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Best Breakfast EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Year after year, Egg Haven continues to dominate the breakfast category. We get it. The staff is super friendly, your food comes fast, it’s delicious, and it’s affordable. That’s eggs-actly what we all need right now. Congratulations on another win, Egg Haven! Thank you for being you. 2nd: First Watch 3rd: 1st Street Diner Best Brunch SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Served only on Sundays, the Sauvage brunch menu is heavily inspired by the owner’s Pacific Islander heritage with the usual dose of humor that we love from Sauvage. Some of the menu items include a Miso Bloody Mary, a Hawaiian Skillet with Spam and pineapple fried rice, and the classic Hawaiian comfort dish, Loco Moco, which is a burger served on Jasmine rice with brown gravy and an egg. Yes, yes, and yes. I’ll be there at noon, save me a seat. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: First Watch Best Coffee Shop RICHARD’S FINE COFFEES 330 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Richard’s for celebrating their 30th anniversary this year AND for winning the Best Coffee Shop! Richard’s is an old-school staple in Downtown Winter Haven. From a cup of black coffee to their inventive seasonal drinks, bakery items, and a full menu of breakfast and lunch items, there’s something for everyone, and we appreciate that. Cheers to another 30 years! 2nd: Haven Coffee Roasters 3rd: Concord Coffee Best Bakery NOISETTES BAKESHOP 3027 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven Congratulations! This is the first win for Noisettes! Wendy Theroulde-Miller is the owner and baker who opened up shop in January, 2024. Wendy learned from the French pastry chef, Johan Martin, and now offers French pastries including croissants, cakes, cinnamon rolls, bread, and more. She is the only one back there mixing, rolling, baking, and serving, so go show her some love! This is a must-visit. 2nd: Gourmet Goodies 3rd: Honeycomb Bread Bakers Best Donut Shop THE DONUT MAN 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven In the eight years that we’ve held the Best of Haven awards, nobody has ever beaten The Donut Man for Best Donuts. We donut know who the actual “Donut Man” is, but he’s obviously doing something right! They offer freshly made donuts every day and have a drive-thru if you need them in a hurry. 2nd: Sokai Donuts 3rd: Donut Palace Best Diner EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven The winner for the Best Breakfast also wins the Best Diner! They have a very extensive menu along with daily specials for both breakfast and lunch. From burgers and patty melts to liver & onions, they’ve got the classic diner comfort food that we all love, plus affordability and super nice service. 2nd: Andy’s Igloo 3rd: 1st Street Diner Best Burgers ADLER’S 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven 200 E Park St, Auburndale Locals love Adler’s, making them a repeat winner year after year. (By a landslide!) One of our favorites is the Bad Hombre burger topped with grilled whiskey onions, jalapeños, and cheddar. For something different, try the Italian burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, salami, fresh mozzarella, and pesto aioli. But honestly, there’s nothing bad on Adler’s menu. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sauvage Best Cuban Sandwich SOUP’R CUBANS 1502 42nd St NW, Winter Haven This Cuban sandwich has pressed out the competition! Made with ham, pork, Genoa salami, Swiss Cheese, and mustard on fresh Cuban bread, this is a sandwich you’ve got to try. They’ve been at it for over 25 years, so you know they’re doing something right. Soup’R Cubans also offers six soups daily, salads, subs, and more. Congrats! 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: Kokomo’s Cafe Best Pizza J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Multiple locations in Lakeland This repeat winner has definitely stolen a pizza our hearts. For over 50 years, J. Burns’ Pizza has been serving us thin, crispy pizza cut into squares, and we can’t get enough. (Me, I’m talking about me.) Customize your toppings or choose from one of their signature pies. Heads up, they also offer a gluten-free crust. 2nd: Upper Crust Pizza 3rd: Pizza Connection Best Fried Chicken LOVEBIRD ALMOST FAMOUS CHICKEN 199 6th Street NW, Winter Haven 2101 S Florida Ave, Lakeland This is the first year for this category, and we’re not surprised that LoveBird flew away with the win. Ever since they hatched in town, locals have swarmed there. This is not your usual chicken place. You can order your chicken Southern fried or grilled with “no heat, lil heat, lotta heat, or crazy heat.” Don’t forget the sides. The braised collard greens with smoked ham and bacon are the best around. Congrats to LoveBird for their win! 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Country Chicken & Fish Best Tacos THE LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN 308 4th St. SW, Winter Haven Multiple food truck locations The Lake House street tacos have won for a second year in a row, congratulations! You can get your tacos made with steak, chicken, pork, grilled vegetables, or beans, topped with onions and cilantro. So simple, yet so delicious. They also offer taco platters that come with rice and beans and your choice of salsa. Congrats! 2nd: Tacos My Friend 3rd: Angel’s Kitchen Best Wings THE APPLE LOUNGE & GRILL 2803 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. I’m talking about you. For a third year in a row, The Apple Lounge has earned the top spot! Serving Polk County since 1982, longtime locals know this is the best place for wings. You can choose from 13 different sauces, including the usuals like mild, medium, hot, and RF hot, and the “unusuals” like Mango Wango or Bang Bang. The wings are served with celery and carrots and your choice of housemade blue cheese or ranch dressing. 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Tipsy Hen Best French Fries ADLER’S 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven 200 E Park St, Auburndale This is the first year for this category, and we were curious to see who would win! We’re not surprised that it is Adler’s with their hand-cut fries. Congratulations! They know how to turn a simple potato into the perfect accompaniment for their award-winning burgers. If salty potato is your love language, then get your booty to Adler’s, stat! Remember, sharing is caring; you know where to find me. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sauvage Best Greek | Mediterranean Restaurant THE KRAZY GREEK 6366 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Opa! This “krazy” hometown favorite has wrapped up another well-deserved win with its menu of gyros, souvlaki, Greek salads, spanakopita, and more. They serve delightful small plates or platters the size of Mount Olympus. Don’t forget dessert, we all need more baklava in our lives. Congratulations to The Krazy Greek! 2nd: Mediterranean Fresh Grill 3rd: Andrea’s Family Restaurant Best Oysters GARY’S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD HOUSE 660 E Alfred Dr, Lake Alfred Raw on the half shell, steamed, or grilled, Haven readers have voted Gary’s as the best place for oysters! Since 1978, they’ve been serving the freshest seafood at the best prices, so shuck yea! Get your oysters char-grilled with parmesan or jalapeno and bacon. We love them raw with a little hot sauce. No matter how you like them, Gary’s is the place to get them. Congrats! 2nd: Old Man Frank’s 3rd: Maritime Best Salad LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s about time we added this category! Sometimes you go crazy and just need a big salad for dinner, and that’s where Lucille’s comes in. They offer a selection of “big salads” including our favorite, the strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts tossed in a mint-infused white balsamic vinaigrette. If you’d like, you can add a protein like chicken, shrimp, mahi, or a scoop of tuna salad. 2nd: LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken 3rd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop Best Sub Sandwich J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Multiple locations in Lakeland Yo Meatball! is the name of a sub that has, yes, you guessed it, meatballs. The Quirky Turkey has, you guessed it again, turkey. The Hamtastic has ham. You see where I’m going with this. The Mob Boss, however, does not have any actual mob boss in it. Well played, J. Burns’ and congrats for beating out Publix this year; those Pub Subs are a worthy opponent! 2nd: Publix 3rd: Jersey Mike’s Subs Best Asian Restaurant THAI HAVEN 309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Year after year, Thai Haven brings home the gold. We love all of the starters. We love the soups. We love the sizzling & customizable hot pot. We love the red curry, the pad Thai, the param, the basil bliss ... I could go on. Whether you like it spicy or not, Thai Haven serves up the most authentic Thai food in town. Congratulations on your win again this year, we’re big fans! 2nd: Tsunami Sushi 3rd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse Best BBQ Restaurant BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 N 5th St, Eagle Lake Another year, another win for Blackburn’s! With over 2,000 Google reviews and a 4.8 rating, customers rave about the food AND the amazing service. The deviled eggs are always a hit, and the ribs are the best around. Congratulations to this repeat winner, they have smoked out the competition for so many years, nobody has come close to beating them. 2nd: The Smokin’ OX Premium Barbecue 3rd: Smokin’ DJ’s Best Chinese Restaurant CHINA GARDEN 6027 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations! China Garden offers authentic New York-style Chinese food, and guests love it. Customers rave about the large portions, the authentic flavors, and the handmade egg rolls. Wok your way to the best Chinese food in East Polk County, where they will be soy glad to serve you. 2nd: Golden Wok 3rd: Eddie’s Chinese Takeout Best Italian Restaurant ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Arabellas is a repeat winner in this category! Locals are tortellini obsessed with this place, and for good reason. A favorite antipasto is the Fiocchi al Gorgonzola, purse-shaped raviolis filled with pear and cheese in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. For lunch or dinner, you have choices: linguine, rigatoni, ravioli ... like my mother used to say, don’t get upsetti, eat more spaghetti. 2nd: Floridino’s Italian Kitchen 3rd: L’Incontro Italian Restaurant Best Mexican Restaurant AZTECA D’ORO MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5860 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on winning year after year! With over 5300 Google reviews and a 4.5 rating, locals and visitors love this restaurant. One reviewer wrote, “My only regret was not coming here sooner,” and raved about the housemade guacamole being the best they ever had. If that wasn’t enough, reviews praised the service just as much as the food. 2nd: El Olivio Mexican Restaurant 3rd: Las Comadres Restaurante Mexicano y Marisqueria Best Seafood Restaurant HARRY’S OLD PLACE 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven This is the sixth year that Harry’s Old Place has won the Best Seafood Restaurant category! Locals find them shrimply the best, while the local alligators steer clear. A popular starter is the fried gator tail served with “swamp sauce.” Check out the blackboards for their daily fresh fish selection, which you can have cooked one of eight fin-tastic ways. 2nd: Harborside 3rd: Maritime Best Sushi Restaurant TSUNAMI SUSHI 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Tsunami has been on a roll year after year, nobody has ever beaten them in this category! That’s soy impressive. Stop in for lunch or dinner and get the freshest sushi around. We love the Heaven Roll made with spicy tuna and the Godzilla Roll with smoked salmon. Congrats to Tsunami for ricing to the top every year! 2nd: Tsukiyomi Sushi 3rd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse Best Vegan Options VEGAN MONARCH BAKERY & CAFE 371 Ave D NW, Winter Haven Another win for Vegan Monarch this year!! Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they offer a full vegan menu. Besides fresh raw organic juice, they offer favorites like calzones, burgers, lasagna, soul food, burritos, sandwiches, and more. The bakery is no joke, either. Everything is vegan, and they cater! Need a vegan birthday cake? Wedding cake? They can do that as well. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: BG’s Indian Cuisine 3rd: Vegetation Cafe Best Outdoor Dining | Pet-Friendly TANNERS LAKESIDE 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven Whether you arrive by boat or car, everyone will get those gorgeous lake views. Tanners is open for lunch and dinner with an extensive menu that includes everything from fried cheese curds and smoked fish dip to sandwiches, salads, steaks, and seafood. They have a fully stocked bar, live music on the weekends, and fun events that include paddleboarding, live wrestling matches, and more. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille Best Casual Dining LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven First they win for Best Salad, and now this?? There’s no stopping Lucille’s. Paul & Beth are so knowledgeable about the industry that OF COURSE they won! (They’re a repeat winner, too!) From Brunch on the weekends, Happy Hour at the bar, and everything in between, you’re sure to have an excellent experience. Lucille’s has a 4.7 Google rating with over 2000 reviews raving about not only the food but the service as well. Congrats! 2nd: Las Comadres Restaurante Mexicano y Marisqueria 3rd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop Best Fine Dining ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven This is old-school, white-tablecloth fine-dining at its best. Established in 2004, Arabellas has been the locals’ go-to for a special night out, year after year. Not only were they voted Best Italian Restaurant, but you can also get Steak Lady Diana or a chateaubriand prepared tableside. End the evening with a bananas Foster or a cherries jubilee prepared tableside, as well. Now that’s classy. 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Nutwood Best Restaurant with a View HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven Although Harborside is temporarily closed, we can still think about that gorgeous view of Lake Shipp. If you’re lucky enough to be there at sunset, you just can’t beat it. We can’t wait for Harborside to reopen so we can order a cocktail, seafood or a steak and sit back to see the beauty of living on the Chain of Lakes. 2nd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Best Dessert Menu LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven You know that question the servers ask you every time you’re finished eating? That sweet, sweet little question, “Would you like to see the dessert menu?” Well, if you’re at Lucille’s, the answer is always yes. From housemade bread pudding and carrot cake to freshly baked pie, warm fudge brownie sundaes, s’mores with ice cream, milkshakes, malts, and ice cream floats, there’s something for everyone. Say yes to that dessert menu, thank me later. 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante Best Ice Cream Shop ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven We love the iconic sign. But we love the ice cream more! Andy’s has been open since 1951, so long-time locals love the nostalgia, the 30 flavors of ice cream to choose from, the convenient walk-up window to order from, and the freshly made toppings. To make things even sweeter, they’re famous for their shakes, especially the “Fruit Salad.” Andy’s also has sherbet, sundaes, and more. I mean, come on. Why are you still sitting there without an ice cream cone in your hand? 2nd: Delectable Delights 3rd: Carmen’s Ice Cream Parlor Best Place to Grab a Beer GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven I’m so hoppy that Grove Roots won this category. Inspired by Florida’s citrus history, this husband-and-wife team has created a destination in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven. With their award-winning craft beers, live music on the weekends, food trucks, and the “Mug Club” for the serious fans, this familyfriendly brewery is a staple for locals and visitors. As my mom always used to say, don’t worry, beer happy! Congratulations on their tenth anniversary this month! 2nd: Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill 3rd: Barrel 239 Best Cocktails SAGE COCKTAIL LOUNGE 99 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Sage on their first win! Sage offers classics like Manhattans, negronis, and martinis. But they also have a menu of signature cocktails that include Purple Rain made with Empress Gin, housemade blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and a dry ice pellet. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. If you don’t know what to order, they can help! You’re definitely going to find something to love on the menu. 2nd: Sauvage 3rd: Barrel 239 Best Mocktails SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven The era of mocktails is here, and Sauvage has taken it to a new level. They give mocktails the same love they give their cocktails. Thoughtful, creative, balanced, and completely delicious. Avoid the hangover with a bergamot espresso martini made with Almave (alcohol removed tequila by Lewis Hamilton), Earl Grey, Vietnamese coffee, and cinnamon. Or get a painkiller, a matcha pistachio sour, or the lilikoi mojito; all virgin, all amazing. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sage Cocktail Lounge Best Beer List GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Grove Roots serves award-winning craft beers, made onsite, and they are GOOD. They have “flagship” brews, available year-round, like Slanted Ladders, their signature pale ale made with a blend of American hops and a malt base. Or try the Rind & Shine made with local grapefruit and tangerine zest. They offer seasonal brews, and the “Mug Club” for the serious beer lovers. Our favorite brew: Honey on the Double! 2nd: Union Taproom 3rd: Lucille’s American Cafe Best Wine List OBSCURE WINE COMPANY 276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Founder & sommelier, Wellie Liao, has done it again! Winning year after year, Obscure is THE place to go for a glass or a bottle of wine from producers who practice biodynamic, sustainable, organic, or la lutte raisonée, along with ethical business operations. Stay for one glass or share a bottle with friends, Obscure can help guide you to find your next favorite pour. 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Sage Cocktail Lounge Best Happy Hour AVE BAR 340 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Locals appreciate the dollar-off house wines, drafts, and well drinks along with the Happy Hour food menu and the excellent service. We love getting a glass of red wine and the tenderloin tips with Gorgonzola and caramelized onions. Or the fiocchi, or the chicken parm sliders, or the burger sliders with bacon jam, or the calamari. What a way to end your day, am I right? Whether you’ve had a bad day, a great day, or just a day, treat yourself to Ave Bar. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Maritime Best Bar BARREL 239 239 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Cheers to Barrel 239 again this year! They are Winter Haven’s first and only dedicated whiskey bar with over 250 varieties. With a Google rating of 4.7 and over 550 reviews, it’s no surprise that they’ve won again. One reviewer wrote, “Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore, you’ll find an impressive variety of rare finds, classic favorites, and expertly recommended pours.” Congratulations! 2nd: Sage Cocktail Lounge 3rd: Sauvage Best Bar Service BARREL 239 239 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s only right that the Best Bar has also won for Best Service! Congratulations to the staff at Barrel, they are some of the friendliest and best bartenders around. Whether you know what you want to order or need some guidance, they’re the ones to do it. The staff is knowledgeable and ready to help you with the best pour decision you’ll make all day. As my mom always used to say, whiskey is always a good choice. 2nd: Sage Cocktail Lounge 3rd: Sauvage Best Catering THE CATERING COMPANY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2090 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven Winning for the third year in a row, The Catering Company has dominated this category. Whether you just need hors d’oeuvres for a party, are hosting a rehearsal dinner, or need your entire wedding catered, they’re the first to call. To make things even more convenient, you can host a party at their on-site venue, all you have to do is show up! How easy is that? Congratulations on another win! 2nd: TLC Catering by Terrie Lobb 3rd: Our Noire Kitchen Best Food Truck OUR NOIRE KITCHEN ournoirekitchen.com Chef Kadean and Laures have done it again! For the second year in a row, they’ve won Best Food Truck, and we can totally see why. When you see them roll up, you know it’s going to be good. Gouda grits. Six cheese mac. Brisket burger. Mojo yuca fries. If you haven’t tried them yet, please. Take my advice. When you see them parked & serving, just go. Go directly to them. Order food. Enjoy food. Repeat. You’re welcome. Congrats again, ONK! 2nd: Swamp Boys BBQ 3rd: A Boy Named Sous Best Hidden Gem MARIA PETIT FOOD BOUTIQUE 227 E Lake Ave, Auburndale This little house in downtown Auburndale has BIG flavors inside. Owned by Maria Franco, you can visit and have a healthy lunch or dinner there, or if it’s been a long day, pick up prepared meals to-go. Focusing on health, these meals are guilt-free and super nutritious. This “hidden gem” is truly a gem. 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: Kokomo’s Cafe Best New Restaurant KOKOMO’S CAFE 322 4th St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Chloe Shreeve’s new place for winning the Best New Restaurant! They are “ready to welcome you for your morning coffee, quick lunch, evening drinks, or just a place to unwind with a good book.” Kokomo’s is cute, the food is great, and you can’t help but root for this place. The carefully curated menu has something for everyone, and can be tailored in case of allergies. The vibe when you walk in is totally Chloe and totally cool. You’re going to love it here. 2nd: Texas Roadhouse 3rd: Fully Loaded Bar & Grill Best Restaurant Service LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Best Salad, Best Dessert Menu, Best Casual Dining Restaurant, AND Best Restaurant Service. Is it Lucille’s best day or what? We’re not surprised that people voted for them. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile. The servers may have a lot on their plate (restaurant humor), but you wouldn’t know. They treat you like you’re the only person in the room, and we appreciate it. Congratulations to the staff at Lucille’s, you’re the best! 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante Best Guilty Pleasure PICKLE LEMONADE FROZEN MARGARITA FROM SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven You read that right. It’s frozen lemonade with pickle juice in it! We’ve had it, we can vouch for it. It’s unusual, but in all the right ways. You can order it as is without alcohol, or ask them to add tequila or whiskey. Either way, it’s totally refreshing and worth a try. 2nd: Espresso martini from Jensen’s Corner Bar 3rd: Sokai Donuts

Best Gift Boutique EVERYTHING LOCAL 219 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Everything Local’s mission is “to create an experience that sparks joy and inspiration.” They’re a relatively new shop, and they’re quickly becoming our favorite place. They offer Florida-inspired items made by local artists along with some of our other favorite brands. If it’s a lovely gift for someone you love, or you want to treat yourself, check them out, you’ll be happy you did. 2nd: The Red Geranium 3rd: The Florida Room Best Clothing Boutique NICK’S FOR MEN Eagle Ridge Mall, Lake Wales For over 30 years, Nick’s for Men has been dressing local men for all of their special occasions. From proms to weddings, they will expertly tailor your suit in-house so it fits like a dream. Need a matching hat? Tie? Shoes? They’ve got those, too. With over 1000 suits in stock, this place is a one-stop shop. Congratulations on their first win! 2nd: Island Dreaming 3rd: Tennessee Jane Best Antique Shop TREASURE HOUSE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven The Treasure House wins again this year! Walking throughout Treasure House is like walking through time. You could literally be there all day; there’s something to look at from floor to ceiling. From jewelry, toys, kitchen items, and clothing to Christmas decor, collectibles, and furniture, you will definitely find a treasure. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: KT’s Attic 3rd: The Barn Antiques Best Bookstore THE BOOK SHELTER 5999 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven Congratulations! The Book Shelter is an independently-owned bookstore with a large selection of gently used books. All of the hardcover books are $5 each; paperbacks $3; and kids’ books are $1. How easy and affordable is that? If you lack any shelf control, book it over to The Book Shelter and pick up your next favorite read. 2nd: The Bookshelf 3rd: Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library Best Furniture Store THE BARN ANTIQUES 167 Hwy 557A, Lake Alfred If you’re looking for Mid-Century Modern or antiques from across the pond, this is your place. What began in 1969 has grown every year, with the third generation of family members traveling to England every year to search for the most special pieces to sell in Polk County. The store is closed for the summer but will reopen in October with a fresh inventory. 2nd: Sister’s Junktiques Vintage Market 3rd: The Red Geranium Best Jeweler GRINER’S JEWELERS 195 Ave A NW, Winter Haven Griner’s opened in 1948 and is still owned and operated by the Griner family. They offer new jewelry sales, jewelry repairs, loose diamonds, watch repair, and custom jewelry design. Have your love set in stone with a trip to Griner’s. Reviews also rave about the service, calling staff knowledgeable and very friendly. 2nd: Tally-Ho Jewelers 3rd: Mayer Jewelers Best Specialty Shop HIBISCUS BELLE VINTAGE SHOP 303 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to this repeat winner! Hibiscus Belle is a magical little shop with a carefully curated selection of retro and vintage clothing. The clothing is gently used, and in gorgeous condition. Frequently praised for their excellent service, one reviewer wrote, “Highly recommend stopping by if you’re looking for unique vintage pieces and a genuinely welcoming shopping experience!” 2nd: Polk Cycles 3rd: The Potting Bench Best Thrift Store ST. JOHN’S THRIFT STORE FOR MISSIONS 130 Desoto Rd, Winter Haven I’m going to be honest with you. This win is bittersweet. I’m so happy that St. John’s has won again this year, they deserve it. But ... I’m not happy that more people will be showing up to my most favorite thrift shop in Polk County. This place is a real gem. It’s clean, it has amazing items, the volunteers are so nice, and the prices are great. I love it there. You will see me there. I’ll be the one smiling with my hands full of secondhand treasures. 2nd: Thrift Store of Meals on Wheels 3rd: Saint Matthew’s Thrift Shop Best Western Wear Store BETH’S WESTERN WEAR Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven Step inside the Treasure House and look for Beth’s booth. It will be the one full of vintage and new cowboy boots, vintage belts, belt buckles, hats, clothing, denim, and even home decor! If you want a little extra style and a boot-scootin’ new look, ride your horse (don’t really) over to the Treasure House and pick yourself up something vintage that nobody else will be wearing. 2nd: Cowhide & Whiskey Boutique 3rd: Eli’s Western Wear Best Winter Haven Farmers Market Vendor SHAY’S SUGAR Every Saturday on Magnolia Ave between 2nd St SW and 3rd St SW in Downtown Winter Haven Shayla has won again this year! Shay’s Sugar continues to be a success every Saturday. She bakes all night and brings fresh loaves of sourdough, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, English muffins, granola, focaccia, garlic twists, and so much MORE! She loves to experiment with flavors, so you never know what goodies she’s going to dream up and bring next. Don’t sleep on this market or vendor, she will sell out! Congratulations! 2nd: Pecan & Proper 3rd: San Felipe Spice Trading Best Pawn Shop TRADER’S PAWN SHOP 2880 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven Trader’s Pawn has cashed in another win this year. Year after year, they are voted the best, congratulations! You never know what you’re going to find, but you can bet that the prices will be great. From tools and electronics to gold, you’re going to find a treasure. You can trade up or simply treat yourself. This is a one-stop shop for deals & unique finds. 2nd: La Familia Pawn & Jewelry 3rd: GC Pawn Winter Haven Best Customer Service POLK CYCLES 247 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Let’s all pop a wheelie for Polk Cycles!! Congratulations on your win for having the friendliest service! Cruise into Polk Cycles to purchase Aventon, Cannondale, Specialized, and Sun bikes. They also do repairs and maintenance to keep you rolling. If you’re looking for a bike, stop by Polk Cycles for expert advice. They won’t steer you wrong. 2nd: The Treasure House Antiques and Collectibles 3rd: Stacy’s Printing

Best Realtor AMANDA PLOWDEN Coldwell Banker Realty Polk County Congratulations to Amanda Plowden on her first win! A top realtor, month after month, she is clearly a key player when it comes to selling or buying a home in Polk County. With a 5-star Google rating, one client wrote, “She keeps track of all the to-dos, communicates quickly and effectively, and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to real estate and things related. Amanda is the best!” 2nd: RJ Webb | Webb’s Realty 3rd: Jim Campbell | Century 21 Best Realty Company COLDWELL BANKER REALTY POLK COUNTY 290 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on another win this year! This full-service team should be your go-to for buying and selling in Polk County. Clients rave about the knowledgeable realtors, fast and accurate communication, expert advice, and friendly agents helping to make the buying and selling process more enjoyable. Congratulations to everyone at Coldwell Banker! 2nd: Star Realty of Winter Haven 3rd: Webb’s Realty Best Mortgage Company SOLARIS FINANCIAL GROUP | CARLOS UNZUETA 250 Magnolia Ave SW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Solaris again this year! Carlos Unzueta is the President and Chief Loan Officer at Solaris with over 30 years of experience, and our voters wanted to give him a shout-out. One very happy client wrote, “Carlos was with me every step of the way. He was extremely responsive and answered every question I had. He makes you feel as if you are the only buyer in the entire process. His attention to detail and professionalism were truly impeccable.” 2nd: Home Solution Lenders 3rd: AJ Rojas | Cross Country Mortgage Best Contractor | Construction Company SQUARE 1 CONSTRUCTION builtbysquare1.com Square 1 can help you remodel your home, build a custom home from the ground up, help you build a building for your business, or remodel the space you have. With over 25 years of experience, they take pride in their quality and commitment to safety. Clients love their reliability, speed, friendliness, and staying on budget. Congratulations to the crew at Square 1 on your win! 2nd: Whitehead Construction 3rd: Mid-Florida Construction & Aluminum Best Handyman | Handywoman Service THE GUY YOU OUGHTA KNOW 863-286-2130 Mario is THE guy you oughta know. He can help you with almost any repairs around the house. And if he can’t help you, he’s got a guy. Need to tear a wall out? Mario. Need help with tiling? Mario. Got a door that sticks? Floor all screwed up? Holes in walls? Mario. He will come in smiling, and he does the best work. Congratulations to Mario & crew for your hard work to make people’s houses feel more like homes. 2nd: Plains Handyman Services 3rd: The Winter Haven Handyman Best Home Improvement Service SQUARE 1 CONSTRUCTION builtbysquare1.com Congratulations on another win! If you have a room that needs some help, Square 1 can help! From the big projects to the smaller ones, they’ve got the right person to do it. One very happy client wrote, “Jake helped me transform my boring office/catch-all room into a beautiful, functional space that I absolutely love. He handled everything from drywall repair and sanding to hanging wallpaper, installing curtain rods, mounting a ceiling fan, assembling furniture, and even hanging a very heavy mirror.” 2nd: Central Door Company 3rd: MD Construction Best AC | Heating Repair ICEBERG HOME SERVICES icebergcooling.com If your AC unit is facing a meltdown, you need to bring in an Iceberg! This family-owned company is a leader in AC installation, repair, tune-ups, and more. They promise “To deliver prompt service by trained and certified technicians, convenient 24/7 availability, and a helpful, friendly approach to customer care.” Congratulations to the staff at Iceberg on your win! 2nd: United Refrigeration Inc. 3rd: Joe Breezy Air of Polk Best Electrician KINCAID ELECTRICAL SERVICES 863-676-0198 Don’t be shocked that Kincaid won! Locals love to call them for electrical repairs, both residential and commercial, plus landscape lighting, interior lighting installation, panel upgrades, power surge protection, and more. Stay grounded and let them do the electrical work. Clients love their knowledgeable and respectful crew along with their fast response times. Congratulations to the crew at Kincaid! 2nd: Top Flight Electric 3rd: Solid Circuit Electric Best Painting Company BENNETT HOME PAINTING 863-287-3872 Walls looking a little dull? Need a new look without draining your bank account? Paint is the answer, and Bennett Home Painting can help! They specialize in exterior and interior painting like kitchen cabinet painting, pool deck painting, paver sealing, and even full flake epoxy garage floor sealing. When you’re ready for a paint refresh, give them a call! Congratulations to Bennett Home Painting! 2nd: Gator Pressure Cleaning & Custom Painting 3rd: Square 1 Construction Best Plumbing Company ICEBERG HOME SERVICES icebergcooling.com Congratulations to the plumbing crew at Iceberg, they’ve unclogged a win this year! Does your toilet keep running? Go chase it! Kidding. If you need help with a leak, new pipes, drain cleaning, hot water heaters, weird smells coming from the drain, sump pumps, and more, give them a call. Clients love the knowledgeable and polite techs plus the friendly customer service. 2nd: Cypress Plumbing 3rd: Daughtry Plumbing Best Roofing Company SQUARE 1 CONSTRUCTION builtbysquare1.com OK, Square 1. You’ve already won Best Construction Company, Best Home Improvement Company, and now you’re “topping” it off with Best Roofing Company. Square 1 can install and/or repair shingle roofs, metal roofs, tile roofs, and even flat roofs! Clients love the way the techs keep the yard clean, are respectful, and stay on budget. 2nd: R.I.G. Roofing 3rd: Abcan Roofing Best Pest Control COUNTRY BOY PEST CONTROL 863-356-1616 If your house is roach-ing for the stars or the mice are stealing your snacks at night, Country Boy Pest Control can help. They’re not afraid and happy to help you with rodents, bed bugs, spiders, beetles, mosquitoes, pantry pests, moths ... should I continue? Do you need to sit down? Let Country Boy help you sleep better at night knowing the little creatures are taken care of. Congratulations to these brave, brave people for taking care of the small things in life. 2nd: Rayburn Pest Control 3rd: Total Pest Solutions Best Lawn | Landscaping Service VIKING LAWN CARE AND IRRIGATION 863-377-6105 Locals love Viking! One happy client wrote, “I couldn’t be happier with the service I received! The team has always been professional, knowledgeable, and responsive from start to finish. I’ve had both irrigation system work and landscaping needs taken care of and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality, workmanship, and exceptional customer service.” Congratulations to the hardworking crew at Viking! 2nd: Troy’s Lawn Service 3rd: Inspection Ready Enterprises Best Tree Trimming DURHAM’S TREE SERVICE 863-557-9416 Congratulations on this repeat winner! This family-owned business has been trimming trees and grinding stumps since 2010. If you want to spruce things up or you’ve got emergency damage, Durham’s can help. Locals love the reasonable prices and expert work. One happy client wrote, “Guys showed up early and were already working before the scheduled time. Very professional work with a lot of attention to detail. They left the site super clean.” 2nd: Top Notch Tree & Debris 3rd: Heverly Land Solutions Best Fencing Company FENCE CENTRAL fencecentralfl.com If you’re on the fence about getting a new fence, let us help you over. Fence Central has it all including durable vinyl, sturdy aluminum, classic wood, nostalgic chain link, and then you can top it off with heavy-duty access control with an ARMA Gate System. You know what they say, good fences make great conversation starters! Congrats to the crew at Fence Central for this repeat win! 2nd: Walker’s Fence Company 3rd: Family Fence Company Best Pool Construction RODEN POOL CONSTRUCTION rodenpools.com Year after year, Roden Pools cannonballs into the number one spot! Clients rave about the friendly staff from inside the showroom to the worksite, the best price, expert knowledge, quick service, and beautiful results. If you’re ready for paradise, they can help you make it happen from planning to financing. You’ll be floating on crisp, cool water before you know it. Congratulations to everyone at Roden Pools on another win! 2nd: Mike Dean Pools 3rd: Griffin Pools Best Patio Screening MID-FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION & ALUMINUM midfloridaconstructionandaluminum.com Are the bugs bugging you? Do you feel like you can’t go outside for one minute before the mosquitoes find you? Sounds like you need a screened-in patio. MidFlorida Construction & Aluminum can help you enjoy the outdoors year-round with screened rooms and lanai enclosures that fit seamlessly into your existing structure. Congratulations to the crew at Mid-Florida for six straight wins in a row! 2nd: MD Construction 3rd: Urban Shadeworks Best Dock Construction EMC DOCK BUILDERS emcdocks.com Congratulations to EMC again this year! They’ve been repairing, building, and customizing docks for over 25 years. One very happy client wrote, “Amazing experience from start to finish!! I could not be happier with the work on my dock. ... Eric McCoy, the owner, went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Highly recommend this company to anyone looking for top-notch work and excellent customer service.” 2nd: Middlebrook Docks and Decks 3rd: Larry Gohn’s Marine Construction Best Cleaning Company SIZZO’S CLEANING SOLUTIONS sizzoscleaningsolutions.com Raise your hand if you hate cleaning. (me) Sizzo’s Cleaning Solutions will do it! They clean everything residential and commercial, including gutters, pool decks, windows, and exterior surfaces. Need something pressure washed? They do that, too. Whatever it is, it will soon be sparkling clean thanks to Sizzo’s. Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Whitaker’s Cleaning Service 3rd: Hot Mess Express Best Storage Facility COMPASS SELF STORAGE 1685 US-17, Eagle Lake You’ve got stuff, they’ve got space. From boats and RVs to small collectibles, they’ve got the indoor, climate-controlled space to store it. They also rent moving trucks and sell moving supplies if you’re beginning the process of downsizing your space. If you’re not ready to part with your stuff, but you need the space, this is your answer. Clients rave about the kind and respectful staff. 2nd: Cooper’s Mini Storage 3rd: The Extra Closet Storage Best Apartment Community THE CARLTON AT LAKE DEXTER 1015 Mahaffey Rd, Winter Haven The residents love living here. Reviews show that the resort-style amenities, the staff, and the leasing process are the best around. One happy resident wrote, “From the moment we entered the office Ms.Paige and the lovely staff at The Carlton at Lake Dexter have made our move to Florida both seamless and smooth. The area has a lot to do and see, a lot of food options and things to do. You will not be disappointed moving here.” 2nd: Carlton Arms of Winter Haven 3rd: RainDance Best Retirement Complex SPRING HAVEN SENIOR LIVING 1225 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven Spring Haven has retired the competition again this year! This five-story, allinclusive luxury community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Residents have 24-hour on-site staff, three chef-prepared meals a day, housekeeping, daily activities, social programming, and individual care customized to each person. This is where Mom wants to be. Congratulations to Spring Haven! 2nd: Lake Howard Heights 3rd: Astoria Senior Living Best Hotel COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 6225 Cypress Gardens Blvd Overlooking Lake Dexter, this hotel is conveniently located for your family to stay at during the holiday season. Kidding! But seriously, they’ve got a pool, restaurant, fitness center, and spacious rooms. One reviewer wrote, “Rooms were great, clean, nice, fully loaded with mini fridge, microwave, coffee machine. Shower and washroom were nice and big. All the staff from the front desk to maintenance were always friendly and helpful.” 2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins 3rd: Staybridge Suites

Best Family Doctor KARA LANPHER, MD DirectMD 406 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on Dr. Lanpher’s second win! This Winter Haven native is a favorite among locals. She believes healthcare should be personal and is passionate about preventive care. Clients rave about her compassion, expert knowledge, and comes highly recommended. 2nd: Garrison Christian, MD | Millennium Physicians Group 3rd: Eduardo Torres, MD | AdventHealth Bond Clinic Best Pediatrician RAUL ALVAREZ, MD Lakeland Regional Health Winter Haven 430 E Central Ave, Winter Haven Congratulations on a repeat win for Dr. Alvarez! With decades of experience, his patients love him with one reviewer writing, “Dr. Alvarez was my pediatrician growing up & has been all 4 of my kids pediatrician now!! He has always gone above & beyond for my family. Clean office and caring staff!” 2nd: Eric LaRue, MD 3rd: Josef Kleine, MD Best Obstetrician | Gynecologist ASHLEY LOPEZ, MD Winter Haven Obstetrics & Gynecology 427 E Central Ave, Winter Haven Congratulations to Dr. Lopez!! Dr. Lopez provides treatment for all aspects of women’s health including pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive health, infertility, menopause, hormone therapy, family planning, women’s preventive care, and more. She is trained in minimally invasive and robotic techniques and highly motivated to provide progressive, evidence-based care to the women of the community. 2nd: Lisa Jardine, MD | BayCare Medical Group Gessler Clinic 3rd: James Booker, MD | Winter Haven Obstetrics & Gynecology Best Eye Specialist | Optometrist ASHLEY MCCOY, OD Optical Outlets 723 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Eye am so glad to see that Dr. McCoy won this spec-tacular award, congratulations! If you are in need of a comprehensive eye exam and the personal attention of a skilled doctor, Dr. McCoy is for you. She can help with your vision and overall eye health. From preventative care to treating an issue, if your life looks blurry, let Dr. McCoy bring it into focus. 2nd: Edward Attaway, OD | Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. P.A. 3rd: Julia King, OD | Cypress Eye Care Best Dentist JAMES TRUITT, DMD, PA 144 Ave B NW, Winter Haven For almost 40 years, Dr. Truitt has been treating Winter Haven’s smiles. One happy patient wrote, “The best dentist I have ever had. High-quality work. Great assistant and staff too.” Tooth be told, Dr. Truitt makes it a priority to deliver gentle and compassionate care. He believes patients should make educated decisions about their oral health care. Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Steven Wang, DMD | Kians Dental Studio 3rd: Ilmoon Park, DMD (Dr. Moon) | Moon Family Dental Care Best Orthodontics SCOTT ORTHODONTICS 211 6th St SE, Winter Haven 5030 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland Since 1987, this local, independent, and privately-owned practice has served the community with state-of-the-art technology and compassion. The doctors are totally floss-ome and locals love them. One patient wrote, “Scott Orthodontics is the best of the best. They are patient and informative and go above and beyond to ensure you’re happy with your smile. 10/10 recommend.” Congratulations to the entire Scott Orthodontics team! 2nd: Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics 3rd: Shannon Orthodontics Best Orthopedic Doctor LARRY PADGETT, MD Padgett Center for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine larrypadgettmd.com Dr. Padgett cares for athletes of all ages. He is the Florida Team physician for the Atlanta Braves, and was a Team Physician for the Cleveland Indians from 1998 through 2008. He is currently the Team Physician for Florida Southern College, Webber International University, and Warner University. The Padgett Center is voted the best in shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery. Congratulations! 2nd: Michelle Henne, MD 3rd: Samuel Messieh, MD Best Spinal Care Clinic MASSAGE AND SPINAL THERAPY OF WINTER HAVEN 546 Ave A NE, Winter Haven What’s a spine’s favorite kind of music? Disc-o! Congratulations to the staff at Massage and Spinal Therapy! They offer non-surgical spinal decompression for people suffering from bulging discs, degenerative discs, pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. Spinal decompression therapy is designed to relieve pressure on spinal discs and surrounding nerves. 2nd: Mohammad Eldeeb, MD | AdventHealth Bond Clinic 3rd: Advanced Spinal Care Chiropractic Medical Spa & Massage Best Chiropractor TRUEHEART CHIROPRACTIC 589 Ave K SE, Winter Haven Trueheart always has your back! They use gentle, targeted treatments for migraines, neck pain, lower back pain, whiplash, back injuries, shoulder and arm pain, disc-related issues, and more. Trueheart can treat the entire family using gentle chiropractic adjustments to stimulate your nervous system so you can heal. Congrats to Trueheart Chiropractic! 2nd: Smith Chiropractic 3rd: ETERNA Chiropractic Wellness Center Best Rehab Services ADVENTHEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY AT CYPRESS GARDENS Formerly AdventHealth Bond Clinic 3000 Woodmont Ave, Winter Haven If you’ve just had knee surgery, shoulder surgery, spinal surgery, or hip surgery, chances are you will need rehab services. Patients love this place, from the staff at the front desk to the doctors. One very happy review reads, “Had spinal surgery ... started here a month later. Walked in using a cane and after a couple months with them, I feel like my old self...” 2nd: Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center 3rd: Bespoke Physical Therapy Best Massage Therapy MASSAGE AND SPINAL THERAPY OF WINTER HAVEN 546 Ave A NE, Winter Haven Knot today, achy muscles! Massage and Spinal Therapy of Winter Haven is here to help. Relax with Swedish, Hot Stone, or Deep Pressure massage with aromatherapy. They can also help with a Sports or Medical Massage, Prenatal Relaxation, Cupping, or their Signature Stress Relief. There is something for everyone. Congratulations to the staff for kneading out the competition this year! 2nd: Every Skin Spa Studio 3rd: Advanced Spinal Care Chiropractic Medical Spa & Massage Best Med Spa ETERNAL YOUTH AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS 400 Ave K SE, Winter Haven If you’re interested in lip augmentation, anti-wrinkle treatments, liquid nose alteration, a butt lift, hair restoration, medical-grade facials, chemical peels, and so much more, then you’ve got to visit with the experts at Eternal Youth. In addition to advanced aesthetics and injectables, they can help with hormone optimization, IV therapy, and customized weight loss and fat reduction options. 2nd: Emergency Fix 3rd: Azuree Aesthetics & Skin Care Specialists Best Mental Health Services BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER Lakeland Regional Health Multiple locations One of the most important things we can do for ourselves is to take care of our mental health. Lakeland Regional offers both inpatient and outpatient services including child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, group therapy, addiction therapy, couples therapy, ketamine infusions, electroconvulsive therapy, and more. Congratulations to Lakeland Regional Health! 2nd: Central Florida Health Care 3rd: Lili Parish, LMHC Best Hospital BAYCARE WINTER HAVEN HOSPITAL 200 Ave F NE, Winter Haven Nobody wants to go to a hospital, but if you have to go, this is the place. From routine checkups to long-term care, their skilled and compassionate staff is dedicated to healing and helping. Thank you for keeping Polk County strong and healthy. Congratulations to Winter Haven Hospital on their repeat win! 2nd: AdventHealth Heart of Florida 3rd: Lakeland Regional Health Best Urgent Care ADVENTHEALTH URGENT CARE AT FIRST STREET Formerly known as AdventHealth Bond Clinic Urgent Care 325 1st N, Winter Haven Congratulations! This urgent care has won year after year. We all need unexpected fast care at some point. From minor injuries (when yardwork goes wrong) to common illnesses or infections (what did I just cough up?), head on over to Urgent Care. Locals love the quick and reliable care. 2nd: AdventHealth CentraCare Winter Haven 3rd: Lakeland Regional Health Best Veterinarian ORCHID SPRINGS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 615 Overlook Dr, Winter Haven This is a repeat win for Orchid Springs, with clients specifically noting Dr. Moisa and Dr. Vargas as their favorites. If your dog is having a ruff-day, or your frisky feline isn’t feeling so fine, Orchid Springs treats your pets, big and small, with compassion and love. They offer boarding, grooming, surgical procedures, testing, advanced care, and answers to all of the questions you may have about your sweet pets. Congratulations to the staff at Orchid Springs for another win! 2nd: Paw Haven Animal Hospital 3rd: Garden Grove Animal Hospital Best Gym | Fitness Studio HABITAT HEALTH & FITNESS 650 6th St SW, Winter Haven Congratulations to the staff at Habitat! Founded in 2010 by Brandon Roggow, this is THE place to get healthy. If you like taking long walks ... to the fridge, and you’re thinking about joining a fitness club, this is your sign. Habitat offers semi-private training, group classes, and stretch therapy. Clients keep their squats low and their standards high at Habitat. Book your free intro session online at habitatfit.com and you’ll plank me later. 2nd: The Balance Culture 3rd: Just Move Best Yoga Studio THE BALANCE CULTURE 31 5th St NW, Winter Haven The Balance Culture is a women’s fitness studio offering Yoga, Power Yoga, and Yoga Stretch & Flow. Yoga can improve your overall health, mental health, reduce stress, and improve flexibility and muscle strength. One very happy client wrote, “I needed a place that I could grow and learn more about my strengths and I found it here at Balance Culture. Along with that, I also found a community of strong, dedicated and supportive women who are so welcoming.” Congratulations! 2nd: Jody Reece | Groundwork Yoga 3rd: Yoga Haven Best Martial Arts Studio RO’S TAEKWONDO 775 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on your win! Ro’s Taekwondo offers kids, teens, and adults martial arts programs, plus afterschool programs. Training in martial arts teaches discipline, confidence, and strength for all ages. Kick-start your fitness routine and go from a white belt to black at one of Polk County’s premier Taekwondo schools. 2nd: Carlson Gracie Winter Haven 3rd: TKO Martial Arts Academy Best Holistic | Wellness Store ETERNAL YOUTH AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS 400 Ave K SE, Winter Haven Winter Haven’s only clinic with a full range of medical cosmetic treatments and wellness options. Founder Jodi DeVries and her staff can help customize a plan for you to look younger, feel younger, and live younger. From Botox to weight loss, they can tailor a plan for you to reach your goals. Clients rave about their kind staff and quality of treatments. Congratulations to the staff at Eternal Youth! 2nd: Healthy Habits 3rd: Wellness Haven Acupuncture Best Cannabis Dispensary TRULIEVE 749 3rd St SW, Winter Haven 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Trulieve is one of the foremost medical cannabis dispensaries in the country, so let’s be blunt. If you are a qualified patient, you’ve got to check out Trulieve. Visit their website or app for daily deals, rewards, and what’s new. They offer flower, vapes, edibles, topicals, concentrates, accessories, and more from the top brands. 2nd: MÜV 3rd: Surterra Best Non-Profit KEEP WINTER HAVEN CLEAN & BEAUTIFUL keepwinterhavenbeautiful.org This non-profit helps encourage community members to incorporate litter prevention, recycling, and environmental stewardship to keep the lakes clean and beautiful. Their flagship event, for 30+ years, is Project E.A.G.L.E. (Enhancing A Great Living Environment). A shoreline and community clean-up held on the last Saturday in April. 2nd: Angels Care Center of Eloise 3rd: The Mission of Winter Haven Best Place of Worship HEARTLAND CHURCH 225 Ave B NW, Winter Haven Their mission is to love Jesus, love each other, and love the world. Heartland offers three services on Sundays along with fellowship, groups for kids, and groups for young adults. Monday Night Discipleship offers spaces to learn, ask questions, and apply biblical truth to real life. 2nd: Haven Worship Center 3rd: Berkley Chapel

Best Florist GOLDEN PETAL DESIGNS 390 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Everything’s coming up roses for Golden Petal! Shelly and David Braswell have been helping Polk County celebrate special occasions with thoughtfully and artfully arranged custom floral arrangements for almost 30 years. From a single bouquet to flowers for your next event, they will make something beautiful for you. Congratulations on this repeat win! 2nd: Lasater Flowers 3rd: Flowers from the Heart by Michelle Best Hair Salon SPECTRUM STUDIO 219 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Spectrum Studio has cut out the competition! The stylists can help you get the look you want, they are shear genius! If you need a blowout, new color, or a whole new look, you’ve got to check them out. One happy client wrote, “Bill is an excellent hair artist, and Kelly does beautiful mani/pedies.” Lindsey also got a shout-out from happy clients. Congratulations to all of the staff at Spectrum Studio, keep on hairdo-ing what you do! 2nd: Modern Muse Beauty Co. 3rd: Balance Beauty Salon Best Barbershop SPORT CLIPS HAIRCUTS OF WINTER HAVEN 5719 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Sport Clips is a cut above the rest! One happy client wrote, “The attention to detail is outstanding—the edges are clean and sharp, the fade is smooth, and the scissor trim on top comes out perfect every time. They listen carefully to how I want my hair cut and make sure everything is even and properly blended before I leave. The staff is friendly, professional, and takes pride in their work.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. 2nd: Headquarters Barbershop 3rd: The Vintage Barber Lounge Best Permanent Makeup BROW AND BEAUTY BAR BY CAROLYN 2200 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on this repeat win! No lip service here. Save time in the mornings and simplify with permanent eyeliner and lip color. If your brows need some color, she can do that, too. Just think of it, you’ll have perfect makeup in the pool, when you wake up, at the gym, on the boat, everywhere! If you’ve ever thought about trying it, here’s your sign. Carolyn is a really sweet woman, you’ll love her. 2nd: Blink Me Beautiful 3rd: Pinky’s Place Winter Haven Best Nail Salon KELLY SANFORD Spectrum Studio 219 3rd St SW, Winter Haven We’re not surprised that Kelly has won again this year! She shines more than a glossy top coat. She’s really nail-ed the competition. But seriously, life is short, but your nails don’t have to be. And even if they are, Kelly will have them looking gorgeous in no time. Her clients are die-hard, and they love her. Congratulations to Kelly again this year! 2nd: Jessica’s Treatment Room 3rd: Tips and Toes Nail Spa Best Daycare CALVARY KIDS PRE-SCHOOL & DAYCARE 2101 Overlook Dr SE, Winter Haven Calvary Kids has won for a second year in a row, congratulations! Parents love and trust Calvary, especially the Christian values they teach. One very happy parent wrote, “Our children love going and we couldn’t ask for more kind, loving teachers. Calvary provides a great learning environment that is enriching in many ways.” 2nd: Cypress Academy Preschool 3rd: Parkland Baptist Child Care Center Best Dry Cleaner BUSY BUBBLES LAUNDROMAT 3397 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven Got stains? Got wrinkly clothes? Floppy collars? Busy Bubbles offers dry cleaning and can help you with these pressing matters. From suits to delicate fabrics and specialty items, Busy Bubbles offers competitive pricing, fast turnaround times, and quality service. Congratulations! 2nd: Dry Clean America 3rd: Crown Cleaners Best Bank CITIZENS BANK & TRUST citizens-bank.com The oldest community bank in the area has done it again this year! This fullservice bank has been serving the community since 1920. They are local bankers who live in and work for the community they call home. They know how important it is for your bank to work just as hard for your money as you do. Congratulations on this repeat win! 2nd: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union 3rd: SouthState Bank Best Financial Advisor RYAN CONLEY Edward Jones You’ve got money questions, and Ryan has answers. For almost 20 years, he’s been helping people plan for retirement, save for college, and helping to protect the financial future of the ones you love. Ryan can help you develop specific strategies so you can achieve your goals and have peace of mind. Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Calin Gribbin | Allen & Company of Florida 3rd: Jesus Vega-Cerda | Edward Jones Best CPA CONNER & ASSOCIATES 20 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Year after year, Conner & Associates win! They specialize in tax prep for individuals and businesses. Their team will help you navigate accounting, bookkeeping, financial planning, and consulting so you can focus on growing your business. They’ve earned the trust and balanced the books of locals. Congratulations on another win this year! 2nd: Thomas E. Jennings & Co. CPA PA 3rd: Clifton Larson Allen Best Insurance Agent ERIK SEALY 3395 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven Auto, home, life, or business, Erik can help you protect what’s important. Combining years of experience and knowledge, he can help you find the best policy to fit your life. For over 20 years, he has specialized in commercial and personal insurance services. This is a repeat win for Erik Sealy, congratulations on your continued success! 2nd: Dan Mann | State Farm 3rd: Lacy McClintock | State Farm Best Law Firm SOUTHERN ATLANTIC LAW GROUP 290 1st St S, Winter Haven The verdict is in! Congratulations to Southern Atlantic Law Group! Nobody wants to have legal issues. But it’s nice to know that if we do, we can call them for practical and strategic legal advice. They are more than just attorneys offering customized solutions to your situation. They are your legal advocates. They are a trusted group of lawyers providing a wide range of services. Congratulations to the entire team! 2nd: Kemp Injury Law, PA 3rd: The Law Offices of Carter J. Adams Best Dog Groomer GROOMING DEALS 1616 6th St SE, Winter Haven Congratulations to the ulti-mutt dog groomers! Is your furry friend a little smelly? Are their nails too long? Teeth super funky? Hair not flowing in the wind? Call Grooming Deals! One very happy fur baby parent wrote, “Couldn’t ask for better care, attention and communication when we take our Bernedoodle to see the ladies here. Staff is always happy, professional and genuinely smiling when you walk in. We’re customers for life.” 2nd: Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort 3rd: Golden Spots Pet Grooming Best Dog Trainer DOODLE HAVEN DOG TRAINING doodle-haven.com Does your dog like to ruff-house? Is he always barking up the wrong tree? Does he keep stealing your sock? Sounds like they need K9 Kindergarten or Doggie Bootcamp! Danette Karnes will train your pet to be the best they can be. One client wrote, “This is a much calmer dog. She listens better and knows what she has to do. What a difference she is. A joy to play with now because she isn’t pawing or biting at all.” Congratulations on your win, Doodle Haven! 2nd: Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort 3rd: Marco Magiolo Best Doggy Daycare LITTLE WOLFE’S PET RESORT 555 6th St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to the fetching team at Little Wolfe’s! They win year after year because locals love and trust them with their pets. We don’t want to leave our pups all day! But it feels good knowing they’re somewhere getting lots of exercise and love. They get the paw-ty started as soon as you drop them off. Thank you Little Wolfe’s, for raising the woof and keeping our pets safe and happy! 2nd: Paw Printz 3rd: Golden Spots Pet Grooming Best Auto Dealer LOW PAYMENT KINGS low-payment-kings.com Another year, another win for the Low Payment Kings! If you’re in need of a new or used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or FIAT, this is your place. What started in 1966, with a single family-owned dealership in Monroe, Michigan, has grown into six dealerships that still treat every customer like family. Let them know what you need, and their team will point you toward the best options for your budget. Congrats on another win! 2nd: Bartow Ford 3rd: Jarrett-Gordon Ford Best Oil Change TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE Multiple locations Stay in your car during this 10-minute oil change! This service comes with a complete oil and filter change, fluid top-offs, a tire pressure check, and a multipoint inspection. You’ll be back on the road in no time, feeling so good about yourself because you’re adulting so well! Congratulations on this repeat win, Take 5! The locals love you! 2nd: CarDi Automotive 3rd: Grease Monkey Best Auto Repair ADKINS AUTOMOTIVE 3370 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven The “check engine” light is on, and your heart just sank. No worries. Take your car to Adkins! This family-owned and operated full-service auto repair company is a favorite for locals. One very happy car owner wrote, “They are exactly what their sign says, modern technology with an old school service and work ethics. Honest, fair and transparent when pricing a job with the customers best interest at the forefront. Putting pride and integrity in their work.” Congratulations to the team at Adkins! 2nd: Formula R Auto Electric 3rd: Johnny’s Automotive Best Car Wash MISTER CAR WASH Multiple locations Have you joined the cleanest club in Polk County yet? The Unlimited Wash Club at Mister is the hottest and most foamtastic place to be. Get those cars sparkling and tires shining, with free use of the vacuums and an on-site expert to answer any questions. The car wash club is a clean investment, and Mister is a soap-erior choice. Congrats on this repeat win! 2nd: Pat’s Nustar Car Wash 3rd: El Car Wash Best Printing Shop STACY’S PRINTING 6320 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Stacy’s Printing began in 2017 with one machine and a countertop. She’s since grown into a full-functioning print shop! From the smallest business cards to large banners, she can do it. This repeat winner continues her mother’s legacy with kindness and superior quality. One happy customer wrote, “Excellent Customer Service and Printing Services, always on time or ahead of schedule, Best prices Polk, Orange, Osceola County, 10 - stars!” Congratulations! 2nd: Thompson Speed Printing 3rd: Progressive Printers Best Tech Repair TECHMATE COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE 1107 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s another win for TechMate! You are one click or call away from someone helping you with the simplest or most confusing tech problem you may have. That computer virus is not a problem, if you call them. Is your computer running so slow that you can cook dinner while waiting for something to load? Call them. Did your laptop just crash? Won’t turn on? Call them. They’ve got the answers. TechMate will get you up and running again in no time. 2nd: Affordable Computer Geeks 3rd: UBreakiFix Best Funeral Services KERSEY FUNERAL HOME 108 Lake Stella Dr, Auburndale It’s the last phone call you want to make. Kersey will help you through it. From burial services, cremation services, funeral and memorial services, pre-need planning, veteran’s services including military honors, ash scattering assistance, certified celebrant services, or human composting through a partner provider, the staff at Kersey Funeral Home will guide you with compassion and dignity. 2nd: Oak Ridge Funeral Care 3rd: Gilley’s Cremation

Best Date Night FLAME CANDLESTUDIOS 25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven A truly lit date night with guaranteed heat! Just think, you and your date will have wick-id fun creating a candle together, and then you take it home! Every time you light it up, you’ll be waxing poetic about your sweet date night. Congratulations to FLAME Candlestudios on your win! 2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins 3rd: The Ritz Best Live Music Venue CAMP MARGARITAVILLE RV RESORT & CABANA CABINS 361 Denton Ave, Auburndale Situated on 66 acres, Camp Margaritaville is a great getaway to see live music. Enjoy live music every weekend at the Six String Stage and License to Chill. Join in the celebration every Labor Day weekend when they celebrate Jimmy Buffett Day with entertainment and events to “keep the party going!” Congrats on your win! 2nd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar 3rd: Somewhere Sports Bar Best Band 99 IN THE SHADE Congratulations to these guys! Watch them shred at local bars, or hire them to perform at weddings, corporate events, private parties, and more. They perform a wide range of music, and love to get crowds up out of their seat and dancing! Follow their Facebook page to learn about current gigs at 99intheshadeband. Congratulations to 99 in the Shade! 2nd: Daniel Burns Band 3rd: Twizted Best Dance Studio THE WRIGHT STEP 316 Ave C SW, Winter Haven Everybody do jazz hands! This repeat winner has danced their way to the top again! Amy and Kevin Wright opened The Wright Step in 2001 with three spacious studios that span 5000 square feet. Local kids have loved learning ballet, tap, hip hop, tumbling, jazz, and more, with many of them raving about the fun teachers. The Wright Step Xtreme Team takes it a “step” further with travel and competition. Congratulations to all of the dancers at The Wright Step! 2nd: Esprit Performing Arts 3rd: Your Haven Dance Company Best Visual Artist WILLIAM LARENCE If you happened to have noticed the random paintings of small children around Downtown Winter Haven, then you’ve seen some of Bill’s work. He hopes his new studio called “Studio 77” will be a beacon for collaboration, imagination, and community. Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Trent Manning 3rd: Austin Snedden Best Local Maker THE BANNER BAR IG @the_banner_bar Congratulations to Hannah Summer! This local mom and ex-teacher has taken her love (and talent) for art and turned it into a business! She creates handpainted banners for any event. Want to feel inspired? Watch her process videos on IG, we can’t get enough! They’re so darn cute. (Hannah and her banners, that is.) Congrats again on your win! 2nd: FLAME Candlestudios 3rd: Austin Snedden Best Art Workshop | Studio FLAME CANDLESTUDIOS 25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Create a mood. Create a vibe. Keep it for yourself or give it away, up to you. Just head over to FLAME Candlestudios. Choose your vessel, choose your scent, then make it with a wooden wick and coconut wax. Your handcrafted candle will be one of a kind, just like you. Congratulations to FLAME on another win! 2nd: Art on Fire Studio 3rd: Painting with a Twist Best Professional Photographer KACIE JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY Congratulations to Kacie Hazlett! Kacie specializes in couples and family photography, engagements, graduations, birth announcements, parties, headshots, and more! Check out examples of her work and find pricing on Instagram @kaciejeanphotography. 2nd: Kamryn Tutiven 3rd: Liam Rerucha Best Tattoo Studio SKINFINITY TATTOO COMPANY 5654 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Skinfinity is owned and operated by a registered nurse. With over 20 years of experience, they have forged their way to the hearts of locals with quality, artistry, and cleanliness. They offer custom tattoos drawn in any style. One happy client wrote, “Definitely going back, LOVE IT. Everyone super talented and friendly. Felt comfortable.” Congratulations to the entire team at Skinfinity! 2nd: Pinky’s Place Winter Haven 3rd: Aces Ink Best Drag Queen | King TRISHELLE MICHAELS Congratulations to this local queen again!! She has slayed the competition year after year. Looking snatched and packed with class, she serves up glam and sass across Polk County. When Trishelle hits the stage, she entertains and leaves the audience wanting more. Congratulations Ms. Michaels! 2nd: Momma Ashley Rose 3rd: Tyreisha Jones Best Party Rentals ALPINE EVENTS alpineevents.com/winter-haven Formerly Party Rentals Unlimited. If your next event needs to level up, check out Alpine! They can help with lighting, tablescapes, tents, pipe & drape rentals, and more. One client wrote, “Working with Alpine was a pleasure, literally no job was too small or too big. The enthusiasm was amazing and I want to thank Megan and Nat for their tireless effort. Would 100% recommend!” Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Big Idea Entertainment 3rd: Wish Upon a Yard Card Best Event Entertainment NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT 770 Ave B SW, Winter Haven This is your one-stop shop for party entertainment! Need a DJ? They’ve got one. Need a photo booth? They’ve got it. Need special effects to get the party started? They’ve got it! Congratulations to Next Level Entertainment for being the go-to party people! 2nd: Bounce it Again 3rd: Dreams Come True Entertainment Best Venue Space VENUE 650 650 6th St SW, Winter Haven If you’re looking for a space to hold an event, you have just found it! Venue 650 offers over 10,000 square feet, including a bridal boutique, a groom’s den, a lounge, and outdoor garden space. The Venue team makes sure that all of the details for your special day are taken care of. Congratulations to the dedicated team at Venue 650 for your win! 2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins 3rd: The Packing House at Grove Roots Brewing Co. Best Museum MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY 660 Pope Ave, Winter Haven Congratulations to the Museum of Winter Haven History! What this museum lacks in physical size is made up for in quantity and quality of artifacts and information. Anything you want to know about Winter Haven, they can tell you. They have skis from Dick Pope, photos of early residents, and souvenirs from Cypress Gardens. It’s a must-visit! 2nd: The AGB Museum of Art 3rd: Florida Children’s Museum Best Staycation ELOISECOTTAGE.COM Rent a lake-front home on Lake Eloise and get away (without getting away) for the night. (We all need this once in awhile, right?) One happy guest raved, “We enjoyed s’mores by the fire pit, wine on the deck, and relaxing in the hot tub. The sunsets both nights were amazing, and we saw lots of wildlife. Next time we are coming for more than two nights!” Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins 3rd: Balmoral Resort Best Annual Community Event PROJECT E.A.G.L.E. keepwinterhavenbeautiful.org Project E.A.G.L.E. stands for Enhancing A Great Living Environment. Each year, residents join Keep Winter Haven Clean & Beautiful on the last Saturday of April at Lake Shipp Park. They join together to clean the shoreline and lakes. This has been their flagship event for over 30 years. Thank you to everyone involved and congratulations on your win! 2nd: Bandit Market + Holidays on Central 3rd: Bark in the Park Best Hidden Gem LAUGH OUT LOUNGE 19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Laugh Out Lounge! This comedy club brings in nationally touring acts, showcases local comedians, and offers an open mic night for the brave. Located in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven, this intimate club brings large laughs. Guests also love the staff, with review after review praising their friendliness. Congrats to the entire team! 2nd: Doombrowski Games & Comics 3rd: Melodywise School of Music

Best After-Work Free Entertainment SOMEWHERE SPORTS BAR TRIVIA NIGHTS 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Let’s go, Trivia Newton John, show us what you’ve got! Somewhere Sports Bar hosts Trivia Night every Thursday. Gather your friends and begin with Happy Hour from 2 – 6 p.m. and trivia at 7:30 p.m. (Call after 11 a.m. to reserve a table) Visit their Facebook page to find the weekly “free answer.” If you’re hungry, they’ve got “runners” on sale all day. (Their version of boneless wings, you’ll love it!) Congratulations Somewhere Sports Bar! 2nd: Bowen Yard BINGO every Wednesday 3rd: Tipsy Hen’s live music STAFF PICK: Sunset at the Lake Howard public boat ramp Best Bathroom (in a restaurant or bar) LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd SW, Winter Haven When you gotta go, you gotta go. If you’re at Lucille’s, you’re in luck. You can potty like a rockstar in their un-bowl-ievably nice bathrooms. They are clean, always stocked with paper, and obviously the locals find them very nice. May the flush be with you. And wash your hands. 2nd: LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken 3rd: Sauvage STAFF PICK: Bowen Yard Best Late-Night Snack PECAN & PROPER pecanandproper.com “Nothing artificial. Never rushed. Always proper.” Pecan & Proper are nuts. Totally nuts. Super delicious nuts and the perfect late-night snack! Choose from: brown butter & brown sugar pecans; rosemary & olive oil almonds; or cinnamon & vanilla cashews. Order online or visit them (and stock up) at the Winter Haven Farmers Market. Check their website for their calendar. Congratulations! 2nd: Andy’s Igloo ice cream 3rd: Slate 8 Billiards’ Tator tots STAFF PICK: DQ Blizzards Best Place for People Watching PORT 27 30928 US-27, Lake Hamilton Of course this is great people-watching! When you have this many different restaurants, bars, and activities, you will get a lot of different people to watch. They have Antica Trattoria making pizza, the Burger Bar, Van De Walle with artisan chocolate and a coffee roastery, Port 27 Brewery, fresh juice, ice cream, movie nights, yoga, arts & crafts, and more! Congratulations to Port 27 for bringing everyone together! 2nd: Wawa 3rd: Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market STAFF PICK: Winter Haven Farmers Market Best Place to Celebrate your Birthday CAMP MARGARITAVILLE RV RESORT & CABANA CABINS 361 Denton Ave, Auburndale Host your birthday party here! All ages are welcome to celebrate. Their event planning team will help you customize your party, plus they offer on-site catering, beverage service, and some serious fun! Kids will love the Splash Zone Party Package, families will love the Paradise Party Package, and larger groups will love the Fins Up Party Package. There is something for everyone! 2nd: Incredibowl Entertainment 3rd: Texas Cattle Company STAFF PICK: Rec Room Best Place to Cry in Your Car BEALLS PARKING LOT First of all, I’m so sorry you’re crying, but you picked the right place. Just let it out. Cry until you can’t cry anymore. Go ahead, use your sleeve to dry your face, nobody’s watching. It’s tough out there, I’m not judging you. I personally cry in my shower all the time, but the Bealls lot is good, too. Let it out, sweetie. Maybe I’ll see you out there one day. Probably very soon. I’ve been writing a lot of these little blurbs, too many for any human, actually. I cried this morning. I might cry right now. Getting emotional .... looking for car keys, see you soon. 2nd: Bank of America parking lot 3rd: McDonald’s parking lot STAFF PICK: DQ parking lot with Blizzard Best Place to Cure a Hangover DIRECT MD | IV HYDRATION 406 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven You overdid it a bit, didn’t you? You need the Hangover Relief IV! DirectMD | IV offers hydration and wellness infusions to help boost energy, support your immune system, help with fatigue, and rehydrate. All IVs are physician-supervised and administered by an experienced RN. Check out their Facebook page at Direct MD for more details. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Dutch Bros Coffee STAFF PICK: Egg Haven Best Place to go on Saturday RICHARD’S FINE COFFEE 330 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven We love this! Let’s meet for coffee on Saturday! Richard’s is great. First of all, if it’s nice out, they have a large patio. If it’s hot out, they have lots of seats inside. They also offer SO many baked goods including one of the best bagels you can buy around here, and seasonal coffee drinks. Meet some friends or have some alone time, either way, Richard’s is an excellent choice for Saturday mornings. 2nd: Winter Haven Farmers Market 3rd: Polk Cycles STAFF PICK: Port 27 Best Place to Meet an Online Date for the First Time GRAPE EXPECTATIONS - THE WINE BAR 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven You’re nervous. You’ve been chatting with this person for six months, and now it’s time to meet. Maybe go early and have a glass of wine to relax your nerves? Do you have a plan in case the profile pic doesn’t match the person? Do you know what you’re going to order? Luckily, Grape Expectations has a large menu and people to help guide you. It’s up to you if it’s a “I’ll just have one glass” kind of night or if you’re sharing a bottle. Either way, we wish you luck! Invite us to the wedding! 2nd: Ave Bar 3rd: Concord Coffee STAFF PICK: Grove Roots Brewing Co. Best Place to Take Out - of -Towners BOK TOWER GARDENS 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales Yes! Everyone loves Bok Tower Gardens. The Singing Tower carillon concerts are at 1 & 3 p.m. daily with short selections played on the hour and half-hour. The Blue Palmetto Café features a wide assortment of lunch and snacks with indoor and outdoor seating. Blue Palmetto Café is located near the Visitor Center and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden is fun for kids. Don’t feed the squirrels. Check the website for monthly events and don’t forget the sunscreen! 2nd: Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Free Show 3rd: Bonnet Springs Park STAFF PICK: Bowen Yard Best Ranch Dressing PIZZA CONNECTION 220 E Lake Ave, Auburndale I agree with this decision. The ranch is really, really good here. I’ve seen people buy bottles of it. You can dip almost anything in it, and it will greatly improve the flavor. Even if you don’t dunk your pizza in it, or you “forgot” to order a salad, get the ranch. Take it home. Dip some chips in it. Or carrots. Or pretzels. Get creative and thank me later. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken STAFF PICK: We agree. Pizza Connection is the best.

Best Breakfast FAT JACK’S DELI & PUB 2940 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Congratulations to Fat Jack’s for winning AGAIN this year! You can’t beat this place. They’ve got all the usuals for breakfast, pancakes, eggs, etc. But they also have lox and bagels. Pastrami, salami, or corned beef omelettes. Steak and eggs. Waffles! Need I say more? Arrive hungry, leave very happy. Congratulations to the entire staff at Fat Jack’s! 2nd: Black & Brew 3rd: First Watch Best Brunch FRESCOS SOUTHERN KITCHEN & BAR 132 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland I’m going to cut to the chase. Bottomless mimosas. Deviled eggs with Neuske’s bacon and candied jalapenos. Apple bourbon monkey bread. Breakfast burritos. The “Knuckle Bowl” with chicken, andouille, shrimp, onions, peppers in Frank’s Hot Sauce, and eggs over cheesy potatoes. You get the picture. This is an absolute gem. Congratulations to everyone at Frescos! 2nd: Nineteen61 3rd: The Terrace Grille Best Coffee Shop BLACK & BREW Multiple locations Congratulations to Black & Brew for winning Best Coffee Shop AND for celebrating 20 years in business this year! They have a lot to celebrate! Serving locally roasted Patriot Coffee, you can grab a cup to go or stay and order something from their cafe menu including breakfast sandwiches, freshly baked goodies, salads, soup, and more. They offer seasonal drinks, too. Cereal Milk Shaken Espresso, anyone? If you want to save time and skip the line, order online and pick it up. 2nd: Concord Coffee 3rd: Mitchell’s Coffee House Best Bakery BORN & BREAD BAKEHOUSE 1113 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Congratulations to this 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist! Of course they were voted Best Bakery, and I wholeheartedly agree! I often find myself just thinking about her sourdough. It is truly so good, the best bread around. I dream about it. And now that they’re open Tuesday through Saturday, we have more opportunities for more bread, cruffins, croissants, bostocks, and cinnamon rolls! Even better, stay and order a sandwich. My favorites are the sausage and hot honey breakfast biscuit, Benton’s bacon breakfast sandwich, and the chopped Italian sub. Oh, and don’t leave without a “take & bake” pot pie, either. (Can you tell I’m a big fan?) Congrats to the entire team at B&B! 2nd: Meraki Bakehouse 3rd: Bandidas Bake Shop Best Donut Shop PARLOR DOUGHNUTS 351 E Bay St, Lakeland Known for their “layered doughnuts” which are doughnuts made with layers of buttery dough fried to be crisp on the outside and light/fluffy on the inside. They offer flavors like bourbon caramel, coconut cream filled, and chocolate chocolate. They also offer minis, vegan/gluten friendly, and keto doughnuts. If there’s a line when you go, wait in it. They’re worth it. Congratulations to Parlor!! 2nd: Hole in One Donuts 3rd: Reasey Donuts Best Diner FAT JACK’S DELI & PUB 2940 Florida Ave S, Lakeland First they won Best Breakfast and now this! Stop by for lunch and get a French dip made with lean roast beef and Swiss cheese. Or the kielbasa roll with sauerkraut. Or an “over stuffed” corned beef sandwich. Or the franks & beans. This diner is loaded with nostalgia, a super friendly staff, and some serious food. Congratulations on your repeat win this year! 2nd: Dena’s Place 3rd: The Egg Factory Best Burgers GRIEVOUS ANGEL 801 E Main St, Lakeland Yes. Yes. And yes. This is my “desert island” food choice. My “last meal” food choice. My middle name should be smash burger. Grievous Angel makes burgers with thought and love. All burgers are double-patty smash burgers, smashed to create a lacy, crisp edge while keeping the center juicy. It takes skill. And when it’s done right, you win my heart. (And the hearts of everyone in Lakeland, obviously.) Congratulations to the staff at Grievous!! 2nd: S&L Restaurant 3rd: Super Duper Spot Best Cuban Sandwich OLE’ TAMPA CUBANS 4525 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Ole’ Tampa Cubans has pressed its way to the top, congratulations! They offer traditional Cubans made with slow-roasted garlic pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, pressed on authentic La Segunda Cuban bread straight from Ybor City. They also offer a honey Cuban, a spicy Cuban, and the American Cuban with lettuce and tomato. 2nd: Julio’s Sandwich Shop 3rd: Elena’s Cuban Cafe Best Pizza J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 2306 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland 5615 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Congratulations to everyone at J. Burns’!! They have definitely stolen a pizza our hearts. For over 50 years, J. Burns’ Pizza has been serving us thin, crispy pizza cut into squares, and we can’t get enough. (Me, I’m talking about me.) Customize your toppings or choose from one of their signature pies. Heads up, they also offer a gluten-free crust. My favorite is the classic pepperoni, a little well done. 2nd: Pizza Odyssey 3rd: Palace Pizza Downtown Best Tacos TAPATIO’S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO 734 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland Let’s taco bout this repeat winner! Tapatio’s wins year after year, they’ve guac-ed their way to the top with their traditional tacos topped with onions and cilantro and your choice of meat. Try the tacos de pescado, which are grilled fish tacos served with chipotle sauce. Or try the tacos de gobernador made with cheese and shrimp covered in a creamy and cheesy shrimp sauce. So good! Congrats to the staff at Tapatio’s! 2nd: Dona Julia’s Mexican Restaurant 3rd: Mega Mercado Restaurant & Tienda Best Wings GLORY DAYS GRILL 3790 Lakeside Village Ct, Lakeland They’ve got fresh, never frozen jumbo wings and they’ve soared straight to the top! You’ve got choices to choose from like the classic breaded wings, dry rub wings, fire-grilled wings, or the traditional Buffalo-style. Choose from 11 wing sauces like honey Old Bay, teriyaki, or stinging honey garlic. Served with your choice of ranch or blue cheese. Congratulations to the staff at Glory Days! 2nd: Country Chicken n’ Fish 3rd: Wingnutz Best French Fries LOVEBIRD ALMOST FAMOUS CHICKEN 2101 Florida Ave S, Lakeland LoveBird takes a “side of fries” to another level. Yes, you can get regular, delicious fries tossed in their house seasoning. Ok. But you can ALSO get the “dirty fries” with cheese sauce, bacon, scallions, and ranch. Add an almost famous chicken tender in your choice of heat, and you’ll have the “dirty birdy fries.” If you’re super hungry, order the “Kitchen Sink” which is dirty birdy fries with a side of smoked gouda, cheddar, and pimento mac. Oh baby. 2nd: Grievous Angel 3rd: Cob & Pen Best Greek | Mediterranean Restaurant LOUIS PAPPAS FRESH GREEK 1318 Town Center Dr E, Lakeland Every year, Louis Pappas wins for Best Greek food, congrats to the entire staff for this continued success! Louis Pappas has been located at Lakeside Village for over 20 years. One of their more popular dishes is the Greek-a-dilla made with your choice of chicken, gyro, or pork, crumbled feta, cheddar jack cheese, and scallions, on grilled flatbread. It’s so good, no wonder it’s a favorite! 2nd: The Athenian Restaurant 3rd: Lakeland Diner Best Oysters THE PEACH HOUSE 733 E Palmetto St, Lakeland Keep calm and shuck on at The Peach House! They offer raw oysters with ginger lime mignonette, lemon, and crackers. If you don’t like them raw (gasp!), they also offer broiled Chesapeake Bay oysters with garlic parsley butter, parmesan, lemon, and breadcrumbs. Pro tip: get a cocktail, any cocktail. Also, they don’t take reservations, so don’t dilly-dally around. It’s first-come, first-served. 2nd: Gary’s Oyster Bar & Seafood House 3rd: Fish City Grill Best Salad J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 2306 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland 5615 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Lettuce celebrate this win! They offer some pretty hardy choices like the Italian salad with ham, salami, banana peppers, green olives, red onion, parmesan, and their housemade Italian dressing. The “club salad” comes with tomato, ham, turkey, bacon, eggs, three cheeses, and your choice of dressing. Congratulations to J. Burns’ on another win! 2nd: Vegetation 3rd: Nineteen61 Best Sub Sandwich J. BURNS PIZZA SHOP 2306 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland 5615 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Yo Meatball! is the name of a sub that has, yes, you guessed it, meatballs. The Quirky Turkey has, you guessed it again, turkey. The Hamtastic has ham. You see where I’m going with this. The Mob Boss, however, does not have any actual mob boss in it. Well played, J. Burns’ and congrats for beating out Publix this year; those Pub Subs are a worthy opponent! 2nd: Publix 3rd: Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwiches Best BBQ Restaurant JIMBO’S PIT BAR B-Q 1215 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland Since 1970, this family-owned and operated restaurant has been smoking the competition. They slowly cook the meat to perfection in their smoke pit with a secret seasoning created by Jimbo’s. Ribs, chicken, pork, beef, ham, sausage - the list goes on. “Meat” your friends and family for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and see why the locals have been coming here for over 50 years! Congratulations to the team at Jimbo’s! 2nd: Sonny’s BBQ 3rd: Blue Dog Craft Barbecue Best Asian Restaurant NORTHSIDE ASIAN KITCHEN 6737 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland Congratulations to everyone at Northside Asian Kitchen! They’ve wok’d their way to the top this year. Locals love the bourbon chicken, but the menu is long with soy many choices. From chow mein to lo mein and all of the stir-fries in between, this place is great. This is a take-out-only restaurant, so plan ahead! 2nd: Hakucho 3rd: Sabu Ramen Best Chinese Restaurant PEKING HOUSE 2411 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Congratulations on another win this year! This repeat winner has won the hearts of locals and visitors. One very happy patron wrote, “... we routinely make the drive from our Plant City home. The General Tso’s Chicken is a favorite, and there’s a beef mushroom special that’s to die for. We also love the pork egg rolls ...” Others remark about the cleanliness and friendliness of the staff. 2nd: Northside Asian Kitchen 3rd: May Flower Chinese Restaurant Best Thai SAVORY THAI 5109 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland Savory Thai has all the favorites and the locals love them. From papaya salad, larb, fresh rolls, and curry to fried rice, stir-fries, and noodles, everything is delicious. Patrons rave about the large portions and reasonable prices. One happy person wrote, “... I got the Massaman Curry and it was SO delicious. Best Thai food I’ve had in a long time. The employees were very nice. Will be returning to try their whole menu.” Congratulations to the staff at Savory Thai!! 2nd: Thai Oishi 3rd: Spice Thai & Sushi Best Italian Restaurant SCARPA’S ITALIAN 1833 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland Year after year, locals vote Scarpa’s as the best. The authentic Italian food is im-pasta-ble to beat! We like to start with the sausage & peppers then move on to the burrata salad. For a main course, let’s get the shrimp diablo made with Gulf shrimp, fresh linguini, and spicy tomato sauce. Oh, I’m getting so hungry right now. Scarpa’s has truly delicious food and excellent wine choices. Congratulations on this repeat win! 2nd: Il Forno Italian Restaurant 3rd: Palace Pizza Downtown Best Mexican Restaurant DONA JULIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5375 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Dona Julia’s serves up authentic Mexican food. One very happy guest wrote, “Great food. I’ve been looking for a Mexican food place that is close to what I had in Texas. This is by far the best one in Lakeland I have tried so far. The staff takes care of you as soon as you walk in.” Congratulations to the entire staff at Dona Julia’s!! 2nd: Tapatio’s Restaurante Mexicano 3rd: Sweet Cup Cafe Best Seafood Restaurant HARRY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILLE 101 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland They keep hooking a win and reeling it in year after year! This New Orleans inspired restaurant has all of the Big Easy’s favorites. You can get jambalaya, étouffée, “French Market” pasta, and shrimp and grits, just to name a few. One of their signature dishes is the andouille crusted grouper in a red bell pepper sauce. Congratulations to the team at Harry’s for another win! 2nd: Riverside Seafood & Chicken 3rd: Fish City Grill Best Sushi Restaurant SUSHI MASA 5700 Florida Ave S, Lakeland This is the third year in a row that Sushi Masa has rolled its way to a win! They are truly our sushi soy-mate. The “All You Can Eat” sushi special is a favorite. One happy guest wrote, “Love this place. We go here to celebrate things and always get the All You Can Eat option. The servers are friendly, and the sushi is fresh and comes on stylish plates. My favorite rolls are the Bon Temps roll and the Shaggy Dog roll.” Congratulations on the win! 2nd: New Moon Sushi 3rd: Fancy Q Sushi & Thai Best Vegan Options VEGETATION 1439 E Gary Rd, Lakeland Everything at Vegetation is made with whole foods and 100% vegan. You can order online and pick it up, or stop by the cafe to get a take & bake or stay and eat. The menu changes weekly, so there’s always something new and delicious to try. One recent option was the French onion soup made with slowly caramelized onions and beef-ish broth topped with a slice of sourdough and melty cheeze. All vegan, all delicious. Congratulations on this repeat win! 2nd: The Juice Box 3rd: Bandidas Bake Shop Best Outdoor Dining | Pet-Friendly THE JOINERY 640 E Main St, Lakeland You get some gorgeous views of Lake Mirror while sitting outside! This indoor food hall also has covered outdoor seating for those days when sitting outdoors sounds nice. Choose from barbecue, pizza, Mexican, ramen, burgers, sushi, ice cream, plus a full bar with some truly amazing cocktails. Bring the family, bring a date, go by yourself, just go! Congratulations to The Joinery! 2nd: Cob & Pen 3rd: Garden Bistro Best Casual Dining FRED’S MARKET RESTAURANT 2120 Harden Blvd, Lakeland Fred’s Market offers Southern favorites, buffet-style. Whether it’s breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, or dinner, they have a large selection of food. There’s literally something for everyone! They also have a takeout menu and the “Ready Freddy Family Pack” for when you want to get dinner on the table fast without thinking about it too much. Congratulations on the win! 2nd: Il Forno Italian Restaurant 3rd: Cafe 51 Lakeland Best Fine Dining THE TERRACE GRILLE 329 E Main St, Lakeland This is a truly beautiful setting for some seriously good food. Congratulations to the team at The Terrace Grille! They offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, bar bites, and dessert. One dish that we love is the eight-ounce filet mignon made with 1855 Black Angus beef, served with fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and béarnaise. For dessert, let’s order the citrus-infused tropical creme brulee topped with tropical fruit. Save me a seat. 2nd: Nineteen61 3rd: Scarpa’s Italian Best Dessert Menu THE PEACH HOUSE 733 E Palmetto St, Lakeland What a sweet win! Well-deserved, too. Have you tried the Japanese whisky bread pudding yet? It’s made with Japanese whisky (of course), brioche, miso caramel, and chocolate chips. O. M. G. How about the peach cobbler with warm vanilla dump cake, spiced peaches, and vanilla ice cream! They also offer a banoffee pie and a bruleed key lime pie. Honestly, they’re all amazing. Congratulations to The Peach House! 2nd: Hakucho 3rd: Vampire Penguin Lakeland Best Ice Cream Shop LAKELAND ICE CREAM COMPANY 2972 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland 2973 Duff Rd, Lakeland Lakeland Ice Cream Co. has scooped the competition to win this year! They offer premium hand-dipped ice cream with over 150 rotating flavors including sherbet, sorbert, non-dairy, no sugar added, gluten-free, and vegan options. They’re also home to the cotton candy burrito, which is exactly what it sounds like. Ice cream wrapped in cotton candy! Congratulations to the staff at Lakeland Ice Cream Co.! 2nd: Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream 3rd: Mootown Scoops Best Place to Grab a Beer GLORY DAYS GRILL 3790 Lakeside Village Ct, Lakeland Great news, everyone! We’re hoppy to say that the place voted for Best Wings is also the Best Place to Grab a Beer! The planets have aligned! They offer draft, bottles, and cans, so you can cool down after those spicy wings. Congratulations to the staff at Glory Days for bringing in the wins! 2nd: Swan Brewing 3rd: Cob & Pen Best Cocktails REVIVAL 119 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Revival was the first bar in Lakeland to serve complex and thoughtfully created cocktails. And, as our readers say, they’re still the best at it. Revival loves an Old Fashioned and has an entire menu of creative versions. The High Roller Wagyu Old Fashioned is made with Wagyu fat-washed Buffalo Trace. The Rob Roy is made with pineapple-infused Glenlivet’s Caribbean Reserve. Congrats on your repeat win! 2nd: Vasco Sixty-One 3rd: Hakucho Best Mocktails HAKUCHO 207 E Main St, Lakeland Zero proof, 100% delicious! Hakucho has shaken the competition with their mocktail selection. The Tart HighBall is made with lemon/grapefruit/lime peel oleo saccharum, lime, and yuzu lime soda. It’s tart. It’s refreshing. It’s perfect for designated drivers, mindful drinkers, or anyone wanting a super delicious drink. Congratulations to the team at Hakucho! 2nd: The Joinery 3rd: Cob & Pen Best Beer List GLORY DAYS GRILL 3790 Lakeside Village Ct, Lakeland This is un-beer-lievable. Glory Days has won again! Super congratulations to them! Locals have been checking out what’s on tap and loving it. One happy patron wrote, “Was in Friday with some friends at the bar and had the best service I’ve ever had there in a long time. Samantha was great and so friendly and never missed a beat. Never went without a full drink.” 2nd: Swan Brewing 3rd: The Joinery Best Wine List THE WINE GARDEN 1204 Florida Ave S, Lakeland The Wine Garden has uncorked another win this year! This repeat winner has a curated wine list with hundreds of choices. Don’t know what to order? They can help guide you. If you’re an oenophile, join the Wine Club! Every month, depending on your membership, you’ll receive three to six bottles of wine from small, quality-driven producers around the world. Let’s raise a glass to The Wine Garden! Cheers on this repeat win! 2nd: Scarpa’s Italian 3rd: The Peach House Best Happy Hour VASCO SIXTY-ONE 215 E Main St, Lakeland Happy Hour, every day! You don’t find that very often. This beautiful rooftop bar is waiting for you. It’s covered, so don’t let rain scare you away, and the views are the best. They offer select cocktails, wine, and beer at a Happy Hour price. My favorite is the Pepina Diablo made with Wheatley vodka, cucumber water, lemon, Flair elderflower, jalapeno agave, and fee foam. Congratulations to the team at Vasco Sixty-One! 2nd: Revival 3rd: Grillsmith Best Bar REVIVAL 119 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Another year, another win for Revival! For this, we raise a glass to Jeannie and the incredible team that keeps her dream alive. Every drink you order at Revival is made with in-house syrups, fresh-pressed juices, and custom garnishes. They have seasonal cocktails, tiki drinks, spritzes, the classics, and spirit-free cocktails. Check their socials for a new Weekly Revival cocktail, available for just one week. Congratulations to this repeat winner! We love this place!! 2nd: Vasco Sixty-One 3rd: Rec Room Best Catering TLC CATERING BY TERRIE LOBB 1239 E Main St, Bartow For over 25 years, locals have trusted Terrie Lobb with “Every event. Every detail. Every bite.” They can help you customize your event, no matter the size. From corporate events to your wedding, from box lunches to elaborate dinners, they have the expertise to make it a success. Congratulations to the staff at TLC! 2nd: Our Noire Kitchen 3rd: Blackburn’s BBQ Best Food Truck THE BAKED BUTCHER Mac-n-cheese is the best food in the world, yes. We can all agree on that. But have you had the loaded mac-n-cheese bowl from The Baked Butcher yet?? Holy macaroni. Next time you’re at the farmers market, find them. Get the mac-n-cheese. Live a happy life. What more is there to say? Find out where they will be, other than the farmers market, on Facebook at thebakedbutcher. Congratulations to the Baked Butcher team!! 2nd: Our Noire Kitchen 3rd: Taco Riendo Food Collective Best Guilty Pleasure MERAKI BAKEHOUSE Bacon egg & cheese croissants. Croissant cinnamon rolls. Vanilla bean & strawberry croissant. Tiramisu croissant. Peanut butter honey oattie cookies. Crème brûlée croissants. Best guilty pleasure?? Absolutely. Congratulations to Meraki Bakehouse! Follow their socials to find out where they will pop up next. 2nd: Andrew Logans 3rd: By the Chef Pizza Best Hidden Gem THE NYC CART 3304 S Florida Ave, Lakeland They serve shawarma. I feel like that’s all I need to say. This food truck brings New York-style street food to Lakeland. They also serve falafel, gyros, salads, and loaded fries. But again, they serve shawarma. You can’t find that anywhere here, and IYKYK. I’m looking for my keys and heading over there now. 2nd: Uncle Nick’s Italian Deli & Bagels 3rd: Sabrina’s Delicacies Best New Restaurant GRIEVOUS ANGEL 801 E Main St, Lakeland Oh, Grievous Angel. I love you so much. This might be cheesy, but you’re bun in a million. My favorite? Thanks for asking, but I can’t choose. It would be like picking your favorite child. Ok, it’s the Weekend Hero, hold the mustard. You got me. I love all your side pieces, too. Spicy fried pickles?? Yes. Oh, you have Snap-O-Razzo maple-smoked, all-beef dogs and a full bar? You’ve got us. Congratulations on your success, and I’ll see you soon. XO 2nd: Folds Pizza 3rd: Wingnutz Best Restaurant Service VEGETATION 1439 E Gary Rd, Lakeland Not only is the food 100% vegan, but the staff is 100% lovely! One very happy patron wrote, “From the warm, welcoming atmosphere to the fantastic service from the young man at the front counter, everything about this café was top notch. The falafel was delicious and the smoothies hit the spot. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try more of their menu!” Congratulations! 2nd: Hakucho 3rd: Il Forno Italian Restaurant

Best Gift Boutique STATIONERY LOFT & GIFT BOUTIQUE 230 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland The next time you need to buy someone a gift, or you want to treat yourself, go here. They literally have something for everyone. Of course they have the most gorgeous stationery, but they have a ton of great gifts. Choose from Jellycats, Linny Co waterproof (and sweatproof) jewelry, Kendra Scott, Rifle Paper, and more! Congrats to the team for winning Best Gift Boutique! 2nd: Bungalow Boutique & Gifts 3rd: Scout and Tag Best Clothing Boutique EAST OF THESE 228 E Pine St, Lakeland Their new Pine Street location opened in March and has quickly become THE place to go for clothes. They’ve got it all. Find casual, Lakeland-themed clothes to elevated “let’s go out” looks. Even better, they carry shoes, jewelry, handbags, and accessories so that you can complete your look. Need help with styling? They can do that, too. Congratulations to the team at East of These for making Lakeland look and feel so good! 2nd: Amelia Page Boutique 3rd: Bungalow Boutique & Gifts Best Antique Shop DIXIELAND RELICS 949 Florida Ave S, Lakeland This is an amazing store! Plan ahead and give yourself some time to spend there. From floor to ceiling, there’s so much to look at. They’ve got furniture, lamps, decor, and clothing. You name it, they probably have one. If you’re hunting for that certain thing for that certain room, or you just want to have some fun, visit Dixieland Relics. Congratulations! 2nd: Junely 3rd: Lakeland Antique Mall Best Book Store THE UNBOUND BOOKERY 1026 Florida Ave S, Lakeland This is such a fun store! They offer vintage, antique, and collectible books for all ages. If your weekends aren’t fully “booked” yet, make a trip to The Unbound Bookery. Whatever your favorite book was as a kid, they just might have a copy for you to reminisce over. Have some “shelf” care and treat yourself. Congratulations to the bibliophiles at Unbound for this big win! 2nd: Inklings Book Shoppe 3rd: Pressed Best Furniture Store JUNELY 1216 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Oh. My. Goodness. This store is one of my favorites, and I can see that a lot of our readers agree with me. The curation of furniture is outstanding. They have something from every style, it seems. Whatever piece you’re looking for, try Junely first. I’m absolutely sure you will find something to “chair-ish.” Congratulations to Junely!! 2nd: Kane’s Furniture 3rd: Design Furniture Consignment of Lakeland Best Jeweler MUNCHEL’S FINE JEWELRY 3227 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Munchel’s is a trusted gem in Lakeland! Their reputation is sterling, and their diamonds are a cut above the rest. Since 1984, this family-owned and operated store has made Lakelanders sparkle. Munchel’s can help you customize a brandnew piece or restore that beloved heirloom. Congratulations to the family at Munchel’s for this win! 2nd: Gaines Jewelers 3rd: Foshee Jewelers Best Specialty Shop INTERGALACTIC PLASTIC 4419 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Nerd alert!! Intergalactic Plastic sells new and vintage action figures, toys, games, and collectibles. They also have comic books. They invite players to Warhammer Wednesdays, Friday Night Magic to play Magic the Gathering, and weekly Pokemon league play. This place is the best, please visit them. You’ll love it. Congratulations to the staff at IP!! 2nd: Big E’s Collectibles 3rd: Plant Local Best Thrift Shop TOP BUTTONS 236 Kentucky Ave N, Lakeland Top Buttons is a faith-based 501(c)(3) and the proceeds from the second-hand shop help fund their full-time charitable efforts to help local girls and women build confidence and independence. You never know what you’re going to find while looking through the racks, but you can be guaranteed that your purchase or donation will change a life. 2nd: Lighthouse Ministries Thrift Store 3rd: Goodwill Best Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market Vendor THE BAKED BUTCHER Congratulations again to The Baked Butcher! They’ve also won Best Food Truck this year, so it’s fitting that they’re the favorite market vendor. Known for loaded mac-n-cheese bowls topped with everything that’s good in life, they’re a popular lunch option for market guests. Congrats to the cheesiest and most delicious vendor at the market! 2nd: White Lion Beverages 3rd: From My Kitchen Best Customer Service AMELIA PAIGE BOUTIQUE 1470 Town Center Dr, Lakeland Amelia Paige is a repeat winner in this category! The team’s commitment to helping each guest feel at home does not go unnoticed. One very happy customer wrote, “When entering we were promptly greeted by the friendly staff. I’ve been there on three occasions and never left empty-handed. Amelia Paige has something for everyone!” Congrats to Amelia Paige on winning again this year! 2nd: Central Florida Restaurant Supply 3rd: Lakeland Film Lab

Best Realtor JOHN HUBBERT JR. teamhubbert.com John Hubbert Jr. is a top-producing Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group in Lakeland and the team lead for Team Hubbert. He ranks among Polk County’s Top 10 Realtors. As Team Hubbert’s leader and mentor, John goes above and beyond to help clients achieve their real estate goals. Congratulations on this win! 2nd: Diana Brown | RE/MAX Experts 3rd: Jared Weggeland | Keller Williams Best Realty Company WEBB’S REALTY webbsrealty.com Congratulations to the team at Webb’s! Founded in 1995 by John Webb, Webb’s Realty grew from a humble single-wide office into a trusted real estate leader, specializing in residential, commercial, land, development, and mobile home sales. Whether you’re buying or selling, Webb’s can help. 2nd: Coldwell Banker Realty Lakeland 3rd: Lakeland Homes & Realty Best Mortgage Company FLORIDA MORTGAGE FIRM flamortgagefirm.com Founded in 2009 by Marine Corps veteran Nate Davis, Florida Mortgage Firm is built on hard work, discipline, and personal service. They believe in clear communication and exceeding the expectations of their clients. One client wrote, “I had an excellent experience with the Florida Mortgage Team from start to finish. They presented me with a strong, competitive offer right from the beginning, no games or unnecessary back-and-forth.” 2nd: Compass Mortgage 3rd: Home Solution Lenders Best Contractor | Construction Co. MD CONSTRUCTION mdconstructionfl.com Since 2014, MD Construction has completed more than 5,500 projects! They deliver quality craftsmanship, and build to Florida Hurricane Code Specifications for your peace of mind. From custom designs to expert construction, they can help you with a new patio enclosure, a lanai, outdoor upgrades, and more! Congratulations to the team at MD Construction for nailing down this win! 2nd: Mid-Florida Aluminum & Construction 3rd: WCM Construction & Roofing Best Handyman | Handywoman Service SWAN CITY HOME SERVICES swancityhomeservices.org This is a locally-owned, family-run company that can help you with all types of repairs in homes and commercial spaces. One happy client wrote, “Paul gave me a quote over the phone for each service I needed completed before he even came over. He was punctual and professional, and yet very easy to talk to and friendly. He worked quickly and did a great job.” Congrats to Swan City Home Services! 2nd: Ace Handyman Services 3rd: Plain’s Handyman Services Best Home Improvement Service MD CONSTRUCTION mdconstructionfl.com MD Construction wins AGAIN! Clients rave about the professionalism, speed, communication, and quality. One happy homeowner wrote, “MD Construction did an outstanding job on my new enclosed screen room. Every part of the team—from production to the foundation crew to the screen installers—delivered excellent work. They kept me updated throughout the entire process and completed everything within the timeframe they provided.” 2nd: Central Door Company 3rd: STH Windows & Doors Best AC | Heating Repair ICEBERG HOME SERVICES icebergcooling.com Don’t sweat it! You can chill out knowing your home’s comfort is in good hands. Iceberg Home Services keeps Central Florida comfortable with dependable air conditioning and heating services. Whether you need routine maintenance, repairs, or a new system, their experienced team delivers cool, reliable solutions with friendly service. Congrats to the team at Iceberg! 2nd: ADAIR Heating & Cooling 3rd: Rideout & Sons Best Electrician TOP FLIGHT ELECTRIC topflightelectric.com Top Flight Electric keeps electrical questions from being a shocking experience. The team offers licensed, certified technicians, 24/7 service, upfront pricing, and a wide range of solutions from generators and EV chargers to rewiring, lighting, panels, and safety inspections. Congratulations, Top Flight! 2nd: Egberts Electric & Air Conditioning 3rd: Wilson Electric Company Best Painting Company MIKE’S PAINTING & HOME IMPROVEMENTS mikespaintinglakeland.com Since 1990, they’ve made sure that every job receives top-notch attention. From one room to an entire home, they’re committed to keeping your home painttastic! One very happy client wrote, “They repainted the interior of my house. They were kind, friendly, considerate, showed up on time, did a great job painting with no streaks or messes, and was able to reach 24+ ft ceilings with ease.” Congratulations to the team at Mike’s! 2nd: John Crouthers Painting 3rd: Bennett Home Painting Best Plumbing Company ICEBERG HOME SERVICES icebergcooling.com Congratulations to the plumbing crew at Iceberg, they’ve unclogged a win this year! Does your toilet keep running? Go chase it! Kidding. If you need help with a leak, new pipes, drain cleaning, hot water heaters, weird smells coming from the drain, sump pumps, and more, give them a call. Clients love the knowledgeable and polite techs plus the friendly customer service. 2nd: Stuart’s Plumbing Service 3rd: Richard Fox Plumbing Best Roofing Company PITCH PERFECT ROOFING SYSTEMS pitchperfectroofer.com Pitch Perfect Roofing combines faith, family, and integrity with expert roofing services. From repairs to complete installations, they deliver quality workmanship. Skilled in shingles, metal, TPO, and tile, they can help you find the right solution for your needs, style, and budget. Congratulations! 2nd: Stronghold Roofing 3rd: High Tower Roofing Best Pest Control MASSEY SERVICES masseyservices.com With Massey, you can relax knowing unwanted guests are officially off the guest list! They’ve been helping Lakeland stay pest-free for decades. No matter what’s bugging you, their experienced team focuses on long-term protection and customer care. Congratulations to the team at Massey for keeping the creepy crawlies away! Thank you. 2nd: Country Boy Pest Control 3rd: Florida Pestworx Best Lawn | Landscaping Service VIKING LAWN CARE AND IRRIGATION 863-377-6105 Locals love Viking! One happy client wrote, “I couldn’t be happier with the service I received! The team has always been professional, knowledgeable, and responsive from start to finish. I’ve had both irrigation system work and landscaping needs taken care of and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality, workmanship, and exceptional customer service.” Congratulations to the hardworking crew at Viking! 2nd: ACE Lawn and Home 3rd: Dreamscapes Outdoor Living & Design Best Tree Trimming TOP NOTCH TIMBER TREE SERVICE 863-651-8319 When your trees need a little TLC, don’t be stumped, call Top Notch Timber Tree Service! They can help spruce up your property with professional tree care, trimming, removal, and cleanup. They’re branching out to make your yard look its best. Don’t go out on a limb (literally) and hurt yourself, call the team at Top Notch! 2nd: Monkey Business Tree & Crane Service 3rd: Blue Ribbon Tree’s Best Fencing Company FENCE CENTRAL fencecentralfl.com If you’re on the fence about getting a new fence, let us help you over. Fence Central has it all including durable vinyl, sturdy aluminum, classic wood, nostalgic chain link, and then you can top it off with heavy-duty access control with an ARMA Gate System. You know what they say, good fences make great conversation starters! Congrats to the crew at Fence Central! 2nd: Alpha Fencing 3rd: Walker’s Fence Co. Best Pool Construction RODEN POOLS rodenpools.com Roden Pools has cannonballed into the number one spot! Clients rave about the friendly staff from the showroom to the worksite, the best price, expert knowledge, quick service, and beautiful results. If you’re ready for paradise, they can help you make it happen from planning to financing. You’ll be floating on crisp, cool water before you know it. Congratulations to everyone at Roden Pools! 2nd: Mike Dean Pools 3rd: Griffin Pools Best Patio Screening MD CONSTRUCTION mdconstructionfl.com Wow! This is MD Construction’s THIRD win in the section! Best Contractor/ Construction, Best Home Improvement, and now this! Congratulations to everyone at MD, you’re killing it! They are the screen and sunroom experts offering custom screen enclosure options based on your space, priorities, and budget. 2nd: Mid-Florida Aluminum & Construction Best Dock Construction EMC DOCK BUILDERS emcdocks.com Congratulations to EMC this year! They’ve been repairing, building, and customizing docks for over 25 years. One very happy client wrote, “Amazing experience from start to finish!! I could not be happier with the work on my dock. ... Eric McCoy, the owner, went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Highly recommend this company to anyone looking for top-notch work and excellent customer service.” 2nd: Larry Gohn’s Marine Construction 3rd: Middlebrook Docks and Decks Best Cleaning Company DELIGHTFULLY CLEAN delightfully-clean.com When life gets a little messy, they’re ready to sweep in! They offer standard and deep cleaning, Airbnb turnovers, move-in/move-out services, and more. With professional supplies, screened and insured cleaners, and a commitment to care, they’re cleaning up in more ways than one! Congratulations to the staff at Delightfully Clean! 2nd: One Clean Mom 3rd: Sizzo’s Cleaning Service Best Storage Facility STOREEASE SELF STORAGE 3909 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Need more space? StoreEase in Lakeland has it! Their clean, secure storage units make it easy to stash furniture, holiday decorations, business inventory, and more. With drive-up access, flexible month-to-month leases, online reservations, and convenient access hours, StoreEase helps you make clutter history. 2nd: ClearHome Self Storage 3rd: Lakeland Saver Storage Best Apartment Community LAKELAND GRAND 4315 Talon Loop, Lakeland Lakeland Grand Apartments redefines luxury living in Lakeland. Choose from beautiful one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes designed for modern lifestyles. Enjoy resort-style amenities, a fitness center, sauna, clubhouse, business center, and more. Yes, pets are welcome. Congratulations to Lakeland Grand! 2nd: Mirrorton Apartments 3rd: Carlton Arms of South Lakeland Best Retirement Complex ESTATES AT CARPENTERS 1001 Carpenters Way, Lakeland Set across 33 acres, residents enjoy resort-style amenities, chef-prepared dining, engaging activities, wellness programs, and a vibrant social calendar. As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, on-site care options provide confidence for whatever the future brings. Congratulations to Estates at Carpenters! 2nd: Lake Gibson Village 3rd: The Manor at Lake Morton Best Hotel THE TERRACE HOTEL LAKELAND 329 E Main St, Lakeland The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, brings historic charm and lakeside luxury to Downtown Lakeland. Overlooking Lake Mirror, this boutique hotel offers stylish rooms, delicious dining at Terrace Grille, and plenty of places to relax. Congratulations to the Terrace Hotel on this repeat win! 2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins Auburndale 3rd: TownePlace Suites Lakeland

Best Family Doctor DONNA ASUPAN, MD | WATSON CLINIC 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Congratulations to Dr. Asupan! For preventative care, physical exams, chronic conditions, and more, patients trust Dr. Asupan to treat them and their families with dignity and care. One patient wrote, “Great doctor! I definitely recommend her. She listens to you and does a thorough examination.” 2nd: Rony J. Alvarado, MD | Watson Clinic 3rd: Anthony Moon, MD | Lakeland Regional Best Pediatrician NICOLE HINDS, MD LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 3030 Harden Blvd, Lakeland As a parent, you only want the best care for your children. Dr. Hinds’ patients absolutely love her. One happy parent wrote, “Dr. Hinds is an exceptional pediatrician. She is incredibly detailed and thorough during every visit, taking the time to carefully explain everything and answer all of my questions. She never rushes and makes sure I fully understand my children’s care. What stands out most is how wonderful she is with kids. My children feel comfortable and at ease with her ...” Congratulations to Dr. Hinds! 2nd: Janelle Peery, MD | Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: Central Florida Health Care Best Obstetrician | Gynecologist LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH OB/GYN NORTH 1525 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Listen ladies, let’s be honest. This is not our favorite thing to do. But we have to do it. We have to take care of ourselves. Lakeland Regional Health supports women through every stage of life with compassion. From adolescent gynecology, breast health, birth, birth control management, to menopause, they offer compassionate and expert care. 2nd: Central Florida Health Care 3rd: Watson Clinic Women’s Center Best Eye Specialist | Optometrist EYE SPECIALISTS OF MID-FLORIDA, PA 3350 Harden Blvd, Lakeland 2004 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland For decades, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida has helped Central Florida patients see life more clearly. With comprehensive eye care, advanced treatments, and multiple convenient locations, they’re keeping an eye on your vision, and making sure your future looks bright! If you’re a “four eyes” like me, or have a more complex issue with your sight, visit Eye Specialists! Congratulations to the team!! 2nd: Eyes on Lakeland 3rd: Swan City Eye Care Best Dentist FRANK LAGA, DMD NORTHSIDE FAMILY DENTAL 6731 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland Dr. Frank Laga brings a passion for dentistry with a military background. After serving four years as an Army dentist, including nine months in Kuwait, he returned to Florida and made Lakeland home. With compassionate, comprehensive care, Dr. Laga knows the drill and can get to the root of your dental issues or help with preventative care. Congrats to Dr. Laga for keeping Lakeland smiling bright! 2nd: Lea Wheeler, DMD 3rd: William Nerestant, DDS | Midtown Dental Best Orthodontist SCOTT ORTHODONTICS 5030 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland 211 6th St SE, Winter Haven Since 1987, this local, independent, and privately-owned practice has served the community with state-of-the-art technology and compassion. The doctors are totally floss-ome, and locals em-brace them. One patient wrote, “Scott Orthodontics is the best of the best. They are patient and informative and go above and beyond to ensure you’re happy with your smile. 10/10 recommend.” Congratulations to the entire Scott Orthodontics team! 2nd: Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics 3rd: Imagine Orthodontic Studio Best Urgent Care LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH URGENT CARE Multiple locations With multiple locations, extended weekday hours, weekend availability, and no appointments required, getting care is easy. Services include X-rays, lab testing, and treatment for common conditions, from coughs and colds to sprains and rashes. 2nd: Watson Clinic Urgent Care 3rd: BayCare Urgent Care Best Spinal Care Clinic ADVANCED SPINAL CARE CHIROPRACTIC MEDICAL SPA & MASSAGE 2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland They’ve adjusted the competition! Specializing in chiropractic care, spinal decompression, massage, and wellness services, their team takes a hands-on approach to helping you feel better. Stand corrected and stay on the straight and narrow with Advanced Spinal Care. Congratulations to the entire team for helping our spines feel fine! 2nd: Excel Pain and Spine 3rd: Lakeland Regional Health Best Chiropractor BRADLEY BARTEL, DC Advanced Spinal Care Chiropractic Medical Spa and Massage 2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland Congratulations to Dr. Bartel!! Dr. Bradley Bartel knows that great chiropractic care should always have your back! With a hands-on approach and a focus on spinal health, he helps patients get aligned with feeling their best. You’ll get your back on track with Dr. Bartel. 2nd: The Well Society 3rd: The Lakeland Chiropractor Best Rehab Services LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH Multiple locations Lakeland Regional Health’s outpatient rehabilitation services help patients get back on their feet, and stay there! With physical, occupational, and speech therapy, expert therapists help rebuild strength, improve balance, and restore confidence after injury or surgery. They help every step of the way toward feeling your best. Congratulations to the staff at all locations! 2nd: Watson Clinic 3rd: Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates Best Massage Therapy ADVANCED SPINAL CARE CHIROPRACTIC MEDICAL SPA & MASSAGE 2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland This is a hands-on way to melt away stress and loosen those stubborn knots. Licensed therapists customize each session, from deep tissue and sports massage to hot stone and relaxation. With heated tables and soothing surroundings, Advanced Spinal Care will knead those worries and pain away. Congratulations to the team! 2nd: Josh Soto | TrueMedSpa 3rd: Lani Renee Holistics Best Medical Spa THE SKIN BOUTIQUE 464 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland 1645 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Congratulations to this repeat winner! The Skin Boutique is putting the “glow” in glowing reviews! With treatments ranging from hydrafacials and microneedling to peels, laser services, injectables, and more, it’s a one-stop shop for putting your best face forward. Ready to get skin in the game? Book your appointment and let your complexion shine! 2nd: Eternal Youth Aesthetics and Wellness 3rd: Esthetica Medspa Best Mental Health Services WALK WITH HOPE 215 E Bay St, Lakeland Year after year, Walk with Hope wins in this category. They offer compassionate, nonjudgmental therapy for individuals, couples, and families. With in-person services in Downtown Lakeland and teletherapy throughout Florida, their licensed counselors create a safe space to navigate anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, self-esteem, and more. When life feels overwhelming, Walk With Hope helps you take things one step at a time. 2nd: Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: Cassidy Psychiatry Best Hospital LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Lakeland Regional Health has served the Lakeland community for more than a century, growing from a 65-bed hospital into one of Florida’s largest hospitals. With 910 beds, advanced specialty care, emergency services, trauma care, and more than 400 providers, Lakeland Regional Health continues its mission of putting patients at the heart of everything. 2nd: Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital 3rd: BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center Best Orthopedic Doctor ERIC WICKS, MD LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 3030 Harden Blvd, Lakeland If you knee-d care for your aching body, Dr. Wicks is one “hip” guy. He specializes in orthopedic surgery, helping patients get back on their feet and moving comfortably. With a caring approach and expertise in bones, joints, and mobility, he’s got your health covered from head to toe. Congratulations to Dr. Wicks for helping Lakeland get moving! 2nd: Renee Genova, MD | Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: Joseph D’Alonzo, DO | Florida Orthopaedic Institute Best Veterinarian SPCA VETERINARY CLINIC 5850 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland SPCA Florida Veterinary Clinic is paws-itively committed to helping pets! Founded in 1979, this nonprofit provides compassionate, affordable veterinary care, from wellness visits to lifesaving treatments. With a fur-midable team and a big heart for animals, SPCA Florida is making tails wag and giving pets plenty of reasons to paws for celebration. Congrats to the staff at the SPCA! 2nd: All Creatures Animal Clinic 3rd: Highland Square Family Vet Best Gym | Fitness Studio RESTORATION FITNESS & NUTRITION 2984 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland With coach-led workouts, personal training, nutrition coaching, and a supportive community, they help you reach your goals. Whether you’re building strength or better habits, Restoration helps you muscle your way toward becoming your best self. Sweat now, shine later! Congratulations to the team at Restoration! 2nd: The Well Society 3rd: CrossFit Stay in Motion Best Yoga | Pilates Studio THE WELL SOCIETY 336 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland The Well Society’s Pilates program is designed to help you stretch your limits, strengthen your core, and find your balance, literally! With mindful movement and purposeful exercises, you can build strength, improve mobility, and feel more aligned. It’s a real core commitment to wellness and your health. Congratulations to the team at The Well Society! 2nd: Yoga Pointe 3rd: Pike Pilates Best Martial Arts Studio KARATE BEYOND 613 School House Rd, Lakeland Kick your fitness into gear with karate-inspired training! Punch up your strength, sharpen your skills, and kick bad habits to the curb. Pre-K Ninjas, kids, teens, and adults can build confidence, strength, and discipline while learning self-defense at Karate Beyond. Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu 3rd: Choe’s Martial Arts Best Holistic | Wellness Store CHAMBERLIN’S NATURAL FOODS 4001 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland From organic produce and natural groceries to vitamins, supplements, and fresh smoothies, they’ve been serving up plenty of ways to nourish your body since 1935. Guests at Chamberlin’s rave about the friendly staff and wide selection of healthy food. Congratulations to the staff at Chamberlin’s for this repeat win! Kale yeah!! 2nd: Anthony’s Health Hut 3rd: The Vitamin Shoppe Best Cannabis Dispensary SURTERRA 1222 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Another year, another win for Surterra! Weed by lying if we said we were surprised. Lakelanders have high hopes for this place, and Surterra keeps rolling along with wins. Card-carrying locals love the edibles, flower, concentrates, and more. Check their website for specials and leaf your troubles behind. 2nd: Goldflower Cannabis 3rd: Trulieve Best Non-Profit KEEP POLK COUNTY BEAUTIFUL keeppolkcountybeautiful.org Keep Polk County Beautiful is on a mission to keep our community looking, well, beautiful! Since 1994, this nonprofit has rallied volunteers, businesses, schools, and civic groups to tackle litter, recycling, waste reduction, and beautification. With thousands of volunteers and tons of trash collected, KPCB proves that keeping Polk beautiful is truly a clean sweep! 2nd: VISTE 3rd: Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida Best Place of Worship THE WAY COMMUNITY CHURCH 2300 Commerce Point Dr, Lakeland This welcoming community embraces imperfect people, celebrates Jesus, and believes His life-giving power can transform any situation. No perfect churchgoers required. Just come as you are, have some fun, find encouragement, and walk the journey together. 2nd: Access Church 3rd: First United Methodist Church

Best Florist BLOOM SHAKALAKA 214 Traders Alley, Lakeland Bloom Shakalaka has cut, arranged, and delivered the competition again this year! This creative flower shop knows how to turn any occasion into a full bloom experience. From sweet surprises to show-stopping stems, they’ve been spreading the love throughout Lakeland. Congratulations to the team at Bloom Shakalaka! 2nd: Flowers by Edith 3rd: Tyler Floral Best Hair Salon STUDIO 323 | SARA RAY 323 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Life is too short for boring hair! Sara Ray is the mane event at Studio 323. From gorgeous color and extensions to cuts, textures, and color corrections, she’s got every strand covered. Whether subtle or show-stopping, her work is always shear perfection. If you have a vision, Sara can make it happen! Congrats on your win! 2nd: Tracey and Company Hair Designers 3rd: Venue Salon Best Barbershop SKULLY’S BARBER SALON 434 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland Skully’s has clipped the competition, year after year! This repeat winner is a favorite for all ages. Clients LOVE them. One very happy guest wrote, “I took my 3-year-old son as a walk-in. We were greeted very kindly and didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes. Will did an exceptional job at fixing the butchering of a haircut that we received from a different shop prior. He was very friendly, very patient and kind to my son and to me as well. We love the atmosphere and how clean and nice the shop was. You can’t beat the price ...” 2nd: The Last Hair Blenders 3rd: Lakeland Barber Company Best Permanent Makeup GREAT BROWS 4000 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland At Great Brows, permanent makeup takes your beauty game from brow to wow! With expertly crafted brows designed to complement your features, eyeliners, and lip color, you can wake up looking polished and put-together. Say goodbye to long morning routines and hello to a look that’s always ready to go! Congratulations on this repeat win!! 2nd: Bella Visage Medical & Aesthetic Rejuvenation 3rd: Epic Cosmetic Studio Best Nail Salon BARE SOLE STUDIO 1476 Town Center Dr, Lakeland They nailed it! At Bare Sole Studio, your nails are ready for their close-up! Whether you need a fresh coat of color or want a wellness-focused pedicure, this studio knows how to make every detail shine. Put your best toes forward, and leave feeling polished, pampered, and toe-tally fabulous! Congratulations to the team at Bare Sole Studio! 2nd: Eravie Studio 3rd: Sunny Nail Lounge and Spa Best Dry Cleaner GARMENT CARE PROS AT SOUTHSIDE CLEANERS 901 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Garment Care Pros really knows how to press out the competition! Their professional care takes the wrinkles out, leaving every piece of laundry crisp, clean, and ready to wear with confidence. Their iconic sign out front always makes us smile, too. Thank you to Southside for keeping Lakelanders looking so good! 2nd: Executive Cleaners & Launderers 3rd: Touch of Class Dry Cleaners Best Bank CITIZENS BANK & TRUST citizens-bank.com The oldest community bank in the area has done it again this year! This fullservice bank has been serving the community since 1920. They are local bankers who live in and work for the community they call home. They know how important it is for your bank to work just as hard for your money as you do. Congratulations on this win! 2nd: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union 3rd: Cypress Bank & Trust Best Financial Advisor GUARDIAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT 464 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland Guardian Wealth Management helps clients make confident financial decisions for today and tomorrow. With personalized strategies for retirement, investments, estate planning, insurance, taxes, and money management, their team focuses on understanding each client’s goals, risk tolerance, and financial future. Congrats! 2nd: Core Wealth Advisors 3rd: CPS Investment Advisors Best CPA CONNER & ASSOCIATES 20 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Year after year, Conner & Associates win! They specialize in tax prep for individuals and businesses. Their team will help you navigate accounting, bookkeeping, financial planning, and consulting so you can focus on growing your business. They’ve earned the trust and balanced the books of locals. Congratulations on another win this year! 2nd: Parrish & Parrish CPAs, PA 3rd: David Ramos, CPA Best Insurance Agent ERIK SEALY 3395 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven Auto, home, life, or business, Erik can help you protect what’s important. Combining years of experience and knowledge, he can help you find the best policy to fit your life. For over 20 years, he has specialized in commercial and personal insurance services. This is a repeat win for Erik Sealy, congratulations on your continued success! 2nd: Wayne Peace 3rd: Nate Snell Best Law Firm SOUTHERN ATLANTIC LAW GROUP 290 1st St S, Winter Haven The verdict is in! Congratulations to Southern Atlantic Law Group! Nobody wants to have legal issues. But it’s nice to know that if we do, we can call them for practical and strategic legal advice. They are more than just attorneys offering customized solutions to your situation. They are your legal advocates. They are a trusted group of lawyers providing a wide range of services. Congratulations to the entire team! 2nd: Kemp Injury Law, PA 3rd: Burnetti, PA Best Dog Groomer HOLLYWOOF PET RESORT 5845 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland At Hollywoof Pet Resort, pups get the star treatment from ears to tail! Their professional groomers offer beauty baths, luxurious shampoos, nail trims, and full glamour makeovers. With gentle, humane care, your furry friend will leave looking fur-bulous, feeling paw-sitively pampered, and ready to cuddle. Congratulations to the team at Hollywoof on this repeat win! 2nd: Four Paws Only 3rd: Big Dogs Bathhouse Best Dog Trainer DOODLE HAVEN DOG TRAINING doodle-haven.com Does your dog like to ruff-house? Is he always barking up the wrong tree? Does he keep stealing your sock? Sounds like they need K9 Kindergarten or Doggie Bootcamp! Danette Karnes will train your pet to be the best they can be. One client wrote, “This is a much calmer dog. She listens better and knows what she has to do. What a difference she is. A joy to play with now because she isn’t pawing or biting at all.” Congratulations on your win, Doodle Haven! 2nd: DogSense Obedience 3rd: The Dog Man Pro Dog Training Best Doggy Daycare HOLLYWOOF PET RESORT 5845 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland Congratulations on another win, Hollywoof! Locals feel confident leaving their dogs there. One happy parent wrote, “I started her off a few days at daycare, she did great. She just got home from her 1st 3-day boarding stay and she is exhausted. She had so much fun she has many friends now. The staff is great. I highly recommend for any of your pet needs. The staff treated my baby just like she was their own. I’m truly amazed at the love they show other people’s pet.” 2nd: Classy Canines Pet Resort 3rd: Four Paws Only Best Auto Dealer BAYSIDE AUTOMALL 126 S Lake Parker, Lakeland Bayside Automall offers a large selection of reliable, pre-owned vehicles with financing available. One very happy client wrote, “Great car buying experience. Up front about everything and very patient thru the process. Nice quality selection of vehicles. Would definitely recommend.” Congratulations to Bayside! 2nd: Regal Automotive Group 3rd: Fields BMW Lakeland Best Oil Change TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE Multiple locations Stay in your car during this 10-minute oil change! This service comes with a complete oil and filter change, fluid top-offs, a tire pressure check, and a multipoint inspection. You’ll be back on the road in no time, feeling so good about yourself because you’re adulting so well! Congratulations on this repeat win, Take 5! The locals love you! 2nd: Webb’s Service Center 3rd: Mavis Tires & Brakes Best Auto Repair WEBB’S SERVICE CENTER 2820 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Transmission trouble? Engine light on? Can’t figure out that weird noise? Webb’s can help! One happy car owner wrote, “Great experience! Aaron was awesome to work with and made everything really easy. He was honest, kept me updated, and made sure I understood what was going on with my car. The service was quick, the prices were fair, and everyone was really friendly.” Congrats to the crew at Webb’s! 2nd: Joyce Automotive and Towing 3rd: Hamlet Automotive Best Car Wash MODWASH 3170 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland From foam-tastic washes and bug-busting power, ModWash is a sud-sational way to keep your ride looking fresh and road-ready. One very happy patron wrote, “The staff is always friendly, the car wash does a great job, and the customer service is outstanding. It’s nice to see a business that maintains the same high quality every visit. Highly recommend!” Congratulations on your win! 2nd: Mister Car Wash Best Printing Shop INNOVATIVE INK 1840 Harden Blvd, Lakeland Innovative Ink offers everything from business cards and brochures to banners, booklets, and custom projects. With graphic design, mailing, finishing, and printing services under one roof, they’re helping businesses make a lasting impression. Innovative Ink says, “There’s more to printing than just ink,” and this win proves that! Congratulations! 2nd: Minuteman Press 3rd: Stacy’s Printing Best Tech Repair TECHMATE COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE 1107 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s another win for TechMate! You are one click or call away from someone helping you with the simplest or most confusing tech problem you may have. That computer virus is not a problem, if you call them. Is your computer running so slow that you can cook dinner while waiting for something to load? Call them. Did your laptop just crash? Call them. They’ve got the answers. TechMate will get you up and running again in no time. 2nd: Lakeland iPhone Repair 3rd: Alltek Services Best Funeral Services CONEY FUNERAL HOME 647 W Memorial Blvd, Lakeland Coney Funeral Home provides compassionate, personalized funeral and cremation services for Lakeland families. With traditional services, pre-planning, transportation, obituaries, and grief support, their caring team helps families navigate difficult moments with dignity, respect, and understanding. 2nd: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory 3rd: Lanier Funeral & Cremation Services