Best Furniture Store 2018 | Doro Designs | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Miami | Miami New Times
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Photo by Jonah Gouin

If you're looking for a unique statement piece of furniture for your home, visit the Doro Designs showroom in Wynwood and talk to owners and self-taught woodworkers Timon Harris and Jonah Gouin. Doro specializes in custom, hand-crafted pieces made from sustainable wood embellished with steel, cement, and acrylic. The store also offers ready-to-buy items such as petrified-wood stumps, coffee tables, and dining tables. The wood is sourced from the United States, Central America, Mexico, and Indonesia. The store handles most of the woodworking in-house, including constructing, cutting, sanding, polishing, and finishing. The Doro team works closely with customers to build pieces exactly to their specifications while being mindful of budget, timing, and desired wood. Each piece is priced individually, but the objects can range from $500 to $20,000 based on complexity, size, and material. In its sixth year of business, Doro Designs specializes in unique, functional art pieces with a culture of timeliness and solid customer service. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Photo by Nicole Danna

For years, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia locals have maintained a bitter rivalry. No, it has nothing to do with sports — it's about gas stations. In west Pennsylvania, a chain called Sheetz boasts a loyal cult following. But Wawa, the rival to the east, has lately gained the upper hand, in part by expanding its territory far beyond the Philly suburbs. In July 2017, South Florida became Wawa territory when store #5193 opened in Davie. Most South Florida natives were surprised and a little amused at the fervor with which Philly-born transplants welcomed the gas station to the hood. But they soon discovered that Wawa isn't really a gas station — it's a mecca of convenience. Where else can you pick up a made-to-order hot sub, a fresh salad, a caramel macchiato, and a breakfast burrito while gassing up your car? It's basically a restaurant that happens to have fuel pumps in the parking lot. Now even famously blasé South Floridians are becoming die-hard Wawa warriors.

After decades in the business, local artists Gabriela Provenzano and Luis Chavarria opened Bachi Jewels on Washington Avenue late last year as the sister store to their 16th Street shop, Artconnection. Both stores sell midrange fashion jewelry with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones, but Bachi is where you'll find a full-range jewelry-repair shop. Chavarria does most of the work himself, offering the extra customer-service touch of texting you a photo of your piece when it's ready to pick up. With fair pricing, quick turnaround, and a convenient location in South Beach, it's an obvious choice for everything from a night-out necklace to a battery replacement for your favorite watch.

For most of us, renting a limo isn't an everyday thing. If we take the plunge, it must mean something huge is going on, like a wedding or milestone birthday. Basically, you want to feel like a pop star on the way to the Grammys. VIP Miami Limo makes you feel just like Justin Bieber, minus all the paparazzi, of course. And it makes sure you can afford to ball-out for a day. Prices are competitive, options are abundant, and there are definite levels of splurging. Most of us live in Miami but don't get to experience the Dwayne Johnson Ballers South Beach lifestyle. VIP Miami Limo provides the opportunity to make the fantasy a reality for at least a night.

Photo by Peter Gonzalez

If you ask owners Peter Gonzalez and Richard Morey, they'll say Gables Corset Shoppe is bringing sexy back with a selection of imported luxury lingerie from Europe and expert custom bra fittings. The shop sells intimates, sleepwear, shapewear, hosiery, and corsets in satin, lace, embroidery, and cotton for any and all occasions. The alterations team will make sure each piece fits to perfection, especially if you've experienced any changes in breast shape after surgery or during pregnancy. They can also customize lingerie if you're between standard bra sizes. They carry brands such as Chantelle, Prima Donna, and Anita-Rosa Faia. Prices vary, from about $70 to $200 for bras and $20 to $100 for panties. A local lingerie shop that celebrates diversity and changes in women's bodies is always a winner. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Courtesy of Eberjey

In Miami, a good swimsuit is just as essential as a little black dress. If you live in a city with year-round beach weather, you need some go-to beachwear. Luckily for you, Miami is home to Eberjey. The chic lingerie and swimwear company was launched in 1996 by two Miamians, Ali Mejia and Mariela Rovito, who printed thousands of catalogues and mailed them to women all over South Florida. Eberjey is known for its high-quality material and effortlessly feminine designs. Its two local stores — in South Beach and Merrick Park — are airy and beautiful, all pastels and soft light. The swimwear, starting at $120, includes everything from patterned purple bikinis to sleek black one-pieces. Today, Eberjey ships worldwide and is carried by scores of department stores and boutiques — a true Miami success story.

Photo by Leo Diaz

While malls across America continue to wither and die, Aventura Mall seems to be experiencing the opposite trend. It continues to thrive and expand. In the '90s, the mall was home to stores such as Claire's, Spec's, J.C. Penney, Burdines, and Sears. But today's Aventura Mall would hardly recognize its former self. Louis Vuitton, Bally, Gucci, Chanel, Apple, Bloomingdale's, Prada, Nordstrom, Forever 21, H&M, and Longchamp are just some of the nearly 300 brands that call Aventura home. However, the most recent renovation saw the mall transform its food court offerings from bourbon chicken and baked potatoes to lobster rolls and poke bowls thanks to its new Treats Food Hall. A 315,000-square-foot expansion designed by architect Carlos Zapata includes Florida's only Topshop location and a new Zara, as well as food offerings from local favorites such as Cvi.che 105, Pubbelly Sushi, Genuine Pizza, and Tap 42.

Courtesy of the Gym

Want to watch the sun rise while you pump iron? How about doing so in an open-air setting with a 360-degree view of the ocean and Intracoastal? There's a spot for that. The Gym at Fort Lauderdale Beach offers a one-of-a-kind workout experience that both locals and tourists enjoy. The oceanfront business is open seven days a week (Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to keep you feeling and looking good. In addition to boasting a picturesque rooftop, the Gym offers an expansive indoor setup, with machines, weights, mats, a smoothie bar, and a class space for yoga, zumba, Pilates, and other activities. Icing on the cake: The staff is nice and approachable. Now enough reading. Get moving.

Tanning in a booth is so 2008. Sure, you might end up looking like you just spent a week on a Caribbean island, but you could also end up with skin cancer. Is that really worth it? Thankfully, spray tanning exists, and there's nowhere better for it in Miami than Tanning by Ilona. Instead of self-tanning and ending up looking as orange as a certain U.S. president, Ilona will help you pick the perfect skin tone and use her spray-gun skills to apply it. Wait six to eight hours, take a shower, and — voilà! — perfection. No matter your special occasion, you'll glow with beautiful skin.

You're out for a night on the town and dressed to the nines. You're stumbling through the dank recesses of a South Beach club when, suddenly, a drink is spilled. Egads! Your precious (fake) Gucci sneakers are ruined, and your top has a big red stain! Enter Coconut Grove Laundry & Cleaners. In business since 1961, this family-owned store has weathered trends for decades and has the dry-cleaning know-how to rescue your favorite outfits from the trash bin. Plus, cleaning fees for most articles run less than $10, which means you'll be able to save up for a real pair of Gucci shoes.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®