Comfort Art: An “architectural interior store,” Comfort Art manufactures superb custom-designed architectural woodwork.  Using the finest wood products available, Comfort Art creates closets, vanities, kitchens cabinets, wall units, office furniture and more. They feature custom-made moldings as well. Location: 13003 SW 122^nd Ave., Miami. Phone: 305-378-1918.

Evans: Pieces are gathered from all over the world including furniture, chandeliers, porcelain, Art Deco items, art glass, ivory and more. Evans’ staff provides fair and accurate appraisals, and they also buy art. Location: 9560 Harding Ave., Surfside.

Phone: 305-867-7015.

Lincoln Futon and Furniture: Why pay an arm and a leg for furniture, when you can check out Lincoln Futon and Furniture and find some really choice couches, desks, chairs, mirrors, and art for some pretty decent prices. From rustic Indonesian to modern contemporary, Lincoln Futon and Furniture has it all.  And on top of all that, Lincoln also has delivery service. Location: 629 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-2865.

Lunatika: Featuring contemporary and modern lighting styles, Lunatika carries illuminated lines such as Flof, Pablo, Modern Fan, and Mazzega. Lunatika also has a wide variety of clocks. Location: 900 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-8585.

South Beach Style: Owned by Dan Bowman, South Beach Style has long been respected as the place to equip your bedroom with everything from night tables, dressers and bed-sets to 100 percent natural fiber sheets imported from all over the world. Location: 1676 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-8277.

Stembridge Furniture: For the last 48 years, John Stembridge has possessed the connections to find traditional and contemporary furniture from the top producers in Europe, the Americas and other parts of the world suited every room in the house. Stembridge also has top-‘o-the-line reproduction antique pieces and can arrange to have furniture delivered anywhere in the U.S., as well as other parts of the world. Location: 545 NE 125^th Street, North Miami. Phone: 305-893-0800.

Ace Hardware: Place to get hardware, paints, tools, plumbing supplies, lawn and garden stuff and electrical things.  Location: 1668 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 1991 NE 163^rd Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: (Miami Beach) 305-672-7070, (NMB) 305-949-7264.

American Plumbing and Electrical Supply: Plumbing, electrical supplies, faucet parts, thread water heaters, bulbs, lumber, building materials, etc. Location: 1735 Alton Road, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-532-3446.

New Wave Hardware: This full hardware store carries all houseware tools, plumbing and electrical tools as well as appliances. With 5,000 square feet of retail, New Wave also offers services such as alterations and locksmith services. If you need paint, the full line of paint supplies won’t disappoint you: a large variety of colors, brushes and painting accessories will make your job much easier. Location: 1349 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-9059.

Surfside True Value Hardware: Servicing the Bal-Bay-Surf area with small appliances, unusual items, hurricane supplies, paint, locks, culinary tools, etc.  Location: 9577 Harding Avenue, Surfside.  Phone: 305-866-8521.

Art Connection: Stands out for the beauty and uniqueness of its vast collection of stainless steel rings, colorful pearl necklaces, earrings, and a number of other stunning accessories all designed by Mario Provenzano. Location:  100 16^th Street, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-2722.    

Bulgari: Based in Italy, Bulgari as an entity has been making jewelry since the 19^th Century. In recent times, Bulgari jewelers have perfected the craft of turning 18K gold, white gold, platinum, and precious gems into works of art.  Their watch line is also extremely popular.  Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour. Phone: 305-861-8898.

Burt’s Jewelers: Jewelry, diamonds and watches at discount prices.  Location: 1774 NE Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach; 1676 NE N.M.B. Phone: 305-947-8386.

Cartier: Responsible for some of the most beautiful gem designs, jewelry and, most notably, watches. The success of Cartier may lie in the company’s ability to remain true to its quality and elegance while adding to the successful formula with a twist of modernity. Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour. Phone: 305-864-8793

Costa De Oro:  Not only is this place a jewelry shop but its also a pawn shop!  Feel free to buy or sell what you need.  Location: 1452 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 1239 Washington, Miami Beach.  Phone: (1452) 305-672-5335, (1239) 305-531-0205.

International Jewelers Exchange: 50 independent jewelry stores under one roof.  Has diamonds, fine jewelry, watches, silver and pearls.  They’ll also do designs and repairs. Location: 18861 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-931-7032.

Jackie Abraham & Company, Inc.: The buyers and sellers of diamonds, watches and estate jewelry.  Location: 18861 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-933-1098.

Jewelry Exchange: Jewelry Exchange carries virtually every brand that makes sunglasses such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Cartier, Montblanc and Oakley.  Best of all, the sunglasses are sold at reasonable prices. Location: 521 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.

Phone: 305-538-8312.

Joyned Designs: Kelly Lyons and Karina Schuh have joined forces to bring you the most unique, elegant, sophisticated, sensuous, luminous and luxurious jewelry.   The distinct and eye catching designs feature Tahitian cultured pearls combined with rare and precious gems set in gold and platinum.  Phone: 305-336-9601.

Mayor’s:  Renowned for its precious jewelry and watches from all over the world. Location: 1000 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 19505 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: (Miami Beach) 305-672-1662, 305-937-1444 (Aventura).

Starck Design: Into silver or stainless steel jewelry, Starck design has plenty of it.  They import most of their jewelry from Germany, where the owners travel to frequently.  They also sell Swiss watches and costume jewelry.  They are opening a second location late October in Dadeland mall located in Kendall. Location: 704 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-674-7656.

Tim & Company: Around for 9 years, Tim & Co. features both men and women’s jewelry and has earned a reputation for creating the highest quality jewelry products. Location: 1663 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-5191.

La Perla: Laces, silk and satin are just some of the materials that make up the incredibly designed women’s undergarments found at La Perla’s. One of the newest items in the store is the soft triangle bra, which comes with matching culottes (tap pants). This new item is part of the exceptional “Society Series” collection. The Chantilly stretch lace imparts a very feminine and sexy feel to this bra and its softness makes it extremely comfortable. Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour. Phone: 305- 864-2070.

Sexy Wonders:  The female owned and operated store for sexy dresses, shoes and lingeries.  Plus a huge selection of adult toys and videos.  Location: 1958 NE 163^rd Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-945-8700.

Crown Wine & Spirit:  Very few places can equal the gourmet selection of wine. They have the largest selection of German wines in the area (nearly 30 different brands).  Fine Bordeaux, Cabernets, Chardonnays, Burgundies from Italy, France, Chile and Australia can also be found here as well as an incredible selection of gourmet, imported cheeses, pâtés and caviars. Crown Wine & Spirits offers discounts on cases. The discount still applies if you want to mix-and-match.    Location: 1255 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami. Phone: 305-892-9463.

Gulf Liquors:  Gigantic selection of beer, wine and kegs as well as all forms of potent liquors: rum, vodka, gin, whiskey, etc.  Employees are fluent in English and Spanish and prices for liquor quite affordable.  Delivery also available. Location: 1681 Alton Road, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-531-5551.

Happy‘s Stork Lounge and Liquor Store: The place for many Beachites to go for alcohol after 11 p.m.  (Unlike Miami Beach, alcohol can continue to be sold in North Bay Village.) Also attached to a bar where people get together and get “happy.” Location: 1872 79^th Street, North Bay Village.  Phone: 305-865-3621.

M.B. Liquors: Your best bet for a one-stop liquor store. Wide choice of wine and champagne, such as Moët and Chandon, Voeuvecliquot, Perrier Jouet, Opus Onem, just to name a few. Plus plenty of tequila, rum, whisky, or anything else that will kill brain-cells. M.B. also has soda and chips. Location: 814 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-8300.

Sunny Isles Liquor: The management of this shop prides itself in having the widest selection of alcohol choices in Sunny Isles Beach – beer, wine, vodka, cognac, etc. – and being one of the few liquor places in S.I.B. allowed to operate on Sunday.  But its real claim to fame is its delivery service.  Order more than $53 worth of alcohol over the phone and the delivery is free. Location: 18180 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach. Phone: 305-932-5782.

Mister Pasta: Stepping into the store makes one feel as if you are entering the “old country.” Makes every kind of pasta right there in the store.  Products are gourmet, top shelf ingredients.  Pasta items for sale are available at wholesale and retail. Location: 7311 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-866-8020.

Publix:  Publix is the all-purpose supermarket.  Although this entry is in the “Food section,” Publix is also well known as a purveyor of cleaning products, cold remedies and other must-have items. But, around these parts, we instinctively go to Publix whenever we need to stock up on cold cuts, steaks, chickens, fruits, vegetables, beer, wine, canned goods, and anything else having to do with sustenance.  Location: North Beach, 6878 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; Dade Boulevard, 1045 Dade Boulevard, Miami Beach; Publix on the Bay, 1920 West Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone: (North Beach) 305-865-8561, (Dade Boulevard) 305-534-4621, (Publix on the Bay) 305-535-4268.

Publix-North: A listing of where markets located on the mainland. Locations: 2952 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura; 18330 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach; 1700 NE Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach. Phone: (Boulevard) 305-931-4810, (Sunny Isles) 305-831-9615, (NMB) 305-945-7119.

Wild Oats: Preservatives, MSG, meat laced with hormones or vegetation sprayed with chemicals won’t be found at this supermarket. What you will find at Wild Oats: entire sections devoted to herbal supplements, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and other holistic remedies. There is also a fresh meat and produce section and, for those who want take-out, a gourmet salad bar, fresh health pizza, and a homemade soup section.  Location: 1020 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-1707.

Winn-Dixie: Also a great place to find food of all sorts, cleaning supplies and other essential items. Location: 980 NE 205^th Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-653-2697.

Groove Man: A paradise for local DJs, Groove Man has everything from headphones and turntables to CD cases and all the accessories a true music “connoisseur” could ever wish for. Groove Man also carries a huge variety of vinyl. Location: 1543 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-535-6257.

Mars Music: For those who want to make music the old fashioned way…themselves.  Has 200,000 name brands of music instruments of all sorts.  Location: 12115 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami.  Phone: 305-893-0191.

Spec’s Music: The mega store for music addicts to get their fix on CDs for classical, dance, rock, pop and everything in between.  Location: 501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.  Phone: 786-276-9055.

Uncle Sam: Offers an extensive variety of new, old-time-favorites and used CD’s, DVD’s and vinyl. Used CD’s and DVD’s are priced as low as $7. New releases are on sale for the first two weeks. And if you get Uncle Sam’s discount coupons books, you will be entitled to an additional discount.  DJs, by the way, get a 10% rebate off of vinyl. Location: 1141 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-0973.

Atlantis Pet Shop: Birds, dogs, cats, fish and pet supplies, too.  Location: 215 71^st Street, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-867-5477.

Dog Bar: The Dog Bar is a store that features some of the best canine health and food products you can find in the Greater Miami Beach area. And for those who just feel the need to dress up their four-legged friend, the Dog Bar has some out-of-the- ordinary accessories will turn heads when you walk down the street with your pet.  Location: 723 Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-5654.

Pet House: Provides grooming service for both dogs and cats, Pet House also carries some of the healthiest brands of food such as Science Diet, Eukanuba and Iams.

If you don’t have a pet, you may find one here: Pet House has the most beautiful Persian and Himalayan cats, small reptiles, turtles and tropical fishes. They also provide boarding for your pet at a reasonable price. Location: 6800 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone:  305-868-6686.

Pet Supermarket: Considers itself a “super store” to find food, toys, vitamins, beds, cages, aquariums, books and medicines for and about pets.  Location: 12533 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami. Phone: 305-892-0526.

Snakes at Sunrise: There are those who prefer the mammalian, fuzzy sort of pet, the feathery bird in a cage or the scaly fish in a bowl.  And then there are those who like their scaled animals of the reptilian sort.  For then there’s Snakes at Sunrise, a store that specializes in reptiles of all sorts.  Not exotic enough?  They’ve also got arachnids and amphibians.  Location: 9761 Sunset Drive, South Miami.  Phone: 305-757-6253.

Some Things Fishy: Specializes in fresh and saltwater fish (both exotic and coral) and custom aquarium systems.  Location: 708 NE 125^th Street, North Miami.  Phone: 305-891-0055.

Beach Nutritional Center: Beach Nutritional Center has a wide selection of fat burners, amino acids, meal replacements, pro hormones, protein bars, weight gaining products or anything else short of steroids you may need to help you reach your physical goals.  Location: 1504 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-4992.

Brickell Drugs: Not only do they do prescriptions and have ad delivery service, but Brickell also has a newsstand, mail service and a soda fountain.  Location: 1200 Brickell Avenue, Miami.  Phone: 305-577-0577.

Budget Drugs: Discount prescriptions and fast friendly service. Location: 1824 NE Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-945-1485.

Chemist Store: Fast and friendly service that offers delivery. Also plenty of vitamins, health and beauty aids in stock.  Location: 20708 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-935-2610.

Eckerd Drugs: Corporate empire known for giving prescription drugs, film processing, needed goods, etc.  Location: 615 5^th Street; 2235 Collins Avenue; 7400 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.  Phone: (5^th Street) 305-673-4149, (2235 Collins) 305-673-9514, (7400 Collins) 305-865-8690.

Eckerd’s—North: Some locations in the North Miami Beach, Aventura area.  Location: 2974 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura; 17811 Biscayne Boulevard, NMB; 16850 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach; Phone: (Aventura Boulevard) 305-932-2802, (NMB) 305-931-0202, (Sunny Isles) 305-945-4712.

Fedco: A community and specialty pharmacy chain that supplies FDC vitamins and generic products as well as a big selection of health, beauty, photo and appliance supplies.  Locations: 621 71^st Street, Miami Beach; 306 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 9472 Harding Avenue, Surfside; 18500 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach.  Phone: (executive office) 305-865-4482.

Lee Ann Pharmacy: Opened in 1953 by Edward Cohn, Lee Ann has all the meds you would expect to find from the corporate giants, and with competitive prices.  Lee Ann will also deliver to addresses all over Miami Beach and their staff is also knowledgeable in Spanish, English and Creole.  Incidentally, Lee Ann is also a market, a variety store and is known as the place where people can pay their utility bills or wire money to far away places.  Location: 955 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-1256.

Publix on the Bay: Not just groceries and cleaning supplies here.  Publix on the Bay is home to a full-fledged pharmacy that has competitive prices, free blood pressure checks, medical expense summaries, etc.  Location: 1920 West Avenue, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-535-4274.

Statscript Pharmacy: offers old-fashioned customer service with a modern atmosphere. They specialize in chronic diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Five years on South Beach, they have a full service pharmacy and offer a wide variety of nutritional supplements and some basic drugstore items such as sun tan lotion. Although national, this location caters to its beach clientele. Location: 1669 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach.

Phone: 305-534-1980.

Walgreen’s: Remains the best place to fill your prescriptions drugs and get new prescriptions 24 hours a day. You can also get anything that comes to mind in one convenient stop: beachwear, lotions, makeup, snacks, electronic equipment, perfumes, household supplies, magazines, condoms – you can even get your pictures developed while you shop around or await your prescription. Location: 1845 Alton Rd., 100 Lincoln Road, 524 Jefferson Avenue, 6700 Collins Avenue, Pine Tree Drive & 41^st Street, 7340 Collins Avenue—Miami Beach. Phone: (Alton) 305- 531-9922, (Lincoln) 305-532-8166, (Jefferson) 305-531-2789, (67^th and Collins) 305-861-6103, (Pine Tree) 305-535-8836, (73^rd and Collins) 305-864-8675.

Walgreen’s Aventura: A list of pharmacy places in Aventura.  Location: 3007 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura; 18665 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: (Aventura Boulevard) 305-936-2483, (Biscayne) 305-466-2844.

Donald J. Pliner: Not only does Donald Pliner offer the best selection of boots in terms of materials (leather, velvet, cowboy-look boots and more), he makes the best-looking boots too. All his boots are made in Italy and undergo extensive quality checks. Location: Aventura Mall. Phone:  305-792-4774.

Dyeable Shoes: Not only does this place have 100 styles of shoes and handbags in stock but they’ll also dye them for you.  Bridal party discounts available.  Location: 3095 NE 163^rd Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-945-7500.

Enrico:  Has a lot of hard to pronounce Italian name brands such as Gravati and Moreschi.  Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour.  Phone: 305-866-4117.

Footcare Express: Quality custom and orthopedic footwear for those who need “special” shoes.  Will even provide computerized video gait analysis.  Location: 2980 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-932-0922.

Koko & Paleni Shoes: The source for Calvin Kleins, Cole-Haans, Casadei Singerson Morrison, Stuart Weitzman, Charles David and Dolce & Gabbana.  Location: 19505 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-792-9299.

Payless Shoe Source: For those who just don’t have a lot of money, but in desperate need of shoes, Payless has an array of shoes that don’t look half bad and are dirt cheap.

Location: 215 Lincoln Road; 1201 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 1421 NE 163^rd Street, NMB.  Phone: (215 Lincoln) 305-673-3583; (1201 Lincoln) 305-672-2716, (163^rd Street) 305-949-7490.

Neo Scarpa: Carries entire lines from the most renowned shoemakers and designers in the world including Prada Couture and Prada Sports for both men and women as well as Miu Miu, D&G shoes and sandals, Roberto Cavalli, Cesare Paciotti, Robert Clergerie, Giuseppe Zanetti, etc. Location: 817 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-535-5633

Santini Mavardi: Place to get unusual shoes, including those that glow in the dark. Location: 935 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-538-6229.

Sas By Foot Flair Shoes: The comfy shoe place for “a healthy lifestyle.” Location: 9530 Harding Avenue, Surfside.  Phone: 305-866-3416.

USA Footwear & Clothing Export Inc.: Have shoe of shapes, sizes and styles, including the latest brands.  Location: 2024-A NE 163^rd Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-947-0404.

Aventura Mall:  The last time we checked, Aventura has more than 250 shops and restaurants, including six department stores, 50 women’s wear stores, 30 men’s wear stores, 17 health and beauty stores, 15 music stores, 11 specialty stores, at least one 24-screen megaplex, etc.  Again, last time we checked.  Nearly every year, Aventura Mall continues to get larger and larger. Location: 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura. Phone: 305-935-1110.

Bal Harbour Shops: True to Stanley Whitman’s vision, Bal Harbour Shops continues to clothing shops, boutiques, toy stores, galleries, department stores, and other retail outlets catering to those who want the finer things in life. Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour. Phone: 305-866-0311.

Bayside Marketplace: The waterfront shopping mall popular in downtown Miami for a center of retail and dining.  Location: 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami.  Phone: 305-577-3344.

Loehmann’s Fashion Island:  Things were not the same for this shopping center ever since the Aventura 16 movie theater left but its far from dead.  Books & Books, clothing stores and even a few restaurants still operate here.  Location: 2855 NE 187^th Street, Aventura.  Phone: 305-932-0486.

Lincoln Road:  Once this was a busy thoroughfare.  Then, in the 1960s, the city closed it off to traffic and transformed it into a pedestrian mall.  Now its one of the most popular centers of retail and dining in South Florida.  Location: From Alton Road to Collins Avenue.

Mall at 163^rd Street: This place used to be a pedestrian mall until the owners that be decided to put dooms over it.  While in a slight decline the mall still has plenty of shops and food places.  Location: 1421 NE 163^rd Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-947-9845.

All-State Medical: Not only do they have your standard equipment for hospitals All-State also has a complete line of home care Pride Mobility Products including the 3-wheel Revo Sport scooter and the Pride Lift Chair.  Phone: 1-800-996-3569.

Moon Dance:  New age store that has lots of crystals, incense, books, statues and other unique things from all over the world.  Location: 815 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-7772

Scribe: This store has an extensive library of rabbinical works, particularly those from the Lubavitcher variety: Extraordinary Chassidic Tales, Letters From The Rebbee, Sason VeSimcha: An Anthology of Divrei Torah For Sheva Brachos, etc.  Scribe also has videos and music as well as mezuzahs, menorahs, candleholders and other interesting items. Location: 9486 Harding Avenue, Surfside. Phone: 305-864-3600.

The 9^th Charka: Specializes in “metaphysical” items from all over the world such as tarot cards, candles, oils, fountains, books, incense, feng shui crystals, and other new age items. If you need help, the 9^th Chakra’s staff can assist you in finding the most original, unexpected gift for anyone on your list. Location: 811 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-538-0671.

2 Trails:  This outdoor gear store is the only one in South Florida to offer a comprehensive selection of technical and active outdoor clothing. With brands such as North Face, Kelty and Petzl, you will know you are getting the best quality in terms of reliability and durability.  And if you don’t know what you’re up against, well, geeze, before you go on that survival trip somewhere in Death Valley you’d better pay 2 Trails a visit.  Location: 1825 West Ave. #11, Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-672-7455.

C&P House:  Although sort of a lounge (with a full service bar), C & P’s primary function is selling some of the best cigars made from the Spanish held canary islands.  Even offers special lockers for those who want to smoke ‘em on the premises.  Location: 741 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-604-9690.

El Pirata: Once inside you’re immediately surrounded by tobacco lovers of all economic classes and two walls holding every type of cigarette, cigar, pipe, lighter and match that can legally be sold in the United States.  El Pirata doesn’t stop at tobacco: the shop also has other amenities such as dice, loaded dice, batteries, pins and other knick-knacks. Location: 326 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-1544.

Havana Cigar Emporium and Lounge: Contains over 100 brands of premium cigars.  And for those who are also interested in other things there is a lounge with a full liquor bar, pools tables and also private storage lockers.  Location: 18833 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-466-0220.

Mike’s Cigars: This Bay Harbor landmark offers the widest selection of cigars in South Florida. Location: 1030 96^th Street, Bay Harbor Islands. Phone: 305-866-2277.

Smokers’ World: Discount cigars and tobacco and they’ll ship anywhere in the U.S. Location: 1861 NE Miami Garden Drives, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-931-1117.

Crybaby Gift Store: Unique clothing and unusual toys.  Something for everyone.  Location: 6669 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. Phone: 305-754-4279.

Dr. Einstein’s: Store believes that science is fun and has an extensive inventory of microscopes, magnifying glasses, scientific kits and gads of other science-related toys. Location: 5050 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Phone: 305-757-8000.

FAO Schwartz: Renowned for its stuffed animals of every shape and size, FAO Schwartz even has its own fake fuzzy animal line like FAO Schwartz’s “bear-in-a-bag.”   But FAO doesn’t just carry stuffed animals.  Video games, model trains, and whatever else that happens to be the toy craze now a-days can be found on FAO’s shelves. Location: 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour. Phone: 305- 865-2361.

K B Toys: The general toy store for models, puzzles, action figures, video games and whatever else is now popular with tykes and teens.  Location: 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura.  Phone: 305-931-2347.

Ready to Roll:  Ready to Roll is one of the largest model train stores in the country. MTH, Lionel, and LGR are just some of the lines found at Ready to Roll as well as classic products from the 1940s and the latest state of the art models. Location: 831 NW 143^rd St., North Miami. Phone: 305-688-8868.

Toys R Us: The mega-toy store that makes children and adults not want to grow up. Location: 551 NE 167^th Street, North Miami Beach.  Phone: 305-653-8697.

Anthropologie:  The buyers from this establishment spend well over half the year traveling throughout Europe, India and the Far East, combing through flea markets, antique shops and estate sales for inspiration. You can pretty much buy everything here, apparel, accessories, home décor and gifts. And all items are exclusive to Anthropologie, so you’ll be among “lucky few” to own them. Location: 1108 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-695-0775.

SoBe Thrifty: Owned by the non-profit Care Resource, an organization dedicated to providing services for those who are infected with AIDS or HIV, SoBe Thrifty has used men’s and women’s clothing for sale as well as books, vases, and other trinkets. Location: 1423 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-7251.

Blockbuster Video: Gigantic video selection although most of the films are sort of on the mainstream side.  Location: 1709 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 901 41^st Street, Miami Beach; 13100 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami.  Phone: (Alton Road) 305-535-0179, (41^st Street) 305-538-8342, (Biscayne Boulevard) 305-891-7197.

Lambda Passages:  Ostensibly a gay and lesbian book and magazine store, Lamba has a 20,000 item video library.  Also sells lube, toys, novelties and pride flags.  Location: 7545 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami.  Phone: 305-754-6900.