MAINSTREETS

nowntown Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM FROM PAGE 9

Leaf (172 N. Old Woodward, 248-283-
0260) or Spot 0' Tea (261 Merrill, 248-
723 4TEA).
Lastly, you'd be remiss to end a meal, or
pass on an opportunity to treat yourself
without indulging in the fine pastries and
baked goods from Charlie's Patisserie
(126 S. Old Woodward, 248-723-2126),
Canella Patisserie and Creperie (300
Hamilton Row, 248-203-9704), or The
Cupcake Station (136 N. Old Woodward,
248-593-1903).

Oh sure, folks still lament the closing of
Jacobson's several years ago. But shop-
ping in Birmingham's tidy business
district didn't begin or end with that
longtime favorite.
Indeed, Maple Road, running the length
of downtown from Bates to Ring Road,
has become somewhat of a Ladies Mile, if
you will, what with a slew of new women's
apparel and accessories stores opening
at quite a clip in recent months, joining
iconic, high-styled Linda Dresner (299 W.
Maple, 248-642-4999) and Tender (271 W.
Maple, 248-258-0212) anchoring the west-
ern end of the street.
Make time to duck into 110 Couture
(110 S. Old Woodward, 248-203-0110),

10 OCTOBER 2006

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Michelle Rachelle (310 E. Maple, 248-
593-9904), Miss Kate (336 E. Maple,
248-646-1695), This is Me (202 E. Maple,
248-593-8482), Sock-it-to-Me (120-B
W. Maple, 248-593-9413), Luxe (340 E.
Maple, 248-594-0050), and Nicole Miller
(268 W. Maple, 248-433-0393). Save
room on the plastic, too, for accessories
and shoes from Imelda's Closet (123 W.
Maple, 248-203-1222), Oliver's Trendz
(128 W. Maple, 248-646-2257), and
Gracie's (135 Pierce, 248-723-9443).
When the occasion calls for something
more casual, Caruso Caruso (166 W.
Maple, 248-645-5151) is a must stop for of-
the-moment denim and Ts in current and
reissued retro styles.
While still a bit sparse, options for
men run the gamut from the fine suit-
ings at Carl Sterr (742 N. Old Woodward,
248-645-6675) and Cicchini Custom
Clothier (180 S. Old Woodward, 248-646-
0535), to contemporary styled private-
label garments at Khulman (152 N. Old
Woodward, 248-723-5667) and hard-to-
find indie lines at Peasant (205 E. Maple,
248-203-6470).
Whether you're truly active, or simply
interested in looking the part, check out the
sleek athletic wear at Dominator (286 W.
Maple, 248-644-1475), or something a little

more old school from the half-century-old
Varsity Shop (277 Pierce, 248-646-4466).
Even the littlest of fashionistas can get
their fix at whimsical Purple Bear (244
E. Maple, 248-645-0400) or the traditional
Annie Dauphine (568 N. Old Woodward,
248-646-3221), and they'll certainly be
well shod with footwear from Esperanza
(560 N. Old Woodward, 248-594-3822).
What makes shopping "in town," as the
locals say, such a treat are the one-offs like
Lori Karbal et. al. (554 N. Old Woodward,
248-258-1959) for the newest and
hard-to-find skincare and cosmetics, or
Adventures in Toys (163 W. Maple, 248-
646-5550), where personal, efficient ser-
vice — plus complimentary gift wrapping
— is the rule rather than the exception.
There's also Harp's Lingerie (265 S. Old
Woodward, 248-642-2555), where the leg-
endary Mrs. Harp continues to hold court
over a retinue of expert saleswomen and
an always grateful clientele, while over at
Optik Birmingham (245 W. Maple, 248-
646-6699), Dr. Joe Ales stocks the largest
collection of authentic, never-worn vintage
eyewear in the state, not to mention some
groovy artwork and window displays.
What they lack in space they more than
make up for content-and expertise. Right
off the Sheep (395 S. Old Woodward, 248-

646-7595) specializes in knitting supplies,
while Simply Wine (180 Pierce St., 248-
290-0476), thankfully, takes the snobbery
out of buying a bottle of vino.
In the mood to treat yourself? Nothing
beats being captivated by the brilliant
jewelry and fine timepieces at Universal
Watch and Jewelry (555 S. Old Woodward,
248-723-5550), Astrein's (120 W. Maple,
248-644-1651), David Wachter & Sons
(100 S. Old Woodward, 248-540-4622),
Halina Fuchs (222 E. Maple, 248-
540-4500), Greenstone's (528 N. Old
Woodward, 248-642-2650), Heartwear
Designs (555 S. Old Woodward, 248-540-
2839) and Spiralz (230 E. Merrill, 248-593-
8400). Or peruse the racks of rich fur and
supple leather at Ceresnie & Offen (181 S.
Old Woodward, 248-642-1690).
Finally, take a whirl through the myriad
of Birmingham's home and design stores,
where the styles range from the avant
garde at Linge Rosset (275 S. Old
Woodward, 248-723-2500) and iconic
modern — Eames chair, anyone? — at
Design Within Reach (168 W. Maple,
248-593-9640), to the California casual of
Quatrine (254 W. Maple, 248-644-4705).
There's also classically inspired Maison

BIRMINGHAM ON PAGE 12