Alt.Shop

October 21, 2009

Instead of buying women's shoes at Dillard's or Shoe Gallery, try The Shoe Bar at Pieces (425 Mitchell Ave., 601-939-5204) or Earth Walk Shoes (Highland Village, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 158, 601-981-1975).

Instead of buying purses and messenger bags at Target, try Tangle Salon (3000 N. State St. 601-987-0123), Symbiotic (140 Township Ave., Suite 102, Ridgeland, 601-707-7234) or The Orange Peel (3026 N. State St., 601-364-9977).

Instead of getting trendy clothes at Anthropologie, try Wilai (Fondren Corner, 2905 N. State St., 601-366-9955), Material Girl (Dogwood Promenade, Flowood, 601.992.4533; Renaissance at Colony Park, Ridgeland, 601.605.1605) Treehouse Boutique (3000 N. State St., 601-982-3433).

Instead of Belk for mid-priced women's clothes, try LaMia's Boutique (109 E. Capitol St. 601-960-6464), Libby Story & Company (120 West Jackson St., Ridgeland, 662-323-1427) or Bargain Boutique (5070 Parkway Drive, 601-991-0500).

Instead of Dillard's for "nice" men's clothing, try Great Scott (4400 Old Canton Road, 601-984-3500), Latham Thomas (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 140 601-713-7848) or The Rogue, 4450 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-6383).

Instead of Hollister Co. or Pac Sun for hipster guy clothes, try Red Square Clothing Company (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9004, Ridgeland, 601-853-8960), Tangle Salon, 3000 N. State St. 601-987-0123) or The Orange Peel (3026 N. State St., 601-364-9977).

Instead of Bass Pro Shop for outdoor gear and clothing, try Circle Seven Outfitters (100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-3131) or Buffalo Peak (Highland Village, 601-982-1645.

Instead of buying music online (or stealing it), try BeBop (multiple locations, 601-969-3181 or 601-981-5000), The Little Big Store (201 E. Main St., Raymond, 601-857-8579). Get music equipment at Fondren Guitars (607 Fondren Place, 601-362-0313), Lakeland Music (5200 Lakeland Drive, Brandon, 601-992-0089) or Morrison Brothers Music, 27 Dyess Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0135.

Instead of buying appliances at Best Buy or Sears, try Cowboy Maloney's Electric City (multiple locations, http://www.cowboymaloney.com) or Kitchen Kreators Ltd. (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 260, 601-977-9300).

Instead of buying furniture at Haverty's, try Don Kazery Furniture (1919 Chadwick Drive, 601-373-7811), Furniture Zone (3750 Highway 80, 601-923-3640), Interiors Market (659 Duling Ave., 601-981-6020), Latitudes By Griffin & Egger (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-957-0738), Lounge Interiors (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-206-1788), Miskelly Furniture (101 Airport Road S., 601-939-6288), Room by Room (4436 N. State St., 769-251-5811, Stringer Furniture (3105 Lynch St., 601-948-7632) or Summerhouse (1109 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-853-4445).

Instead of buying children's items at Toys R Us, try Cosmo Tots (2906 N. State St., 601-427-3322), Popfizz Children's Boutique (1481 Canton Mart Road, 601-977-1000), Polka Dot Pony (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 180, 601-981-9900) Freckles Children's Boutique (consignment at 402 Cynthia Road, Clinton, 601-925-0355).

Instead of buying pet goods at PetSmart, try Animal Health Products (995 Interstate 20 Frontage Road, 601-354-0733), Briarwood Pet Shop & Kennels (1461 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-5102), Dog Spot Pet Grooming (1290 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 769-216-3093), The Dog Wash (5410 Interstate 55 N., 601-991-1700)

Instead of getting hardware and keys at Walmart, Lowe's or Home Depot, try Bailey Lumber and Supply (4525 Lynch Street Ext., 601-922-1321), Montgomery Ace Hardware (2801 Old Canton Road, 601-366-4441 or SE Lock and Key (3003 N. State St. 601-362-0541).

Instead of buying household goods at Walmart, Target or a chain drugstore, try Hudson's (379 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-898-9555), Beemon Drugs (1220 E. Northside Dr., 601-366-9431), McDade's Grocery (multiple locations, http://www.mcdadesmarkets.com) or Polk's Discount Drugs (multiple locations, 601-825-8660).

Instead of buying high-end cosmetics at Nordstrom or Belk, try Amy Head Cosmetics (120 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-853-3098), Maison Weiss, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Highland Village, 601-981-4621), Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Op Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602) or the many local beauty salons.

Instead of buying office supplies at Office Depot, order through Offisource (http://www.offisource.com or 601-352-9000) or Jackson Paper Company (http://www.jacksonpaper.com or 1-800-844-5449).