Fork? Where to buy how to buy?

Ladies,
My dbf is transforming his old mtb to a townie. He is buying mustache handlebars (love 'em) and putting in bar end shifters. This will be a great time for both of us to learn all the minutia of building up a bike. Anyhoo... he has an old shock fork and would like to replace it with a 'solid' fork - you know, one without shocks. Where should we look? What should be look for? Do you know if we can get a fork custom powder coated where we buy it or will we have to get it here then take it somewhere local to powder coat it? Thanks! It's fun to build up a bike...