A Stone's Throw.

Stacy is a magician. 

Stacy. Wearing: Prairie Underground

No, really. She wears a top hat. And does card tricks. 

Don't worry, the awesomeness doesn't stop there. Stacy also worked in France as a chef in a Michelin Starred restaurant, speaks fluent Japanese, plays the bass in a rockabilly band, is a roller-derby aficianado, is raising a 3-year old daughter, and...

manages the super unique store A Stone's Throw on Monroe Street in Madison.

Truth be told, when I walked into A Stone's Throw, I wasn't expecting to spend the next 30 minutes standing, mouth agape, in front of Stacy as she told me anecdote after anecdote about her incredibly fascinating life. As it turns out, though, she's actually a perfect example of the store's diverse clientele.

 "We don't want anyone to come in and feel like they can't find something to look great in", Stacy said - and I think, if that's their goal, the staff over at A Stone's Throw is doing a capital job 

[location-related pun fully intended].

 Whether you're an athletic, yoga-doing, bike-riding hip cat, or a bass-playing magichef, you're bound to find something to suit your fancy.

The store even has a resale section called "The Closet", where customers can drop off lightly-used clothing to earn store credit. 

 It's an upscale store - it's a thrift shop - it's an outfitter ... it's SUPERMAN!

In all seriousness, though - this place is actually pretty cool. They get most of their stuff from independent designers on the West Coast, so don't expect to find these pieces anywhere else around town.

Secret message jewelry, a library-printed silk shirt, bags made from old bike tires and boat sails -- nothing is what it seems. The guise of simplicity is much more complicated to cultivate than its inverse, so its a wonder that A Stone's Throw does it effortlessly. 

Just the 2 of Us jewelry [it says "Slap Bass"...how.cool.]

books! I like to pretend that they're first edition LOTRs

"Flat" - bags made of reclaimed vinyl & recycled bike inner tubes

Real sail bags!

So if you're looking for pieces that will make you feel unique without garnering strange pedestrian stares, check this gem of a store out. And maybe buy me that Greek (?) print dress for good measure. 

Please?
Graduation present?

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oh, and...

                          Isthmus 2011 Madison's Favorites

                          Favorite Women's Clothing Boutique
                         1. A Stone's Throw
                         2. Anthropologie
                         3. Bop

Pretty.darn.impressive.

Cheers.