   | Basically, we’d all just like to have $500 to flitter away. Your methods of doing so range from the practical (Costco) to the tech savvy (the Apple Store) to the cultural (art) to the frivolous (casinos). And some of you think it would be fun to buy guns. Let’s all just keep our distance from those guys. Bookworks brings in famous authors and good books to a pretty part of the North Valley. That’s a winning combination if we ever heard one. 2) Page One Bookstore 3) Alamosa Books While this place carries a steady supply of new works, you love it most for the pre-read selection. Pick up a realistic-fiction Richard Yates novel, then slide over to mystery for some Jim Thompson. 2) Bird Song Used Books 3) Tie: The Book Stop, Title Wave Books Best Magazine SelectionFlying Star CaféNob Hill: 3416 Central NE • 255-4501Downtown: 723 Silver SW • 244-8099 North Valley: 4026 Rio Grande NW • 344-6714 Uptown: 8001 Menaul NE • 293-6911 Northeast Heights: 4501 Juan Tabo NE • 275-8311 Corrales: 10700 Corrales Road • 938-4717 Bernalillo: 200 South Camino del Pueblo • 404-2100 flyingstarcafe.com Ah, the simple pleasure of lemonade, a Buddha bowl with tofu and brown rice, and a copy of Elle Decoration UK—or whatever your special interest and dietary restriction/indulgence may be. It's easy to be periodically inspired at Flying Star Café. 2) Page One Bookstore 3) Newsland It's not that Buffalo Exchange always has the best vintage selection—but when you do find that perfect, navy blue, '40s-era dress with white daisy appliqué, it costs scores less than its actual value, allowing you to purchase the five other items you also want. 2) Off Broadway 3) Revolver Locating sharp menswear in Albuquerque ain't easy, but Toad Road helps fill the void. The Nob Hill shop not only carries higher-end fashion for men and women, it also sells the creations of local designers. 2) Free Radicals 3) Lobo Men's Shop Stifled refinement, be damned. Free Radicals caters to lady punkers, goths, rockabilly chicks and horror enthusiasts. Whether you're trying to impersonate Bettie Page or find a locally crafted hair bow with a skull on it, look no further. 2) Elsa Ross 3) Tie: Moni V's, Tres Boutique Catch her custom corsets if you can. Koeninger's output is prolific, but she's in high demand. Some are architectural, some are classic and others are inspired by morbid muses. All clutch female figures in their fetching grasps. 2) Tie: Nikki Zabicki, Teresa Romero (Designer's Lounge) 3) Sajetta Cuff (Blazing Thimbles) Centrally located and loaded with good stuff, Thrift Town is where deal-hunters shop—and it even has a good used-book section. 2) Savers 3) Buffalo Exchange Best Toy StoreOut of the Blue2502 Rio Grande NW242-4455 8001 Wyoming NE, C3 822-5060 www.outofthebluetoys.com The emphasis is on constructive, educational toys, but that doesn't mean they can't be fun. From craft kits to puzzles to musical toys to kites, Out of the Blue crams its shelves with playthings for babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and teens. Not to mention the parents who indulge them. 2) Beeps 3) Astro-Zombies Best Shop for ParentsOther Mothers4800 Cutler NE, Suite 4A884-6333 9231 Coors NW 922-8857 othermothers.com Parenthood may be life’s richest pleasure, but there’s an emphasis on the “rich.” It’s pricey growing a little person into a big person. So a secondhand store for baby clothes? Now that’s a fantastic idea. 2) Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center 3) Baby Bear Best Antiques StoreChristian Dimery Antiques (formerly Morningside Antiques)4001 Central NE268-0188 morningsideantiques.com Dimery and his helpful staff are eager to open any case, letting you peer inside. You’ll most certainly learn something interesting and historical just by stopping in. 2) Antiques & Things 3) Tie: Antique Co-op, Antique Specialty Mall Despite the proliferation of Southwest design here in New Mexico, Albuquerqueans tell us they like their furniture contemporary and vaguely Danish. Brushed-aluminum bar stools, blonde-wood bed frames and geometric area rugs fill the homes of our readers thanks to TEMA's huge showroom. 2) American Home 3) The A Store  Eric Williams ericwphoto.com Best Comic Book StoreAstro-Zombies3100 Central SE232-7800 astrozombies.com Searching for something? The good people at Astro-Zombies will help you dig through the stacks. In fact, an Alibi staffer’s family just went there to look for comic art done by her grandpa in the ’60s. The staff got all excited and dug up compilations that included grampy’s old, rare comics. The store even serves as a meeting spot with swap meets and signings. 2) Noble Collectibles 3) Tie: Comic Warehouse, Tall Tales You’ve got nothing but love for this epicenter of sex education and sensory delights. Co-owners Matie Fricker and Molly Adler’s sex-positive revolution is mid-swing (emphasis on the “swing”), and we’re all enjoying the ride. It’s service that leaves you with a smile. 2) Castle Megastore 3) Seductions Best Shoe StoreShoes on a Shoestring10030 Coors NW897-0014 7200 Montgomery NE, F1 881-2221 shoesonashoestring.com What's better than great shoes? Great, affordable shoes. ABQ's two locations of Shoes on a Shoestring keep N.M. feet well covered in boots, sandals, athletic shoes, Mary Janes, sling backs and these totally hot cork wedges from Bronx. 2) Dillard's 3) Terra Firma This is the real deal, and the 505 knows it. If your velocipede is serviced here, it'll get done right. The shop carries a broad range of bicycles and accessories, not just the trendy stuff. The staffers are amiable, but most importantly, they heart bikes. 2) Two Wheel Drive 3) Tie: Fat Tire Cycles, Fixed & Free Best Skate/Snow ShopSkate CityP.O. Box 379, Cedar Crest, N.M. 87008(800) 469-6699 www.nmia.com/~scs If you're gonna call yourself Skate City Supply, you'd better be well-stocked with skateboards, roller skates, figure skates, in-line skates and hockey skates. This place does you one better and throws in snowboards, scooters, protective gear and clothing to boot. 2) The BZ 3) 4D's Board Shop Best Smoke ShopThe Zone2501 San Mateo NE837-1942 2222 Central SE 255-5772 337 Eubank NE 293-6039 thezonegiftshop.com With several locations that serve the smoker about town, The Zone is without a doubt the best-known head shop in Albuquerque. And there’s plenty in there aside from pipes—incense, clothes, knives, art, you name it. 2) Monte's Pueblo Pipe Shop 3) Mike's Grandma’s is a huge, cavernous place. Packed with gear for all tastes, it’s not uncommon to go in looking for a wah-wah pedal and leave with a full DJ setup. 2) Music Go Round 3) Grumpy's Guitars Best Record StoreCharley's 33s and CDs7602 Menaul NE296-3685 Among the last true indie record stores in town, Charley's has CDs, vinyl and even tapes. While you’re there, check out the vintage clothes. 2) Natural Sound 3) Tie: Hastings, Mecca Staring down that spinning wheel of death again? More of our readers turn to Sandia Computers when they're at the end of their technical rope. Sure, Sandia sells made-to-order desktops and laptops, but it’s the company's tech support, consulting, data transfer and repair that keeps us calling them in a panic to ask what the hell a “registry/configuration error” is. 2) Computer Corner 3) Adobe Computers This is the perennial winner for its great staff, huge chew-bone selection and spiked collars for your Chihuahua. And the aquarium rooms in the back are awesome. 2) Long Leash on Life 3) Pet Vet Market Your pets can’t tell you what’s wrong with them, so it’s important to have a vet you trust that can help you figure your furry family members out. Aztec, with its cheery layout and mega-friendly staff, has been earning this highest honor for years. 2) Northview Animal Hospital 3) Blue Cross Animal Clinic New Mexico is one of the best states in the Union for venturing outdoors. We've got warm weather, varied terrain and plenty of public lands. Is it any wonder that REI is the go-to co-op for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling and all that other fresh air stuff? We'll have to take our readers' opinion on this one, though. We haven't been away from our desks in years. 2) Charlie's Sporting Goods 3) Sport Systems All Defined Fitness locations have pools, great classes, and massive weight and cardio rooms. They also offer month-to-month memberships sans contracts. And those months are cheap. Hurray for affordable gyms, say our readers. 2) New Mexico Sports and Wellness 3) Planet Fitness Used to be a simple karate chop or a judo throw was enough for people. Nowadays, they like their martial arts mixed. In that case, it's no wonder Jackson's comes out on top here. Greg Jackson is world-famous, having trained such successful UFC and WEC champs as Keith Jardine right here in the 505. He won Coach of the Year at the 2010 World MMA Awards. He writes books. He produces tournaments. Frankly, we wouldn't argue with him. Or the Alibi readers who train with him. 2) Chinese Shao-Lin Center 3) ABQ Kickboxing & MMA This bright, window-walled studio is in the heart of Albuquerque’s historic business district, so it’s easy for professionals to get some yoga in before the day is done. Bhava also offers special classes for a tiny $5 fee—that’s worthy of a gold medal all on its own. 2) Hot Yoga Downtown 3) High Desert Yoga We’re all addicted to Betty’s signature lavender-and-lemongrass scent. Even if you only have $12 to burn, you can get 30 minutes in a hot tub all to yourself, and you can inhale that scent, primed for peace and relaxation. 2) Green Reed Spa at Sandia Resort & Casino 3) La Bella Spa & Salon Offering relaxing soaks and restorative spa treatments, Betty's has some of the best therapy in town. The North Valley spa's skilled massage therapists have been helping Burque let go of it all since 2000. 2) Massage Envy 3) Por Vida Therapeutics Among the most beautiful places in the area, Los Poblanos' historic inn is the premier place to enjoy a staycation or take care of out-of-towners. 2) Tie: Adobe Nido, Casas de Suenos 3) Tie: Chocolate Turtle Bed and Breakfast, Mauger Estate Bed & Breakfast Best Architecture StudioDekker/Perich/Sabatini (D/P/S)7601 Jefferson NE, Suite 100761-9700 dpsdesign.org With a focus on design excellence and sustainability, this award-winning firm is behind numerous notable projects, including the Sawmill Lofts and the Alvarado Transportation Center. 2) Rohde May Keller McNamara (RMKM) Architecture 3) Mullen Heller Architecture Since 1980, the An family has run this cheery nursery on Osuna. Aside from a wide variety of flora, Osuna Nursery offers planting and maintenance services, diagnostics, and yes, garden gnomes. 2) Rehm's Nursery 3) Plants of the Southwest Best Auto RepairTie: Independent Volvo Service, Jim's AutomotiveIndependent Volvo Service1401 Third Street NW 247-9771 www.ivs.repair.bz Jim's Automotive 4401 Lead SE 256-1531 jimsautomotive.com Trusting your mechanic is essential. For those of us who can’t tell a clutch from a carburetor, we need all the trust we can get. Our readers put their faith in these two fine mechanic shops, which promise to treat you and your alternator right. 2) Jeff’s Gasoline Alley 3) All in the Wrist Auto Repair Best PsychicJudy DelphonsePsychic readings, tarot, astrology and mentoring, by appointment only: 268-0160This win should come as no surprise to Judy Delphonse ... because she won last year, too. A provider of psychic readings and spiritual oils, perceptive Burqueños know to turn to Ms. Delphonse when they need to peer into the future. 2) Psychic Ana 3) Mendy Lou Best LaundromatHarold's Laundry1500 Girard NE268-9834 Our readers’ favorite thing about Harold's: There’s an in-house convenience store that’s always open, which allows them to wash their drawers and have a snack simultaneously. 2) Wash Tub Laundromat 3) Tie: Mountain Laundry, Spin Cycle Best Dry CleanerRoute 66 Cleaners308 Central SE242-0771 Located right on Central at Broadway, the folks at Route 66 Cleaners will have your suit cleaned and pressed within 24 hours, fold your underthings and even iron your sheets. 2) Master Cleaners 3) Tie: Hangers Cleaners, The Cleanery  Eric Williams ericwphoto.com Best Boot and Shoe RepairNob Hill Shoe Repair4208 Central SE255-0481 New Mexico's penchant for long-living cowboy boots makes this category competitive, even in 2011. (Albuquerque's old school.) No one does it better, Alibi readers say, than Nob Hill Shoe Repair. Trust your fellow citizens, because you don't want to mess around with shoes. 2) Coronado Boot & Shoe Repair 3) Tie: Hoffmantown Shoe & Boot Repair, Robledo's Boot and Shoe Repair Best Pest ControlPreventive Pest Control5130 Second Street NW792-8380 preventivepestcontrol.com/albuquerque Plague of locusts? Call Preventive and prepare for a holy fire to rain down on your pests, bugs and other vermin. Nothing will be spared. 2) AAA Organic Pest Control 3) MTA Pest Control Offering the tenderest of plumbing services, TLC is the place to call when you need a routine update or there's water gushing from some orifice of your home. 2) Roto-Rooter 3) Simmons Plumbing Offering both residential cleaning and janitorial services of the eco-friendly persuasion, Green Sweep (locally owned and operated by Ms. Molly Moran) will make your space sparkle without contaminating it with toxic chemicals. 2) The Maids 3) The Gay Butlers There may come a time when you find yourself in jail, without the five Gs you need to get out. That's when you call the guys over at Madrid Bail Bonds. They have cash, and they’re in your corner. 2) Help Bail Bonds 3) Tie: Pacheco Bail Bonds, Quick Bail Bonds Modrall Sperling has so many lawyers, it's terrifying. We don't even want to write this for fear of making a mistake and bringing down the hammer. 2) Rodey Law Firm 3) Streubel Kochersberger Mortimer It’s not centrally located by any means. Still, Star’s artists and staff provide the artistic quality and no-B.S. service that have kept fans pilgrimaging to this part of town for a decade. 2) Tinta Cantina 3) Tie: Por Vida Tattoo, Sachs Body Modification Mr. Partain gave one Alibi staffer his first tattoo 12 years ago. When he was done he said, "It's there for life." Not only was he not lying, he was professional and courteous. 2) Johnny Mac Howell (Tinta Cantina) 3) Alex Werder (Star Tattoo) These guys can help you heal a gauge that you've messed up, sell you jewelry that’s both beautiful and healthy, and get you pierced with no fuss. And you can bank on the shop's standards of professionalism and cleanliness. 2) Sachs Body Modification 3) Tinta Cantina Being Downtown on Fourth Street gives Ace a big-city feel that’s none too common around these parts. The guys aren’t just about the hair, either—Ace does cool art shows, too. 2) The Barber's Shop 3) Nano's Barber Shop Your hair is something you wear every single day and worth a splurge. Well-coiffed Burqueños prefer to get their ’dos done while clocking in valuable relaxation time at one of Mark Pardo's multiple locations. 2) Inspire Salon 3) Heart & Soul Albuquerque trusts the cosmetic care of its bits with Brazilian Waxing Boutique. Aside from servicing the nether regions, the salon's skilled aestheticians offer waxing for almost every other area of the body, and they do brow and lash tinting. 2) Mark Pardo Aveda 3) Inspire Salon Best Nail SalonNew York Nails2906 Juan Tabo NE, B294-6366 Whether you want glittery red talons or a modest coat of glossy pale pink, New York Nails in the Northeast Heights can polish your look, finger to toe. 2) Happy Nails 3) Galaxy Nail & Spa Best Gift ShopBeeps3500 Central Avenue SE262-1900 So much rad stuff, it should be illegal. This place has been in the Nob Hill Shopping Center for as long as we can remember. It’s a must-see for anyone in the market for novelty items. 2) Hey Jhonny 3) Tie: Pennysmiths, Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center Best Flower ShopPeoples Flowers316 Central SW243-2266 3700 Central SE 256-3554 7600 Menaul NE 299-9528 9625 Montgomery NE 821-8555 peoplesflowers.com Nothing says “I'm sorry for running over your dog” better than flowers. Or “I love you.” Either way. Peoples can help you say it with flowers. 2) The Flower Shop at Nob Hill 3) Melba's Floral Studio Best of Burque 2011 :• Life in Burque • Arts & Lit • Local Flavor • The High Life • Goods & Services • Best Anything We Forgot • Community Picks Public Comments | 
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