select a link below
Best lay
Fresh eggs from Oviedo
Audubon Park Community Market
Wednesday evenings at Stardust Video & Coffee
apmarket.wordpress.com
Not yet a year old, the weekly Audubon Park sustainable-living market caught on quickly, proof positive of what the group calls an 'organic community in the works.' The eggs are the freshest to be found in town without raiding a coop. Laid in Oviedo, a recent dozen ($3.75) included brown eggs, white eggs, a really cool greenish one, a laughable peewee and several minis with shells as hard as a rock. (4 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday at Stardust Video & Coffee parking lot; summer hours 6 p.m.-10 p.m.)
Best place to buy thank-you cards
The R. Nichols Shop
3131 Corrine Drive
407-628-4899
www.r-nichols.com
Nick Hanzlik's quirky paper-cut stationery has been all the rage amongst fashionistas since his first collection sold out at Barneys a decade ago. Now he's opened a mod, breezy shop populated with his signature glamorous dog-walkers, tree-trimmers and shoe-shoppers, emblazoned on cards, cups, totes and T-shirts. If you've outgrown Hallmark, these witty creations are just the thing.
Best junkyard
U-Pull-&-Pay Self-Serve Used Auto Parts
1157 Jetstream Drive
407-816-9696
www.upullandpay.com
There are so many reasons to love junkyards: keeping your car on the road cheap, recycling, the endless MacGyvering possibilities presented therein. But not all junkyards are created equal; most keep the good stuff locked away behind tall fences. Need a mass air flow sensor for your '98 Ranger? Jed will pull it for you and have it on the counter in a flash. That's boring and sterile. It's a lot more fulfilling to walk the rows of junk cars at U-Pull-&-Pay, each propped up on tireless rims for access to the underside. A $2 fee buys you entrance to a museum of fleeting happiness and material excess. Who loved that Malibu when it was shiny and new? Did that Vanagon die in the midst of an epic road trip? Do the Celica's deeply stained seats mean what you think they mean? It's heavy stuff.
Best geek parties
A Comic Shop events
114 S. Semoran Blvd.
407-332-9636
www.acomicshop.com
A crowd of people stands outside in the blazing sun, protesting the Superhero Registration Act. Why would a bunch of guys and girls (yes, girls) gather to scream about fictional legislation? Because there's a free keg afterward. From getting Jeffrey Brown to draw caricatures of partygoers to getting models to walk around dressed like Ms. Marvel, Aaron Haaland and Jason Blanchard know what geeks want, which is the same thing everyone else wants, but with tights.
Best niche vanity project
Vinyl Richie's Wiggly World of Records
2436 E. Robinson St.
407-895-0001
myspace.com/vinylrichieswigglyworld
Rich Evans and his music label, Floridas Dying, have long been purveyors of the underground, the quirky and, more often than not, the very good (they would say 'the best'). It makes sense, then, that earlier this year, Evans converted a cozy little house into a cozy little record store, stocked with bin after bin of bands that he likes. In fact, you can only purchase what he likes at the hilariously monikered hang. Naturally.
Best place to get chewed on by fish
Fish pedicures at the Spa
1903 N. Orange Ave.
407-898-7737
www.thespallc.com
Fans of the classic film Piranha may want to stay away from this little bit of conspicuous consumption. But for risk-takers with foot fetishes or incredibly ticklish skin, this could do just the trick. The Spa over on Antique Row offers a number of odd amenities — cupping, anyone? — but their fish manicures ($25 for 15 minutes) and pedicures ($30 for 15 minutes) present a wiggly-but-pleasant means of bypassing the Ped-Egg.
Best pageant hair for people who like gay people
Copperhead Salon
936 N. Mills Ave.
407-898-6636
www.copperheadsalon.com
After the Carrie Prejean debacle about 'opposite marriage,' it's comforting to know that some pageant queens know on which side their hair is buttered. Perky, cute brunette Sierra Minott, who is Miss Florida and placed fourth in this year's Miss America pageant, utilizes the sorta-gay (but married to a woman!) services of one Chris Martin, whose salon, Copperhead, was also featured last year on an MTV program about sci-fi geeks getting married.
Best PR for mixed martial arts
Shaq's secret training
The blood and guts of MMA training fills buckets in Orlando. But who knew that the infamous-in-this-town Shaquille O'Neal has been training here for 10 years at Jonathan Burke's Gracie Orlando studio? Shaq's not one to miss a chance to rile his Orlando naysayers, and JOCKlife.net reported in May that 'Shaq might just be planning a sparring match with none other than MMA veteran and legend Chuck Liddell.'
Best place to buy a readymade garden
Grown by Suzy and My Yard Farm Audubon Park Community Market
apmarket.wordpress.com
You want fresh produce without questionable pesticides or the carbon waste of imports, but you don't want to throw elbows at Whole Foods every Sunday afternoon. Wouldn't it be nice if someone would grow fresh vegetables for you? Well, they won't! But, next best thing: Suzy Grimm of Grown by Suzy will sell you a portable garden for $50 — organic plants in a recycled container (a cut-off 55-gallon plastic drum or the like) — something you can take with you when you move but will provide fresh herbs, lettuces, cucumbers, radishes and any other plant that tolerates a shallow bed. (Contact Suzy at [email protected].) Or Henry and Gus of My Yard Farm will transform a corner of your yard into an oasis of goodness using recycled building materials and native plants like avocados, key limes, collards and pomelo. (Visit www.myyardfarm.com
for estimates.)
Best Adult Entertainment Store
1st: Fairvilla Megastore, 1740 N. Orange Blossom Trail , 407-425-6005, www.fairvilla.com
2nd: Premier Adult Factory Outlet, 5009 S. Orange Blossom Trail , 407-982-2623, www.premieradultfactoryoutlet.com
3rd (tie): Erotic Emporium, 1520 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood, 407-332-0545
3rd (tie): Avant Guard II Dress & Lingerie Boutique, 3985 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-843-1233
Best Bartender
1st: Bob Orlando, O'Shucks Pub & Billiards
2nd: Dan Dyer, Crooked Bayou
3rd: Preston Dehler, Bar-BQ-Bar
Best Bicycle Shop
1st: Orange Cycle, 2204 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-5552, www.orangecycleorlando.com
2nd: Kyle's Bike Shop, 203 N. Primrose Drive, 866-915-3957, www.kylesbikeshop.net
3rd: Loco Motion, 1776 Jake St., 407-898-6411, 1030 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-2680, www.locomotionbikes.com
Best Bookstore
1st: Barnes & Noble, multiple locations, www.barnesandnoble.com
2nd: Urban Think Bookstore, 625 E. Central Blvd., 407-650-8004, www.urbanthinkorlando.com
3rd: Borders, multiple locations, www.borders.com
Best CD Store
1st: Park Ave CDs, 2916 Corrine Drive, 407-447-7275, www.parkavecds.com
2nd: Best Buy, multiple locations, www.bestbuy.com
3rd: F.Y.E., multiple locations, www.fye.com
Best Comic Book Store
1st: A Comic Shop, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 407-332-9636, www.acomicshop.com
2nd: Bad Apple Comics, 8110 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-859-3422, 12225 University Blvd., 407-658-9722, www.bacomics.com
Best Dry Cleaner
1st: Hangers Cleaners, multiple locations, www.hangersorlando.com
2nd: Acme Cleaners, 600 N. Westmoreland Drive , 407-841-2301, 204 E. Ridgewood St., 407-872-1040, www.acmecleaners.com
3rd: PriceLess Cleaners, multiple locations, www.pricelesscleaners.com
Best DVD Store
1st: Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, 407-623-339, myspace.com/stardustvideoandcoffee
2nd: Barnes & Noble, multiple locations, www.barnesandnoble.com
3rd: Blockbuster, multiple locations, www.blockbuster.com
Best Farmers Market
1st: Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-3397, www.cityofwinterpark.org
2nd: Orlando Farmers Market, Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. 321-202-5855, www.orlandofarmersmarket.com
3rd: Audubon Park, Community Market, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393, www.audubonparkmarket.com
Best Furniture Store
1st: IKEA, 4092 Eastgate Drive, 407-355-3155, www.ikea.com
2nd: Washburn Imports 1800 N. Orange Ave., 407-228-4403, www.washburnimports.com
3rd: Ashley Furniture Home Store, multiple locations, www.ashleyfurniture.com
Best Hair Salon
1st: Alchemy Hair Salon , 2812 Edgewater Drive, 407-650-8022, www.alchemyorlando.com
2nd: Shag'd Hair Studio, 1844 E. Winter Park Road, 407-951-8969, www.shagdhairstudio.com
3rd: Ariz-Michelle Salon, 400 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-9222, www.arizmichelle.com
Best Health Food Store
1st: Whole Foods Market, 1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-673-8788, 8003 Turkey Lake Road, 407-355-7100, www.wholefoodsmarket.com
2nd: Chamberlin's Market & Café, multiple locations, www.chamberlins.com
3rd: Essential Health Market, 1035 Academy Drive, Altamonte Springs, 407-869-0000, www.essentialhealthmarket.com
Best Liquor Store
1st: Total Wine & More, 2712 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-6553, www.totalwine.com
2nd: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, multiple locations, www.abcfws.com
3rd: Wally's Mills Avenue Liquors, 1001 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-6975
Best Local Fashion Designer
1st: Katie Reynolds — A Rare Bird Designs, www.ararebirddesigns.com
2nd: Consuelo Bellini, www.consuelobellini.com
3rd (tie): Steadfast Brand, www.steadfastbrand.com
3rd (tie): Reign Streetwear Boutique, 114 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 2, Winter Park, 407-677-4713
Best Meat
1st: Petty's Meats & Specialty Foods, 2141 W. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-862-0400, www.pettysmeats.com
2nd: Publix, multiple locations, www.publix.com
3rd: Whole Foods Market, 1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, 407-673-8788, 8003 Turkey Lake Road, 407-355-7100, www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Best Men's Fashion
1st: Reign Streetwear Boutique, 114 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 2, Winter Park, 407-677-4713, www.reignfl.com
2nd: Etoile Boutique, 2436 E. Robinson St. 407-895-6363, www.etoileboutique.com
3rd: Forty VII Clothing, 150 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-412-9204, www.fortysevenclothing.com
Best Musical Instruments Store
1st: Sam Ash Music Store, 4644 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-5508, 912 Lee Road, 407-599-1222, www.samashmusic.com
2nd: Guitar Center, 12402 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-251-6659, 520 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-975-9119, www.guitarcenter.com
3rd: George's Music, 6817 Visitors Circle, 407-352-8000, www.georgesmusic.com
Best Nail Salon
1st: Magic Nails & Spa, 626 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-243-1918
2nd: Queens Nails, 2614 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-1707
3rd: Blush Day Spa , 9439 Forest City Cove, Altamonte Springs, 407-770-6666, www.blushdayspa.com
Best Pet Supplies
1st: PetSmart, multiple locations, www.petsmart.com
2nd: Petco, multiple locations, www.petco.com
3rd: Pookie's Pet Nutrition & Bow Wow Bakery, 1980 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-622-7387, 2462 Maguire Road, Ocoee, 407-877-8666, www.pookiesbowwowbakery.com
Best Scooters
1st: Vespa Orlando, 930 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-2222, www.vespaorlando.com
2nd: 2 Trax Scooter Shop, 127 N. Magnolia Ave., 407-423-8729, 221 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-260-8729, www.2traxscooter.com
3rd (tie): Scooter Trap, 617 Virginia Drive, 407-896-0016, www.scootertrap.com
3rd (tie): Mod City Scooters, (closed)
Best Seafood Store
1st: Lombardi's Marketplace, 1152 Harmon Ave., Winter Park 407-628-3474, www.lombardismarketplace.com
2nd: Whole Foods Market, 1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, 407-673-8788, 8003 Turkey Lake Road, 407-355-7100, www.wholefoodsmarket.com
3rd: Publix, multiple locations, www.publix.com
Best Shoe Store
1st: DSW Shoes, multiple locations, www.dsw.com
2nd: Beta Retail Gallery, 2432 E. Robinson St., 407-228-1995, www.thebetapress.com
3rd: Payless ShoeSource, multiple locations, www.payless.com
Best Skate/Surf Shop
1st: Covert Skate Shop, 2428 E. Robinson St., 407-228-0804, www.covertskate.com
2nd: Galactic G Skate Shop, 334 E. Harvard St, .407-895-0410, www.galacticg.com
3rd: Ron Jon Surf Shop, 5160 International Drive, 407-481-2555, www.ronjons.com
Best Smoke Shop
1st: Katmandu, 352 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-7071
2nd: 23 S. Court Ave., 407-316-0026
3rd (tie): Pipe Dreams, multiple locations, www.pipedreamstwo.com
3rd (tie): Mystik, 10014 University Blvd., 407-681-8300, www.mystik.com
Best Spa
1st: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, 407-393-4200, www.ritzcarlton.com
2nd: The Spa LLC, 1903 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-7737, www.thespallc.com
3rd: Euro Day Spa & Salon, 800 Formosa Ave., Winter Park, 407-740-0444, www.eurodayspa.net
Best Tanning Salon
1st: South Beach Tanning Company, multiple locations, www.southbeachtanningcompany.com
2nd: Manhattan Tanning Company, 653 Maguire Blvd., Suite 800, 407-898-5775, www.manhattantanningcompany.com
3rd: Planet Beach, multiple locations
Best Tattoo/ Piercing Parlor
1st: Ascension Custom Dermagraphics, 2510 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-2013, 114 Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 321-972-8930, www.ascensiontattoo.com
2nd: Black Chapel Tattoo Studio, 693 N. Orange Ave., 407-420-9636, myspace.com/blackchapeltattoostudios
3rd: Inkredible Ink, 1 S. Orange Ave., 407-843-3666, 7215 International Drive, 407-370-3101, www.inkredibleink.com
Best Thrift Store
1st: Goodwill, multiple locations, www.goodwill.org
2nd: Thriftko, 1442 State Road 436, Casselberry, 407-657-0082
3rd: Dechoes Resale Emporium, multiple locations, www.dechoes.shoprw.com
Best T-shirts
1st: Mother Falcon Clothing, 888 E. Washington St., 407-423-3060, www.motherfalconclothing.com
2nd: Reign Streetwear Boutique, 114 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 2, Winter Park, 407-677-4713, www.reignfl.com
3rd: Static, 240 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-478-1083, www.shopstatic.com
Best Veterinarian
1st: Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital, 2000 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-0941, www.lochhavenvet.com
2nd: McAbee Veterinary Hospital, 4586 Palmetto Ave., Winter Park, 407-671-5858, www.mcabeevet.com
3rd: Downtown Pet Hospital, 110 Weber St., 407-872-2228, www.downtownpethospital.com
Best Video Game Store
1st: Game Stop & EB Games, multiple locations, www.gamestop.com
2nd: Play & Trade, multiple locations, www.playntrade.com
3rd: S & F Video Games, 325 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-539-1044, myspace.com/vintagegames
Best Vintage Clothing Store
1st: Etoile Boutique, 2436 E. Robinson St. 407-895-6363, www.etoileboutique.com
2nd: Dechoes Resale Emporium, multiple locations, www.dechoes.shoprw.com
3rd: Orlando Vintage Clothing Co., 2117 W. Fairbanks Ave. Winter Park, 407-599-7225, www.orlandovintage.com
Best Vinyl Records Store
1st: Park Ave CDs, 2916 Corrine Drive, 407-447-7275, www.parkavecds.com
2nd: Rock & Roll Heaven, 1814 N. Orange Ave. 407-896-1952, www.rock-n-rollheaven.com
3rd: The Drop Shop, 2422 E. Robinson St. 407-839-6050, www.dropshop.com
Best Wine Shop
1st: Total Wine & More, 2712 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-6553, www.totalwine.com
2nd: Tim's Wine Market, 1223 N. Orange Ave., 407-895-9463, 428 Main St., Windermere, 407-876-9463, www.timswine.com
3rd: Eola Wine Company, 500 E. Central Blvd., 407-481-9100, 136 S. Park Ave. Winter Park, 407-647-9103, www.eolawinecompany.com
Best Women's Fashion
1st: Etoile Boutique, 2436 E. Robinson St. 407-895-6363, www.etoileboutique.com
2nd: Reign Streetwear Boutique, 114 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 2, Winter Park, 407-677-4713, www.reignfl.com
3rd: Sunset Strip Clothing, 1198 Orange Ave, Winter Park, 407-248-0800, www.sunsetstripclothing.com
