Shopping in Wheaton

Short of creating physical clouds to hold people aloft, Mattress Warehouse stocks almost every imaginable furnishing to help customers catch a few Z’s. Rows of name-brand mattresses from Sealy, Simmons Beautyrest, Serta, and Tempur-Pedic entice customers to replace their worn pad for new bedding, such as a standard mattress, a fluffy pillowtop unit, or a memory foam piece that conforms to bodies. Beyond mattresses, the warehouse also carries an ample collection of box springs, full bed sets with rails and headboards, and even premium futon mattresses that revitalize foldable couches.

Each of Merrifield Garden Center’s three locations overflows with thousands of plants throughout the year, encompassing such variety that a reporter for CNN’s Eatocracy claimed “I might as well endorse my paychecks straight to them…because I always want to grow what they've got.” Knowledgeable garden experts, 25 of whom have been with Merrifield for 25 years or more, guide customers through row upon row of flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants, or help them sort through an extensive selection of bulbs and seeds. Visitors may also bump into the founders themselves, or their children and other family members, 38 of whom still work at the thriving business that started 40 years ago. Merrifield doesn’t just proliferate plants, however; amenities such as cafes in Gainesville and Merrifield and a dog park in Gainesville make each garden center into a leisure destination as well. Three of its garden gurus run an hourlong TV show that's been going for more than two decades, and other staff publish gardening advice on the website and Facebook. The staff also work to protect the environment with a variety of eco-friendly initiatives. Besides stocking native plants and water-saving devices for their customers, they also compost more than 20,000 tons of soil and 25,000 cubic yards of brush left over from their comprehensive landscaping services every year. The Gainesville location also gathers old concrete, metal appliances, and rusted Optimus Primes for recycling free of charge.

Since 1994, stationery visionary Heidi Kallett has helmed The Dandelion Patch, stocking its shelves with writing-related goods and thoughtful gifts. The shop, which has been named Best Stationer by Northern Virginia Magazine and Best of the Best by the Washingtonian, helps shoppers to tote belongings to and fro with paisley Vera Bradley bags and improve the aroma of homes with delicate candles. Heidi and her staff can engrave or monogram stationery and invitations that celebrate the birth of a baby or the ability to memorize addresses. The Dandelion Patch’s events include writing workshops—which teach young writers to master the art of the thank-you note—children’s etiquette classes, and wedding-etiquette teas.

A family whose love for flora spans three generations, the Stadlers started their plant-growing endeavors back in 1932 when Paul Stadler began gardening for clients in Georgetown after emigrating from Switzerland. Soon, they opened up a small landscaping-and-gardening center, and today—more than 75 years later—Stadler Nurseries has grown to populate 340 acres of fertile land where they propagate native plants, landscaping shrubs, trees, roses, and more than 700 varieties of perennials. A staff of horticulturists and enthusiastic green thumbs helps visitors navigate the vast greenhouses and outdoor gardens, offering tips on how to prune leaves, fertilize soil, and teach plants how to roll over on command.

A full-scale rainbow of yarns populates the shelves within A Tangled Skein, where a helpful staff culls a comprehensive collection of top-quality knitting and crocheting supplies. Drawing from its immense knowledge of the craft, the team helps patrons peruse the vast array of hand-dyed South American skeins and yarns from brands such as Debbie Bliss, Noro, and Berroco. They add new specimens to the lineup almost daily, and equip creators with books, patterns, needles, and notions. To further nurture blossoming skills or refine expert abilities, seasoned instructors lead relaxed, casual classes that divulge such techniques as purling, chain stitching, and making scarves for the most discerning snowmen.

Reunions owner Barbara Geyer Watts describes her charming jewelry and gift boutique as "a blend of old and new where the merchandise changes daily." The shop's antiques, milled soaps, knickknacks, and jewelry have earned the patronage of countless loyal customers, as well as a place on Washingtonian magazine’s Best Gift Shops in Washington list.

The shop adorns bodies with one-of-a-kind earrings made from pearls and pewter and gold earrings and bracelets in the shape of hastily tied metal bows. It also inspires decorating creativity with its collection of candles, Waterford crystal, china, and robot butlers. Each purchase can be gift wrapped at no extra charge, and 5% of all sales each October benefit worthy local charities.