Each year, Best of Norman celebrates the businesses, restaurants and people that shape the community. This year, readers voted in 30 categories, with the top three in each highlighted here. From longtime local favorites to new spots making their mark, the winners showcase the creativity and connection that makes Norman more than just a college town.

Thrift/vintage

1. Uptown Cheapskate | 1724 24th Ave. NW | Winner: Want to find name-brand steals for a fraction of the price? Want to make a little extra cash by selling your old clothes? Uptown Cheapskate offers gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories and more for up to 70% off retail pricing. They often sell Coach, Michael Kors, Lululemon, J. Crew and many other notable brands. Stop by to elevate your wardrobe or make some extra cash. 

2. Crimson Vintage | 406 E. Main St.: Crimson Vintage is a top-rated vintage thrift shop with a curated collection of quality merchandise — specifically OU apparel. Stop by for a cozy collection of vintage OU clothing, especially if you love collecting shirts. On a lucky day you might find an old football game shirt from the ’80s or a vintage OU logo shirt that you can’t find anywhere else. Crimson Vintage will exceed your thrifty needs with quality pieces and affordable prices.

3. Donate a Miracle Thrift Store & Boutique | 1104 24th Ave. SE: Opening in 2012 and recently relocating to a new storefront, Donate a Miracle has been a place of refuge for those in need of clothing, furnishings and more. Supported by SAKs Outreach, Donate a Miracle has played a pivotal role in donations for natural disasters like the 2012 wildfires and the 2013 Moore tornado disaster. Find vintage and unique DVDs, vintage furniture and more — in addition to clothing and coats.

Boutique apparel

1. Human Interaction | 224 E. Main St. | Winner: Established in an early-1900s post-office building in downtown Norman, Human Interaction offers a welcoming atmosphere with clothing, gifts and Oklahoma-inspired T-shirts. They have a collection of handmade accessories, plants and flowers, stationery, candles and all things adorable for thoughtful gifts and home decoration. The customer service is customized to each clients’ needs, according to many Norman locals. Stop by after work or on a day where you’d like to explore. Note: Human Interaction has closed since voting ended.

2. Lucca | 319 W. Boyd St.: Lucca’s fashion boutique is a trendy clothing store geared toward college women. Since opening in 2004, Lucca’s has curated East and West Coast fashion into one vibrant shop for OU college students to wear. Lucca’s features famous brands like Free People, Agolde, Birkenstock, Ray-Ban and other notable beauty and candle brands. There is always a sale rack with amazing deals and beautiful clothing to choose from, or you can check out the new racks with the latest trends.

3. Cayman’s Clothiers | 2001 W. Main St.: Cayman’s has been serving the Norman community as a boutique since 1982. Here, they offer curated clothing selections for men, women and children, along with home decor and beauty products. Its abundance of name-brand, designer apparel and jewelry makes it unique. Cayman’s roots grow deep into the history of Norman fashion and is among the top stores in Norman for great shopping experiences. 

Best place for OU gear/merch

1. Balfour of Norman | 792 Asp Ave. | Winner: At Balfour, you can find graduation keepsakes to cherish, OU merchandise like T-shirts, mugs and even athletic gear for any OU team. Since 1974, Balfour has been providing Norman with top-quality OU gear and gifts for many. Stop by before the start of school or for gameday apparel to be ready to cheer on the Sooners.

2. Campus Corner Store | 745 Asp Ave.: The Campus Corner Store is a bookstore offering OU merchandise, gifts and more. Perfect for alums, parents, fans and students — Campus Corner Store is the place to go for all things back-to-school, game days and celebration gear. It’s conveniently located in the historic Campus Corner district and offers in-store pickups and curbside options, with great places to eat nearby. 

3. The Apothem | 733 Asp Ave.: At the Apothem you can find a variety of OU, sorority and fraternity merchandise. Discover your perfect gameday outfit with ease when you shop their variety of trendy shirts featuring phrases such as “Beat Texas” and “I Hate Orange.” Searching for jewelry? Check out the charm bar where you can create custom necklaces and bracelets. 

Stylist

1. Rock Paper Scissor Hair Studio | 1200 12th Ave. SE | Winner: Rock Paper Scissor Hair Studio is an upscale hair salon that has been servicing the Norman community since 2009. Here, a variety of services are offered including hair cuts, up-dos, make-up application, kids cuts, beard trims, color, waxing, texture services, sew-ins, bridal services and special occasion styling. 

2. Cutting Edge | 600 W. Main St.: Looking for cuts, colors, perms, extensions, manicures, pedicures, waxing and up-dos all in one convenient place? Look no further than Cutting Edge, a clean and friendly neighborhood salon. Walk right in with no appointment necessary. Enjoy fuss-free haircuts for children as the stylists are known to work well with kids.

3. Edith & Branch Salon | 3522 24th Ave. NW: At Edith & Branch Salon enjoy a laidback luxury vibe and stylists who are not only dedicated to your experience but also planet conservation. Choose from services such as hair cuts, hair styling, extensions, barbering and waxing. Appointments are strongly encouraged but not required.

Barbershop

1. The Mane Man | 1215 W. Lindsey St. | Winner: Servicing the Norman community for over 40 years, this barbershop serves as a hybrid salon and barbershop for men, women and children. Haircut pricing is budget-friendly and perfect for college students looking to save money.

2. Midway Barbershop | 213 E. Main St.: As Oklahoma’s oldest barbershop founded around 1893, Midway Barbershop offers classic barbering accommodations up to date with today’s looks. Clients love Midway’s traditional and casual atmosphere, with modern techniques for beard trims, hot towel straight-razor shaves, fades and more. They are cash-only and walk-in friendly.

3. Beauty & Designz Studio Lounge | 100 E. Lindsey St.: Officially opening in spring of 2021, Beauty & Designz Studio Lounge is the first Black-owned beauty lounge on campus. They offer braiding and barbering, loc styling, keratin treatments and access to a beauty supply store. The atmosphere at Beauty & Designz Studio is casual and welcoming — they even have a pool table for all to use.

Mani/pedi

1. La Fleur Nails Norman | 1049 12th Ave. NE | Winner: Nothing is worse than an unsanitary nail salon. That’s why La Fleur Nails Norman keeps cleanliness as their number one priority. Feel good about your mani-pedi experience knowing La Fleur only uses the most trusted brands in the beauty industry. Make sure to experience the Signature Pedicure La Fleur 24k Gold which uses real gold to rejuvenate the skin.

2. Noir Nail Studio | 1915 Classen Blvd.: At Noir Nail Studio, you are greeted with a smiling face and a complimentary basket of chips, soda and water delivered to your side. Enjoy excellent nail service in a clean and elegant facility with stunning gold detailing. At Noir, beauty is made to feel “personal, effortless and uplifting.”

3. Le Visage Spa & Wellness | 3540 RC Luttrell Drive: Le Visage Spa & Wellness opened its current location in the fall of 2024 with a community-based ribbon-cutting event. Every year since 1996, Le Visage has been voted best spa, facial, massage, esthetician and tanning service in Norman. This spa offers a tranquil, resort-style atmosphere, staffed with expert therapists and masseurs. Stop by for relaxation and rejuvenation from the award-winning experts at Le Visage.

Florist

1. The Flower Shop | 1440 N. Porter Ave. | Winner: For about 10 years now, The Flower Shop has been a woman and family-owned flower shop, offering seasonal arrangements and custom florals for events. This beautiful shop supports local farmers and offers custom flower arrangements, wrapped bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, potted plants and more. 

2. Betty Lou’s Flowers & Gifts | 445 W. Gray St.: In 1979, Betty and Dewight Mitchell combined their love for flowers and serving people to create Betty Lou’s Flowers & Gifts. Today, their daughter continues that legacy with passion and dedication, offering same-day flower delivery to Norman and surrounding areas from their shop. Welcome guests to campus with a Sooner Bouquet or enjoy fresh flowers regularly through subscription packages.

3. Redbud Floral | 913 N. Flood Ave.: Searching for a wide selection of fresh flowers? Look no further than Redbud Floral, a family owned and operated floral shop offering the largest inventory of fresh flowers in Norman. Elect for the Simply Happy Bouquet to enjoy a mix of blue, purple and white flowers in a gray marble vase or the Happy Birthday Mug arrangement for a festive twist.

Book/comic store

1. Green Feather Book Company | 300 W. Gray St. | Winner: Norman’s oldest bookstore, Green Feather Book Company is a woman and Indigenous-owned bookstore. Owner Heather Hall is part Chickasaw, and her Native name is Green Feather. This bookstore offers new and used books with an emphasis on Native authors and history sections.

2. The Lore | 220 S. Porter Ave.: The Lore is a creative general store that sells new and used books, locally made art, handmade items, stationery and more. In early 2022, The Lore was merely a pop-up shop, but in 2024, it became a brick-and-mortar storefront, fostering the love of art and community in a permanent location. 

3. Speeding Bullet Comics | 614 N. Porter Ave.: Beginning in 1998, Speeding Bullet Comics is a staple for comic lovers. In 2005, the store became a nominee for the Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award. Speeding Bullet Comics is known for its welcoming atmosphere with a passion for connection. They offer graphic novels, manga and trade paperbacks with collectables, including action figures, limited-edition statues and other merchandise. Speeding Bullet also hosts in-store events like Free Comic Book Day, author signing days and book clubs.

Music venue

1. The Deli | 309 White St. | Winner: The Deli — Norman’s longest running live music venue — is a historic dive bar that has serviced customers since the 1970s. The cozy, snug environment is an attraction to many, especially on quieter nights. Despite its tiny quarters, packed karaoke nights are what makes The Deli so special. They offer live music seven nights a week with great bands and signature menu items. 

2. Hollywood Corners | 4712 N. Porter Ave.: Hollywood Corners is a renovated 1920s dance hall that has been converted into a restaurant, offering bar service and live music every week. It features indoor and outdoor stages, and event hosting is available to all who schedule. The Hollywood Corners menu offers traditional American staples like soups, sandwiches, cold beer, cocktails and other great snacks. 

3. The Depot | 200 S. Jones Ave.: Built in 1909 and formerly known as the Santa Fe train station, The Depot is now a historic arts venue operated by the Norman Arts Council. Presently, The Depot hosts art shows, live music, films, performances, workshops and more in hopes of bringing Norman residents together through community and culture.  

Workout/fitness

1. Downtown Fitness on West Lindsey | 1610 W. Lindsey St. | Winner: Ever dreamed of doing cardio in a cinema room with a surround sound system? Make your dreams come true at Downtown Fitness on West Lindsey. Locally owned and operated for almost 20 years, not only is this the swaggiest place to achieve your fitness goals with personal trainers at affordable rates, but also the perfect place to get into bodybuilding with posing clinics designed for any level of athlete. 

2. Fusion Fitness and Yoga | 323 E. Main St.: Since 2011, Lindsey, owner of Fusion Fitness and Yoga, has focused on fitness that improves physical and mental health. Here, you’ll find group and private yoga classes for all levels along with Vinyasa flow classes, led by NCAA-certified trainers. Classes are designed to be accessible and affordable so that everyone can live “a happy, healthy life.”

3. Stoic Strength and Fitness | 2751 36th Ave.: At Stoic Strength and Fitness, your fitness goals are made easy. Backed by the support of certified coaches, small class sizes of 1-18 people and modifiable workouts from beginner to advanced, you will feel empowered to train at your own pace while making real, lasting progress. Boost not only your strength, cardio and hypertrophy, but also have fun and build community by trying a 60-minute class today. 

Annual experience

1. Norman Music Festival | Downtown Norman | Winner: Originating in 2008, the annual Norman Music Festival has grown into a multiple-day event featuring local and national bands. It’s the largest free music festival in the state. NMF transforms downtown into streets of pop-up tents, local venues and various performances each spring.

2. Norman Pride | Downtown Norman: This all-ages, family-friendly event features community entertainment and fierce performances, including an opening drag show. Don’t miss the grand finale: the pride parade, which is free to attend. Celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ pride with live music, local vendors and delectable food trucks.

3. Medieval Fair | Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave.: The Norman Medieval Fair was founded in 1977 by an OU English department alum in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday. By 1994, the fair expanded from one day to a three-day event. The fair is free to attend and offers a plethora of events to immerse yourself in: jousting tournaments, dancers and theater, juggling and even human chess matches. The fair is usually held in early April each year.