Shopping in Washington, DC
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Eastern Market
The Capitol dome might win the word-image association game with visitors, but ‘the’ Market probably sweeps the title among locals when it comes to Capitol Hill. That’s because Eastern Market makes the Hill a neighborhood as opposed to…well, a hill. Packed with good food, crafts and every ethnicity in the area, this roofed bazaar is a must-visit on weekends. Built in 1873, it is the last of the 19th-century covered markets that once supplied most of DC’s food. South Hall has food stands, bakeries, flower stands and delis. North Hall is an arts center where craftspeople sell handmade wares. Come Christmas, this is the best place in town to buy a tree.
reviewed
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B
As Seen on TV
The objects for sale here don’t exactly represent the zenith of American culture, but they make for a good laugh nonetheless; and it’s true, many items are sold on TV (or at least they were before the 1980s came screeching to a halt). You’ll find Tae-Bo videos (not DVDs), supercharged potato peelers, abdominal rockers, battery-operated scissors, snuggies (that most beloved of wearable blankets), electric hair clipper-brush combos and all manner of products endorsed by George Foreman. ASOT also sells poorly dubbed kung-fu movies to complete the walk down memory lane.
reviewed
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Kramerbooks
With the Afterwords Café and bar behind the shop, this round-the-clock bookstore is as much a spot for schmoozing as for shopping. You can grab a meal, have a pint and flirt with comely strangers (the store is a fabled pick-up spot for straights and gays). This flagship independent – which leapt into First Amendment history when it firmly refused to release Lewinsky’s book-buying list to Starr’s snoops – features fine current literature, travel and politics sections.
reviewed
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Filene’s Basement (White House Area)
If you aren’t from the east coast, you probably haven’t ever had the privilege of shopping at Boston-based Filene’s Basement. This discount store is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, devoted to men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. You’ll have to dig, but you can score pieces by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Ralph Lauren, BCBG, DKNY and Missoni. Filene’s has a second location inside the Shops at National Place.
reviewed
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Brass Knob
This unique two-floor shop sells ‘rescues’ from old buildings: fixtures, lamps, tiles, mantelpieces and mirrors. The store’s raison d’être though is the doorknob – brass, wooden, glass, elaborate, polished and antique. The Brass Knob is an absolute fantasyland for anybody renovating (or even just living in) an old house or apartment. Staff can help you find whatever you need, and the classical music overhead adds to the charm.
reviewed
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Filene's Basement (Penn Quarter)
If you aren’t from the east coast, you probably haven’t ever had the privilege of shopping at Boston-based Filene’s Basement. This discount store is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, devoted to men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. You’ll have to dig, but you can score pieces by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Ralph Lauren, BCBG, DKNY and Missoni. There's another location near the White House.
reviewed
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Tysons Corner Center
Further north in Virginia and just west of the Beltway is this gigantic shopping complex that has, over the years, metastasized into its own strange, sidewalkless suburban Edge City. It has about 250 stores from big department stores like Bloomie’s to Nordstrom, and smaller shops from Abercrombie & Fitch to Georgetown Tobacco. The adjacent complex carries haute-couture: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel and Hermés. You’ll need to drive here.
reviewed
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Remix
One of the few vintage shops in the area, the Remix has a good selection of men’s and women’s attire from decades past. You’ll find soft leather gloves, fuzzy pink boas, slender strapless dresses, mirrored sunglasses, and satin smoking jackets and western shirts for the gents. There’s a private room with couture pieces – Oscar de la Renta and Pucci as well as delicate dresses and gowns dating back to the 1910s.
reviewed
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H
Inga's Once Is Not Enough
Known as the first lady of retail couture, Inga has all the big names - Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs - for sale at her fine consignment shop. Herself a fashion consultant for the local Fox channel, Inga takes her customers firmly in hand, showing them what they really want to buy in her very crowded shop thick with designer labels. It's easiest to drive; for parking, try N or Prospect Sts to the north of Wisconsin Ave (around 36th Street).
reviewed
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Dekka
Overlooking a lively stretch of U St, Dekka is a youthful and creative space where you pick up locally made fashion, jewelry and artwork. Stylish T-shirts, whimsical dresses and framed black-and-white photographs are just a small part of the eclectic merchandise, which includes the work of over 30 local artists and designers. Stop in on the first Saturday of the month (from 6:30pm to 10:30pm) for cocktails, video, music and designer specials.
reviewed
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Guitar Shop
Although it’s the size of a phone booth, this is DC’s most impressive instrument retailer and repairer. Around since 1922, this store has serviced Springsteen and Dylan. The dedicated staff are quite helpful in assisting musicians to find what they really need. The 2000-plus inventory ranges from top-of-the-line Martins to inexpensive beginner guitars, plus banjos, mandolins, harmonicas and more.
reviewed
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Toro Mata
If your Andean trip fell through this year, Toro Mata provides a good backup plan. Inside this handsomely laid-out store, you’ll find a well-curated selection of Peruvian objects, including fluffy Alpaca rugs and cuddly stuffed animals, hand-carved chess sets and folk-art tableau, colorful tapestries, furniture and woven hats and sweaters. The friendly owners have a wealth of knowledge on Peru.
reviewed
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Home Rule
Tired of Pottery Barn homogeneity around your house? Check out Home Rule’s amusingly original stock: frog-shaped toothbrush holders, brightly colored martini glasses, animal-shaped salt-and-pepper sets, and rugs and linens, too. The mosaic decorating the front counter symbolizes the U St district’s revitalization – it’s made with smashed glass from the 1968 riots.
reviewed
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Potomac Mills
A fire-breathing monster of mid-Atlantic outlet malls, just a half-hour drive south of DC, it features about 250 discount shops, including Ikea, Saks, Marshall’s and Spiegel. This place now draws more tourists (about 24 million per year) and tour buses than Williamsburg or Virginia’s other historic sites, which might say something about Americans’ priorities. Take Exit 158-B off I-95.
reviewed
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Shops at Georgetown Park
Set in a 19th-century cast-iron building that once sheltered horse-drawn omnibuses, this elegant mall (with skylights and hanging plants) contains more than 100 shops. On the bottom level, you’ll find a meager food court, trickling fountains and a few shops, while the other levels contain well known stores like H&M, Anthropologie, Intermix and Victoria’s Secret.
reviewed
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Best Cellars
Arranged by taste categories (juicy, luscious, smooth) rather than by grape or region, Best Cellars reinvents the traditional wine-shopping experience. The prices are affordable (from $9 to $15) and wine and liqueur tastings add to the appeal. In addition to wine, Best Cellars carries spirits – including the artisanal products of Leopold Brothers (try the Absinthe Verte).
reviewed
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For the Greater Good
Portraits of Mao, Malcolm X, Che Guevara and other cult figures adorn the walls of this exquisite little shop. The clothes here – fine denim, high-end sweaters, button-downs and handsome jackets – are trim and nicely cut, creating a stylish well-tailored look. If the fashion here seems a little too staid, head two doors down to its sister shop, Commonwealth.
reviewed
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Melody Record Shop
This well-stocked shop was recently voted DC’s best music store by readers of the Washington City Paper. It’s not surprising given the huge inventory of CDs and DVDs – over 300,000 at last count. World music, jazz, blues, indie and classic rock are well represented. The digitized collection allows browsers to listen to anything in the store.
reviewed
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Annie Cream Cheese
One of several vintage shops in George-town, Annie’s has some of the best selections, at least for women. You’ll find tennis skirts, oversized sunglasses, sexy skirts and tops, glammy high heels – with a bevy of top designers represented. The men’s selection is poor, unless monochrome polyester shirts and pleather jackets strike your fancy.
reviewed
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Barney’s Co-Op
The well-known New York outfitter brings a dash of cutting-edge style to the DC fashion scene in this large two-level store in the heart of M St. Among the well-edited collection are Alexander Wang dresses, APC jackets for men, Jack Spade messenger bags and Vera Cuero footwear. Prices are high, but look for Barney’s own Co-op label to find the deals.
reviewed
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Bartleby’s Books
A neighborhood classic, Bartleby’s Books has packed shelves lined with used and rare editions covering all manner of subjects. The selection is particularly strong in American lore – presidential biographies, political history and works by American writers and poets – with first editions and antiquarian books kept in the front cabinets.
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Redeem
redeem ‘It’s never too late to change’, is the motto of this enticing little clothier on 14th St. Redeem carries indie labels and a small selection of local designers, and targets urban and hip but cashed-up customers. Look for Ernest & Sewn denim, Colcci ankle boots, Corpus sweaters and other unique labels.
reviewed
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Tugooh Toys
This splendid store is a great place to browse, even if you’re not packing a rug rat on your hip. You’ll find eco-friendly toys and games, including racecars made of bamboo and lots of cuddly animals made with high-quality organic cotton. Lots of items made of wood and other natural substances give an old-fashioned charm to the place.
reviewed
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Caramel
This dapper little boutique on U St sells a well-edited selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories that aim for a stylish effortlessness. Look for comely I-Shandi dresses, eye-catching Leather Island belts and incredibly soft denim apparel. The artwork on the walls is also for sale – all created by local artists.
reviewed
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Old Print Gallery
This small store sells a fine array of vintage maps and prints, from the botanical to the architectural, with American portraits, gardens, locomotives, birds and New England scenes all on view. Prints are arranged by category and you can pay extra to have them framed. It’s a great place to browse and hold a bit of history in your hands.
reviewed