The 21st Best of the Northwest art and fine craft show is happening Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

From November through the end of the year, four new temporary shops will be open at Pacific Place , including one of four Washington State Liquor Control Board Spirit Holiday Gift Stores; Greenwood's Top Ten Toys; Casa Oliver, a gourmet Spanish food shop; and gift-wrapper's paradise PS Store.

Here's a hopeful bit of retail news to counter some of the sad store closings we've been reporting about lately.

I propose that we squeeze the last drops of summer weather out of this weekend by strolling up and down the streets of our favorite neighborhoods, popping into shops, getting to know the people who own them and making purchases, no matter how small.

KOMO News got the scoop on yesterday's opening of the second location of Seattle's Trophy Cupcakes: Jennifer opened her second Trophy Cupcake shop in University Village on Thursday - a sibling to her flagship store in Wallingford Center.

I'm often amazed at the lack of lallygagging going down on the west side of the Wallingford Center - two huge patios, tables and chairs, not to mention the outdoor seating area of Chutney's. What the fudge is wrong with you, Wallingford? I've spent approximately three mate lattes worth of alone time out there just this past week.