Now this is a timely category. After the flood, we were all reduced to being hunters and gatherers for a few days. But finding some of the stores listed here as winners may prove difficult as some were completely wiped out by the catastrophe. But given their popularity with Xpress readers, we're hopeful that these places will rise again. After all, winning shops like the Farmer's Tobacco Warehouse antiques and Biltmore Village's blue goldsmiths have become part of the fabric of our community -- their loss is our loss. Fear not, both the Tobacco Warehouse and blue have vowed to return.

Still, the bulk of our winners held the high ground and weathered the storm to survive another day. And whether it's a bike, a bun, a bonbon or a bong, our readers have shared their views on the best places to procure just about anything.

Antique Store

1. Farmer's Tobacco Warehouse of Asheville
75 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 252-7291

2. Oddfellows Antique Warehouse
23 Rankin Ave., Asheville, 350-7800

3. Screen Door
115 Fairview Road, Asheville, 277-3667

Bakery

1. West End Bakery
757 Haywood Road, West Asheville, 252-9378

2. City Bakery
88 Charlotte St., Asheville, 254-4289

3. Blue Moon Bakery
60 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-6063

Candy Shop

1. The Chocolate Fetish
36 Haywood Road, Asheville, 258-2353

3. Mast General Store
15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville (and locations throughout WNC), 232-1883

3. True Confections
1 Page Ave., Asheville, 350-9480

Grocery

1. The Fresh Market
944 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 252-9098

2. Earth Fare
66 Westgate Shopping Center, Asheville, 253-7656

3. French Broad Food Co-op
90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-7650

Tailgate Market

1. French Broad Food Co-op Tailgate Market
Saturdays 8:00 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m (April-Oct.), and Wednesdays 3-6:30 p.m. (May-Nov.), 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-7650

2. West Asheville Tailgate Market
Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 p.m (spring to fall), in the parking lot of the West End Bakery and the Bledsoe Building, 757 Haywood Road, West Asheville

3. North Asheville Tailgate Market
Saturdays year round, in the back parking lot behind Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville

Flea Market

1. Smiley's Flea Market
US Hwy. 25, Fletcher, 685-3515

Outdoor-gear Shop

1. Diamond Brand Outdoors
US Hwy 25, Naples, 684-6262

2. Black Dome Mountain Sports
140 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 251-2001

3. Mast General Store
15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville (and locations throughout WNC), 232-1883

Bike Shop

1. Liberty Bicycles
1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 274-2453

2. Bio Wheels
76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 232-0300

3. Pro Bikes
610 Haywood Road, Asheville 253-2800

Car Dealer -- New

1. Jim Barkley Toyota
777 Brevard Road, Asheville, 667-8888

2. Deal Motor Cars
136 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 232-4000

3. Apple Tree Acura
195 Underwood Road, Fletcher, 684-0777, 684-4400

Car Dealer -- Used

1. Jim Barkley Toyota
777 Brevard Road, Asheville, 667-8888

2. Mike Warner Imports
38 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 254-8779

3. (tie) Highland Automotive Group
27 Sardis Road, Asheville, 670-7112

3. (tie) Hunter Nissan Lincoln Mercury, Inc.
1340 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville (252-8844)

CD/Tape/LP Store

1. Almost Blue
92 Patton Ave., Asheville, 285-0808

2. Karmasonics Music and Video
14 Haywood St., Asheville, 259-9949

3. Sounds Familiar
1959 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 687-7928

Musical Instrument Store

1. Musician's Workshop, Inc.
319 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 252-1249

2. Dunham's Music House
1143 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-4011

3. (tie) Blue Ridge Music
828 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-5588

3. (tie) Acoustic Corner
105-F Montreat Road, Black Mountain, 669-5162

Clothing Store

1. Goodwill Industries
Multiple locations in Asheville, 252-7680

2. Minx Boutique
64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-5680

3. Constance Boutique
2 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 252-4002

Shoe Shop (temporarily located in the Grove Arcade, suite 115)

1. Tops for Shoes
27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-6721

2. Shooby Doo
34 Haywood St., Asheville, 253-5344

3. Discount Shoes
1282 Brevard Road, Enka, 667-0085

Fabric Shop

1. Waechter's Silk Shop
94 Charlotte St., Asheville, 252-2131

2. Make Me
108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-6005

3. Foam & Fabrics Incorporated
175 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 254-4585

Consignment Shop/Vintage Clothing

1. Hip Replacements
72 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 255-7573

2. Goodwill Industries
Multiple locations in Asheville, 252-7680

3. The Enchanted Forrest
235 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 236-0688

Crafts Shop

1. Earth Guild
33 Haywood St.,Asheville, 255-7818

2. Michael's Arts & Crafts
299 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 299-0183

3. True Blue Art Supply & Services, Inc.
30 Haywood St., Asheville, 251-0028

Bookstore

1. Malaprop's Bookstore & Cafe
55 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-6734

2. Barnes & Noble
89 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 296-9330

3. Downtown Books & News
67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 253-8654

Cards/Stationery

1. M'Press Cards & Eclectica
61 Haywood St., Asheville, 236-2282

2. Cherie's Hallmark Shop
139 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, 645-6100; 1865 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 274-4416; 800 Fairview Road, Asheville, 298-9277; 1141 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-0338

3. The Baggie Goose
3 Swan St., Asheville, 274-3333 (temporarily located at 160 Hendersonville Road, Asheville)

Wine-and-beer Shop

1. The Wine Guy
1200 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-6500

2. Asheville Wine Market
65 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-0060

3. Weinhaus
86 Patton Ave., Asheville, 254-6453

Flower Shop

1. Bloomin' Art
60 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-6447

2. Kabloom
77-B Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 350-1722

3. Gudger's Flowers
1065 Haywood St., Asheville, 252-7337

Jewelry Store

1. Jewels That Dance
63 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-5088

2. blue goldsmiths
1 Swan St., Asheville, 277-2583 (temporarily located at 160 Hendersonville Road, Asheville)

3. The Karat Patch
311 Weaverville Hwy., Asheville, 645-7111

Toy Store

1. Enviro Depot
18 Haywood St., Asheville, 252-9007

2. Dancing Bear Toy, Ltd.
144 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-8697; 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 693-4500

3. Toy Box of Asheville
793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-8697

Grown-up Toy Store

1. Best Buy
83 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-2330

2. Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse
89 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 299-3788; 95 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, 255-9113

3. Home Depot
127 Acton Circle, Asheville, 667-9298; 795 Fairview Road, Asheville, 274-5400

Pet Supply Store

1. Asheville Pet Supply
1451 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 252-2054

2. Superpetz
825 Brevard Road, Asheville, 665-7977

3. Pet's Delights
70 Charlotte St., Asheville, 253-9053

Garden-supply Store/Nursery

1. BB Barnes, Inc.
831 Fairview Road, Asheville, 274-7301

2. Reems Creek Valley Nursery, Inc.
70 Monticello Road Weaverville, 645-3937

3. Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center, Inc.
WNC Farmers Market, Asheville, 254-2671

Environmentally Friendly Business

1. Earth Fare
66 Westgate Shopping Center, Asheville, 253-7656

2. French Broad Food Co-op
90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-7650

3. Enviro Depot
18 Haywood St., Asheville, 252-9007

Spiritual/Holistic Store

1. Essential Arts
18 Wall St., Asheville, 281-2464

2. Crystal Visions
5426 Asheville Hwy., Naples, 687-1193

3. (tie) Namaste Yoga & Healing Center
57 Broadway St., Asheville 253-6985

3. (tie) Family Christian Stores
85 Tunnel Road, Asheville 252-3500

Tobacco Shop

1. Bonnie's Little Corner
1 Pack Square, Asheville, 252-1611

2. Bruce's Pipe Shop
377 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 253-8822

3. Octopus' Garden
80 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-4980; 1062 Patton Ave., Asheville, 232-6030; 140 Airport Road, Asheville, 654-0906

Winners with this symbol have been voted best in their category for the previous four or more years.