Shopping in Dallas

Upon their 40-acre parcel in South Salem, the Kreitzberg family sets aside 10 acres of land for other families–and their dogs–to come and explore more than 15,000 potential Christmas trees, including douglas firs, grand firs, and noble firs. A pond, a barn, and abundant wildlife swirl together to form a picturesque backdrop, and nearby, the Kreitzbergs manage warm bonfires and pass out complimentary hot apple cider and coffee.

At each of Ace Hardware’s 4,600 locations around the world, attentive and knowledgeable associates oversee well-stocked shelves bearing domestic tools ranging from nuts and bolts to home goods and automotive supplies. As shoppers search for the right supplies to help with common projects such as finishing a basement or turning a mailbox into a working beehive, the shop’s hardware experts stand ready to dispense professional advice whenever it’s needed. They also deliver professional services—such as mower-blade sharpening, key cutting, and propane-tank refilling—that require more than just DIY oomph.

For almost 10 years, the team at Fall Line Skate Bike Sno has stocked and painstakingly repaired bicycles, skateboards, and snowboards inside their shop. They also handpick all the gear that appears on their store shelves, which includes brands such as Free Agent, O’Neal, and Element. Stop in and you can find hoodies, replacement parts such as wheels and tires, and safety gear such as helmets, kneepads, and wipeout repellent.

Each member of Fall Line Skate Bike Sno’s staff is a passionate skater, boarder, or cyclist; they even tapped into their expertise to build a BMX track and skate park at the Oregon State Fair.

Garden Thyme Nursery owner Patti Harris grows exclusively in unheated greenhouses, rendering her plants hearty enough to endure chilly spring mornings or the ice-cold glare of hungry vegetarians. Additionally, Harris selects only drought-tolerant and deer-resistant buds to join her nursery’s ranks, prizing perennials with extended bloom times.

Harris’s gardeners happily collaborate with customers to choose plants ideal for all types of gardens. But if green thumbs need further inspiration, Patti recommends a 1-mile jaunt to Oregon Garden, an 80-acre garden that grows many of the plants available at Garden Thyme Nursery.

Slab Handcrafted Soap Company's dedicated soapsmiths blend and cut soaps by hand. With extreme care and consciousness of the suds-making process, these artisans forge blocks from a blend of palm, coconut, and olive oils, and exotic butters—ingredients that cohere into smooth, rich bars. These slabs not only clean skin, but also moisturize it—unlike commercial soaps, which are made with a milling process that extracts the natural moisturizing glycerin, they contain a high glycerin content. The all-natural soaps can last one person 4–5 weeks through regular use and only slight nibblings.

Real Deals Home Decor stays open two days a week, a rarefied time frame that suits its funky, one-of-a-kind collection of clocks, wall art, lamps, mirrors, and other adornments. The domicile-decorating spot also carries DownEast Basics clothing, a fashion line specializing in classic styles that make shoppers look as enticing as a supermodel giving away free pizza.