Shopping in Delaware

Like a pep rally full of mannequins, Flyer Spirit sports an everlasting display of school pride, drenched in University of Dayton red and blue. The school’s colors, insignia, and name bedeck apparel that ranges from Under Armour workout wear and hoodies by Gear to ties for alumni get-togethers and especially fancy football games. In addition to wearable UD spirit, visitors find their fill of accessories, such as oven mitts and ceramic dog dishes, as well as Greek merchandise and progenitor-pleasing parent-oriented items.

The staffers at Special Occasions Party Supply weave art out of air. Their balloon decorations spiral into multicolored columns, bend into archways, and form hanging hearts to garnish events ranging from birthday celebrations to bridal and baby showers. The family-owned business also outfits reception areas with tulle and matching tableware, sprucing up the setting to befit any celebration.

Decorating services are only one facet of their job, however. When they aren't prepping dance halls, they guide independent party planners through the shelves of their two supply stores. Batman- and Disney-princess-themed favors are on hand to charm children, Halloween costumes can conceal identities, and more than 38 solid colors of plates and napkins set attractive schemes. The bouquets of high-grade helium balloons are guaranteed to hover for at least five days. Patrons can also rent helium tanks with do-it-yourself balloon kits, which come with ribbons for each balloon and instructions for knitting sky-size safety nets.

The horticulturalists at Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Co. tap into experience accrued during more than two decades in business to equip customers with homegrown greenery and helpful gardening advice. Operated by two generations of the Foertmeyer family, the greenhouse nurtures flowering plants culled from all corners of the world. Inside, hanging baskets dip pendulously from the ceiling, spilling forth green fronds, and planters contain budding flora and hide garden gnomes prone to ruining the perspective of landscape paintings.

Tennis Zone's staff of tennis players, coaches, and experts equips customers for slam-filled showdowns with tennis apparel and equipment from brands such as Adidas, Babolat, and Nike. The staff helps competitors of all ages speed up their stroke with lightweight Tecnifibre racquets and increase court cred with polos from Adidas and feather skorts by adizero. They can also point customers toward specialized gear, such as Wilson backpacks designed with dedicated compartments for racquets, balls, and thank-you notes for ball boys.

Runners Plus furnishes Dayton runners with expertly-fitted pairs of running shoes, selected from an extensive inventory to suit each shopper’s unique running style. Shoes from Brooks, New Balance, Mizuno, and Vibram FiveFingers comprise the store’s footwear collection, which, along with running shorts, tights, hydration belts, and other gear, keeps runners fully outfitted for all-season training.

Mattress Mart's slumber experts stock their stores with locally made and major-brand sleep surfaces—such as Serta and Englander—in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Customers can rest their backs on the firm billows of a Posture Cushion twin set or support larger-scale lumbar regions with a soft, flippable Crazy Quilt king-size set. Mattress Mart also curates the Pure Rest line, which boasts a stamp of approval from the Ohio State Chiropractic Association for its top-notch support second only to sleeping on a pile of loving aunts.