Browse Ryan's Reviews By Category:
Invite Your Friends
To see more reviews by people you know, invite more friends into your network
Got feedback? Let us know
Ryan R.
Hometown:
Tempe, AZ, 85282
InsiderRank: 15,081
First Reviews: 4
Would you like to Add Ryan to Your Insider Pages Friends?
Zia Record Store
Zia record exchange is a long time favorite in Tempe AZ, because it stays the same. It refuses to go along with the trend that the rest of Tempe has followed. No upgrades or corporate buy outs here, just the same old grungy store that blares loud music and hires the punkest of the Tempe underground. The best thing is that you can still find great used music there. A lot of places that get bought out end up restricting the music that they sell.
Changing Hands Bookstore
Changing hands bookstore recently moved to south Tempe but it still retains it's reputation as the best in town. Independently run, Changing Hands often times will bring quality guest readers and professionals to interact with the community that the larger corporate stores would not. I recently attended a function where guest speaker Amy Goodwin of Pacifica's Democracy Now spoke about many subjects including the rights and ethics of journalist and the news media at large. Community leaders valley-wide showed up to put their two cents in. The event that Changing Hands coordinated was a complete success.
The Coffee Plantation
The Coffee Plantation, on Mill Ave in the heart of Tempe, used to be the center of it all. College students and young bohemian types congregated there and it was all very small and for the most part good. Over the years the Coffee Plantation has grown and grown more and more corporate in there attitude. They have gained a reputation as unfriendly. No longer do they allow homeless people to drink water from the coffee shop, the bathroom is reserved for customers only, and a general mistrust of the customer is common. The company has been bought out buy a larger corporation there-in losing it's "person-ability" and charm that made the Coffee Plantation so successful.
Desert Greens Cafe
Gentle Strength is a place for everyone expect the closed -minded. Not only is it a gerocery store and cafe, it is also a place to organize the community. There is space that can be used for meetings of different varieties, teaching classes, or just to hang out and surf the internet or read a book. At one point there was a free store. Thats right a store full of free items. The green party is based out of the space. They also have an organic garden that members tend to.
Buffalo Exchange
Buffalo exchange in my opinion has great qualities and not so great qualities. If you are planning on selling clothing you might want to use some caution. The people they hire are not exactly fashion experts. The store does have a few people that know their designers and labels, normally the managers. make sure you are having one of them looking at your clothing and not one of the sixteen year old fashion punks. If not you could get ripped off or some of your clothing won't be excepted that rightly should be. Otherwise, the store is great. You can find some amazing deals there. It's like some people buy stuff at the urban-outfitters down the street, then once they get in their cars to go home they decide that they don't want what they bought anymore. So, they bring it over to the Buffalo Exchange.
Angelic Grove
Angelic Grove is by far the hippest event florist - decor company in the valley of the sun. Along with a professional staff of assistants, lead designer and owner Mark Karp creates stunning party environments that make Martha Stewart look like your grandmothers craft projects. I recently veiwed an installation art piece that Mark and company created at the Phoenix Art Museum that was beathtaking.
Plaid Eatery
Nesteled among ASU's many dorms and dorm style apartments lies a hip little restaraunt named Plaid Eatery. If you are into vegetarian food, surfing the internet, or having a few drinks with your freinds this is the place. The food is modestly priced, the beer flows all day every day for only a buck, and the internet is truly free.