Winner: Half Price Books
Multiple locations, hpb.com
Founders Ken Gjemre and Pat Anderson opened the first Half Price Books in Dallas back in 1972, occupying the site of a one-time laundromat. With a mission of promoting literacy and saving the environment by keeping old books in circulation, the pair filled the shelves with 2,000 books from their personal libraries. Since then, the company has opened dozens of stores, spilling out of Texas and into 16 other states. The stacks include everything from cookbooks and history to well-thumbed genre paperbacks. Even if you're not exactly a book worm, the stores' collections of vinyl, comics, gifts and knick-knacks offer plenty of browsing fun. The vibe inside is always laid back, and despite the chain's size, it retains the homespun feel of a family-run business.
2. The Twig Book Shop
306 Pearl Parkway #106
(210) 826-6411
3. Nine Lives Books
4907 Northwest Loop 410 #102
(210) 647-5656
Shopping
Winner: Love Shack Boutique
1580 Babcock Road
(210) 767-9411
Now that porn has moved primarily onto the internet (that's the rumor, anyway — no one really watches that stuff, right?), the businesses formerly billing themselves as adult video retailers have shifted their focus to sex toys and other non-media items. Love Shack Boutique aspires to be sex-positive, proclaiming on its website that it store carries no DVDs or magazines and "prides itself in carefully choosing items that do not contain nudity or intimidating content." That means its array of popular items includes lingerie as well as "the We-Vibe, Womanizer, Sensuelle, or any rabbit style device." In addition, the store offers private party options — surely both educational and fun — with specialized packages such as the Blushing Bride. Hell, the store's website even hosts a sex-education blog. Apparently, Love Shack aims to be the perfect haven for sex-loving duos (or more) and perfectly in keeping with our diverse city, which includes a sizable LGBTQ+ population, as well as a swinger community recently named in the top 10 nationally. Don't let your tin roof rust, SA!
2. Sexology Institute
707 S. St. Mary's St.
(210) 487-0371
3. Adult Megaplex
Multiple locations
Winner: Sew Chic
Multiple locations
With the advent of fast fashion and the treatment of clothing as disposable — a problem unto itself — tailoring can seem like a service of yesteryear. But whether trying to rescue a motheaten sweater or customize a couture dress for "the big day," it's clear many of you have made Sew Chic your go-to for alterations. While you can certainly rack up quite the bill with intricate wedding dress alterations, the prices at this local chain aren't beyond the budget of an average San Antonian, especially given the expertise of its staff. Its three locations also make it a convenient destination for people all over the city, and if you're suffering from an emergency clothing malfunction the outlets offer 24-hour turnaround and same-day repairs.
2. Wah-Tee Tailoring
7700 Broadway St.
(210) 637-0785
3. Mina's Alterations
12411 Bandera Road, Helotes
(210) 695-6333
Winner: Karolina's Antiques
1709 Blanco Road
(210) 731-9787
Located near a bevy of other antique and thrift stores, Beacon Hill's Karolina's Antiques is a hotspot for shoppers looking for that special something unavailable at the mall. How about a random gospel from record from 1966? Check. A Selena T-shirt? They've got you. Throwback living room chairs? Got you there too, fam. There's a good chance at least one of the eight eclectic vendors occupying Karolina's has something you just can't live without — even if you had no idea that something existed before you walked through the door. And if, for whatever reason, you can't find that special gift for that special someone (including yourself), friendly staff with give you directions to the closest spot to continue your hunt.
2. Craftiques Mall
Multiple locations
3. The Junction Antiques
1704 Blanco Road
(210) 273-3439
Winner: Bike World
Multiple locations
As both a sport and means of travel, cycling has experienced an upward trend in popularity. After all, it's great exercise as well as a green way to get from point A to point B. But cycling requires a certain amount of equipment, and SA riders continue to pedal to Bike World for the gear they need. The locally owned chain sports four locations, the newest of which — a Southeast Military outpost — opened in 2017. In addition to a wide range of products available online and instore, Bike World offers repair services. The staff is knowledgeable, experienced and completes a "rider interview" to get customers paired up with the right bike. On top of all that, the shop hosts weekly rides leaving from each of its shops. The Pearl location even offers rentals, so there is no reason not to get out and ride. No bad motor scooter required.
2. Crossroad Bikes
14510 NW Military Highway #108
(210) 492-7677
3. Bottom Bracket Bicycle Shop
1603 N. Colorado St.
(210) 267-9160
Winner: Cavender Toyota
5730 Northwest Loop 410
(210) 681-6601
2. Gunn Honda
14610 Interstate 10
(210) 941-4556
3. Jordan Ford
13010 Interstate 35 North
(210) 653-3673
Winner: Alamo Botanicals
19141 Stone Oak Parkway #301
(210) 444-9026
If you suffer from anxiety, joint pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, menstrual cramps, insomnia, nausea, seizures, bowel inflammation, or just plain old moodiness, someone — from a physician to a family member — has probably suggested that CBD just might be the savior you're looking for. We're certainly not qualified to weigh in whether the hemp-derived remedy is a worthwhile course of treatment. But we do know that Alamo Botanicals' Stone Oak shop prides itself on helping visitors make an informed decision about how to approach the myriad products that purport to offer the health benefits of legal cannabidiol. From capsules and tinctures to beverages and pet-care specialties, the store carries a variety of products and has staff on hand with the expertise to explain them in a professional and inviting environment.
2. Simple Leaf Botanicals
6909 N. Loop 1604 East
(210) 802-3223
3. Go Green Botanicals
6923 W. Loop 1604 North, Suite 104
(830) 608-9446
Winner: Learning Express Toys
Multiple locations
2. Crib & Kids
1309 N. Loop 1604 West #106
(210) 764-2742
3. Bambinos
255 E. Basse Road #908
(210) 824-7676
Winner: Eye Candy Boutique
531 Navarro St.
(210) 363-3572
It can be difficult to find cute attire that fits, especially for those us with plus-size bodies. And just because a place carries larger-size items, that doesn't necessarily mean they're particularly stylish. Enter Eye Candy Boutique. Carrying sizes XL-3X, this store specializes in clothing designed to fit well and leave their customers looking and feeling fabulous. From jeans to dresses, tops to accessories, Eye Candy aims to be a one-stop shop on the road to a more glamorous lifestyle. Although Eye Candy is unique to itself, shoppers familiar with online stores BooHoo and ASOS may find the attire it carries comparable. Located in the heart of downtown and opened in 2015, the boutique feels right at home as part of a revitalizing city center.
2. Woven Boutique
22610 U.S. Highway 281
(210) 462-1993
