Shopping in Montgomery

Designs by Paolo started out manufacturing specialty cases for medical professionals, but the vintage-looking doctor bags soon caught the attention of fashion-conscious consumers seeking distinctive accessories. Since then, the handbags, folios, and travel cases have graced the forearms of celebrities including socialite Paris Hilton, chef Emeril Lagasse, and guitarist Carlos Santana. Each trendy bag is handcrafted in a Cincinnati factory from high-end fabrics and leathers before gracing Designs by Paolo's unique showroom, where colorful carry-alls line shelves as far as the eyes or sentient binoculars can see.

Running shoes designed by New Balance, Mizuno, and other brands line the walls at Buckeye Running Company, a boutique dedicated to those who jog, race, or participate in marathons. Patrons can also peruse racks of athletic apparel designed by companies such as Saucony and Moving Comfort. The shop also holds events at which visitors can meet celebrated runners or learn techniques to avoid injuries.

In 1939, James Clark bought Belmont Pharmacy, where he had worked as store pharmacist. His son, James Clark Jr., followed him into the business, and eventually the enthusiastic, dedicated family began opening additional branches. Today, a third-generation Clark, Tim, oversees the operation of the eight locations.

Each location mingles old-fashioned corner-store friendliness with modern health-care tools. Medical equipment, such as lift chairs and canes, ease home life, as do prescription medications that can be delivered by a friendly staff member. The Huber Heights location also has a compounding pharmacy, in which highly trained workers customize prescriptions to individual needs, combining multiple medications into a single dosage, adding kid-friendly flavors, or carving each pill into the shape of a white blood cell.

When Jason Reser isn't pouring his energy into competitive mountain-bike racing and trail improvement, he's tending to his business—Reser Bicycle Outfitters. At two stores, one of which earned a Best Bike Shop recognition from Northern Kentucky Magazine in 2012, he leads a team of competitive cyclists, technicians, and fitting specialists certified by the Serotta International Cycling Institute. At the Over-the-Rhine location, staffers match customers to city-friendly bikes and accessories; at the Newport, Kentucky store, they instead oversee a stock specializing in sports-focused bikes. Their inventory encompasses brands such as BMC, Civia, Orbea, and Ridley. The technicians service all makes and models in onsite repair shops, treating bicycles with everything from basic tune-ups to major overhauls to unproductive psychotherapy sessions. They also measure customers and frames at more than 30 points and swap out parts to complete custom fittings.

Show Mom you care or carefully remember Mother's Day with a For You, Mom bouquet, a 26-stem combination of roses, gerbera daisies, carnations, mini-carnations, baby’s breath, and vibrant greens ($50.75). Or, gift a minimalist glass-bubble bowl filled with a few simple seasonal blooms ($30). A dozen roses ($60) are fail-proof blooms for any occasion, including Constitution Day, Secretary's Day, and Overseas Electronics Day. The friendly flower whisperers at Ruttle & Neltner boast an impressive 55 combined years of creating eye-catching arrangements and will be happy to work with you to design a creative and customized nine-inch bouquet vase ($35+) or other vased arrangement ($45+).