Shopping in Westminster

Founder Michael Johnston’s bookshelves didn't just groan under the weight of other authors’ volumes, they also supported the six texts he wrote on crafting stained glass—an art which Johnston perfected for more than a quarter century. With a team of instructors adding two more decades of experience to the mix, Johnston’s Rainbow Vision Stained Glass expands the community of glass workers through small group classes. Students gather within Rainbow Vision Stained Glass’s sprawling Victorian-style headquarters to learn the fundamentals of making stained glass or the more sophisticated techniques necessary for crafting glass boxes, Tiffany-style lampshades, or glass houses for those who have sworn off throwing rocks. The studio also teaches fused-glass skills, which can yield everything from pendants to wine-bottle stoppers.

Anticipating the needs of its pupils, Rainbow Vision Stained Glass peddles everything a glass artist might desire. More than 400 styles and colors of glass gleam within, more than 300 pattern books await crafters in need of inspiration, and soldering irons stand ready to bind creations together.

Hello Gorgeous Consignment Boutique outfits fashionistas with a rotating selection of discounted wares from brands such as Coach, Juicy Couture, and Banana Republic, earning best-consignment shop accolades from Harrisburg Magazine in 2011. Treasure-seekers scour racks for shoes, shawls, and formal eveningwear or pose in front of mirrored walls to ask their reflection's opinion on their outfit. Eager to give back to the community, Hello Gorgeous allows consigners to donate part of the profits from the sale of their clothing to a local school or charitable organization.

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.

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.

Named for its location at the western end of the W&OD Trail, Trail's End Cycling Co welcomes cyclists of all stripes with a hefty inventory of gear and bikes alongside mechanical services. Each of the store's experienced staffers is also a mechanic qualified to fit bikes to riders' proportions or the gaudiness of racing stripes to their egos. When not training for the bicycle Iditarod, lead mechanic James Hodges channels 20 years of bike-industry experience into his tune-up tasks, and pro wrencher Bill McCarrick specializes in triathlete bike repair and prep.

The same able staffers also lead custom tours of wineries, fall foliage, and other seasonal sights in warm weather. During the winter, riders can pedal out of hibernation with indoor training rides atop their own bikes, which are secured on special mounts to keep them from zipping away.

Maryland China Co. has a long tradition of ordering fine china pieces from around the world: over a century long, in fact. Today, the staff maintains the shop's reputation by carefully vetting every item in the 1,250-piece collection, which comes from eight countries and four planets. Quality is paramount, so the shop demotes items to the seconds room for minute imperfections, such as slight color variation. A single piece of hand-painted china, such as a cup and saucer decorated with intricate loops and whorls, can take hours to complete. Full tea sets, then, celebrate the careful craftsmanship and leisurely traditions of the Old World.

Despite the large selection of hand-painted wares, undecorated white china and porcelain vases, pots, cups, and bowls dominate the shelves. Sometimes designed with ornate details, such as scalloped edges or antique-style handles, the items are otherwise blank slates for artists. Customers can purchase a small paint set with their china to transform it into a modern work of art with colorful chevrons or 2011 1040 forms.