Tampa Bay galleries and art museums know that if you need to promote an art exhibition, West Coast Graphics are the people to print your postcards. The full-service commercial printers always get the colors right, so the art on the postcard matches the art on the wall. Beyond that, West Coast Graphics provides excellent service to their repeat customers, responding to emails promptly, giving quick quotes, and advising on dimensions and paper types when asked. wcgprinting.com — Jennifer Ring

In an area where the comic book store scene could be so much stronger (MegaCon isn’t that far away, yo!), this nerdy haven that was once tucked in between an Amscot and a dance studio has taken over the entirety of the building on US-19. Half of it is taken up by boxes and a few shelves loaded with graphic novels and fairly-priced back issues that go decades back. On the other side, you’ll find all of your trading card needs, from storage books and sleeves, to a wide selection of cards pertaining to Pokemon, Star Wars, the Rays, and even John McCain (a card that we know you’ve been dreaming of). Though with the ongoing construction between Tampa Road and the overpass, you might want to bring a comic book to read while you sit in Florida traffic. @WonderWaterSportsCardsComics on Facebook — Josh Bradley

Do you self-identify as a “book witch”? Are you interested in ethically sourced bones, B Corp incense, small batch spell candles? Do you have a “Beauty is Terror” tattoo and a green velvet couch? Then you may be interested in Spellcrafter in St. Pete. New to the occult shop scene, Spellcrafter sets itself apart in a few ways. The first is its in-house line of candles and anointing oils. The second is the vibe. This isn’t some hippie head shop with questionable sourcing. Everything here—from the products to the knowledgeable staff —feels intentional. It’s a place that takes magick seriously. shopspellcrafter.com — Caroline DeBruhl

Come here for the scent alone. Or a true 2x4. Lap siding, cypress, heart pine, or a cedar post. In operation since 1908 and providing retail since 1949, Anderson's carries the wood you cannot find at a big box store. Run by Fred Anderson, a Boca Ciega high grad, this yard serves a crucial role in the St. Pete community. When new home owners realize their McMansion was trimmed with crap composite, Fred and his crew will mill the proper replacements. In a city increasingly built out of stick frame and construction adhesive, everything done on the cheap, Anderson's feels special—like an olfactory forest in south St. Pete. andersonlumberstpete.com
—Thomas Hallock

Dan's Brake World holds down a corner of St. Petersburg's 34th Street and 22nd Avenue S, just off I-275. Anyone looking for a straight-up and affordable mechanic will ask, "Why didn't I come here sooner?" The almost 400 reviewers on Google Maps agree, near perfect 4.9 stars. Run by the unflappable Dan Dacey (never a hair out of place) with sons Anthony and Dominic, Dan's Brake World at 2200 34 Ave. S keeps your old vehicle on the road. No drama, no surprises (if Dan can't do the job, he'll tell you), just a shop you can trust. dansbrakeworld.com—Thomas Hallock

With a heavy New York/North Jersey accent and a fast-talkin’ wit to match, John—who’s quick to point out that he’s the manager, not the owner—makes shopping at this high-end shop in downtown St. Pete a blast. Plus, he’s always ready, willing and more than able to fix or adjust eyewear that customers bring in for a tune-up. You’ll walk out with your glasses feeling right. John has manned the small(ish) floor of the Optic Shop for 23 fucking years. Can you imagine? And he’s always in good humor, never seems like a caged animal. theopticshops.com—Eric Snider

She’s the lead physical therapist in a facility specializing in neurological issues, but a certain Creative Loafing Tampa Bay writer turned to her after a knee replacement in mid-June. Turns out she’d worked on a lot of knees in her early years as a PT. Zilbauer has put the writer through the proper paces, knowing when to push him, when to pull him back. She’s also had to play psychiatrist, talking the writer off the ledge almost every week when he came in bitching about his supposed lack of progress. Also, kudos to Kim and Heather for helping make Central Neuro PT fun, as well as providing occasional rehab tips. centralneuro.com—Eric Snider

In a world of Goodwills and Salvation Armys, Tampa alone has been blessed with two of Red White and Blue’s nearly 30 national locations. Both of ours—one on Hillsborough Avenue in Town ‘n’ Country and another in Seminole Heights—constantly have new (and we mean new) inventory coming in, and items with certain colored tags go on sale every day, for abnormally cheap. And even when something isn’t on sale, these things head out the door faster than the speed of light, and sometimes, right off the cart and racks fresh from the stockroom. There won’t be a “next time” if you pass on something interesting, but Red White and Blue is probably the only place in the world where you’re able to celebrate finding a signed Blue October CD, an Xbox 360, and black Banana Republic boots without shattering the bank by skating across the store on a RipStik. Just make sure to hit the bank first for some old-fashioned cash. redwhiteandbluethriftstore.com—Josh Bradley