67 June 26 – July 2, 2025 NEW TIMES miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com 67 JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2025 NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com BEST COMIC BOOK STORE Korka Comics 10538 SW Eighth St. Miami 33174 786-717-5557 and 7641 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines 33024 954-962-3322 korkacomics.com With the Marvel Cinematic Universe seem- ingly making a comeback this year, it’s time to remind you that your favorite superheroes on the big screen started in the pages of comic books. If you haven’t yet dived into the MCU’s inspiration source, let Korka Comics guide you. With two locations, one near Florida In- ternational University’s South Campus and the second in Pembroke Pines, you’ll find a plethora of heroes, whether Marvel, DC, Im- age, or Dynamite. Korka also stocks a wide range of pop culture collectibles, including Funko Pop figures, Blokees, and Pokémon cards. Musician Stephen Korka is the man be- hind this South Florida geek empire, and you’ll often find him behind the counter greeting you with a smile and ready to answer any questions. BEST WORTHY CAUSE Roots Bookstore and Market 6610 NW 15th Ave. Miami 33127 instagram.com/rootsbooksandmarket Book bans may abound, but canonical Black, brown, and LGBTQIA+ stories are going no- where. In Liberty City, Roots Bookstore and Market is a new sanctuary for “Black story- telling and a refuge for banned books,” ac- cording to a GoFundMe that was just a tad bit shy of its $14,000 goal at press time, even as the shop was slated to open on Juneteenth as this issue was being finalized. More than a bookstore (or a worthy cause, for that mat- ter), it’s the legacy of the late activist and co- founder of Roots Collective, Danny Agnew, and a safe space for learning, community- building, and liberation. Roots Collective opened the Black House, its first brick and mortar space, in 2018, which became home to the Village (Free)dge and Pantry to fight food insecurity and Black Men Build, a na- tional organization co-directed by Agnew’s brother Phil. Like many of the Black-owned businesses in Liberty City, they were priced out in 2023 and relocated to the Freedom Lab. A timely opportunity from the Miami Foundation allowed co-founders Isaiah Thomas, James Mungin, and Phil Agnew to purchase this permanent hub for their com- munity-enriching efforts, where Danny’s longtime dream of owning a bookstore is be- coming a reality. BEST CHARITY Steer Queer thequeerpartyproject.com In a town where rainbow flags pop up every June (or April, if you live in Miami Beach) and disappear just as quickly, Steer Queer is out here doing the real work for the LGBTQ+ crowd year round. Founded by local organizers Susej “Teal” Perez and Lily Beckmann, this grassroots effort focuses on direct donations — meaning your money goes straight to people who need it for gender- affirming care, rent, groceries, housing stability, and emergency needs. No corporate middlemen, no hoops to jump through, just real aid for real people. Beyond mutual aid, Steer Queer (soon to become a nonprofit as the Queer Party Project) also uplifts the arts scene, giving newbies and underrated performers a place to shine at pop-up shows and parties usually held at the Corner in downtown Miami. If you’re tired of empty slogans and want to support something actually life-changing, get on board here, where the feeling is mutual. BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE Dragonfly Thrift Boutique 5815 SW 68th St. South Miami 33143 305-397-8743 dragonflythrift.org While the element of surprise in thrifting can be thrilling, it can also result in a wasted car ride. Dragonfly Thrift Boutique takes away the stress and still allows you to gasp with pleasure while browsing online. That’s no typo: The shop’s inventory is available for pe- rusal online. Formerly in Little Havana, Drag- onfly opened a larger space in South Miami last fall with more room to showcase a cu- rated selection of clothing, accessories, furni- ture, home decor, designer, and vintage items. And you can feel good about spending your money here — proceeds go to LEAP, the La- dies Empowerment and Action Program, which helps formerly incarcerated women transition into life back on the outside. BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP OddBalls Nifty Thrift 4281 N. Dixie Hwy. Oakland Park 33334 754-422-7623 instagram.com/oddballsniftythrift OddBalls Nifty Thrift is a one-stop shop for all things quirky and fabulous in South Flor- ida — and as we all know, there’s a lot of quirk to go around these parts. This expan- sive Oakland Park spot, a stone’s throw north of the city’s downtown, is not just about secondhand treasures; it’s about the thrill of the find. Whether you’re hunting for vintage clothing, retro decor, or rare collect- ibles, this gem never disappoints. With a vibe that blends nostalgia with boldness, OddBalls thrives on a mazelike yet somehow organized shopping experience that feels like a treasure hunt, wherein every corner offers something wild and unexpected, from vintage Penthouse issues to retro Dolphins garb. With a friendly, laid-back staff and a beer fridge that you can snag and pop a brewski from while you stroll, it’s clear why OddBalls has stuck around for a decade- plus. With that, here’s to many more years and finds. BEST ANTIQUE STORE Stone Age Antiques 3236 NW S. River Dr. Miami 33142 305-970-2778 From floor to ceiling, Stone Age Antiques is a treasure trove of obscure vintage finds from your wildest scavenger dreams. The shop speaks to old Florida and is steeped in history with plenty of nautical-themed items like diving helmets, mermaids, and boat propellers. With each step into Stone Age Antiques, customers travel through time, scouring countless shelves for their niche obsessions or collections. Whether you’re shooting a sci-fi film or decorating a dining room straight out of the Middle Ages, Stone Age Antiques offers low prices and rental options for every kind of customer. If you’re looking to find some last-minute sou- venirs before a flight out of Miami Interna- tional Airport or you’re in the market for one-of-a-kind home decor in the form of a Victorian coffin, Stone Age has you covered many times over. BEST FURNITURE STORE Casa de Barcelona 210 NW 73rd St., Ste. A Miami 33150 305-332-7503 instagram.com/casadebarcelona This Little River furniture store is in high demand, so you can only check out their wares by appointment (via calendly.com/ casadebarcelona). But in that 30-minute appointment, you’re welcome to run your hands over the varied textures of all their curated vintage forms of furniture IRL. Whether looking for a corner bar to entertain your friends, a sofa that looks like it spawned from a different galaxy, or a rug that could elevate a dentist’s waiting room to glamor, Casa de Barcelona has items you could not imagine finding anywhere else. Their Instagram page offers a taste of what they have to offer, but if you crave a deep dive into fine upholstery and furnishings that are not readily available or imaginable, it’s worth your time to make an appointment. BEST THRIFT STORE Mids Market 7200 NW Second Ave. Miami 33150 954-758-0250 midsmarket.com Sometimes the best isn’t ex- actly what you need, especially in a town where “best” frequently means “most expensive.” There’s rarely anything that feels better than getting a good deal, and you’ll find plenty of those at Mids Market. This creative thrift store concept feels like a more innova- tive and curated take on Goodwill, with clothing bins and racks catego- rized by themes such as “Y2K” and “music.” They also sell records, offer store credit for donated threads, and showcase finer brands in an exhibition corner. And if you find a piece that could use a little somethin’- somethin’, their reworking station lets you alter clothing however you see fit. BEST FLEA MARKET Our Market at Lot 11 Skatepark 301-349 NW Second St. Miami 33128 instagram.com/letsgettogether.us If you’re looking for a breezy summer vin- tage get-up, a quirky trinket for your mantel, or just a nice little sweet treat, head to Lot 11 Skatepark, beneath I-95, for the once-a- month Our Market. The flea market brings vendors, music, and skaters together for an old-fashioned bazaar. After you’ve spent a good chunk of your savings, stick around for live jazz and DJ sets with the market often going until 9 p.m., so you can make an eve- ning of it, too! The organizers, Let’s Get To- gether, have made Our Market more than just another, well, market by looping in com- munity outreach efforts like bringing Mi- ami-Dade Public Library representatives onsite to sign up people for library cards and hosting a bartering area where you can ex- change goods to keep your carbon footprint in check. BEST PUBLIC RESTROOM Stephen P. Clark Government Center 111 NW First St., Second Floor Miami 33128 When nature calls in downtown Miami, skip the sketchy gas station stalls and head straight for the holy grail of clean public re- strooms: the second floor of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center. First, you’ll need to score a yellow visitor’s pass from the front desk — not white, not blue, but yellow, baby. Then breeze through security like you’re meeting with the mayor, and boom — a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy personally swipes you into a private elevator. That’s right. You’re a baller now! Upstairs, a secu- rity guard might ask for your name and rea- son for visiting. Don’t be shy. Say it loud and proud: “I’m here to drop a deuce.” (Or you can say “restroom,” but where’s the fun in that?) After your five-star flush, swing by the filtered-water dispenser to hydrate like a champion. And don’t forget to snap a vic- tory selfie outside your County Commis- sioner’s office — because democracy is messy, but your bathroom doesn’t have to be. store concept feels like a more innova- tory selfie outside your County Commis- sioner’s office — because democracy is messy, but your bathroom doesn’t have to be.
