Antique & Vintage Finds
Readers’ Choice: Montgomery Street Antique Mall (2601 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-735-9685)
Critic’s Choice: Ain’t that Something (341 W Main St, Azle, 817-913-1515)
This antique shop is absolutely worth the drive! Ain’t that Something has countless vendor booths with so many treasures inside, all at reasonable prices. Seriously, there is something there for everybody in this shop. Shop owner Marie also hosts regular events at her store and regularly participates in local community events like Main Street Azle Wine Crawl and Sting Fling. It’s so much fun!
Courtesy Ain’t that Something
Barbershop
Readers’ Choice: Duff’s Barber Shop (434 S Cherry Ln, White Settlement, 682-730-1388)
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): The Barber (3015 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, 817-336-7333), Fort Worth Barber Shop (211 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 817-731-5252), and Polished and Sleeked Barbershop (4610 Western Center Blvd, Fort Worth, 206-734-9001)
At The Barber, owner Rudy Avita and his team offer a relaxing guy’s-guys place for haircuts and fades, beard grooming, and more. … Elegant, stylish, and hip, perennial Best Of winner Fort Worth Barber Shop does everything you’d expect from a men-forward establishment and in a welcoming atmosphere near the Cultural District. … In Haltom City, Polished and Sleeked Barbershop is old school in the best ways possible, with friendly, talented barbers taking care of the young and old in a convivial space with complimentary beverages (including beer). Ask for owner Kevin tha Great. He’s got stories.
Beauty Services
Readers’ Choice: Tina Torres Cosmetics (209 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 817-646-6446)
Critic’s Choice: Sloan Beauty Bar (6040 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 31, Fort Worth, 817-266-1993)
If it’s a full-body wax, mani/pedi, or lance enhancement you’re after, you definitely want to do it in a clean, relaxing environment. That’s what Sloan offers. And no matter the service, the attentive, accepting women running the place will put you at ease and have you pampered and preened in no time.
Courtesy Sloan Beauty Bar
Bookstore
Readers’ Choice (tie): The Dock Bookshop (6637 Meadowbrook Dr, Fort Worth, 817-457-5700) and Recycled Books (200 N Locust St, Denton, 940-566-5688)
Critic’s Choice: Recluse Books (465 S Main St, Ste 110, Fort Worth, 682-453-0395)
Recluse Books stocks what’s hot, so you can still grab whatever breathlessly ballyhooed beach reads fill your news feed, but you’ll also find books by independent- and self-published authors — including locals — and Recluse is steadfastly building a community of bibliophiles through fun hangs like coffee pop-ups, open-mics, and zine workshops, as well as the store’s curated book subscription program.
Boutique
Readers’ Choice: The Betwixt Boutique (2899 W Pioneer Pkwy, Ste B, Pantego, 682-382-2333)
Critic’s Choice: WRARE (5266 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 817-885-8881)
From locally made candles and other decor to fragrances, furniture, greeting cards, grooming supplies, vintage posters, vinyl, and tons of apparel and knickknacks in between, WRARE has plenty of great finds.
Car Wash
Readers’ Choice: University Car Wash (3124 Collinsworth St, Fort Worth, 817-714-5290)
Critic’s Choice: Links Car Wash (four area locations)
If you’re able to write “Wash Me” in the dust gathered on your back windshield, it might be time to pay Links Car Wash a visit. At their two newly renovated locations in Fort Worth, Links offers solid services starting at $11 for a single wash with options to upgrade. In addition, they have plenty of complimentary self-service options — including vacuums, mat cleaners, and towels — ensuring your car leaves squeaky clean.
Place to Buy CBD or THC
Readers’ Choice: Thrive Apothecary (126 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-480-7098)
Critic’s Choice: Emerald City Dispensary + Lounge (937 Woodward St, Fort Worth, 817-238-3025)
Emerald City is more than a place to buy whichever THC products are currently legal (hint: Delta 9 is apparently OK). As a “consumption lounge,” it’s also a fun place to chill. With trivia on Tuesday nights, DJs on Thursday and Sunday nights, and Kush & Karaoke on Friday nights, Emerald City is a hang zone even the Wicked Witch can appreciate.
Best Place to Buy Cigars
Readers’ Choice & Critic’s Choice: Underground Cigar Shop (6409 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-507-3640)
Carrying small-batch cigars, hard-to-find smoke blends, and all the pipes and accessories you need to enjoy them, Underground offers a bespoke tobacco experience with an off-the-radar speakeasy vibe.
Place to Buy Coffee
Readers’ Choice: Cherry Coffee Shop (1121 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-632-3400)
Critic’s Choice: Avoca Coffee Roasters (three area locations)
After all these years, Avoca’s roasts are a signature flavor of Fort Worth. Offering single-origin beans, carefully curated blends, and great seasonal selections, Avoca is the spot for top-quality coffee beans. If you grind your cup of joe at home, get your beans at Avoca.
Comic Book Store
Readers’ Choice: Odyssey Comics (3950 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-203-4856)
Critic’s Choice: Pastime Comics & Cards (6120 Watauga Rd Ste B, Watauga, 817-849-2295)
Pastime is a bona fide old-school comic book store, with bins upon bins of used titles, plus lots of vintage editions, collectibles, cards, and current runs. The best part: The team is friendly and knowledgeable and won’t look down on you if you don’t know Wolverine’s actual first appearance was The Incredible Hulk No. 180 instead of the commonly accepted 181.
Customer Service
Readers’ Choice: Renaissance Tattoo Collective (2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734)
Critic’s Choice: Cowtown Rover (3958 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-3223)
Why they are the go-to for foreign cars like BMWs and Land Rovers (thus the name), Cowtown can help you with any make or model and will do it with a smile. Depending on your circumstances and their workload that day, you can often expect same-day service. If not, do you need a lift? They’ve got you.
Day Spa
Readers’ Choice (Top 3): Milk+Honey (5160 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 682-235-2325), Perfect Touch (2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610), and Woodhouse Spa (1621 River Run, Ste 161, Fort Worth, 817-338-1772)
Critic’s Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa (2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610)
Whether you are looking for specific services like massage, facials, or body treatments or a day spa package, Perfect Touch covers those specialties, plus nails, waxing, and tanning, in a clean, spacious, welcoming environment. Make a true day of it with a hair appointment at nearby Salon Suites, a pint of ale at Maple Branch Brewing, and vintage shopping at Doc’s Records and Vintage, all near one another in the Foundry District.
Farmers Market
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Community Market at South Main MicroPark (105 S Main St, Fort Worth, @FortWorthCommunityMarket)
Critic’s Choice: The Clearfork Farmers Market (4801 Edwards Ranch Rd, Fort Worth, 817-731-7396)
For early risers, the Clearfork Farmers Market is the place to kick off your weekend. Open Saturdays from 8am to noon, this market right by the Trailhead has tons of shopping options, from handmade candles to locally grown mushrooms. In case you need to find your inner peace before you shop, a free yoga class starts at 9am every Saturday in tandem with the market. So, go ahead and treat yourself to an artisan jam after a good sweat to start the weekend off right.
Place to Buy Gifts
Readers’ Choice (tie): Morgan Mercantile (121 S Main St, Ste 1, Fort Worth, 817-720-6160) and The Roadrunner Stop (1455 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 361-816-7622)
Critic’s Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage (2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455)
From the latest offerings on Record Store Day, to random 8-track tapes from analog days of old, Doc’s is jam-packed with music goodness just like you’d expect it to be, but it is also home to several rows of antique mall-styled individual booths leased by some of the coolest cats in town. (Looking at you, Honeysuckle Rose.) If you can’t find something for your people here, find new people!
Grocery Store
Readers’ Choice: H-E-B (three area locations)
Critic’s Choice: Town Talk Foods (three area locations)
Life is hard. Gas is expensive. Do yourself a favor and shop at Town Talk. It’s the Seconds & Surplus of the grocery world, and every visit is an adventure. Sometimes you find gourmet items you wouldn’t normally budget into your grocery list. Other times, just the basics. Either way, it’s worth the trip.
Photo by Weekly staff
Hair Salon
Readers’ Choice (Top 3): Acute Salon (2914 Stanley Av, Ste 108, Fort Worth, 817-405-4062), Rock N’ Roll Hair (4340 Western Center Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-581-7625), and Stargazer Salon (2231 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-207-4848)
Critic’s Choice: Collective Salon (618 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 817-420-9034)
Collective’s crew of experienced stylists will have you looking your best, and their welcoming, high-energy vibes make the hours you spend in a chair getting a cut and color a great time.
Place to Buy Jewelry
Readers’ Choice: Sovereign Jewelry Company (207 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 817-885-7848)
Critic’s Choice: Southwest Gold & Silver (5124 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-735-1451)
Because their core business is buying and selling precious metals, which are priced by the pound, this is also a spot to find unusual and unique jewelry pieces. From retired James Avery products to Native American goodies, plus forks, spoons, platters, and coins, you’ll find a bit of everything here.
Liquor Store
Readers’ Choice: Tricks of the Trade (219 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9266)
Critic’s Choice: Total Wine & More-Alliance (3101 Texas Sage Trl, Fort Worth, 817-741-9415)
As much as we love and admire perennial Best Of winner Tricks of the Trade, and all independent liquor stores, most of the time we’re a little less — how you say? — bespoke. In this economy, we just want our cheap beer, cheap whiskey, cheap cigars, and maybe a snack or two, so for meeting those criteria while also offering crack service, Total Wine & More-Alliance is our fave. With seemingly unlimited rows of bottom- and top-shelf booze, plus a humidor, lots of handheld bites, and low prices, this TW is hard to beat.
Metaphysical Shop
Readers’ Choice: Hearth Wisdom Store (2899 W Pioneer Pkwy, Pantego, 682-323-5085)
Critic’s Choice: The Aura Clinic (1601 Clover Ln, Fort Worth, 817-200-7662)
If your chakras feel misaligned or you are looking for stunningly beautiful crystals, then this is the place for you. Not only can you find a wide array of crystals and metaphysical items to fulfill all your spiritual needs, but The Aura also offers chakra cleanses, as well as psychic and tarot readings. We highly recommend their aura reading and photography. It is very insightful and something that everyone should experience at least once.
Courtesy Aura Clinic
Music Store
Readers’ Choice (tie): Competition Music (8127 White Settlement Rd, Ste B, Fort Worth, 817-244-8600) and Lamb Music (8127 White Settlement Rd, Ste B, Fort Worth, 817-244-8600)
Critic’s Choice: The Tone Shop (4608 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth, 817-386-7717)
The Tone Shop is a guitar wizard’s dream full of new, vintage, and custom-shop gear, and the staff’s knowledge of guitar lore is practically endless — their resident musos are happy to help you shop relative to your own gear knowledge and skill level. Even if you’re still mastering “Smoke on the Water,” they’ll get your gain (and fingers) proper with an axe just right for you.
Oddities Shop
Readers’ Choice Wildcard: The Velvet Coffin (410 Blvd 26, Ste P, Richland Hills, 719-723-5969)
Optical Shop
Readers’ Choice: CHROMA Modern Eyewear (1700 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-737-6281)
Critic’s Choice: Adair Eyewear (3550 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-377-3500)
Those with an eye for fashion may also be looking for a luxury experience for eyeglasses. If so, Adair may be the optical boutique for you. Along with carrying brands like Celie, Dita, Cartier, Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford, and others, they also help with adjustments, repairs, and lens replacement, including on frames purchased elsewhere.
Pet Services
Readers’ Choice: Arlington Heights Animal Hospital (1712 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-735-8700)
Critic’s Choice: Pixee Paws Pet Palace (112 W Randol Mill Rd, Ste 100, Arlington, 682-999-8684)
If you’re doing the pet-ownership thing right, ideally your dog would be devastated to see you go on vacation and not bring them. The one exception to this maxim is Pixee Paws Pet Palace. Dogs are often thrilled to be dropped off here for boarding, as the open, crate-free environment is basically just 24/7 playtime for your furry friend. With staff supervision, dogs are free to run around with their buddies outside, where Pixees has a puppy-sized playground, or in the indoor area, which includes an upstairs track. Another perk? Live camera feeds in each room, so you can make sure your dog is minding their manners while you’re gone.
Record Store
Readers’ Choice & Critic’s Choices: Doc’s Records & Vintage (2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455)
Doc’s is the place you go to become your grooviest self. In terms of recorded music, it carries a wide variety of genres in multiple media. Rummaging through their new and classic vinyl makes for a fulfilling afternoon, and you can also feed your CD player or cassette deck if you feel so inclined. You can also walk out clad in something that’s been in style since Hendrix and Joplin or with a piece of art for your wall that makes visitors go, “Whoa — you’re actually cool, dude.” And Doc’s supports the Fort Worth music scene, too, hosting live shows and selling local music.
Smoke or Vape Shop
Readers’ Choice: World of Smoke & Vape (2401 W 7th St, Ste 114, Fort Worth, 817-386-2720)
Critic’s Choice: HOT BOXXX SMOKE & VAPE (6516 McCart Av, Ste 102, 682-250-2807)
Smoke shops continue to reproduce at breakneck pace, but if you’re on the Southside of I-20, HOT BOXXX is the obvious choice based on the only categories that should matter: service, selection, and price. Sam and Bill are lauded by their customers and always take their time to find the right product for their specific customers, and with a selection that is enjoyably intimidating, a knowledgeable concierge is a must. The shop is always clean with an easy flow and shelves filled with beautiful glass, colorful disposables, and a menu of juice which makes the Cheesecake Factory seem like a Raising Canes.
Tattoo Studio
Readers’ Choice: The Chosen One Tattoos (519 E Abram St, Arlington, 817-277-5199)
Critic’s Choice: Renaissance Tattoo Collective (2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734)
As the shop has 20-plus tattoo artists to choose from, it’s no wonder that Renaissance has most styles covered. Originally called Dark Age Tattoo Studio, they’ve been tattooing in the Fort since 2021. Customers consistently praise the clean, professional environment and the staffers’ willingness to collaborate with their clientele. Whether you’re seeking a photorealistic portrait or Japanese or traditional styles, there is probably an artist there you’ll vibe with.
Thrift Store
Readers’ Choice: Flipstone Vintage & Thrift (2702 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 682-431-1456)
Critic’s Choice: Deep Dive Vintage (200 E Abram St, Ste 120, Arlington, 817-739-8043)
Deep Dive Vintage is a go-to destination for the avid thrifter. Their carefully curated collection appeals to all audiences, whether you’re searching for baggy ’70s-style jeans or a halter top from the early 2000s. Aside from clothing, Deep Dive also carries a wide range of shoes and accessories, all at a relatively reasonable price, considering some of the designer labels. Deep Dive is open seven days a week, with new items arriving every day.
Courtesy Deep Dive Vintage
Waxing Services
Reader’s Choice Wildcard: Melted Wax Studio (451 S Main St, Ste 19, Fort Worth, 833-882-0934)
Place to Buy Wine
Readers’ Choice: The Holly (305 W Daggett Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-420-6446)
Critic’s Choice: Put a Cork In It (2964 Park Hill Dr, Fort Worth, 817-924-2675)
Respect to Total Wine and Spec’s, but Put a Cork In It is the anti-big-box wine run: small, local, opinionated in the best way, and staffed by people who actually taste what they sell. Whether you need a weeknight bottle or you’re a huge nerd trying to find a bottle of that grape no one’s ever heard of, Chris and Deedra Keel’s Park Hill boutique has you covered. And with case discounts regularly offered, you’re rewarded the more you buy. Free tastings Thu-Sat are casual and choose-your-own-adventure, and the shelves have plenty of under-the-radar goods without neglecting everyday options.
