store. No contest.

Manifest, 6239 South Boulevard. 704-552-8448.

BEST FURNITURE STOREStorehouse FurnitureStorehouse has been stocking the latest in contemporary furniture design and craftsmanship since 1969. With locations in Charlotte and Pineville, Storehouse delivers on its promise to make furniture accessible and affordable. Sofas, tables, beds, rugs -- you can get it here. And you personalize your pieces by choosing one of the 500 special-order upholstery fabrics. Put your feet up, sit back and enjoy. (Runner-up: By Design.)

Storehouse, 11709 Carolina Place Parkway. 704-541-6422.

BEST AUDIO/VIDEO STOREBest BuyIf you can't find it here, you haven't asked a customer service associate. They've got DVDs, MP3 players, flat-panel screens, projection TVs, home theater set-ups -- you name it. Plus they've got a super return/exchange system, so you don't have to fret about upgrading your surround sound design. This place rocks. (Runner-up: Tweeter.)

Best Buy, various locations.

BEST COMPUTER STORECompUSAIt's techie heaven, filled with desktops and laptops and networks and software and games -- and thankfully, they show you how it all fits together. You don't have to be a tech-head; they'll explain everything in layperson terms. Great upgrades, repair and service, too.

CompUSA, 6301 E. Independence Boulevard. 704-536-2202; 9571 South Boulevard. 704-552-5993.

BEST PLACE TO BUY DVDSBorders, StonecrestWe're almost reluctant to give them this award because the concept of sale prices generally seems to escape them (though their recent "Buy Three DVDs, Get One Free" was much appreciated). But their inventory is impressive and their employees are helpful, thereby giving them a disc-thin edge over Media Play. If it's used DVDs you're after, you can find good deals at both CD Warehouse and Record Exchange.

Borders, 7836 Rea Road. 704-752-3782.

BEST CAMERA SHOPWolf CameraRescued from bankruptcy a few years back by Ritz Camera, Wolf has sprung back, stronger than ever. It now has 12 Charlotte-area locations and a friendly staff that will help you get your best shots, whether you're looking at a digital camera, a camcorder, or something in between. Professional printing services, also. So get snapping (and shake it like a Polaroid picture).

Wolf Camera, various locations.

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORESam Ash MusicIt ain't called the "Musical Instrument Megastore" for nothing. Here you'll find guitars, drums, keyboards, multi-track recording systems and even sheet music -- all at discount prices. Test-drive the incredible selection of instruments; it's not only allowed, it's encouraged. Fun fact: There really was a Sam Ash; he was a violinist who had his own orchestra.

Sam Ash Music, 5533 Westpark Drive. 704-523-4225.

BEST BIKE SHOPBikeSourceWant the best? Go to the source, at Park Road and Cornelius. They'll not only suggest the right bike for your riding style, but will also ensure that it's the right fit and provide you with the proper accessories (mirrors, gel seats, pumps, and so on). Extra-cool benefit: Your first tune-up is on the house. Saddle up!

BikeSource, 4301-A Park Road. 704-525-8410.

BEST LAWN & GARDEN SHOPGarden SecretsHorticultural ideas flourish at this SouthPark area oasis, a repeat winner. Top-quality annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees grow beautifully here. You'll also find a gift shop filled with fun things, and the right stuff to create an attractive water garden. Worried that you don't know vinca from verbena? The Garden Secrets folks provide landscaping services, whether you need a single Boxwood or an entire lawn-and-garden makeover.

Garden Secrets, 6705 Park South Drive. 704-554-7856.

BEST HARDWARE STOREBlackhawk HardwareLocally owned since 1977, Blackhawk is a full-service hardware store without the big-box feel. It's the kind of place where ten-penny nails are sold in buckets in the back -- and out front, there are spiffy displays of bird feeders, wind chimes, fountains and garden accessories. The selection of cabinet knobs and pulls is not to be missed. And be sure to check out the party accessories (witty napkins and aprons and such). Has a hardware store ever been so much fun? (Runners-up: Home Depot; Renfrow Hardware.)

Blackhawk, Park Road Shopping Center. 704-525-2682.