Austere (CLOSED)

With a focus on Scandinavian design, this lofty store is more like a gallery space, home decor store and gift shop all rolled into one. At first look you won't know that Austere is actually a retail store, open to the public—there's even a large Volvo smack in the middle of the two-story space. Shop for everything from pots and pans to skincare products, cameras to artisanal coffee, all created by hand-selected designers, made of them being Swedish, of course. The focus here is on innovative design and community—there are monthly events, lectures, screenings, dinners and more.