1. Wrare
A recent addition to the new, pedestrian-friendly West 7th development, Adrian Wright’s decor and gift shop must be a godsend for the urban dwellers moving into the luxury lofts upstairs. The vibe is modern and masculine, featuring “vintage industrial” reproductions (a headlight lamp, a mint-green mechanics cart) mixed in with novel nonessentials like remote-control “man candles” and Tech Candy silicone iPad covers. There are only a few pieces of furniture here, but you’ll find much more two miles away at Wrare’s sister store, Wright at Home. 2955 Crockett, 817-885-8881
2. FIG Designers
Along the walls of this sleek showroom hang the cutting-edge—and big-ticket—collections of more than three dozen European designers you’ve likely never heard of, most of whom hail from Cyprus and Greece. You’ll quickly acquaint yourself with their talents, however, as you pull on Kika Ioannidou’s mid-length camel coat or vamp in front of the mirror with Dora Fitikidi’s green ostrich clutch under your arm or go slack-jawed over Efi Papaioannou’s strapless black-feather minidress. Best of all: every piece is made to measure. 2925 Crockett, 817- 886-0712, figdesigners.com
3. Fred’s Texas Cafe
This beloved barn-red institution (established in 1978) is holding its own amid all the trendy shops and restaurants. Wedge yourself into one of the sparkly gold-vinyl booths and prepare for a gut check before downing icy schooners of “cold-ass” beer, a half-pound Diablo burger with ultra-spicy chipotles, and a tangled mound of hand-cut bacon-cheese fries. Check out live music six nights a week (Fred’s is closed on Mondays) on the backyard stage, which is lovingly known as the Fort. 915 Currie, 817-332-0083, fredstexascafe.com
4. Bess and Evie’s Vintage
Shopping for vintage clothing often means sifting through the musty chaos of a thrift store. Good news: Kalen Ruiz has done the digging for you. The El Paso native’s boutique is a trove of “everyday wearable” discoveries, most of which date from the seventies or earlier, though there’s also a covetable collection of eighties rock T-shirts strung up on a back wall. Cowboy boots and costume baubles are plentiful, as are pristine polyester dresses with Pucci-esque prints, suede Stuart Weitzman pumps, and men’s silk Western shirts. 931 Foch, 817-877-1300, bessandevies.com
5. The Greener Good
What started as an online store launched by a local mom-to-be on a mission to “green” her life has expanded to include this brick-and-mortar shop. No eco-need has gone overlooked: there are six-piece Fire and Light dinner sets made of brilliantly colored recycled glass for your next party; organic DwellStudio footie playsuits for your newborn; reduced-toxin AFM Safecoat paints (mixed in-store) for your home; and an electric Bodhi bicycle with bamboo fenders for your morning commute. 925 Foch, 817-877-4767, thegreenergood.com
6. Milagros Frames and Gifts
This expansive gift shop may take its name from the small charms that are popular throughout Latin America, but most of the items for sale are made in the USA. A sixth-generation woodworking family in Iowa crafts those JK Creative Wood checkered clipboards. That medieval-looking Pequea Valley Forge iron pizza cutter is the handiwork of a blacksmith in rural Alabama. Texas artisans are represented too: look for the cowgirl etchings by Dripping Springs’ Debbie Little-Wilson and the reverse-appliqué shoes by Fort Worth’s Leonor Salazar. 851 Foch, 817-332-1818, milagrosframesandgifts.com
7. Dean-Kingston
The first tip-off that this men’s and women’s clothier knows a thing or two about presentation is the turquoise 1964 Cadillac parked on the roof. Once inside the hip industrial space, your brain immediately registers three words: Rock. And. Roll. Ladies can load up on dresses, mostly little and black, by Cynthia Steffe and French Connection, as well as vertiginous heels (Sergio Zelcer makes a killer leopard pump). For the guys, there are Hause of Howe charcoal denim blazers and studded, square-toed Mark Nason boots. Male or female, there’s a good chance you’ll walk out with the perfect black leather jacket too. 821 Foch, 817-698-8323, dean-kingston.com
8. Revolver Taco Lounge
Where are the papel picado banners? The roving mariachis? This family-run taqueria is the antithesis of a typical hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant in every way except the one that counts. Though the look is mod (glossy white chairs, nattily dressed servers), the food is a gratifying mix of Michoacán classics (with a dash of Pueblan and coastal influence), like huitlacoche tacos, camarones aguachile, and the Doña Juana, a tender chicken leg smothered in homemade mole. 2822 W. Seventh, 817-820-0122, revolvertacolounge.com
