Shopping in Hartford

Unlike the young fish venders and fruit sellers who in ancient times ran to the morning trade ships to view the latest fashions from across the sea, Fred Boutique is set in modern times and has plenty of trendy and affordable items for savvy ladies. Statement accessories ($8–$40) such as a chunky necklace, studded booties, or a bright patterned scarf can invigorate your pre-existing wardrobe and make a basic tee the canvas for show-stopping extras. Fred Boutique also offers tons of comfy and chic tops ($18–$60), denim ($50–$60), and jackets ($40–$70). Stop in soon to get first dibs on springy floral dresses ($60–$120) or something sparkly to wear to an upcoming wedding. Some brands Fred Boutique carries are Betsy Johnson, BCBG Max Azria, and Ella Moss, among others. This Groupon is also good for sale items.

The writers at Milwaukee Magazine mine cultural gems and scoop political stories each month to reflect the city's lifestyle and current events in 12 glossy issues. Subscribers join a community of 225,000 readers, who vicariously interview local celebrities and innovators and explore Milwaukee's boutiques and underwater speakeasies through the magazine's pages. Feature stories spotlight local gustatory delights, profile local businesses, and unpack economic issues, while arts and leisure articles hone cultural literacy and personal style.

Readertainment is aggregated annually in the City Guide and the Best of Milwaukee, a roundup that clearly distinguishes the lakefront's elite establishments. In addition to printed matter, Milwaukee Magazine is published online, where an event calendar and a blog roll herald potential trades for the Milwaukee Brewers, dispatches from the pressroom, and discoveries of fossilized bobby socks excavated from the Happy Days set.

Mammoth Comics offers an extensive selection of obscure comics as well as current titles from publishers such as Top Cow, Wizard, DC Comics, and Marvel. Snag back issues ($2.50 each, or five for $10) or uncover a hidden gem to complete your neighbor’s Pineapple Man collection. Although Mammoth focuses mostly on comics, they also stock posters, cards, and action figures and statues for mild-mannered shelves. Mammoth's helpful, informed staff will also special-order more-obscure comics still in print, as well as offer recommendations.

After studying genetics at UW–Madison’s College of Agriculture, Gwen Condon opened a garden and landscaping center in the hopes of making local exteriors more beautiful and fashionable. Gwen began traveling to shows in Germany, England, and Italy in search of gifts and garden accessories. Her shop quickly grew into an inspirational garden, where customers wander paths lined with seasonal plants, from spring flowers to fall mums to winter killer tomatoes. The knowledgeable staff makes sure to clearly label each plant with lighting and water requirements.

Additionally, customers can show photography of their yards to Garden Gate Nursery staff to get tips on plants, shrubs, or trees that would thrive there. The garden tamers’ most popular service is what they call the “Please Come Stand in My Yard” consultation, a house call in which they scope yards and inspect any problem areas before sharing their ideas and recommendations.

At Metro Eye, Drs. Amy Jankowski and Kaelyn Zaporski strive not only to outfit their patrons with precise prescriptions but also to educate them about their overall eye health and proactively assess their ocular condition. The doctors' digital eye photography helps to detect any signs of ocular diseases and the hideout of renegade bands of eyelashes, and an epic refraction system maps corneal topographies for a highly accurate prescription. Located in the historic Third Ward amid charming brick buildings and geometric street lamps, the minimalist optical lounge’s contemporary interior provides a streamlined contrast to its surroundings. Natural light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the built-in display shelves, which encase more than 1,000 designer frames waiting their turn to balance atop equally stylish noses. The optical stylists spend ample time discussing their art with each client, helping them to find frames that match their personal style while satisfying any parrots living on their shoulders.

The family-owned Garden Mart took root almost 20 years ago in Pewaukee before transplanting to Mukwonago in the spring of 2006. Inside the nursery, countless plants stretch toward the sky, including deciduous Japanese oshio beni maple and Weeping Norway spruce saplings that harbor ambitions of one day blotting out the sun. An ample garden nurtures annual and perennial flowers such as rabbit-resistant lamb's ear, drought-resistant honeysuckle, and daffodils. The Garden Mart also pays close attention to indoor and outdoor fauna, with accessories and fish to fill koi ponds, as well as a complete stock of pet items such as cat litter, pet shampoos and conditioners, and holistic Canine Caviar pet food.