Shopping in Provo

In the comics, several superheroes—Captain Marvel and The Flash, among others¬—wore the symbol of a lightning bolt¬ as a signifier of their heroic identities. In the same vein, an unassuming storefront donned the iconic symbol to become Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection, harbinger of comics, toys, and games. Scattered across the store, comics and books hold the legendary tales of Superman, the X-Men, and Spawn, chronicling their feats throughout the ages. In addition to classic tales of the time the Batmobile lost a wheel, are new issues abound with contemporary characters from serial issues of Dr. Who, Nightwing, and Gears of War. The shelves also seem to disappear under the sheer magnitude of the shop’s toys, card games, and miniature figures or the drape of heroic logo shirts hanging from the shops numerous racks.

At 4,500 independently owned and operated stores spread across the nation, Ace Hardware carries the tools and tips homeowners need to complete plumbing projects, electrical work, or aesthetic alterations to gardens or backyards. Celebrating 88 years in existence, the stores stock well-organized aisles with brand-name products from Craftsman, DeWalt, and Scotts perfect for simple afternoon projects or extensive overhauls to the fleet of antique rickshaws in the garage.

Local quilters’ pinwheel and patchwork creations adorn the walls of Floyd and Lizzie’s, their kaleidoscopic colors and patterns enlivening the high-ceilinged space. It’s the most conspicuous sign of the shop's mission to foster a community of quilters within their spacious environs. In addition to proudly displaying patrons’ finished pieces, they offer a diverse class curriculum that equips crafters of all ages and levels to confidently embroider patterns, operate sewing machines, and free hopelessly tangled kittens from balls of yarn. Staff members can also help customers sift through hundreds of fabrics, including a vast selection of intricate batik patterns, and hone in on Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff, and Singer sewing machines.

A fluffy cat and an elephant stand side by side opposite a terra-cotta warrior who sternly glares at an Asian sea dragon. A scene like this can only exist in Hunter S. Thompson’s dreams or at Cast in Stone, where cast-concrete garden figures arrange to form whimsical, imaginative lawn scenes. The artistic concrete smiths shape and sell each product at their retail facility, creating wondrous, durable works in the shapes of animals, religious icons, and classical figures. Molded benches and planters can make a backyard more welcoming to guests, and fountains and birdbaths can provide an alternative place to bathe when the shower is in use.

As a plant grows, West Side Nursery's now expansive facility also grew from a small seed. Over its three decades in business, the nursery nourished its modest selection to transform into a now flourishing assortment of specimens that rarely find shelf space at smaller nurseries or big-box stores. As its first claim to fame, West Side Nursery highlights its colorful variety of trees, though more than 120 varieties of shrubs edge in on the spotlight as well. The personable staff members also take the time to talk gardening tips with their customers, from discussing the proper time to water new blossoms to the proper time to take an aging maple for its daily walk.

For more than 60 years, Kwal Paint's team has designed colors to complement almost any décor, continually refreshing the palette of more than 1,600 shades to reflect trends and advancements in interior decorating. To wit: EnviroKote paints are made from eco-friendly, raw materials and contain no VOC. Additionally, online virtual color-visualizing applications help homeowners realize the abode of their dreams. As ever, the knowledgeable staff is on hand to guide customers through common issues such as blistering or how to revamp garden gnomes stuck in last season's styles.