Divaz Boutique n Andrea Reiss loves being her own boss. As owner of Divaz Bou-tique, with two Tempe locations at 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway and 110 S. Mill Ave., she gets to stock what she knows her customers like and keep it priced so that they can buy it. “The great thing is, whatever you put into it, you get back,” Reiss said of being a small-business owner.

Frances Vintage n Frances Vintage is cool. It’s that simple. The bou-tique at 10 W. Camelback Road stretches through three suites in Phoenix, offering clothes and shoes at Frances and candy at Smeeks. “We’re just a little quirkier” than just vintage, owner Georganne Bryant said. “It’s more vintage-inspired things.” A custom candy bouquet starts at $15, and a selection of rubber wallets range from $12 to $45. Frances stocks the local and natural Scotch nail polish line ($15), as well as dog gifts, kitschy wallets, men’s and women’s clothing, vintage zodiac pendants and Toms shoes for everyone in the family, even the tiny ones.

Watch USA TODAY reporter Jayne O’Donnell give tips on shopping at local merchants.

Garage n The coolest kids shop at Garage, 7144 E. Stetson Drive, in Scott-sdale. Or, at least their parents do. It’s where you’ll find a John Lennon dress ($53); a classy, rose-colored Stella McCartney dress ($110); and a Fendi fedora ($158) and tie ($88) for the most dapper of toddler-sized gentlemen. Don’t miss the rhinestone piggy banks ($55) so those stylish kids can start buying their own clothes someday.

Find holiday treats for cool kids, busy momsThe Phoenix area is home to inti-

mate little nooks and crannies where fantastic boutiques dis-

play their unique finds, items that will leave a lasting impression this holiday season. From the Borgata to downtown Phoenix to Tempe, here are a few must-shop destinations.

Modern Manor n Ryan Durkin and his wife, Kylie, are “constantly hunting” for new things to feature at their Phoenix shop Modern Manor, 716 W. Hazelwood St. The boutique specializes in mid-century modern and vintage furniture and home decor and sits among the Melrose Market-area shops. What the owners find, they restore and sell to those looking for that sharp edge and throwback comfort. Modern Manor features a Hans Wegner teak credenza ($2,500), a pair of early Arne Vodder striped lounge chairs ($1,600), and a kitschy, hand-painted Italian cat statue ($65).

BY LISA NICITAPHOTOS BY RUSSELL GATES

Two Plates Full at the Borgata n One step inside Two Plates Full at the Borgata, 6166 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, and you might

think a box of crayons exploded. The boutique, which features hand-crafted and made-to-look-handcrafted items, is drenched in a rainbow of lively colors. You’ll find a fun wooden reindeer wine holder, caught lying on his back and “drink-ing” the bottle ($32), as well as hand-painted wine glasses by a local artist. The glasses ($28 for full size and $8 for ornaments) are painted with comic sayings, such as “Mommy’s Sippy Cup.”

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LOCAL SHOPPING GUIDE

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LOCAL SHOPPING GUIDE