Shopping & Services

Rafael Gutierrez, managing partner of SoMi Pet Resort, likens his business to a good restaurant. SoMi does two things and two things only, and it does both of them well. It offers boarding and daycare for dogs and cats when their humans need to take a vacation or go to work. Staff members genuinely care for animals and have extensive experience in the pet boarding and daycare industries. SoMi is an exciting place. The kitties get cat condos and toys. The pups splash around in pools designed for big and small breeds. At capacity, SoMi can board about 200 dogs. And whenever you start to miss your furry best friend, the facility is equipped with cameras so you can peek at your pet sleeping, running, playing, and making new pals. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Plant lovers can treat themselves to instant joy in the aisles of Midtown Garden Center. Spend an afternoon exploring the center’s jungle-esque enclaves brimming with pothos tendrils and stunning succulents. Afterward, enjoy a quick bite at the garden’s on-site taco shop, Tacomiendo, or snag a refreshing smoothie at the juice bar. If you’re new to plants, don’t fret — the helpful staff are ready to guide you to the right plant, customize arrangements, and educate you on overall care and maintenance. The center also offers delivery services and installations for those who need an extra green thumb.

The Miami Beach Bicycle Center has been family-owned and -operated since 1977. Jack Ruiz opened the store when he was just 19; since then, the bike shop has become a local institution. Bikes are in the Ruiz family’s blood. While other kids went to summer camp, Jack’s sons, Alex and Danny, went to the bike shop. And now they help run the place. Nearly everyone who walks in is a familiar face. The Ruiz family know and love their regulars. They make sure each and every tourist looking for a bike rental or first-timer seeking repairs walks away feeling like part of the family. Ask Alex Ruiz what his favorite part about his job is, and he’ll tell you it’s working with his dad and brother every day. The Miami Beach Bicycle Center offers everything from bikes and clothes to spare parts and accessories. If you need a new bike, repairs, service, or rental, stop in and see for yourself. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

While not as immense or thoroughly stocked as some other art-supply stores around town (note: the spray paint selection is hard to beat), i.d. art Supply & Custom Framing makes up for it with the vast knowledge of its staff. No matter whom you talk to, it seems they can help with any type of artistic or craft endeavor, offering options, advice, or solutions as needed. Custom framing — no job too big! — ups the one-stop-shopping factor. Best to come in with a plan, though, and don’t dawdle. Owing to its location on Biscayne Boulevard near the Miami-Dade County Public Schools headquarters, parking can be tricky. Your best bet is to park — semi-illegally — in the painted yellow-stripe area closer to the school district building.

Aside from purveying colorful flower arrangements and gift baskets, Trias Flowers carries decades of rich history. The florist’s lively tale began more than 100 years ago in Cuba. Opened on the island by the shop’s namesake, Pedro Trias, the shop relocated to Miami in 1967. While the store was brought to life in Cuba, it has thrived here. And today, more than a century after its inception, Trias Flowers carries on its generational success. The shop is open daily and offers same-day delivery for all local orders. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Nathaniel Sandler wants you to read, and he has put his profits (or lack of ’em) where his literature is: His nonprofit library has offered customers one free book every single day for the past nine years (each additional book costs $2). It’s an eyebrow-raising business model that often leaves patrons exclaiming, “Free?! Really?!” Really! The radical bookshop is generously funded by the Knight Foundation and has given away 40,000 books in Miami to date. Billing itself as a no-kill shelter for books, Bookleggers happily accepts book donations at its green-and-white-striped book boxes around town, at its headquarters at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood (on Tuesdays), and by appointment. In May, the nonprofit launched a new Sunday pop-up from a former shoe store at 1600 Washington Ave. in South Beach, offering sunscreen, shot glasses, beach towels, bathrobes, and stacks of free books.

Locally owned independent bookstores have nearly gone the way of the dodo. The mom-and-pop locations that remain have survived for a reason. They’ve built a stronghold in the community and a reputation for being book-lovers’ bookstores. Come for the books, stay for the atmosphere. Big Apple Books has all that going for it and more. NPR could stage a Tiny Desk Concert here and you’d hardly know it was a remote shot. One day you might walk in to the scent of incense burning and Bob Marley playing, the next you might hear jazz or the Beatles blaring. Rob, the longtime owner, is constantly stocking his shelves with books, records, CDs, DVDs, and anything else he thinks his clientele might find of interest. He takes in so much, he doesn’t have room to display all of it, so there are always boxes of yet-to-be-discovered gems scattered around. Oh, and everything is priced at $4 or less. If that’s not a throwback to a better time, what is?

When you waltz into a record store, there’s at least a 50 percent chance you’re absolutely clueless as to what you’re looking for. Maybe you’re just there for the experience, maybe you’re looking to see if a random record calls out to you from the shelves. Either way, you might as well have as many options at your disposal as possible. At Museo del Disco in Coral Terrace, you can browse 10,000 square feet of music. It’s South Florida’s largest music emporium, and its spacious aisles allow shoppers the room to peruse English-language and Latin selections to their hearts’ content — all while remaining socially distanced.

As any card-carrying comic book nerd will tell you, a good comic book store needs more than comics to keep you coming back. With digital comics and online retailers all vying for your hard-earned cash, a shop needs to make you feel like a part of a community — and a league of your own. Goblin’s Heist Comics (formerly Tattoos and Comics) fosters that sense of community and camaraderie among geek culture aficionados in a way that makes you want to come in every week for a comic but stay for the conversation. Aside from offering a wide selection of new and old comics, graphic novels, figures, toys, and stickers, this Hialeah comic shop serves as a gathering hub for the local geek and art scenes. Once every other month, Goblin’s Heist hosts “Goblin Fest,” a block party and arts festival that includes video game tournaments, music performances, and local artist showcases. You can also buy a ton of comics at majorly reduced prices, so you can catch up on the latest Avengers and Justice League escapades for a bargain deal. The next Goblin Fest is slated for October, and you can check the store’s Instagram page, @goblinsheist, for more info on scheduling. Even if you can’t make the fest, stop into the shop and strike up a conversation with the staff. If you don’t know what kind of comic you’re looking for, they’ll help you find it, and you’ll more than likely make some friends along the way. Open daily noon to 9 p.m.

Its shelves bursting with top-quality organic, all-natural and holistic products, Natural K9 Supplies is dedicated to giving your dog a healthy lifestyle. The store, which has locations in Miami and Pembroke Pines, prides itself on its nutritional knowledge. Find anything from handcrafted goat’s milk soap ($7.29) to “Pumpk’n Spice” chewy treats ($5.49). And while it’s not implied in the name, the store carries products for your cat, too. Hours at the Miami store are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It’s more than a year and a half into the pandemic, and your dog is starting to look more like a mop than a pup. They’re long overdue for a haircut — but like many businesses, his brick-and-mortar groomer has been shuttered owing to COVID. Well,, Betty’s Woof can roll right up to your driveway to give your dog a proper scrub, trim, and mani/pedi. Traveling across the city in a van adorned with the motto “pet grooming with love,” the Betty’s aims to bring a personal touch to the pet-grooming trade. Give ’em a call, make an appointment, and give your pooch the proper pampering they deserve.

An eclectically curated store of rare vintage furniture and home décor from the Sixties to the 1990s, Primaried Studio opened its showroom in Little Haiti early this summer, giving Sweat Records and Churchill’s Pub a colorful new neighbor. Miami-raised Jonathan Sanchez-Obias decided to take his hobby of collecting furniture to full-time status once he saw the increasing demand for rare vintage home goods. “The vintage furniture market was booming, especially on Instagram, so I created Primaried,” Sanchez-Obias explains. The showroom, which displays designs from Memphis style to postmodern, offers a one-of-a-kind visual experience whether you’re looking to furnish your home or just window-shop. Collectors will recognize many of the rare designer names, from Giotto Stoppino to Lella and Massimo Vignelli, Vico Magistretti, Herman Miller, Ettore Sottsass, and Mario Bellini. Open Friday noon to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., and by appointment.

If you think only a certain type of figure can wear clingy knits during the coolest days of the year, reconfigure your mind. KRELwear is the tropical knitwear for everybody on the spectrum of woman, of whatever stature, dressing for any kind of Miami weather. Owner and designer Karelle Levy uses yarns of every color you can think of to feed into her on-site loom and craft custom pieces to order — although she does have a limited amount of off-the-rack stock available for purchase as well. The pieces — including rompers, shorts and tanks, midi skirts with crop tops, wraps, kaftans, halters, minidresses, you name it (and if you can’t name it, Levy will name it for you, or show you a picture of it) — cling gently to the body like a peach to its stone. As in, sweetly. And they also come off without a fight.

The pandemic has hit all businesses pretty hard, but locally owned establishments probably bore a bigger brunt. So instead of sauntering off to a Men’s Wearhouse or Nordstrom when you need a suit, stop by Austin Burke instead. For more than 70 years, the shop has been helping Miami men look extra-sharp by providing an array of designer brands and custom-made suits. The attentive service is the key here, with tailors making sure you leave with a suit that not only fits your style but your body as well. At a time when it’s so easy to buy things with a quick tap on your phone, Austin Burke reminds you that some things are worth doing in person — and procuring a well-tailored suit is one of those things.

California has Stüssy. New York has Supreme. And now Miami has GPC. GPC Miami — the name stands for Global Peace Club — is a growing streetwear brand helping to define the city’s style. If you’ve strolled through Wynwood, you’ve probably seen their pastel “Love is the Answer” logo plastered on a wall or peeking from a collage of fliers. Founder Gregory Wint, along with collaborators Jabari Smith, Emmanuel Zamor, and Jelani Cameron, has been working on the brand’s aesthetic since they were teenagers, but after several successful capsules and a sold-out collaboration with Footlocker, the crew is raising the bar for its next evolution. “We’re not kids anymore. It’s a real business and sometimes a business can get nitty-gritty. It’s not just about being creative,” he tells New Times. “These next years are going to be super-exciting, because now we feel like we have the tools to do whatever we want.” Wint and the rest of GPC have always leaned on collaboration as a vehicle for expressing their vision, be it a heart-shaped rug for one capsule or a partnership graffiti streetwear pioneer Shirt King Phade for the next. In a world where success seems contingent on popularity, GPC Miami is unfazed by the semantics. They do things the only way Miamians know how: Playing by our own rules.

In an unassuming shopping center on Bird Road lies a time-traveling portal to the past. You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but as soon as you enter Miami Twice, you’re hurtling back through decades of fashion, jewelry, and eclectic ephemera. Not more than two steps in the door, and the merchandise demands to be seen and lovingly appreciated. Colorful suspenders, neon fishnet fingerless gloves, flapper girl wigs and hats, and elegant 1950s-style dresses — you name it, Miami Twice has got it. Whether you’re a fan of classic styles looking to beef up your wardrobe or a cosplayer in search of that certain je ne sais quoi, the wide selection of vintage pieces and unpredictalbe accessories means you’ll have a treasure trove to sift through. The ambiance is lively and fun, and the employees bring a youthful energy that acts as a nice contrast to the bygone aesthetic of the merchandise. Miami Twice carries a selection of designer purses and apparel from known brands like Chanel, Versace, and Christian Dior that set it apart from competing stores. If you’re in the market to sell, the store buys clothes, jewelry, and vintage items. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Need that Louboutin red sole replaced? Covered. Investment handbags renewed? Done. The Cobblers has a fleet of artisans who can repair or restore almost anything you throw at them. From boots to zippers to belts, they know their way around vintage and designer goods and everything in between. The tidy, stylish, full-service shop does stellar work, but if you can’t make the trip to Little River, by all means order the prepaid shipping kit, then mail in your tattered items and get them back resurrected. After a treatment here, your favorite pieces will look fresh-outta-the-box new.

Pound for pound, dry cleaners might be one of the most colossally underrated service providers. Picking a decent and reliable dry-cleaning service is like choosing a therapist: You can’t settle, and you have to go with what feels like the right fit that caters to your specific needs. As one of the highest-reviewed dry cleaners out there, Sudsies is that place for countless Miamians. With three locations in Miami-Dade County alone (Miami, North Miami, and Miami Beach) — and pick-up and delivery service throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties — Sudsies is widely accessible. When the services you offer are also offered at countless other storefronts and locations across the region, it can be hard to stand out in your market. But not if you’re Sudsies. The dry cleaner services large non-clothing items such as bedding, area rugs, and comforters, to name but a few. (“Might we add bridal, evening wear, vintage clothing, alterations, restorations, and preservation to our long list of fortes,” Sudsies’ website proudly boasts.)

Yes, Red, White & Blue is a chain — one that boasts 22 locations nationwide, including one in North Miami and another in Hialeah. But what RW&B lacks in local color it more than makes up in volume. To put it bluntly, Red, White & Blue is huge. As in seriously humongous. Here you’ll find a wide range of clothing, as well as items ranging from furniture and fine china and couches to Coach bags and bicycles. The scope of the store’s stock cannot be explored in a single 24-hour period — and truckloads of new arrivals are added daily. This is no best-kept secret, either: Lines are long. But it’s worth the wait, especially if you’re shopping for color day deals to snag additional discounts. Be advised that while North Miami’s location accepts credit cards, Hialeah’s is cash only. And those looking to narrow their horizons (as it were) should note that the Hialeah RW&B is conveniently located in Flamingo Plaza, which brims with thrift stores.

According to its official listing, the Pawn Shop is located on NW 36th Street in Allapattah. But a more apt description of this particular building’s location would be that it is firmly situated on South Florida Postcard Fantasy Lane. With its endearingly gaudy exterior mural featuring an unearthed treasure chest, a parrot, and palm trees beckoning from a beachscape, it’s just about impossible not to feel drawn into the place. The store is well-organized, and the hours — unlike those at many pawn storefronts — extend to 8 p.m. on weekdays, cognizant of the fact that a lot of people work 9 to 5. Prefer a remote pawn shopping experience? If you need a quote on the pawn side, give the Pawn Shop a call. And if you’re the web browsing type, you can gander at a selection of the merch via ebay.com/usr/thepawnshop_miami.

Imagine a scenario in which you get home from work and decide to investigate the pain you’ve been feeling in your throat all day. You take your phone’s flashlight to the bathroom mirror and open wide, only to discover a Cronenberg-like scene back there involving your tonsils, uvula, and tongue. There’s discoloration — ooze, even. You might have a fever, too. Of course, you can’t know for sure because you don’t own a thermometer, but you’re sweating. So you drag yourself to the CVS MinuteClinic, where the nurse takes one look in your mouth and says you need an antibiotic or an exorcism and she isn’t qualified to administer either. She sends you to the Baptist Health Urgent Care at Seventh Street and Alton Road. It is 9:30 p.m. They administer a big fat penicillin shot and prescribe a Z-Pak, which you purchase from a vending machine next to the checkout desk. You’re in and out in the span of 30 minutes — no waiting around, minimal paperwork, no second stop at the pharmacy, and no priest or holy water needed.

Spend more time at the library! It really does not get any better than the wireless internet access and related services offered throughout the Miami-Dade Public Library system (MDPLS). At the main branch — as well as at any branch in the system —Wi-Fi access is offered free of charge and accessible on any of your personal devices. If you do not happen to have a personal device, you can use the library’s computer services if you have a library card (which is also free). There are plenty of spots to settle in, maintain social distance, and immerse yourself in whatever it is you’re doing. Not feeling being holed up inside with other humans just yet? Or maybe you’re a little too far from the downtown digs of the main branch. At participating locations, you can avail yourself of the library system’s wireless connection without going inside, no library card required. Call to see if your branch offers the service or look it up via mdpls.org/drive-up-wi-fi; then park your car (or yourself) in a designated area and hook up to the Wi-Fi.

We live in the Sunshine State, but not all of us have the time to invest in our tans on the beaches. If you’re of a mind to avoid the crowds and the sand in your suit and achieve your desired skin tone in air-conditioned comfort, Best Miami Tan is for you. No UV rays here — BMT is a spray operation. “SprayDon’t Lay” is their tagline. And they pledge that all the products used in their tanning solutions are organic, vegan, quick-drying, and odorless. (Let’s be honest: Nobody wants to sit next to someone wafting obnoxious tanning chemicals, no matter how evenly bronzed they may be. BMT is the the solution for those looking for a quick (and less stinky), thorough and natural-looking tan that will be the envy of beachgoers. Prices start at $65 for a full-body tan, $35 for half-body. And if you’re tanning salon-phobic, you can pay$250 and up to have BMT come to you.

La Casa de los Trucos has been around for a long time — a really long time. A fixture in Miami since 1972, the store, was founded in Habana Vieja as a magic and costume shop a century ago. When Castro seized power, the Torres family brought their “House of Tricks” with them to the 305. It remains a family business, owned by Carmen Torres, with her son Jorge serving as manager. Jorge Torres says it was the joke stuff — whoopee cushions, hand buzzers, prop money, card sets, and illusion props — that pulled La Casa de los Trucos through the pandemic. “Costumes were a tough business, but we have other things people want to entertain themselves with,” he tells New Times. “We did curbside, online, and some deliveries in the area. Jokes and magic did very well — it was enough to keep us going.” The real magic, of course, is the shop’ long-standing relationship with its clientele. “People come in and they remember us from our early Miami days,” Torres notes. “Because when you’re a kid, you like to do pranks and stuff like stink bombs. And now they’re coming back and buying the same stuff for their kids! It’s about nostalgia, reliving the old days and your youth.”

The lingerie market is a competitive arena. But that didn’t deter 23-year-old Miami native Valentina Voight from diving in, pandemic be damned. Voight launched her brand, Voight by Valentina, last year, and what began as a swimsuit collection has blossomed to include jewelry, dresses, crop tops, stickers — and lingerie. New lingerie collections are curated by Voight and locally made, all of them detail-oriented, sexy, and thoughtful. The recent “Forbidden Fruit” collection of bodysuits and two-piece bra and panty sets revolved around a flowery theme dominated by with pastel pinks, blues, and purples. Collections are announced periodically via Twitter (@valentinavoight) — if you’re looking to snag the next collection, follow right away, turn on notifications, and be prepared to act fast when Voight strikes.

Joaquin del Olmo stumbled into the wedding business when a friend asked him for a favor. A Cuban immigrant living in California at the time, del Olmo noticed that all his friends were getting married at a young age. One asked him to create the flower arrangements for their wedding. Their options were to spend the money on flowers or save the money for a honeymoon. Del Olmo had never made floral arrangements, but his friend made an appeal to his creativity. The arrangements turned out so impressive that even the caterer was in awe. So began del Olmo’s side hustle, which grew into a flower shop. He organized debutante balls, did catering, and later rented a space that contained a bridal shop. Years later, he moved his family to Miami and changed careers. But ultimately the wedding business summoned him back. He and his daughter Vivian run J. Del Olmo Bridal Gallery & Couture on Miracle Mile. They pride themselves in providing excellent customer service and making every bride-to-be feel special. Like her father, Vivian loves weddings and considers it an honor to be part of such a special day in a woman’s life.

As soon as you walk into Live Blow Dry, you know you’re about to get spoiled. If you arrive in the morning, the receptionists are quick to offer steaming coffee or tea. If your appointment is in the afternoon, you can enjoy some wine or a mimosa while you wait for your stylist. Strong, capable hands will wash your hair and massage your scalp with luxurious products made with environmentally friendly ingredients. Each stylist has their own specialty — blowouts, braiding, updos, keratin treatments, hair extensions, makeup. Whatever you choose, your tresses will look, smell, and feel sumptuous. You’ll walk out of the blow-dry bar feeling like you can take on the world.

Maybe you’re dreaming of a haircut and blowout in a high-energy environment with stylists who want to help you look like the best version of yourself. Maybe your nails need a little TLC and you want a manicure and pedicure. Or that tension in your neck and shoulders from staring at a computer screen all day is driving you crazy; a massage would do the trick. The fun part about Lacuna Salon & Spa is that you don’t have to choose which service you want — here, you can have it all. If you’re looking for a full-service salon day, look no further. Facials and other skincare services range in price from $35 to $135. A regular manicure and pedicure costs $38. A gel manicure and regular pedicure costs $50. Lacuna offers 30-, 60-, and 90-minute massages; prices range from $40 to $125. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Wynwood’s Junior & Hatter is well-known for its talented stylists who can tame even the wildest mane — or make the tamest mane wild. In 2019, the salon spun off its top-rated barbershop services into its own shop in Little River. Located in the back of the Imperial Moto Cafe, J&H Barbers is a miniaturized version of the OG spot that caters exclusively to men-identifying clientele. Stylists Lori and Vincent work out of the three-chair studio, providing expert cuts, bread trims, and hot shaves. Haircuts start at $45 — though if you just want a nice buzz, that’ll be $25. Facial-hair services range from $15 for a beard lineup to $45 for a hot shave.

There’s a lavish spa on the lower lobby level of the boutique Miami Beach Edition Hotel. It’s equipped with all the amenities you’d find at your typical spa but look closer at the menu. Scroll past the facials, mani/pedis, body scrubs, and hair blowouts, and feast your peepers on the massage section. Massages with CBD-oil enhancements are all the rage in Miami, but no place does it better than the Edition. Here, the CBD healing wave massage ($260 and up for 75 minutes) offers optimal relaxation. The moment your massage therapist’s hands touch your bare skin, a calming sensation will wash all over you, as if warm ocean waves are literally lapping at your skin. When paired with the overall pleasing aesthetics of the spa, it’s impossible to not walk out with a newfound sense of tranquility. The hotel offers a variety of other massages, including the traditional house massage ($180), a therapeutic massage ($190), and sticks and stones ($220).

Ever wish for more luminous, dewy, clear skin? Book a facial at Mindy Kim’s studio in Midtown and prepare to be transformed. Treatments here combine super-strength facial massage and formulas that leave skin glowing and looking firm and bright. Kim treats both teen and adult acne, and her new Maskne microdermabrasion process was created during the pandemic to address conditions brought about by the use of facemasks. From South Korea comes the “Snow White” option ($300), while Mindy’s signature facial ($500) employs everything from chocolate mousse soufflé to 24-karat gold to a stem-cell ampoule. Ask Kim to guide you through the traditional Korean seven- and ten-step beauty routines and tips for aging well and learn how this skincare guru manages to look two decades younger than her 43 years.

This Ayurveda-inspired spa in Sunny Isles is nothing short of a paradise for those in search of a peaceful retreat. Natural techniques and technology come together in healing therapies that not only relax your body, but also improve your mental and emotional health. Renata de Abreu’s five-day vegan detox plan combines home diet, massages, natural oils, and fiber to reduce toxins, boost your immune system, and help take your skin and body from flabby to fabulous. Facials are personalized with extractions, oxygen therapy, and diamond peeling. Meditation classes round out the offerings.

Want a cool nail design that won’t leave behind any peeling, discoloration, or dehydrated cuticles? HipCat in Midtown offers everything you need to keep your nails looking flawless, funky, and Insta-ready — and you’ll never need to take a break from polish. The trick? Nail artist Dylan Pritchard works with your natural nails to create a structured gel manicure. Kokoist builder gel is applied to protect and strengthen your nails, which are then skillfully hand-painted in custom designs and colors with high-quality, heavily pigmented Japanese gel. The salon also offers Famous Names IBX treatments, a “keratin-like” process said to help reverse nail damage. Appointments must be booked on Instagram via @thenailwhisperer.

Aja Butler-Burns was born to a “witchy lady” in Baltimore. Though her mystical practice doesn’t incorporate herb walks and winter-solstice rituals like her mother’s did, she can’t deny that she’s always been drawn to crystals and their healing abilities. When she moved to Miami in 2007 to study accessory design at Miami International University of Art & Design, Butler-Burns grew especially interested in how specific crystals are linked to activating specific chakras, how certain colors can induce certain emotions, and how crystals can be charged by moon- and sunlight. Butler-Burns incorporates these lessons into her jewelry designs, which she sells at local craft fairs and online to customers up and down the East Coast and as far away as Qatar. Peach quartz crowns, deep violet lepidolite chokers, forest-green aventurine necklaces and classic pearl ear cuffs are just a few of her most popular items, which are priced for just about any budget.

Searching for a peaceful hideout in the Magic City? This Bal Harbour hotel combines style and substance with a swanky spa, superb service, and some of the best dining in town. Luxury awaits, from oceanfront villas to a Bentley service and a one-of-a-kind shopping experience at De Beers Jewellers. Equally suited to romantic getaways and family vacations, suites offer panoramic ocean views from private balconies and butler service for a truly decadent experience. If you want to laze all day by one of the two swimming pools, attendants will ensure you never want for a cocktail or a repositioned umbrella. The first-rate restaurants on the premises include Atlantikós for refined Mediterranean fare and the St. Regis Bar & Wine Vault.

Do you consider your health and well-being an investment? Then this elite studio is for you. A staple of the Miami gym scene, Equinox offers multi-function spaces scattered throughout the city, each of which combines state-of-the-art yoga, Pilates, and cycling studios along with personal training, spas, eucalyptus steam rooms, retail shops, and juice bars and cafés. Membership fees vary by location, as do some of the special amenities — the Brickell Heights club has a sundeck and recreational pool where you can float your cares away, and the studio on South Beach offers moonlight yoga classes on the beach.

Kingsnake Tattoo is a private tattoo studio in Miami run by 32-year-old Samantha Mancino. She has tattooed skin in New York and LA and has previously done artwork at estimable local tattoo parlor Ocho Placas. On her own at Kingsnake, she has accrued more than 29,000 followers at @s.mancinotattoo on Instagram. She’s known for her realistic, textured artworks that usually depict scenes of nature — snakes mid-attack, fangs bared; fierce-eyed tigers ready to pounce; alligators; birds; sea creatures; and on and on. Her art places an emphasis on capturing movement, meaning her finished pieces look alive and multidimensional. Book an appointment via DM or email smancinotattoo@yahoo.com.

What makes a good cigar shop? Is it the selection? The price range? Both factors play a role, but as cigar enthusiast Steve Carl will tell you, it’s a third, less tangible, attribute that elevates Empire Social above the rest. “What makes a good cigar shop is the vibe you get that right off the bat,” Carl says. At Empire, he notes, “You can tell by how the leather of the chairs looks, you’re gonna be comfortable. And they treat you like royalty.” He is correct. As soon as you walk through the doors: the vibe. The dimmed lighting, the smoking-club atmosphere — you know you’re in for a cigar experience. Someone asks whether you’d like to start with a cigar or pop over to the bar for a taste from the whiskey selection. The wide selection of the former arrayed in the humidor might appear daunting, but Empire’s experts will guide you, helping you pick out the perfect smoke — or smokes — for the occasion or your flavor profile. A paid membership entitles you to discounts on cigars, spirits, and other merchandise, plus your own humidor locker. “My favorite thing is being able to relax in a very chill environment that takes the stress away,” Carl sums up. In this, too, he is correct. Open Monday through Thursday noon to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 3 a.m., and Sunday noon to 1 a.m.

Everybody loves a good deal, and there always seems to be one at Trulieve. Between weekly promotions like Mini Monday (3.5 grams of flower for $27) and Senior Sunday (10 percent off), the Florida-based chain has cultivated a loyal following among medical marijuana patients of all ages. Boasting top-tier cannabis and more than 80 stores across the state, Trulieve is the go-to for many Miamians for a reason: convenience. Customers can order everything from vape carts to edibles to their front door through Trulieve’s next-day delivery service or via in-store pickup at one of several area locations. Inside Trulieve stores, the staff of budtenders is unfailingly friendly, helpful, and ready to send you home with some swag. Until this state joins the 21st Century, medical customers only can shop from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Vital Tonics founder Natalie Bustamante discovered the many benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) while visiting Thailand. As someone who suffers from chronic pain, she found that CBD, with its anti-inflammatory properties, was the only natural substance that could mute her aches. Now all Miamians can benefit from her explorations, as Bustamante has turned her discoveries, and her newfound passion for CBD, into a business. The company uses nano-CBD, a substance that readily dissolves in liquids, making it easy to drink and digest — and permitting its soothing effects to kick in faster. Vital Tonics’ roster of products includes the original CBD tonic (sold as “The Tonic”); a CBD-infused beauty sheet mask; a bath soak; lip balm; and even dog treats infused with CBD to calm your pup during long trips or thundery nights. The company also launched a candle with a combination of oils and a hefty dose of the Tonic. When you blow out the candle, you can pour the melted wax-and-oil combo onto your skin for an instant ooh-ahh moment. Vital Tonics products are available at select locations across the city and ship anywhere within the U.S. via shopvitaltonics.com.

Smack in the middle of increasingly bougie Midtown lies a gem of a liquor store, where the highest and lowest on Miami’s economic ladder can stop in and stock up. Vintage Liquor and Wine Bar’s Midtown location (there’s a location in Brickell and another in Pinecrest) carries a vast selection of wines, liquors, liqueurs, and beers that run the gamut from bargain-basement to top-shelf. Staff members are always available to lend an ear or a hand. If you like to drink local, be sure to check out the craft beer section. And yes, they deliver.

In some ways, visiting a sex shop as a first-timer can be reminiscent of another “first time” — intimidating, awkward, and full of weird eye contact. But it’s impossible to experience any sort of discomfort at Toys Tonight. The staff members are charismatic, friendly, and well-versed in the functions of every toy the store carries. Toys Tonight delivers — literally and figuratively. If you live within a certain radius of their Wynwood or Miami Beach locations, you can have toys, lube, lingerie, male enhancement products, and all sorts of fun stuff delivered to your home or hotel room door within an hour. If you visit the store in person, though, you can try before you buy. Sort of: Both locations (in Wynwood and Miami Beach) feature a sample table that allows customers to see, hold, and turn on toys they’re thinking of adding to their collection. Staff are always available to demonstrate how the toys work. You can also sample the edible lube with a tiny, disposable spoon! The Miami Beach location offers educational events related to sexual exploration and seduction. Get your sexy on from noon to midnight every day of the week at the Wynwood location and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Miami Beach location.

Prism Creative Group is known for its impeccable taste in music, aptitude in staging memorable events, and effortless style. Although the creative agency specializes in large-scale music shows, the team has a penchant for doing whatever it can to support local businesses and elevate the community. Earlier this year, they decided to go back to basics and revive the traditional flea market concept with a unique Prism flair. Staged once a month at Ace Props Studios in Little River, Prism’s Tropical Flea assembles a bevy of local shops sprawling inside and outside the warehouse. The location makes for the perfect backdrop to the vintage-themed flea market, as random props —mannequin heads, say, or large marquee letters — are aesthetically scattered around the warehouse while tents are spread out on the gravel outdoors. Vendors change every month, but you’ll be sure to find clothing, jewelry, home décor, beauty and wellness, and (duh) food and drink options.

An antique shop ought to make you feel like you’re on a scavenger hunt. Like you need to work a little —scrounging through mounds of seemingly random pieces and cabinets filled with tchotchkes organized by…what? Hidden within a plaza of antique- and interior-design stores lies Zeitgeist Spirit of the Time, a small shop brimming as much with personality as it is with treasures. The eclectic collection of paintings, crystal, knickknacks, and vintage memorabilia calls to you to find your own way through its twisting aisles. Only in a shop such as this on can you find a tasteful bust not far from a mug in the image of a busty figurine. Visitors will be greeted by Macho, the shop’s mostly-poodle guard dog, who’ll usher in each guest and show them around. If he likes you, that means you’re a good customer. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.