Best of Shopping

Artistic Appreciation

Once again, The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival earned our readers’ votes for the Best Place to Shop for Art. That’s not a surprise, except that there was no festival this year. Despite its unfortunate cancellation resulting from Hurricane Irene, readers remain loyal to the annual event.

“One of the hallmarks of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is the incredible support that it receives from the local community! Even on the year that the festival had to be canceled for the first time in its 35-year history, the community is still showing its support through this Maggy Award!” said Festivals Coordinator Joy Ennis.

“The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival brings an eclectic mix of amazing artwork as well as the opportunity to meet the artists that have created it. This festival is a Cary tradition that celebrates the last lazy days of summer and brings families and friends together.”

The artist who created the Lazy Daze poster artwork for 2011, Grace Li Wang, put a festive spin on the Maggy Awards logo to create the piece used as the opening of the Maggy Awards section. Originally from Taiwan, she moved to the U.S. in 1964 and attended N. C. State University. See her work at www.GraceLiWang.com.

Fresh-Picked Flowers

Is there anything Preston Flowers can’t do? When it comes to arrangements, seasonal home décor and gifts on demand, the answer seems to be no. Family owned and operated by Gary and Jill Swartz, Preston Flowers delivers throughout the Cary area, including Apex and Morrisville.

The team of skilled florists can put together an arrangement to suit any event, large or small. A deal of the day bouquet boasts “the biggest bouquets for your money” in five different size options, plus options to add balloons, stuffed animals or chocolates.

Designer creations aren’t limited to purely florals. A variety of gift baskets are available, from traditional fruit baskets to the Luxurious Indulgence box. Not for the faint of heart, it includes gourmet chocolate bars, cookies, chocolate-covered almonds and strawberries, gourmet coffee, and loads more chocolate selections in a ribbon-wrapped wooden box.

Put On Your Dancin' Shoes

If there’s any place women love shopping more than a shoe store, it’s a shoe store having a sale. Our readers believe DSW is the Best Place to Shop for Shoes, and sale selections are seemingly endless. With hundreds of styles marked up to 70 percent off every day, it seems like a little taste of heaven.

Designer brands are also available, from Prada to Ralph Lauren to the iconic Jimmy Choo, with expanded options on DSW.com. From adidas to Zodiac and everything in between, DSW offers nearly 300 brands — and that’s just shoes. It’s also a source for handbags, socks and other items.

Other Triangle locations include Triangle Town Commons in Raleigh and Patterson Place in Durham.

Written by Tara Croft

Best Gift Shop
A Southern Season
HM: Swagger Gifts
Hallmark

Best Jeweler
Bailey's Fine Jewelry
HM: Holland's Jewelers
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry

Best Shopping Mall
The Streets At Southpoint
HM: Crabtree Valley Mall
Cary Towne Center

Best Place to Shop for Men's Clothing
Belk
HM: Kohl's
JoS. A. Bank

Best Place to Shop for Shoes
DSW Designer Show Warehouse
HM: Nordstrom
Rack Room Shoes

Best (Non-Mall) Shopping Center
Cameron Village
HM: Beaver Creek Commons
Crossroads Plaza

Best Place to PurchaseBeer or Wine
Total Wine & More
HM: Trader Joe's
Harris Teeter

Best Place to Shop for Women's Clothing
Kohl's
HM: Belk
T.J. Maxx

Best Place to Shop for Antiques
Flea Market At N.C. State Fairgrounds
HM: Antiques on Salem Street
The Rusty Bucket

Best Place to Shop for Art
Laze Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
HM: Artspace
HomeGoods

Best Bargains
T.J. Maxx
HM: Kohl's
HomeGoods

Best Place to Shop for Books
Barnes & Noble
HM: Quail Ridge Books & Music
Mr. Mike's Used Books

Most Specialty Foods Store

Trader Joe's

HM: Whole Foods Market 

A Southern Season

Best Boutique
Swagger Gifts

HM: My Girlfriend's Closet
The Pink Alli

Best Car Dealership
AutoPark Honda
HM: Crossroads Ford
Johnson Lexus

Best Place to Shop for Children's Clothing

Target 

HM: Old Navy 

Kohl's

Best Florist Shop

Preston Flowers
HM: Fallon's Creative Flowers
The Flower Cupboard

Best Place to Shop for Furniture
Home Comfort Furniture

HM: Rooms to Go

Cooper's Furniture

Best Garden Center
Garden Supply Co.

HM: Fairview Garden Center 
Logan Trading Company