BEST PLACE TO FIND RAD MESSAGE SOCKS AND SWEATERS FOR BOTTLES

Nine Lives Vintage Wears

OK, folks, here are two great places that spread Tacoma funshine in one spot! At Nine Lives Vintage Wears, you can't help but smile at the well-made striped knee-high socks with statement words like punk, nerd, bacon and vegan. And check out this new find. The freaker:  kitschy and cool mini-sweaters for bottles, cans or jars. Why should food and beverage stuffs be dull, right?  Throw in other clever gifts and awesome vintage and its fun city.  Mama can get her groove on with a playful twist with Anew Thyme, the best, most fun and coolest gently-worn maternity wear. Handcrafted goodies and accessories are super cute and the itty-bitty kiddo clothes and accessories put the fun in Tacoma baby wear. 754 Broadway, Tacoma - Kim Thompson

BEST CREEPY ANTIQUES STORE

Sanford and Son Antiques

Your chances of spotting a ghost in Tacoma are highest in the Theatre District and adjacent Antiques Row. Old buildings + original fixtures + connections to = a recipe for hauntings. That's science right there, that is. While the Pantages and Rialto might give you a little bit of a vague ghosty vibe, if you really want to enjoy some pleasant creep, take a stroll through the corridors of Sanford and Son Antiques. With original flooring that creeks as you walk along it, some floors that tilt ominously off to one side, vintage doors and windows and other décor for sale, and a fabulous book section complete with narrow stairways, Sanford and Son embodies pleasant creep. There's even a mummy on the ground-level floor to greet you when you walk in. If you're buying antiques from a store without a little bit of vintage spookiness to it, you're doing it wrong. 743 Broadway, Tacoma - Kristin Kendle

BEST PLACE TO MAKE YOUR DINING TABLE LOOK SO PRETTY, SO WHO CARES IF YOU CAN'T COOK?

Dwelling

All the pretty things! Dwelling, a pretty little boutique in Tacoma's pretty Triangle District is chock full of pretty vintage and European-style décor, accessories and furnishings that are ...  wait for it ... pretty.  I am drawn to the dining tables, all decked out, in beautifully designed linens, elegant goblets, gleaming silverware, dreamy candles. ... You could serve a meal of Pop Tarts, jelly beans and Kool-Aid and your guests would still swoon at your gorgeous table top and say it was the best meal experience of their lives. More, pretty please? Indeed. Gorgeous fabrics, beautiful handcrafted cards, sweet-smelling lotions and soaps and glorious vintage printed papers that you could do scores of creative things with.  Cool option: If you fall in love with one of the many gorgeous fabrics, but aren't handy with a needle and thread (like me), you can arrange for a custom designed tote in said fabric. 626 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma - KT

BEST PLACE TO EMERGE AS A NICER PERSON AND GET YOUR ISLAND ON 

Aloha Oasis

I am reaching into the spirit of my actual Hawaiian heritage, to bring you this important local service announcement.  The islands of Hawaii and the South Pacific, live right here in our midst, my Tacoma ohana (family).  Candles that smell like a tropical sunny day, colorful and easy-breezy island wear, fresh lei for that right-off-the-plane feel and sweet and savory island treats galore? Yes. Sixth Avenue's Aloha Oasis is guaranteed to transport you away to the Hawaiian Islands in the best way.  The scenarios: bad day, dealing with jerks, overdue vacations, dreary weather and dreams of hiding on a beautiful beach are great reasons to go straight away to the Oasis. You'll just be better for it (and nicer, too). Better: New stuff comes in all the time, right from the islands (buy online, too).  Would a real Hawaiian steer you wrong?  3011 Sixth Ave., Tacoma - KT

BEST PLACE TO GET A NEW (AND SECRET) IDENTITY AGAIN AND AGAIN

Rampart Antiques

Sometimes, you just don't want to be yourself. Maybe you want to slip into a dreamy little life scenario, not your own. Step into Rampart Antiques, a massive space loaded to the gills with cool stuff of yesteryear, directly from Grandma's rad closet and thrift store gems that clean up real nice, and simply drift off in your head. My last secret identity: as I gazed over the oodles of old pristine vinyl records, a jazz compilation caught my eye. Perfect:  A sultry and jazzy songstress! The outfit: I found a gleaming brooch; a faux-fur coat; a jaunty bowler hat. The setting: A gold brocade chaise; twinkly chandelier lamp above; small ornate side table with the perfect little champagne glass, ready for bubbly. The best part: I can take a little token home to remember my mind journey (at a good price) and then to come back and do it all over again. What's next? 712 Broadway, Tacoma - KT

BEST PLACE TO FEEL YOUR AGE

Lily Pad Antiques

You think antique stores, you think China sets and old mink stoles and vintage furniture that your great aunt would love in her parlor. However, antique stores have got some news for you - you're old. You're so old. Your childhood toys are antiques. Lily Pad Antiques on Tacoma's Antique Row is positively superb with its collection of Star Wars figurines, comics, and toys from all eras with an emphasis on toys from the 1950s through the 1970s. There's just something about seeing a Popple or Cabbage Patch Kid on a shelf, side-by-side with all toys vintage, underneath a sign that reads antiques. Age reality check? Comin' right up. 756 Broadway, Tacoma - KK

BEST PLACE TO ATTACK RACKS AND STACK DIVE 

Retrospect

Retrospect is a dreamy little vintage consignment clothing and accessories shop with an attitude thats nothing short of awesomeness. Buy stuff, trade stuff, sell stuff - doesn't matter - all the stuff is fun, funky, fashionable and fierce. This is hardcore vintage clothes and goodies, people! No fooling around. And there's fresh new stuff not just here and there, oh no; it's a constant flow of kicky retro shoes, bold vintage bathing suits, groovy jewelry, mischievous handbags and glam old time dresses and more, more, more. In fact the "new" item rack is so swollen with so many rad things to look at and treasures to search through, you just gotta attack that rack and stack dive to take it all in. Better? The prices are really swell. Best - Retrospect Facebook page is always updated with what's hot and all of the inspiration you need to craft your own unique look. 2709 Sixth Ave., Tacoma - KT

BEST PLACE TO GIVE THE WORLD A BIG HUG, TACOMA-STYLE

Giraffe

When Giraffe says they are literally bringing the world to Tacoma, believe them. This artisan crafted goods home décor has about 50 countries represented in this lovely little shop of ethically-sourced, fair trade home décor, gifts, jewelry and more (bonus: they even feature a potter, glassblower, spice maker and snack producer based here locally, too). You can't help but feel good in the swirl of bright colors, soft fabric, flowing scarves, fragrant lotions and potions, romantic candles and the cutest little finger puppets ever. Another cool feature: Giraffe offers Tacomans a nearby island getaway! At their gorgeous sister store on Vashon Island  - featuring an enormous, you guessed it, giraffe out in front - is the Giraffe Guest Suite, comfy lodging for island exploring and downright relaxing in their lush and comfy beds. Ah, don't you just wanna hug it out now and smile Tacoma? 622 St. Helens, Tacoma - KT

BEST PLACE TO SATISFY YOUR URGE TO BUY STUFF WHEN BROKE

Goodwill Outlet

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. 3120 S. Pine St., Tacoma - Paul Schrag

BEST PLACE TO BUY GREETING CARDS

Watermark Gifts

The indecisive will be happily overwhelmed at this bright and beautiful shop in the Post Office District in downtown Tacoma. Whether you're celebrating a wedding, anniversary, birthday, Fourth of July or any other holiday, the wealth of handsome cards at Watermark Gifts features lovely images - including Tacoma - married to perfect sentiments or drop dead gut busters. Watermark even carries pop-up cards by Up with Paper. The store carries ornaments, fragrant soaps and candles, calendars and off-the-wall novelty items too. 1115 A St., Tacoma - Ron Swarner

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH

Tacoma Mall

Watching people is cool. Everyone does it, but because it's a mildly creepy activity, most do it in silence. That's why Tacoma Mall is perfect for the peepers. You can watch a flood of humanity to your heart's content with nearly perfect anonymity. Among the 150 stores and restaurants at Tacoma Mall, this indoor mall features Nordstrom, H&M, Apple, Express and Build-A-Bear - all key people-watching locations - but the sheer numbers of shoppers walking through the doors ensure the parade wandering past will be more diverse than the aliens hanging out at the Star Lite Swap Meet. The mall has several areas with comfy couches and chairs to kick back and watch the ebb and flow with a latte in hand. Just be sure to stay focused: Fall asleep on those couches, and security will have your ass. - RS

SEE ALSO
Other 2014 Best of Tacoma readers' poll winners and Weekly Volcano staff picks