Cafe' 123

Fabric Shops

“Craft lovers and budding seamstresses" hit up this Southwest Center City shop for its “beautiful displays” featuring high-quality" fabric, yarn and thread plus needles, accessories and a “great variety of patterns” too; staffers are “always willing to help” with your “sewing questions", and on-site classes are an added draw.

This beautiful pair of gallery-like shops -- one for knitting, one for sewing -- has a near spiritual reverence for materials. In Loop, skeins of yarn hang like precious sculpture along the white walls. Still, the help here couldn't be nicer, whether you're picking up an $11 wool or a $30 cashmere. Next door, adorable Spool sells fabrics, patterns, quilting projects, and more of equal cuteness.

This is San Diego's main gay and lesbian bookstore. You'll find just about every gay magazine there is, as well as gay-themed movies for rent, novelties, and cards. It's also a clearinghouse for info on local LGBT events. Open Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 9pm.