68 June 27- July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 BEST FLEA MARKET Flamingo Flea flamingoflea.com Flamingo Flea is the brainchild of Fort Lauder- dale 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 com- munity, 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. BEST FURNITURE STORE The Bazaar Project 2990 McFarlane Road Miami, 33133 786-703-6154 thebazaarproject.com 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 ac- tually 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 Titi, who has a flair for fashion and sources interesting de- sign items from around the world. BEST ANTIQUE STORE Antique Mall Y’all 9845 E. Fern Street Palmetto Bay, 33157 305-969-0696 antiquemallyall.co Just like its merchandise, this antique store has loads of history. Established in 1998, it changed owners at the turn of the millennium when for- mer 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 con- signors 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 con- stantly 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. BEST FLORIST The Flower Place 860 NE 79th Street Miami, 33138 instagram.com/theflowerplacemiami 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 me- dium 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 but- tons to brighten up your outdoor party. The Flower Place focuses on moving inventory be- tween 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. BEST PLANT SHOP/NURSERY Galloway Farm Nursery 7790 SW 87th Avenue Miami, 33173 305-274-7472 gallowayfarm.com 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 gar- den 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 ex- panse 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.” BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICE The Botany Guild thebotanyguild.com instagram.com/TheBotanyGuild Founded in 2022, this dynamic boutique land- scaping 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.
