I cringe when I see tourists walking out of the T-shirt shop near Pike Place Market. A made-in-China iron-on is just no way to recall a trip to our city.

Of course, there are a few different types of shopping visitors…those who buy Space Needle-shaped pepper grinders, and those who don’t. For the latter—and for locals who just need a reminder about which stores define our character and elevate our retail experience—this map of 17 Seattle Shopping Essentials ought to do the trick.

From kids stuff to smart stuff to the active life; from idiosyncratic niche shops to local designs, world-sourced all-naturals, and the best high-style offerings around, these are the stores that elicit both "Only in Seattle!" and "I didn’t expect this in Seattle" remarks.

For more on what we consider "essential"—and for another map-full of must-shop stops, check out the 18 retail necessities we plotted last month.

And don’t worry, we’ll be back next month with another dozen or so more.