64 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES wash. But those patrons would have to take a few steps into the neighboring Yambo’s to eat while workers were shining and vacu- uming their cars. Well, they needn’t take those steps any longer, because in 2024 Vin- tage Auto Spa added a Bistro Café. So as your car gets some rizz, you refuel in the A/C, sip on a cortadito, and munch on a cro- queta or eggs Benedict. The quality of car care is still top-notch and the prices are still competitive, with a hand wash and vacuum for sedans going for $30 and SUVs at $45. Vintage Auto Spa is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. BEST BIKE SHOP Friendly Cycle 1014 E. Eighth Ave. Hialeah 33010 305-967-8012 instagram.com/friendlycycle_ Meet Alfredo Sanchez, the bike wizard pas- sionate about precision, a skill he probably perfected while living in buttoned-up Ger- many. And then there’s his son, Alejandro, a finance wiz and FIU grad who’s got the numbers game down and people skills that’ll make you feel like you’ve known him forever. Together, they opened their bike haven in 2016, tucked away in a humble strip mall off E. Eighth Avenue (or NW 42nd Road if you’re using Miami’s map). Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a sea- soned cyclist, they’ve got you covered. Flat tire? Done. Bent rim? Straightened. Full bike overhaul? Piece of cake. With a reputa- tion for top-tier repairs, a killer selection of new bikes, and service that’s as smooth as your ride, this place is the real deal. And be- cause they’re deeply entrenched in Miami’s cycling community, you’ll often spot the duo out and about, cruising the Ricken- backer Causeway together. If you see them, flash a thumbs-up: Remember, three feet of space — it’s the law! (Don’t worry, they’ll wave back.) BEST HARDWARE STORE Ace Hardware South Beach (Alton Hardgoods) 1665 Alton Rd. Miami Beach 33139 305-672-7070 acehardware.com/store- details/18506 The Ace Hardware on Alton Road has long been South Beach’s only hardware store, but with their quality customer service and wide array of, er, hard- goods, they certainly don’t act entitled to your business. After many years stationed on the west side of the boulevard, they recently moved across the street to a spacier spot. But even with the larger square footage, it’s still remarkable how many items they cram into their four walls: air conditioning filters, light bulbs of any wattage, auto parts, power tools. You ask one of their employees to locate any item, and they remarkably walk you to it faster than you can find a ketchup bottle in your refrigerator. They’ll gladly copy keys or fobs for you, sharpen blades, and match the paint color you’re trying to identify. It’s a one-stop shop for hardware and a short jaunt to a sandy beach. Not much better than that. BEST PLANT SHOP/NURSERY Miami Tropical Botanic Garden 6415 NW First Pl. Miami 33150 miamitropicalbotanicgarden.org This lone natural oasis of Little Haiti is cur- rently in an existential struggle to survive. Billing itself as the last three acres of green space in the urban core of Miami, Miami Tropical Botanic Garden aims to raise $4 mil- lion to prevent a developer from razing the site. The nursery grows all types of local spe- cies along with rare tropical fruit trees. Ac- cording to their website, all sales are “reinvested back into our mission to inspire resilient development and spread ecological education.” Visits to the nursery can be se- cured only by appointment by emailing the- [email protected]. It’s well worth the planning once you march around the shade of the premises, including their freshwater spring-fed pond where you can occasionally glimpse a turtle or migrating bird. They also have hosted cultural events and shows, so you never know if you’ll stumble upon an excep- tional experience along with your native plant purchase. BEST FLORIST Perak Florist 2637 NW 20th St. Miami 33142 305-866-4381 perakflorist.com The name changed, but Perak Florist boasts serious provenance: Many were first introduced to owner Jared Tuchinsky in the early aughts when he ran the floral program at the legendary Epicure Market gourmet grocer in South Beach. And you can expect the same high-quality, stunning arrangements from their decade-old delivery service, now based out of Allapattah. Whether you want to surprise your sweetheart or need a quick fix to get out of the doghouse,
