A landmark in Old Town Scottsdale, Sphinx Date Ranch has been selling one-of-a-kind gourmet gifts since 1951. The Sphinx Ranch Gourmet Gift Market features Arizona-grown medjool dates, dried fruit and nuts gift baskets, Arizona craft beer and Arizona wine, specialty oils and dressings, salsas, sauces and spices, honey, jams and syrups, and a variety of sweets and candies. Gifts are hand-delivered in the Phoenix area or shipped worldwide via your choice of shipping carrier. But when you're in town, stop by in person to taste the wares and take back the taste of Arizona home with you. Don't forget to order a date milkshake, a house specialty.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Sphinx Date Ranch in Old Town Scottsdale is a historic specialty fruit and nut store that hearkens back to Scottsdale's Western and agricultural roots.
Patricia's expert tip: Try a delicious date milkshake, made at Sphinx Ranch daily.
This unique Scottsdale boutique comes with well-known pedigree: co-owners Robert Black and Doreen Picerne are both well-known and respected fashionistas with serious credentials. He was formerly from the prestigious Ford Robert Black Agency, and she is a well-known fashionista and philanthropist. This store brings red carpet couture from around the world to the Scottsdale, with a well-curated collection of daywear, special occasion designer pieces, and one-of-a-kind accessories. Come here for a truly unique fashion find. Located in the historic White Hogan building on East First Avenue.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Fashion by Robert Black features gently-used, high quality couture from around the world.
Patricia's expert tip: All sales are final, so shop mindfully.
Old Town Candy and Toys - the name says it all, doesn't it? This family-owned toy and candy shop is a modern day version of the classic neighborhood shop. The store is well-stocked with classic toys, including toy dolls, train sets, puzzles, toy airplanes, as well as a well-curated selection of more modern toys, including superhero and comic book-inspired novelties. The store also carries a small but thoughtful selection of picture books. The store, which takes up two suites in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, also carries a great selection of retro candy treats and novelty soda pops in glass bottles.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Old Town Candy and Toys is a family-friendly Old Town shopping destination that will delight shoppers with its selection of old-fashioned candies and toys.
Patricia's expert tip: Old Town Candy and Toys provides candy in bulk for weddings and other celebrations.
Super Chunk is a colorful sweets shop, bakery and cafe in Old Town Scottsdale that specializes in small batch, handcrafted confections. The treats here are not exactly like your run-of-the-mill candy bar, though. That's because Country Velador, the Executive Pastry Chef at Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz World Wine Bar, has crafted (alongside husband and partner Sergio) unique flavor medleys that combine traditional American candies with Southwest-inspired ingredients. Stand-outs include the caramel corn, duck fat toffee, mesquite chocolate chip cookies, and housemade fruit roll-ups. The cafe side of the shop currently offers craft sandwiches for lunch, including a great bagel sandwich.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Don't miss Super Chunk if you love high-quality sweets and treats, produced with lots of local flair.
Patricia's expert tip: Super Chunk is not just a sweets shop, but also a cafe and bakery. If you come during the lunch hours, you can plan to enjoy a sandwich in the adjacent cafe.
This lively Old Town farmer's market features fresh produce, flowers, fruit and specialty food products from local growers. You'll find a good selection of organic and pesticide free produce. Depending on the season, shoppers can find seasonal specialties like cider, freshly steamed tamales and freshly cut flowers. Other treats include natural pork, fish, beef, free range eggs and locally made cheeses. Locally crafted food products include desert honey, jams, picadillies and artisan breads. The farmer's market is family friendly, and well-mannered pets on a leash are welcome. The market is generally held seasonally (spring and fall) on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m near the intersection of Brown and First Street.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: The Old Town Scottsdale Farmer's Market features an ever-growing assortment of locally made goods and gift items.
Patricia's expert tip: Please note that the market closes for the summer.
Even in busy Old Town Scottsdale, Bischoff's Shades of the West stands out as one of the district's best destinations for Arizona-specific souvenirs. The spacious store features an expansive and well-curated selection of southwestern gifts, apparel, food items, home decor, blankets, jewelry and art. Whether you need to pick up an Old West-themed postcard, or you're looking for hard-to-find Western decor, chances are you can find what you're looking for at Bischoff's. Part of the fun of visiting Bischoff's is simply exploring the large inventory.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Bischoff's Shades of the West has one of the largest and best-curated selections of Arizona souvenirs in Old Town Scottsdale.
Patricia's expert tip: Whether you're looking for jewelry or blankets, Bischoff's probably has it.
The Poisoned Pen is Scottsdale's best-loved independent bookstore. This popular shop carries a wide selection of modern fiction titles, with a special emphasis on signed, first editions of mystery fiction, crime, and literature of the American Southwest. The Poisoned Pen regularly hosts an average of about 200 author interviews each year. If you've always wanted to meet your favorite author, the Poisoned Pen is more than likely where you will find them reading and signing their latest title. Most years, the store even hosts its own mystery book themed conference. The Poisoned Pen also carries unique paper and gift items.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: The Poisoned Pen in Old Town Scottsdale is one of the city's best-loved independent bookshops, a haven for book-lovers an writers.
Patricia's expert tip: Book-lovers will want to subscribe to The Poisoned Pen's special e-newsletter to find out about special events.
One of the largest malls in the Southwest, this upscale shopping center contains more than 225 stores and restaurants, including 40 that are the sole representatives of their brand in Arizona. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, and Macy's ably fill anchor store roles; other venues include Burberry, Juicy Couture, Gucci, Max Mara, Anthropologie, BCBG Max Azria, and Sephora. An "Enchanted Kingdom" play area and a seven-screen cinema keep the entire family entertained. Spacious, pleasant, and airy, the mall encourages relaxed shopping. Stop by guest services for a map. The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau also has a Scottsdale Fashion Square's Concierge Desk providing visitor information.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the largest and most upscale shopping malls in the entire Southwestern United States.
Patricia's expert tip: Scottsdale Fashion Square shoppers can use their cell phones in the center to call the mall's roving concierge, for assistance in making their shopping experiences hassle-free. Shoppers can simply look for the phone numbers posted throughout the mall.
Scottsdale may be associated with cowboy art and an Old West aesthetic, but this district nestled in the heart of downtown is home to a thriving contemporary arts scene. Intimate galleries showcase a broad spectrum of art media, including painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed-media pieces. Local artists are strongly represented along with several nationally-recognized names. Boutiques featuring Southwestern jewelry and crafts also ply their wares. The first Thursday of each month finds the street alive with gallery openings, live music, and refreshments during the popular free artwalk. Come here to get an authentic taste of downtown Scottsdale and pick up some locally made art.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: Marshall Way Arts District is one of the liveliest shopping districts in downtown Scottsdale, featuring local art galleries and Southwest-themed shops.
Patricia's expert tip: Free popular art walk every Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m
This charming section of Old Town features plenty of unique shopping, dining, and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly quarter. Eclectic specialty stores line the street, and shoppers stroll between them on the tree-lined avenue or take advantage of ubiquitous bicycle-taxis and a free trolley. Clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, and gifts for the home and garden are all at-hand. Forming a hub for the district's activity is a striking, dynamic fountain by sculptor Bob Parks that features five rearing Arabian horses. This is a must-see destination to anyone paying a visit to downtown Scottsdale, and a good place to pick up a souvenir.
Recommended for Best of Scottsdale's Old Town because: The 5th Avenue Shops of Scottsdale is one of downtown's most popular shopping destinations, offering shoppers an eclectic mix of locally owned boutiques and galleries.
Patricia's expert tip: 5th Avenue is the home to the famous Bob Parks horse fountain, one of the city's most photographed sculptures, so make sure to bring your camera.