72 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 C A R WA S H Miami Auto Spa 561 SW Eighth Street Miami, 33130 305-710-3336 Few cities take car pampering as seriously as Miami. Envision, if you will, the over-the-top ridiculousness of those people who stroll around Aventura Mall with their pets in baby carriages. Now imagine the car version. Don’t worry; the knowledgeable and kind folks at Mi- ami Auto Spa aren’t looking to shame you for the meticulous attention to detail that you crave. They just want to send your car home sparkling. The spa lives up to its name, offering a menu of services and packages so extensive you almost expect cucumber slices over your vehicle’s headlights. Regardless of your budget and needs, the Miami Auto Spa will exceed your expectations, even if those expectations for car cleanliness are higher than most Miam- ians have for themselves. B E S T G A S S TAT I O N El Carajo International Tapas & Wines 2465 SW 17th Avenue Miami, 33145 305-856-2424 el-carajo.com A Spaniard’s epicurean dream is disguised as an unassuming Mobil gas station near the inter- section at SW 17th Avenue and U.S. 1. Whereas other gas station convenience marts are stocked with candy, air fresheners, and ciga- rettes, El Carajo International Tapas & Wines elevates the experience with an assortment of wines, a Cuban coffee bar with croquetas and pastelitos, and a full-service restaurant that of- fers charcuterie, seafood, tapas, and paella so good you’ll think you’ve been transported to Madrid. A climate-controlled cellar features globally sourced wines available for purchase whether you’re dining in or out. (Are gourmet Mobil gas stations a thing in Miami? Check out “Best Wine Store” elsewhere in this section and decide for yourself.) B E S T B I K E S H O P Revolution Bicycle Services 3444 Main Highway, #16 Coconut Grove, 33133 305-443-5229 With sweeping renovations to CocoWalk and new chain shops and restaurants sprouting up, Coconut Grove would be unrecognizable if it weren’t for the local mom-and-pop establish- ments that help the historic neighborhood keep its charm. Revolution Bicycle Services is one of those local establishments, and Danny Lovett has been running the one-man shop for more than 25 years in the same spot in Florentine Plaza where Main Highway intersects with Fuller Street. There are multiple bike retailers around Miami, but Lovett has endeared himself to locals as a trusted expert for their precious two-wheelers. When you step inside, Lovett or his adorable pup, Hydee, will be excited to greet you. B E S T H A R D WA R E S TO R E Shell Lumber and Hardware 2733 SW 27th Avenue Coconut Grove, 33133 305-856-6401 shelllumber.com Open since 1928, Shell Lumber and Hardware long ago cemented its reputation as the go-to destination for South Floridians’ home-im- provement needs. Over the years, this family- run business has expanded to rival other big chains without ever losing the feel of a mom- and-pop shop unafraid to lend a helping (and knowledgeable) hand. There’s a wide range of quality products here — everything from build- ing materials to tools to paints to lumber to moulding and exotic hardwoods — but Shell has survived amid a sea of Home Depots and Lowe’s owing to its quality customer service and unwavering hometown feel. Note to week- end reno warriors: Shell is closed on Sundays. B E S T M A L L Aventura Mall 19501 Biscayne Boulevard Aventura, 33180 305-935-1110 aventuramall.com A good mall is a centralized location for a wide variety of stores. But a great mall supplies all the consumer goods one’s heart could ever de- sire. With more than 300 retailers, Aventura Mall is a great mall — to the point where leaving empty-handed often feels like Mission Impossi- ble. High-end designers? Gucci, Valentino — check! A spot for local sneakerheads? Kick Essentials — check! Fast fashion? There’s a two-story Zara — check! Even if you felt like you’ve lapped the mall enough times to know its blueprint by heart, new stores are constantly added to the roster, including the popular women’s boutique Aritzia (which opened this past spring) and new athleisure brands Vuori and Alo Yoga (coming soon). With sit-down and fast-casual restaurants, such as Pubbelly Sushi, Motek (and its street-food offshoot Yalla Motek), “shopping till you drop” is no longer a worry. Be sure to check out the Aventura Slide Tower before you leave — no trip to Aventura Mall is complete without a 93-foot glide down German conceptual artist Carsten Höller’s steel-and-glass structure. B E S T A N T I Q U E S TO R E Stone Age Antiques 3236 NW South River Drive Miami, 33142 305-970-2778 stoneage-antiques.com The older we get, the more we appreciate the relics that have stood the test of time. For more than 50 years, nautical-themed Stone Age An- tiques has saved the curious items that some might consider “old” or “garbage” from landfills and presented them for the consideration of the eagle-eyed collectors who brave the packed aisles at the rustic store. Iron cannons from the 18th Century, old portholes, and weathered an- chors are just a few of the items in this maze of rare finds. Proprietor Milton Stone has long un- derstood that time is the only thing separating one man’s trash from another man’s antique. B E S T F U R N I T U R E S TO R E Rana Furniture 9 area locations, including: 5891 SW Eighth Street Miami, 33144 305-269-4070 ranafurniture.com Buying new furniture is a lot like clubbing in your 30s: exciting in theory but tiring, expen- sive, and overrated in practice. But purchasing that new loveseat or bed frame is no longer a chore thanks to local chain Rana Furniture and its nine outposts across Dade and Broward counties. Whether shopping at the store or on- line, Rana’s prices are transparent and its in- ventory is varied. With Rana’s low monthly payments and options for every budget, Miam- ians don’t have to choose between buying their home and furnishing it. B E S T T H R I F T S TO R E Peach Tree Revival 3440 N. Miami Avenue Miami, 33127 786-439-9694 @peachtreerevival (Instagram) This past spring, fashion-forward friends Dani Klaric´ and Sara Fedz opened a brick-and-mor- tar vintage thrift store, Peachtree Revival, in Midtown. The whimsical wallpaper, black-and- white vinyl flooring, and giant mirrors entice selfies among a trove of vintage and second- hand finds— from slip dresses to Y2K jeans, belts, bags, boots, and one-of-a-kind accesso- ries. Every Saturday, the shop’s garment con- veyor belt and curvilinear clothing rack are restocked with new drops. If you’re unsure how to pull off that floofy skirt, staff members are on hand for style counseling. B E S T F L E A M A R K E T Little River Flea @littleriverfl ea (Instagram) Little River Flea is a convenient and sustainable solution for those looking to avoid Gen Z’s scorn and wean off fast-fashion retailers. The roving vintage pop-up market has emerged at various locales around town, including the Se- lina Hotel’s Miami River and MiMo locations, Casa Florida, and the Future of Cities Climate + Innovation Hub in Little Haiti. Little River Flea founder Meghan Alexander vets vendors that include small, sustainable, and primarily women-owned businesses that offer vintage fashion, vinyl, handmade jewelry, and crafts. Shopping & Services
