Voters chose some of their favorite, long-standing Miami Lakes businesses in the 2021 Best of Miami Lakes contest.
Several of the winners are making repeat appearances on the coveted list, which was announced by the Town of Miami Lakes on Nov. 27, also known as Small Business Saturday.
More than a decade ago, American Express began promoting the idea of patronizing local stores and businesses as the holiday shopping season begins.
Jorge Alvarez, chair of the Miami Lakes Economic Development Committee who announced the Best of Miami Lakes winners of the fifth annual contest, said he hopes residents will shop at their friends' and neighbors’ enterprises all year round.
“We encourage the community to visit the shopping centers and look in The Miami Laker and explore businesses they may not know are here,” Alvarez said. “Our businesses are a very important part of our community.”
The winners are:
Best Café/Cup of Coffee Vicky Bakery, now a three-time winner.
Best Lunch Spot Beverly Hills Café, also making the list a third time.
Best Dinner Restaurant Cancun Grill, which previously won in 2020.
Best Shopping/Retailer Miami Lakes Sports Shop.
Best Beauty The Nail Garden, a winner in 2020, too.
Best Health Provider Specialty Smiles, Miami Lakes Orthodontics, now a three-time winner.
Best Professional Service Prime Cleaners.
Best Fitness Shula’s Athletic Club, which won in 2020.
There were 3,043 votes cast in the finalist round, the town said.
Anthony Artiles, general manager of Shula's Athletic Club, said of its win, "We are humbled and honored on winning the Best Fitness Wellness Gym Award. We would like to thank our club members and the community for their ongoing support.
"This achievement is only made possible because of them and the commitment of our team to create a memorable member experience on a daily basis," Artiles said.
Alvarez of the Economic Development Committee noted that winners have survived “good times and more difficult times. I’m happy to see our residents continue to support them.”