Shopping in Brentwood Estates

Harpeth Bicycles owner Jonathan Woody’s philosophy about bikes can be boiled down to one simple idea: “put more people on bikes and the world will be a better place.” His staff of mechanics and cycling enthusiasts works toward that goal by selling bikes from brands such as Giant Bicycles, Electra Bikes, and Seven Cycles and performing tune-ups and repairs. Once patrons catch the cycling bug inside the empty pickle jar that is their soul, they can join in social activities planned by the shop such as group rides and spinning classes.

A family-owned, full-service shop, Neptune Diving & Ski has equipped its customers with skiing, snowboarding, and scuba essentials for nearly four decades. Inside, the shop's passionate staff helps thrill seekers of all ages prepare for upcoming adventures both by servicing equipment and providing lesson programs for all three sports. Neptune also acts as a travel guide, offering exotic trips to local and international locations throughout the year.

At The Book Gallery's two Nashville-area locations, savvy staff members point readers toward fiction, comics, and nonfiction titles available in hardcover and paperback at discounted prices. Thousands of kids' and young-adult fiction selections provide more educational entertainment for moppets than playing video games or rearranging PB&J sandwiches into alphabetical order.

Inside Franklin's industrial-plant-turned-artists'-haven known as The Factory, jewelry maker Connie Williams Shaw churns out her popular Native American-style fashions without a single machine. All assembled by hand, the jewelry, purses, and other wearables often feature hand-stitched leatherwork and Connie's signature flair for designs. "I try to take patterns that are old and pull them into a contemporary setting," says the Cherokee-Scottish artist, whose diverse clientele include Native Americans seeking authentic regalia and women looking for a striking way to accessorize an evening gown or space suit.

Customers can browse premade pieces at the studio, but Connie's favorite pastime is creating custom pieces for unique and dynamic people. For her, the most exhilarating part of her work "is when someone comes in, totally confident in themselves, and wants a statement piece, something that shows they're unafraid to be different." The Artisan Company's custom pieces have been worn by maverick performers, such as renowned drummer Charlie Adams, and featured on the TV program Tennessee Crossroads.

More than three generations of master tailors have run Majestic Custom Tailors since its inception in 1961. They use floating-canvas construction to make men’s and women’s bespoke clothing, including two-piece suits, three-piece suits, smoking jackets, ties, and jeans. After drawing up a personalized pattern, the tailors pick some of 65,000 fine fabrics from brands such as Loro Piana, Wein Sheil, Hugo, and Dormeuil. They use No. 8 Savile Row tailoring, and embellish clothing with Australian shell buttons, soft shoulder pads, and silk linings for a soft mouthfeel. Customizable components include 60 monogram styles, 25 collar styles, 25 cuff styles, and a variety of button-hole stitching-color options.

Equipment from such brands as STX, Brine, and Warrior fills more than 2,000 square feet of space at Lacrosse Nashville. There, stick-handlers can outfit themselves for the season by stocking up on helmets, pads, and shorts or having a trusty stick re-strung in one of 12 different styles, from rebound-resistant, goalie-friendly designs to deep pockets ideal for carrying the ball or storing the coach's keys. The store also orchestrates competitive leagues as well as camps and clinics in which players can hone their skills under the tutelage of all-Americans and Division I coaches.