48 September 21 - 27, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER contents | shopping & services | Arts & entertAinment | Food & drink | sports & recreAtion Best ApArtments Dallas Urby At many local apartment buildings, the word “efficiency” is a polite way to say “cell-like.” That’s not so at Dallas Urby, the 27-story apartment tower that opened in the Design District last year. (Work is being completed on a second tower next door.) When its New Jersey-based developers say efficiency, they’re talking about real efficiency with a helping of luxury. Careful, creative, cheerful design extracts the highest use from available space. Dallas Urby is the developers’ first foray to a city outside the New Jersey/ New York area, where natives know the value of interior space. Efficient luxury without pretentiousness is the goal, and they’ve met it nicely. Then there are the amenities: murals, a dog park, heated pool, knock-out views of downtown, a shared workspace/library with free wi-fi on the first floor and a gym as large as many freestanding workout spaces. 1930 Hi Line Drive 214-774-4200, urby.com/dallas Best Activewear De Novo Looking for athleisure for both yoga and a bougie four-mimosa brunch? Headquartered in the Bishop Arts District, De Novo Active carries clothes, activewear and a variety of accessories from multiple designers. Its mission is to offer pieces that elevate high- performance activewear sets from “the barre to the bar.” De Novo distinguishes itself from the big stores with unique patterns, colors and styles. Along with leggings, look for sweatshirts, outerwear, shoes, tanks and more. There’s also a pet section that is adorable. 250 N. Bishop Ave., No. 130 817-584-2248, denovoactive.com Best pAper Goods Paper Source How many Facebook happy birthday greetings does it take to equal the emotional effect of one pretty card with a handwritten note, sealed in an envelope, stamped and delivered to your real, physical mailbox? For those who prefer the personal touch, there’s Paper Source, with its colorful collection of cards, stationery, gift wrap, pens and assorted paper-adjacent products. Spending a few minutes wandering around Paper source is enough to make us want to write someone a letter, once we relearn cursive. 4525 Cole Avenue, No. 170, and other North Texas locations 214-599-2646, papersource.com Best place To Buy somethinG French Marcel Market Marcel Market is a unique store that’s part boutique, grocery, apothecary and more. Located in the Bishop Arts District, it brings exclusive French brands to the U.S., including multiple beauty and skin products. Food stuff ranges from savory to sweet, spreadable to drinkable, with a variety of French candies, pastries, sardines and other goods. There is some fun and bright Parisian apparel that would make for a mild day for Emily in Paris. Candles, perfumes, jewelry — basically a little something for everyone. Marcel even sells small surprise bags through their website ranging from $25 to $100. 250 N. Bishop Ave., No. 160 972-803-5331, marcel-market.com Best soAp Buff City Soap Let’s start with the good news for the addicts out there: Buff City Soap’s fall line of scents for its hand-made, plant-based soaps, bath and shower bombs includes pumpkin spice. That’s right, you can now sip your pumpkin-spice latte while pretending you’re soaking in a vat of your favorite drink. Pumpkin spice not your bag? Sandalwood, coconut, eucalyptus and lemongrass are also among the variety of scents relaxing extracts to flavor its bars and gels, all made in-house. Classes and parties can book time with Buff City’s stand-mixers to whip up their own concoctions. 6632 Snider Plaza, University Park, and several North Texas locations 469-766-0004,buffcitysoap.com Best wAter restorAtion Zeus Restoration With our long, hot, dry summers and clay soil, chances are someday you’re going to walk into your home and find you’re living in a lagoon, thanks to busted pipes under your shifted foundation. Based in Royse City, Zeus Restoration has techs ready 24/7 to help when disaster strikes, whether it’s a water leak, mold, fire, hazardous materials, air-duct cleaning or storm damage repair. Zeus and its professionally certified team have worked in restoration and construction for more than 20 years, so they know their business. When the god of thunder strikes, it’s only fair that you call on Zeus Restoration to repair the damage. 6280 State Highway 276, Suite F, Royse City 972-587-6960, zeusrestoration.com S A LO N | S PA PA N G E A | M E D S PA | C A F E ` ` beauty is our passion D A I R E D S . C O M • ( 8 1 7 ) 4 6 5 - 9 7 9 7 • 2 4 0 0 W I - 2 0 , A R L I N G T O N , T X , 7 6 0 1 7
