Replica Watches,Wemen's Handbags,Fashion Shoes

By JESSICA VAN SACK

The Patriot Ledger

It's nothing like the department store era of the 1950s, when downtown Quincy billed itself as "Shopperstown USA."

While Quincy is no longer considered a shopper's destination, quality options for home goods, clothing and food exist in the bargain-havens, hip boutiques and culinary gems sprinkled throughout the city.

Ladies need not venture farther than Shirmela, a small clothing boutique in Wollaston. Shirmela Mohammed designs many of the funky handbags and flashy clothes that adorn the racks and shelves of the moderately-priced shop.

Tag Heuer Fake

One-of-a-kind earrings range from $5 to $30 and women's clothing is priced to compete with other retail clothing stores. The merchandise ranges from decorative pillows to scarves.

For bargain shoppers, across the road on Beale Street is Finders Keepers, which carries second-hand merchandise including baby and maternity clothes and a variety of toys.

Next door is Wollaston Antiques and Collectibles. Owner Patricia Ford is a one-woman "Antiques Road Show," making house-calls and haggling with collectors to land the variety of offerings artfully crammed into her quaint shop.

Ford said much of the decor she sells fits in with the "shabby- chic" trend in home furnishing.

A large, wooden 1920s radio sells for about $100. For $1,000, a Coca Cola machine circa 1910 is a rarer find and the priciest item in the store.

Old cabbage patch dolls that look like new are a popular gift for children

In other parts of the city, serious bargains are found in Quincy Center's T.J. Maxx and Ocean State Job Lot on Newport Avenue in North Quincy.

For a variety of upscale finds, Quincy Center's handful of hip shops and jewelry stores are the best bet.

From gourmet food to fine wine Tiffany Bracelet and Bangle to vintage jewelry, Gypsy Kitchen is an eclectic little shop owned by self-proclaimed "vintellectual" Lisa Lamm. The oddly juxtaposed merchandise, including dozens of hot sauces, imported beer, canvas paintings and spices, will make you feel like you've stepped into a shop on Newbury Street in Boston.

For all that glitters, Quincy Center's Rogers Jewelry is known as one of the region's authorities on gems.

As far as food, groceries in Quincy are not just about packaged meat, milk and eggs.

Tucked away on Liberty Street in South Quincy, D & D Deli offers everything Italian, including specialty cheeses, at affordable prices.

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For a taste of the North End in your own dining room, there's Alfredo Aiello Italian Food Retail Store on Franklin Street just outside Quincy Center.

From fresh pasta to pumpkin ravioli, this longtime favorite has all the fixings for a complete Italian dinner. Fresh-baked bread is brought in daily from the North End and the freezer is chock full of prepared meals if time is in short supply.