Best of Seattle Readers' Picks

61. BEST GROCERY STORE

Did you doubt it for a second? Once you step inside Whole Foods (1026 N.E. 64th, 985-1500), you're not going to emerge for at least another hour and a half. It doesn't matter that you were only shopping for milk. Or that you just had a fish to pick up. You simply won't be able to leave. This is a grocery-store-cum-mini-mall, in which you have no choice but to wander the aisles, wide-eyed and cursing your slim budget. Organic produce, the choicest free-range poultry, bag-it-yourself legumes, an olive bar, a cheese island, fine wines, natural frozen foods, and a veritable food court (the juice and espresso bars are there by the exit to keep you inside all the longer): How does the average shopper stand a chance? We have to agree with our readers on this one. Thriftway and Larry's ran second and third, respectively; from their lavish produce presentation to their cooking accessories and gift sections (not to mention multiple locations), it's not hard to understand these choices, either. When we shop for food, we want other, nonedible options as well.

62. BEST YOGA STUDIO

In one of this year's most contentious categories, the winner emerged by the slightest of margins. Without further ado, the place for Downward-Facing Dog and Lotus Position and Warrior and Triangle and Bridge and all that other muscular wackiness is—drum roll, please!--Urban Fitness (4554 California S.W., 938-4119). Formerly Pumakicks Conditioning Club, this West Seattle studio has it all: Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, and power yoga classes. Fifteen classes are offered each week, morning and night, and class sizes range anywhere from 10ish (a.m.) to 25ish (p.m.). And they sell yoga accessories on site, so don't worry if your sticky mat is starting to wear out. Second place goes to Yoga Life, followed very closely by that Capitol Hill center for meditative strengthening, 8 Limbs.

63. BEST SHOE STORE

It had to be Nordstrom (500 Pine, 628-2111; Bellevue Square, 425-455-5800; Northgate Mall, 364-8800; other locations). Where else can you find the latest mule or the most appallingly expensive Prada sneaker? Whether you're a Brass Plum browser or a Salon Shoes wanna-be, you're going to be stuck in this department store's shoe area for a while. There's so much to see, too much to buy, and never enough footies for trying on that buttery strappy Chanel sandal. Fight your way into the line of vision of a salesperson, and chances are you'll be in there all day. John Fluevog, that purveyor of hipdom and chunky urban footwear, strode into second place this year, thus confirming the fact that street style isn't about teetering around on tiny heels. Payless Shoe Source, that bargain bounty of shoes so cheap you can't believe it, just barely took third over Ped, the boutique that keeps everyone else in this town noticing your accessories.

64. BEST TOY STORE

Who says New York has everything? Nobody, anymore, not when New Yorkers go forth and multiply, sharing their wares with everyone else. That's where starstruck kiddies and their parents come in, to the world of toys and over-stimulation known as FAO Schwarz (1420 Fifth, 442-9500; Bellevue Square, 425-646-9500). This place is like an amusement park. With inspiration from the clearly-not-hammering Bear, you'll find ways to inveigle even the best- behaved child. Dolls, toys, electronic devices, candy, moving creatures, and arts and crafts surround you, as music-box choruses fill the air and make Barbie and her friends all the more enticing, even to the strictest mommies and daddies. Teletubbies, Madeline, Babar, and more make this a one-stop kiddie treat. Pioneer Square's Magic Mouse, less hyper, earned second place this year. The other chains, Top Ten Toys and Toys R Us, were fit to be tied for third.

65. BEST HARDWARE STORE

If there's one area in which Seattle shoppers are sold on big-box retailing, it's hardware. The well-stocked, over-stacked, and low-priced Home Depot (2701 Utah S., 467-9200; 11616 Aurora N., 361-9600; 325 120th N.E., Bellevue, 425-451-7351; other locations) took top honors in this category. And although it's miles from the typical neighborhood hardware store concept, the Home Depot folks have to know a little bit about service to keep finishing first in this poll. Speaking of neighborhood hardware stores, Hardwick's, the crowded U District hardware mecca, took second place. Finishing third by just one vote was upstart City People's Mercantile, a reasonable middle ground between giant chains and the corner store.

66. BEST PLACE TO BUY SEX TOYS

Aw, that's easy. We practically gave this one away. Toys in Babeland (707 E. Pike, 328-2914) won this hands down. And it's all about the tactile experience once you're inside this colorful shrine to feeling good. Feel your way around stunning glass dildos and furry gadgets, and you'll never go back to plain old missionary position again! Well, yeah, we don't have to tell you. You already figured that out. Castle Superstore made out like a bandit and hit the second-place spot, while Fantasy Unlimited and Ballard's cozy Love Pantry came together in a two-way for third.

67. BEST USED-CD STORE

Compact discs have become the baseball cards of the last decade—collect 'em, trade 'em, sell 'em back, and get some new ones. (Meanwhile, baseball cards have become valuable glass-case collectibles, but that's another story.) Our readers' favorite place to sell back a few CDs or buy some new (to you) music is Cellophane Square (130 Broadway E., 329-2202; 4538 University Way N.E., 634-2280; 322 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, 425-454-5059). Next on the list of favorite places to do the used CD thing is West Seattle's (and Kirkland's) Easy Street CDs and Tapes. Last, but hardly least, is the popular Wherehouse Music chain.