Shopping & Services

Got knots the size of Florida oranges in your back? Hobble to your car and drive to the St. Regis Bal Harbour. Like any traditional spa that’s worth a damn, guests are greeted with either a glass of prosecco or a mimosa. There’s a peaceful waiting area that helps you bliss out even before your massage. And when they whisper your name, what awaits behind those doors is glorious. The St. Regis masseuses provide the deep tissue experience of a lifetime. You ask for more pressure; they deliver. Before or after your treatment, guests can indulge in a sauna, steam room, or hot tub. While they offer various treatments, a 60-minute stress relief massage will cost you $229 (or $339 for a 90-minute session). Whatever you choose, you’ll head home totally relaxed, Florida oranges no longer haunting your back.

Founded in 2022, this dynamic boutique landscaping company provides custom, one-of-a-kind designs. And while the same can be said of other local vendors, what sets the Botany Guild apart is that they are bona-fide botanical nerds. Possessed of specialized knowledge and a genuine passion for the flora of South Florida, these biophilic landscape pros are committed to sourcing diverse native species from the lushest local nurseries to suit the peculiarities of Miami’s climate.

Books & Books has won this award plenty of times already — and with six locations and counting, who can blame us? But this year, they deserve it for a very good reason. Owner Mitchell Kaplan has led the fight against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ racist, queerphobic book-banning spree by distributing banned books, planning actions, and speaking out against Tallahassee’s regressive lawmaking. He’s set his independent bookstore chain at the forefront of this necessary protest and educational effort to protect our constitutional right to free press and speech. Meanwhile, Kaplan also cofounded and hosts Miami Book Fair International, stocks his stores with the best curated literature and local authors, and is the landing spot for all writers and readers traveling through the 305. Books & Books is simply the best for balancing our fragile democracy on its stacks of banned books.

The death of print has been long lamented, but Bookleggers Library resuscitated the printed page in South Florida. Starting out as a roaming used bookstore that valued trade over commerce, Bookleggers fashions itself “a no-kill shelter for books.” It was founded on the mission to build community through free and easy access to books and it delivers. It now has a brick-and-mortar location at the Bakehouse Art Complex. After a visit, you’ll walk away with a free book — and Bookleggers still encourages book trading and asks an insanely reasonable $2 for any additional book. Even more impressive are its innovative initiatives to spread books all over the city via a book trailer, a book bike, and book boxes, and their semi-permanent installations scattered throughout Miami. It’s hard to explain exactly what Bookleggers is — a used bookstore, a library, an archive — but it certainly is one of Miami’s cultural treasures.

This Fort Lauderdale bookstore is packed with literary treasures from floor to ceiling. Owner William Chrisant fills his store with as many first-editions as possible, and though everything feels chaotically strewn about the space, there is a method to the madness. Tell Chrisant what you’re looking for, and he’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Near the entrance, there are shelves of weathered books that can be taken home on the honor system for only a dollar. Also, don’t forget to say “hi” to Peter, the store’s cat who greets everyone as soon as they walk in — that’s if he’s not mid-nap. He’s also the star of the store’s Instagram account, @oldfloridabookshop.

Tate’s Comics’ origin story is just as unbelievable and epic as the stories it sells. In 1993, when 17-year-old Tate Ottati was only a high-school senior, he started “playing” the stock market as part of an economics class. When he then decided to invest in real life, he naturally invested in Marvel Comics stock. A lucky dude, he sold it at its highest point before the company went bankrupt and went off the market for several years. Ottati used his earnings as seed money to invest in a comic book store, which he opened with the support of his father. The first shop was only 1,000 square feet and specialized in things like Japanese anime, a rarity in the ’90s, allowing customers to rent imported VHS cassettes. Tate’s moved to its current location in 2002 and expanded over the years to an enormous 10,000 square feet. In 2009, Tate’s also won the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award for its contributions to the comic book industry. This is all to say, three decades later, Tate’s remains the best place to find comic books, collectibles, and pop-culture memorabilia in South Florida.

The typical tourist traps of South Beach may let visitors bring a touch of tacky Florida home with them via chintzy dolphin-adorned snow globes and “Miami” towels decorated with palms. But the colorful art shop Dále Zine lets out-of-towners (and locals) cherish the real culture and quirkiness of Miami creatives with its cooly curated art books, humorous stickers, T-shirts, records by local musicians, prints by South Florida artists like Gabriel Alcala and Brian Butler, and an array of zines. Dále Zine provides the perfect way to bring the real Florida back home with you. For instance, you can grab the latest issue of Islandia Journal, which details Florida history, ephemera, and lived experiences from the swamp. Recently relocated from the backroads of Little River to the middle of the Design District, the pretty, pristine shop was always worth driving out of your way for, but now is located where random weekenders might stumble into gifts that embody the underappreciated, underhyped indie spirit of the 305. Dále Zine is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Dale!

Somehow both upscale and inviting, Ugo di Roma Salon and Day Spa in the heart of Coconut Grove has offered a dedicated clientele the chance to keep up appearances properly for decades. Founded in 1976 in Brickell and then landing in its current two-story home in 1989, the salon has maintained an admirable dedication to European-style opulence with a friendly local charm. The stylists, many from the Old World themselves, offer a thoughtful assessment of your needs and evaluate the best course of action with top-of-the-line products. The salon provides a long list of services, including hair, nail, massage, aromatherapy, facials, and body treatments. On the pricier side, Ugo di Roma may be a splurge for most, but if you’re in need of a good ol’ fashioned “treat yourself” moment, this one-stop shop is the perfect fix.

Jaxson Maximus elevates the barbershop experience, not just because it’s located in Brickell’s Panorama Tower, but because it offers the shaggy-haired a cut with a full-service salon, clothing boutique, and alterations shop. If you splurge for an $80 signature haircut, you’ll get a chance to zone out in the “Zen room” with a facial and forearm and hand massage with essential oils and hot towel treatment — all while getting your wedding suit custom-altered. And don’t forget a complimentary beverage to keep the energy loose, including the typical sober fare and two-drink max craft beers, scotches, and bourbons. The shop looks like a place you’d bring your boys or boyish girls with a custom championship pool table at its center and model race car on the wall. Notably, the HBO show The Shop: Uninterrupted, produced by NBA great LeBron James and media personality Maverick Carter, featured the salon in an episode along with DJ Khaled and rapper Meek Mill. As far as barbershops are concerned, this is certainly a “We the Best” situation.

Paz Skin Care estheticians will make sure your face is snatched thanks to a wide array of services, from facials to microneedling to lash and brow treatments. Founded by Miami native Jade Paz-Arias and her mother, Susan Paz, Paz Skin Care is operated by a team of knowledgeable Latinas dedicated to making their clients feel glam. A thorough consultation precedes any treatment, and methods and products are specifically curated for each person’s desires. Paz goes above and beyond to ensure clients’ comfort, easing newcomers into simple techniques with careful attention. This is a low-key spot with relaxing vibes, making it easy to unwind. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep two minutes into a treatment and awaken a new, glowier person.

Born and raised in Miami, Harol Prado is a makeup artist redefining beauty standards and the industry. Prado started with beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury and now works independently on his craft. This freedom allows Prado to explore different avenues, including editorial work, weddings, and makeup lessons. What sets Prado apart from other makeup artists is how he implements a holistic approach to beauty. Uninterested in fads and trends, his philosophy is about nonconformity and comfort. First and foremost, for Prado, beauty radiates from inside. This approach has earned him a legion of loyal clients who herald his talent and tranquility.

If you are on the hunt for the deepest, most detailed manicure and pedicure imaginable, and you have around three hours to kill — then look no further than Sandu Beauty and Wellness. The master of the Russian manicure or dry manicure, Sandu hails from Kazakhstan, where she was trained in this precise procedure. It doesn’t include the standard service of soaking your fingers and toes, but does include a nail drill and other equipment to keep those cuticles at bay. She goes the extra mile filing and cutting your claws, ensuring their optimal health. And the best part of Sandu’s skills? You won’t have to go back to see her again for a month.

At Galloway Farm Nursery, four well-fed cats greet customers near the checkout counter while parrots squawk in the distance and orange and white koi laze in a nearby pond. Forty-three years ago, Pat Kyle and Jim Lawrence founded this garden center on two-and-a-half acres in Southwest Miami. Since then, it’s become more than a place to buy ferns; it’s a full nature experience. People can lounge inside an air-conditioned orchid room or sit under the tiki hut while taking in an expanse of flowering and fruit trees. Kyle, 83, also known as the “plant lady from Pinecrest,” says the nursery has “everything,” including organic Neem-oil based sprays, milkweed and lantana plants to attract butterflies, and even ladybugs used for natural pest control. As Miami’s concrete jungle heats up, Galloway suggests we help cool things down by getting our “green on.”

In the Acqualina Resort and Residences relaxation lounges, Himalayan salt walls are said to detoxify negative ions in the air. The crystallized steam room fires up all seven of your chakras. After heating up, you can interact with the ice fountain for a euphoric mood booster. Heat and cold continue to do their good work in some of the signature sessions, including the Cryo T-Shock body treatment, which uses cold to eliminate cellulite, and the Hypervolt’s heat massage to get blood flowing. There’s no skimping on the time they spend on your body — most of the treatments clock in at close to two hours, with some adding on a one-hour lunch. However, feeling this grand doesn’t come cheap; sessions can top $500. But, hey, aren’t you worth it?

Locally owned, Old Bull Athletics is an appointment-only gym that focuses on personalized physical therapy combined with strength training. Founded by Frankie Telfort, a Miami native and former University of Southern California footballer before a health complication forced him off the field, Old Bull is a product of Telfort’s reinvention as a coach and physical therapist eager to help others reach their optimal physical form. The knowledgeable staff’s dedication to their clients’ well-being is apparent at both the Coral Gables and Pinecrest locations. Beyond the usual offerings of a personal training gym, Old Bull’s services begin with a 360 assessment of a client’s needs, taking physical, mental, and behavioral circumstances into account when crafting hyper-personalized action plans designed to reach each person’s goals. Almost every trainer is also a physical therapist, and many offer specializations in various areas like pre- or postnatal training. Old Bull will have you looking forward to getting your ass handed to you in your efforts to achieve your version of success.

When you invest in your well-being, you’re going to want to use your money wisely but not necessarily cheaply. If you’re looking to get into shape but gyms feel scary and confusing, look no further than online fitness coach Vanessa Gonzalez. When you sign up for her Fitnessa program, you get access to Gonzalez herself — no middleman. It’s one-on-one communication with her at all hours. Workouts are tailored to your body and where you are on your health journey. She’s gentle with just the right amount of toughness mixed in with kindness and an infectious smile. The program aims to transform you from the inside out. Fitnessa members get access to an online app with forums ranging from beauty tips, mindfulness, and, of course, food. The most reassuring aspect of the program is that Gonzalez herself speaks from experience going from out of shape to stronger than ever. The current going rate for coaching with Fitnessa is $500 a month with a three-month commitment.

The long-time North Miami Beach bicyclist hub, Miami Bicycles and Repair Shop, recently expanded to a second location in North Miami without sacrificing any of its customer service or excellent selection. For nearly 40 years, this gathering spot has provided the tri-county area with road bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes — basically any two-wheeled mode of transportation that is powered by exercise rather than fossil fuels. If you have a flat tire, a busted chain, or a more complicated fix, their mechanics are first-rate and will educate you on how you can fix it yourself next time. Expertise and courteousness? Count us in. Employees are active in the cycling community and eager to feed customers insider info, like which roads are safest to cycle on and which streets to avoid. They have a wide range of obvious cycling paraphernalia, from helmets and lights to less obvious needs like rust removal, necessary for our humid environs.

There’s been a rightful buzz around town about Parlay Tattoo. Its specialties are micro- and color realism, fine-line tattoos, and portraits. And we’re talking hyperrealism, too. These tattoos could easily fool you into thinking you’re seeing 3D. Opened in 2024 by partners Rob Cohen from New York and lead artist Rocio Delgadin from Buenos Aires, Parlay specializes in all custom tattoos. The store has a unique add-on: an artist-in-residency program for a wide range of Miami- and Manhattan-based fine artists, photographers, muralists, and street artists. The space is also outfitted with two comfortable leather chairs (hello, important) that you can lounge in as your tattoos come to life. Parlay is by appointment only, and you can connect directly online.

Giving a stranger your delicates can be nerve-wracking. Are they going to use the latest and greatest tensioning form finisher? Do the shampoos comply with EPA regulations? Please tell me their heating perc drying machine is updated! At Pinecrest’s Palm Dry Clean Service, you can rest assured that your clothing is being cared for the way it deserves. The decade-old storefront offers customers complimentary cold water and candies upon drop-off. Then just come back in a day or two with your ticket and watch the always-captivating carousel spin around before landing on your sparkling clothes — and all that for a reasonable price (about $21 for a suit). Better yet, they do alterations, too. So wear your wedding dress at the spaghetti eating competition, because Palm Dry Clean Service will be waiting, ready with all the right stuff to have your special garment back to new in no time.

The gigantic splotch of white paint on the gray exterior touting the words “Benjamin Moore” is the biggest thing about this compact and inviting ACE hardware store. We love how the tightly packed aisles are crammed to the ceiling with everything you could ever need to improve your life. Everyone from remodeling pros to elementary school DIYers can find exactly what they need to complete their projects. The employees know these shelves as well as they know their own names —and yours too, if you’re a regular! They’re ready and willing to answer any question you have about home repair and then cheerfully navigate you to the shoe glue you were looking for. To solidify our case that this place has everything, there’s a sparkling new E-TEK bike for sale toward the back of the store, just waiting for you to buy it and cruise right down the street to the sand.

A surplus of pet-store chains can make it challenging to find a family-owned shop in Miami that focuses on wholesome ingredients and high-quality pet nutrition. That’s what makes Pinecrest’s hidden gem for pet owners, Your Pet’s Best, so special. When owner William “Billy” Garner and his team opened the holistic pet store 15 years ago, they were already at the forefront of a movement to source healthy pet food. Fast-forward to 2024, and this small store with a single location is still the best in the area, serving mostly pet owners in Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Kendall, and South Miami. Plus, customers rave about its excellent customer service — if they don’t have a brand you’re looking for, they’ll order it for you. For those outside of the area, Your Pet’s Best offers delivery.

If you’re cruising through the 305 and you pull up on a building decorated in pink and teal colors, chances are you’ve reached an El Car Wash. The local chain offers unparalleled convenience compared to other car wash spots in the city, with locations in virtually every neighborhood, from Kendall to Miramar. They are instantly recognizable, adorned with the iconic Miami Vice colors that add a splash of local flair and nostalgia. Moreover, El Car Wash proudly boasts sponsorship from the Miami Heat and the Florida Panthers, adding some hometown pride and community support to your car-washing experience. They also have top-notch service, and you can buy a one-time wash or affordable packages to keep your car looking fresher for longer. And the cherry on the sundae? Some locations even have a Mojo Donuts shop attached, so you can pamper your palate as much as your ride.

Yes, we know, we nominated Sunburn for this award just last year. But hear us out: What if it’s just that good? The fast-growing national chain, formerly known as MedMen, truly prides itself on customer experience. Inspired by the very true story of its founder, Brady Cobb, and his father, a prolific pot smuggler in the 1970s, Sunburn sells high-quality and affordable products like flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals on its website and at its area stores in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Unlike the state’s more prominent cannabis dispensaries (cough cough), Sunburn offers seamless next-day delivery, accepts debit card payment on delivery orders, and boasts a vibe in its stores that feels neither sterile nor impersonal––complete with wood-paneled ceilings, cozy couches, and pool tables. Its passionate staff are always excited and eager to help you find the products you need.

Caliente Adult Superstore has all the supplies you need to up your A-game in the B-room. Bondage gear and a range of butt plugs? In stock. High-performance dildos and copious amounts of lube? Check. Instructional videos and a private viewing room? Roger that. Conveniently located near the Okeechobee Metrorail station, your body will start shaking before you even enter, thanks to salsa blasting from the outdoor speakers. The Caliente staff is attentive, bilingual, discreet, and ready to help elevate your next erotic encounter — solo or otherwise.

Miami’s had a lack of proper sexy lingerie shops since Flash at Bal Harbour Shops in the ’90s. We’ve been jonesing for a kinky, elegant place to buy a skimpy bedtime getup. Enter Elle’s. Once this lusty brand swung open its steamy doors in the Design District, that drought ended. Founded in Austin, Texas, the Miami store is loaded with lace and silk, a selection of wearable vibrating jewelry, golden handcuffs, lubricants, and design-minded sex toys. Elle’s offers sultry items in cup sizes A to G, so it’s likely you can find your best fit. Head to this salmon-hued shop to discover the newest undergarments from fan favorites like Kiki de Montparnasse, Carine Gilson, and Fleur du Mal. You can also grab swimwear, nipple covers, and an array of delectable scents from House of Bo_.

Wynwood has been hot for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the neighborhood got its first hotel. Arlo, a boutique hotel company with spots in Chicago and New York City, decided to finally bestow our little arts district with sleek and stylish lodging. The hotel has been a hit since it opened, featuring 217 well-appointed rooms, artwork that reflects its setting, a rooftop pool, and Higher Ground, its third-floor bar and terrace that fits perfectly with the area’s vibe. Right now, its onsite restaurant is in the middle of a refresh, with a new concept from chef Brad Kilgore coming this fall. The average room price is relatively affordable, around $200, particularly on weekends, but you can expect to pay much more during busier times, like when the city hosts Art Basel Miami Beach or Ultra Music Festival. More hotels are on the horizon for Wynwood (Marriott’s Moxy brand will open this summer), but it’s going to be tough to beat Arlo.

Buena Vista Mall is like a hidden oasis just blocks from the Design District. Head up for the vibes and then serve some vibes while you’re there. It’s well worth your time to make it an afternoon adventure, exploring the many merchants in the earthy space. You’ve got jewelry like Kathee Cuervo, vintage and second-hand stores like the House of Findings, plenty of coffee options, and great dining (Branja, anyone?). If the shopping doesn’t do it for you, it’s a dreamy space that’s ideal for just sitting under the lush tree canopy and enjoying the breeze. You can even do a cold plunge at KOV or get your haircut at classically hip Contesta Rock Hair, a former Miami Beach staple. Name another mall that does it all like this. We’ll wait.

When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But finding a loo that woos can be a challenge. Head to Bal Harbour Shops for a really nice place to pop a squat. This public restroom is located on the second floor, just north of the beloved Hillstone Restaurant, which offers seasonal American fare. Now, to get to this best bathroom in town, you’ll have to venture down the exterior pathway overlooking the parking lot. Always impeccably clean and perfectly cold, this WC has modern white slabs of marble, circular and well-lit mirrors, and even black and gold fans. With Simplehuman silver trash cans (the equivalent of seeing Molton Brown in a residence), Bal Harbour went as far as installing electric toilet-seat covers to spare your bottom some germs.

Charming and inviting Vinoteca is a new wine shop nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove. It quickly established itself as Miami’s premier destination for seasoned wine connoisseurs or dilettantes. Whether you’re searching for a robust Spanish Rioja, a delicate French Bordeaux, or an aromatic Argentinian malbec, Vinoteca’s curated selection of wines focuses on varieties from Europe and Latin America. A world traveler with a master’s degree in viticulture, owner Alex McDonnell brings unparalleled knowledge and passion to her shop. Her expertise ensures that every customer receives personalized and insightful guidance in selecting the right wine. Vinoteca also has a wine club that costs $120 a month. Members receive four different wines each month, along with a write-up about the backgrounds of each vino.

Bryson’s Irish Pub, founded in 1952 just north of Miami International Airport, has drawn some of the same thirsty loyal customers for decades. Its green walls and three-leaf shamrock insignias — which stand for faith, hope, and love — reference the Irish heritage of the original owner. But as we know, luck comes with a fourth leaf, and that lucky leaf is the pub’s liquor store, or “package” store. It has “90 percent of everything you need,” says owner William “Dutch” Shelow. You can enter the well-stocked, friendly shop from the street, about a block from NW 36th Street, or just waltz in from the adjacent bar with its laidback ’70s time capsule energy. Bryson’s may remind you of long-running Happy’s Stork Lounge, a bar and liquor store that moved from its original North Bay Village home in 2023. Bryson’s has had an uptick in traffic since rolling out its Saturday “Hurricane” steak night with a recipe passed down from the now-defunct legendary Hurricane Bar and Grill in Miami Springs. So, whether your charter jet just landed at Signature across the street or you want to keep the party going at home before that steak settles, Bryson’s offers the bottle of booze you want, along with a lot of history and atmosphere.

Barbarita’s Liquors in Hialeah has a drive-through that’s a step above the makeshift setup typical of liquor-store window service. It’s organized, clean, and designed to get customers in and out quickly. Barbarita’s already merits props for a wide selection of spirits and friendly service; the drive-thru is a bonus that area residents on-the-go and in-the-know have relied on for years. Located on E. 41st Street near Sedano’s supermarket, the store’s large red sign and brightly colored wraparound geometric designs make it hard to miss.

Founded by South Florida natives Carla Cavalcanti and Andrea Ocejo, Link’d is all about affordable jewelry that fuses everyday luxury with sustainability and ensures it’s clear that you’re living that coastal life with nautical themes. Their products, from rings and necklaces to body chains and bracelets, go through rigorous testing to ensure longevity and quality control, and their timeless styles will make sure you’ll be wearing them for a lifetime. Although their storefront is digital-only, you can often find them popping up at local vintage and creator markets like the bustling Little River Flea.

Have you been feeling like an exhausted pile of laundry? Are you ready for an immediate glow-up that will not only restore your faith in yourself but also in humanity? Look no further than Fort Lauderdale’s Aiden Jae Jewelry. Brooklyn-bred veteran jewelry designer and mom Randi Salvato created a stunning and sustainably crafted collection that works perfectly as a capsule, with stackable rings, necklaces to layer, and huggies fitting for multiple millennial ear holes. Inspired by the flora of South Florida, you’ll find delicate studs that honor fragrant plumeria blooms, an elegant banyan collection that reflects the wrapped roots of this iconic tree, and sunlight, daybreak, and starlight pieces with sustainably sourced gems that reflect Miami’s kaleidoscopic skies. Aiden Jae only uses recycled gold, ensuring affordability with 9K or 14K options. Salvato guarantees that Aiden Jae’s carbon footprint is next-to-nothing and donates one percent of annual sales to environmental causes — important since, after the polar bears, we’ll be the next to bear the brunt of the climate crisis. You’ll gasp when you open her handcrafted pouches to reveal delicate forever pieces that moms will cherish and tweens will be borrowing.

If you’re a bride who loves a good deal, look no further than the Find. Situated beyond black-and-white-striped awnings on Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables, next door to the long-running Chic Parisien bridal, the small sample sale boutique is filled with racks of dazzling designer dresses marked down to exceptionally affordable prices. The shop sells floor sample gowns from renowned high-end designers like Vera Wang, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, and Berta that were brought over from Chic Parisien (we’re talking $12,000 pieces marked down to less than $2,000). The dresses usually come and go quickly, so we recommend keeping an eye on the Find’s Instagram page. Also, because the store operates on an appointment-only basis, make sure to call before you pop in.

Childhood friends Duda Teizeria and Cristina Mantiall set out to build a creative agency and accidentally founded a jewelry brand, Éliou, that has since evolved into a full-blown clothing store. Accident isn’t exactly the right word; Éliou, like its designs, grew organically. That growth turned exponential after a celebrity endorsement at the height of Harry Styles mania. Éliou, though, is beyond the hype. In fact, the key to its success is a relaxed elegance. The team’s designs are effortlessly refined, natural but artful, and handcrafted. The lifelong friends use Miami, and its proximity to water, as a guiding inspiration. Their telepathically linked design process and dedication to authenticity — they don’t make anything they don’t want to wear — have created a playful yet defined brand. Éliou’s coveted pieces are perfect for sumptuous sojourns along the Riviera or running errands in Little Havana.

The Maison Margiela space in the Design District is a standout architecturally. It’s only one of five locations in the U.S. designed by Dutch abstract architect Anne Holtrop. While neutral plaster and iconoclastic façades shape the retail space, the fitting room is the pièce de résistance. An inverse of the rest of the store, it evokes a void with sleek, lacquered walls in the darkest possible green. Both ominous and serene, it has the energy and feel of walking into the black room of Jonathan Glazer’s chilling sci-fi film Under the Skin. The midnight-green walls, complemented by impeccable lighting, make this the perfect space to evaluate a decadent purchase or snap a strong selfie.

More than half a million kids in the U.S. are in the foster care system for many different reasons — none of them good. It’s an experience that is both traumatizing and disempowering for families, especially children who are largely at the mercy of adult decisions. Often, they’ve experienced abuse, abandonment, and neglect at home and in the system. Here in Miami, we’re lucky to have a guiding light for these kids with Voices for Children. Cofounded by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in 1984, this nonprofit raises funds to ensure that every child in this vulnerable group has guardian ad litem representation, which means they’ll have an advocate with them in court. They also work to make sure kids have the things they need that give us dignity, like school supplies, toiletries, and enriching experiences that open up their worlds.

Some brands just scream of Miami good vibes, and Duvin Design Co. is one company that’s leading that charge. Childhood friends Austin Duvall, Garrett Watzka, and Shaun O’Meara founded the brand featuring Duvin’s playful swimwear. The line has celebrity followers, like Bad Bunny, who wore a Duvin shirt in his video for “200 MPH,” and boasts an NBA collab with the Orlando Magic. Whether it’s an op-art-inspired one-piece or swim trunks designed with a yellow and pink yin-and-yang design, it’s serving internet Gen Z energy meets surf. As cabana sets have solidified themselves on Miami beaches and for Wynwood strolls, Duvin has been on the front line of that movement, too. The brand has expanded to 100-plus retailers internationally. Locally, you can snag some swimwear at the Wander Shop in Oakland Park and Nikki Beach Miami.

Prepare yourself to be greeted by Simone from La Spezia, Mario from Salerno, and Marco from Milano at the Bespoke Club — these are the tailors who serve Marlins players and other finely dressed dudes and meet their specific, personalized clothing needs. No matter who takes care of you through your suiting at this menswear shop, the process will be smooth as buttah. Housed in a mid-century modern space designed by Caroline Benoudiz, this bespoke experience is by appointment only. Whether you need a suit, a pair of jeans, or even a tuxedo, you select the fabric sourced from Italy, Spain, or England from swatches. The Bespoke Club imports directly from top fashion houses like Loro Piana, Drago, Holland and Sherry, and Dormeuil. They’ll take measurements while you decide if you want your item monogrammed and the color of your stitching and buttons. Patience is a virtue, as a suit can take approximately four weeks to create.

Heads know Andrew, the Miami-bred skate and streetwear brand with an identity that revolves around its namesake hurricane. After holding down residence downtown, the company relocated earlier this year to a gleaming new storefront in the Design District across from Dale Zine’s new digs. Along with a better retail experience, the brand’s collabs — with the likes of alt filmmaker Harmony Korine, Italian dining hotspot Boia De, and Slip-N-Slide Records of Trick Daddy and Trina fame — confirm that they’ve still got their finger on the pulse of local and street culture.

Second Showing is more than a consignment shop; it’s a community. Owner Joanna Barusch started in department-store retail before realizing she could be her own girl boss. Second Showing moved from its original location in South Miami to Pinecrest, where this haven for the stylish has thrived for 24 years. Specializing in high-end shoes, women’s apparel — sizes zero to twenty — and designer handbags like Chanel, Prada, and Gucci, Second Showing embodies a mission of “recycle, restyle, and renew.” You’ll find everything from the perfect manic pixie prom dress to upscale brunch mom ensembles at a fraction of retail prices and with the secure knowledge you’re taking it easier on the Earth. Early on, working women with an eye for affordable style were her target audience, but any trip to Second Showing demonstrates that while those loyal patrons remain, there’s a broader crowd now with younger generations swarming the racks. Joanna’s vision has always been centered on women supporting women. It’s not just about looking fabulous, it’s also about shared experiences, as mothers introduce their daughters to the shop and friends come together to find new ‘fits and make memories.

Founded by two young women, besties Dani Klaric and Sara Fedz, Peachtree Revival is a boutique that specializes in affordable, on-trend Y2K pieces that has taken both the city and social media by storm. The store’s vibrant interior features checkered floors, painted clouds, and happy purple and pink vibes. It’s an inviting atmosphere to pull your hair back and dive right into those racks to find a stylish treasure to flaunt on Instagram or at the club. Employees often model some of their newest arrivals on Instagram, so you can DM the shop directly if you’re interested in a certain piece. At Peachtree, you can score real deals on vintage Prada heels or that Dolce & Gabbana tank top you’ve been looking for on Depop. But the real reason you want to visit Peachtree is for the store’s frequent flash sales, offering clothing for $5, $10, or $15. That’s what sets this store at the top of our list of Miami’s clothing thrift spots.

Sir Thrifty, located in the social and culinary hub the Citadel, submerges shoppers in a mental bath of pure nostalgia. The packed store is a veritable shrine to pop culture of the latter days of the 20th Century, featuring toys from every era of your youth. You can rifle through Teen Titan comic books, He-Man action figures, VHS tapes of Beetlejuice, plastic sports figurines, and mint–condition copies of just about every Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner ever published. There is a cornucopia of fashionable vintage clothing and even a petit corner bookstore dedicated to local book publisher Jitney Books. If you have any pop culture treasures sitting in your closet or storage unit, proprietor Nassie Shahoulian, whose outsized personality is on display via his faux Garbage Pail Kid image on the store’s business card, will happily scour through and make an offer.

Flamingo Flea is the brainchild of Fort Lauderdale local Carley Sumner, who has hosted nearly 100 flea markets throughout South Florida over the past five years, working with almost 1,500 different vendors along the way. Some of the flea’s popular regular spots are Tarpon River Brewing in Fort Lauderdale and Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton. What makes the Flamingo Flea experience memorable is its Bohemian vibes, vendor mix — vintage garb, homemade cosmetics, and freshly baked cookies often among them — pet friendliness, and live music. Sumner’s flea markets have not only become a place to shop but also to build friends and community, something that’s not easy to do in our oft-transient region. A must for pet lovers is its bi-annual Puppy Brunch, with Fido-focused vendors and nonprofits in attendance.

Situated beneath the luxurious hotel Mr. C in Coconut Grove, the Bazaar Project looks like a funky cafe with an upscale old-school Coconut Grove charm. The oddest thing about this stylish little enclave is that everything in the café is actually for sale. There’s something special about trying out the merch before dragging it home, whether it’s the metal café chairs or the Versace wallpaper that drapes the walls. The homewares and furniture will stop you in your tracks, much like the personal style of founder, Yeliz Titiz, who has a flair for fashion and sources interesting design items from around the world.

Just like its merchandise, this antique store has loads of history. Established in 1998, it changed owners at the turn of the millennium when former Mayor of Palmetto Bay Shelly Stanzcyk, who started out as an antiques dealer, took charge. Nestled in a strip mall in Palmetto Bay, Antique Mall Y’all features more than 100 consignors and dealers hawking just about anything reusable, like precious porcelain wares, jewelry you’ll pass on to your spawn, quirky tchotchkes, and vintage chandeliers. With merchandise constantly in flux, every visit promises a new win for collectors or casual browsers. Come prepared to hunt, because Antique Mall Y’all has the energy of a jumble shop but with some real gems.

What’s better than a dozen flowers to let your snugglebutt know that you are thinking about them on a special occasion? How about ten or 15 dozen? Maybe 200 stems requiring a dozen medium size vases that you happen to have on hand? Or better yet, fill a six-gallon Home Depot galvanized pail with bright green pom-pom buttons to brighten up your outdoor party. The Flower Place focuses on moving inventory between wedding gigs at seriously discounted prices, letting customers shop directly out of their walk-in cold storage room. They might even throw in a $5 mystery box for you if you’re lucky. Just be sure to give yourself enough time at home to break down your plunder or invite a couple of friends over with pruning shears.