Christopher Brosius launched this perfume "gallery" in 2004 on the heels of his lauded exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Triennial. It's a delightful jewel box of a store that encourages browsing, with nature installations (pebbles, moss, and seashells) periodically reworked by a stylist and "tasting notes" that accompany each fragrance. The description of one best seller, called At The Beach 1966: "This is the scent of warm skin covered in suntan lotion and fresh ocean water mixed with hints of sand, driftwood, seashell, and old weathered boardwalk." Brosius fashions his shop as a kind of anti-Sephora—he compounds and blends ingredients himself and limits his use of synthetic materials. Perfumes are typically sold in essential oil "Absolutes," "Water Perfumes," or "Home Sprays." No surprise perhaps that offbeat variations find favor in this corner of Williamsburg: "Greenbriar 1968," a fragrance made from an unusual blend of sawdust, fresh-cut hay, old leather, pipe tobacco, and dirt, has done quite well.

Open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 6 pm.

The Boerum Hill menswear boutique that set up shop in spring 2006 on Atlantic Avenue added a much-needed jolt of sartorial panache to the neighborhood. It's an intriguing space, with salvaged lamp fixtures, taxidermy, the odd assortment of antique tools, and brick walls painted over with lacquer. The emphasis is on labels that adhere to solid craftsmanship: Henley shirts from Maine-based Rogues Gallery and denim by Rag & Bone are staples alongside Hollander & Lexer's in-house label of shirts, jackets, and slacks. Dandyish brands such as Paul Smith fill in the gaps, though, as do found objects such as leather belts studded with coins the Moroccan-born owner finds on his foraging trips abroad. It's also something of a lifestyle store, with its Moleskine journals, shaving kits from Acqua Shave, wool blankets, and canvas doctor's bags by Billy Kirk. Across the street is their furniture store, Darr (369 Atlantic Ave.; 718-797-9733; www.shopdarr.com).

Open Monday through Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday noon to 6 pm.

This Middle Eastern supermarket is one of the few remnants of the ethnic enclave that once thrived on the Atlantic Avenue corridor. Homesick Arabs from around the state come to visit for staples such as Al Wadi preserves and hummus dips, but it's just as popular with foodies down from Brooklyn Heights wanting a bit of a respite from Whole Foods. Half the fun is imagining up a good use for, say, mahleb (a spice made from the inside of cherry pits used to flavor Syrian string cheese). The store doubles as a wholesaler and distributor, so prices are kept lower that one might expect for such exotic imports. Indeed many of its samplings are stored in bulk: vats of olives, buckets of grape leaves, and bins of bulgur line the walls. You don't need to be on an obscure stockpiling mission, however, as there's a deli in back with prepared food including feta-cheese salad, hummus, and baba ghanoush.

Open Monday through Saturday 9 am to 7 pm.