BEST SCOOTER RENTAL AND SALES 2003 | Groov-E-Skootz | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Miami | Miami New Times
Navigation
Support Us
Search

BEST SCOOTER RENTAL AND SALES

Groov-E-Skootz

Not much separates scooter rentals. Most are located on South Beach, often in small storefronts, and rental rates don't vary that much. Groov-E-Skootz, however, stands out for its selection of scoots for sale, in-store and online. In the gas-powered arena, they carry lots of Kymco's models, but also have Moskito and Hyosung. Among the electrics you'll find Bladez, City Bug, X-port, Currie, Charly, Schwinn, and X-Caliber. Also mini-gas scooters from Bladez and Go-Ped, plus electric bikes by E-Go and Voloci. As if that weren't enough, Groov may be unique in that you can also dance for your scooter. That's right. Every few months the store sponsors a break-dancing contest and the winner (these guys are really good) takes home a scoot.

BEST SECONDHAND STORE

Goodwill

The ubiquitous Goodwill store -- there are eighteen in Miami-Dade -- is always a decent option for secondhand shopping. The Quail Roost Goodwill stands out for its atmosphere and selection. The store is huge, although slightly less than the warehouse-size "superstores," yet somehow manages to maintain the cleanliness and order of a department store. As opposed to other secondhand stores, where incoming donations litter the storefront and clothing is strewn around haphazardly, the staff at the Quail Roost Goodwill keeps the clothes neatly divided into easily understandable sections, separate from the books, household wares, and the surprisingly well-stocked electronics section. Parents take note: The kids section is excellent, stuffed with a good supply of clothing and toys.

BEST SEX TOYS SHOP

Megaplexxx Video

Far from being discreet, Megaplexxx, with its huge XXX sign fronting I-95, is proud to announce its presence. Its inventory of sex toys is huge as well. For the men there is an impressive array of vaginas, from the strawberry-flavored pocket model to the industrial-strength Futurotic Sucking and Vibrating Vagina and Ass. Prices range from $15 to $50. For those gentlemen wishing to enhance their package, Adult Video stocks a wide variety of penis pumps, including our favorite, the Legendary XXX John Holmes Pump. Near the magazine rack, filled with fetish titles, is a wall and a counter loaded with paddles, whips, complete bondage kits, choke balls, and every kind of lubricant known to man. Megaplexxx is open from noon until 2:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from noon until 4:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

BEST SHAVE

The Art of Shaving

Bal Harbour Shops

Think of this as a real-man's facial. The barber places you in a leather reclining chair and soaks your face in a hot, scented towel. Then he rubs hot oil on your whiskers, followed by warm lather massaged into your cheeks. When he takes the straight-edge carbon-steel blade to your face, the stubble comes off like the limp and soggy follicles they are. Art of Shaving, a chain of high-end shaving products, only recently opened this "barber spa." Another is in the Browne & Co. Apothecary on Lincoln Road. We chose the one at Bal Harbour because they will also shave your head if you so choose. That option wasn't available elsewhere. Overall a soothing experience in an elegant surrounding. Traditional shave runs $25. The "royal shave," which comes with a mask treatment at the end, costs $45. Haircuts, mustache trims, and aromatherapy skin treatments also available. Make an appointment first.

BEST SHAVE

The Art of Shaving

Bal Harbour Shops

Think of this as a real-man's facial. The barber places you in a leather reclining chair and soaks your face in a hot, scented towel. Then he rubs hot oil on your whiskers, followed by warm lather massaged into your cheeks. When he takes the straight-edge carbon-steel blade to your face, the stubble comes off like the limp and soggy follicles they are. Art of Shaving, a chain of high-end shaving products, only recently opened this "barber spa." Another is in the Browne & Co. Apothecary on Lincoln Road. We chose the one at Bal Harbour because they will also shave your head if you so choose. That option wasn't available elsewhere. Overall a soothing experience in an elegant surrounding. Traditional shave runs $25. The "royal shave," which comes with a mask treatment at the end, costs $45. Haircuts, mustache trims, and aromatherapy skin treatments also available. Make an appointment first.

BEST SKATE SHOP

Control Skateboarding

Tucked away in Wynwood's fashion district, Control is a Miami street skater's dream come true -- a gritty 8000-square-foot warehouse equipped with everything from a 5'5" x 20' half-pipe to a killer street setup, highlighted by nasty handrails and makeshift park benches for some serious grinding and sliding. Plans are in the works to build an outdoor street course in time for summer. And if you break your board, bust a truck, or lose your wheel bearings, Control's skate shop has a full stock of brands such as Zoo York, Flip, and Zero. It costs seven beans to use the skate park, which is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. till midnight. Directions: From I-95 connect to I-195 east and exit at North Miami Avenue. Head south to NW 29th Street, then east (right turn) on 29th to NE Fifth Avenue. Turn left (south) on Fifth four blocks to NW 24th Street. Turn left. Control is half a block ahead on the right. Skater moms need not fear the neighborhood. Right next door is a City of Miami police substation.

BEST SOCCER SHOP

Soccer Locker of Miami

If soccer is your thing, Soccer Locker has you covered like no other store, which is why it has won this honor three times previously. Knowledgeable sales staff will hook you up, whether you're a casual player, in a league, or just want to sport your favorite team's colors. The selection of national team and club jerseys from several continents is impressive. Soccer Locker also sells accoutrements such as scarves, pennants, key chains, and car stickers, representing the melding populations of South Florida.

BEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE BOOKSTORE

La Moderna Poesia

While hard-line Cubans still own the political section -- a map of Cuba from 1902-1958 (when history of the island apparently stopped); the "secret" lives of Castro and the Sandinistas; a biography of the benevolent Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet -- the rest of the store is exemplary. It has ten titles of Jorge Luis Borges side by side with translations of Perry Mason. There are also cooking, fishing, and song books, including one of Carlos Mejia Godoy, the Sandinista songwriter -- oops! Browse a little more and find self-help (Deepak Chopra), Spanish legal dictionaries, and test-rep books (mostly in English). For the gringos and gringo-wannabes, there's also an English section. If you're just beginning to learn Spanish, try the political section -- it's about a third-grade level.

BEST SPECIALTY VIDEO STORE

Karate Klassic Video II

Owner Melton Jarrett says Karate Klassic fulfills a primal desire: "Karate movies have a cult following everywhere -- it's just human nature to fantasize about doing these impossible things." The store has been around for almost a decade, although it has changed owners and moved to a Carol City strip mall. "The original owner was a big fan of these movies and he rented the videos from the flea market on 183rd Street," Jarrett says. "I think the business will keep going. Everybody loves karate movies."

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

Yeah, we know, it's Dania. But it has 160,000 square feet of outdoor sports equipment. Let us repeat: 160,000 square feet! More than 40 fish finders, a dozen GPS systems, eight types of kayaks, and hundreds of golf clubs. When we asked how many lures the store stocked, a nearby customer chimed in: "Too many." In our all-choice, all-the-time world, how could there be too many of anything? Bored with the lures? Take the kids to see the pike, bass, and catfish roaming the giant aquarium, or to one of the many fishing and boat shows going on around the complex. Word to the wise: If you want basketballs, baseball mitts, or football spikes, go somewhere else. But if you want to go camping in the Everglades or hunting in the Panhandle or fishing in Biscayne Bay, don't even think about going anywhere else.

Readers Choice: Sports Authority

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Miami New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Miami New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation