Reviews
The Shopper's Guide to Washington D.C.,' by Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff lists specialty stores ranging from clothing boutiques to bookstores to sporting goods retailers, plus a guide organized by neighborhood and a directory for obscure items like dollhouses (Miniatures from the Attic, 111 Park Ave., Falls Church, Va.) and magic supplies (Barry's Magic Shop, 11234 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, Md.). The authors - tireless shoppers who have lived in the area since the 1970s - also forced themselves to come up with a top 10 list, This invaluable paperback is divided into traditional shopping categories (fashion and accessories, bookstores, music, sporting goods, toys, games and hobbies) and into shopping neighborhoods (Georgetown, Dupont Circle and more)....What the book does well is spotlight quirky, one-of-a-kind places, such as Backstage Inc. (theatrical supplies and novelties), Boot Hill Western Store (handmade cowboy boots and clothes by Crazy Cowgirl) Elder Crafters of Alexandria (beautiful things, all handmade by seasoned workers who also man the store) and tiny fashion boutiques and art galleries., Recommended for tourists visiting Washington...'The Shopper's Guide to Washington, DC: Where to Find the Best of Everything., "Written by two longtime residents, Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff, it leads visitors to the best of shopping in the Washington area. Categories include: gourmet and ethnic food; beer, wine and spirits; unique clothing; consignment shops; jewelry; cosmetics; perfume; vitamins; toys; games; hobby stores; cameras; stereos and televisions; computers; furniture and home accessories; garden supplies; musical instruments; CDs and records; sporting goods; and books. The authors include information about other things the shopping neighborhoods offer. They have also named their top 10 favorite stores. The list includes Artcraft Collection, Alexandria (VA), for brightly-colored contemporary crafts, furniture and jewelry made by over 400 U.S. artisans; Boot Hill, Woodbridge (VA), described as one of the best western stores in the United States; Southworth Guitars, Bethesda (MD), a shop with an awesome collection of vintage guitars; and The Toy Exchange, Wheaton (MD), a world of Mister Peanut figures, die cast mini trucks and other toy classics." Bestfares.com, December 1, 2004 "Stephen Koff, Washington Bureau Chief for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, is co-author with Karen Ertel of 'The Shopper's Guide to Washington,' an insider's guide to the hidden gems that make the city unique." The Record (newspaper of The National Press Club), December 23, 2004 "Although Washington commonly is known as a town that has only one thing on its mind (politics, of course), you wouldn't know it from this book. Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff are serious shoppers, and it shows. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find it here, from gourmet food stores and fashionable boutiques to record shops and independent bookstores, and D.C. is fortunate to have a number of them. Home and garden outlets, health and beauty supply stores, and places that sell everything from sporting goods to potpourri are listed. You won't find national chains here, just independent stores and owners with their own individual stories to tell." "The Resourceful Traveler" column, Chicago Tribune - January 9, 2005, The Wichita Eagle - April 3, 2005 "Heading north? This book could prompt many a road trip: 'The Shopper's Guide to Washington, D.C.' (Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff, $15.95, Capital Books). This invaluable paperback is divided into traditional shopping categories (fashion and accessories, bookstores, music, sporting goods, toys, games and hobbies) and into shopping neighborhoods (Georgetown, Dupont Circle and more)....What the book does well is spotlight quirky, one-of-a-kind places, such as Backstage Inc. (theatrical supplies and novelties), Boot Hill Western Store (handmade cowboy boots and clothes by Crazy Cowgirl) Elder Crafters of Alexandria (beautiful things, all handmade by seasoned workers who also man the store) and tiny fashion boutiques and art galleries. 'The Shopper's Guide' is available at Amazon.com and at capital-books.com, where you'll find other great titles including 'Dirt Cheap, Real Good: A Highway Guide to Thrift Stores in the Washington, D.C., Area' and 'Quest for the Holy Grill: 50 Crummy But Good Restaurants Within Rambling Range of Washington, D.C.'" The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), December 15, 2004 "Top 10 travel list Best specialty shops in 'The Shopper's Guide to Washington, D.C.' by Stephen Koff and Karen Ertel: 1. Artcraft Collection, Alexandria 2. Backstage Inc, Washington 3. Boot Hill, Woodbridge 4. CDepot, College Park, Md. 5. Good Eye, Washington 6. Eatzi's, Rockville, Md. 7. Old Luckett's Store, Lucketts 8. Second Story Books, Rockville 9. Southworth Guitars, Bethesda, Md. 10. Toy Exchange, Wheaton, Md." Richmond Times Dispatch, December 5, 2004 In the February 2005 issue of Washington, Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff have their article on their favorite places to get good deal, Written by two longtime residents, Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff, it leads visitors to the best of shopping in the Washington area. Categories include: gourmet and ethnic food; beer, wine and spirits; unique clothing; consignment shops; jewelry; cosmetics; perfume; vitamins; toys; games; hobby stores; cameras; stereos and televisions; computers; furniture and home accessories; garden supplies; musical instruments; CDs and records; sporting goods; and books. The authors include information about other things the shopping neighborhoods offer., 'The Shopper's Guide to Washington D.C.' is an extensive guide to the best retailers in the area, chosen for merchandise, service and overall shopping experience. There's also a breakdown of noteworthy neighborhoods where you can shop 'til you drop., Although Washington commonly is known as a town that has only one thing on its mind (politics, of course), you wouldn't know it from this book. Karen Ertel and Stephen Koff are serious shoppers, and it shows. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find it here, from gourmet food stores and fashionable boutiques to record shops and independent bookstores, and D.C. is fortunate to have a number of them. Home and garden outlets, health and beauty supply stores, and places that sell everything from sporting goods to potpourri are listed. You won't find national chains here, just independent stores and owners with their own individual stories to tell.
