Just can’t say enough good things about Sooter’s. When Jimmy’s on Broadway told me I needed $1400+ of repairs on my ‘84 Honda, Sooter’s was able to do the job for $707.44. They are also really good at telling me what needs to be fixed right away for safety reasons or to avoid making things work, and what can wait a little while. It is REALLY hard to find a good and honest mechanic, but Randy Sooter is among the best.
I’ve already briefly touched on the Loft and what makes them a great venue for art films, documentaries and a place where you can watch indie films while drinking beer and eating pizza! But if you want to rent movies, Casa Video is really the way to go. Casa puts Netflix to shame with its stunning selection, plus they give you free popcorn just for looking! And I can’t really discuss independent local media organizations without mentioning Access Tucson and KXCI. Access Tucson allows random people off the street to make and air their own movies and TV shows. And KXCI is local radio at its best. My favorites include folk music on Saturday mornings and the Petey Mesquitey show. It’s just five minutes where he tells wonderful and informative stories about the lovely Sonoran Desert.
Some other miscellaneous places downtown include the Chicago Music Store, which rented me an amp for a benefit show for really cheap once. And there’s a folk store near Grant and Campbell if you decide you absolutely need a banjo (and that thought has crossed my mind).
Sexy Halloween costumes (heh, and more) at Fascinations, ridiculously overpriced but gorgeous clothes at Maya Palace, used clothes at Buffalo, bras that actually fit right at Alice Rae’s, a real newsstand at Crescent (actually a tobacco shop), camping gear at Miller’s Surplus or Summit Hut,
