The Book Cellar
If no such thing as a bookstore existed and you were left the charge to create it, you’d be hard-pressed to outdo tireless but always-cheerful owner Suzy Takacs’ beloved shop in Lincoln Square. Though it’s only been open since 2004, it’s hard to imagine a Chicago without it. The store is a classic well-stocked indie bookstore, with narrow aisles stuffed to the ceiling with books and staffed by lovers of the written word who are eager to help you find the perfect gift for a nephew who likes to read or the next book you should tackle now that you’ve finished “The Art of Fielding.”  Like the internet, it’s open everyday, with late hours till 10pm five nights a week, but unlike the internet  it includes an in-store cafe that offers beer and wine alongside the usual coffeehouse fare. But perhaps most important of all for literary Chicago, the store is the city’s biggest bookstore supporter of literary events, from important touring authors to virtually every release by a Chicago writer to a bevy of book clubs and even performance-oriented events like Essay Fiesta and The Kates.

The Book Cellar, 4736-38 North Lincoln, (773)293-2665, bookcellarinc.com

Audience choice: Quimby’s, 1854 West North, (773)342-0910, quimbys.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Dusty Groove
Dusty Groove’s records are classified by categories such as jazz, soul, funk and rock—except for one musical session baptized by the name of a country. Brazil, the land of bossa nova, samba and many other unique rhythms, has produced so many individual artists that they do not fit into any conventional label. The selection includes records, CDs and DVDs of Brazil’s world-famous names such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Vinicius de Moraes along with some rare collector’s items in good condition and fair prices. They also have a nice sample of the new generation such as Ceu, Curumin and Seu Jorge.

Dusty Groove, 1120 North Ashland, (773)342-5800, dustygroove.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Broadway Shoe Repair
No shoe is too far gone to benefit from a little TLC at Broadway Shoe Repair. Studded heel? No problem. Broken zipper? They’ll fix it. Simply drop your downtrodden, broken kicks off here and pick them up within a week, good as new. With a price tag around $10 per pair, your feet will surely thank you and you’ll save a bundle on replacing your favorites.

Broadway Shoe Repair, 3171 North Broadway, (773)472-8800

Audience choice: Shoe Hospital, 318 South Dearborn, (312)922-7518

Best of Chicago 2012

Edith Hart
Not since Sofia has chic been so… well, chic. Edith Hart stocks cutting-edge brands from foreign locales such as Australia (Bec & Bridge, One Teaspoon, Paper Crown, Wildfox) that you certainly won’t find on Michigan Avenue. Young and trendy with a pulse on the world of fashion, owner Morgan Gutterman stocks her newly renovated store with everything you’ll need to become an overnight fashionista. Best of all? The store’s recently launched web store, ensuring you won’t even need to leave your nest this winter to stock up on blouses, jeans, belts and bags.

Edith Hart, 1917 North Damen, (773)252-3350, edithhart.com

Audience choice: Milk Handmade, 5137 North Clark, (847)833-6309, milkhandmade.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Sandmeyer’s
Sandmeyer’s is the one small book spot in the city that you forget to go to but once you walk back in, you immediately ask yourself: Why did I stop coming here in the first place? From being one of the first stores to showcase Marcus Samuelsson’s “Yes, Chef” to having the comprehensive collection of Chicago photo-driven coffee table reads, Sandmeyer’s, celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year, has not lost any of its relevance.

Sandmeyer’s, 714 South Dearborn, (312)922-2104, sandmeyersbookstore.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Alcala’s Western Wear
In the wild wild West Town neighborhood, Alcala’s offers the largest collection of cowboy boots in the city. The selection amounts to more than 8,000 boots, made from exotic animal skins like alligator, ostrich, lizard, stingray, snake, eel and smooth leather. Saddle up the family because they sell boots for all sizes, ranging from infant-sized booties to full-grown adult sizes. The shop, which feels like an old-time hangout in a western movie, stretches room after room, each one housing specific items. While the majority of the rooms are dedicated to boots that come in every cut and color under the sun, the store also sells shirts, jeans, vests, belts, belt buckles and hats. The selection is beyond impressive; from cowboy boots to motorcycle boots, from felt rodeo hats to rhinestone-studded belts and metal buckles to horse equipment, Alcala’s seems to have it all. The staff is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, taking care of customers in every step of the process, from finding the right fit to picking out the perfect color. The kicker: Alcala’s will clean and condition boots purchased from the store for as long as the wearers own them and it offers boot repair services. Free alterations are available for clothing bought at the store as well. If that’s not enticing enough, maybe the bucking horse statue in the neon sign at the entrance (along with the horse statues scattered throughout the store) will be enough to draw you in.

Alcala’s Western Wear, 1733 West Chicago, (312)226-0152, alcalas.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Brazil in Chicago
Marcelo Jarmendia, one of the leaders of the Brazilian community in Chicago, started this school along with “Casa de Cultura Brasileira,” a foundation dedicated to preserving and spreading the Brazilian culture. Besides having a deep knowledge of grammar, Marcelo is also an anthropologist, so expect plenty of interesting talks. His team is carefully chosen to provide a fun environment to learn the language.

Brazil in Chicago, 2212 West Sunnyside, (312)284-1737, brazilinchicago.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Asrai Garden
This gem of a shop is filled with fresh flowers, terrariums, taxidermy and little trinkets couples with good taste will love to get. All very romantic but also really cool, including candles and cosmetics by Santa Maria Novella, a classic Italian perfumery.

Asrai Garden, 1935 West North, (773)782-0680, asraigarden.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Longman and Eagle
It is hard to believe that their rates start at $85 once you see the incredibly tasteful decor of their six rooms featuring artworks by talented local artists such as Stephen Eichhorn and the Sonnenzimmer duo. Plus they’re located in the heart of Logan Square right in front of the Blue Line, meaning you have easy access to more touristy endeavors downtown if you want them.

Longman and Eagle, 2657 North Kedzie, (773)276-7110, longmanandeagle.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Bathsheba Nemerovski from Sparrow
Are you an introvert? Are you hip? So you gotta go have you hair styled by Bathsheba Nemerovski, owner of Sparrow. She is traveled, has the best style tips and knows everyone worth knowing in town. But she’ll also let you relax with their awesome magazines without trying to become your BFF overnight. No wonder Tavi Gevinson chose her to take care of her locks.

Sparrow, 2545 North Milwaukee, (773)486-9300, sparrowhair.com

Best of Chicago 2012