Shopping in Montgomeryville

Walking into a HobbyTown USA is like immersing yourself in a science fair, toy store, art-supply shop, and robot dance-off all at the same time. Stocked with items ranging from model Camaro kits ($20.99) to easy-to-care-for ant farms ($14.99), the store has something for any particular age or interest. Spice up the tide of warm weather with interactive outdoor activities such as flying Turbo Jet 2000 gliders ($4.99) or kites shaped like 3-D space shuttles ($19.99), which, unlike real space shuttles, serve decent in-flight meals. For rainy days, you can always just pick up a 10-piece carving-knife set ($4.95) and an eight-color all-purpose paint set ($11.59) to repurpose any banister as a totem pole of achievement.

Open since 1988, the locally owned and operated Pioneer Glass and Mirror outfits households and automobiles with an array of customized glimmering glasswork. From humble beginnings in the back shop of a gas station, the company has metamorphosed into an expansive showroom with five design and installation professionals on staff. The trained and certified technicians envelop showers and baths in professional Basco shower enclosures and adorn cabinets, shelves, and furniture with pieces from a stock of more than 140 styles of obscure and patterned glass. Towering Kentwood mirrors can encircle entire workout areas or bloodsport arenas, and automotive services repair the windshields and rearview mirrors of cars, trucks, and deluxe big wheels.

Operating from the same store location for over 20 years and drawing from more than 100 years of combined experience in the optical business, the staff at Singer Specs/Sterling Optical introduces customers' façades to face-flattering frames. Picking from a vast selection of eyewear, the eye experts equip patrons with stylish prescription sunglasses, bifocals, and other specs designed to fit various vision needs. To ensure the perfect pair, the staff administers eye exams and adjusts glasses to sit snuggly on the temples or on the family dog's tail.

After growing frustrated with her film-industry career in New York City, Anne Kuronyi traveled out west, where she spent most of her time sifting through clothing racks in "buy, sell, trade" boutiques. Fueled by a love of vintage apparel and a modest amount of money, Anne returned to her hometown in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, to open her own shop. What began in 2003 as a three-room boutique eventually expanded into a seven-room vintage haven stocked with gently used designer clothing, jewelry, and home décor. Now three locations strong, The Attic maintains a dialogue with its clientele through excellent customer service, social-networking sites, and retro carrier pigeons.

The employees at Aztec Florist shudder at the idea of casually stuffing flowers into a box—their arrangements are devotedly crafted and delivered by hand to Ewing customers or painstakingly shipped to houses nationwide. The family-owned-and-operated shop's emphasis on pleasant service matches its investment in variety, which is reflected by an expansive stock of bouquets, gift baskets, and plants. Blooms fit into the traditional categories of birthday gifts and romantic gestures, as well as simple themes such as Make Someone Smile. The Flowers in a Gift collection groups stems into unique containers, including a fire engine that rolls and repels hungry bees with a siren frequency that only they can hear.

Since 1921, Army & Navy Store has worked to supply local residents with the necessities for interacting with a variety of geographical features. The shop began as an outfitter for rail workers and miners, preventing them from having to dig with boots stolen from the town giant, before expanding to carry Army and Navy surplus goods from World War II. Currently, it specializes in outdoor gear and employs an experienced staff to assist guests in searching for specialized equipment for camping, cycling, fishing, exercise, and watersports.