2026 Best of the Valley: Our Favorites in Shopping & Services

Find everything from handmade bracelets to secondhand threads
in the top-shelf roundup of Valley products and practitioners.

THE STAPLES

Vintage goods/furniture
Antiquities Warehouse 

Also receiving a vote: Modern Arizona,where one voter just “bought a 1950s Paul McCobb dining table in mint condition. antiquitieswarehouse.com

Mens clothing
Cave & Post

“Metro lumberjack” haberdashery squeaks out a win. caveandpost.com

Womens clothing
Local Nomad 

See their product pictorial on page 174. localnomadshop.com

Auto shop
Martin’s Auto Repair

Editor’s pick: Precision Imports on Seventh Street. martinsautorepair.com

Nail salon
Calypso, Biagio Nails and Spa, Revive Spa, Pink Avenue Nails (tie)

Little to no consensus among our nail-conscious voters.

Florist
Cactus Flowers, Stem Swag (tie)

Melrose upstart Stem Swag ekes out a tie with Valley florist mainstay. cactusflower.com; stemswag.co

Barber
Keep it Cut

“Subscription haircuts is better money spent than another streaming TV platform,” one voter reasons. keepitcut.com

Hair salon
Abloom Salon + Gallery

Also receiving votes: Pucci, Bespoke, Layered Locks, Firefly Collective, Parlour Salon. abloomsalon.com

Dispensary
AZ Organix, Sunday Goods (tie)

Best of Phoenix might be a better resource for this one. arizonaorganix.org; sundaygoods.com

Plant nursery
Dig It Gardens

16th Street plant shop gets its flowers from PM staff and freelancers. digphx.com

Veterinarian
All Creatures Animal Clinic, Applewood Animal Hospital, North Kenilworth Veterinary Clinic (tie)

Animal-loving BOVers all have their favorites.

SERVICES

Best Spa Day
The Spa at Camelback Inn

Most spas invite you to linger, but how much time can you spend in a sauna and a steam room? After a $25 million transformation, The Spa at Camelback Inn offers so much more. It’s a wellness wonderland you won’t want to leave – from infrared Cleopatra loungers to a European-inspired hydrothermal circuit to a lounge with snacks and coloring books. And then there are the actual treatments, which are uniformly dreamy. 5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, 480-596-7040, camelbackspa.com

Best Signs for Our Times
Matt Minjares 

In a world where pretty much everything feels like it’s been created by AI, it’s nice to have some signs of life that are obviously human-made. That’s why we’re in love with Valley artist Matt Minjares, who paints signs the old-fashioned way. With paint. On wood. Or the window of your choice. His clients include indie businesses like Liberty Market and Framed Ewe. @imakeletters

Best Spiritual Cleansing
Mi Tierra Healing Arts

Feeling stagnant or overwhelmed? Patricia Federico Ruiz can help. As a curandera (traditional Latin American/Indigenous healer), she ministers to her community through spiritual consultations and cleansings. These rituals get to the heart of your troubles, and Federico Ruiz nurtures you through them using meditation, sacred smoke and blessed objects. You’ll leave feeling lighter and more present. 2024 N. Seventh St., 602-264-8420, Phoenix, mitierrahealingarts.com

Best Place to Sell Your Heavy Metal
I Buy Scrap Metal Recycling

The heavier the metal you pull out of your garage or workshop, the better – from your wallet’s standpoint, if not your lower back’s. Pull into this post-apocalyptic-looking junkyard and your steel, copper, aluminum and other alloys will be weighed and cheerfully paid for. As easy as going through your favorite drive-thru. Two Valley locations, i-buy-scrap.com 

Best Training Spot for Young Dancers
Studio Allongé

At this boutique Scottsdale Pilates studio, former ballet dancer Alison Trumbull offers specialized classes to help young dancers and pre-professional dancers build strength, increase flexibility and lengthen their muscles while developing body awareness. Trumbull welcomes young dancers looking for personalized and supportive instruction to complement their dance training. 6895 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-447-5923, studioallonge.com

Best Place to Take Your Kid to Work
Work & Stay

Sometimes finding reliable childcare is difficult, but Work & Stay offers a practical solution. The co-working space at Scottsdale Pavilions offers licensed, curriculum-based childcare for ages 18 months to 5 years. The brainchild of Valley mother Danielle Huppler, Work & Stay is the sister concept to Play & Stay indoor playground under the same roof. 9159 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-278-7769, workandstayaz.com

Comfiest Doctor’s Office Waiting Room
Arizona Women’s Care

Sure, there’s a traditional check-in desk when you first step inside, but that’s the only aspect of this cozy space that gives “doctor’s office” vibes. Everywhere else? Plush couches, oversized armchairs, warm woods and lamp-lit ambiance radiating from corners and snug reading nooks. It makes healing stylish. 9823 N. 95th St., Scottsdale, 928-569-7049, arizonawomenscare.com 

Best Place for Kids’ Haircuts
Retro Cuts

Owner Maria Veliz specializes in haircuts and hair styling for children with special needs and sensory issues in a safe and welcoming environment. If needed, she offers a 20-minute session to introduce kids to the salon, with a follow-up sensory-friendly haircut on another day. 3131 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, 480-788-3722, retrocutsphoenix.zoca.com 

Most Trustworthy Drycleaner with a $375 Pendleton Wool Blanket
Organic Cleaners

This itty-bitty drycleaning shop anchors a strip mall in Paradise Valley, but its hard-to-spot locale is our only complaint. Everything else is stellar: more than 30 years in business with 50 years of industry expertise, use of all-organic, non-toxic solvents and specialty services for leather and suede. 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 602-787-4488, organiccleanersaz.com 

Happiest Dental Office Staff
Pinnacle Peak Dentistry

Nothing eases dental anxiety like being cared for by a team of joyful professionals. We don’t know what’s in the water at Pinnacle Peak Dentistry, but the staff – from the hygienists to dentist and owner Dr. Michael Schwartz – exude delight and kindness with every patient interaction. 7679 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, 480-956-9041, pinnaclepeakdentist.com

Most Enthusiastic Plumber

The Aussie Plumber
4600 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, 602-820-5551, theaussieplumber.com

• Always arrives on time and over-prepared for whatever the plumbing situation entails.
• Leans into the whole Aussie thing with marketing that makes good use of “Crikey!” and “Mate!” and a cartoon kangaroo.
• Hosts a plumbing podcast (words we never thought we’d say) featuring James Hill, the Aussie Plumber himself.

Universal Drain
602-499-4622, universaldraincleaners.com

• No-nonsense owner Eddy Horvath is responsive and quick, but doesn’t upcharge you for it.
• The dude has an encyclopedic knowledge of sewage pipes and drain systems, by neighborhood and build era.
• Evangelistic fervor! Give him time and Eddy will educate you on good drain hygiene. He’ll also reveal the dirty tricks and secrets of the big-box plumping companies. Spoiler: Don’t hydro-jet!

SHOPPING

Best Micro-Local Market
Wildcat Ladies Farmstand

Stop by this quaint, community-focused farmstand in rural Surprise for fresh fruit and vegetables; homegrown honey, dairy and baked goods; and a rotating mix of handmade art, jewelry, candles and soap. Self-serve, cash-only and run on the honor system, it’s a simple, direct way to support local growers and artisans. @wildcat_ladies_farmstand 

Best Bookstore for Random Finds
Book Maze

Online ordering from home can be hard to resist when you have a specific tome in mind. But there is much to be said for wandering the shelves of this maze, wherein you might find, say, Add a Dash of Pity, by Peter Ustinov. Who even knew he wrote short stories? 1300 W. University Dr., Mesa, 480-967-7995, bookmaze.com

Best Mobile Bookstore
The Lit Twis’t

When she conceived The Lit Twis’t, entrepreneur Petra Sherbin-Fox had more than reading in mind. With its focus on female authors of color, her mobile bookstore is a bold assertion of cultural appreciation and preservation. And, with appearances at farmers markets, festivals and private events, she’s bringing her advocacy to the people. thelittwist.com

Best Cookbook Bookstore
Shea Cheese Lounge

This beloved neighborhood cheese shop expanded its tiny space by taking over a storefront next door, where they created a reading lounge and cookbook store. Grab a pimento cheese sandwich, then browse the books, from new titles by local authors to vintage cookbooks from the greats. 10880 N. 32nd St., 602-666-0431, shopsheacheese.com

Best Comics Store
Drawn to Comics

Collectors have been heading to this comic shop in downtown Glendale for two decades. Why? The friendly staff, for starters. There are also discounts throughout the store, a deep back-issue inventory, complimentary bag-and-board for every issue and a subscription service that reserves new releases for loyal customers. 5801 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-847-9090, drawntocomics.com

Most Surprising Bookstore
Heard Museum

The shop at the Heard might just be the best museum store in the state, thanks to a robust offering of Indigenous pottery, textiles, jewelry, fashion, kachina dolls and more. The “more” refers to the books – a diverse selection of published works on American Indian art, culture, literature and history, all by Indigenous writers. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-252-8344, heardmuseumshop.com 

Best Place for Hip-Hop
Trill

Rap legends like Ice-T have combed this North-Central Phoenix shop for old-school collectibles and apparel from the golden age of hip-hop. They come back because Chuck Huss, the store’s owner, hosts one-of-a-kind events year-round, from music festivals to a meet-and-greet with the cast of the cult film The Warriors. 4828 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-595-4510, trillphx.com

Best Neighborhood Boutique
Leela Market Sand & Salt

The Shops at Hilton Village now houses Leela Market Sand & Salt, a chic boutique featuring stylish apparel, jewelry, hats, cards and home goods. In the market for a trendy necklace to go with that new sundress? Or a scented candle and an Arizona-themed wineglass? You know what to do. 6137 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, leelamarket.com 

Best Store for Cowboy Core
Cave + Post Trading Co. 

It’s possible to shop for hip Western wear at any ol’ place, but when you want heirloom-worthy goods from American brands, it’s Cave + Post all the way. The one-of-a-kind threads run the gamut from indigo denim by Freenote and embroidered dresses by Texas Standard to vintage hats, boots and accessories. 509 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-931-0090, caveandpost.com

Best Place to Buy Ric Rac
SAS Fabrics 

SAS is nothing short of a Valley institution, if you’re fabric-minded. Even if you don’t sew, there’s plenty here – velvet ribbon, old-school patches and a ton of ric rac. The best news? Prices are so low that the cost is no object. Get those storage bins ready. Several Valley locations, sasfabrics.com

Best Multi-Culti Shopping
Senegal and Beyond

What happens when a Jewish boy and a Senegalese girl fall in love? They open a shop offering West African goods and hot sauce, of course. Gilberte “GG” Bussey supplies her GG’s Seasoning and her husband, Matt Berger, curates the lineup at store-within-a-store Little Shop of Hot Sauce. 708 E. Virginia Ave., Phoenix, 602-354-3672, littleshopofhotsauce.com

Best Collection of Mid-Mod Everything
Modern Arizona

This Midtown showroom tops other MCM stores for its variety, quality, pricing and thoughtful curation. On the hunt for a 1950s Paul McCobb dining table? They’ve got it. Looking for a Lou Regester sofa? It’s here. Or are you simply a fan of oddities, like a sailboat light or vintage motel ashtray? Then this is your shop. 5740 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-888-1577, modernarizonaphx.com 

Best Latina Advocacy
Amor Collective 

With almost 43 percent of Phoenix’s population identifying as Hispanic/Latino, Latinas are a powerful force in the local economy. This business incubator provides Latina entrepreneurs with mentoring, coaching and other resources to establish and scale their businesses and make a positive impact on their community. Pop-up markets and the Amor Amigas networking club spread the amor even further. 1024 N. First Ave., Phoenix, amorcollectiveaz.com

Best Fancy Footcare
WhereMyWaresAre’s Ceramic Heel Scrubbers

Ceramic artist Trevor Mounir makes all sorts of useful goodies out of clay: tea sets, berry bowls, kombucha SCOBY drums, bookends. Our favorites are his Moroccan-style heel scrubbers, which elevate foot exfoliation to an art form with their curved handles and beautifully textured bottoms. They’re a lot prettier than a PedEgg. Instagram: @wheremywaresare

Best City-Branded Merch
Discover Avondale Gift Shop

Avondale’s sleek new Visitor & Conference Center boasts a sweet little gift shop specializing in West Valley merch, from NASCAR T-shirts (a nod to nearby Phoenix Raceway) to an Avondale-opoly board game to Southwest-themed stickers. And would it be a local shop without a State Forty Eight collab? They’ve got one. 11490 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale, 623-333-2400, discover-
avondale.com

Best Alternative to REI
Just Roughin’ It

This locally owned outfitter sells new and gently used gear for outdoors activities specific to the desert: durable tents meant to withstand the heat, hiking shoes with rock-ready tread, wide-brimmed hats galore. The knowledgeable staff also creates detailed training programs to help you prep for Southwest adventures like a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike. 10880 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-283-5213, justroughinit.com

Best Affordable Golf Attire
Skorzie

When a group of busy moms as passionate about their golf game as they were their budgets started swapping threads to save on pricey golf apparel, they realized there was a market for stylish yet affordable attire. Skorzie was born. The retailer’s Scottsdale warehouse stocks dozens of golf fashion brands for sale and is open to the public. 15170 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 4, Scottsdale, 480-659-9977, skorzie.com 

Coolest Phoenix Merch
Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center

Come for flamenco dancing and poetry nights, stay for the hyper-local, Latin-crafted merch, such as hoodies emblazoned with designs by Phoenix muralist Lalo Cota, purses donning hand-painted sugar skulls and walls lined with works of original art for sale. 147 E. Adams St., Phoenix, 602-254-9817, facebook.com/arizonalatinartsculturalcenter

Best South-of-the-Border Imports
Milagros Rústicos 

This Village Square at Dana Park boutique feels more like an art gallery than a furniture shop, with its handcrafted wares – woven leather benches from Peru, clay angels from Mexico, tooled leather and cowhide pillows from Brazil – reverentially displayed like the works of art they are. Everything is authentic and lovingly sourced. 1660 S. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, 480-329-5882, milagrosrusticos.com

Best One-Stop Shop for the Girlies
Lunch Money

No shop in town celebrates the shiny, sparkly, wild and whimsical parts of being a girl like this boutique, which owner Erin Dragoo advertises as “your local dopamine dealer.” Where else can you find a disco frog hair clip, a fusilli-shaped vase, a Pedro Pascal prayer candle, a Cardi B Christmas ornament and Hello Kitty salt-and-pepper shakers under one roof? 2770 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, 480-622-4220, lunchmoneyaz.com

4 CORNERS: Best Spot to Find Elusive Vinyl

West Valley
Deadwax Records

Like any good record store, the inventory changes regularly, so if you can’t find Primus’s Frizzle Fry, it’ll be there on your next visit. The small-but-mighty shop also offers a record-cleaning service for the vinyl gathering dust in your garage. 14175 W. Indian School Rd., Goodyear, 602-456-1333, thedeadwaxrecords.com 

East Valley
Desert Grooves

When it comes to surprising record stock, it doesn’t get more unique than a copy of Orson Welles’s radio broadcast The War of the Worlds. Good news: Desert Grooves specializes in originals, like that one, as well as new and rare pressings, all in a pretension-free atmosphere. 393 W. Warner Rd., #117, Chandler, 602-492-3507, desertgrooves.net

Scottsdale
Vinyl Record Dude

We like this online shop turned brick-and-mortar for its mix of music, memorabilia and apparel. We love this place for the staff’s hands-on help curating customers’ record collections. Bonus points for limited-edition vinyl of Joy Division’s “Transmission.” 7223 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-626-2436, vinylrecorddude.com

Phoenix
Zia Records

With multiple Valley locations, Zia brings a department-store approach to media – selling records, CDs, tapes, DVDs, books, video games, clothing and gifts – which makes it an approachable option for music fans just starting their collection. 2510 W. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, 602-866-7867, ziarecords.com

BEST OF THE VALLEY
HALL OF FAME

Changing Hands Bookstore
Best Used Books (2000, 2005, 2006)
Best Bookstore (2011-2026)

Changing Hands has been a beloved Valley fixture since 1974, when the original Tempe store opened on Mill Avenue. The independent bookstore has since moved to bigger Tempe digs, and in 2014, the owners opened a second location in Uptown Phoenix. Customers frequent Changing Hands to peruse new and used books, and as a place to escape the world for a minute, says CEO Cindy Dach. “Bookstores offer an unjudgmental place to say ‘I want to learn and grow.’” A 19-time BOV honoree, Changing Hands also serves as a community hub, especially at the Phoenix location’s First Draft Book Bar, where authors hold talks and book signings. “It’s the next level of community gathering space where you can also have food and beverage in addition to buying a book or a really lovely gift,” Dach says. “It’s a place to wander and discover.” changinghands.com 

Lookin’ BOV, Boomer

It’s no secret that every generation has its own unique look and feel, especially when it comes to clothing. In the Valley, pulling together an outfit that feels like it was made for you is easy, regardless of when you were born. And it can all be found at locally owned boutiques. Let PHOENIX show you how to build a BOV-caliber “day date” look – whether you’re 18 or 81.

Best Gen Z Fashion
Bunky Boutique

A mainstay in Phoenix fashion and perennial BOV honoree, female-owned Bunky Boutique has been keeping it real since the early 2000s by featuring local designers and fun must-haves that support the queer community. With one location Downtown and one at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Bunky fully embraces its desert roots, offering clothing, accessories and gifts for everyone, including thrift-loving Gen Z dudes. Its Temporary Inhabitant brand features upcycled looks, while its AZ Love brand offers buttery soft tees that are impossible not to melt into. Two locations. bunkyboutique.com

Best Millennial Boutique
Local Nomad 

A beloved Uptown boutique for the last decade, Local Nomad is like the retail version of comfort food for a Millennnial. Find jewelry made by local designers, self-care products, cute little gift items and unique decor pieces alongside what feels like a closet of looks hand-picked for a Millennial shopper. One of the more endearing aspects of Local Nomad, especially for the Millennials, is its LoNo Loop and Lil Loop – markets of “pre-loved” clothing contributed by their customers. Local Nomad also puts a premium on ethically sourced clothing. 100 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-441-4378, localnomadshop.com

Best Gen X Threads
Cave + Post Trading Co. 

At their Roosevelt Row-adjacent haberdashery, husband-and-wife owners Patrick and Mary Burch have curated a truly unique destination for any Gen Xer in search of authentic, high-quality heritage pieces meant to last. The antithesis of fast fashion, Cave + Post is stocked with heirloom pieces, like the brand of shades John F. Kennedy used to wear; cult-following raw denim goods; and a certain style of Ralph Lauren jeans that sell out every time they’re restocked. 509 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-931-0090, caveandpost.com

Best Boomer Gear
Conscious Coterie 

Owned by a New York City transplant, this Old Town Scottsdale shop leans into lightweight sets and flowy one-size-fits-all bottoms, and features an abundance of accessories, from elegant hats to Turkish jewelry to impossibly soft leather sandals. Here, absolutely nothing is uncomfortable. And almost everything is interchangeable. This shop’s standout feature? Its sweet spot for sizing is 8-12, a welcome reality check for real bodies. Two locations. consciouscoterie.com

Photos by Camerawerks; Models: Henri Moussakayi; Stephanie Lorenzano; Kevin Ray; Barbara Reininger /Ford Robert Black agency