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Best Mall

The Galleria

There are malls, and then there are supermalls. The Galleria is such a monstrosity. If downtown is the heart of the city, this mall is the central nervous system. Bustling with activity from morning till way past dark, it has expanded in recent years with a new wing and enormous parking garage to accommodate the millions of visitors who stop by to shop, skate and people-watch. You will often find a professional athlete or recording superstar walking and shopping the halls of this mall, which houses two hotels and a variety of dining experiences for your spending pleasure.

Best Engagement Ring Store

I.W. Marks

For 35 years, Houstonians have turned to this family-owned jewelry store for gifts to commemorate life's milestones. The professional staff can help you find just the right diamond and setting to express, be it classic solitaire, three-stone, pavé or even a custom design. With an unbelievable selection and remarkable prices, I.W. Marks ought to be on the list of anyone who's serious about finding the perfect ring and not on the prowl for cut-rate rocks.

Best Architect

Barry Moore

When a planned expansion to the Houston Library System's historic Julia Ideson Building was announced, architectural purists held their collective breath — would the building's original Spanish Renaissance design be enhanced or butchered by the addition? Luckily, Barry Moore, an architect with an investment in Houston's historic preservation, was at the helm. Moore used the original plans by Ralph Adams Cram as a guide, updating it for the requirements of new technology and contemporary patron usage, creating a seamless addition to the iconic structure. Over the years, Moore has worked on the renovation of City Hall interiors and the repurposing of the former Congregation Beth Israel complex (built in 1925) into the first campus for the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Moore, who has worked in Houston for more than 47 years, inherited his love of preservation from his father, one of the founders of the Heritage Society and the city's first preservation architect.

Best Record Store

Vinal Edge

Photo by Daniel Kramer

Vinal Edge, which relocated to the Heights last year, is no different from the other quaint shops lining 19th Street just west of Yale, except this is probably the only one where you can pick up a rare Alien Sex Fiend singles compilation or the Rev. Pat Robertson's It's Time to Pray, America! LP. Vinal Edge's new location is roomier than its predecessor, which originally opened in 1985 off Veterans Memorial Boulevard in far north Houston, but is just as stuffed to the gills with music old and new, vinyl and CD, in every genre known to man and a couple that probably aren't. In a relatively rare practice among record stores, Vinal Edge catalogs each and every inventory item on its Web site, which makes it even more invaluable for collectors. The more obscure the title, the more likely you'll be to find it at Vinal Edge — but if it's not there, owner Chuck Roast and his knowledgeable staff will be happy to track it down for you via mail order.

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