Readers’ pick urbanXchange best vintage clothing

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Readers’ pick: urbanXchange best vintage clothing

There can you go to get a pair of skinny jeans, some death metal, hear a live music performance and cop a haircut, all in one stop? No. Not your mom’s house. It’s urbanXchange!



Let’s start with the clothes, though, because that’s how it all began. urbanXchange shoppers benefit from the impeccable tastes of owner Julie Bennett and her team of buyers. Bennett, who is generally dressed better than you or anyone you know, says that dresses are hot right now. So are custom T-shirts by local artist Noah Struthers, mod-print ‘80s track jackets, cowboy boots, fedoras and ‘30s-era working-class garb. Bennett and crew don’t stop at the clothes, though.



“We also have a big, green velvet couch,” says Bennett. For sale, that is.



urbanXchange also is host to the Embellish Annex, a quick-stop chop shop for folks who need a do to compliment their new-old clothes. urbanXchange also is host to a soon-to-be renamed music hub, which will focus on niche indie, and will be buying, selling and trading music six days a week, Monday through Saturday. A grand re-opening show will happen on Aug. 21, with live music at The Den, a live, all-ages music venue that also co-exists with the clothing racket inside urbanXchange. The music shop, dubbed urbanXchange Records, will be offering sweet trade deals for anyone who brings down stuff to help them get their stock rolling on opening day.



“Bring your records in, trade and sell them for cash,” says music buyer Brandon Hughes.

Beyond buying and selling, Bennett uses urbanXchange as a platform for building community and catalyzing the evolution of art and culture in Tacoma. When she’s not running a multi-faceted business operation or tending to her family, she arranges and hosts fashion shows, concerts, arts emporiums, festivals, fund-raisers, and volunteers her time and energy to local causes.



Did we mention that the events she throws are usually pretty fresh?



TacomaOpolis, for example, brought together a roving crew of artists, fashionistas and performers to benefit the Helm and Fulcrum galleries when things started looking tough for local art galleries. When Tall Ships came to town, she cooked up a plan to connect downtown businesses with visitors by offering coupons in the form of pirate coins, accompanied by maps of participating businesses.



Maybe it’s Bennett’s giving nature. Maybe it’s all her hard work. Whatever it is, she’s got the best vintage clothing store in Tacoma. — Paul Schrag

[urbanXchange, 1932 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

BOUGHT AND SOLD READERS’ PICKS 2009

BEST PAWN SHOP: Hilltop Pawn Shop

BEST THRIFT STORE: Goodwill

BEST FLOWER VENDOR: J Robbins Florist

BEST FREE SERVICE: The Link

BEST TACOMA NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YARD SALES: North Tacoma

BEST PLACE TO BUY A USED CAR: Goodfellas Motor Co

BEST FURNITURE STORE: Posh Home

BEST ECO-STORE: Marlene’s

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE: urbanXchange

BEST PLACE TO PUT GUESTS: Hotel Murano

BEST PLACE TO BUY SHOES: Nordstrom

BEST TATTOO SHOP: Supernova (with House of Tattoo a close second)

BEST PLACE TO BUY EYEGLASSES: Costco

BEST HAIRCUTTER: Andrea McKillip — Baroque Salon

BEST SPA: Savi Day Spa

BEST INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE: Buzzard’s

BEST PLACE TO BUY VINYL: Buzzard’s

BEST OCCULT STORE: Crystal Voyage

BEST WINE SHOP: Tacoma Wine Merchants

BEST POST OFFICE: Downtown

BEST ATTORNEY: Eric Bjornson

BEST COMIC BOOK STORE: Comic Book Ink

BEST PLACE TO RENT MOVIES: Stadium Video

BEST BIKE SHOP: Old Town Bicycle

BOUGHT AND SOLD WEEKLY VOLCANO PICKS 2009

Best Place To Satisfy Your Urge To Buy Stuff When Broke

There is a well-documented phenomenon in which people who are depressed — because they’re broke, for example — start spending foolishly and frivolously. The monsters that made us little buying machines are so good that we now respond to lack of finances by buying more stuff. It’s OK. There’s nothing you can really do about it. It’s an instinct at this point. But you can find a place that satisfies your compulsion with minimal cash outlay. Satisfy your primal urges by digging through a pile of unsorted stuff and finding something you want at the Goodwill Outlet. — Paul Schrag

[Goodwill Outlet, 714 S. 27th St, 253.284.3377]‎



Best Eclectic Shopping Experience

What may appear to be a mild-mannered store offering auctions and antiques seems to be hiding a little secret from you as it opens up to hallways and floors of good stuff. Actually, the Middle Floor Merchants aren’t so secret, with the bubble-gum-bright walls and signs on the Commerce level proclaiming some of the wonders you’ll find within.  Check out the new wine shop, Abby’s, as well as Infinite Soups, in addition to fabulous vintage and used clothes galore, and many other treasures just waiting for you to find them! — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Sanford and Son Antiques and Auctions, 743 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.0334]‎



Best Place To Buy A Moleskine & Bright Chalk

Artists in the medium of watercolor know that Arches 100 percent cotton cold-press paper will give good float and texture without a lot of buckle. Artists in the medium of chalk know that their results will pop more readily with a saturated, high-quality Prang chalk.  And artists in the medium of words know that a Moleskine notebook has the perfect texture and weight, that the binding is perfectly stiff but never brittle, and that little details, like a ribbon for place-marking, a back-pocket for slips of paper, and elastic to give a satisfying “snap!” when the jotting is complete, make the product sublime. And all creative sorts know that the place to get all three products is Tacoma Art Supply. — JC-B

[Tacoma Art Supply, 1552 Commerce St. 253.444.2341]



Best Place To Get Your Organic Garden On

The act of spreading poison to control bugs and disease is somehow at odds with the whole concept of gardening. Really, isn’t something so inherently green supposed to be naturally viable? The guys at Gardensphere seem to agree with that idea, bringing organic garden solutions (like Dr Earth organic fertilizers) along with locally-sourced plants—because the last thing you want is for your poor little Mexican Tomato plant from That Other Place to suffer culture shock when you stick it into its new TAGRO home. Best of all: the fine Gardensphere folks are all about extra add-ons with a smile, offering design and delivery services. — JC-B

[Gardensphere, 3310 N Proctor St, Tacoma, 253.761.7936]‎



Best Place To Gear Up Like A Legit Runner

Let’s face it: it’s fine to look the part of the Urban Hipster you are while swiggin’ your demitasse of Satellite espresso, but when you’re trying to look sporty as you go for a run, the last thing you need is for your Cons to give you foot failure. But that’s okay, because you know that South Sound Running will sell you the high-quality kicks that bring spring to your step while you sweat, and the knowledgeable staff there will even analyze your gait and get you into your perfect pair. — JC-B

[South Sound Running, 1736 Pacific Ave., 253.593.8786]



Best Place To Buy A Gift For Any One, At Any Time

From the outside it looks like a chi-chi grocery store, and when you walk in, your impression might be that it is one.  In point of fact, Metropolitan Market is simply the best place to buy a present for any person on any occasion.  Whether you’ve forgotten a buddy’s birthday and buy him a high-quality 22-ounce beer, or whether your Great Aunt Tilly the chef would appreciate some silicone cooking implements, you’ll find something that fits every person — and walk out with a card to match. — JC-B

[Metropolitan Market, 2420 N Proctor St., 253.761.3663]



Best Cool Hair Experience

If you’re looking for a truly individualized experience, get your hair styled at the hip Embellish Multispace Salon — located on the upper level of downtown Tacoma’s big purple building. First, the salon has one of the only remaining legal graffiti showcases painted on the north-facing wall. Second, owner Patricia Lecy-Davis is the president of every major organization in Tacoma, including Go Local Tacoma — the reason why you’ll know three-fourths of the customers. But most important, their talented stylists will transform you into a hipper version of yourself. Oh yeah, did I mention free bang trims? Awesome. — Suzy Stump

[Embellish Multispace Salon, 1121 Court D # A, Tacoma, 253.752.8144]



Best Convenience Store

Last year I gave Tacoma’s Best Convenience Store award to the 7-Eleven on Sixth and Alder – based almost solely on the fact that the red-shirted attendants at that 7-Eleven location put up with more last call, 2 a.m. beer run bullshit than anyone I know. Their patience is really remarkable. I’m giving the Best Convenience Store award to Stadium Corner on Tacoma Ave. While the candy selection isn’t amazing, and the larger than usual convenience store wine selection can be a little confusing – the family that runs this joint is just so damn nice. Unless, of course, you’re a kid with a backpack on – but luckily I’ve grown out of that phase.  — Matt Driscoll

[Stadium Corner, 124 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, 253.383.5055] 



Best Head Shop

We all know Tacoma is full of glass artists – but we may not fully realize just how full of glass artists Tacoma is until we delve into the world of hand blown pipes – for tobacco, of course. Tacoma may be relatively small, but the selection of smoking accessories we produce is staggering. If you’re looking for the best selection at reasonable prices of said glass smoking accessories, or vaporizers or double bubble bongs the size of Muggsy Bogues – for tobacco, of course – check out the Green Room on Sixth Avenue. There’s a reason we’ve named it Best Head Shop two years running – and it’s not just because the store has become like my own personal Cheers. That’s only part of the reason. – MD

[The Green Room, 6413 6th Ave # 1, Tacoma, 253.566.6436]