DELRAY BEACH. Designers and the fashion-conscious adore the incredible, multi-cultural merchandise that ABC carries at its flagship store in New York City. This venue is the outlet (read: discounted prices!) for the main establishment, and savvy shoppers will easily ferret out great items to incorporate into their homes. Departments are devoted to linens and bedding, decorative accessories, furniture, carpeting, and area rugs. The store's inventory is fertile ground for inspiration, and it's almost guaranteed that the items you buy will be unusual and unique, not cookie-cutter renditions of what everyone else owns.

WEST PALM BEACH. As you step through the great wooden doors that lead into Anthropologie, you realize that you're in for something different. The shop is a curious mix of clothing and home accessories, and the style manages to incorporate cottage, ethnic, and European elements into its fold. On one side, displays use architectural elements and feature stoneware, planters, door pulls, coat hooks, pillows, furniture, and lots of garden-related merchandise. It's all pretty, and many of the items are oriented toward entertaining. The clothing, on the other side, also straddles styles, featuring natural fibers, floral prints, and ethnic detailing that all work together rather than appearing haphazard. The space is inviting; the goods, intriguing. See what you can find.

PALM BEACH. Given its gracious address and carefully displayed merchandise, shoppers are often surprised to learn that the Church Mouse is a thrift store. But in Palm Beach, even donated goods have a special quality. Residents tired of their possessions donate them to this shop, run by the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. Depending on what's come in, you'll encounter rugs, lamps, frames, credenzas, upholstered goods, decorative accessories, bedding, and artwork. In an adjacent room are designer women's clothing, shoes, purses, and formal wear. Styles are great, prices are affordable, and everything is for a good cause. Plus, it's likely the most upscale thrift shop you'll ever see.

PALM BEACH. This small shop makes for convenient browsing when you're searching for the latest work of fiction or are trying to find a book on the history of Palm Beach architecture. As if to emphasize the prominence of words, a string of alphabet letters runs along the top of the wall, adding interest to the space. If you're looking for the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal, you'll find them here. Ditto for kids books, art books, coffee table books, biographies, self-help manuals, books on tape, and mysteries. Beyond that, Classic stocks post cards, travel guides, and magazines and can dole out information about the area. The helpful staff is also happy to special-order books.

WEST PALM BEACH. Something of a catch-all for every need, this establishment combines elements of a Western general store (complete with boots, hats and saddles!) and a coffee shop that hawks everything from hot dogs to magazines. If you stop in for a bite, they've got homemade fudge, candies and pastries. Other items being peddled available include greeting cards, souvenirs and gifts.