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Best Comic-Book Shop

Tate's Comics

Tate's Comics
We tried. We really tried. Surely, there had to be a challenger to knock Tate's Comics off its perpetual throne as best comic source in South Florida. But no. Not only has Tate's continued to be the gravitational center of the local graphic-novel universe but the mind-blowing manga seller has even upped its game. As in its "gaming satellite," to be precise. Formerly located in a crammed nook of a nearby storefront, the new gaming space has moved to a much larger unit a few doors north of the main store. That means more room for your buds, their ninja minis, and all those dice in a marathon role-playing session. And back at comic-book central, the main shop is still a trip for the casual shopper or hard-core fan. Even if you aren't the classic comic type, your imagination will be stoked by a walk through this maze of anime DVDs, movie props, comic artist supplies, and wild action figures.

Best Used-Book Store

Archives Book Café

Like many of the shops inside the Gateway Plaza, Archives Book Café has the sort of quaint affability that's increasingly rare in a world of Wal-Marts and Starbucks. Its organic, old-library feel is decades removed from the impersonality of the big book sellers. But enough of that... what's for sale? Well, aside from café items like lattes ($3), bagels ($2.50 with cream cheese), and cookies ($1), Archives' book collection runs the literary gamut, from presidential biographies to true crime (there is a difference), as well as all subgenres of fiction, history, politics, and religion. An impressive percentage of the store's inventory is like new, which means you're more likely to find psychiatric books about Prozac than, say, trepanation. And because of that newness, Archives is more sinus-friendly than a lot of the other dust dens that pass as used-book stores. Prices vary depending on the title, though the average fiction novel runs $5.95, pocket-sized paperbacks cost $1, and many of the normal-sized paperbacks end up in the $2.83 section. Archives may not be the biggest bookstore in town, but its cozy atmosphere goes a long way. And, for that matter, so will a dollar.

Best Gym

Sweat!

Gyms are being subjected to an unfortunate trend in South Florida: They're getting biggie-sized. National chains have moved in and begun the McDonaldization of workout facilities, bringing us legions of soccer moms pumping away on elliptical machines and stair climbers. While bigger may be better, that doesn't apply to your gut. Gus Hernandez of Sweat! in downtown Fort Lauderdale has come to save us from our super-sized habits with his intimate gym that offers one-on-one training and his 14 years of experience in personal training. The philosophy of Sweat! matches that of the old-school boxing gyms in Philly. Hernandez, not some corporate stooge, picked out every machine in the building and can craft a personal workout strategy for you -- just like Mickey did for Rocky.

Best Health Food Store

Freshly Organic

While places like Whole Foods grow more like the supermarkets they once scorned, smaller, more traditional health-food outlets struggle. But it's not surprising that a small indie like Organically Fresh has a dedicated following of customers. Stuffed inside are a half-dozen tables covered in plastic where you can nosh on organic vegetarian or meat dishes like chicken and eggplant parm. Behind the miniature deli counter, workers prepare smoothies and juices chock-full of tasty wheat grass. On the far wall is a small selection of vitamins and dietary pills to cleanse your organs and boost your immune system. And there's just that extra boost to your chakras knowing that you're sticking it to corporate gigantism.

Best Place for Musicians

George's Music

If you're having trouble finding George's Music in the Palm Beach Mall's directory, there's no need to get your guitar cord in a bunch. Simply go out the Borders exit, walk to the edge of the sidewalk, and look to your right. Yep, that's the only entrance. And if it looks familiar, well, it should -- it's the store formerly known as Mars Music, which George's took over after Mars tanked a few years ago. Call it a coincidence, but the sales reps are a lot less pushy than they used to be. You can actually walk from one section to another without some sales shark breathing down your neck. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the extensive selection of music gear, from guitars (Fender Telecaster, $649; Squier Telecaster, $229), amplifiers (VOX Valvetronix AD100VT, $549), drums (Tama kits range from $650 to $1,688), and digital mixers (roughly $229 to $799), as well as plenty of microphones, cables, recording software, and every accessory you'll need for the stage or studio. All right, so maybe there aren't any pyrotechnics. But that's for your own good.

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