We used to be die-hard REI fans. No more. Midwest has incredible selection, including Marmot and Icebreaker which you can't find much of at REI. They run great sales, particularly the employee garage sale (get there early) and the expos. And they really, really know what they're talking about. Happy to support the local outdoor Mecca.

Birchwood is pure heaven. Our most recent trip there was for Mother's Day brunch, and they were giving away perfect miniature muffins and scones in line. I knew the food was great but now I'm hooked on the pastries too. Love this neighborhood joint.

The quality of Peace Coffee is pretty good, but what really got me was seeing the bike delivery gal pedal her huge, heavy trailer of coffee bags across the Ford Parkway bridge and up the hill to Lunds. That's impressive.

How much do I love Peapods? Let me count the ways. Adorable clothes. Solid toys. Slings and wraps you can actually try out (with help from staff). Books. Gifts. Most of all, it was an incredible resource when I tried to navigate the uncharted waters of cloth diapering. Great store.

The Co-op recently moved and expanded, and while I think they lost a little of that comfy character, they're able to deliver much more with their new space. My favorite is the enormous bulk food section. It's much easier to move around and I think the staff seems a little perkier with the new digs too.

I may be biased because I live within walking distance of Mother Earth Gardens, but this is one of the happiest places in the neighborhood! The staff is abundant and happy, the selection is great, and the vibe is always a good one. We've gotten good advice on lawns, vegetables, and perennials. They also have a small library of gardening books inside that you can browse. The selection is huge--trees, grass seed, perennials, natives, annuals, indoor plants, corn gluten and many other things in bulk. It's a fun outing on a nice day!