Here are SFGN's "Best of 2015" winners in the shopping/business category in Broward County
Best Clothing Store – Town Clothiers
Unfortunately SFGN’s winner this year for Best Clothing Store, Town Clothiers, has closed down. So instead we’ll list two runners-up to shop at instead!
Ball Sportswear
2252 Wilton Dr.
954-564-0777
Macy’s
Multiple Locations
Closest to Wilton Manors
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale
2314 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
954-537-2300
www.Macys.com
Best Dog Groomer – Wilton Manors Doggie Daycare, Resort & Spa
2155 North Dixie Hwy.
Wilton Manors
754-223-4776
WiltonsManor.com
Woof! When it’s time to treat beloved Fido to a spa day or give your four-legged buddy a place to board while you’re out on vacation, turn to the professionals at Wilton Manors Doggie Daycare, Resort & Spa for the best pet grooming and playground experience on the island.
The walls are lined with elegant photographic dog portraits, this 3,000-square-foot facility boasts cage-free grooming; a 900-square-foot indoor playground; K9 grass; and streaming doggie cameras. Pet parents can remotely keep an eye on their fur-babies while they paw around at this daycare.
Opened five years ago, the owner attributes much of the business’ success to their in-house seasoned groomer Jodie Arrington. With more than 20 years experience under her belt, she can do the haircuts on dogs like a champ. Clients are welcome to bring photos of what they would like done, and can expect nearly impeccable and identical results.
Since Wilton Manors Doggie Daycare, Resort & Spa is not simply a groomer, customers can drop off their dogs for the day or week and have grooming and boarding services taken care of without having to book two appointments.
– AR
Best Gift Store - To The Moon (Best Place to Shop, 2014)
2205 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors
954-564-2987
ToTheMoonMarketPlace.com
Walking into To the Moon can cause some sensory overload. But Wilton Manors’ resident candy-man, Antonio Dumas is there to guide you through. Literally. I heard him before I saw him, directing me to a front counter obscured by an eye-high rack of lollipops when I walked in.
As a first-timer, he gave me the lay of the land. Then snuck us a sample of his latest confection, salted caramel and chocolate covered popcorn. Among the highlights, To the Moon offers more than 70 chocolate covered items. I came for the chocolate dipped potato chips. And I will come back for the chocolate dipped potato chips. They have more than 100 types of black licorice alone. We bought some blue raspberry instead.
In addition to novelty items, collectibles, and greeting cards, they also carry an assortment of pantry items, snacks and spreads from abroad. Just browsing one aisle I spotted the much maligned vegemite and marmite, a truly inspiring Heinz currywurst ketchup, and some tried and true Hungarian paprika. The gift basket possibilities are endless. To the Moon also won SFGN’s Best Place to Shop 2014, and Boca Life’s Best Candy 2015.
To the Moon is open: Sun – Thurs 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Fri & Sat 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
– JM
Best Guesthouse – The Cabanas
2133 NE 26th Street
Fort Lauderdale
954-565-2307
TheCabanasGuesthouse.com
Are you looking for a day away from the office? A Sunday Funday with friends? Or weekend getaway close enough the nightlife of Wilton Manors?
Look no further than Cabanas Guesthouse.
“We go the extra mile to provide services for your every need,” said Norman LaChance, owner of the spa at The Cabanas.
That extra care comes in the form of a full service spa. Amenities at this European styled spa include body rubs in a relaxed, comfortable environment. Licensed massage therapists are trained in Swedish and deep tissue as well as hot stone, reflexology and Swe Thai.
Facials, body wraps, hair removal, manicures, pedicures and more are offered in the spa which is part of the Cabanas Guesthouse complex. Located on one of Fort Lauderdale’s many famed canals, the guesthouse grounds are lush with pools, a Jacuzzi and steam room and plenty of room to roam in a clothing-optional climate.
Cabanas’ capturing best guesthouse honors by readers of the SFGN is significant since Royal Palms on Fort Lauderdale Beach held the honor for the last four years.
Best Hair Salon - Ron’s Barbershop
1200 N.E. Fourth Ave.
Fort Lauderdale
954-999-0365
RonsBarberShopFL.com
Got ten bucks and need a new hairstyle or just a quick cut? Head to your friendly neighborhood spot, Ron’s Barbershop for your much needed haircut at an alarmingly affordable rate.
Not only are Ron’s rates reasonable, the quality and attention to detail that the well-trained barbers provide is an ample reason to keep coming back. In fact, the place boasts such a warm and social atmosphere that it’s not uncommon for the cliental to linger and hangout for a while, you know, to talk about life and what not.
Owner/manager Ron and his staff can snip and cut your hair into various styles, including fades, flat tops, shaves, military cuts and so on.
Open daily, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Best Shopping Destination
Galleria Mall – Fort Lauderdale
2414 East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
GalleriaMall-FL.com
The Galleria Mall offers a variety of high-end shops, elegant dining and modern styles for the fashion-forward Fort Lauderdale consumer. The star attraction of the beachfront area has once again made its mark on the city, winning in the SFGN category of Best Mall for 2015.
The Galleria is a one-stop-shop for most locals in the beachfront area and is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its offering of a classy shopping experience.
From featuring upscale department stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Macy’s to trendy stops like the Apple Store, Sephora and most recently Free People, the Galleria’s clientele is one that seems eager to be seen in the trendsetting movement.
Decorating the front of the mall is an assortment of fine dining options: Blue Martini, Truluck’s and Capital Grille, thus giving you plenty of options to empty your wallet while you fill your senses in a day.
This year the Galleria hosted the Men of Style launch party, an event that introduced their 2015 honorees to recognize their leading men in support of great community organizations.
– LC
Best Spa - Salt This Way
2286 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors
754-223-2302
SaltThisWay.com
As the spa name suggests, Salt This Way is a specialty spa focused on the ancient and natural healing powers of salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, which dates back to Hippocrates. For those not in the know, halotherapy holds powerful detox and cleansing properties that can remedy ailments involving the skin, respiratory system, mind and well-being, as well as boost and build the immune system, among many other health conditions.
The recently opened Salt This Way has serious bragging rights as it is the largest in the country specializing in halotherapy, and is the only spa in the U.S. that has salt chambers, sauna bed like equipment that allows clients to completely disrobe and undergo highly concentrated treatments featuring Himalayan salt.
Among its many services and amenities, the yoga salt rooms are a unique option to try. The yoga workshops are equipped with machinery that emits medical grade salt mist into the room, which provides clients a way to relax, heal and soothe their bodies. Salt therapy, in the U.S., is considered an alternative medicine, so new clients are advised to speak to their doctors to have any medial conditions properly diagnosed. Gift certificates and salt retail products available at Salt This Way.
– AR
Best Thrift Shopping – Out of the Closet
Wilton Manors Location
2097 Wilton Dr.
Wilton Manors
954-358-5580
OutOfTheCloset.org
Paul Stanley has worked at Out of the Closet for nearly eight years, which is about how long the store has been open in South Florida.
“The oldest store is Wilton Manors, it’ll be eight years in January,” Stanley said, who started working there about a month after it opened. “Biscayne Bay store opened less than two years later, and the Sunrise [Blvd.] store is four years old.”
What brings people back? The great choices. “We have a good selection of merchandise that gets donated to us and we have good prices,” he said. “But when it comes down to it, it’s really the cause.”
The thrift store profits benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation — the organization that owns Out of the Closet. It’s the only retailer where proceeds go to HIV/AIDS medical care. With its clinic access and free testing, it’s so much more than a thrift store.
Best Place to Workout – Crunch
3500 N Andrews Ave.
Oakland Park
954-652-1221
Crunch.com
Started by two brothers named Marc and Paul Delisle, Crunch has been in Oakland since August, 2014. However, its deepest roots go back to 1989 where it was originally an aerobics based business that formulated in the basement of a Manhattan building.
Not your average gym, Crunch has equipment that cannot be found in most local gyms. This includes the Hoist Rock-It line and the Octane elliptical pieces.
“We also differentiate ourselves through our classes, tanning and hydro-massage which is included with our peak memberships for less than a dollar a day,” said General Manger Stephen DiGuardi. Also at Crunch is a Combat Training Center (CTC) and full section dedicated to Crossfit-esque equipment. When asked why people should join, DiGuardi stated that Crunch is a “no judgment” gym that allows for a premiere workout in a friendly and clean environment. To top it off, we are by far the best value in the marketplace.”
– NJ
