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Greater Phoenix | Scottsdale | Tempe and Around
Since its resorts began multiplying in the 1930s and ’40s, Phoenix has acquired many high-end clothiers and leisure-wear boutiques, but you can still find the Western clothes that in many parts of town continue to dominate the fashion. Jeans and boots, cotton shirts and dresses, 10-gallon hats, and bola ties (the state’s official neckwear) are still the staples. On the scene as well are the arts of the Southwest’s true natives—Navajo weavers, sand painters, and silversmiths; Hopi weavers and kachina-doll carvers; Pima and Tohono O’odham (Papago) basket makers and potters; and many more. Inspired by the region’s rich cultural traditions, contemporary artists have flourished here, making Phoenix—and particularly Scottsdale, a city with more art galleries than gas stations—one of the Southwest’s largest art centers alongside Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Today’s shoppers find the best of the old and the new—all presented with Southwestern style. Upscale stores, one-of-a-kind shops, and outlet malls sell the latest fashions, cowboy collectibles, handwoven rugs, traditional Mexican folk art, and contemporary turquoise jewelry.
Most of the Valley’s power shopping is concentrated in central Phoenix, Old Town Scottsdale, and the Kierland area in North Scottsdale, but auctions and antiques shops cluster in odd places—and as treasure hunters know, you’ve always got to keep your eyes open.
Greater Phoenix
Camelback Corridor
Clothing
My Sister’s Closet.
What began as an idea in this Camelback Corridor space turned into a revolution of resale clothing and furnishings. My Sister’s Closet offers upscale resale clothing, shoes, and accessories. Its sister store, My Sister’s Attic, has resale furniture. There are locations across the Valley, but this is the primary store. You could find a luxury handbag for a third of the price, or a designer suit for pennies on the dollar. All items are guaranteed authentic. | Town & Country Shopping Center, 4869 N. 20th St., Camelback Corridor | 602/954–6080 | www.mysisterscloset.com.
Gifts
Cornelia Park.
If Alice in Wonderland decided to open a store, this would be it. An eclectic mix of home furnishings, gifts, and touches of whimsy, this Biltmore Fashion Park boutique is one of the best places in the Valley to find a treasure or a gift. | 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Camelback Corridor | 602/955–3195 | www.corneliapark.com.
Home Furnishings
The French Bee.
Michael Hansen made a name for himself as a designer of jaw-dropping silk floral arrangements. Those talents eventually turned into the French Bee, a wonderland of flowers, vases, and home furnishings. It’s a visual delight. | 3150 E. Camelback Rd. | Scottsdale | 602/955–4158 | www.thefrenchbee.com.
Markets
Camelback Market.
On Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, October through May, some of the Valley’s tastiest creations, from crêpes to paella, can be found in the parking lot of Vincent on Camelback. The market also features a wine vendor and sellers of independent culinary curios like fresh pesto, honey, and jam. | 3930 E. Camelback Rd., Camelback Corridor | www.vincentsoncamelback.com.
Shopping Center
Biltmore Fashion Park.
Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Ralph Lauren anchor more than 70 stores and upscale boutiques in this posh, parklike setting. It’s accessible from the Camelback Esplanade and the Ritz-Carlton by a pedestrian tunnel that runs beneath Camelback Road. | 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Camelback Corridor | 602/955–8400 | www.shopbiltmore.com.
North Central Phoenix
Antiques
Antiques on Central.
One of the oldest antiques stores in Phoenix, this is the go-to place to find rare fine china and serving pieces as well as original paintings and antique furnishings. Although located on 7th Street and Missouri Avenue, the store retained its name from its previous location on Central Avenue. | 730 E. Missouri Ave., North Central Phoenix | 602/264–4525 | www.antiquesoncentral.com.
Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Desert Ridge Marketplace, an outdoor megamall, has more than 1 million square feet of shops and restaurants, but it’s also a family entertainment destination with an 18-theater cineplex, bowling alley, rock-climbing wall, and Dave & Buster’s, a multivenue entertainment center with a virtual-reality game room and dance club. | Tatum Blvd. and Loop 101, North Central Phoenix | 480/513–7586 | www.shopdesertridge.com.
Arts and Crafts
Drumbeat Indian Arts.
This small, interesting shop specializes in Native American music, movies, books, drums, and crafts supplies. If you’re lucky, you might find authentic fry bread and Navajo tacos being cooked in the parking lot on weekends. | 4143 N. 16th St., North Central Phoenix | 602/266–4823 | www.drumbeatindianarts.com.
Fodor’s Choice | The Heard Museum Shop.
The shop at the Heard Museum is hands-down the best place in town for Southwestern Native American and other crafts, both traditional and modern. Prices tend to be high, but quality is assured, with many one-of-a-kind items among the collection of rugs, kachina dolls, pottery, and other crafts; there’s also a wide selection of lower-priced gifts. | 2301 N. Central Ave., North Central Phoenix | 602/252–8840 | www.heard.org.
Food and Wine
AJ’s Fine Foods.
The Valley’s grandest upscale grocery store, AJ’s is a great place to fill your basket with exclusive local creations ranging from salsas and sauces to spice mixes. It’s possible to spend hours at any of the 10 identical Valley locations. It’s also possible to spend far more money than you would at an average grocery store, but the vast inventory of unusual products and one-stop shopping experience make it all worthwhile. The wine selection is among the best in town, and the sommelier-quality staff will gladly offer suggestions. Be sure to partake of the bistro’s fresh, chef-prepared food offerings, including homemade soups, salad, pizza, specialty sandwiches, and gourmet take-out entrées. | 5017 N. Central Ave., North Central Phoenix | 602/230–7015 | www.ajsfinefoods.com.
Vintage Clothing and Furniture
Home Again.
This down-home store buys and sells vintage and modern home furnishings and antiques. | 4302 N. 7th Ave., North Central Phoenix | 602/424–0488.
Melrose Vintage.
The cheerful, dollhouselike yellow exterior at this store is not the only thing that makes it memorable. The no-nonsense staff know their stuff, which includes tasteful and fun low- to high-end shabby-chic furnishings. | 4238 N. 7th Ave., North Central Phoenix | 602/636–0300 | www.shopmelrosevintage.com.
Paradise Valley
Arts and Crafts
Fodor’s Choice | Cosanti Originals.
This is the studio where architect Paolo Soleri’s famous bronze and ceramic wind chimes are made and sold. You can watch the craftspeople at work, then pick out your own—prices are surprisingly reasonable. | 6433 Doubletree Ranch Rd. | Paradise Valley | 800/752–3187, 480/948–6145 | www.cosanti.com.
Glendale
A surprise to many visitors is the Old Towne district of suburban Glendale, with more than 80 antiques and collectibles shops nestled around historic Old Towne and Catlin Court, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Antiques
Glendale Old Towne & Catlin Court.
This antiques district has a plethora of shops and restaurants in colorful, century-old bungalows. Stroll the pedestrian-friendly streets and window-shop, or have lunch at one of the neighborhood eateries to fuel up for some retail therapy. | 59th and Glendale aves. | Glendale.
Scottsdale
If you’re looking for luxury, whether that’s in the form of a priceless work of art or a perfectly fitting pair of jeans, head to Scottsdale. Filled with galleries, luxury boutiques, and more than enough sites to purchase a pair of cowboy boots, Scottsdale takes Western chic to a whole new level.
Antiques
Scottsdale Marketplace.
One of the largest antiques stores in the Valley, this marketplace has more than three dozen privately run booths that feature Asian and French antiques, furnishings, housewares, and a large selection of Western goods. | 6310 N. Scottsdale Rd. | Scottsdale | 480/368–5720 | www.scottsdalemarketplace.com.
Shopping Center
Scottsdale Fashion Square.
This shopping complex is home to many luxury shops unique to Arizona, as well as Barney’s, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Cartier, and Gucci. A huge food court, restaurants, and a cineplex complete the picture. | 7014 E. Camelback Rd., at Scottsdale Rd. | Scottsdale | 480/941–2140 | www.fashionsquare.com.
North Scottsdale
Shopping Centers
Kierland Commons.
Next to the Westin Kierland Resort is one of the city’s most popular shopping areas. “Urban village” is the catchphrase for this outdoor pedestrian mall with restaurants and upscale chain retailers, among them Coach and Sur La Table. | 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., North Scottsdale | 480/348–1577 | www.kierlandcommons.com.
Scottsdale Quarter.
This outdoor mall creates a fantastic one-two punch for shoppers in search of fantastic food and dining. Stroll the largest Apple Store in the Valley, get bargain goods at H&M, and catch a luxury dine-in movie (you read that right) at iPic. | 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., North Scottsdale | 480/270–8123 | www.scottsdalequarter.com.
Shopping Districts
5th Avenue.
Whether you seek handmade Native American arts and crafts, casual clothing, or cacti, you’ll find it here. | 5th Ave. between Civic Center Rd. and Stetson Dr., Old Town.
Main Street Arts District.
Gallery after gallery displays artwork in myriad styles—contemporary, Western realism, Native American, and traditional. Several antiques shops are also here; specialties include porcelain and china, jewelry, and Oriental rugs. | Bounded by Main St. and 1st Ave., Scottsdale Rd. and 69th St., Old Town.
Marshall Way Arts District.
Galleries that exhibit predominantly contemporary art line the blocks of Marshall Way north of Indian School Road, and upscale gift and jewelry stores can be found here, too. Farther north on Marshall Way across 3rd Avenue are more art galleries and creative stores with a Southwestern flair. | Marshall Way, from Indian School Rd. to 5th Ave., Old Town.
Old Town
Arts and Crafts
Gilbert Ortega Indian Jewelry and Gallery.
This retailer has many Native-American shops throughout Scottsdale. Prices are steep, but the products are authentic and the selection is among the best in town. | 3925 N. Scottsdale Rd., Old Town | 480/990–1808.
Fodor’s Choice | Wilde Meyer Galleries.
With two locations in Scottsdale and another in Tucson, this is the place to go for the true colors of the Southwest. In addition to one-of-a-kind paintings, the galleries also feature rustic, fine-art imports from around the state and the world, including furniture, sculptures, and jewelry. | 4142 N. Marshall Way, Old Town | 480/945–2323 | www.wildemeyer.com.
Clothing
Saba’s Western Wear.
After a few hours of kickin’ around Scottsdale, it’s natural to want an authentic pair of cowboy boots. Saba’s has been a Valley fixture for nearly 100 years, selling not only boots but also authentic cowboy garb including jeans, shirts, and belts. If you can’t find a boot here, you’re just not made for boots. | 7254 Main St., Old Town | 480/949–7404 | www.sabas.com.
Gifts
Kactus Jock.
This somewhat kitschy Arizona souvenir store sells food, T-shirts, and some art. | 7233 E. Main St., Old Town | 480/945–3380 | www.kactusjock.com.
Tempe and Around
The East Valley cities of Tempe and Chandler are Phoenix’s version of suburbia, offering large shopping malls that cater to families and teens. But don’t knock ‘em until you’ve tried ‘em. Chandler’s primary mall rivals the one in Scottsdale, and Tempe’s outlet mall offers some of the best bargains in town—and the city’s only aquarium.
Chandler
Shopping Centers
Chandler Fashion Center.
This mall features anchor stores Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Sears, along with more than 180 other national retail and restaurant chains such as Coach, Pottery Barn, and the Cheesecake Factory. | 3111 W. Chandler Blvd. | Chandler | 480/812–8488 | www.shopchandlerfashioncenter.com.
Tempe
Books
Fodor’s Choice | Changing Hands Bookstore.
This bookstore has a large selection of new and used books and often features special book-signings and other events with authors. | 6428 S. McClintock Dr. | Tempe | 480/730–0205 | www.changinghands.com.
Shopping Centers
Arizona Mills.
This mammoth retail outlet and entertainment destination features more than 175 outlet stores and sideshows, including Last Call from Neiman Marcus. When you tire of bargain hunting, relax in the food court, cinemas, aquarium, or faux rainforest. | 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, I–10 and Baseline Rd. | Tempe | 480/491–7300 | www.simon.com/mall/arizona-mills.
Mill Avenue Shops.
Named for the landmark Hayden Flour Mill, this is one of the Valley’s favorite walk-and-shop experiences. Directly west of the Arizona State University campus and just steps from a light-rail stop, Mill Avenue is an active melting pot of students, artists, residents, and tourists. Shops include some locally owned stores and mid-range chains, as well as countless bars and restaurants. The Valley Art Theater is a Mill Avenue institution and Tempe’s home of indie cinema. Twice a year (in early December and March/April), the Mill Avenue area hosts the Tempe Festival of the Arts. | Mill Ave. between Rio Salado Pkwy. and University Dr. | Tempe | 480/355–6060 | www.millavenue.com.