What stores do you just HAVE to visit when you are near one? For me it's "The Container Store"....

[A HERETIC I AM]

and a Bloomingdales.

Are there national or even regional retailers or restaurants you love that are somewhat rare, and if you find you are near one, you just have to visit? Be they hard goods, grocery, home, etc?

It seems like there are a few retail chains and food establishments that do an extraordinary job, or carry a unique niche of products that just deserve a visit!

Again, mine are;

The Container Store
Bloomingdales. (I worked at one in Miami back in the 80’s)
And...
Tumi (Luggage, and frankly the best I have ever used)
The Apple Store
(Edit to add) Cabela’s. The ultimate outdoorsmans outfitter.
The Seattle area has this really extraordinary grocery chain called “Haggen”
Another wonderful grocery retailer with only a handful of locations is in Michigan called “Westborn Market”

Anyway.....what rare stores do you really like? Include ones no longer in business if you like, by all means. (As an example, People’s Drugs in Maryland and Virginia which had a real soda fountain type food counter inside)

[leftieNanner]

1. I grew up in San Francisco

I miss I. Magnin and Joseph Magnin.

I'm not much of a shopper any more, but in my town there is the most remarkable chocolatier - Branson's Chocolates. That one is always worth a stop!

[NNadir]

2. Not national, local. Labyrinth Books in Princeton. I can't walk by without going in.

Unfortunately, although they're an excellent bookstore, their chemistry offerings suck. They do have a good math section though.

[AleksS]

3. Goodwill and Bookman's

Though I don’t know if Bookmans still exists. I love the chance to discover something cool!

[Generic Brad]

4. World Market

I can roam that store for hours. It's so eclectic.

[VarryOn]

5. Bass Pro/Cabela's. Nt

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. They have opened quite a few new stores in recent years, even more since they merged.

In fact, both Bass Pro and Cabela’s opened stores just south of Chattanooga, along I-75. Shortly after they both opened (The Cabela’s was opened first) the two firms merged!

The Cabela’s was actually in Georgia, just over the state line and it was the one to close.

They are cool though. I love the large aquariums they have.

Come to think of it, I am going to add Cabela’s to my list in the OP! I’ve been to their Flagship store in Sydney, Nebraska. Really extraordinary, plus they all seem to have tractor trailers parking!

[captain queeg]

6. Columbia employee store - when I score a coupon

Didn’t really need anything but I had a coupon that expired today so made a trip. Only employees can shop there normally but once in awhile they send out passes (I call them
Coupons) and anyone can go there. Really nice outdoor clothing.

[MOMFUDSKI]

8. Any kitchen store I stumble on

and I LOVED a store called Goldman's in Milwaukee that closed probably 35 years ago. That is where you went for fabric, light fixtures. In an old building with 3 wide wooden steps up to the door and the steps were totally worn smooth and shiny and I loved them. Also, a candy store in an old house around the corner from my Aunt's house when I was in grade school. It was on a busy and noisy street but when the door closed behind you it was S I L E N C E and the old man behind the counter had white hair and there was a chime clock and I can still smell what that place smelled like. Oh, if I could only go back there . . . .

[AleksS]

9. Goldmans was awesome! Did you ever eat at the diner?

Fond memories. That whole area of Mitchell Street, with Modjeska Theatre, etc., the old Polish part of town, had quite the character. I'm sad my daughter never got to go to Goldman's.

There's an old fashioned candy and soda shop in East Troy (Lauber's) that I bet you'd like. Not sure if it's still open though. SO much is closing.

[MissB]

10. Powells

Powells city of books

[spooky3]

11. Graeter's Ice Cream Nt

[Wicked Blue]

12. Ross Dress for Less nt

[kimbutgar]

13. Ross and Marshall's

I like to shop!

[yellowdogintexas]

14. Ulta because I am obsessed with skin care and makeup

Bonus: Ulta has a 100% ranking on Progressive Shopper too.

Central Market, because it is such fun to wander around in there; plus I live in Fort Worth,Texas so I can go whenever I want

PetSmart or Petco, to play with the kitties waiting for adoption.

Half Price Books, just in case I find a book I have wanted to read.

rare stores: Mills Bookstore in downtown Nashville. It had been in the same location for years and always looked a little rumpled. I loved hanging out in there.

Walgreens and Duncan's Drugs in Russellville KY for the great soda fountains
In fact lots of Walgreens had them back in the day.

[jrandom421]

15. A couple

When near any branch, a visit to Ikea is a must,

When in Portland, must spend at least one day at Powell's books

[Aristus]

16. None.

They closed down Borders Books & Music, so there's no longer any reason for idle browsing on a slow day.

Every shopping website in the world has a "Customers who bought X also bought Y" feature. But believe me, impulse shopping is much more effective in a brick and mortar store.

[Tommy Carcetti]

17. Barnes and Noble and Total Wine.

Honestly those are the two stores I actually enjoy going to.

The rest I can take or leave.

[liberaltrucker]

18. Best Buy

I love to browse electronic goodies.