What is the best order to bring people to dirtwater?

[Ruttsu Terra]

I know depending on the order you bring people to dirtwater leads the stores selling a new item based on what came after them, and I was wondering what the best order to bring them is.

[Du-Vu]

Basically it depends on your class and how much you want to spend on consumable items, grind money/items, whether or not you'll be resting, etc.

https://www.en.magicgameworld.com/west-of-loathing-shop-upgrades-guide/

This is a good reference, if a little unclear in some parts -- the pictures without prices are perks, that the above item grants you.

The bookstore and curiosity store are probably the most important strategically, with various one-of-a-kind items and perks. The consumable items... I don't know, I think you can find plenty of other items that are as good or better elsewhere.

As a beanslinger, wherever you put Alexandria's bookstore, put Murray's Curiosity and Bean next to her to get the Forgotten Lore book (Remembered Lore perk, +15 spell damage). Then put the Liquid Bread brewery next to Murray's so you can get the Elaborate Puzzle Box (solve it with Mysticality 99 for 1000 XP).

For both other classes, if you're going to rest at least one more time after building it, you can put Murray's before the bookstore, buy the Disturbing Portrait and hang it in your room, and wake up the next morning with the Picture Of You perk (+20% to all resistances, +5 Armor). Otherwise, the other additional curiosity items are kinda meh, so I'd think about what you want from the other stores first.

For a snake oiler, if you go bookstore -> brewery, the bookstore sells The Quick and the Dead (Quick/Drunk perk, +15 gun damage, +1 Liver). Quite nice.

For a cowpuncher, you could go bookstore -> shoestore for the +10 Muscle, but there might be some value in the Meat gains/item-finding items, if you're doing a lot of crafting? Not sure. In case the guide is right about it disappearing after placing the shoestore, make sure you buy Percussive Maintenance first if you don't already have it from elsewhere.

[Thax]

I can share what I wrote down. These are the shop orders I think give the best perks for the respective character class.

Beanslinger

Nr. 1 Perks:
Beer +5 Mysticality & +9 SD
+5 SD any Pants
+1 AP any Boots
Boots +1 AP & +15 SD
+10 Mysticality

Nr. 1 Shop Order:
Liquid bread > Murray's Curiosity
Murray's Curiosity > Danny's Leather
Danny's Leather > Tony's Boots
Tony's Boots > Alexandria's Books
Alexandria's Books > Hot Doug

Nr. 2 Perks:
Beer +5 Mysticality & +9 SD
+20% Resistances & +5 Armor
+10 Mysticality
Food +5 Armor
+1 AP any Boots

Nr. 2 Shop Order:
Liquid Bread > Murray
Murray > Alexandria
Alexandria > Hot Doug
Hot Doug > Danny
Danny > Tony

Snake Oiler

Perks:
20% All Resistances
+15 Pistol Damage & +1 Liver
+11 Armor
+1 AP Any Boots
Boots +1 AP & +30% MG

Shop Order:
Murray > Alexandria
Alexandria > Bread Brewing
Bread Brewing > Danny
Danny > Tony
Tony > Hot Doug

Cow Puncher (the class with the fewest good shop perks, it seems)

Perks:
20% All Resistances
+15 Pistol Damage & +1 Liver
+11 Armor
+1 AP Any Boots
Boots +1 AP & +15% IFB

Shop Order:
Murray > Alexandria
Alexandria > Bread Brewing
Bread Brewing > Danny
Danny > Tony
Tony > Hot Doug