There are area flea markets with more acreage, more new stuff and more family attractions, but there’s only one Bussey’s. To set foot inside this homespun bastion of trash and treasures is to experience a fascinating cross-section of South Central Texas trading culture, from vendors with permanent booths hawking antiques and collectibles to families selling Mexican pottery from the back of pickup trucks to local folks with yard-sale goods spread out on the rent-by-the-day tables occupying the open space facing I-35. A day browsing Bussey’s can be exuberant, eccentric and exhausting by turns, but it’s never boring.

Woman-owned and locally operated, the Love Shack franchise aims to create a fun, safe, all-inclusive space for people to learn about — and explore — their sexuality. Carrying everything from toys to lingerie, Love Shack creates a sex-positive environment that’s also available for private parties, events and mixers. The knowledgeable and helpful staff is also ready to answer the most intimate of questions with no smirks, winks or guffaws.

Adult Megaplex
Multiple Locations
megaplexsa.com

Zebraz
1608 N. Main Ave.
(210) 472-2800
zebraz.com

“What an awesome little surprise. A blast from the past,” one Yelper wrote, summing up the appeal of La Segunda Bartique & Gallery. This funky south-of-downtown emporium is your go-to for seeking out cool vintage finds while sipping a stiff beverage and making new friends. Be sure to carve out enough time to browse the vast array of offerings, which range from furniture and knick-knacks to clothing and vinyl albums. It’s the perfect destination for thrifters with an eye for the unusual and an affinity for a good deal. And being able to imbibe at the same time only sweetens the deal.

Runners Up:

Karolina's Antiques
2024 S. Flores St.
(210) 731-9787
karolinasantiques.com

Runners Up:

Blue Star Bike Shop
1414 S. Alamo St., Suite 105 C
(210) 858-0331
bluestarbikeshop.com

Bicycle Heaven
Multiple Locations
incycle.com/pages/retailer/bicycle-heaven

Nowhere Bookshop is part of a rare breed: an independent bookstore opened in a time when pundits are quick to complain that no one reads anymore. Mindful of the potential bookstores have to create a community of brainy misfits, Nowhere Bookshop stands out by offering genre-specific book clubs, and it regularly invites authors for readings and panel discussions, many of them free to the public. Add to that a coffee, wine and beer selection to enjoy while browsing, and you have a hit on your hands.

Runners Up:

Half Price Books - North Central
125 NW Loop 410, Suite 103
(210) 349-1429
hpb.com/store?storeid=HPB-029

The Twig Book Shop
306 Pearl Parkway #106
(210) 826-6411
thetwig.com

Runners Up:

Olivia Grace Bridal
Multiple Locations
oliviagracebridalshop.com

Bella Bride Boutique
18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 117
(210) 451-9602
bellabrideboutique.com

Runners Up:

Cavender Auto Group
Multiple Locations
cavenderautogroup.com

North Park Toyota of San Antonio
10703 SW Loop 410
(855) 983-7335
northparktoyota.com

Runners Up:

Alamo Bud Co.
2501 Bandera Road
(726) 248-9655
alamobudco.com

Mellow Monkey
2286 Bandera Road
(210) 432-9333
facebook.com/mellowmonkeysmokeshop

Runners Up:

Deals N' Steals at Eisenhauer Market
3903 Eisenhauer Road
(210) 653-7592
facebook.com/210dealsnsteals

Learning Express Toys & Gifts
255 E. Basse Road, Suite 340
(210) 930-4442
learningexpress.com

Runners Up:

Pinkberry Boutique
4718 S. Hackberry St.
(210) 535-3882
pinkberryboutique.shop

Golden Child Boutique
11858 Wurzbach Road
goldenchildboutiques.com