44 BEST OF DALLAS® 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | FOOD & DRINK | SHOPPING & SERVICES | READERS’ CHOICE | CONTENTS Mimi’s Needlepoint is stocked with canvases that reference pop culture and internet hu- mor among a mix of more traditional designs. On top of being the go-to stop for needlepoint bits and bobbins, Mimi’s is also a great place to socialize with fellow stitchers. The building offers a cafe-style seating area equipped with a stocked diet soda mini fridge where needle- workers can bring their group projects, solo work or take advantage of Mimi’s $20 Office Hour tutorial sessions. BEST PLACE FOR LAST MINUTE GIFTS Marcel Market 250 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas marcel-market.com We’ve all been there before: it’s the week before Christmas, and you just realized that you didn’t grab something for your mother- in-law. In that moment of all-consuming doom, we’ve never been let down by Mar- cel Market. The Parisian boutique carries all sorts of imported goods made in the city of love: perfumes, snacks, stationery and soaps, to name a few. The wares are unique, and the sales associates always have advice on how to put together just the right gift basket for the occasion. Last Christmas we gave our charcuterie-loving in-laws an as- sortment of miniature French mustards, and we’ve been riding those brownie points ever since. BEST BOUTIQUE PET STORE Lula Pup Shop 1011 S. Pearl Expressway, Dallas lulapupshop.com If having a dog or cat is your whole person- ality and you organize your social life around your precious baby who is far too special for PetCo, Lula Pup is where you want to be. It’s less about the treats here (al- though there are plenty of treats) and more focused on unique pet tags, collars, ban- danas and leashes. Plus they have pet-cen- tric merch for humans. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t just want but needs a t-shirt that says “My dog and I talk shit about you,” welcome home. BEST PARTY SUPPLY STORE ABC Party HQ 1414 W. Davis St., Dallas @abcpartyhq If your kid wants it for their birthday party, ABC Party probably has it. No matter what kind of shindig you’re throwing, you will find the supplies to make it look great at this deceptively large store. Depending on how busy they are, last-minute custom balloon orders can usually be prepared within the hour – just be prepared to not use the rear- view mirror on your way home. Custom piñatas take a little longer, of course, but if you have the vision, they can bring it to life. They’ve sold several that look like our cur- rent president, down to the red tie and sig- nature blonde comb-over. BEST FRUIT STAND Oak Cliff Farmer’s Market 1414 W. Davis St., Dallas AKA the fruit stand outside of ABC Party, this may be the only consistent fruit stand in the city outside the farmer’s market down- town, but it’s the freshest produce option in Oak Cliff, until they finally get that HEB. They offer a seasonal rotation of both fruits and vegetables – in summer, you’ll find wa- termelons and some of the biggest cucum- bers in the county (probably). By November, they’ll be dealing in gourds. When you finish stuffing all those balloons from ABC Party into your sedan, you’ll want to cool off with one of their many juice options, and you’ll realize that no party is complete without a fruit tray. BEST PLACE TO GET A VASECTOMY Urology Clinics of North Texas at Methodist Dallas Medical Center 221 W. Colorado Blvd., Methodist Pavilion II, Dallas urologyclinics.com/providers/ ryan-c-baker-md/ There comes (no pun intended) a time in ev- ery man’s life after he has all the kids he wants or the existential realization that that Provided by ABC Party HQ ABC Party HQ