ATLANTA SHOPS / FATHER'S DAY

Must-haves for dad


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/07/08

Our tireless shopping maven shares this season's must-haves for Father's Day, June 15:

Duluth Trading Company
Help dad stay sharp with a Rosewood swiss army knife.
 
Krups
The BeerTender is for dads who like to keep it on tap.
 
Cocomat
The Cocomat floor mat will give dad's ride some pizazz.
 
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Draw drafts at home

If you want to ensure that your dad's the coolest guy in his circle, then consider getting him the Krups BeerTender, which allows Dad and his pals to enjoy an authentic draft beer experience at home. This handsome black-and-chrome unit holds a 5-liter keg of Heineken beer. Note that it's designed to be used only with the Heineken keg. The BeerTender is simple to use. Just open the lid, drop in the keg, attach the tube and snap the lid shut and it's ready to dispense icy cold beer that can be chilled to 36, 39 or 42 degrees. The LCD screen not only displays the temperature, but it shows volume and counts down from the date the keg was installed. The BeerTender will keep the beer fresh for up to 30 days — assuming the beer will actually last that long. The cooling system is virtually silent but won't work outdoors in the heat, so to keep the brew cold, use the BeerTender indoors. It comes with a removable drip tray that makes cleanup hassle free. The BeerTender sells for $299 and is available at most Bed Bath & Beyond stores or through www.amazon.com.

He'll always be prepared

The iconic Swiss Army knife really was created for the Swiss Army in the late 1800s. Today, it continues to be one of the handiest, most popular multiuse pocket knives around. In fact, there's even a Swiss Army knife available that features 85 implements and sells for $1,400. But, that's not the one we're suggesting for your favorite Pop. Instead, we really like this beautiful heirloom-quality Swiss Army knife decked out with a burnished rosewood handle. Made in Switzerland by Victorinox, this knife weighs in at just over 6 ounces and features 19 mini tools, including a fish scaler with ruler, wire stripper, magnifying glass, key ring, bottle opener and, of course, a couple of blades and a wood saw. It sells for $135 through www.duluthtradingcompany.com or by calling 1-800-505-8888.

Cuckoo for Cocomats

Back in the 1950s and '60s, Porsches, VW Beetles and other German cars sported Cocomats floor mats. These colorful and functional mats are hand-made from natural fiber extracted from the protective husk of coconuts in India, and have been reintroduced by Natural Auto Products. These new Cocomats feature a hardy ribbed rubber backing designed not only to last but to catch debris and to keep the mats from sliding around underfoot. Custom-fit Cocomats are available for many new cars, trucks and SUVs and come in 13 color combinations, including black-and-red dots, black herringbone and black-and-taupe dots. Custom-fit Cocomats come in two-, three- and four-piece sets, plus cargo and truck mats. Prices range from $129.95 to $249.95. If you're on a budget, you can get universal Cocomats in the same colors as the custom fit mats, but for only $49.95 for a front two-piece set. To order and view all Cocomats, check out www.cocomats.com or call 1-800-461-3533.

The scent of joe ... and more

If you know a father who doesn't mind taking a few risks when it comes to fragrances, then consider giving him Thierry Mugler's AngelMEN Pure Coffee eau de toilette. This limited-edition fragrance, the latest installment in Mugler's Angel series, is easily the most unusual men's cologne launched in a while. While the name obviously gives away the starring scent, it's anything but a one-note wonder. Think of it as a fast-moving olfactory slide show with espresso quickly morphing into bitter chocolate that all at once is transformed into an aged leather pouch holding fine pipe tobacco. That's the complex set of scents Pure Coffee brings to mind, not a basic cup of java. Coffee, musk, patchouli, cedar wood and vetiver all go into Pure Coffee. It comes in a container as off-beat as the scent it contains. The coffee-bean-colored soft-sided bottle comes emblazoned with an offset raised gold star on the front. A 3.4 ounce eau de toilette spray sells for $65 at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and through www.sephora.com.

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