Shopping in Towson

For 50 years, the owners and staffers of Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing have encouraged the artists of their community. They visit local fairs and set up booths for kids to color and craft, and they hold workshops, demos, and classes, some of them taught by the local artists catalogued on Plaza's website. And, of course, as their name implies, they outfit art makers of all skill levels with top-of-line materials, such as Gamblin oil paints, Prismacolor pens and markers, and custom frames perfect for favorite art pieces or a competitive sibling's monumental failure to color within the lines.

The artwork armorists of Framing Palace safeguard masterpieces and mementos with high-quality, custom frames. Master framers meticulously mat a favorite portrait, landscape, or cousin between comfortable backings and glass coatings bound by mouldings culled from a huge selection of colors and materials. Archival matting, conservation clear glass, and acid-free backing protect prized possessions from destructive elements and deconstructive critics. Additionally, tiered frames, multiple matting options, specialty shadow boxes, and canvas-stretching services add three-dimensional character to otherwise existentially barren walls. The experienced art ambassadors tread gently when handling cherished objects, carefully securing artifacts, sports memorabilia, and high-end masterpieces in their decorative denizens.

The eye experts at Precision Vision—including licensed optometrist Dr. Selvin Gnanakkan and second-generation optometrist Dr. Anthony Glasser—provide a range of services using the latest optical technology. Since the 1980s, the team has performed procedures ranging from routine exams and screenings for glaucoma or cataracts to LASIK surgery. Staffers help patrons choose from a large selection of designer frames, from playful, contemporary specs to more conservative looks worthy of gracing the face of The Thinker.

To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend human rights" and "Protect our planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.”

Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to a UK-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the Blue Corn 3-in-1 deep-cleansing scrub mask often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, and other national publications.

Since 1969, the suppliers at Office Furniture Liquidators have beautified and outfitted bare office walls and classrooms with sturdy, handsome used and new furniture pieces. A lineup of stylish geometric couches and chairs infuse lobbies and reception areas with a contemporary flair, while lecterns and conference tables spice up conference rooms.

In addition to equipping start-ups and schools with new desks, chairs, and cabinets, OFL operates with a watchful eye on eco-friendly policies. They cut down on waste by recycling plastics and metal, and forgo landfills by renewing and restoring reusable furnishings.

Like friendly, escapable black holes, the ineluctable pull of hardware stores attracts everyone who lives in a modern structure or appreciates a well-crafted daiquiri. You don’t have to drive to the suburbs for your hardware fix with today’s Groupon to Ace Hardware Stores: you get $20 worth of blenders, key copies, cable splitters, watch batteries, house paint, and more for $10. Your Groupon is good at the Federal Hill and Waverly stores for any product and service. Whether your potted plants need special food to survive in your cold basement apartment, or your outdated faucet needs a 21st-century fix, the friendly folks at your local Ace Hardware can lead you to the perfect solution.