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Ahhhh, shopping. Some of us were born to do it, while others play the retail game only out of necessity. From accessories to antiques, cigars to shoes, you know where to go to satisfy your shopping cravings.
Top picks in the shopping categories include both local and national stores. For best card/gift shop Hallmark was the favorite. But savvy shoppers know that the best in local gifts can be found at Simply Selma’s. For mall rats, MacArthur Center earns top honors, while bargain hunters love what Act II has to offer in consignments.
When Hampton Roads residents want to dress to the nines, you look to places like D.M. Williams for formal wear and accessorize with fine jewelry from Long Jewelers. For more casual occasions, Hecht’s is the place to find women’s accessories and handbags. And what outfit would be complete without shoes? Penny pinchers head to Payless Shoe Source and their more extravagant counterparts pick up their pumps at Nordstrom.
Shopping in Hampton Roads runs the gambit from furniture to sports equipment. No matter what you’re looking for, shopping at these fine retailers is sure to bring a smile to your face, even if shopping isn’t your favorite pastime.
Best shopping mall
1. MacArthur Center, 300 Monticello Ave., Norfolk, 314-4413
2. Lynnhaven Mall, 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy., Virginia Beach, 340-5636
3. Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Pkwy. South, Chesapeake, 424-7100
Best home furnishings
1. Pottery Barn, 300 Monticello Ave., Norfolk, 625-8305
2. Willis Wayside Furniture Co., 4220 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 340-2112
3. Haverty’s Fine Furniture, Various locations throughout Hampton Roads
Best cigar shop
1. Emerson’s Fine Tobacco, 116 Granby St., Norfolk, 624-1520 ; 1412 Greenbrier Pkwy., Chesapeake, 424-1665
2. Atlantic Dominion Distributors, 5400 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 497-1001
Best new store to come to town (since Nov. 2001)
1. World Market, 12129 Jefferson Blvd., Newport News, 885-6580
2. L.L. Bean, 5715-66B Richmond Rd., Williamsburg
3. Forever 21, 300 Monticello Ave., Norfolk, 664-7921
Best kids stuff
1. Toys-R-Us
2. Gymboree
3. The Learning Store
Best wine shop
1. Total Wine & More, 741 First Colonial Rd., Virginia Beach, 428-6998; 308 Oyster Point Rd., Newport News, 249-2261
2. Taste Unlimited
3. Farm Fresh
Best bookstore
1. Barnes & Noble Booksellers
2. Borders Books & Music, 1744 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 425-8031
3. Waldenbooks
Best place to buy music
1. Planet Music, 4485 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 499-6000
2. Best Buy
3. Birdland Records Tapes & Compact Discs, 957 Providence Square Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 495-0961
Best pet store
1. PetSmart
2. Care-A-Lot, 1617 Diamond Springs Rd., Virginia Beach, 460-9771
3. Petland, 16 Towne Center Way, Hampton, 826-7378
Best card/gift shop
1. Hallmark
2. Becky’s Hallmark, 1639 Hilltop W. Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 422-1086
3. Simply Selma’s, 1860 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 428-2885
Best antique store
1. Ghent Market & Antique Center, 1400 Granby St., Norfolk, 625-2897
2. Barrett Street Antique Center, 2645 Dean Dr., Virginia Beach, 463-1911
Best consignment shop
1. Act II, 10253 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, 595-0507; 816-A W. 21st St., Norfolk, 622-1533
2. Consignment City, 1920 Centerville Tpke. Ste. 114, Virginia Beach, 479-9263; 4805 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, 363-7176
3. 2nd Time Around, 3772 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 498-3927
Best thrift store
1. Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Thrift Store
2. Goodwill
3. Salvation Army
Best consignment shop
1. Act II, 10253 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, 595-0507; 816-A W. 21st St.,Norfolk, 622-1533
2. Consignment City, 1920 Centerville Tpke., Ste. 114, Virginia Beach, 479-9263; 4805 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, 363-7176
3. 2nd Time Around, 3772 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 498-3927
Best garden center
1. McDonald Garden Center, Various locations throughout Hampton Roads
2. Anderson’s Home & Garden Showplace, 11250 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, 599-3510
3. Smithfield Gardens Inc., 1869 Bridge Rd., Suffolk, 399-4331
Best place to buy art
1. d’Art Center, 125 College Place, Norfolk, 625-4211
2. Hudson Bay Gallery, La Promenade Shoppes, Virginia Beach, 437-9010
3. Charles Kello Gallery, 409 Botetourt St., Norfolk, 624-6600
Best place to shop for men’s suits
1. S&K Famous Brand Menswear, Various locations throughout Hampton Roads
2. Nordstrom, 301 Cumberland St., Norfolk, 314-1111
3. TIE
Beecroft & Bull Ltd., Various locations throughout Hampton Roads
Dan Ryan’s For Men, 764 Hilltop North Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 425-0660
Best place for women’s semiformal wear
1. D.M. Williams, Merchant’s Square Williamsburg, 220-0456; 1860 Laskin Rd. Ste. 115B, Virginia Beach, 491-6660
2. Nordstrom, 301 Cumberland St., Norfolk, 314-1111
3. All The Rage, 1556 Laskin Rd. Ste. 144, Virginia Beach, 491-1418; 1412 Greenbrier Pkwy. Ste. 127, Chesapeake, 523-2957
Best place for women’s accessories and handbags
1. Hecht’s
2. Dillard’s
3. Stein Mart Inc.
Best upscale jewelry
1. Long Jewelers
2. Fink’s Jewelers, 300 Monticello Ave. Ste. 204, Norfolk, 640-1132
3. Fine Arts Shop, 10178 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, 595-7754
Best shoes, upscale division
1. Nordstrom, 301 Cumberland St., Norfolk, 314-1111
2. Hecht’s
3. Dillard’s
Best cheap shoes
1. Payless Shoe Source
2. Off Broadway Shoes
3. Rack Room Shoes
Best traditional furniture shop/store
1. Willis Wayside Furniture Co., 4220 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 340-2112
2. Esprit Decor, 107 Kegman Rd. West, Chesapeake, 482-5175
3. Haynes Furniture Co., 12620 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, 886-1100; 5324 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 497-9681
Best contemporary and/or eclectic furniture
1. Decorum, 301 W. 21st St., Norfolk, 623-3100; 1556 Laskin Rd. Ste. 146, Virginia Beach, 437-3100
2. Esprit Decor, 107 Kegman Rd. West, Chesapeake, 482-5175
3. Scan-World Inc., 1725 Laskin Rd. Ste. 519, Virginia Beach, 422-6662
Best overall furniture store
1. Willis Wayside Furniture Co., 4220 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 340-2112
2. Decorum, 301 W. 21st St., Norfolk, 623-3100; 1556 Laskin Rd. Ste. 146, Virginia Beach, 437-3100
3. Haynes Furniture Co., 12620 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, 886-1100; 5324 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 497-9681
Best sports equipment store
1. Sports Authority
2. Conte’s Bicycle & Fitness Equipment
3. Play It Again Sports, 1220 Greenbrier Pkwy, Chesapeake, 382-9592
Best outdoor recreation store
1. Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, 4655 Monticello Ave. Ste. 303, Williamsburg, 229-4584; 744-B Hilltop North Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 422-2201
2. Sports Authority
3. Wave Riding Vehicles, 1900 Cypress Ave., Virginia Beach, 422-8823
