For all the Mid-South Galaga Grandmas and frame data dorks alike—Nerd Alert is your new home.

Tyler and Melissa Oswald are the owners and operators of Nerd Alert, an entertainment and retail space in Cooper Young that wears its ‘80s and ‘90s nerd culture nostalgia on its face, literally. As soon as you walk in, it’s immediately recognizable as a labor of love and as a commitment to authenticity.

Keep reading for my Q&A with the owners and more information about the games and story behind the shop.

Kim Thomas visits Mbabazi(House of Style) a hidden gem on Broad Avenue. 

The next time you find yourself in search of traditional and cultural African wear and accessories, or you’re looking to find a unique gift for a loved one or friend, consider popping into Mbabazi (House of Style). Mbabazi(House of Style) is a Fair Trade business committed to advocating African designs, and they specialize in clothing that celebrates the creative and colorful nature of African design through modern fashion.

Lovers of luxury shopping and fresh-off-the-runway styles will love Kittie Kyle boutique in East Memphis.

Kittie Kyle is a chic women's boutique that specializes in timeless, unique designer clothing and accessories. 

Whether you are shopping for resort pieces for travel or a night out on the town, Kittie Kyle has been a go-to boutique for luxury shopping in Memphis since it opened its doors back in the early 80s (it's named after the great aunt of the founding sisters).

Germantown women's boutique with clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes.

Whenever I’m on the hunt for trendy, fashion forward clothes or accessories, I make sure to stop by MOZELLE boutique, a cute women’s boutique located in Germantown, TN. Open since 2005, MOZELLE offers a fun (and affordable) selection of today’s latest styles and trends.

Downtown boutique with men's and women's clothing, furniture, art, and gifts.

Stock&Belle is one of my favorite stores in Memphis. It’s much more than a boutique. "Lifestyle store" is a more accurate description, because the stylish shop is filled with contemporary apparel, jewelry, local artwork, furniture, and other lifestyle goods. The space itself is super dope and inspiring, too.

UPDATE: Silk N Honey Boutique has transitioned into a permanent jewelry business known as SNH Linked. Learn more here.

Comfy and cute is the style of choice for many this season, but that doesn’t mean your look has to be boring. Whether you’re working from home all day or want a stylish outfit for running errands, SIlk N Honey Boutique can help you create a look that has the perfect balance of cozy and feminine.

Ed. Note: I have some announcements! I’m excited to announce a new article series for I Love Memphis: SHOP LOCAL. Y’all loved the Shop Local Online guide we put together for the holidays, so every other Wednesday, we’ll share a profile of a local business or shop—fashion, sports, gifts, art, beauty, Memphis gear, and more. This week we are a day behind due to MLK Day and the Presidential inauguration.

It’s time to get in the holiday spirit! One way to do this, that you can only do in Memphis, is to experience the festivities at the Big Cypress Lodge and the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid.

Here are four ways to enjoy the holidays at the Memphis pyramid:

Time is running out if you want to shop local online and have it shipped—recommendations are that you need to order by December 10th in order to guarantee receipt by Christmas. You might be able to get to a storefront, get to a curbside pickup, or tempt fate and the USPS after that, but If it were me, I’d get to shopping ASAP!