The Avenues

Small store selling aquarium supplies and fishes, but its small scale beats many public exhibits for fun and colorful fish.

A comic book store, owned by a guy named Frank. Friendly staff. They have a small collection of back issues, and will order anything for you by request.

Renowned independent book and record store dating back to before the Beat Era. Both used and new books.

Tutti Frutti

A fun shop with great gift items that range from "Worst Case Scenario" guides, to dictators-of-the-world finger puppets, to knitting kits, to Sesame Street T-shirts, to "nerdspeak" flashcards. This store has the kitsch you are looking for. Kind staff will ask you if you need anything.