60 N E W T I M E S B I G G A M E G U I D E Feb. 9th-Feb. 15th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com some of their featured photographers, plus Arizona- and Southwest-themed books, home decor, jewelry and other items. The gift shop at the magazine’s West Valley office is temporarily closed, but you can find outposts at Terminal 4 in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. (Multiple Valley Locations; arizonahighways.com) Bunky Boutique Bunky Boutique has long been one of the coolest stores in town, and it’s got a large assortment of desert- and Arizona-themed merch at its Roosevelt Row storefront. Selections include a wooden Arizona-shaped Christmas ornament burned with the images of a Joshua tree; hand-poured soaps that look like succulents, made by a Phoenix artisan; a tic-tac-toe game with Arizona- and cactus-shaped pieces; a gold-toned “phx” necklace, and more. (1001 North Central Avenue, #125; 602-252-1323; bunkyboutique.com) Desert Botanical Garden Our excellent local garden is a must-see just for its extensive collection of desert plants, but the DBG also has a top-notch gift shop. You’ll find beautiful desert plants, exquisite jewelry, local food items, books about Arizona, nice-smell- ing soaps, eclectic clothing, and cute stuffed cactuses for kids (and kids at heart). Whether or not you pay the admission fee to explore the garden, the gift shop is a destination in and of itself. (1201 North Galvin Parkway; 480-941- 1225; dbg.org) Frances For more than 15 years, Frances has been one of the coolest and most-loved little shops in Phoenix. Among the chic clothing and clever home accessories is a good selection of Arizona-themed merch for men, women, and children. You can bring home a crocheted cactus baby rattle for your new nephew, or a kitschy cow skull air freshener for your co-worker. Frances sells desert-themed shirts and hats from favorite local brands like Keep Nature Wild and High Jinks, sterling silver necklaces stamped with a cactus design, and prickly pear cocktail mixers from Phoenix business Iconic Cocktail Co., just to name a few items you can’t go wrong picking up as a reminder of your time in the Valley. (10 West Camelback Road; 602-279-5467; shopfrancesboutique.com) Kactus Jock Not all souvenirs have be cool — sometimes, you’re just looking to bring home a shot glass to your Uncle Henry who collects them. Kactus Jock in Old Town Scottsdale has just the thing for pretty much everyone to whom you’ve promised a gift from Arizona. They’ve got mini cactus gardens, “But It’s a Dry Heat” T-shirts for adults and kids, metal kokopelli figures, stone coasters with western imagery, and way more. (7121 East Fifth Avenue, # 6, Scottsdale; 480-946-7566; kactus- jock.com) Mexican Arts Imports You can’t miss the bright yellow building covered in murals on 24th Street near Van Buren Street, and you won’t want to miss out on shopping inside. Mexican Arts Imports is a third-generation family-owned business that regularly brings in new goods made by artisans in Mexico. The store is a riot of color, and seem- ingly goes on forever. The tightly packed aisles are stuffed with hand-tooled leather bags, embroidered clothing, cheerful housewares, small toys, wall art and other home decor, religious icons, and more Day of the Dead and Frida Kahlo merchandise than you can shake a maraca at. It all adds up to one of the more delightful shopping experiences in metro Phoenix. (340 North 24th Street; 602-275-9552; mexicanartsimports.com) State Forty Eight Founded 10 years ago by a trio of local entrepreneurs, State Forty Eight has grown into one of the most recognizable brand logos in town. The company produces shirts, pants, hats, stickers, bags, and more with its iconic Arizo- na-shaped logo, an image that is often used in partnership with teams like the Phoenix Suns or the Arizona State University Sun Devils, or to commemorate events (yes, there is a Super Bowl State Forty Eight shirt). Besides the three storefronts, look for State Forty Eight products at cool locations all around the Valley. (Multiple Valley locations; statefortyeight.com)
