Shopping in Hopewell

As one of the area's only comic-book and graphic-novel stores, Local Heroes helps transport wide-eyed readers to a world where the pants-less parading of Halloween occurs every day. A friendly and knowledgeable staff of superpower scholars assists visitors in unearthing intriguing issues and answers questions about proper cape maintenance. A wide variety of options are available in the kids and young readers section, helping make reading fun for youths and providing role models that aren’t pirates or monster trucks. Mounds of new releases ranging from $3 to $4 and graphic novels starting at $15 are within reach, showcasing striking illustrations and gripping plot lines unmatched by amateur attempts at providing proof in traffic court. In addition to a stunning array of reading material for kids and adults, Local Heroes offers a welcoming atmosphere decorated with vibrant comic art, cushy lounge seats, and a kryptonite coffee table.

Step through the door at Jeannie's Used Books and immediately spelunk into a tome-lined cavern of literary stalagmites. The store has an alphabetized inventory of 150,000 volumes in more than 160 categories— ask Jeannie about specific volumes among the myriad. Trade paperbacks and hardbacks are at or below half the cover price, the industry standard for used volumes. Customers looking for a specific book or genre can easily pounce on their printed prey like literature-minded lobsters, and casual book hunters and hardcore literary addicts alike can spend hours searching the towering shelves for the ideal book to keep them occupied during next month's desert-island shipwreck.

Monticello Shoes has carved a fiercely stylish reputation among foot owners as a sublimely stylish boutique with the functionality of a ballet flat. Handmade in Brazil, Monticello's signature foot boats use top-quality materials such as kidskin lining and natural leather soles, coupled with foot-friendly features such as double-comfort padding to create a seamless merging of form and function. Showing their dedication to newly hatching styles and trends, Monticello's vibrant 2010 Spring/Summer line ($109.95–$157.95) will ensure your toes' social status as the cool kids on the playground. Foot containers such as the Cynthia ($114.95) are perfect for any occasion, while the butterflied Mariah ($209.95), are glitterly adorned with authentic Swarovski Crystals for the spiffiest of outings. Stylish gentlemen looking for an attractive alternative to unsightly orthopedic options should keep an eye out for the Impactjel Double Shock Absorbers feature available on certain men's shoes.

Winesett Nursery's blossom-strewn wonderland helps gardeners transform patches of dull dirt into bastions of greenery. Frond fans can load up on starters of annuals ($2.69+) or grab a ready-to-inhale hanging basket of blooms ($15.99+), and gallon perennials, including favorites such as Russian Sage, May Night Salvia, and Ice Plant ($7.99), quench gardens' thirst for fresh foliage. Those looking to beautify the lawn after its recent eel problem can find flowering shrubs such as Spirea ($19.99), Indian Hawthorn ($22.99), and Loropetalum ($24.99), and homeowners in search of a High Plains feel can paint the whole house red with a drift rose ($24.99).

At O'Baby Organix, eco-conscious parents who've grown their own babies or acquired them at neighborhood garage sales can scoop up sustainable finery from B nature, babysoy, and kate quinn organics. Softer than a puppy cloaked in cashmere, the organic-cotton long-sleeve bodysuit ($22) is a gender-neutral confection of 100%-organic interlock-combed cotton fit for infants up to 12 months. Active and aspiring tree dancers will appreciate the babies' organic-cotton bodysuit with skirt from B nature ($25), a stylish suit designed with comfort in mind. Cautious parents can also prep for colder months with a babysoy soy-fiber-and-cotton soft hoodie ($26), super-soft cotton booties ($26), and cargo pants ($21 value).

A Guild Commended Framer, Frame Nation employs certified framers who match existing frames and create special projects from scratch. Behind the shop's brick storefront, staffers help customers to make selections from more than 2,000 frame samples, including acrylic, steel-welded, and wood options. Combined with glass, museum-quality practices, and a tiny flux capacitor, these protective casings preserve everything from diplomas to wedding photos.

To find inspiration for their own creations, visitors need only view the artwork lining the walls. Frame Nation regularly displays the handiwork of local artists; one ever-present exhibit includes a collection of frames and three-dimensional collages crafted from recycled materials.