Books & Books has won this award plenty of times already — and with six locations and counting, who can blame us? But this year, they deserve it for a very good reason. Owner Mitchell Kaplan has led the fight against Gov. Ron DeSantis' racist, queerphobic book-banning spree by distributing banned books, planning actions, and speaking out against Tallahassee's regressive lawmaking. He's set his independent bookstore chain at the forefront of this necessary protest and educational effort to protect our constitutional right to free press and speech. Meanwhile, Kaplan also cofounded and hosts Miami Book Fair International, stocks his stores with the best curated literature and local authors, and is the landing spot for all writers and readers traveling through the 305. Books & Books is simply the best for balancing our fragile democracy on its stacks of banned books.

The death of print has been long lamented, but Bookleggers Library resuscitated the printed page in South Florida. Starting out as a roaming used bookstore that valued trade over commerce, Bookleggers fashions itself "a no-kill shelter for books." It was founded on the mission to build community through free and easy access to books and it delivers. It now has a brick-and-mortar location at the Bakehouse Art Complex. After a visit, you'll walk away with a free book — and Bookleggers still encourages book trading and asks an insanely reasonable $2 for any additional book. Even more impressive are its innovative initiatives to spread books all over the city via a book trailer, a book bike, and book boxes, and their semi-permanent installations scattered throughout Miami. It's hard to explain exactly what Bookleggers is — a used bookstore, a library, an archive — but it certainly is one of Miami's cultural treasures.

This Fort Lauderdale bookstore is packed with literary treasures from floor to ceiling. Owner William Chrisant fills his store with as many first-editions as possible, and though everything feels chaotically strewn about the space, there is a method to the madness. Tell Chrisant what you're looking for, and he'll be able to point you in the right direction. Near the entrance, there are shelves of weathered books that can be taken home on the honor system for only a dollar. Also, don't forget to say "hi" to Peter, the store's cat who greets everyone as soon as they walk in — that's if he's not mid-nap. He's also the star of the store's Instagram account, @oldfloridabookshop.

Tate's Comics' origin story is just as unbelievable and epic as the stories it sells. In 1993, when 17-year-old Tate Ottati was only a high-school senior, he started "playing" the stock market as part of an economics class. When he then decided to invest in real life, he naturally invested in Marvel Comics stock. A lucky dude, he sold it at its highest point before the company went bankrupt and went off the market for several years. Ottati used his earnings as seed money to invest in a comic book store, which he opened with the support of his father. The first shop was only 1,000 square feet and specialized in things like Japanese anime, a rarity in the '90s, allowing customers to rent imported VHS cassettes. Tate's moved to its current location in 2002 and expanded over the years to an enormous 10,000 square feet. In 2009, Tate's also won the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award for its contributions to the comic book industry. This is all to say, three decades later, Tate's remains the best place to find comic books, collectibles, and pop-culture memorabilia in South Florida.

The typical tourist traps of South Beach may let visitors bring a touch of tacky Florida home with them via chintzy dolphin-adorned snow globes and "Miami" towels decorated with palms. But the colorful art shop Dále Zine lets out-of-towners (and locals) cherish the real culture and quirkiness of Miami creatives with its cooly curated art books, humorous stickers, T-shirts, records by local musicians, prints by South Florida artists like Gabriel Alcala and Brian Butler, and an array of zines. Dále Zine provides the perfect way to bring the real Florida back home with you. For instance, you can grab the latest issue of Islandia Journal, which details Florida history, ephemera, and lived experiences from the swamp. Recently relocated from the backroads of Little River to the middle of the Design District, the pretty, pristine shop was always worth driving out of your way for, but now is located where random weekenders might stumble into gifts that embody the underappreciated, underhyped indie spirit of the 305. Dále Zine is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Dale!

Somehow both upscale and inviting, Ugo di Roma Salon and Day Spa in the heart of Coconut Grove has offered a dedicated clientele the chance to keep up appearances properly for decades. Founded in 1976 in Brickell and then landing in its current two-story home in 1989, the salon has maintained an admirable dedication to European-style opulence with a friendly local charm. The stylists, many from the Old World themselves, offer a thoughtful assessment of your needs and evaluate the best course of action with top-of-the-line products. The salon provides a long list of services, including hair, nail, massage, aromatherapy, facials, and body treatments. On the pricier side, Ugo di Roma may be a splurge for most, but if you're in need of a good ol' fashioned "treat yourself" moment, this one-stop shop is the perfect fix.

Jaxson Maximus elevates the barbershop experience, not just because it's located in Brickell's Panorama Tower, but because it offers the shaggy-haired a cut with a full-service salon, clothing boutique, and alterations shop. If you splurge for an $80 signature haircut, you'll get a chance to zone out in the "Zen room" with a facial and forearm and hand massage with essential oils and hot towel treatment — all while getting your wedding suit custom-altered. And don't forget a complimentary beverage to keep the energy loose, including the typical sober fare and two-drink max craft beers, scotches, and bourbons. The shop looks like a place you'd bring your boys or boyish girls with a custom championship pool table at its center and model race car on the wall. Notably, the HBO show The Shop: Uninterrupted, produced by NBA great LeBron James and media personality Maverick Carter, featured the salon in an episode along with DJ Khaled and rapper Meek Mill. As far as barbershops are concerned, this is certainly a "We the Best" situation.

Paz Skin Care estheticians will make sure your face is snatched thanks to a wide array of services, from facials to microneedling to lash and brow treatments. Founded by Miami native Jade Paz-Arias and her mother, Susan Paz, Paz Skin Care is operated by a team of knowledgeable Latinas dedicated to making their clients feel glam. A thorough consultation precedes any treatment, and methods and products are specifically curated for each person's desires. Paz goes above and beyond to ensure clients' comfort, easing newcomers into simple techniques with careful attention. This is a low-key spot with relaxing vibes, making it easy to unwind. Don't be surprised if you fall asleep two minutes into a treatment and awaken a new, glowier person.

Born and raised in Miami, Harol Prado is a makeup artist redefining beauty standards and the industry. Prado started with beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury and now works independently on his craft. This freedom allows Prado to explore different avenues, including editorial work, weddings, and makeup lessons. What sets Prado apart from other makeup artists is how he implements a holistic approach to beauty. Uninterested in fads and trends, his philosophy is about nonconformity and comfort. First and foremost, for Prado, beauty radiates from inside. This approach has earned him a legion of loyal clients who herald his talent and tranquility.

If you are on the hunt for the deepest, most detailed manicure and pedicure imaginable, and you have around three hours to kill — then look no further than Sandu Beauty and Wellness. The master of the Russian manicure or dry manicure, Sandu hails from Kazakhstan, where she was trained in this precise procedure. It doesn't include the standard service of soaking your fingers and toes, but does include a nail drill and other equipment to keep those cuticles at bay. She goes the extra mile filing and cutting your claws, ensuring their optimal health. And the best part of Sandu's skills? You won't have to go back to see her again for a month.