Thursday, December 17, 2015
Robots! Books! Sea Monkeys! Local art! This is where we're shopping today. Brighten someone's holiday season and shop local with a visit to perennial Best of Tucson winner Yike's Toys, 2930 E. Broadway.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Vintage guitars, amplifiers, synthesizers and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia have a new home on Fourth Avenue.
Chamber of Sounds Vintage Music Emporium will be open from Wednesday through Christmas Eve at the site of the old Tucson Herb Store, 408 N. Fourth Ave.
The pop-up music shop is an extension of the Chamber of Sounds business run by Jamie Laboz (of The Modeens), who produces effects pedals and analog synthesizers. Joining Laboz in the brick-and-mortar shop is fellow musician and collector Brian Green (Leila Lopez Band).
“We’ve talked about doing a store for a few years, but we just couldn’t find the right space,” Laboz says.
But when the opportunity came about to open a temporary spot, to sell instruments and various vintage gear through the holiday season and the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, Laboz and Green decided to test the waters.
“This is an ideal location,” Green says. “The streetcar stop is right out front, there’s foot traffic all up and down Fourth Avenue and Wooden Tooth Records is right accross the street.”
The musicians have both been collectors for years, and say finding the right instrument or piece of gear at the right time can unlock the perfect sound for a new band or recording project.
“We’ve both just accumulated a lot of gear and for the most part it’s stuff we’ve used, but a lot of it we haven’t touched in a year or more,” Laboz says. “I’m selling a guitar that was all I played for years, but it’s time to let someone else play it now.”
In addition to instruments like guitars, bass guitars and analog synthesizers, the shop will sell amplifiers and effects pedals from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as new ones handmade locally. Rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, like old magazines, books, shirts and vinyl, will round out the stock.
Multicolored stage lighting, a turntable playing psychedelic rock and a couch for people to chill out on will add to the store’s ambience.
“It’s going to be like a living room with a really funky vibe,” Laboz says. “We want people to come here and feel comfortable hanging out.”
The Chamber of Sounds Vintage Music Emporium will be open from Nov. 4 through Dec. 24, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tags: Chamber of Sounds , The Modeens , Jamie Laboz , Brian Green
Friday, September 4, 2015
Tucson's Heirloom Farmers Markets are heating up next weekend in honor of the chile pepper. The 12th Annual Chile Festival will celebrate spicy in a way that only the Sonoran desert can around this time of year. That's because, as summer nears a close here, the chiles that were growing out in high temperatures all season are at their peak flavor, heat and carry a vibrant red color that's alluring as much as it is a warning.
According to the Heirloom Farmers Markets, Arizona grows about 6,000 acres of chiles, which are valued at an estimated $10 million. Didn't teach you that in the 5 C's, did they?
Well, you can indulge in all of the tear-inducing, mouth-watering, nose-running goodness next weekend during the three-day, three-location event. On Friday, Sept. 11, the festival kicks off at Trail Dust Town (6541 E. Tanque Verde Road). Then on Saturday, Sept. 12, Oro Valley Farmers Market (11000 N. La Cañada) picks up the chile torch. Finally, Rillito Park Farmers Market (4502 N. First Ave.) will finish up the fest on Sunday, Sept. 13.
What sets these three days apart from typical farmers market days is first and foremost what the vendors bring to their tables. For this event you can expect all things chile, including roasted green chiles, chile spices, tamales, salsas and many other spicy treats. The final event will also feature a market cooking demonstration from chef Ryan Clark of Agustin Kitchen.
Tags: tucson , heirloom , farmers market , chile , pepper , festival , roasted green chiles , agustin kitchen , ryan clark
Thursday, September 3, 2015
There's nothing quite like staring a rapidly approaching three-day weekend right in the face. The opportunities are endless. Maybe you'll go out of town or go camping somewhere nearby. Maybe you're planning to spend all weekend at HoCo Fest (or at least Saturday night to see Brian Smith and the Gentlemen Afterdark reunite and make Tucson music history). Well, not to add to the tough fun-based decisions you're waffling between right now, but consider checking out the Vinyl Swapmeet at The Flycatcher (340 E. Sixth St.) too.
On Sunday, September 6, a handful of local record purveyors will bring crates of vinyl and tapes to the Fourth Avenue venue and set up shop. Included in the day's line-up are Wooden Tooth Records, Baby Gas Mask Records, Toxic Ranch Records, Old Paint and more. DJs Butta Fly and 5,6,7 WAX will be spinning and attendees can indulge in hot dog and drink specials as well.
Sunday's event runs from 2 until 6 p.m., but if you plan on digging for some rarities, you might want to head in early. Plus, then you'll have enough time to run down to Club Congress and check out Mexican Institute of Sound and Sergio Mendoza's Mexrissey too. That's called a music bang bang, and it's definitely worth doing.
Tags: vinyl , records , tucson , cassette , sale , swapmeet , flycatcher , events , labor day , hot dogs
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Local, resale fashion favorite, Buffalo Exchange, is welcoming a new member to their family-run business. The clothing store, which started in Tucson in 1974, fulfills their commitment to environmental conciseness by recycling clothes from one fashionista to another. Like their physical locations, their sister store, The Vintage Buffalo, also offers customers used clothing for reasonable prices.
The Vintage Buffalo is their new, online fashion boutique, specializing in vintage finds from our past. The pieces do not, like the stores, come from customers for trade or cash. They are instead carefully curated by a buying team spread throughout the United States. These skilled searchers utilize their eye for fashion to look through estate sales, flea markets and antique fairs for one of a kind looks.
Marketing Director Stephanie Lew says creating an online collection was a logical route for Buffalo to take.
“We’ve seen this is where the resale industry is going and we wanted to be a part of it,” she says. “While there are plenty of vintage resale stores online, we wanted to create a vintage store with a unique collection.”
The collection includes dresses from the '40s to '70s, tops, bottoms, “world culture pieces,” southwestern styles, decor, jewelry and accessories.
“Customers are offered one of kind and rare styles you won’t find in your average vintage store,” says Lew. “While prices reflect the value of the pieces, The Vintage Buffalo has worked hard to make sure they won’t break the bank.”
The Vintage Buffalo team will add new items to the website weekly to supply customers with a constantly revolving door of special pieces colored with the looks of our past.
To browse through the collection and find your next look, visit thevintagebuffalo.com. You can follow them on Instagram @thevintagebuffalo for promotions and new arrivals. Currently, shipping is not offered outside the U.S. or to Alaska and Hawaii.
Tags: Buffalo Exchange , The Vintage Buffalo , Vintage , Online Shopping , For the Love of Polyester , Stephanie Lew
"It's not just one thing," she says. "Everybody start out down here with good intentions but the longer you have to wait for things to change, the harder it is."
She points to other stores, like Buffalo Exchange, that have closed their downtown spaces and even the lack of gallery space downtown.
"We're getting a Super Cuts where the Buffalo Exchange used to be and we're losing the flavor of downtown, she says, "I mean where's all the art? It's up on Sixth and Sixth."
While the street car did seem to drive more people downtown, Leon says the student crowd it brought wasn't really looking for what she was selling.
"My aesthetic is more of a fashion artist and that wasn't appealing to them," she says. "I just look at downtown and I think, 'where are all the galleries? Is it just bars and restaurants? Is it just a party town now?"
Tags: la fashionista , tucson , boutique , closing , eleonor leon , artist , vintage
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Looking to buy that very special, one-of-a-kind Mother's Day bauble? Need to get a gift for a recent grad? Well, you're in luck because Mercado San Agustin is hosting their Spring Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday for all of your local handmade and vintage needs.
This year, the event will feature 42 of the towns makers, collectors and purveyors including Desert Vintage, Alexandra Queen, Valerie Galloway, Fine Life Co., Allegiant Leather, Feral Empire, Linda Cato, Popcycle Collected Artifacts and Bottle Rocket.
Students from the Western Institute of Leadership Development handmade bags and scarves especially for the event as well. some incredible bags and scarves. Proceeds from WILD goods sales will go to fund student-led ventures that seek to work towards the greater good in the community.
The Spring Bazaar will take over Mercado San Agustin, located at 100 S. Avenida del Convento, on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. The event is free to attend and will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on both days. As usual, you can also pop into Agustin Kitchen, La Estrella Bakery, Blu or Seis for a bite and Stella Java for a cup of coffee while you shop at MSA.
Tags: mercado san agustin , spring bazaar , shopping , local , tucson , market , vintage , handmade , desert vintage , allegiant leather , bottle rocket
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Audiobooks, man. I couldn't get through long drives or slow days at work without them.
I'm an Audible lady. For those unfamiliar with the service: Every month, in exchange for $15, I get a credit for one book of any price and I can purchase audiobooks to stream. It's not like Netflix—you do have to pay for every book you want to listen to. Audible offers a small discount on the books, but nothing too significant. I try to get by with paying for one new/long/expensive title with my monthly credit, and filling out the other weeks with cheaper books. But not this week!
Through April 20, all titles are 50 percent off. 50 percent! They're calling it a "Spring Cleaning" sale for your wishlist, but I think you and I both know it's really just going to make digital bookshelves more congested.
Have fun, booknerds.
Tags: Audible , audiobooks , books sale , half price books
Friday, April 10, 2015
Jake Sullivan and Kellen Fortier have been loyal employees at Fourth Avenue's Cafe Passe for over three years each. On New Year's Eve, the two decided (possibly under the influence) to open a record store and now their idea is coming to fruition.
On Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m., Wooden Tooth Records will open its doors to vinylphiles in Tucson to sift through their wares, and, according to them, there's going to be a lot to look through. For their initial inventory, the duo bought up large collections from two different longtime collectors that were looking to offload some vinyl before moving, which amounts to about 7,000 records in total.
About 3,000 of that stash will be priced at $1.99, while the remaining ranges more in the $4 to $16 neighborhood.
Tags: wooden tooth records , tucson , vinyl , store , new , fourth avenue , jake sullivan , kellen fortier , cafe passe , giant sand , reissue , Image
Friday, March 27, 2015
Bon is known to sell adorable novelties, clothing, kitchenware and more in Broadway Village, but owner Crystal Flynt is moving on from the complex and over to Five Points.
"The energy was changing there the past couple of years," Flynt says. "It just didn't feel like the right place for us anymore."
So Flynt and her mother/co-owner Bonnie Flynt decided to pack Bon up and move her wares next door to 5 Points Market and Cafe Desta. She says that her new neighbors are one of the reasons she enjoys her new space so much already.
"It's just such a nice, refreshing environment. We're surrounded by nice people," she says.
Bon carries a variety of clothing for men and women, jewelry, baby clothes and toys, blankets, quilts, books, linens, soaps, candles, greeting cards and more. She says her new space, despite actually being a bit smaller, will carry more kitchenware, glassware, cookbooks and linens than the previous location.
"It's more concisely put together here," she says. "It seemed to me like there just wasn't a good place to buy things for your kitchen that wasn't some big chain."
While my wallet already aches at the thought of a bulked-up Bon glassware section, it seems that Flynt is excited to open at her new location at 760 S. Stone Ave. The grand opening will be Saturday at 10 a.m. After that, Bon will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
You can call Bon at 795-2272 for more information or for a sneak peak into the gorgeous new store off Stone, scroll down and click through the slideshow.
Tags: bon , boutique , tucson , clothing , shopping , kitchen , bath , books , crystal flynt , five points , Slideshow , Image
