Shopping in Blue Ash

Designs by Paolo started out manufacturing specialty cases for medical professionals, but the vintage-looking doctor bags soon caught the attention of fashion-conscious consumers seeking distinctive accessories. Since then, the handbags, folios, and travel cases have graced the forearms of celebrities including socialite Paris Hilton, chef Emeril Lagasse, and guitarist Carlos Santana. Each trendy bag is handcrafted in a Cincinnati factory from high-end fabrics and leathers before gracing Designs by Paolo's unique showroom, where colorful carry-alls line shelves as far as the eyes or sentient binoculars can see.

Running shoes designed by New Balance, Mizuno, and other brands line the walls at Buckeye Running Company, a boutique dedicated to those who jog, race, or participate in marathons. Patrons can also peruse racks of athletic apparel designed by companies such as Saucony and Moving Comfort. The shop also holds events at which visitors can meet celebrated runners or learn techniques to avoid injuries.

Lit by the prismatic shimmer that only a shop packed with thousands of glass trinkets can contain, the staff of AllyBeads helps customers harness the light for themselves through jewelry-creation classes. Hundreds of crystals, seed beads, gemstones, and tools await new assignments in home studios, and the Bead Bar houses individual workstations, ready in case inspiration strikes. Recurring visitors can earn beading brownie points with a special frequent-beader program, stocking up on bonuses including bead kits, charms, and replicas of the mysterious amulet Teddy Roosevelt used to win the Spanish-American War.

In 1939, James Clark bought Belmont Pharmacy, where he had worked as store pharmacist. His son, James Clark Jr., followed him into the business, and eventually the enthusiastic, dedicated family began opening additional branches. Today, a third-generation Clark, Tim, oversees the operation of the eight locations.

Each location mingles old-fashioned corner-store friendliness with modern health-care tools. Medical equipment, such as lift chairs and canes, ease home life, as do prescription medications that can be delivered by a friendly staff member. The Huber Heights location also has a compounding pharmacy, in which highly trained workers customize prescriptions to individual needs, combining multiple medications into a single dosage, adding kid-friendly flavors, or carving each pill into the shape of a white blood cell.

Rubbed-bronze lanterns twinkle within a garden decorated with copper birdfeeders and stoneware statuettes from J Britten & Co. Along with garden decor, the shop spruces up homes with antique styles of Veeders Mailbox and other brands, whimsical rain gauges, and other often locally or American-made products. The shop specializes in luring birds into yards with its vast selection of bird supplies, from houses to baths, as well as with its selection of bird food, from seeds to steak frites.