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BEST ADULT VIDEO STORE

Pleasure Emporium

Rows and rows of carnal knowledge line the biggest adult video chain in South Florida. Pleasure Emporium is a one-stop sex shop for all your horny needs. Not only does it carry a vast array of straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, and midget porn, it also sells an assortment of dildos, penis pumps, lubricants, strap-ons, clamps, cock rings, dolls, and just about every other kind of sex object you can think of (except live human ones). But the best thing about the Emporium is its cleanliness and friendly, often cheerful atmosphere, making it perfect for couples to visit together. There aren't any creepy, leering men hovering around like in most other porn shops. Pleasure Emporium is nice and neat, brightly lit, and doesn't smell like rotten semen since the jack-off peep booths are regularly wiped down, so you can even take your grandmother if she's into those kinds of things.

BEST ADULT VIDEO STORE

Pleasure Emporium

Rows and rows of carnal knowledge line the biggest adult video chain in South Florida. Pleasure Emporium is a one-stop sex shop for all your horny needs. Not only does it carry a vast array of straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, and midget porn, it also sells an assortment of dildos, penis pumps, lubricants, strap-ons, clamps, cock rings, dolls, and just about every other kind of sex object you can think of (except live human ones). But the best thing about the Emporium is its cleanliness and friendly, often cheerful atmosphere, making it perfect for couples to visit together. There aren't any creepy, leering men hovering around like in most other porn shops. Pleasure Emporium is nice and neat, brightly lit, and doesn't smell like rotten semen since the jack-off peep booths are regularly wiped down, so you can even take your grandmother if she's into those kinds of things.

  • 1019 Fifth St., Miami Beach, 33139 Map

BEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE BOOKSTORE

Libreria Distribuidora Universal

Known both on its signage and among Spanish-language readers simply as La Universal, this pale, rounded-corner building that seems etched out of a block of mighty stone contains something more resembling a library than a bookstore. But Carlos didn't care about the gritty architecture or sweet comfort outside and inside this multifaceted operation (publishing and distributing are part of the Salvat family's decades-old book biz). After real estate school (he lost interest shortly before his final test), after "punch-out" work finalizing new houses led him to decline to become a contractor -- then Carlos went to a school for translation. Having come from Cuba at age eight, gifted with a poet-crushing knack for twisting the English language into art, Carlos ran into trouble because the class itself wasn't enough. He wanted to study the subject on his own, but a key book could not be found. Not until he went to the old gray building on the corner. "Of course they had it," he says. "Would I tell you it was the best bookstore if they wrote me off like a dime debt done gone a decade by?" No, he wouldn't.

BEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE BOOKSTORE

Libreria Distribuidora Universal

Known both on its signage and among Spanish-language readers simply as La Universal, this pale, rounded-corner building that seems etched out of a block of mighty stone contains something more resembling a library than a bookstore. But Carlos didn't care about the gritty architecture or sweet comfort outside and inside this multifaceted operation (publishing and distributing are part of the Salvat family's decades-old book biz). After real estate school (he lost interest shortly before his final test), after "punch-out" work finalizing new houses led him to decline to become a contractor -- then Carlos went to a school for translation. Having come from Cuba at age eight, gifted with a poet-crushing knack for twisting the English language into art, Carlos ran into trouble because the class itself wasn't enough. He wanted to study the subject on his own, but a key book could not be found. Not until he went to the old gray building on the corner. "Of course they had it," he says. "Would I tell you it was the best bookstore if they wrote me off like a dime debt done gone a decade by?" No, he wouldn't.

BEST TOY STORE

A to Z Toys

Toys "R" Us this R not. But somehow this B way more fun than stores 100 times as big. Also, A to Z Toys seems like it has more toys even though it's only the size of your average Dunkin' Donuts. That's impossible? Nuh, uh. Because stuff iz piled up to the ceiling. Anyway, A to Z has about everything, from the Mighty Beanz to the Mercedes Benz (seats one two-year-old). Even metal detectors. And that's just the M's. There R walls of dolls and piles of trucks. Take three steps, turn around, and C racks with remote-control Seahawk boats, spy goggles, undercover girl motion trackers, a ministage with puppets on sticks, and, for the musical tot, little accordions and guitars. The store R open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

BEST TOY STORE

A to Z Toys

Toys "R" Us this R not. But somehow this B way more fun than stores 100 times as big. Also, A to Z Toys seems like it has more toys even though it's only the size of your average Dunkin' Donuts. That's impossible? Nuh, uh. Because stuff iz piled up to the ceiling. Anyway, A to Z has about everything, from the Mighty Beanz to the Mercedes Benz (seats one two-year-old). Even metal detectors. And that's just the M's. There R walls of dolls and piles of trucks. Take three steps, turn around, and C racks with remote-control Seahawk boats, spy goggles, undercover girl motion trackers, a ministage with puppets on sticks, and, for the musical tot, little accordions and guitars. The store R open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

BEST SHOE REPAIR

Gables Shoe Store and Repair Shop

The racks, boxes, bags, and fabric sacks stacked to the doors and ceilings are your shoes that need to be picked up from their refurbishment with new heels, toe guards, or polish. This Gables fixture gets the work done so quickly and inexpensively that it's hard to believe a retail transaction can go so smoothly -- hence the accumulation of goods that stunned clients can't believe are ready to go. This place will get your Joan & Davids back on the Miracle Mile stroll fast, cheap, and with Claus von Bulow-like faux Euro courtliness.

BEST SHOE REPAIR

Gables Shoe Store and Repair Shop

The racks, boxes, bags, and fabric sacks stacked to the doors and ceilings are your shoes that need to be picked up from their refurbishment with new heels, toe guards, or polish. This Gables fixture gets the work done so quickly and inexpensively that it's hard to believe a retail transaction can go so smoothly -- hence the accumulation of goods that stunned clients can't believe are ready to go. This place will get your Joan & Davids back on the Miracle Mile stroll fast, cheap, and with Claus von Bulow-like faux Euro courtliness.

BEST PLACE (FOR DJS) TO BUY VINYL

Osiel

Washington Avenue has its share of DJ shops, but there's only one where you'll find the latest from Bpitch, Schematic, and Chocolate Industries. Forget the cheesy trance and tribal tracks; Osiel sells the kind of acclaimed, low-selling music championed by critics and New Times. There's also a growing back catalog of albums and twelve-inch singles by artists such as David Bowie and Run-DMC, along with a small selection of CDs. Credit Osiel "Ozzy" Rojas, former owner of a distribution company, Safe, that specialized in weird electronic sounds, who is also the namesake for this IDM fan's oasis.

BEST PLACE (FOR DJS) TO BUY VINYL

Osiel

Washington Avenue has its share of DJ shops, but there's only one where you'll find the latest from Bpitch, Schematic, and Chocolate Industries. Forget the cheesy trance and tribal tracks; Osiel sells the kind of acclaimed, low-selling music championed by critics and New Times. There's also a growing back catalog of albums and twelve-inch singles by artists such as David Bowie and Run-DMC, along with a small selection of CDs. Credit Osiel "Ozzy" Rojas, former owner of a distribution company, Safe, that specialized in weird electronic sounds, who is also the namesake for this IDM fan's oasis.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®

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