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| REAR WINDOW | The selection of underwear available at Skivvies is nearly, umm, "end"-less. (Photo by Arnold Wayne Jones) |
BEST BRIEFS AND BOXERS
Skivvies
4001 Cedar Springs Road, Suite C
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-559-4955
Skivvies-Store.co.cc
Those of us old enough to remember being gay pre-Internet recall the naughty thrill that came with thumbing through the JCPenney catalogue — or maybe once we hit college, International Male — and panting over the underwear page, fantasizing over the men in briefs and boxers and jocks … none of which our moms would buy for us. How far we’ve come that Skivvies exists for us all — and not just for the eye-candy, but for the products themselves. The spacious, brightly-lit store provides seeming acres of real estate devoted almost exclusively to "unmentionables." Only there’s nothing unmentionable about their inventory which, while occasionally racy, is also high quality with a practically unlimited selection. Taking underwear out of the closet? That’s gay Pride of a different kind … and we’re endlessly appreciative we can throw out that JCPenney tome now.
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| STRAY CAT STRUT | Brandon Lynch chooses art for Uptown’s Artisan Style to range from sexy to amusing to provocative — while keeping it very local. (Photo by Arnold Wayne Jones) |
BEST ART GALLERY
Artisan Style
2417 Mahon St.
Opens Tuesday–Friday at 11 a.m., Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-468-9095
ArtisanStyle.net
While art may be subjective, it doesn’t have to be a budget buster. At least that’s the philosophy at Artisan Style. A "traditional gallery with a modern edge" tucked away in Uptown across from the Hotel St. Germain, this venue brings together artists of all styles and price ranges for shows that allow customers to become collectors and not just observers. The idea is to shed the image of art as a luxury for the wealthy and to make it approachable and affordable for gays of all wages. Say goodbye to pretentiousness and hello to a setting that’s as appealing to the seasoned collector as it is to the budding art fan.
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| IT’S NEW TO YOU | Main Street Mercantile co-owner Cindy Klymov offers an eclectic selection of antiques at reasonable prices. (Photo by Rich Lopez) |
BEST ANTIQUES
BEST FURNITURE BARGAINS
Main Street Mercantile
2707 Main St.
Opens Wednesday–Saturday
at 11 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-741-4107
MSMDallas.com
Main Street Mercantile has become quite the little hot spot for its big collection of antiques and furniture. The wide variety is centered mostly on American antiques from the 1800s up to the 1940s, but you never know just what you’ll find, says co-owner Cindy Klymov. The small Deep Ellum storefront is filled with armoires, desks and tables that look both heavy and expensive. Fortunately, they only look pricey (they are, however, still heavy). But the fun stuff isn’t just in the big items. Klymov and co-owner Steve Iha have stocked up on quirky old gift pieces like typewriters, stained glass and even garden tools. We have our eye, though, on a Pillsbury Doughboy teapot.
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BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE
Dulce
2914 Oak Lawn Ave.
Open Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-219-5656
MyDulce.com
Those commercials with Sarah McLachlan softly singing about being "in the arms of an angel" are so sad. We’re not talking about the dogs, but of the belongings: The sofas pushed to the curb, frightened lamps clustered together in an attic, and that painting of a woman that looks like it’s crying real tears. Thankfully, Dulce is ready to help Dallas’ most unique furnishings find new, loving forever homes. They select only the highest quality pieces to purchase, meaning that buyers will find amazingly unique pieces at fantastic prices. Their inventory is always changing and there are great buys around every corner of their expansive Oak Lawn showroom. So please, adopt a soft, cuddly settee today and change a life.
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| LET’S GO KROGAYING | Cedar Springs’ Kroger store may be the epicenter of gay Dallas’ grocery-shopping life — and it’s a life, not a lifestyle. OK, it’s a little bit of a lifestyle. (Photo by Arnold Wayne Jones) |
BEST GROCERY STORE
Kroger
4142 Cedar Springs Road
(and additional locations)
Open daily at 6 a.m.
214-599-9859
Kroger.com
Finding the "best grocery store" isn’t as simple as comparing apples to apples. It’s about all the other perks, too, like a friendly staff and their candy selection … especially the quality of the eye candy available while perusing the aisles for zero-carb munchies. And while there are great Krogers throughout DFW, it’s store number 528, deep in the heart of the gayborhood, that gets a specific shout out for letting the Pride flag fly. From fresh produce that’ll have you saying "nice melons" with sincerity (and a little camp) to a selection of wine that can put the Martha Stewart back in any dinner party, Kroger — or Krogay for those in the in the know — has got it all covered.
BEST DISCO THREADS
Union Jack
3920 Cedar Springs Road
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
214-528-9600
UnionJackDallas.com
BEST MEN’S
APPAREL
Union Jack
3920 Cedar Springs Road
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
214-528-9600
UnionJackDallas.com
BEST WOMEN’S APPAREL
Nordstrom
NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-231-3900
Nordstrom.com
BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING
Buffalo Exchange
3424 Greenville Ave.
Opens Monday–Saturday at 11 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-826-7544
BuffaloExchange.com
BEST LEATHER AND EROTIC GEAR
LeatherMaster
3000 Main St.
Opens Tuesday–Saturday at noon.
214-528-3865
LeatherMasters.com
BEST EYEWEAR/OPTICAL
Fashion Optical
3430 Oak Lawn Ave.
Opens Monday–Wednesday, Friday at 9 a.m.,
Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-526-6006
FashionOpticalDallas.net
BEST FLORIST
All Occasions Florist
3428 Oak Lawn Ave.
Opens Monday–Friday at 8 a.m., Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
214-431-3303
AllOccasionsDallas.com
BEST HOME ACCESSORIES
Nuvo
3900 Cedar Springs Road
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-522-6886
NuvoDallas.com
BEST GIFT BOUTIQUE
Nuvo
3900 Cedar Springs Road
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon.
214-522-6886
NuvoDallas.com
BEST LIQUOR STORE
Goody Goody
3316 Oak Lawn Ave.
(and additional locations)
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-765-6878
GoodyGoody.com
BEST WINE SELECTION
Goody Goody
3316 Oak Lawn Ave.
(and additional locations)
Opens 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 SWANKY FURNITURE
Cantoni
4800 Alpha Road, Addison
Opens Monday–Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.
972-934-9191
Cantoni.com
BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
Home Depot
6110 Lemmon Ave. (and additional locations)
Opens Monday-Saturday at 6 a.m., Sunday at 8 a.m.
214-654-9939
HomeDepot.com
BEST GARDEN CENTER
Home Depot
6110 Lemmon Ave. (and additional locations)
Opens Monday-Saturday at 6 a.m., Sunday at 8 a.m.
214-654-9939
HomeDepot.com
BEST DOMESTIC AUTO DEALERSHIP
Sewell Buick, GMC
7474 Lemmon Ave. (and additional locations)
888-572-5577
Sewell.com
BEST IMPORT AUTO DEALERSHIP
Park Place Motorcars
6113 Lemmon Ave.
Sales opens Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m., Saturday at 9 a.m.; Service center opens Monday–Friday at 7 a.m., Saturday at 9 a.m.
888-873-4597
Park.MercedesCenter.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 19, 2010.