Parkleigh
The most typically Park Avenue of all the Park Avenue stores, Parkleigh is a gift shop par excellence. One of the oldest retailers of MacKenzie-Childs ceramics, they also specialize in gourmet coffee and tea.
Craft Company No. 6
Housed in a converted firehouse, this is probably one of the most unique stores you will ever go to. Everything is handmade and for sale. Very artsy and not mass marketed.
Yankee Peddler Book Shop
Over 25,000 antique and other used books. Stacks upon stacks of paper-based reading material. You never know what you'll find.
Rochester Public Market
Established in 1905, the public market features over 300 stalls where independent sellers ply their wares, from cheap locally grown produce to handmade crafts and other curiosities. Great fun to just walk around, but good luck getting out without buying anything. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays.
OUTlandish Videos and Gifts
GLBT items of every sort from T-shirts and greeting cards to leather and fetish wear. They sell GLBT-themed videos, too, both mainstream films and more "adult" fare.
The Bop Shop
The legendary Bop Shop just moved from the Village Gate to a larger location on Monroe Avenue. The shop is still crammed to overflowing with vinyl records, cassette tapes, and compact discs covering every era and every style. True music-lovers can spend hours pawing through the racks and uncovering treasure after treasure—albums they either never knew existed, or haven't seen in decades. The staff are all highly knowledgeable collectors and they love to talk music with customers. Often hosts jazz concerts; see web site for schedule.
House of Guitars
The "Great, Great House of Guitars" has a huge selection of new and used records, CD's, and cassettes, most of which you won't be able to find anywhere else. The store is also a shrine to music and musicians, with an extensive collection of instruments for sale. Some of the biggest music groups in the world Metallica, Ozzy, "Weird Al", etc. go out of their way to come to this store, because of the selection and the knowledgeable, well-connected staff.
Archimage
Great gift shop with a very unique selection. They sell children's toys, cards, jewelry, incense, stones, chimes, housewares, unconventional clothing items, and more...
Comics Etc.
There are a few good comic shops in Rochester, but Comics Etc. has long been one of the best.
Thread
Hip clothing and gift boutique in the South Wedge.
While the usual generic liquor stores abound, there are specialty shops that are worth a second look:
Wine Sense
Located near numerous other small shops and cafes, this wine dealer has a very friendly staff and carries many quality wines from the Finger Lakes region.
Greenwood Books
A nice selection of new and used books, with some older items that one simply can't find in large chain bookstores. Of particular interest is the selection of books covering both historical and modern Rochester.
Simply New York
This new boutique sells nothing that was not manufactured or assembled in the state of New York. You'll find foodstuffs of all kinds, of course, but also fine silverware, musical instruments, backpacks, and licensed puzzles and games from Buffalo Games. A great place to go to get gifts and souvenirs, or even just for your regular shopping.
There are several bookstores on Monroe Ave and East Ave which sell new, used, and rare books.
Shopping around Rochester is dominated by the major suburban commercial strips: Route 104 Ridge Road in Greece, and Route 252 Jefferson Road in Henrietta. You'll also find major big-box retailers along Route 104 in Irondequoit and Webster, Route 31 Monroe Ave in Brighton and Pittsford, and Route 96 in Victor. The three area indoor shopping malls are The Mall at Greece Ridge (http://www.greeceridgecen...) in Greece, The Marketplace (http://www.themarketplace...) in Henrietta, and Eastview Mall (http://www.eastviewmall.com) in Victor. Pittsford Plaza (http://www.pittsfordplaza.com) is an upscale and very large strip mall on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford.
Within the city proper, you won't find many large chains, but rather a wide array of independent shops and boutiques. Park Avenue is a particularly rich location for such shops, as well as great dining options. You'll also find quaint shopping districts in Charlotte near the harbor, along Exchange Boulevard on the east side of Corn Hill, and all along Monroe Avenue.
One unique space you won't want to miss is Village Gate Square (http://www.villagegatesqu...) on North Goodman Street between University Avenue and East Main Street, part of the "Neighborhood of the Arts". It doesn't look like much from the outside, but on the inside it's an old industrial space filled with small independent retail shops and eclectic restaurants. The upper floor also houses space for artists' workshops, so it's almost like a free art gallery up there. Among the many shops on the lower floor:
Century Liquor and Wines
In the highly regarded Pittsford Plaza, Century Liquor has a very large selection of wine and liquor, including vintage. Was recently honored in NYC by Market Watch Magazine. Receives tour buses from the nearby vineyard- and winery-laden Finger Lakes, which is the second largest wine producing area in the U.S.
Some other places of note for shoppers: