Methodology Creating this list started with identifying criteria by which stores would be judged, including inventory, management, ownership, customer service, atmosphere, location and payout – would it be worth it even if nothing is purchased? After sifting through recent Times reporting and archival purchases, and seeking recommendations from Styles reporters, editors and contributors, more than 120 stores emerged as contenders.
A team of eleven Styles reporters and editors eliminated the most obvious stores that didn’t meet the criteria. Then, after months of deliberation, we narrowed the rest down by visiting most of them in person and virtually, and sometimes more than once. The fifty chosen stores were all visited by reporters and photographers. No company paid for promotion or inclusion. For stores on the list with multiple locations, we chose one and noted why.
Produced by Michael Beswetherick, Tanner Curtis, Antonio de Luca, Kellina Moore and Anthony Rotunno.
Video credits Jenn Ackerman, Gabriela Bhaskar, Kendrick Brinson, Dan Cepeda, Gina Cherelus, Katie Currid, Travis Dove, Loren Elliott, Ruth Fremson, Taylor Glascock, Raven Greene, Sadiba Hasan, Sylvia Jarrus, Haiyun Jiang, Madison Malone Kircher, Michelle Mishina Kunz, Steven Kurutz, Miya Lee, Hope Mora, Andrea Morales, Misty White Sidell, Stephen Speranza, Will Warasila, Hannah Yoon and Adriana Zehbrauskas.
