The Best

Shopping

Best place to get a good deal on Air Jordans

Located in the heart of downtown Providence, Geller's Shoes has been serving up a great selection at discount prices since 1954. Owner Phil "Skip" Geller took over for his father 30 years ago, and although he won't discuss the secrets of his success, he guarantees "the best value for the entire family." So while your old man was berating you for wasting $100 on the pair of "iguana skin" Air Jordans that you desperately needed for high school basketball tryouts (under the assumption that buying Mike's shoes and drinking his Gatorade would get you on the starting five), you could have been shopping Geller's. Hey, Pops probably knew that his pale and frail baby boy was far from his golden ticket to the fame and fortune of the NBA, but at least you would've looked damn good from the knees down. Just take a look at the front window display at Geller's -- an eye-popping array of multi-flavored, athlete-endorsed kicks in colors seldom seen in malls or "athletic superstores." So next time your dogs are barkin', score some new joints at Geller's Shoes. Your feet (and your wallet) will thank you for it. Crossover dribble sold separately. 126 Washington Street, Providence, 331-9720.

Best place to buy a gift for someone you really don't like

It's probably one of the most perplexing universal problems known to man: obligatory gift giving. You know, the endless self-perpetuating cycle of feeling forced to buy a present for someone because they bought one for you. Truth is, you really don't like this person and would rather walk on hot coals than spend $10 on them. And that doesn't even take into account the energy spent trying to find the perfect inexpensive gift that doesn't scream "bought at a yard sale." Well, problem solved with one-stop shopping at the Christmas Tree Shop. With its roots in Cape Cod, the store specializes in mandatory gifts. (Imagine all the last-minute souvenirs sold to vacationers for the people back home.) Indeed, the Christmas Tree Shop stocks all the traditional items you'd give to someone to whom you have no emotional connection: frames, vases, baskets. More personalized, quirky offerings vary from week to week. Where else could you buy a respectable gift for less than $5 -- and the wrapping paper to go with it? Locally: Adquidneck Center, Middletown, 841-5100; 300 Quaker Lane, Warwick, 821-4944; 1505 Washington Street (Rte. 1), North Attleboro, Massachusetts, (508)399-8978.

Best place to buy ripped apparel

First, a clarification: at the Catalog Fashion Outlet (CFO), the clothing isn't physically damaged. (Would we really advocate paying money for torn merchandise?) But the designer labels have been torn from the garments. No, these bargains aren't for the name-conscious, so a warning to brand-name zealots -- even if you do manage to find something with an intact label, you'll probably find a big old black magic marker line through it. CFO stocks inventory from many of the big mall and catalog stores. But although there are some irregulars, most of the goods are first-quality offerings of the previous season. Oh, that's all! Seems like a cardigan sweater is a cardigan sweater no matter when it's being sold. Okay, so you still want to know names? CFO sells apparel from the Gap, the Limited, Express, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, Land's End, Structure, and Eddie Bauer, to name a few. But shhh -- you didn't hear it from us. Locally: One Ann & Hope Way, Cumberland, 723-8490; 1689 Post Road, Warwick, 738-5145; 65 Highland Avenue, Seekonk, Massachusetts, (508) 336-6362; 75 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, (508) 999-6146.

The best place to see a frog the size of a dinner plate

Whether you are interested in buying a new iguana or just want to browse through the selection of dinosaur dogs, the Rhode Island Aquarium & Pet Center has all the equipment, supplies, and expertise necessary to help you create the perfect environment for your pets. While small, the Rhode Island Aquarium contains an eclectic selection of tropical fish, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even the occasional chinchilla. The staff members are always surprisingly helpful as they explain the finer points of pet care; it's not uncommon for them to even remember a frequent visitor's previous purchase and to inquire upon the health of their pets. If you need a pig's-ear toy for your restless dog or a heated rock for your lizard, stop at the Rhode Island Aquarium for supplies and advice. If you're lucky, you might even get to see the dinner-plate frog -- yep, he's that big. Just keep your fingers out of his tank if value your ability to count to 10. 905 North Main Street, Providence, 274-2520.

Best place to buy a pet gargoyle

If you're in the market for a pet gargoyle, Rocket Dog Studio is your gargoyle headquarters. Naturally, the unique gift shop carries an abundant selection of grotesque medieval figures, and it even thoughtfully stocks single body parts. For instance, if you have less room for your pet, you'd probably opt for the ornamental gargoyle head over a larger tabletop crouched statuette. Looking for something for "Gargie" to play with? How about a Nunzilla wind-up robot or a squeaky Roman figure toy to keep him amused? Or perhaps a Hail Mary night light is in order to illuminate the dark corners of a room? Even gargoyles can be afraid of the dark. Have you consulted an interior designer to develop a theme to make him feel at home? No need. Rocket Dog has accent pieces, too. A Gothic-styled free-standing candelabra would do the trick. And don't forget the hand-dipped candles. They'll burn beautifully. A cement fountain for your yard? Where else will he shower? You'll also need a card welcoming him into your household; Rocket Dog sells stationary goods. And lastly, he'd enjoy a journal to record all his emotions in his new home. Do you think the one with the Harlequin romance cover is too feminine? 114 North Main Street, Providence, 273-2012.

Best place to practice your manners

"Excuse me." "Pardon me." "Hi, could I just squeeze by here?" "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to step on your toes!" The scene: College Hill Bookstore. Open until midnight seven days a week, it's the perfect stop before or after taking in an independent film at the nearby Avon. In fact, sometimes it seems like the entire city has exactly same idea. But with few exceptions, the patrons here are a calm, well-mannered bunch. And with no pushing allowed, the gentle art of browsing isn't a foreign concept. However, it is helpful to know common hot spots to avoid. For instance, traffic often bottlenecks at the magazine rack. (The bookstore actually has half a row dedicated to magazine racks -- on both sides! That's a lot of glossy titles.) So you might want to head directly for the far wall, which houses the hardcovers and bestsellers. Or, if you're feeling particularly patient, it's certainly an option to shimmy through the crowd to the well-stocked fiction section, where finding a good read never takes more than a few minutes. 252 Thayer Street, Providence, 751-6404.

Best place to bring a hand truck

You'll have to be prepared for this adventure. Destination: the North Country of Woonsocket. Estimated time from Providence: 20 minutes. Same minutes converted for a typical Rhode Islander: approximately three days. Make sure that you have a full tank of gas and maybe even a lunch for the journey. Or perhaps you might want to reconsider going at all. After all, the natives won't mind; their secret would be safer for a bit longer. But if you do come, don't forget to strap that hand truck to the roof because if you hit Mark Steven's Outlet on a good day, you'll need more than just your two hands to haul your loot. Sure, everybody will know that you're from out of town, and they may laugh and point. But it takes a while to learn how to gracefully carry 15 bags solo. A division of the ever-growing Woonsocket-based CVS, the no-frills outlet sells just about everything, and then some. Toiletries, over-the-counter medication, film, cosmetics, watches, cards, spices, cologne, stationary, candy. Most of the stuff is priced either 50 or 75 percent off the original sticker price. And the merchandise constantly changes, so you never know what you'll score. Or where you'll store it once you get it home. 1960 Diamond Hill Road, Woonsocket Plaza, Woonsocket, 766-4481.

Best place to shop for your super-hip mom

In the '90s, most of us realize that no matter how many times her old one breaks, Mom doesn't really want a vacuum cleaner for her birthday. She doesn't want a mixer. And she certainly doesn't want a new iron. But she might want something from Hurricane, a bright shop on Wickenden Street with clothing and home accessory items mostly designed locally and certain to add creative and artistic flair to any home (even if Mom still has that scary, flashback-to-the-'70s living room). For the sentimental mom, you can slide a picture of the two of you at graduation into a weathered frame made from wood from Southern plantation buildings. For the stressed mom, get her into the latest aromatherapy craze with a pear-scented candle. A garden mom might like one of the hand-painted flower pots, while a working-but-earthy mom would love the handmade comfy clothes designed by Hurricane's owner. Of course, a cooking mom actually might like a mixer, but there's always Mother's Day for that. 53 Hope Street, Providence, 273-1608.

Best head shop that hasn't been busted

Memo to all Johnson & Wales, Brown, and RISD students: do not panic, your beloved Kind Connection hasn't closed -- it merely has relocated to the corner of Angell and Thayer streets. The move was made in late summer, and business is once again booming, especially with the college kiddies back in town and the holidays on the way ("Santa put a hookah in my stocking!"). Kind Connection has built a loyal customer base with a great selection of pipes in all shapes and sizes. According to one employee here, glass pipes are the biggest seller and range anywhere from $10 to $250. Kind Connection has everything from wild Graffix water pipes and extensions taller than you (for you "iron lung" veterans) to "one-hitters" and an array of rolling papers, including those marvelous and oh-so-handy Randi's Rolling Papers, designed with a thin, built-in wire to prevent burnt finger tips. In order to get in on the action, you need to bring the 18+ ID as a safety measure -- to prevent another Providence head shop from being busted for selling "tobacco-related products" to minors. 183 Angell Street, Providence, 273-7665.

Best vintage everything

Props to Brian Boog and Maureen Quinn, husband and wife co-owners of Mobee's Music, the best thing to hit Thayer Street since the ultra-hip Boston-based Allston Beat closed its doors five years ago. Mobee's reeks of funky nostalgia, guaranteed to have 20-something Gen-Whatevers walking out dizzily from flashbacks. At the previous location farther down Thayer, Boog (even the last name is funky) originally focused on guitars and their accessories, specializing in '50s, '60s, and '70s "trash guitars." But he has since loaded up on super low-priced "recycled fashions" and tons of old-school memorabilia. So clean out your closet or attic and bring in your clothes for cash or store credit -- there are enough retro guitars, effects pedals, and Fender and Peavey amps (including a 1960 Fender brown-tube Reverb Tank for a mere $799) to have Thurston Moore licking his chops. From vintage skateboards to Farrah Fawcett memorabilia, Mobee's Music is good, cheesy fun and guaranteed to keep you entertained. 297 Thayer Street, Providence, 351-4705, www.mobees.com.

Best selection of men's shoes this side of Boston

Let's face facts, gentlemen. When getting dolled up for a big night out, you need the essentials, from head to toe. No matter what label is embroidered on your shirt, no matter which brand of sunglasses needlessly rest atop your balding head (guys, we need to leave the shades at home after 5 p.m.), you need some spiffy shoes to complete and complement "the look." Leave those basketball high tops in the closet, toss those green-tinted lawn-mowing kicks in the garage, and get yourself to the appropriately named Savon Shoes in North Providence. This is one of the few stores in the state that specialize in men's shoes, and at 10 to 20 percent below outrageous retail prices. Owner David Grande has been serving up the best in brand-name footwear fashions for more than 15 years, with almost every brand of shoe and boot available, from Brutini, Cole Haan, and Kenneth Cole to Doc Martens and Lugz. A lower level is devoted strictly to men's boots -- Eastland, Carolina, Georgia Boot, and more than a dozen styles of shit-kicking Timberlands. Whether you're aesthetically challenged or a fashion mack, there's no need to make the journey to Boston and battle the Big Dig for a pair of shoes on Newbury Street. Simply cruise down Mineral Spring Avenue to Savon Shoes, where the reputable staff can help your cause without milking all your loot. 2204 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, 232-2204.

Best place to find an early Michael Jackson on black velvet

At the Salvation Army, you can decorate your entire living room in coordinated orange and brown tones, artwork included, for less than $100. You just might not want to. Going to the Salvation Army is a bit like going to Sam's Club: you end up with at least 30 items you never even knew you wanted. But unlike Sam's, where you might run out with the power pack of Gatorade, your great find at the Salvation Army might be a used $3 Snack Master or a vintage Barry Manilow on vinyl, or even a semifunctional refrigerator. Everything that someone else doesn't want inevitably ends up at the Salvation Army. In Providence proper, the Salvation Army on Pitman Street offers a 50 percent discount to anyone with a valid student ID every Wednesday. If you're a desperately trendy student shopper, you might want to gather a group to go to some of the outer Salvation Army stores (try Warwick, Woonsocket, or Pawtucket), where not everything has been combed through by all those other desperately trendy college kids in love with the idea of an early Michael Jackson on black velvet. And if you're looking to get rid of that wicker bedroom set you bought in a period of particularly bad taste, there is a consignment-shop Salvation Army in Newport. Locations throughout Rhode Island.

Best way to avoid the dermatologist

So you thought that facials were only for the rich? Ever hear the saying, "a stitch in time saves nine"? If you bear the burden of bad skin, the $45 and time you'll spend in Karen's bliss-filled basement room at Strands could save you hours of pimple-popping and Buff-Puff scrubbing later on -- not to mention the costly, yet trendy, dermatologically prescribed chemical peels or painful oral medications. Of course, any facial is going to feel like an indulgence (when do you ever get much time to lie on your back in the middle of the day?), but Karen takes her art to another level. New Age relaxation music accompanies the gentle masks, deep-cleaning hydration steam, and the added bonus of a paraffin dip for your hands (for moisturizing). An hour and a half later, you'll leave with your skin only slightly raw and glowing fresh for days. Facials are just the only cure for us dermatologically impaired folks, since we've learned over the pre- and postpubescent periods in our lives that oxy-cution never really killed anything. 493 Angell Street, Providence, 421-1975.

Best place to buy CDs from a white guy with an Afro

Yes, it's natural and, no, his name is not Sam -- it's Steve Hemmy. And his recently trimmed Afro and bushy beard conjure up thoughts of Paula Cole's underarms or Julius Irving's rookie card. Established in 1976 and still named after the original owner, Sam's Records, Tapes & Stuff has a great selection (crammed into 400 square feet) and even better prices -- all used CDs are guaranteed and never cost more than $8; new discs are $12.99 or less. Hemmy and his fluffy locks have been a fixture here since 1984; three years ago, he became the sole owner. Hip-hop is the biggest seller here: newcomer DMX placed second in sales this year, losing out to the Titanic soundtrack. Only a half-mile from the Warwick Mall, Sam's gives you no reason to deal with the shit selection, outrageous prices, and clueless employees in the mall. But please don't ask Steve if it's a perm. 1500 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, 463-7556.

Best fun (and finds) in the fitting room

Communal fitting rooms are not for everyone, but if you brave the 51st annual Wheeler School Clothing Sale, you'll quickly adapt. In what looks to be an old locker room of the gym, women of all ages, sizes, and descriptions gather to tug on a skirt or hold up a sweater or strip to their undies and fly through a pile of dresses they have gathered from the hundreds assembled on racks in the gym. As many as a dozen women can crowd into this space, and as soon as one outfit is rejected, it's up for grabs by anyone else in the room. Candid assessments are sought and given -- "Somehow it doesn't look right on you. Let me try it!" or "Ugh, this makes me look like a barn, who wants it?" The laughter and camaraderie of sharing clothes and self-image insecurities is infectious. After a while, it feels like a dorm party where you can't stop giggling: "Does this swish and swirl enough to dance in? Whoa, what can you see underneath?" "Will this be big enough to wear when I look like a beach ball with legs?" "Does this make me look voluptuous or matronly?" Next spring's sale will take place April 21-24. Corner of Brook and Angell streets, Providence, 421-8100.

Best place to get "Phishing" gear

Let's say you're a certified "Phish head." Chances are your cash flow may be a bit tight from all the bootlegs and concert tickets you've bought, leaving you low on funds for that Phish gear you need to supplement your raggedy wardrobe. Have no fear, my furry-faced Phish heads: 2 Guys Music & Tapes has more than enough Phish wear at reasonable prices. With at least 15 different Phish short- and long-sleeve T-shirts ($12.95 and up), as well as sweatshirts and thermals (starting at $29.95), the prices and selection at 2 Guys will leave you plenty of spare change for extra rolling papers, patchouli, or any other daily Phish-ing necessity. Even better, with a new 2 Guys (co-owners Sam Kettelle and Fred DeMaio) in North Providence, chipping in for gas money for your hand-me-down, gas-guzzling Volvo won't be as big a problem. From Hanson to Manson, Dylan to the Deftones, 2 Guys Music & Tapes has you covered, and lets you save a little cash for your stash. 1455 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, 353-9582; 1800 Post Road Plaza, Warwick, 732-1744.

Best way to make a statement -- fashion or political

Whether you want fine art (a sheer Mona Lisa shirt $58) or the many faces of Mao plastered on your clothing, you can buy it at ZuZu's Petals on Thayer Street. A small women's boutique, with prices typical of the upscale East Side, it's a great place to splurge when you need to make an impression of any kind. At ZuZu's you can mix traditional with the tremendously trendy, casual clothes with cocktail outfits. Tidy sweaters in basic colors or a delicate Vivian Tam Tanza wrap shirt ($150) go with great shiny part-Lycra skirts in fabulous shades of magenta and the like, for the sort of simple outfit that makes the transition from day to date. For a more formal affair, you can make your entrance in a heavy silk brocade blazer in smashing green ($180) or an ivory shantung skirt ($220). Want to make even the savviest of the tony East Siders blush? Try the brocade dragon corset ($174) to show off an artistic bit of flesh. Of course, if you're looking to just be elegant for that Saturday evening wedding you've been invited to, the store's simple black dresses by Odessa are tasteful and accessible for $200. 288 Thayer Street, 331-9846.

Best chichi tchotchkes

It's your best friend's birthday and she's one of those cooler-than-thou sorts. You would never dream of buying her clothes (for fear of her overwhelming disapproval of your fashion sense), she just redid her living room with help from an interior designer brought in from Italy, and she never reads anything outside of the bathroom. You're stumped -- until you go to Oop!, the store that answers the age-old question, "What to get for the girl who has everything." If you're low-budget, you can pick up a piece of Soap by the Slice (in scents such as Swiss mocha and Georgia peach, $6.25), a handful of seaglass potpourri ($4.50), or the perfect coffee-table lighter, which is UFO-shaped and lights up in genuine alien-movie style ($11.95). If it's a lover you're shopping for, try the suggestive Aphrodisiac's Cookbook, Inter Courses or the tell-all All About Me -- a baby book for the ages with space to tell your significant other what your favorite television show was when you were six. Add a picture of your favorite couple in a bean-bag frame ($6.50). And if you think your friend has just too much of everything, try the black-velvet pillow that just reads SIMPLIFY as a gentle suggestion. 297 Thayer Street, Providence, 455-0844.

Best place to make friends with your hairdresser

Anyone who has ever had a mute hairdresser knows what a horrendous experience it can be. There's a stranger touching the most important part of your body and you're both staring at each other in the mirror, not saying a word between "How much do you want me to cut?" and "Should I blow-dry?" Such an exchange is bad for the atmosphere and therefore bad for your hair. Altered Images, on the other hand, is all about atmosphere and good conversation. With the latest of the fashion glossies littering the waiting table (from GQ to Mirabella -- think of them as textbooks of haircuts), the walls screaming in bright tones, and the piped-in hip music, Altered Images is a haven of good vibes. The hairdressers themselves (who are, of course, what you came for, right?) are fountains of both hair-care and Providence info. (Danny will tell you exactly which kind of Fudge hair product is perfect for your overdry curly kinks and where the best night spots in Providence are). And their prices cater to the student crowd: a basic cut is $25 (men and women) with a $5 discount to students with ID. The color and cut is $55 (bleaching is also available). Facial waxing is $7 and up. 268 Wickenden Street, Providence, 272-8630.

Best way to cover that huge gaping hole in your wall

Buy a paper Zig-Zag shade for your lamp at Yang's. (They start at $25.) If it doesn't light the place creatively enough to distract your attention from the disfigured wall, you could also hang one of the enormous tapestries (starting at $10) that Mr. Yang buys from Africa, India, and Japan. Yang's has so much of everything for your bohemian home-furnishing needs that one might be overwhelmed with options. Which is why Chooky, a salesperson there, asks simply that the customers who come into the store do three things: "First think of your taste, then the size of your space, then your budget -- and we'll take it from there." Which means fans of Martha Stewart should not go to Yang's thinking of matching an enormous tapestry to the plaid ottoman in the tiny den. Yang's also decorates the body. In the more upscale part of the store, Mr. Yang sells his handmade bohemian and batik dresses (from $50) and kimonos. He also has the oh-so-versatile Indonesian sarongs ("Look, it's a dress! Look, it's a miniskirt! Look, it's a beach blanket!") for $25 in bright designs. And if you need to cover up that huge gaping hole in your pants, you can also buy patches and fabrics by the yard starting at 99 cents. 217-219 Thayer Street, Providence, 751-0988.

Best way to see yourself on film

For aspiring film students, it's hard to beat Acme video, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays, when all videos are only $1.50. Acme is otherwise a sort of promised land for film buffs -- movies are not only labeled by the year they were made (just begging all the pop-culture freaks to discuss how 1967 was a watershed for film) but also sorted by director. And for anyone who has ever dreamed of selling their baseball-card collection to make an underground movie, there's a whole wall of indie films you may rent for inspiration. Finally, Acme has its share of local filmmakers' original works. Rentable by donation, you can scour them all to see if maybe that kid you saw with a camcorder down in Waterplace Park actually caught you on film. Maybe you can even sue for royalties when he becomes the next Kevin Smith. Or maybe you'll just take one of Acme's free fireball candies at the counter and call it even. 137 Brook Street, Providence, 453-ACME.

Best place to outfit yourself like a Japanese schoolgirl

Be it Bacharach's smooth "Me, Japanese boy, I love you," or Weezer's belting "Goddamn you Half-Japanese girls, you do it to me every time," there's nothing like an innocent little Asian fetish to get the blood pumping. At Shades Plus you can find all that you need to exercise this particular fantasy, be it obscure Anime clear plastic backpacks, Japanese-style Kermit pencil cases, or the entire range of Hello Kitty gear. There are also posters, cheap T-shirts, lunch boxes, and stuffed animals -- plus about a million other little gadgets, practical jokes, prank post cards, fake KFC chicken pieces, giant jawbreakers, and James Dean paraphernalia. Our favorites, though, all come from the old-school candies section, where there's plenty of bubblegum cigars, pop rocks, and Astro-pops, most of which is way under a buck. And, oh yeah, they've got lots of sunglasses here, too. 281 Thayer Street, Providence, 861-9309.

Best place to buy loads of Spam

We're not sure just what it is about four pounds of cocktail sauce for a mere $1.99 that screams "You need me!" but at the Ocean State Job Lot we hear that call time and time again. The selection is always changing -- a recent trip unearthed (amid the cheapo golf clubs and car stereos) six pounds of corned beef hash for $1.99, eight pounds of mustard for $2.99, and of course cases and cases of Spam. Mmm mmm good. There are also housewares, pharmaceuticals, and all sorts of other domestic products like brooms and sponges and bookshelves at dirt-cheap prices, making the Job Lot an ideal place to get all those things you need for the new apartment but don't want to spend any actual cash on. Like a pound of "beef stix" (they're made from beef hearts, a total delicacy in some countries!) for a mere three bucks. There are Job Lots in Coventry, North Kingston, Pawtucket, Providence, Warren, and Warwick, but ours happens to be the one in East Providence. 70 Newport Avenue, East Providence, 431-2849.

Best place for Cuban revolution posters

It seems people in Providence have a thing for monkeys. And insects. Those are two of the things that Matthew Alaimo, curator and owner of the Alaimo Gallery, says go quickly here. Alaimo, who has been collecting print materials since he was 15, has amassed a collection of enviable range, from old-school beer labels for 50 cents to pre-WWII German circus lithographs for more than $800. There are posters of deformed babies, old promotional posters for everything from strippers to pastors, even a 500-year-old Venetian commentary on the writings of Thomas Aquinas -- with margin notes -- for a mere $75. Plenty of odd stuff for under 20 bucks makes it a fine place to browse for those bare spots in the house. And if you're looking for anything in particular, Alaimo will be more than happy to either point you to it, or keep an eye out for it on his next collecting trip. 259 Wickenden Street, Providence, 421-5360.

Best place to feel either very Buddhist or very full of yourself while shopping for kale

You will find no Coke at Bread & Circus, and that's because it's very bad for you. But Coke and kale don't mix very well anyway. (For those nonorganic, nonvegan readers out there, kale is a vegetable beloved by those infamous fruit-juice gurus like Mr. Juiceman.) What you will find at Bread & Circus are some of the freshest vegetables in Providence. Anything from kale to cabbage to rhubarb is piled high in the vegetable bins. Their mesclun salad mix is a brilliantly easy dinner, as it's already mixed and tossed for you. Even easier dinners are things like the premade marinara sauce and ziti dinners (around $4) or the eggless tofu egg salad. If you're still aching for some vitamins after that, you can get any nutritional supplement your malnourished cells could dream of (goldenseal, protein powder, and just your plain old vitamin C, to name a few). You can also buy dried goods in bulk, from soup (pea or mixed bean, just add water) to nuts (by themselves or mixed in with dried-fruit blends). It's quite easy not to offend any animal or religious rights group, any nutritional council, or any sort of environmentalist by shopping here, which should make driving home in the leather-seat Beemer all the easier on your conscience. 261 Waterman Street, Providence, 272-1690.

Best place to play "punch-buggy"

Parked outside of the Engines by Benz Inc. garage right now you will find six vintage VW beetles in varied condition, six VW campers, and a total of 18 cars, 17 of which are Volkswagens. Owner Bill Bense (his grandfather, a Benz, "Americanized" the appellation when he immigrated to the States) and his partner, Steve "the water guy" Poignee, simply love VWs. Bense has been fixing them since 1962 and has gained an international reputation as the man to whom you bring your beat-up bug. Bense says, "I've gotten calls from all over the place -- one guy called me up from Oxford, someone recommended me to another guy in Turkey." At one point, the wait for his service got to be so long that he had to remove his number from the phone book. "Thirty-three years with an unlisted number," Bense says, surveying the packed lot, "how fucked up is that?" Bense's work does not come cheap -- he says he works on the cars like they are his own, and that when he fixes them, he fixes them for good. The auto artiste even signs the engines he rebuilds when he's done. 82 Gano Street, Providence, 521-5217.

Best games for a bored nephew

Entertaining pre-teens can be tough, but probably not any tougher than jaded college students. At Gamz, right next to the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus, David Cantalupo has found his niche, with shelves and shelves of war games like Warhammer and fantasy football games like Blood Bowl. Cantalupo has set up two large demonstration tables in the front of the store and two other tables in the back so that players can bring their own sets and challenge each other. There is a Blood Bowl League that meets once a week (ages 12 and up) and an adult league for Warhammer. Cantalupo describes the rules for Blood Bowl as a cross between American football, rugby, and the Roman gladiator games. The inch-high figures that make up each army must be custom-painted by the player, who chooses a uniform look for each unit, such as "warriors, rampagers, avengers, and gladiators." Boys will be boys, at any age. Gamz also has a selection of Magic Cards, dies and marbles, and great collectibles for the 11-to-16 crowd; all the popular board games; some exteme-games jigsaw puzzles; and captivating board games with wooden pieces and names like Quarto, Quivive, Quixo, and Quads. 100 Fortin Road, Kingston, 782-9520.

Best place for blender parts

What do you do when your blender dies? How about your toaster? Coffee maker? Electric shaver? Or even the kids' Power Wheels? If you're like many other people throughout Rhode Island, you head to Marshall Electric. Who wants to throw out a blender that has just worn out a gasket or a washing machine that needs a fill hose or a refrigerator whose plastic shelves are cracking and breaking? If you've got the model number and/or serial number, just give Marshall's a call and they can tell you whether they have it or can get it. If you're unsure what part you need, there are helpful displays of the internal workings of many small appliances at Marshall's. Plus, their service department fixes most small appliances, as well as microwaves and restaurant equipment. They don't service TVs or electronics, but they can find parts for larger items, such as air conditioners, stoves, gas grills, and lawn mowers. Marshall's has been in business for 70 years, and their newest line is servicing the miniature cars called Power Wheels -- "A lot of people come in because of factory referrals on those, and then they see what else we do," explains manager Joe DiCarlo. And that's a little bit of everything. 200 Broad Street Providence, 331-1166.

Best place to find any widget you need

If you've got a screw loose -- or a nut or bolt or anything else that keeps things together -- and you've lost the whatchamajig that goes with it, you need to pay a visit to Damon's Hardware. Of all the hardware stores in the world, Damon's is the friendliest and the most prepared to have exactly what you need. Say you're in the middle of a paint job and you need a new roller; or you keep misplacing your keys and need to get an extra set; or you need to Xerox your tax return; or you need just the right tool for the right job. Damon's has more handy implements on their big oak check-out table alone than any gadget-happy person could keep track of! Never mind the shelves stacked ceiling-high, the cluttered annex, and their plumbing supply store next door. If they ain't got it, you probably don't need it. Asked about a recent addition, an array of candy bars, owner Dave Chappell says with a laugh, "If I could just get a small cooler for milk and bread in here, I'd be all set!" 422 Main Street, Wakefield, 783-4851.

Best concentration of yard sales and giveaways

The weekends closest to student move-outs, student move-ins, and college graduations are often the best times to find really cheap, really funky buys at yard sales. Of course, the very cheapest way to find a bargain is to take a walk on the East Side (of Providence, that is) the evening of and the morning after Brown University's graduation. It's amazing what you can find in someone else's discard pile. Desks and their accessories, books and shelves for them, chairs and pillows to throw in them -- all the detritus of student life could become repainted treasures in your house, apartment, or dorm room. Rocking chairs, bureaus, love seats, couches -- all have turned up in reparable condition on the sidewalk or curb. Scavengers or reapers of such unloved goods come in all ages, and it's not always handyman's specials that appear. Kids can spot spurned toys; teens can discover cast-off cassettes; adults can pick up interesting collectibles, such as ceramic picnic dishes or an enamelware omelet pan; even senior citizens might locate a good paperback. So, all of you tightwads, keep your eyes peeled for curbside signs that declare: FREE.

Best place to rent virtually unwatchable flicks

Ever since Faces of Death became a favorite flick at high-school parties, it seems as though the quest for more and more disturbing things to pop into the VCR has swept the country -- be it Deadly Police Chases 5 or When Animals Attack 7. There has always been, however, another level of gruesomeness, a sort of underground and slightly foreign market in which the yuck is almost unbearable. If you know about Salo, Pasolini's somewhat easy adaptation of de Sade's 120 Days of Sodom, you know of what we speak. And if you want to rent almost any of it, Obsidian has it. The store, which originally started as the private collection of owner Frank Bisogno, has everything from Lodge Kerrigan's Clean, Shaven to Snuff, Cannibal Holocaust, and Female Sex Ninjas, all available on a rental plan that understands it may take more than a day to get through these flicks. With a $10 membership fee and a $20 deposit, the $3 rentals go for three days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, five days on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Obsidian's also got the full gamut of indie flicks, from Jarmusch to Herzog. 5 Steeple Street, Providence, 454-0574

Best thrift shop for up-to-date, upscale styles

It's a given that a thrift shop is usually a great place for costumes -- a go-go skirt or a wild-patterned jacket. But what about the need for a new party frock, a comfortable pair of heels, a spiffy dress shirt? Those in the know head for Encore in Barrington. For more than 20 years, the Episcopal Church Women of St. John's Church has been running this shop in the church basement. Consignors receive a 60-40 split, with ECW's 40 percent going toward special projects in the community, including soup kitchens, a battered women's shelter, and other emergency services for families in need. There's a good variety of sizes at Encore, and not just in the Barbie-doll size-four-to-six range. Their careful organization and creative display of the clothing is particularly helpful, be it vests, sweaters, dresses, sports ensembles, men's suits, kids' clothes, or shoes. Encore has two good-sized dressing rooms and a back room where out-of-season clothing (stacked on tables) can sometimes be found for a dollar or less. Another bonus is their January winter clearance sale. Watch for it. St. John's Episcopal Church, 191 County Road (Route 114), Barrington, 245-7380.

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