Best T-Shirt Shop

Goods Detroit

15 E. Kirby St., No. 108, Detroit

313-703-7754; goodsdetroit.com

Remember when every mall in America had a print-your-own-T-shirt shop? Remember how much fun it was to take in your favorite kitty-cat illustration and have someone put it on a shirt that you could proudly wear for your elementary school class picture? You can relive that magical moment again at Goods Detroit, where you can bring in your own design or choose from a selection of pre-made images. The pre-made images can be printed on-site. While you’re waiting for your shirt to be printed, shop around: The store also carries jewelry, art, soaps and other items made by local artists.

Best Place to Get a Hair Cut While Rocking Out

The Chop Shop

2980 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-546-2237

This place really is the shit. The whole room feels like a cross between an auto shop and a ’50s barbershop. Women are welcome, but the feel is one of a man’s man’s place. The owner, Jay, will talk to you about Morrissey for hours, while everything from Elvis to old surf rock will play in the background. All of the staff look like they just stepped off the Rebel Without a Cause set. The prices are reasonable, and the quality is top-notch. If you don’t live in Berkley, it’s worth a drive.

Best Place to Find an Old He-Man Figure That You Used to Have When You Were a Kid but Lost

Time Travelers

3277 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-548-7213

There are plenty of comic stores around town, and good ones too, from Wonderworld in Taylor to Detroit Comics in Ferndale and Green Brain in Dearborn. However, none are quite like Time Travelers. The place is appropriately named, because it kinda feels like stepping into the forgotten memories of your 12-year-old self. The shelves are stacked with toys of yesteryear, from He-Man and Transformers to Star Wars and Smurfs. Of course, Time Travelers sells comic books and game cards too, much like any other store of its type. But it is the nostalgic thrift store quality of the place that makes it stand out.

Best Sleaze-Free, Sex-Positive Place to Buy Sex Toys

Lover’s Lane

1527 Washtenaw Rd., Ypsilanti;734-487-9201

More locations at loverslanestore.com

We all know those poorly lit, sleazy adult stores on the seedy side of town. The ones that sell expressionless blow-up dolls and French ticklers. You don’t want to go there. You don’t even own a trench coat! You’re just looking for something to spice up sexy-time with your partner and add a little dimension to solo fun. Lover’s Lane has a friendly staff that offers information and encouragement to people of all genders, orientations and experience levels who want to explore their sexuality. There are testers of lubes and oils available for comparing slipperiness, taste and scents. Toys can be handled, to better evaluate feel and vibration intensity levels. Now there’s something you can’t do on the Internet!

Best Independent Toy Store

Adventures in Toys

250 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-646-5550

Big store and good selection are not mutually exclusive, and Birmingham’s Adventures in Toys proves that true. Hardly bigger than a breadbox (we are teasing, of course), the store is neatly stocked with toys that are designed to do more than enthrall for the moment. From science, art and engineering-themed gifts for both sexes, the owners’ persnickety demand for intellectual engagement seems to drive what’s for sale. Nary a Bratz doll in sight, the items tend to fall on the higher end of the price scale, but then quality also doesn’t come cheap. The free polka-dot giftwrap is a nice touch too.

Best Place to Play for Robot Nerds and Lego Maniacs

The Robot Garage

637 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-723-9100

The idea is one of sheer brilliance: Take one unused warehouse and spruce it up; fill it with all things Lego; hire some great, kind and kid-loving staff; charge premium prices for classes, parties, etc.; rinse, lather and repeat. The owners of this marvel in childhood entertainment offerings, who opened their doors less than 24 months ago in an old warehouse in Birmingham’s “industrial” district, have created a facility no kid can resist. With a top-notch crew who are hands-on and helpful, the premium charged to attend a class, camp or workshop does not come cheap. The venue is also a great place for birthday parties. The combination of robotics, Legos and education, all packaged in a low-key atmosphere make this the go-to place for us. (BG)

Best Indie Grocer in Hamtramck

Al-Haramain International Foods

3306 Caniff St., Hamtramck; 313-870-9748

Hamtramck has no shortage of small corner grocery stores but Al-Haramain is the best of them. The staff is friendly and if you shop there enough, they’ll remember you by name and let you know when your favorite fruit is first in-season and back in stock. Every square inch of the place is packed with fresh produce, candy from around the globe, bread, bulk spices, nuts, and olives, halal meats, and that one thing you didn’t know you needed until you found it. Best of all are the reasonable prices. Why does this ethnic market offer excellent produce at reasonable prices? It’s because Al-Haramain’s Yemeni customers demand high quality and low prices — and that’s a deal we all get to share in.

Best Retail Rebirth

DeVries & Co.

2468 Market St., Detroit; 313-831-2020

Longtime patrons of Detroit’s Eastern Market got a good scare last year with the announcement that the venerable R. Hirt Jr. company, founded in 1887 and run by four generations of the same family, was closing its doors. As it turned out, fortunately for fans of the vendor of specialty goods, the store was actually closing for a mild renovation, passing back into the hands of another Hirt descendant, the man who ran it until recently, David DeVries. The renovations were complete last May, and shoppers can now find the same specialty products in an even finer-looking space than previously. The floors shine and a bit of order has been added to the checkout process, with two registers to check out patrons at the end of their shopping experience. Congratulations to DeVries for giving us a slightly updated version of an ancient Detroit classic.

> Email MT Staff