When you step inside downtown Spokane's historic Liberty Building, you'll find more than just two stories of books. The friendly staff, soothing sounds, and quaint Victorian décor makes you feel right at home. Explore the game store, café, art gallery or gift shop while you look through a treasure trove of new and used tomes. To absorb a bit of local culture, drop in on a free book reading. Every week various regional authors present newly published works to the public. It is a great spot to read and relax.

Located just across the street from Riverfront Parks carousel, Boo Radley carries a hip and eclectic selection of gifts for your favorite Gen-Xer or boomer (or yourself!). Boxing nuns, henna painting kits, t-shirts, lunch boxes, magnets, world music CDs Boo's whimsical collection has something for everyone on your list.

You'll find a huge selection of top-quality outdoor equipment and clothing in this vast facility. Hikers, climbers, skiers, backpackers and paddlers come here to stock up and get advice before the next expedition, whether to a local lake, or the Himalayas. The expert staff uses the equipment they recommend, and can help choose among the various options. Equipment rentals are available and various outdoor classes are offered year round.

A mecca for Spokane gardeners and pet owners since 1944, kids are drawn to this well-supervised pet area to view puppies, kittens, birds and hamsters, as well as more exotic pets. The aquarium section carries a vast selection of fish & accessories. Gardeners love the seasonally changing plants, tools and outdoor decorations. The knowledgeable staff can identify pests and plants and advise on pet and garden challenges.

This store packs a lot into a small downtown space. The selection is enormous, and includes top brands of mountain bikes, road bikes, tandems and childrens bikes. Bike shoes, biking clothing, messenger bags and packs line the walls. The repair shop is top-notch and urgent bike repairs are handled with dispatch. During prime biking seasons, a Biker's Mecca this is the place to come for advice, trail information or just to drool over the latest models.

Whether you're an expedition leader or an armchair tourist, you'll love browsing through this downtown store. One entire wall is devoted to travel books, organized by regions. Maps run the gamut from globes (lighted or unlighted) to wall maps, to topographical maps, to street maps for nearly any city in the world. Another section is devoted to marine maps, tidal charts and boating travel books. Local maps and natural history are a specialty, and custom mapping services are available.

Miss the old authentic candies from your childhood? These are the real things, handmade from quality ingredients. The fruit varieties are intense, the nuts are fresh, and the soft centers are buttery. All the old milk and dark chocolate favorites are here, as well as a large selection of sugar-free candies. Halletts capitalizes on Spokanes huckleberry fixation with huckleberry specialties, Jelly Fruit Fingers, truffles and bliss (soft centers).Don't forget to pick up some Spokane Gold chocolate candy bars for friends back home. The wrapper features Spokane landmarks and a bit of local history, and the chocolate is great, too.

The store name is a little misleading; Ray's buys and sells DVDs, CDs and laser disks. It also custom-builds and upgrades computers. Movie and music aficionados seem to gravitate to Rays. While this isn't a superstore, the inventory is carefully chosen. This is the place to find Hong Kong movies on DVDs, cult classics and sleepers. Ray's can give you a review of nearly every item in the store. Don't be surprised if customers add their opinions; the discussions can get pretty lively.

Lorien was born in 1977 in the back-to-the land days. The bulletin board outside the door is worth a visit all by itself. (Need a pack llama or reflexology treatment?) The store has a natural wood décor, herby smells and a laid-back atmosphere. You'll find bulk foods, organic produce and meat, homeopathic remedies, juicers, a good book selection, and a laid-back atmosphere. Quick fix dinners and dairy alternatives are in refrigerated cases. Clerks are always happy to stop and chat or advise, and tuck an informational newsletter in every bag.

The Japanese call Koi's underwater jewelry and when you take the short country drive and start wandering through the display gardens, you'll see why! Jeff and Cindy can help you plan your pond, or solve problems in an existing pond. Aquatic plants, imported and domestic koi, water features, filtration systems and statuary are all chosen with Spokane's climate in mind. Since the basis of a good pond is good water, filtration systems are a specialty, including the latest bead technology. If there's a pond in your future, ask about the pond-building workshops.