1. The Book Worm, 422 N. Bumby Ave., 407-898-7888, thebookwormoforlando.com
2. Brightlight Books, 161 E. State Road 436, Fern Park, 407-622-6657, brightlightbooks.com
3. Maya Books and Music, 201 E. First St., Sanford, 407-321-6504

1. Fairvilla Megastore, 1740 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-425-6005, fairvilla.com
2. Premier Couples Superstore, 5009 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-857-2050, premiercouples.net

1. Orange Cycle, 2204 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-5552, orangecycleorlando.com
2. Ace Metric Cycles, 1844 E. Winter Park Road, Suite A, 407-790-7802, facebook.com/ace.metric
3. Kyle’s Bike Shop, 203 N. Primrose Drive, 407-228-7088, kylesbikeshop.net

1. Etoile Boutique, 2424 E. Robinson St., 407-895-6363, etoileboutique.com
2. Zou Zou Boutique, 2 N. Summerlin Ave., 407-843-3373; 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 100, 407-601-7727, zouzouboutique.com
3. Dear Prudence Shop, 2912 Corrine Drive, 407-894-8941, dresssweet.com

1. A Comic Shop, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 6, Winter Park, 407-332-9636, acomicshop.com
2. Acme Superstore, 905 E. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-331-0433, acme-superstore.com
3. Coliseum of Comics, multiple locations, coliseumofcomics.com

1. Dog Day Afternoon, 1015 Sligh Blvd., 407-835-9200, dogdayafternoon.net
2. Ranger’s Pet Outpost and Retreat, 1239 Minnesota Ave., Winter Park, 407-622-4884, rangerspetoutpost.com
3. Woof! Orlando, 3529 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-2206, wooforlando.com

1. Animal Companion Pet Sitting Service, 321-396-7900, animalcompanionpetsitting.com
2. Big Paw Pet Care, 13506 Summer Port Village Parkway, Suite #759, Windermere, 321-345-7387, bigpawpets.com
3. Fetch! Pet Care, 407-545-8196, fetchpetcare.com

Sanford

Poor Sanford’s reputation has taken a beating over the last year and a half, and the merchants of the city’s super-cute historic downtown are the ones who’ve felt the brunt of it. We’ve heard from several that business was depressed as the city tried to get out from behind the shadow of the Zimmerman trial. But here’s the thing: Sanford has a really cool, vibrant downtown. It has eclectic bars (hey there, Little Fish Huge Pond) and restaurants, some of which are run by Orlando businesspeople who saw the potential in the city’s main street (we’re looking at you, Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden) and opened northern outposts there. It has a monthly Alive After Five street party and frequent pub crawls. It has an awesome book and record store (Maya Books and Music) and folk art gallery (Jeanine Taylor Folk Art). Add to that a handful of antiques shops, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, a kickass authentic German beer hall (Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café) and a coffee/dessert shop (Taste of Thyme Café), all in one compact downtown area. And did we mention that it’s located along the shores of beautiful Lake Monroe? Yeah, that, too. It’s by far the best downtown experience to be had in these parts.

1. Acme Cleaners, 600 N. Westmoreland Drive, 407-841-2301; 204 E. Ridgewood St., 407-872-1040, acmecleaners.com
2. Best Cleaners, multiple locations, bestcleanersorlando.com
3. Parisian Cleaners, 701 Virginia Drive, 407-894-2655 (tie)
3. Jon’s Dry Cleaner & Laundry, 337 E. Michigan St., 407-540-1030 (tie)

Chic Boutique

2818 Corrine Drive
407-286-2949
facebook.com/chicboutiqueorlando

We love consignment shopping, especially when we can shop at a designer-focused resale store like Chic Boutique in Audubon Park. Not only does this shop have an ever-changing inventory – BCBG sandals, Prada handbags, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, among other trendy women’s fashions – but if you follow them on Facebook, every day you’ll get a preview of the newest items because they post snapshots of the clothing, shoes and jewelry about every hour or so. If you happen to fall in love with a specific item (or several), just remember to book it to the store on Corrine Drive that same day because, girls, we can tell you from experience that those coveted finds go fast.

1. Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-3397, cityofwinterpark.org
2. Orlando Farmers Market, Lake Eola Park, corner of East Central Boulevard and North Eola Drive, orlandofarmersmarket.com
3. Winter Garden Farmers Market, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, wintergardenfarmersmarket.com