Kelli Johansen
BOSF
Artisan
Best Bike Shop
1. Broken Spoke
At The Broken Spoke, it’s like a mountain biker or road cyclist’s holiday every day. The floors, walls, and even ceilings are decorated with bikes and parts in hundreds of colors. If that’s not enough, it lets you take a bike out for a spin around its parking lot to get that just-right feel. Sometimes less is more, but when it comes to picking out the right bike, more is more, and The Broken Spoke has actual tons.
1426 Cerrillos Road, (505) 992-3102
It’s been open for the last 42 years. You might expect these folks to know a thing or two about bicycles, but what you might not know is this was the first place to sell skateboards in New Mexico. If two wheels ain’t your thing, try four.
1632 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 471-9119
3. Mellow Velo
Walk by its window and take a peek inside to see a smallish, well-lit and beautiful array. What it lacks in space, it more than makes up for with quality and knowledge (plus, the basement). We only hope it resumes renting mountain bikes again in 2022.
132 E Marcy St., (505) 982-8986
Best Bookstore
1. Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse
Santa Fe’s oldest locally owned bookstore is the best again. After 43 years in business, Collected Works has learned what people like: 85 events last year hosting 250 authors, and a beautiful store in which to eat, drink, read and shop, with a focus on books about Southwestern history as well as a large selection of books by New Mexicans. And it doesn’t hurt to be right on the edge of downtown where parking meets foot traffic.
202 Galisteo St., (505) 988-4226
The goal at Garcia Street Books is to help you connect with the world, ideas and community, both inside of books and out. Even if you aren’t interested in books (somehow), there are dogs to pet and a podcast for you to listen to.
376 Garcia St., (505) 986-0151
op.cit. specializes in first editions, cookbooks, mysteries and kids’ books. Hit the DeVargas Center for shelves and shelves of titles—enough to get lost in.
157 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 428-0321
Best Car Dealer
Honda Subaru of Santa Fe, like the brands it sells, is committed to excellence. Look around you, almost every fifth car here is a Subaru and every 10th is a Honda. They aren’t all new, either. They are made to last even on the pitted Santa Fe dirt roads. It’s no wonder that Honda Subaru of Santa Fe won first place: The excellent business provides an excellent four wheels that last.
7511 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-7007
Toyota is a long-lasting, easily maintained brand that gets the job done. That’s why you see them at every intersection in town. Toyota of Santa Fe sells both new and used, and its service center will help you keep yours on the road for a decade or two.
1601 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 395-2996
There’s nowhere better to go when you are looking for a fun new-to-you whip. VW Things, a Eurovan with a camper top or, and we don’t think this one is for sale, the owner’s Suzuki Samurai. If you prefer, there are plenty of used Subarus.
500 Cordova Road, (505) 992-8122
Best Consignment
1. Double Take
Double Take is really four stores (main, ranch, hacienda and baby) and it advertises as “The Double Take Experience.” And boy howdy, ain’t that truth. It’s full without being chaotic, it’s huge without being confusing, and it’s eclectic without being disconcerting. It has something (or some things) for each and everyone. Not to mention, the staff is wonderfully helpful and the prices have wiggle room.
320 Aztec St., (505) 989-8886
2. The Raven
Unlike the other two winners in this category, The Raven focuses on furniture and furnishings. What it lacks in other goods, it makes up for with an impeccable staff and a fun layout. Double your next trip: They opened a second store across the parking lot.
1225 Cerrillos Road, (505) 988-4775
3. Stephen’s A Consignment Gallery
It would be easier to list what Stephen’s doesn’t sell (food, live animals), but we are up for a challenge: It has tableware, furniture, art, musical instruments, entire estates (or at least estate sales), figurines, rugs, swords...and did we see used cars out front?
2701 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-0802
Best Craft/Hobby Store
1. Artisan
In the high, dry desert of Santa Fe, Artisan is the wellspring of art supplies. It’s been around since 1975 and served, most famously, Georgia O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe signed her check to Artisan “Only Four and 93/100 dollars,” because she knew a good deal. And now, if you didn’t, you do. Go in and get a copy of the legendary check for free; stay for the supplies and classes.
2601 Cerrillos Road, (505) 954-4179
Santa Fe Quilting sells almost 2,000 different fabrics, over 60 panels and hundreds of pieces of equipment needed to make not only practical for those chilly winter nights, but a sentimental gift that lasts for years to come. Choose from styles Asian, Southwest, florals and beyond. For the uninitiated, or those looking to advance their skills, there are educational classes to boot.
3018-A Cielo Court, (505) 473-3747
Hacer means, in Spanish, “to make.” And that’s what it’s all about: making things out of fiber and fabric. Fiber artists of all sorts can find something here, from classes to material to community.
311 Montezuma Ave., (505) 467-8174
Best Floral Shop
Whether trying to make hard times better or better times the best, the pieces of living art from Amanda’s Flowers are sure to make any event a little more lovely. Locally owned and with over 20 years of floral design experience, Amanda’s Flowers does its best to make sure those important moments are marked with beauty and grace. Plus, it delivers.
1610 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 473-9212
Whether for weddings, birthdays, coffee tables or just because; be it summer, winter or any time in between, artichokes & pomegranates makes custom pieces to satisfy the need for flowers. And yes, these flowers (naturally gluten-free!) are a necessary part of any healthy lifestyle.
418 Cerrillos Road, (505) 820-0044
Barton’s Flowers has been beautifying events since 1962. Not only does it have the experience necessary to make some of the most stunning floral arrangements, but there’s also state-of-the-art refrigeration to keep them fresher so they last longer.
1722 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 982-9731
Katherine Lewin
BOSF
Agua Fría NurseryBest Garden/Plant Supplies
“Well I think it’s pretty awesome that people seem to keep voting for us,” co-owner Mark Pennington tells SFR. “We work really hard to provide everything that we do and we appreciate people thinking of us that way.” This family-run business, now with the fourth generation running around (but not yet running) the place, specializes in natural products and, as its slogan says, “Gettin’ dirty since 1975.”
1409 Agua Fría St., (505) 983-4831
Payne’s Nurseries, at two locations, as well as an organic soil yard, has been serving Santa Fe for 68 years. It will help you to grow your own pollinator-friendly habitat. And you know what that means: hummingbirds in your yard! Who wouldn’t want that?
304 Camino Alire, (505) 988-8011; 715 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 988-9626
Newman’s Nursery sells nut, berry, flowering and shade trees, roses, shrubs, perennials and, at its Caballo location (that’s way down south of Elephant Butte), has the largest collection of xeriscape plants in New Mexico. This is the place to go for beautiful plants that need less water.
7501 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-8642
Best Gift Store
1. Doodlet’s
“We view ourselves as a triple threat,” owner Lisa Young tells SFR. “Kindness, humor and happiness.” In addition to that, Doodlet’s has been selling “happiness essentials since 1955,” in the form of 15,438 unique items, 347 kinds of candy, 7,823 toys, 1,127 milagros and more, totaling over 140,000 treasures within one whimsical store.
120 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 983-3771
Detours at La Fonda doesn’t have to be a detour; it can be a shopping tour’s final destination. Its Pendleton collection in the window is enough to stop passersby, the art and decor inside to get them in.
100 E San Francisco St., (505) 988-1404
3. Hecho a Mano
Find an entire store “made by hand.” Most of the jewelry, prints and ceramics are made in Mexico and New Mexico. It’s not just a place to look or shop, but a place to connect with artists and even live musicians.
830 Canyon Road, (505) 916-1341
Best Grocery Store
1. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a palace filled with delectable treasures. Whether it’s frozen soup dumplings, jarred masala or instant cold brew ($4, and it’s good), TJ’s has something for everyone, especially for shoppers with busy weekday mornings or nights. The staff is friendly, the prices are great and there is a hidden gem on each shelf just waiting to be found. Even though it’s a chain, our treasure map has an X at the grilled artichoke hearts.
530 W Cordova Road, (505) 995-8145
La Montañita specializes in local, organic and exceptional food. If you are what you eat, there probably isn’t a better place to buy produce. Not only that, but it helps to keep local farmers and their lands happy and healthy too.
913 W Alameda St., (505) 984-2852
3. Kaune’s Neighborhood Market
Kaune’s has been serving its curated selection of staples and delights for 125 years. Come for the classics but find within its specialty selection something to celebrate the everyday victories.
511 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 982-2629
Best Hardware Store
“No way! Really? Again?” co-owner Rick C de Baca exclaims. “I give thanks to all the customers and especially my employees. We have been so busy, it’s crazy. They maintained their poise and disposition, I’m really proud of them.” No one knows who Big Jo originally was, but there is a twenty-foot tall, metal-man logo near Kansas City, inscribed with name, standing tall with pride at his name’s legacy.
1311 Siler Road, (505) 473-2255
Need copies of keys or the perfectly matched custom paint to fix scribbles on the wall? Ace Hardware has it covered. How about something more fun, like a meat smoker or bug repellant to enjoy the outdoors? Ace covers that too, and it’s served with a smile.
2006 Cerrillos Road, Ste. 1, (505) 424-9343
Locally owned and operated, Eldorado True Value is not just a hardware store, but a part of the community. It delivers for free and rents tools too, to help anyone in the community get the job done.
7 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 466-6522
Kelli Johansen
BOSF
The RavenBest Interior Home Store
1. The Raven
“The Raven is grateful to the people of Santa Fe for their support,” owner Kateryna VanHeisch tells SFR, “and we have to thank the wonderful consignors who provide the majority of our inventory and our staff for their hard work. We feel fortunate to be a part of the thriving antique, vintage and furniture community.” The furniture it sells, the way it is organized and the smiles on the staffs’ faces are testaments to what she says.
1225 Cerrillos Road, (505) 988-4775
Andy Warhol meets Kikkerland meets beautiful furniture. This is the place to go for that stand-out, classy yet fun piece (or pieces) to make a house feel like a hip-happening modern home.
130 Lincoln Ave., (505) 577-1419
3. Stephen’s A Consignment Gallery
Whether looking for homewares or a spot to browse for an hour, Stephen’s can help. It’s basically a museum of the cool stuff from the last hundred years, except these eclectic collections can be bought and brought home.
2701 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-0802
Best Jewelry Store
David Griego started making jewelry in his apartment over 40 years ago. Today, his company, Santa Fe Goldworks, makes beautiful and unique pieces to reflect not only the customer’s desires but the culture of New Mexico itself. All of its designs, including the River Of Love series and the Zia series, are not only made in Santa Fe, but designed here as well.
60 E San Francisco St., Ste. 218, (505) 983-4562
For 25 years, James Kallas Jewelers has helped clients to design and make the perfect ring for the (hopefully) perfect person. But it’s not only about making something new here: These professionals can also restore old pieces to a new glory.
2801 Rodeo Road, Ste. B10, (505) 986-1955
Customers can feel good that the Indigenous-made pieces bought at Malouf are not only beautiful, but that by buying them, shoppers help to support artists from communities older than Santa Fe itself.
61 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 983-9241
Best Men’s Store
This store is for the person who loves to stand out or for the man who loves to stand outdoors, or, heck, even the dude who loves both. With offerings that literally have New Mexico printed on the front, to hats, shirts and boots to protect from the elements therein, Red River Mercantile is for the hombre who wants to look cool while keepin’ cool.
235 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 992-1233
2. Corsini
At Corsini, preppy meets business casual. For the man who’s not afraid to wear his Nantucket Reds, a popped collar or a silk pocket square on his breast. Get outfitted at Corsini for work and for play.
107 W San Francisco St., (505) 820-2300
3. Tom Taylor
No outfit is complete if the pants don’t stay up. Tom Taylor’s the spot with a locally made and beautiful solution: a belt. Throw in a bolo tie to complete the look.
108 E San Francisco St., (800) 303-9733
Best Optical Shop
Botwin Eye Group and Oculus Optical are two branches of the same family tree. Drs. Mark, Jonathan, Jeremy and Micayla bring generations of experience to the exam room and provide comprehensive optometric care to help you see. And they know the right eyewear will help others see you. Find hand-selected frames guaranteed to appeal to diverse and discerning personalities.
125 W Water St., (505) 982-2020; 444 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 438-2020
2. Eye Associates of New Mexico
LASIK, contact lenses of oh-so-many colors, glasses, bifocals, cataract surgeries and 13 locations. Can’t you see? They have it all for the eyes. And they take Medicaid.
2947 Rodeo Park Drive, (505) 983-6613
3. Ojo Optique
Ojo Optique is not The Man’s square, black-framed glasses. This is for the hip, slick and cool. It’s for the counterculture and the cultured, yet friendly service means it’s still approachable. Ojo Optique was born of a need for something functional, yet funky. It’s art for the eyes.
125 Lincoln Ave., Ste. 114, (505) 988-4444
Best Shoe Store
1. On Your Feet
Once again with two locations, the largest independent shoe store in Santa Fe can better liberate feet from the aches and pains of un-cozy shoes. On Your Feet is all about “very comfortable footwear,” be it for hiking the mountains or struttin’ ‘round the town. Spice things up with some of its funky socks, a beautiful bag or transform those old shoes with a fresh pair of insoles.
DeVargas Center, 189 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 780-8997; 328 S Guadalupe St., (505) 983-3900
2. Goler
Goler sells shoes so interesting, colorful and quirky that traffic will gladly stop at crosswalks to get a longer glimpse. This is footwear to dress for the office or the studio, but chic enough to wear out on the town after.
125 E Palace Ave., (505) 982-0924
Despite being one of the most fundamental human means of transportation, running just isn’t that simple anymore. The Running Hub focuses on helping customers not only find the right shoes and gear, but the professional guidance to help them achieve their health and fitness goals.
1100 Don Diego Ave., (505) 820-2523
Best Specialty Food/Cooking Store
Las Cosas is a cook’s, or wannabe-cook’s, paradise. With wares ranging from cast iron to nonstick, from pots to pressure cookers, Japanese knives to juice fountains, this shop has everything needed to outfit any kitchen. And for those who want to hone their skills, or their knives, or maybe even hone their knife-honing skills, it offers classes too.
DeVargas Center, 181 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 988-3394
The Southwest is all about the mighty chile, and the Santa Fe School of Cooking is all about harnessing that spicy power to make meals sing. Whether it’s pods, powder or jars, this chile selection has what’s needed for true Southwestern—and the know-how to use it.
125 N Guadalupe St., (505) 983-4511
3. Kitchenality
Kitchenality, the store portion of Santa Fe’s meal-delivery nonprofit Kitchen Angels, sells gently used kitchenware, read: incredible deals and savings on equipment and cookbooks. Plus, all of the sales benefit Kitchen Angels and its programs to help the homebound of Santa Fe stay nourished.
1222 Siler Road, (505) 471-7780
Katherine Lewin
BOSF
Double TakeBest Western Wear
1. Double Take
Leather. Turquoise. Cowboy boots. Vests. Silver. Hats. Denim. And, for New Mexicans, the ubiquitous zia. These are the ingredients for that perfect Western look, and Double Take has it all. Get it pre-loved and worn-in not only to complete the aesthetic, but because it’s more comfortable. There’s a reason to dress this way in the West: It works.
320 Aztec St., (505) 989-8886
Back at the Ranch took the classic cowboy boot and made it modern. With styles ranging from tuxedo boots, complete with their own bowtie, to American flag boots, to the El Rancho, it has something for everyone. And if not, it makes custom pairs to boot.
209 E Marcy St., (505) 989-8110
3. Kowboyz
Kowboyz may have been born in Beverly Hills, but it has found a home in Santa Fe—and in the movies. Come to the same store which has provided for the likes of Madonna, Paul Rudd and Slash, so you too can feel like a star.
345 W Manhattan Ave., (505) 984-1256
Best Women’s Clothing
1. WearAbouts
WearAbouts stands above the rest by offering diverse lines, some offered nowhere else within city limits. Megan “Gem” Hawkins ran the business since 1986, and just passed the torch to new owner Aline Harris-Ellis a few weeks ago—and if the shop’s inventory is any indication, we trust her taste and judgment. Bohemian, dressy, casual or anywhere in between, WearAbouts and its fantastic staff has a knack to help keep Santa Fe’s women (and those tourists) chic.
101 W Marcy St., Ste. 3, (505) 982-1399
2. Double Take
New Mexico’s largest consignment store is one of its finest. The best part about consignment is definitely the flexible prices. Or is it finding that perfect and unique piece to complete an outfit? Or the thrill of the hunt? Whatever it may be, it’s at Double Take.
320 Aztec St., (505) 989-8886
3. Sign of the Pampered Maiden
Ethically, sustainably designed clothing for a capsule wardrobe of classic pieces supplemented by expert help to shop within budget and for body type is its motto! Well, not exactly, but it is what Sign of the Pampered Maiden delivers, in the mail or at its new location.
209 Galisteo St., (505) 982-5948
