BEST DOMESTIC AUTO DEALERSHIP
Sewell Buick GMC
7474 Lemmon Ave. (and additional locations)
Open Monday–Saturday at 8 a.m.
888-572-5577
Sewell.com
BEST IMPORT AUTO DEALERSHIP
Park Place Motorcars
6113 Lemmon Ave. (and additional locations)
Sales open Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m.,
Saturday at 9 a.m.; service center open Monday–Friday
at 7 a.m., Saturday at 9 a.m.
888-873-4597
Park.MercedesCenter.com
There’s no denying that Dallas is a car city, especially when it comes to luxury autos. A game of “Punch Buggy” on the Tollway might leave you with nary a bruise, but a game of “Punch Lexus” (“Punch Lexi?”) may result in a trip to the emergency room. So while preferences range from tricked-out domestic numbers to swanky imports, there are a couple of fave haunts for finding your own personal greased lightning. These dealerships are more than just asphalt lots filled with sticker shock and bad toupees — they’ve become social gathering hot spots known for their grand parties, over-the-top concierge services, exceptional service and, of course, pricey (but well-worth-it) rides. Besides, where else can you throw around phrases like stick, shaft, and 20-in. rim to a man you just met without running the risk of getting arrested for solicitation?
— Jef Tingley
BEST GIFT BOUTIQUE
Nuvo
3900 Cedar Springs Road
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-522-6886
NuvoDallas.com
Nuvo has long been the store on Cedar Springs Road that straight people would drive to Oak Lawn to shop. Of course, they pull up to the side parking, run in wearing dark glasses and make their quick escape. But it’s been the best gift store in Dallas for years. While most feature gimmicky T-shirts, Nuvo offers an impressive array of jewelry, hand-etched barware, decorative accessories, books, handbags and cards crafted by local artisans. If you haven’t been to the store in a week or two, something new and interesting is sure to be on display.
— David Taffet
BEST RETRO SHOPPING GETAWAYS
Cliff Notes!
1222 W. Davis St.
Open Tuesday–Saturday
214-862-3108
Good Records
1808 Greenville Ave.
Open daily
214-752-4663
Good Records.com
With all of our smart phones, tablets, Twitters, Facebooks and mp3 players controlling our lives, sometimes we just need to get away from it all and unplug. Our recommendation: Take an hour and head to either of these stores for some casual shopping and retro finds. Oak Cliff’s bookstore Cliff Notes!, pictured, is a post-Kindle rarity nowadays: The brick-and-mortar bookstore. The tiny haven for used books (many of gay interest) and record albums recalls bookmobiles from a simpler time. And the random hatpins they have for sale are gorgeous. For less reading, more listening, Lower Greenville’s Good Rec
ords isn’t your grandma’s music depot. For an alternative music shop, the selection ranges from popular music to local releases. Their vinyl selection of both new and old is to die for. Plus, with in-store concerts (where they serve beer) and movie nights, Good Records isn’t just good — it’s great.
— Rich Lopez
BEST GARDENING/NURSERY
North Haven Gardens
7700 Northaven Road
Open Monday-Saturday at 9 a.m.,
Sunday at 10 a.m.
214-363-5316
NHG.com
North Haven Gardens is much more than a nursery — it’s like heaven on earth. Can’t afford admission and parking to the Arboretum? Shoot, just head here. NHG is an oasis of greenery that is not only displayed lushly and comfortably, but just try not to find what you need for your beds and pots and gardens. Any flowers, plants and vegetables you need are likely covered, but they also drop knowledge on need-to-know topics like vegetable planting, landscape design and keeping backyard chickens. Just don’t bring a picnic lunch. It is a store, after all.
— Rich Lopez
BEST LEATHER AND FETISH GEAR
LeatherMasters
3000 Main St.
Open Tuesday–Saturday at noon.
214-528-3865
LeatherMasters.com
Having fielded an International Mr. Leather winner and a top-three finalist in the past two years, Dallas’ leather reputation is growing by bounds. Nothing against the skills of the winners themselves, but we gotta wonder: How much does having Leather Masters nearby play in those victories? As the premier source of fetish paraphernalia in the area — everything from leather jock straps to whips to paddles — it’s certainly one-stop shopping for the daddy (or boy) in need of perfecting his look. A knowledgeable staff of leather aficionados makes a consult easy for both the experienced leatherman or the newcomer. And despite the toughness of the material, it’s a non-intimidating atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to pop in some time. It could turn your fashion sense (and your comfort level with sexual adventure) upside down.
— Arnold Wayne Jones
BEST FLORIST
All Occasions Florist
3428 Oak Lawn Ave.
Open Monday–Friday at 8 a.m., Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
214-431-3303
AllOccasionsDallas.com
BEST SMARTPHONE SHOPPING APP
Red Laser
Barcode scanner app available for iPhone and Android.
RedLaser.com
BEST GROCERY STORE
Kroger
4142 Cedar Springs Road (and additional locations)
Open daily at 6 a.m.
214-599-9859
Kroger.com
BEST LIQUOR/WINE STORE
Goody Goody
3316 Oak Lawn Ave. (and additional locations)
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-765-6878
GoodyGoody.com
BEST HEALTH AND NUTRITION STORE
Whole Foods
4100 Lomo Alto Drive (and additional locations)
Open daily at 8 a.m.
214-520-7993
WholeFoodsMarket.com
BEST DIVA APPAREL
Nicolas Custom Apparel
Call for appointment.
214-655-6820
NicolasDesigns.com
BEST BRIEFS AND BOXERS
Skivvies
4001 Cedar Springs Road, Suite C
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-559-4955
SkivviesMensUnderwear.com
BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE
Turtle Creek Consignments
3738 Haggar Way, Suite 101
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-443-9360
TurtleCreekConsignment.com
BEST ANTIQUES
Lula B’s (and an additional location)
2639 Main St.
Open Monday–Saturday at 11 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-824-2185
Lula-Bs.com
CHEAP-ASS FURNITURE
IKEA
7171 IKEA Drive, Frisco
Open daily at 10 a.m.
972-712-4532
BEST SWANKY FURNITURE
Cantoni
4800 Alpha Road, Addison
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.
972-934-9191
Cantoni.com
BEST EYEWEAR/OPTICAL
Fashion Optical
3430 Oak Lawn Ave.
Open Monday–Wednesday, Friday at 9 a.m.,
Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-526-6006
FashionOpticalDallas.net
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This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 18, 2011.
Dallas Voice….Kudos’ to you All! WHY???? For taking time in your magazine, to acknowledge the hard work, efforts, and community involvement of the Dallas Gay Community, as well as those individuals, and businesses who also serve and go out of there way to support Us as ONE People in the Dallas and surrounding area! Although this is/was a voting competion…..it does also serve to show and represent the many different business (from eye wear, medical fields, places to purchase one of kind arts, music, video’s, clothing, dentistry, and so on), talents (entertainers, vocal singers, bands), Local DJ’s, Bars (gay, lesbian, straight friendly/gay friendly), and of course Magazines like yourselves…..that DALLAS DOES HAVE TO OFFER! So please, I hope you continue to be a VOICE….for US all in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and surrounding area as well as for the State of Texas/USA. Sincerely: Rhonn Ramirez