Fort Worth Shopping Tips by VeronicaG Top 5 Page for this destination

Leddy's Ranch: Elegant Westernwear in Sundance Square

Leddy's Ranch is where you may want to go if you're looking for 'dressing up' your Western look. You'll find Lucchese Boots, fine men and women's clothing, snap shirts, many styles of leather belts, cool cowboy hats, comfy blue jeans and great jewelry all trimmed or decked out in Western style...but elegantly.

I like to browse through this shop to look at all the trendy clothing! I'm drawn to the Western boots each time I visit--but I'm stalled by the price. However, these boots look so well made that I'm sure they'd last a decade or more!

There is also a Leddy's Ranch at the Stockyard District in a more casual setting. In any event, there may just be something waiting here for you at either store.

Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10am-7pm; Fri. & Sat. 10am-8pm; Sun. 12N-5pm.

What to pay: Fairly pricey

Address: 410 Houston Street, Ft. Worth, Tx

Directions: Sundance Square

Phone: 817-336-0800

Theme: Women's Clothes

Longhorn General Store: Get Your Authentic Dr. Pepper Here!

The Longhorn General Store is located in the center of the Stockyard Shops, so it's oh-so convenient.

What most people DO NOT know is that a bottle of Dr. Pepper using the original recipe made with real cane sugar can be purchased here. Not so at the other Dr. Pepper processing plants. My husband and grandson buy a bottle each time we're at the Stockyards. It's a Texas thing to purchase the 'original' coming from Dublin, Texas!

Souvenir t-shirts, small Western toys, Blue Bell ice cream (a Texas favorite!), candy, postcards, jewelry and other keepsakes can be purchased here. Maria250 found a t-shirt to her liking to take back to Germany in memory of our Texas vt meet.

On the weekends there is usually live Texas style music offered outside the store, so stop and listen for a while. Here 's a heads-up for the guys: there are benches scattered throughout the Stockyard Shops so that you can relax while your other half is shopping.

Address: 140 E. Exchange #24. Ft. Worth,Tx

Directions: Stockyard Shops

Phone: 817-625-2422

Theme: Gifts

Website: http://longhornstore@yahoo.com

Retro Cowboy: Western Gear in Sundance Square

Sundance Square has a number of shops with a Western theme--Retro Cowboy has quite alot to offer in this regard. This store is packed with gifts that shout TEXAS!

It's a great place to find Western inspired souvenirs and children's clothing, leather purses, candles, armadillo candle holders, vintage posters, specialty foods from the region, t-shirts, rhinestone buckles, leather belts, country western CD's, cowboy hats, longhorn stuffed toys, wooden signs (picture 2), candy novelties (picture 3), wines from Texas and more.

It's fun taking our visitors here because they always find something to take home. A nice perk to one's visit is that parking is free at Sundance Square on the weekends--so why not drop by!

What to buy: Western-inspired items

What to pay: moderately priced to pricier items

Address: 406 Houston Street, Ft. Worth, Tx

Directions: Sundancd Square

Phone: 817-338-1194

Theme: Gifts

Schakolad Chocolate Factory: Chocolates For Savoring

On a recent weekend, we popped into Schakolad Chocolate Factory after traveling to Ft.Worth. Once the front door opened, the wondrous aroma of chocolate wrapped itself around us and pulled us to the glass case, where all sorts of luscious confections were waiting.

I spied a mini-chocolate cowboy hat (picture 2) for a couple dollars that I wanted to try. Ummm, it was so creamy and delicious! I'm afraid this will be a frequent stop for this 'chocoholic' when traveling to Sundance Square.

The store specializes in handmade European-style chocolates. as well as, sugar free and low carb chocolates, wedding favors, custom chocolate designs, wedding favors and gift baskets. Stop by for a taste of the 'divine'. Their motto is "chocolate to live by".

Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10am-7pm; Fri. & Sat. 10am-9pm and Sun. 1pm-5pm.

What to buy: Everything chocolate formed and filled

What to pay: moderately priced

Address: 106 East 4th St., Ft. Worth,Tx

Directions: Sundance Square

Phone: 817-870-2400

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://ftworth@schokolad.com

Montgomery Street Antique Mall: Super Antique Shop

My husband and I love wandering the aisles of antique shops, so have searched out a few since moving to Texas. The Montgomery Street Antique Mall was recommended by several people, so while hubby was away on business a friend and I dropped in to see what all they had.

We picked a great day to visit. Not only were they celebrating the 12th year of business, but most items were 20% off and champagne was being served in recognition of the occasion.

I was a little overwhelmed at first glance, but after a moment jumped right in! There was aisle after aisle of antiques of all types and over 240 vendors. Everything and anything was here. I found some Fiesta ware--brightly colored dishes from the 50's--to add to my newly started collection. The prices seemed to be reasonable, in comparing them to similar pieces I've recently purchased.

I've noticed most antique shops include a small tearoom. In this case, it was the Secret Garden Restaurant . Hours for the antique mall are Mon.-Sat. 10 am-6pm; Sun. 12n-6pm.

UPDATE: We stopped by after the Stock Show and Rodeo and found that many vendors had sales going on once again--this is a great place!

What to buy: Anything with some age---you name it! A place this large has to have what you're looking for...

What to pay: Moderate to pricey

Address: 2601 Montgomery Street at I-30

Phone: 817-735-9685

Theme: Antiques

Fincher's White Front Western Store: Stop Here For Buckles, Belts and Boots

Fincher's is the place to go if you like the look of the Old West! They've got suede vests, gleaming silver or brass belt buckles, smart-looking cowboy boots, leather and silver studded belts, unique jewelry, spiffy children's clothing, great-looking adult clothing and other Western gear including blue jeans.

We stopped by to find a pair of cowboy boots for our grandson, who promptly found a pair of black ones he liked. He was nicely fitted by one of the sales staff and encouraged to walk around the store to adjust to his new footwear. I think he's a natural!

You'll find good quality merchandise and helpful staff here. Why not buy a token of your visit that will last...located in the heart of the Stockyards.

What to buy: Western paraphenalia

Address: 115 E. Exchange Avenue, Ft. Worth

Directions: In the Stockyards Area

Phone: 817-624-7302

Theme: Local Craft

Website: http://www.fincherswhitefront.com

Antiques and Moore: Antiques and Home Accessories

A friend recently asked me to drive with her to Arlington, Texas to visit Antiques and Moore, which is located outside of Fort Worth.

This 50,000 sq. foot antique and home accessories complex contains American, French and English furniture, clocks, estate and designer jewelry, collectibles, Victorian furniture, linens and a lovely tearoom.

I spied an unusual Grand-daughter clock, standing just four feet tall. Since I'm usually on the look for fiestaware, I did see some of that, too, but not a large selection.

The Rose Garden Tearoom was a wonderful surprise! It sat to one corner of the antique complex and was nearly filled with diners when we dropped in. The entrance to the tearoom was through a grapevine entwined garden arbor. The tables were draped in coordinating printed and striped fabrics, with a pretty silk rose at each one.

I ordered their flavored iced tea, chicken salad with assorted fruit and pumpkin bread strips. It was delicious! My friend and I shared a slice of buttermilk pie--ummm. Since it was an outing to celebrate my August birthday, she treated me. Wasn't that nice?

Hours are Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 12noon-6pm.

Address: 3708 Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, Tx.

Phone: 817-548-5931

Theme: Antiques

ADOBE: Western Art Gallery

Art galleries usually attract our attention, so as we roamed the Stockyards with some fellow vter's it seemed natural to stop by Adobe.

Cowboys and their horses, Longhorn steer on the run and the Western countryside, inspired most of the paintings. Western style sculpture, handcrafted jewelry and unique furniture were all primarily executed by Texas artisans. I liked the rustic interior of the shop, which nicely set off the pieces.

Now that we discovered Adobe, I have a feeling we'll be making this a regular routine when visiting the Stockyards. I saw a painting or two that I found appealing and the owner was very informative, as well as, outgoing.

Hours are Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 12Noon-6pm.

Address: 2324 N. Main, Ft. Worth, Tx

Phone: 817-624-4243

Theme: Art

Website: http://www.adobewesternart.com

The General Store: One of my Favorites

The General Store is up from the main Stockyard area, where you'll find the visitor's center and rodeo, but a few blocks up on Exchange Avenue. A Buffalo head greets you from the wall upon entering.

I bring our visitors here because of the great selection of gifts and souvenirs. You'll find vibrantly colored t-shirts for children or adults-- I liked the choices in pink, green, gray, orange, brown, red emblazoned with TEXAS or I VISITED THE STOCKYARDS. Some even include sports caps.

Or course, they carried Texas salsas and dip mixes, candies, scented candles, key rings, small toys, Minnetonka sandals (which I love and first discovered in a shop in Sedona Arizona!), actual steer's longhorns, jewelry, postcards, cowboy boots and hats, western style purses and more. In my opinion, the quality of the inventory is top notch!

While visiting during our vt meet recently, DABS (Kristi) discovered mood rings--doesn't that bring back memories!?!

Address: 101 W. Exchange Ave., Ft. Worth

Phone: 800-282-9654;817-625-4066

Theme: Gifts