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Tara Crutchfield

LKLD Best of 2021 - Retail



Best Clothing Store

TOP BUTTONS BOUTIQUE

236 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (Other locations in Winter Haven and Bartow)

(863) 220-2464

FB @TopButtons

IG @topbuttons

On trend and on a mission! Top Buttons is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded by Sarah Powers in 2012. This Kentucky Ave. boutique and designer thrift shop empowers young women through mentorship, education, and fashion. At their designer thrift and boutique storefronts in Lakeland, Bartow, and Winter Haven, Top Buttons serves women through programs that provide attire at inexpensive prices. You can find new and gently used thrift items and feel good about where you shop as each purchase at Top Buttons helps to fund their charitable efforts.


2nd: Amelia Paige Boutique

3rd: Babe’s Shoes & Apparel


Best Gift Shop

SCOUT & TAG

244 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland

(863) 225-2426

FB @scoutingVintage

IG @scoutandtag

In 2013, Nikki Hunt began selling her painted furniture and found decorative items at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. Now, her Downtown shop, Scout & Tag, is the place to grab a cute, thoughtful, Lakeland-centric gift. Shop their 3,500 square foot storefront for home and gift items and an “ever-changing array of locally sourced and Lakeland celebrated home decor and gifts.” In addition to offering a selection of hand-painted furniture, decor, and gifts, Scout & Tag is also a Local Stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as well as an exclusive local retailer of Rafa Natural.


2nd: Bungalow Boutique & Gifts

3rd: Yates & Hagan


Best Jewelry

MUNCHEL’S FINE JEWELRY

3227 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

(863) 619-6269

FB @Munchels

IG @munchelsjewelry

Munchel’s Fine Jewelry has been putting a sparkle in the Swan City for over 30 years. Munchel’s is family-owned and operated and offers a large selection of jewelry, diamonds, and gemstones including engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, pendants, loose diamonds, custom jewelry, and jewelry repair. Looking for an heirloom or antique? At Munchel’s you’ll also find collectable items including coins, watches, lockets, and necklaces.


2nd: Gaines Jewelers

3rd: Foshee Jewelers


Best Antique Store

JUNE TAYLOR

125 N Kentucky Ave #103, Lakeland

(863) 670-2154

FB @junetaylorshop

IG @junetaylorshop

You never know what treasures you’re going to find at June Taylor. You might go home with a rattan chair, vintage rug, or ceramic vase. You may find yourself hanging a new piece of art on your wall or hunting the perfect spot in your office for the brass swan you procured. June Taylor’s new Downtown location offers a “transitional mix of midcentury, boho, and classical pieces.” One June Taylor patron wrote, “Such a great shop. I love thrifting, markets, and antique shops, but June Taylor is very unique and really one of a kind.”


2nd: Dixieland Relics

3rd: Biggar Antiques


Best Bike Shop

DAVID’S WORLD CYCLE

2125 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

(863) 682-7160

FB @davidsworldlakeland

David’s World Cycle is a family-owned chain of 21 bicycle stores throughout Central and Northern Florida. They’ve been in business for over 30 years and in that time have serviced over 30,000 bikes and sold over 170,000. In addition to a bustling service center with the ability to help any customer find the perfect set of wheels for them, David’s rents bicycles, does bicycle trade-ins, has a kids’ bike trade-up program, and offers custom bikes. Customers agree that David’s World Cycle in Lakeland is a wheelie great place for all your bike needs. “These guys were awesome to work with. They had all the parts I needed readily on hand, installed them quickly, and charged a very reasonable price for everything I got. Super happy with my experience here,” reviewed one customer.


2nd: Bent’s Cycling

3rd: LeRoy’s Bikeworks


Best Thrift Store

GOODWILL LAKELAND SUPERSTORE

5411 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

(863) 646-4301

Whether you’re a bargain hunter looking to upcycle a coffee table or snag a newto-you vintage outfit, Goodwill Lakeland Superstore’s regularly refreshed inventory is a thrifting goldmine. And you can feel good about your purchase (or donation) too! Goodwill’s mission is to “transform lives through lifelong learning and the power of work” through employment services, training programs, and affordable housing. In addition to being a more sustainable option for fashion, furniture, household items, and more, thrifting at Goodwill or donating to them enables the organization to offer the aforementioned programs and services with 86.8% of their operating budget dedicated to them.


2nd: Top Buttons Boutique

3rd: Peace River Center Thrift Shoppe


Best Florist

BLOOM SHAKALAKA

640 E Main St, Lakeland (Inside The Joinery)

(863) 417-3007

FB: Bloom Shakalaka

IG @bloom.shakalaka

The flower child of Ashton Event’s Laura Helm, Bloom Shakalaka is a floral hub within The Joinery offering “funky, fresh blooms served up on the daily!” No matter the occasion, Bloom Shakalaka has some pretty flowers for it. Be sure to check out their Bloom Bar where they keep a display of blooms available by the stem. You can pick your own and have them wrapped or peruse the menu and let one of Bloom’s floral designers create an arrangement for you. Don’t be shy about asking for special requests and yes, they deliver! Visit their website or follow their socials for hours of operation.


2nd: Flower Cart

3rd: The House of Flowers


Best Pool Supply

PINCH A PENNY

Multiple Locations

FB @PinchAPennyPool

IG @pinchapennypool

Cool off this summer without breaking the bank! There’s a reason Pinch A Penny is known as ‘the perfect people for a perfect pool.’ Get ready to lounge poolside and let them do the work. Pinch A Penny offers pool cleaning and maintenance, equipment installation and repair, renovations, and leak detection and repair. They offer additional services to beautify your whole outdoor space including pressure washing, home landscape lighting and design, outdoor living design, screen repair, and rescreening services. Plus, you can shop all the pool, spa, and patio accessories, equipment, and supplies you need!


2nd: Michael’s Pool Service Inc.

3rd: Leslies Pool Supplies


Best Dispensary

SURTERRA WELLNESS

1222 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

(850) 391-5455

FB @surterrawellness

IG @surterrawellness

Giving the saying “laughter is the best medicine” a run for its money, Surterra Wellness provides safe, high quality cannabis to Lakeland and surrounding communities. Surterra brand products are cultivated naturally in the largest greenhouse on the East Coast without harmful chemicals and ingredients. They are working to make cannabis accessible through their online marketplace, storefronts (with plenty of product choices), and ongoing advocacy. Surterra Wellness customers regularly comment on how friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable staff are.


2nd: MÜV Dispensary

3rd: Trulieve


Best Wellness Store

ANTHONY’S HEALTH HUT & RESTAURANT

5329 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

(863) 644-5330

FB @anthonyshealthhut

IG @anthonyshealthhut

Anthony’s Health Hut & Restaurant, known for their homemade soups, juices, and selection of vitamins, has been serving the needs of health-conscious customers for over 43 years. The Health Hut has an extensive selection of health foods and products from herbs and spices to vitamins and supplements, while the Restaurant serves up fresh eats like the Tarragon Chicken Salad or a Veggie Sandwich as well as healthier burger options on a whole wheat bun. The hearty and eclectic menu boasts salads, soups (rotating weekly), sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, juices, and more.


2nd: Chamberlin’s Natural Foods

3rd: Your CBD Store Lakeland


Best Furniture Store

CLAUSSEN’S FURNITURE

4715 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (Second location in Winter Haven)

(863) 647-1000

FB @ClaussensFurniture

Get fashionable with your family room and update your dining area at Claussen’s! This family-owned furniture store has been serving Central Florida’s home furnishing needs since 1975. Their furniture selection spans the whole home including living room, dining room, bedroom, entertainment, home office, mattresses, and outdoor. One customer reviewed, “Claussen’s is top notch! We received excellent quality sofas and exceptional customer service from the sales team from the moment we walked in the door to the end from their excellent delivery team. Claussen’s far exceeded our expectations!”


2nd: Havertys Furniture

3rd: Badcock Home Furniture &more


Best Bookstore

BOOKS-A-MILLION

1520 Town Center Dr, Lakeland

(863) 688-6382

FB @BAMLakeland

IG @booksamillion

Looking to grab that best-seller or find a new copy of your favorite classic? BAM! Look no further than Books-A-Million. This massive one-stop-book-shop has everything you’re looking for across genres from new releases and classics to poetry, pop culture, Manga, and more. The Lakeland location is often remarked upon by customers to be clean, well-organized, and staffed by friendly folks.


2nd: Inklings Book Shoppe

3rd: Bookends Used Books


Best Golf Course

THE CLUB AT EAGLEBROOKE

1300 Eaglebrooke Blvd, Lakeland

(863) 701-0101

FB @TheClubatEaglebrooke

IG @clubateaglebrooke

A not so far away fairway surrounded by natural lakes and shady oaks is The Club at Eaglebrooke golf course, designed by architect Ron Garl. It opened in 1996 and has been the envy of other courses in Central Florida ever since. Eaglebrooke has a classic links-style design with over 100 feet of elevation change and six sets of tees on each hole. The Eaglebrooke golf course was the first in the nation to use Greg Norman’s GN 1 grass, “the fastest growing and greenest grass available” and has been consistently rated four and a half stars by Golf Digest. You could say they have the golf experience down to a tee!


2nd: Cleveland Heights Golf Course

3rd: Grasslands Golf & Country Club


Best Auto Dealer

REGAL HONDA

2615 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland

(863) 400-5298

FB @RegalHonda

Regal Honda makes it easy with a tailored car buying experience. Professional associates are available to assist you in choosing the right new or pre-owned model from their expansive selection. Regal Honda is a familyowned and operated Honda dealership and home of the Lifetime Warranty. Committed to a stress-free car shopping experience, Regal Honda offers in store and online purchase options. One car-buyer wrote of Regal, “Very professional, upfront and helpful. The Regal Team was easy to do business with. We will be repeat customers!”


2nd: Fields Motorcars

3rd: Bartow Ford


Best Boat Dealer

OUTCAST WATERSPORTS

4020 Bartow Rd, Lakeland

(863) 816-6081

FB @outcastboats

IG @outcastws

Lakes abound in Polk County – heck, our city even has it in the name. Time to sail-abrate all that freshwater fishing and fun with a new boat, and Outcast Watersports is the place to get one! This bay area boat dealer has been serving Tampa Bay’s boat sales and service needs since 1996. They expanded to Polk County in 2016 and brought with them decades of experience and technical knowledge with mechanics on staff required to attend Yamaha school yearly for their continued education. Expect top brands, quality customer service, and a family feel at Outcast. We’ve heard buying a boat with them is a ‘reel’ pleasure!


2nd: Marine Supply

3rd: Old Salt Marine

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