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Tops Best Shoe Store

Antiques store

1. Antique Tobacco Barn 75 Swannanoa Road, Asheville, 252-7291 Boasting an eclectic collection of antique furniture, crafts and gifts — stored in a 25-year-old, 77,000-foot historic barn — the Antique Tobacco Barn is a paradise for treasure hunters, well deserving of its Hall-of-Famer status.
2. ScreenDoor 115 Fairview Road, Asheville, 277-3667
3. Oddfellows Antique Warehouse 124 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 350-7800
3. Lexington Park Antiques 65 W. Walnut St., Asheville, 253-3070

Arts supply store

1. True Blue Art Supply 30 Haywood St., Asheville, 251-0028 In a city brimming with artists, True Blue Art Supply is the go-to store for high-quality supplies. Bursting with paint, brushes, colored paper and easels galore, the colorful shop has remained at the top of their category since 2005.
2. Michaels Arts and Crafts 299 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 299-0183
3. A.C. Moore 800 Fairview Road, Asheville, 299-0777

Bike shop

1. Liberty Bikes 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 274-2453 Offering a wide selection of road and mountain bikes, plus weekly community rides, commuter safety tips-and-tricks and bicycle-maintenance classes, Liberty Bikes supports both the sport and the lifestyle of cycling, claiming first place in this fiercely competitive category.
2. Pro Bikes 610 Haywood Road, Asheville, 253-2800
3. Youngblood 233 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 251-4686

Bookstore

1. Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe 55 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-6734 Malaprop's Bookstore/Café — lined with indie publications and bestsellers alike — is a meeting ground for bookworms and writers of all genres. The cozy bookstore hosts poetry readings, writing groups, book clubs and author events, while serving up beverages and scrumptious treats.
2. Barnes & Noble 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 296-7335 and 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville, 687-0681
3. Downtown Books and News 67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 253-8654

Clothing: men's

1. Goodwill Various locations (http://www.goodwillnwnc.org) Few clothing stores achieve the affordable, do-gooder status of Goodwill, where community donations are sold for single-digit prices, and proceeds benefit a charitable organization committed to job training. Fun and responsible shopping proves to be the Best of WNC for both the en's and vintage clothing categories.
2. Hunk Clothing 9 W. Walnut St., Asheville, 253-4044
3. Union 18 Haywood St., Asheville, 259-3300

Clothing: women's

1. Minx 64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-5680 Undefeated champion since 2005, the Minx boutique is lined with chic apparel, accessories and shoes for women. Since opening in 2001, the shop has clearly accomplished its goal to "clothe, adorn, empower and provide to the women of Asheville."
2. Custom Boutique 415A Haywood Road, Asheville, 257-4007
3. Goodwill Various locations (http://www.goodwillnwnc.org)

Clothing: consignment or vintage

1. Goodwill Various locations (http://www.goodwillnwnc.org) See description under "Best Clothing: Men's."
2. Enchanted Forest 235 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 236-0688
2. Honeypot 86 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-0304
3. Hip Replacements 72 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 255-7573

Environmentally-friendly store

1. Greenlife Grocery 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5440 See description under "Best Grocery."
2. Nest Organics 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 258-1901
3. Earth Fare 66 Westgate Pkwy., Asheville, 253-7656 and 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 210-0100

Local farm

1. Hickory Nut Gap Farm www.hickorynutgapfarm.com On Hickory Nut Gap Farm you'll find "pigs in the woods, cows [in the] pasture eating grass and clover, drinking spring water and living the good life", according the farm’s Web site. The fourth generation family farm is dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices and is proud to supply the WNC community with ethically raised meat.
2. Flying Cloud Farm www.flyingcloudfarm.net
3. Warren Wilson College Farm www.warren-wilson.edu/~farm/

Garden supply/nursery

1. B.B. Barns 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, 650-7300 If you've got a green thumb, you've got to love B.B. Barns' broad selection of plant material, says company spokesman Michael Coyle. That, combined with a range of services and a relentless focus on implementing customer feedback, means the company is never stagnant, Coyle says.
2. Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center 570 Brevard Road, Asheville, 254-2671
3. Reems Creek Valley Nursery 70 Monticello Road, Weaverville, 645-3937

Gift shop

1. L.O.F.T. of Asheville 53 Broadway, Asheville, 259-9303 With so many tchotchkes to choose from, it's hard to know where to begin in describing the whimsy of offerings at L.O.F.T., which stands for "lost objects, found treasures." Just go and let serendipity be your guide.
2. Ten Thousand Villages 10 College St., Asheville, 254-8374 and 303 Lookout Road, Montreat, 669-1406
3. Willow's Dream 210 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 225-5922
3. Mast General Store 15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 232-1883

Grocery

1. Greenlife Grocery 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5440 What can you say about a grocery store that has everything? "We are honored to be recognized by the readers of the Mountain Xpress as the best local grocery store in WNC for the fifth year in a row," says store manager Sam Wharton.
2. Earth Fare 66 Westgate Pkwy., Asheville, 253-7656 and 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 210-0100
3. Ingles Various locations (http://www.ingles-markets.com)

Head shop

1. Octopus Garden 80 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-4980 and 1062 Patton Ave., Asheville, 232-6030 There's a simple mantra you should keep in mind when shopping Octopus Garden: Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
2. Wonderland 33 Patton Ave., Asheville, 225-5035
3. Instant Karma 78 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-8999

Jewelry store

1. Jewels That Dance 63 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-5088 With a custom-design shop and a variety of jewelry that can serve the $50 spender and the $50,000 spender, Jewels That Dance simply knows bling. "We really put our heart into everything we do," says store manager Marlene Clevenger.
2. blue goldsmiths 1 Swan St., Asheville, 277-2583
3. Wick and Greene Fine Jewelry 121 Patton Ave., Asheville, 253-1805

Local fashion designer

1. R. Brooke Priddy Ship to Shore, http://www.shiptoshoreshop.com Dream-like elegance distinguishes dressmaker and designer R. Brooke Priddy's captivating style. From her West Asheville studio, Ship to Shore, Priddy brings fashion into the "the realm of living sculpture," creating custom garments for women, special occasions and local performance artists.
2. Sarabeth Larrimore Unabashed apparel, http://www.unabashedapparel.com
2. Constance Ensner Constance Boutique, http://www.constanceboutique.com
3. Moe Erin Donnelly Sew Moe, http://www.sewmoe.com
3. Myah Hubbell Recyclone, http://www.myspace.com/therealrecyclone

Record shop

1. Harvest Records 415-B Haywood Road, Asheville, 258-2999 Co-owners Matt Schnable and Mark Capon recently celebrated their store's fifth anniversary. With an eclectic stock of unique titles, as well as art openings and music shows, Schnable says they'll keep taking chances: "Asheville has a continuous drive to support people who are working hard to take care of them."
2. Karmasonics 19 Biltmore Ave., 259-9949
3. Static Age Records 82 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3232

Musical instrument shop

1. Musician's Workshop 319 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 252-1249 Becky Dosier and her husband Frank have owned Musician's Workshop for 32 years. They sell instruments. They install home theaters. They offer music lessons. And they have not one, but two luthiers on hand for repairs. "We only have one store because we want to do it right," Dosier says.
2. Smashing Guitars 103 Broadway, Asheville, 259-3600
3. Acoustic Corner 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain, 669-5162

Outdoor-gear shop

1. Diamond Brand Outdoors 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 684-6262 It's pretty basic: You don't go hiking, backpacking, camping or paddling around Western North Carolina without first checking the gear at Diamond Brand.
2. Black Dome Mountain Sports 140 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 251-2001
3. Frugal Backpacker 2621 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 209-1530

Shoe store

1. Tops For Shoes 27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-6721 Ever heard of a shoe store being a tourist attraction? For locals and out-of-towners alike, Tops For Shoes is, quite simply, a downtown institution that offers great selection and good prices.
2. Discount Shoes 1266 Brevard Road, Asheville, 667-0085
3. Diamond Brand Outdoors 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 684-6262

Tailgate/farmers market

1. North Asheville Tailgate Market Held at UNC-Asheville, lower level of parking lot C, 622-3654 This market, run by vendors/farmers, has been offering fresh, locally grown food for 29 years. "We have among the best farmers in the area," says market co-manager Julie Mansfield, farmers driven to provide customers with the highest quality food. Add customers "who come through in thick and thin," and you've got a formula for success, Mansfield says.
2. Asheville City Market 161 S. Charlotte St., Asheville, 236-1282 and 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville, 348-0340
3. West Asheville Tailgate Market Held in the parking lot between West End Bakery and Cafe and the Grove Corner Market on Haywood Road, 281-9099

Arts/craft fair

1. The Big Crafty www.thebigcrafty.com Celebrating homemade art and crafts of all inspirations, The Big Crafty is a juried, independent craft fair featuring more than 100 local artists and crafters. Plus, live demos, DJs, food and a raffle; it's the art lovers' social event of the year.
2. Village Art and Craft Fair www.biltmorevillage.com/craft_fair.htm
3. Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands www.southernhighlandguild.org
3. Bele Chere www.belecherefestival.com

Beer store

1. Bruisin' Ales 66 Broadway, Asheville, 252-8999 With more than 800 brews to choose from, Bruisin' Ales brings the many flavors of world beer to the mountains of North Carolina. Specializing in Belgians and American craft brews, this beer-only boutique is a new champion in the Best of WNC poll.
2. Hops and Vines 797 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-5275
3. Greenlife Grocery 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5440
3. Ingles Various locations (http://www.ingles-markets.com)

Wine store

1. Hops and Vines 797 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-5275 "We have killer wines at a great price," says store owner Alex Buerckholtz, summing up his two-year-old store's approach to attracting customers. Every wine is hand-selected for inclusion in the store, and customers get treated with respect, Buerckholtz says. "We try to let them think for themselves, and if they want advice or more information, we try to help them."
2. The Wine Guy 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-6500 and 1200 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-1120
3. Asheville Wine Market 65 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-0060