Welcome to Best of 2012
We spent months polling readers online and gathered our staff experts to debate and choose the best of 102 categories in eight topics: Dining, Drinks, Entertainment, Family Fun, Active/Outdoors, Hotels, Shopping and Wellness.
So whether you're looking for the best Mexican food, the best bridal shop, the best park for dogs or the best children's bookstore, you'll find those and lots more in our guide to the Best of 2012.
SHOPPING
Best vintage clothes store
Thirteen-thousand square feet of vintage. Need we say more? Maybe not, but we will because we heart style on a dime, and this place has real retro finds for thrifty prices. Sweaters galore -- for men and women -- can be found for under $20. And the vintage goodness continues: Velvety furniture, '60s shift dresses, biker jackets, western plaid, records and framed art (needlepoint!) live inside this warehouse-like store. Bring a compass and some patience. -- Rebecca Woolington
Readers' pick: tie
The Red Light Clothing Exchange, 3590 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. 503-963-8888, redlightclothing exchange.com
Ray's Ragtime, 1001 S.W. Morrison St., 503-226-2616
You never know what you'll find at these two Portland vintage mainstays full of men's and women's treasures.
Best neighborhood boutique
Staff pick: Mabel & Zora, 748 N.W. 11th, 503-241-5696, mabelandzora.com ?
In the seven years husband and wife Corey and Tiffany Bean? have been in business, they've developed a loyal following that spans a wide age range. Their airy storefront in the Pearl is lined with labels from Trina Turk? to Julienne Weston? to Tiffany's own, Tiffany Bean.? Dresses are their mainstay, but the carefully curated selection covers separates, a line or two of jewelry and shoes by Lilly Pulitzer. Friendly and knowledgable, Corey says some ladies walk in and out when they see a man behind the counter. Their loss; Corey knows how to find the right look for every shape. -- Bridget Otto
Readers' pick: Changes/Designs to Wear, 927 S.W. Yamhill St., 503-223-3737, therealmothergoose.com
Wearable art featuring unique and limited edition pieces and handcrafted clothing and accessories.
Best bargain fashions
Staff pick: Buffalo Exchange, 1036 W. Burnside St., Portland, 503-222-3418; 1420 SE 37th Ave., Portland, 503 ?234-1302; buffaloexchange.com
Buffalo Exchange is a thrift mecca where you can buy used, vintage and new clothes (men's and women's) and trade in your own gently used clothes for trade or cash. Inventory rotates more quickly than regular thrift stores, and the trend factor is much higher, too. This chain started in 1974 in Tucson, Ariz., and has grown to over 40 stores across the country ? including two in Portland and one in Eugene. They also have a fun website, blog, a magazine (free at stores) and even a book.
--JoLene Krawczak
Readers' pick: Goodwill, multiple locations, meetgoodwill.org
Goodwill says most of their stores introduce more than 2,000 new items every day into their inventory so you always have a good chance of finding the bargain you're looking for. Goodwill also has an online auction site, shopgoodwill.com, and an online book store, goodwillbooks.com.
Best wedding shop
Staff pick: Charlotte's Weddings & More, 8925 S.W. Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy., 503-297-9622, charlottesweddings.com
Whether you've got a year to plan or a few weeks, the folks at this 20-year-old Washington County shop are ready. The store has a wide gown selection, including dresses for bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers of the brides. There are private rooms to check out dresses with your pals and, for a fee, a "get in the front of the line" option that allows brides to rush an order. Best of all, the retailer offers a price-matching guarantee. -- Laura Gunderson
Readers' pick: tie
The English Dept., 1128 S.W. Alder St., 503-224-0724, theenglishdept.com
Rosewood Bridal, 11545 S.W. Durham Rd., Tigard, 503-603-0363. Rosewoodbridal.com
At The English Dept., owner Elizabeth Dye designs her own wedding gowns and features other designers in this smart, modern boutique.
Rosewood Bridal has been catering to brides for over 17 years and is known for customer service. They offer everything from gowns to bridal party attire and tuxedo rentals.
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Best crafts store
Staff pick: Knittn'? Kitten,? 7530 N.E. Glisan St.,? Portland; 503-255-3022;? knittnkitten.com
It's certainly not the giant among the big name craft or sewing stores. The appeal here is the eclectic mix of vintage fabric and notions. Among their fabric offerings (which are vintage but not previously used and can include everything from tulle to faux fur), printed cottons are staple. Other crafty offerings include beads, buttons, sequins, glitter, rick-rack, yarn and needles, embroidery floss, lace, fringe and ribbons and sundry other sewing notions. There's a small, diverse mix of books, patterns and craft kits. -- Peggy McMullen
Readers' pick: Michael's, multiple locations, michaels.com
Any crafter knows her way to the nearest Michaels store -- the largest arts and crafts chain in the country -- for arts and crafts supplies, framing, floral, beads, scrapbooking, baking, knitting and crochet and seasonal merchandise.
Best home decor store
Staff pick: Digs Inside & Out, 1829 N.E. Alberta, Portland, 503-460-3447; digs ?pdx.com ?
After seven years inside her teeny storefront filled with rugs, books, furniture, art, lighting, gnomes, plantings and inspiration, JJ De Sousa? doubled her home and garden shop, expanding her colorful, highly curated inventory. Amid the stylized decor ?Bernhardt chairs, Ryan Studio pillows,? fantastic foo dogs ? Digs offers interior and exterior design consultations, has a full line of fabric swatches to sample and ?from whimsical books to air plants to linens and ceramic lamps -- there's something in every niche to spark your imagination. -- Bridget Otto
Readers' pick: Home Goods, Cascade Station, 10145 N.E. Cascades Parkway, 503-249-8953. Canyon Town Center, 11959 S.W. Canyon Rd., Beaverton, 503-646-0170, homegoods.com.
Distinctive and one-of-a-kind items at steep discounts along with a constantly rotating inventory make this chain a shopper's delight.
Best kitchen store
Staff pick: Kitchen Kaboodle, stores in Northeast Portland, Northwest Portland, Southwest Portland, Clackamas Town Center and Orenco Station, Hillsboro; www.kitchenkaboodle.com
Portland's all about eating local, so we like shopping the locally owned kitchen store. Kaboodle's five stores carry the popular brands of cookware, tools and appliances, plus a beautifully curated selection of furniture, lamps, rugs and other decor. And their stemware selection is the best in town. --Katherine Miller
Readers' pick: Sur le Table, stores in Portland, Lake Oswego and Tigard, surlatable.com
Sur La Table stores arguably have a wider selection of products than other kitchen stores -- perhaps because they focus strictly on cookware. It's easy to spend hours shopping among their fine wares.
Best consignment furniture store
Staff pick: Seams to Fit Home, 1820 N.W. 18th, Portland, 503-222-6122; seamstofithome.com ?
After years of dealing in high-end consignment clothing, Sherry Linder? partnered with Kathy Becker? and expanded her consignment empire to include home furnishings. They're obviously onto something, given they had to almost immediately move to a larger space. From cow hides to mid-century Paul McCobb? dining set, the floor of this spacious warehouse of goods is packed with high-end pieces, some collectibles, lamps, rugs, sofas, dining sets, chests and desks. The items are all in good condition. Some pristine. Prices drop the longer an item stays unsold, so check back. They will hold things for 24 hours. -- Bridget Otto
Readers' pick: Consignment Northwest, 10140 S.W. Allen Blvd., Beaverton, 503-626-2566, consignment-nw.com
Find a large selection of furniture, accessories, artwork, rugs and jewelry. This is a great way to find top brands in excellent condition. And you can sell your unneeded furniture to make room.
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Best gourmet shop
Staff pick: Pastaworks, stores on S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., N.W. 21st Avenue, and North Mississippi Avenue, pastaworks.com ?
Whether you want a bag of its fresh pasta to boil up for dinner, or imported Italian type ? 00 flour to make your own, Pastaworks has your well-fed back covered. Just about anything you could need for a gourmet meal ? no matter how elaborate ? is there, including artisan cheeses, $100 wines, cured meats and imported condiments. As well ?stocked as the three shops are, they're never sprawling or cluttered, since they only save shelf space for the very best. -- Danielle Centoni
Best nursery
Staff pick: Gossler Farms Nursery, 1200 Weaver Rd., Springfield, 541-746-3922, gosslerfarms.com
A window display of 6,000 plant varieties, the six acres of display gardens at Gossler Farms has been known to incite customers into a frenzy of shopping. Waiting to egg you on is co-owner Roger Gossler, an expert plantsman and unflagging fan of all things growing. He'll answer your questions, show you around and, of course, sell you some of the high-quality plants that are also available by mail order. -- Kym Pokorny
Readers' pick: Portland Nursery, 5050 S.E. Stark St., 9000 S.E. Division St., 503-231-5050, portlandnursery.com
?With over 100 years at the Stark Street location, Portland Nursery is known far and wide for its expertise, selection and mastery of all things garden related. In addition to a huge plant selection, they are very helpful and also offer many classes and events to enhance and celebrate gardening.
Best florist
Staff pick: Solabee, 2030 N. Willis, 503-307-2758, solabeeflowers.com ?
Sarah Helmstetter? and Alea Joy? joined forces two years ago to form this tiny, unique boutique where floral arrangements change with the seasons and inventive displays mix rustic charm with nature's natural beauty. Between them they've racked up years working in traditional "bucket shop" florists and wanted to create a shop where they could stretch their imagination from living walls to a bride's bouquet. With clients from Portland restaurants to neighboring businesses in Kenton, the Solabee duo says they are evolving all the time and are already too cramped in their new space they share with Boys Fort? in the front of Salvage Works. As for the name, Helmstetter explains they wanted something that acknowledged bees, since there'd be no flowers without them. -- Bridget Otto
Readers' pick: Sammy's Flowers, 2120 N.W. Glisan St., 503-222-9759; 1128 N.W. Lovejoy St., 503-281-0310, sammysflowers.com
?For over 20 years, the award-winning Sammy's Flowers has been creating beautiful and distinctive arrangements for home, office, weddings and events. Many readers say that once they used Sammy's, they would never go elsewhere for flowers.
Best dry cleaners
Staff Pick: Cornerstone Cleaners, 1126 S.W. Jefferson St., 503-228-6976.
The friendly owners of this downtown fixture know the value of service. The husband-and-wife team takes needle and thread to your loose buttons and sagging hems before you even notice they need it, and at no extra charge. We love that kind of pampering. -- Kym Pokorny
Readers' pick: Bee, 1026 S.W. Salmon St., 503-227-1144; 2310 West Burnside St., 503-221-1144; 3540 S.W. River Parkway, 503-225-1144, beecleaners.com
Great customer service since 1951 includes free pickup and deliver, free small repairs and their shirt guarantee ? each shirt is touched up by hand and checked for missing buttons.
Best small bookstore
Staff pick: Bloomsbury Books, 290 East Main St., Ashland, 541-488-0029, bloomsburyashland.com
Smooth wood floors, a sit-and-read children's area and upstairs coffee shop have made Bloomsbury Books on the south end of Ashland's main strip, a destination for tourists and a favorite of locals. What we -- and all its many fans -- love most about this independent bookshop are the intelligent and varied staff recommendations printed on cards and stuck to the shelves. If you'd rather verbal guidance, just ask. They're happy to lead you to their favorites. -- Kym Pokorny
Readers' pick: Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Hwy., 503-246-0053, annieblooms.com
This Multnomah Village bookstore has a devoted following for its cozy ambiance and friendly, knowledgeable staff.
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Best large book story
Staff pick: Powell's Books, main store 1005 W. Burnside and five other locations, 503-228-4651, powells.com
Powell's City of Books -- three huge floors covering a city block -- has been called not just the best bookstore in the Northwest, but the best in the country. They also have great customer service and a fine online site.
Readers' pick: Powell's Books
The world's largest independent new and used bookstore is also the Northwest's must-stop for touring authors.
Best tattoo shop
Staff pick: Atlas Tattoo, 4543 N. Albina Ave., 503-281-7499, atlastattoo.com
Some of the region's most visible tattoos -- the ones on our red-hot bartenders and chefs -- often come from Atlas, a tattoo parlor behind an old, unassuming North Portland storefront. -- Michael Russell
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Best jewelry store
Staff pick: Equinox Jewelers, 2317 N.W. Raleigh, 503-226-3967, equinoxjewelers.com
If you like wearing vanilla, cookie-cutter jewelery, be our guest. But if you want design that's distinctive, modern or even vintage-looking -- plus personal service -- head to Equinox. Wedding bands and engagement rings are the store's primary focus, and they encourage you to be involved in the design of your jewelery. -- Katherine Miller
Readers' pick: The Real Mother Goose, 901 S.W. Yamhill St., 503-223-9510; Portland International Airport, 503-284-9929, therealmothergoose.com
Since 1971, The Real Mother Goose has promoted art for everyday living by offering the best work from local and American artists and craftspeople.
Best mechanic
Staff pick: No. 1 Japanese Auto, 703 N.W. 16th Ave., 503-243-1400, no1 ? japaneseautoservice.com
Some mechanics make you feel like you might as well open your wallet and say, "Help yourself!" After all, few of us can even find the dipstick let alone diagnose a problem. But seven years of personal experience (not to mention dozens of glowing reviews online) have proven that Bill Gallagher and his crew at No. 1 Japanese Auto are as honest as they are skilled. -- Danielle Centoni
Best farmers market
Staff pick: The Saturday Market at PSU; South Park Blocks between S.W. Hall and S.W. Montgomery streets, Saturdays March 17-Dec. 15, 503-241-0032, portlandfarmersmarke t.org/markets/psu
Sure, some folks say the Portland Saturday Market is touristy and crowded, but we love its bustle and variety. Shop for the week from vendors hawking fresh produce (or foraged flora), baked goods, artisan meats and cheeses. Or just come to nibble on treats from the food carts and do some people watching. On a good day you could also score a free chair massage or see a mini street fair with clowns, jugglers, buskers and sword swallowers. Effortless fun for the whole family. -- Jillian Cohan Martin
Readers' pick: three-way tie
Portland Farmers Market, multiple locations, 503-241-0032, portlandfarmersmarket.org
Hillsdale Farmers Market, 1509 S.W. Sunset Blvd., 503-475-6555, hillsdalefarmersmarket.com
Beaverton Farmers Market, 2455 S.W. 5th St., Beaverton, 503-643-5345, beavertonfarmersmarket.com
With our wealth of great farmers markets, it's no surprise that readers couldn't pick just one favorite.
Best mom and pop store
Readers' pick: Parson's Canby Pharmacy, 294 N.W. 2nd Ave., Canby, 503-266-2233
A fixture in downtown Canby since 1954, Parson's is not unlike a general store of the past with a Hallmark store, clothing, coffee shop, home decor and housewares, gifts, art glass, outdoor gear and a pharmacy all in one locally owned, independent store.
Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/11/best_of_2012_shopping.html
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