Brookstone, Austin

Brookstone, the national chain of upscale gadget and trinket stores, offers a carefully curated selection of specialty and luxury items. Their location at the pricey outdoor mall The Domain on Century Oaks Terrace is a prime example of the Brookstone model: lifestyle items, made well, with knowledgeable staff on hand to help you shop. Walk inside to find everything from remote control helicopters and futuristic alarm clocks to massage chairs, computer accessories and blankets. Customers are encouraged to try out the store’s wares before making a purchase, which is a bonus given the wide array of unique and eclectic products on hand. But these functional gadgets and quirky playthings do have one thing in common: most are built by Brookstone themselves, which means a quality build construction and pleasing design.