Shopping in Dallas

For many people, the very name of Dallas is synonymous with retail therapy. The city's motto, after all, is 'if it can't be found in Dallas, it can't be found anywhere'. This is where Neiman Marcus, 1618 Main Street, began its fashion business in 1907, as an 'exclusive woman's ready-to-wear store'. Today, all manner of big names have gravitated around it, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co and Christian Dior. The huge department store chain JC Penney also originated in Dallas.

Key areas

The majority of fine shopping in Dallas is found just north of downtown in the Uptown district and in Highland Park and University Park. Interesting, more bohemian shops tend to be found in Deep Ellum, immediately east of downtown, and on Lower Greenville, which reaches just northeast of downtown. Great clusters of shopping areas are also found in suburban Dallas areas, all north of I-635, such as Plano, Frisco and McKinney.

Markets

There is a large Farmer's Market, on the western end of Downtown, at South Harwood Street and Marilla Street.

Shopping centres

The most upmarket is Highland Park Village, a National Historic landmark and one of the first American shopping centers, opened in 1931. Look here for such shops as Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Jermes, Harry Winston and dozens of other fashion names, as well as homegrown retailers like Calame Jewelers and Cooter’s Village Camera.

Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, is a revered name in Texas shopping. Stores here include BCBG, Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop and Old Navy, Tiffany & Co., American Girl, Nordstrom, Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Macy’s. There’s an ice-skating ring with spectacular shows during the winter holidays, plus cinemas and restaurants.

NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, is compared with Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, but all-enclosed. Finer shopping abounds, with Neiman Marcus and boutiques from top-rate designers like CH Carolina Herrera, Herve Leger, Versace, and Salvatore Ferragamo, to name a few.

Opening hours

Almost all retail stores are open daily, 1000-2100.

Souvenirs

The best places to buy Texas souvenirs, such as western hats and boots and jewellery, are western-wear stores. These include Cowboy Cool, 3699 McKinney Avenue, a favorite boutique in the West Village, in the Uptown district; and Pink's Western Wear, 2475 N. Stemmons Freewaym, in the Medical District, northwest of downtown.

Tax information

Sales tax is 8.25%.