There is no reason to go to an Oktoberfest unprepared again. Need an accordion or a beer stein? Have the wear-with-all to wear leather hose, but none to wear? Your search is over. Stop in here and you will be the best-dressed mensch in town. For a look at Austria's more refined exports, check out the collection of Swarovski crystal, traditional costumes and other reasonably-priced gifts.

In a town that boasts more Polish citizens than Warsaw, Poland, you can be sure you will be able to find a store that celebrates Polish culture. You will find many examples of Polish folk art and knickknacks in this wonderful ethnic shop, including hand-painted chess sets and jewelry. You can also find many posters depicting Polish cinema stars. Stop by for a little taste of the old country.

Look sharp and go easy on your pocketbook. One of the cooler Wicker Park hipster fashion stops offers has some of the best men's and women's designer resale selections in the area, with brand names like Pierre Cardin and Liz Claiborne on sale. Many items could easily be misconstrued as never having been worn at all and everything is sold at more than reasonable prices. The shop also generates a lot of street traffic with the wonderfully creative window displays.

Sweet Thang, this hip-hop French pastry shop and cafe is designed to rock your world. The music is always loud, and everything about the place-including the coffee and pastries -is fresh. With seating for around 20 people, visitors can enjoy chocolate and fruit croissants, quiches and sandwiches as well. The shop will whip up something special for weddings and birthdays, is available for catering, and welcomes corporate accounts. This chic place will be relocating at its new 2142 West Roscoe location shortly.

Check out Wicker Park fashion while browsing the storefront strip of the Silver Room that surrounds the six-corners intersection. The shop features a vast array of namesake sterling silver accessories, including body jewelry. Plenty of watches are available too, including names like G-Shock and Baby G, Anne Klein II, Skagen Denmark, Storm, Kenneth Cole and Fossil. Shoppers can also find sunglasses, hats, bags and a myriad of other knickknacks and necessities.

The internationally famous shoe designer John Fluevog has not abandoned Chicago, and he has opted to bless us with a hip Wicker Park six-corners location that should reap plenty of sales. Shoe shoppers flock here for foot fashion at bargain prices. The variety of shoes are fun and well made, with catchy names such as Grand Nationals, Nature Angels, Safety Vogs and Lift-Offs. Walk-ins are welcome!

City Soles is a trendy place that is all about dressing up your feet. The sales people are overly attentive, perhaps, and more than one of them will greet you as soon as you walk in the door. Even though the designs are wildly funky and look like products from the Chocolate Factory, some have been known to lose stitching while still young. But, generally, this is a decent place for club shoe fashion. You could say it is well tread by the well-tread.

The true home of the record chain, the front window of Reckless Records is littered with posters for local band performances. The room is the largest of the three and offers the most comprehensive selection of vinyl and compact discs, along with a generous portion of laser discs. This is also a haven for local and faraway magazines and punk rock publications.

Una Mae's Freak Boutique exhibits an eclectic mix of new and used clothes and accessories, with some of the most impressive vintage selections to be found in the area. Merchandise varies from clothing, jewelry, hats and scarves to some marvelously packaged scented candles. Local artists sell their work here, too, including some very cool handmade wooden marionettes in the shape of cats, bumble bees and dragonflies.

Owner Bogna Iwanowska-Solak has come to Chicago and brought the combination of her Polish ancestry and a desire to deliver delicious baked goods to others. Many will be surprised to know that she imports some of the ingredients for her cakes, pies and tarts directly from her homeland. This bakery welcomes orders for personalized cakes to be enjoyed at special occasions. You can get just about anything from a large multi-tier cake to one shaped like a scroll for Bat Mitzvahs. There is also a large glass case beside the register, where you can choose gourmet cupcakes, mini French macaroons, and cream puffs to take home with you and enjoy. - Gina Rosemellia