Where to Shop Now

Where to shop in Dallas right now: 8 must-hit stores for December

Even the biggest fans of online shopping can agree that some gifts are better shopped for in person. In time for the hectic holiday gift-buying season, here are some favorite new stores and shopping events that are worth a visit this month. From precious jewels to local artisan finds, there is something here for everyone on your "nice" list this holiday season.

Holiday Night Local Market at Highland Park Village
Mix and mingle at one of the most beautiful shopping centers in Dallas from 5-9 pm December 12. Shop food and gift vendors, take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a live performance by traditional carolers. There will also be face painters, a Ferris wheel, and balloon artists for the kiddos.

Le Labo
This posh perfume shop has opened a new store next to The Juice Bar in Highland Park Village. Known as a brand with soul, this company is all about making perfume personal. Pop into the shop and speak to one of the experienced staff who can help lead you to a scent that seems made for you, whether you are a spicy, sweet, or a little of both.

Matthew Trent
It's engagement season, and whether you're in a committed relationship or just window shopping, the new Matthew Trent boutique in The Plaza is where to find a quality, forever piece. There also are a variety of special holiday baubles created for this festive season. The large Burnt Edge dangles would look beautiful under any Christmas tree. (Hint, hint.)

Neighborhood Goods
This brilliant new spot in Plano's Legacy West shopping center has been all the rage since it opened last month. It is essentially a middle man for brands that have a predominantly digital footprint and are looking to do a little face time with shoppers, as well. For example, check out Benincasa Milano from December 14-16 to get fitted for a fabulous pair of bespoke Italian shoes. And while this particular pop-up is short, brands can lease space from as few as 45 days and as long as a year.

Outdoor Voices
The favorite activewear brand is saying goodbye to its Knox-Henderson pop-up and opening a permanent store at NorthPark Center on level one between Dillard's and Macy's. Fans can expect the same array of their beloved workout gear, in addition to lockers so that you can store your belongings while #doingthings.

Scotch & Soda
Amsterdam is invading NorthPark Center with this bold shop for men, women, and children. The brand has over 190 stores and can be found in more than 8,000 stores; however, Dallasites can now shop it directly at NorthPark Center on level one in between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. During this chilly December, it's almost impossible not to obsess ober all of their super cozy, chic jackets and blazers.

Unbranded
Visit the popular holiday pop-up shop through December 22, at 1508 Commerce in downtown Dallas. It's open from 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday through Saturday. This four-week pop-up features rotating shops for everyone on your wishlists. Unbranded was founded in 2014 by Bryan DeLuca and Matt Alexander in an effort to uncover the very best of Dallas' creative community through small pop-up exhibitions and event spaces.

Galleria Dallas
Visiting a crowded shopping mall during the holiday season is not many people's idea of fun. But Galleria Dallas entices with a lineup of special events throughout December that makes it one of the most festive places in town. First, there's that skating rink Christmas tree — still, the country's tallest one indoors, they say. Santa gets a brand new winter wonderland for photo opps this year. And each Saturday, the back-flipping Santa skates in to pyrotechnic pizzazz to welcome world-class figure skaters to the ice. The lineup of remaining skaters is: Jeremy Abbott, December 8; Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, December 15; and Patrick Chan and Keagan Messing, December 22. Check the Galleria's website for complete schedules and special programming.

A trip to the new Matthew Trent showroom is never a bad idea.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Trent

A trip to the new Matthew Trent showroom is never a bad idea.

where-to-shop

Busted

Counterfeit Richard Mille watches worth $2.6M seized at DFW Airport

Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

A counterfeit Richard Mille watch seized at DFW Airport.

Eleven counterfeit Richard Mille watches with a potential retail value of $2.6 million have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

According to a release from the agency, the watches, shipped from China and bound for destinations across the southeastern United States, were found to bear fake trademarks belonging to the Swiss luxury watchmaker. CBP trade experts determined the watches were inauthentic and intercepted the shipment, the agency says.

To be clear: The $2.6 million figure represents what the watches would have been worth at the manufacturer's suggested retail price had they been genuine, not the value of the knock-off pieces.

“The sale of fake goods often funds criminal organizations involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illicit trade,” CBP Area Port Director Jayson Ahern says in the release. “Our CBP officers are on the front lines every day guarding against defrauders, while protecting legitimate American businesses who are often harmed by these criminal organizations.”

Counterfeit watches are among a range of products targeted by CBP, which says handbags, wallets, apparel, footwear, jewelry, and consumer electronics are also frequently faked.

"Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes," the agency says in the release. "Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses.

These items include fake medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion, jewelry, and luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automotive parts, which can pose serious health and safety risks as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials."

Counterfeit goods can often be spotted by their inferior quality, they say: "Peeling labels, low-quality ink or printing errors on the packaging, and the quality of the packaging can be signs that the product you purchased may not be legitimate. Counterfeit apparel and handbags may feature poor or uneven stitching, be improperly sized, or not exist as a product the designer brand produces at all. The performance of counterfeit electronics is often marked by short battery life and regular overheating."

CBP recommends buying directly from brand owners or authorized retailers and checking online sellers' reviews and contact information before making a purchase. Its Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign offers more information about spotting fake merchandise and understanding the risks.

"Remember that if the price of a product seems too good to be true, it probably is," they say.

dfw airport luxury crime