62 June 23-28, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 3 B E S T B O O K S TO R E Dale Zine 7395 NW Miami Place Miami, 33150 dalezineshop.com If Miami’s literary scene were a video game, Dale Zine would be its cheat code. After navi- gating the labyrinthine side streets off Biscayne Boulevard in Little River, you step into a bright, naturally lit space filled with scores of beauti- fully printed books, magazines, and zines from local and national independent authors and publishers alike. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m., the curated space regu- larly hosts book signings, launch parties, and a semi-regular art book club. Embrace the GPS challenge. B E S T U S E D B O O K S TO R E Old Florida Book Shop 3426 Grif n Road Fort Lauderdale, 33312 954-319-1441 oldfl oridabookshop.com The Old Florida Book Shop is not very old. Though the Dania Beach shop opened in 2009, its interior design — towering, floor-to-ceiling shelves punctuated by ornate lamps, grandfa- ther clocks, and desk globes — suggests a wis- dom far beyond its 14 years. Like any 14-year-old, however, Old Florida Book Shop is on TikTok, where its rare books, antique maps, and feline mascot Bob contribute to its growing #booktok popularity. Owner William Chrisant carries more than 30,000 books — name the topic, from art to geography to photography, sciences, architecture, religion, history, domes- tic arts, and fiction, and he probably has it cov- ered. Chrisant sources his inventory from auctions, the internet, and locals, and he takes pride in reuniting customers with treasured ti- tles — like the woman who cried upon finding The Little Engine That Could. B E S T- K E P T S E C R E T ( L I T E R A R Y D I V I S I O N ) Sweet Haven Books 12375 SW 224th Street Miami, 33170 786-227-2222 bookstoremiami.com With developers seeking to build more condos atop 2,500-year-old archaeological sites, it’s fair to assume Miami is a town that doesn’t put much stock in its history. A welcome exception to that rule can be found in the Florida section of Sweet Haven Books in the historic village of Cauley Square in the southern reaches of Mi- ami-Dade County. Patty Medina, who runs the store, tells New Times that her husband, Jesus Castellat, curates the Florida section. Here you can find all sorts of literature chronicling the fast and fascinating history of Miami and the Sunshine State, including a photo book com- paring Miami landmarks in the 1930s to today and a geological survey of Oakland Park from 1959. “A lot of the Florida books we carry are first editions,” Medina notes. “We don’t have any newer covers, but we do have several auto- graphed copies.” B E S T CO M I C B O O K S H O P A&M Comics and Books 6650 Bird Road Miami, 33155 305-661-3406 @am_comics (Instagram) Tucked in a cozy shop on Bird Road, A&M Comics and Books has stood the test of time and technology since the mid-1980s. They say they’re the oldest comic book store in Florida and the second-oldest in the nation, and we have no reason to doubt the claim. The store’s combination of history and stock is a haven for collectors. A&M continues to open its doors to those interested in reading sketched adven- tures, collecting statues and figurines, remi- niscing about Marvel’s past, and debating the latest not-up-to-par take of a comic classic on the silver screen. B E S T A R T S & C R A F T S S TO R E Jerry’s Art Supply & Framing 6448B S. Dixie Highway South Miami, 33143 305-262-0475 miami-jerrys.com It’s an especially sad trend that, in a town grow- ing more renowned for its contemporary art scene, local brick-and-mortar places that sell art- ist tools and supplies are becoming harder to come by. That’s why Jerry’s Art Supply & Fram- ing Wholesale Club in South Miami should be protected as if it were an endangered manatee. As it’s colloquially known, Jerry’s is beloved by the local artist community for its fair prices, vari- ety, knowledgeable staff, and discounts for pro- fessional artists, art teachers, and art students. B E S T D O G F O O D S TO R E Animal Crackers 280 NE Second Street Miami, 33132 305-374-8004 animalcrackersdelivers.com After a vet gave Jake, his Rottweiler, one year to live, JJ Diaz consulted a holistic veterinarian who opened his eyes to the importance of pet nutrition, especially the ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing of dog food. Jake went on to live for another five years, and Diaz wanted to enlighten fellow pet owners. He opened his shop in downtown Miami, stocked it with a va- riety of dog foods he’d personally researched and vetted, and now happily directs customers to products to alleviate their pet’s chronic con- ditions and skin allergies. The shop offers on- line ordering and delivery, grooming services, and the convenience of having Diaz carry out any heavy bags of dog food and stow them in your car trunk. B E S T B A R B E R S H O P The Barber Room 9721 NE Second Avenue Miami Shores, 33138 305-627-3464 thebarberroommiamishores.com Miami Shores is the closest thing Miami-Dade has to Mayberry, and the Barber Room, a classic old-timey men’s groomer, is to the Shores what Floyd the Barber’s haircuttery was to the fic- tional North Carolina hamlet of yore. Owner Eddie Montalvo has been cutting hair since he was 14 and leads a tight-knit crew of barbers who stand ready to shape up fades, tame unruly beards, and offer their haircutting, hot-towel shaves, and scalp treatments to the public seven days a week. Even bald dudes are welcome here — the Barber Room offers free hair replacement consultations with procedures starting at $400. B E S T B LOW - D R Y B A R LAHH Salon 9480 Harding Avenue Surfside, 33154 305-877-7706 lahhsalon.com Ivanka Trump and Sofía Vergara walk into a blow-dry bar. It’s not the opening line to a joke but LAHH Salon in Surfside, which caters to celebrities and locals alike. The salon, which is stocked with Oribe and Davines products, of- fers wash and blow-dry services, haircuts, kera- tin treatments, and hair extensions. Unlike typical blow-dry bars, LAHH also offers unpar- alleled color services, including root touch-ups, color correction, balayage, and highlights. In other words, no matter which stylist’s chair you land in, there’s no bad seat in the house. B E S T FAC I A L Logan Skincare 1442 NE Miami Place, #220 Miami, 33132 305-763-1957 loganskincare.com During her more than 20 years of experience, aesthetician Sharese Logan has treated some of the most recognized faces in town, including Shakira and more than one Miami Heat basket- ball player. Whereas some aestheticians slap products on your face, try to upsell you, and don’t deign to remove a single blackhead from your clogged nose pores, Logan customizes fa- cials based on the client’s needs. No matter your skin type, when you put your face in her expert hands, you’re sure to leave with a glow. Shopping & Services
