Historic Concho Avenue, downtown between Oakes and Chadbourne streets, is a melting pot of boutiques, jewelers, and antiques shops. Among its highlights are J. Wilde's, 20 E. Concho Ave. (tel. 325/655-0878), a boutique with fashions and furnishings best described as Western chic (which doesn't quite do them justice); and Legend Jewelers, 18 E. Concho Ave. (tel. 888/655-4367 or 325/653-0112), purveyors of the luminous concho pearl. The top shopping center is Sunset Mall, 4001 Sunset Dr., at Loop 306 (tel. 325/949-1947).
San Angelo is home to a vibrant arts community, typified by the Texas hippie vibe at the Old Chicken Farm Art Center, 2505 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. (tel. 325/653-4936; www.chickenfarmartcenter.com), a local landmark since 1971. Formerly an abandoned chicken farm, this funky artist's compound is home to 12 studios that are open at various times, displaying a wide range of pottery, metalwork, and paintings. The main StarKeeper Gallery houses the contemporary handmade ceramics of Roger Allen, the center's founder and proprietor; it's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The Art Center hosts resident artist's openings on the first Saturday of each month. There's also an on-site B&B, the Inn at the Art Center.
