What smells so good? The year's best stories that defy categorization.

The Modern Man Barbershop and Gentleman's Supply: From two tatted-up biz partners, Modern's a full-service, throwback tonsorial parlor falling somewhere between To Kill a Mockingbird and Deadwood, where dudes can get a drink, a cut, and a smoke...more

The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum: From an oddity-obsessed couple that's been collecting bizarre ephemera for decades, Freaky's a side-show-esque art gallery/ ice cream shop/ curiosity emporium occupying an old general store...more

Musical Furnishings: A line from a newly Portlanded "interactive designer" who creates handsome, sturdy wood...furnishings that all double as fully jam-on-able percussion instruments...more

Beacon Sound: Located in the only cool strip mall ever, Beacon stands as a…um…beacon to NE Portland record collectors with a comfy rec-room hangout loaded with bins hand-built from reclaimed wood...more

McCrary Outfitting: McCrary offers all-inclusive guide services and lessons to help dudes catch elusive steelhead through the art of spey casting...more