Shopping in York

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.

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.

The scribes of Maryland Life Magazine crisscross the Old Line State to bring readers noteworthy cuisine, elegant homes, and local happenings. Bimonthly issues contain articles praising local eateries such as Hagerstown staple Schmakerl Stube and examining how local anglers manage to snag fish from under the ice using heat vision. Recipes, gardening tips, and useful homeowner information burst from Maryland Life Magazine ’s binding, intermingling with reviews of art-gallery exhibits and profiles on socialites about town.

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.

A web of scrolls, acanthus leaves, and flowers weaves its way around a polished metal serving tray, encircling edibles with an intricately wrought border. This baroque pattern dates back to the 17th century, when Parisian silversmiths created the design for Queen Mary. This motif has since been revived by sculptor Stan Baskett, one of Wilton Armetale Factory Store's cadre of skilled designers. Like many of the pieces in Wilton Armetale’s serveware collection, the designs are rooted in history but have been updated and streamlined for daily use.

Even though the shop's pieces are ornate, they never sacrifice durability. This nontoxic serveware and grillware is oven- and freezer-safe and sturdy enough for cooking, baking, and grilling. The metal workers also vow that their pieces will not rust, break, chip, or heckle you as they usher meals from the kitchen to the table.

Professional sleep counselors facilitate peaceful slumber at more than 80 Mattress Discounters locations nationwide, where showrooms brim with mattresses from brands such as Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, and Space Age Foam. Unlike pet stores, Mattress Discounters encourages customers to lie on the merchandise, as sleep counselors use the Discover Your Comfort system to ask questions about sleep position and comfort level. With this information in hand, client and counselor select the right mattress for restful slumber, with each sleep surface backed by a 60-night comfort guarantee.