Hot Off the Press!
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Our annual Best of the Best issue is here! We enjoy hearing from our readers about their favorite local businesses in Northern St. Johns. From photographers to home improvements to spas and salons, our list, divided into helpful categories, gives natives and newcomers alike a go to guide to the cream of the crop.
Enjoy this perfectly curated list and as always, we hope you continue to show your love to these amazing local businesses! |
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Best Live Music Venue
# 1 - Taps Bar and Grill A favorite local dining establishment for many years, Taps Bar and Grill on CR 210 is a great place to enjoy delicious burgers, wings, and craft beer but our voters also chose Taps as their favorite place to sit back and enjoy a variety of live music with friends or family. Best Cup of Coffee # 1 - Brass Tacks Coffee Roasters AND Pour Mike’s Coffee House We are lucky to have two incredible and independent coffee spots. The good news is depending on where you are driving in northern St. Johns, one of our reader favorites is sure to be nearby. If you are over near Beachwalk off CR210 visit Pour Mike’s Coffee House (try the best-selling Happy Camper Iced Latte. If you are up in Julington Creek at Bartram Plaza visit Brass Tacks Coffee Roasters - Maybe it is so good because, yes! they roast their own coffee. (try the Nutty Irishman or the Island Boy). Best Margarita # 1 - Anejo Cocina Mexicana Sipping a Margarita is pure summer bliss—a tangy blend of tequila, lime, and sweetness. But where can we find the best Margarita here in St. Johns? According to readers Anejo Cocina Mexicana (Nocatee & Fountains Plaza) is the top spot to enjoy this refreshing summer classic. they also love Los Portales (CR 210) and Peppers (Racetrack). Best Family Activities #1 - Pickleball Besides all the amazing parks and beaches, families of every age love pickleball. It's all the rage and this year’s number-one favorite family activity in northern St. Johns. Our voters recommend trying Pickleball at Fruitcove Recreation Center. Best Boutique #1 - Makk Fashions According to readers, Makk Fashions in JCP stands out with its top-notch clothing and accessories suited for every occasion. For beautiful and unique gifts from St. Augustine, our readers recommend 2 Sparrows on King Street. This boutique is full of positive energy - Our favorite aspect is the prayer tree where visitors can hang their wishes. Best Furniture Store # 1 - Coastal Casual Whether you are searching for a unique piece of outdoor furniture or planning to transform your entire patio, Coastal Casual is the perfect destination. Their helpful staff are ready to assist you in creating your ideal outdoor space with special pieces from top companies. Best Day Trips # 1 - Fernandina Beach Only 1 hour north of St. Johns is vintage postcard-like Fernandina Beach where you can stroll through the quaint historic district with its beautiful Victorian architecture, great boutiques, and delicious restaurants. For nature lovers, readers suggest the Ocala National Forest. Only 1.5 hours away - it offers hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping, plus it is home to crystal clear waters of Juniper and Silver Springs. Best Art Gallery # 1 - St. Augustine Art Association Readers love spending time perusing the variety of installations at the historic St. Augustine Art Association. Visit during the monthly Artwalk and come away with positive vibes and wonder at the level of talent in our community. Readers also recommend Butterfield Garage and PAStA Fine Art Gallery. Antique Store # 1 - Sugar Bear Sugar Bear, located just off 13N. Prepare to be transported to another era as you spend hours exploring the aisles, discovering a treasure trove of vintage items. Best Children’s Gym #1 - The Little Gym Parents are raving about this local gym for kids. Readers chose The Little Gym in Fruit Cove, where children ages 4 months to 12 years learn and grow through movement-based learning and imaginative play. There are so many benefits from classes at The Little Gym, including flexibility and strength, concentration, teamwork, and cooperation. |
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Best Health Club/Gym
# 1 First Coast YMCA Helping you achieve your workout goals is unique to each individual. Readers love our local YMCAs, which are scattered throughout the county and offer a unique array of special programs geared toward health issues, group classes, personal training sessions, and a wide variety of fitness equipment. A few other hot workout places for readers: Trinity Fitness, a high-intensity, group fitness gym with a special emphasis on spiritual growth. F45 Fruitcove offers innovative, high-intensity functional group workouts that are fast, fun, and results-driven. Best Veterinary Clinic #1 Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital Dr. Deckard and the team at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital love caring for St. Johns’ beloved pets. The centrally located practice offers the ultimate customer experience and a wide range of services from surgery and dentistry to dermatology, boarding, and grooming. Readers also love Dr. Esra at Nease Animal Hospital is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT), and a Certified Spinal Manual Therapist and has a special interest in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Best Family Physician # 1 Baptist Primary Care/South Hampton Our readers choose the skilled physicians at Baptist Primary Care, South Hampton when it comes to their healthcare. Readers also loved Dr. Charmaine Aquirre, Ascension St. Vincent’s St Johns, and The Mayo Clinic. Best Dentist # 1 Dr. Lewis, Bartram Dental Center Dr. Lewis and Dr. Barlow at Bartram Dental Center near Grumpy’s on CR210 East are well-loved by readers. “Patients receive exceptional, gentle services centered on building strong, beautiful smiles. Bartram Dental dedicates our efforts to improving the dental health of patients in St. Johns, FL.” Another reader favorite is Blue Sky Dental where husband and wife team Dr. Jonas Ashbaugh and Dr. Kathleen Stevens provide expert care in a caring, safe environment. Best Orthodontist # 1 - Dr. Craig Hadgis Dealing with braces can be challenging, but under the guidance of an experienced orthodontist, achieving a beautiful smile is within reach. The majority of voters recommended Smiles by Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist, in JCP & St. Augustine. Dr. Hadgis delivers expert, high-tech care and exceptional customer service. “Our mission is to provide every patient with the highest quality, most affordable orthodontic services available anywhere in a manner that makes the entire experience a pleasure”. Readers also loved Ossi Orthodontics and Dr. Shawn M. Perce Orthodontics Best Day Spa # 1 - Amason Aesthetics If you’re in search of a top-notch medical spa, Amason Aesthetics is the place to go. Highly recommended by readers, this spa is dedicated to enhancing your natural beauty and boosting your confidence. Their services include hydrafacials, microneedling, dermal fillers, and hair restoration, all designed to help you look and feel your best. Readers also enjoy PV Inn & Club. |
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Best Golf Cart Dealer
# 1 - Mad Bacon Golf Carts Readers love Mad Bacon Golf Carts on 210 West near St. Johns Golf and Country. This local family-run business excels in customer service and friendliness, offering thoroughly modern golf carts that are not your grandpa’s golf cart. Best Auto Repair # 1 Mr. Bestwrench & Tuffy’s Looking for reliable and trustworthy services for all your vehicle’s needs? For the second year in a row, our readers love Tuffy’s in JCP & Mr. Benchwrench on 13 the best. Best Hair Salon/Studio # 1 - Belle Ciel Salon For an elevated experience, readers love Belle Ciel Salon, a new salon with roots in St. Johns & New Orleans. According to their website… Translated from French, it means “beautiful sky,” symbolizing the limitless possibilities that await clients who step foot in the salon. Brush Salon on 210 West is another reader-favorite offering cutting-edge stylists and a vibrant environment. Salontique & Studio 210 were also recommended. For men readers loved The Kings Chair Barber Club. Best Accountant # Elevated CPA Reader’s favorites are Doug Benefield & Tami Long at Elevated CPA Solutions. “...honest accounting and tax advisors who are reliable, responsive, and trustworthy”. Best Photographer # 1 - Ozzy Trevino Photography If you want a top-notch photographer go to Ozzy Trevino Photography, his impeccable work speaks for itself, whether you are looking for personal, professional, or artistic photography. You’ll also want the best photographer to capture cherished memories of your children through the years. Families of St. Johns trust Mindy Kerr at Nature’s Child Photography to capture these moments. Mindy takes advantage of the region’s natural beauty, using outdoor light and surroundings to enhance family photos and in-studio stylized photography. Some other reader recommendations include Heatherley Boom Photography & Holli Janelle Photography. Best Interior Designer # 1 Byron Chandler Interiors Turn your home into a sanctuary with our reader’s favorite local designer Byron Chandler. Specializing in residential and commercial design, Byron Chandler Interiors strives to create a space that reflects your unique personality and makes you feel at home using the latest design trends. Check out their stunning showroom at Fountains Plaza on CR 210 Pool Company # 1 - Eagle Pools A pool offers the ideal retreat from the scorching Florida sun! Readers recommend two local favorites. Agua Pools and Eagle Pools were both given the thumbs-up by our readers. Best Landscaping # 1 - Mad Bacon Landscaping Mad Bacon Landscaping is highly praised by our readers. “We are your neighbors here in St. Johns! Ours is a small, family-owned landscape company that takes care of the dirty work so you don’t have to.” Best Home Builder #1 - Dream Finders Homes By choosing the right builder, you ensure your home will meet your aesthetic and functional needs and stand the test of time. With their dedication to unique designs, superior materials, and customer satisfaction, it is no wonder our readers chose the Dream Finders Homes. We love their motto: “Building the American Dream one home at a time”. Readers also liked locally owned Master Craft Builders, home builders dedicated to quality materials, timeless design, and next-level luxury. |
