Bold City Best 2017

The 3rd annual 

WINNERS 

GUIDE 

Keep on cruisin’ 

Tom Bush Family Dealerships 

is a double-winner for the 

third year in a row Page 20 

boldcitybest.com 

The boldest and 

best of 2017 

Find out who won in all 

117 categories Page 6 

Trust your 

intuition 

The Bold City Best Party 

is back! Page 5

Sunday, September 24, 2017 · THE TIMES-UNION 3 

Winners and where to find them: 

Autos & More 

Best New Car Dealership: Tom Bush Family of Dealerships ........................6 

Best Used Car Dealership: Tom Bush Family of Dealerships ......................6 

Best Boat Dealership: North Florida Yacht Sales ........................................6 

Best RV Dealership: Travelcamp RV Sales, Service, Parts & More .............6 

Best Motorcycle Dealership : Adamec Harley-Davidson ............................. 7 

Best Auto Insurance Agency : Brightway Insurance ................................... 7 

Things To Do & Places To Be 

Best Art Gallery: Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens............................. 7 

Best Golf Course: TPC Sawgrass................................................................... 8 

Best Marina: Julington Creek Marina........................................................... 8 

Best Local Charity: The BairFind Foundation.............................................. 8 

Best Live Theater: Alhambra Theatre & Dining........................................... 8 

Best Movie Theater: AMC Regency 24........................................................ 10 

Best Live Music Venue: St. Augustine Amphitheatre................................ 10 

Best Concert/Event of 2016/2017: St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage 

Festival........................................................................................................ 10 

Best Kids’ Entertainment: Town of Orange Park Kids Fest....................... 10 

Best Summer Camp: First Coast YMCA Summer Camp ............................. 10 

Best Farmers Market: Riverside Arts Market............................................ 10 

Best Flea Market: Beach Boulevard Flea & Farmers Market..................... 11 

Best Trivia Night: Dick’s Wings & Grill......................................................... 11 

Best Martial Arts Studio: Pak’s Karate........................................................ 11 

Best Yoga Studio: Yoga Den Studio............................................................. 11 

Best Fitness Center/Gym: Orangetheory Fitness....................................... 11 

Best Pilates Studio: Pilates on 3rd.............................................................. 11 

Best Dance Studio: Mark Spivak Institute................................................... 11 

Best Water Sports: Amelia Island Kayak Excursions.................................. 11 

About this section 

The 2017 Bold City Best 

Winners Guide was produced 

by the Times-Union Specialty 

Publications Department and 

Jacksonville.com: 

The 3rd annual 

WINNERS 

GUIDE 

Keep on cruisin’ 

Tom Bush Family Dealerships 

is a double-winner for the 

third year in a row Page 20 


The boldest and 

best of 2017 

Find out who won in a l 

117 categories Page 6 

Managing Editor of 

Specialty Audience: Joe 

DeSalvo 

Specialty Publications Creative Copywriter: 

Jacqueline Persandi 

Morris Publishing Group Graphic Designers: John 

Beasley, Robin Jones 

Specialty Publications Staff Writer: Barbara Gavan 

Specialty Publications Content Assistant: Samantha 

Arora 

Specialty Publications Intern: Will Weber 

Times-Union Media Vice President of Sales and 

Marketing: Lana Champion 

Times-Union Media Director of Sales: Lyn Sargent 

Times-Union Media New Business Sales Director: Liz 

Borten 

Times-Union Advertising Operations Coordinator: 

Dianne Knapp 

Times-Union Media Digital Marketing Manager: Julie 

Mays 

Times-Union Media Digital Media Marketing 

Specialist: Sam Caruso 

Times-Union Media Graphic Designers: Caitlyn 

Broyles, Ving Ha Dye, Christopher Wright 

Florida Times-Union Video Marketing Specialist/ 

Writer: Matt Pittman 

Cover: From left to right: Megan Bush Del Pizzo, 

Business Development Manager at Tom Bush Family of 

Dealerships, and Brian Bush, E-Commerce Manager at 

Tom Bush Family of Dealerships in the Dune edition of 

the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. Photo by Florida Times- 

Union staff photographer Bruce Lipsky. 

More coverage of the Bold City Best winners can be found at 


Trust your 

intuition 

The Bold City Best Party 

is back! Page 5 

Cuisine & Cocktails 

Best All You Can Eat: Golden Corral ............................................................12 

Best Bang for the Buck Restaurant: Metro Diner .......................................12 

Best-kept Secret Restaurant: The Lucky Penny Eatery .............................12 

Best Outdoor Dining: River City Brewing Company ....................................12 

Best Romantic Restaurant: Restaurant Orsay ............................................12 

Best Special Occasion Restaurant: Ruth’s Chris Steak House ...................12 

Best Family Restaurant: Metro Diner ..........................................................12 

Best Farm to Table/Locally Supplied Restaurant: Kitchen on San Marco ... 13 

Best Southern Cuisine: The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro ................... 13 

Best Bar/Pub: Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub & Restaurant ............................ 13 

Best Local Brewery: Intuition Ale Works .................................................... 13 

Best Happy Hour: Ruth’s Chris Steak House .............................................. 13 

Best Sports Bar: The Mudville Grille ........................................................... 13 

Best Martini: Bonefish Grill ......................................................................... 13 

Best Margarita: La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant .................................... 13 

Best Beer Selection: Brewz ......................................................................... 13 

Best Wine List: Taverna ............................................................................... 13 

Best Sommelier: David Bridda at Capital Grille ......................................... 13 

Best Tacos: TacoLu ...................................................................................... 14 

Best Burrito: Moe’s Southwest Grill ........................................................... 14 

Best Burger: M Shack .................................................................................. 14 

Best Sandwich: Daily’s Dash ....................................................................... 14 

Best Japanese Restaurant: Daruma Japanese Steak House ..................... 14 

Best Crab Cakes: Barbara Jean’s Restaurant ............................................. 14 

Best Pancakes: Metro Diner ....................................................................... 14 

Best Salads: The Lucky Penny Eatery ........................................................ 14 

Best Healthy Eating: Native Sun Natural Foods Market ............................ 14 

Best Wings: V Pizza ..................................................................................... 14 

Best Breakfast: Metro Diner ....................................................................... 15 

Best Brunch: Metro Diner ........................................................................... 15 

Best Pizza: V Pizza ...................................................................................... 15 

Best Coffee Shop: Bold Bean Coffee Roasters ........................................... 15 

Best Dessert: Biscottis Restaurant + Catering + Bar ................................. 15 

Best Food Truck: The Happy Grilled Cheese .............................................. 15 

Best Smoothie: Planet Smoothie ................................................................ 15 

Best Bakery: Cinotti’s Bakery ..................................................................... 15 

Best Deli: Pinegrove Market and Deli ......................................................... 15 

Best Barbecue: Monroe’s Smokehouse BBQ & Catering ........................... 16 

Best Sushi: Kazu Japanese Restaurant ...................................................... 16 

Best Diner: Metro Diner .............................................................................. 16 

Best Indian Restaurant: 5th Element ......................................................... 16 

Best Thai Restaurant: Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine ........................................ 16 

Best Italian Restaurant: Enza’s Italian Restaurant .................................... 16 

Best Chinese Restaurant: Chef Chan Asian Cuisine ................................... 16 

Best Mexican Restaurant: La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant ................... 16 

Best American Restaurant: Metro Diner .................................................... 16 

Best Greek: Taverna Yamas .........................................................................17 

Best Seafood Restaurant: Safe Harbor .......................................................17 

Best Local Chocolatier: Peterbrooke Chocolatier .......................................17 

Best New Restaurant (open as of 8/1/16): South Kitchen & Spirits .......... 18 

Best Chef: Sam Efron from Taverna ........................................................... 18 

Best Restaurant Overall: Taverna ............................................................... 18 

Homes & Finance 

Best Home Builder: KB Home ..................................................................... 22 

Best Real Estate Broker/Agency: Exit Real Estate Gallery ........................ 22 

Best Real Estate Agent: The Cole Slate Team at EXIT Real Estate Gallery ........ 22 

Best Bank/Credit Union: VyStar Credit Union ........................................... 22 

Best Accountant/CPA: Susan Carter CPA, P.A. ........................................... 22 

Best Home Community/ Development: Nocatee ....................................... 22 

Best Mortgage Company: Sharp Mortgages, Inc. ...................................... 23 

Best Local Home Builder (builds only in these counties: Duval, St. Johns, 

Clay, Nassau or Flagler): SEDA New Homes .............................................. 23 

Best Home Insurance Agency: Brightway Insurance ................................ 23 

Health & Well Being 

Best Doctor: Dr. Leonard Shvartzman ...................................................... 24 

Best Pediatric Practice: Angel Kids Pediatrics ......................................... 24 

Best Dental Practice: Doctors Lake Family Dental ................................... 24 

Best Orthodontic Practice: Lazzara Orthodontics ................................... 24 

Best Dermatology Practice: Precision Dermatology and Skin Surgery .. 24 

Best Eye Care Practice: Florida Eye Specialists ........................................ 24 

Best Medical Spa: Lash Spa Studio ............................................................ 24 

Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice: Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery ............... 24 

Best Orthopedic Practice: Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and 

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Rehab ................................................ 24 

Best Podiatrist/Foot Comfort Specialist: JE Foot & Ankle Associates ..... 24 

Best Veterinary Practice: St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital ......................... 25 

Best Chiropractic Practice: Pierce Chiropractic & Rehabilitation ........... 25 

Best Hearing Aid Professional: Florida Medical Hearing Centers ........... 25 

Best Weight Loss Center: Metabolic Research Centers of Greater Jacksonville . 25 

Best Urgent Care: Avecina Medical ........................................................... 25 

Best Rehabilitation Center/Physical Therapy: Jacksonville Orthopaedic 

Institute and Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Rehab .......................... 25 

Best Health/Life Insurance Agency: Aetna ............................................... 25 

Best Senior/Assisted Living Facility: HarborChase of Jacksonville ......... 26 

Home & Professional Services 

Best Air Conditioning/Heating Service: Snyder Heating and Air 

Conditioning ............................................................................................... 26 

Best Carpet Cleaning Company: Julington Creek Carpet Care ................. 26 

Best Cleaning/Maid Service: Molly Maid ................................................... 26 

Best Flooring Store: The Flooring & Cabinet Store .................................. 26 

Best Landscaping Company: Earth Works Landscape and Garden Center .. 28 

Best Lawn Service: Peninsular Pest Control Services .............................. 28 

Best Plumber: Rolland Reash Plumbing .................................................... 28 

Best Pest Control: Peninsular Pest Control Services ............................... 28 

Best Painting Service: ProStar Painting .................................................... 29 

Best Pool Service and Care: Pinch A Penny .............................................. 29 

Best Car Wash/Detail Service: Charles and George’s Car Wash .............. 29 

Best Auto Repair Shop: RPM Automotive ................................................. 29 

Best Window Tinting Service: Tint Authority ............................................ 30 

Best Tattoo Shop: GrimmWerks Studios Tattoos and Body Piercings ..... 30 

Best Caterer: A1 Catering ........................................................................... 30 

Best Florist: Kuhn Flowers ......................................................................... 30 

Best Dry Cleaners: Grove Park Cleaners ................................................... 30 

Best Nail Salon: Zimmiz Hair Designers, Inc. ............................................ 30 

Best Hair Salon: For Your Eyes Only Salon & Spa ..................................... 30 

Best Pet Sitting Service: Bad to the Bone Pet Care .................................. 31 

Best Pet Boarding: Pet Paradise ............................................................... 31 

Best Pet Grooming: Bathhouse Pet Grooming & Spa ............................... 31 

Best Photographer: Through The Lens of Lee-Margaret ......................... 31 

Best Wedding Planner: Make My Day - Wedding & Event Planning .......... 31 

Best Law Firm: Farah and Farah ................................................................ 31 

Best Interior Designer: Decorator Girl ...................................................... 31 

Best Child Care Facility: Chappell Schools ................................................ 31 

Best Storage Facility: Atlantic Self Storage .............................................. 32 

Best Roofer: Quality Discount Roofing ...................................................... 32 

Best Transportation Service (Taxi/Car/Limo): Riverplace Limousine ..... 32 

Best Home Improvement/ Repair Service: Mr. Handyman Serving Greater 

Jacksonville ................................................................................................. 32 

Best Music School: Morris Music Academy ............................................... 32 

Best Tutoring Service: Tutoring Club of Jacksonville ............................... 32 

Best Home Organizer: Tailored Living Featuring Premier Garage .......... 32 

Best Moving Company: Baymeadows Moving and Storage ..................... 32 

Shops of Jax 

Best Antique Shop: Eco Relics ................................................................... 32 

Best E-Cig/Vapor Store: All Day Vape ....................................................... 32 

Best Garden Shop/Nursery: Earth Works Landscape and Garden Center .... 33 

Best Furniture Store: Ashley HomeStore .................................................. 33 

Best Mattress Store: Ashley HomeStore ................................................... 33 

Best Grocery Store: Publix ......................................................................... 33 

Best Health Food Store: Native Sun Natural Foods Market ..................... 33 

Best Hardware Store: Ace Hardware ......................................................... 33 

Best Jewelry Store: Global Diamonds ....................................................... 33 

Best Children’s Store: Once Upon a Child .................................................. 35 

Best Liquor Store: Broudy’s Liquors ......................................................... 35 

Best Pawn Shop: Wild West Guns & Gold ................................................... 35 

Best Shoe Store: Foot Solutions ................................................................ 35 

Best Thrift Store: BEAM Thrift ................................................................... 35 

Best Unique Shop: Eco Relics ..................................................................... 35 

Best Boutique: Sweet Repeats Consignment Shop ................................... 35 

Best Formal Wear/Bridal Shop: French Novelty ....................................... 36 

Best Bicycle Shop: Open Road Bicycles .................................................... 36 

Best Mall/Shopping Center: St. Johns Town Center .................................. 36 

Best Vintage Shop: Eco Relics ................................................................... 36 

Best Gun Shop: Green Acres Sporting Goods ............................................ 36 

Best Gift Shop: Avondale Gift Boutique .................................................... 36 

People & Faces of Jax 

Best TV Anchor: Tom Wills ......................................................................... 36 

Best Radio Personality/Host: Melissa Ross .............................................. 36 

Best Newspaper Reporter/ Columnist: Mark Woods ................................ 36 

Best Local Celebrity: Tim Tebow ............................................................... 36 

Best Visionary of Jacksonville: Shad Khan ................................................ 36 

Best Person in Public Office: Lenny Curry ................................................ 37 

Best Local Sports Hero: Tim Tebow ........................................................... 37 

Boldest Person of Jacksonville’s Past: Jake Godbold ............................... 37 

Boldest Person of Jacksonville’s Present: Shad Khan .............................. 37 

Best Place to Work: Small (less than 25 employees): Doctors Lake Family 

Dental .......................................................................................................... 37 

Best Place to Work: Medium (25-99 employees): Corporate Traffic 

Logistics ...................................................................................................... 37 

Best Place to Work: Large (100+ employees): The Suddath Companies 

Best New Business: Topgolf ....................................................................... 37 

Best Private School: Primary Education: San Jose Episcopal Day School .... 38 

Best Private School: Secondary Education: Episcopal School of Jacksonville .... 38 

Best Charter School: Duval Charter School .............................................. 38

4 THE TIMES-UNION · Sunday, September 24, 2017 

Third year’s the charm 

Bold City Best beats 

its own record! 

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union 

Call it luck or superstition, but the competition just keeps getting better. 

By Jacqueline Persandi 

jacqueline.persandi@jacksonville.com 

For the third year in a row, Jacksonville.com’s 

Bold City Best competition 

gave folks an opportunity to 

vote for their favorites in more than 

170 categories — from the best things to 

do on the First Coast, to the city’s favorite 

cuisine and cocktails. 

This year, online voting participation 

grew by 42 percent over last year’s 

competition. 

“We’re thrilled that the city has really 

taken to the competition,” said Liz 

Borten, Times-Union Media New Business 

Sales Director. “We have more winners 

than ever, as voted by more people 

than ever. We’re excited to highlight the 

community’s favorite businesses and 

share them with locals and visitors alike.” 

Before we reveal all the winners, we 

want to take a look at what makes Jacksonville 

the great city we know and love. 

Jacksonville’s claim to fame as the largest 

U.S. city by landmass, measuring 747 

square miles, doesn’t stop it from keeping 

the small-town charm that turns visitors 

into residents. In 2017, Forbes Magazine 

named Jacksonville one of 10 cities Americans 

are moving to, with a 5-percent 

population increase in the past two years. 

The magazine credited younger professionals, 

who find the available work and 

cost of living to be attractive, as part of 

our city’s growing population. 

“They’re finding value in homes in that 

market and then they have a decent job to 

go along with it, and that’s really driving 

population,” said Javier Vivas, manager 

of economic research for Realtor.com, in 

Forbes Magazine. 

As the city welcomes new neighbors, 

it also becomes home to new retailers, 

including Swedish home-goods store 

IKEA, which is set to open this fall; and 

state-of-the-art entertainment venues, 

like the new Daily’s Place amphitheater, 

connected to the south end of EverBank 

Field, home to the NFL’s Jacksonville 

Jaguars. 

With so many great things to do and 

places to visit in Jacksonville, it can be 

hard to decide where to go for a fun outing. 

That’s why this handy-dandy guide 

is your go-to reference when you want to 

experience the best the community has to 

offer — voted for you, by those who know 

the city best, your neighbors. 

Want to find the perfect restaurant for 

a special occasion? Flip to page 12. 

If you’re wondering who to call for the 

best pet-sitting service … check out page 

31. 

Want to hear from the family who’s 

won Best New and Used Car Dealership 

three years in a row? Read the cover story 

on page 20. 

With so many reasons why Jacksonville 

is the best, use this Bold City Best winner’s 

guide to learn about all 177 of the 

city’s favorites in 2017!


Jacksonville.com is hosting the Bold City Best Party on Monday, Sept. 25 at Intuition Ale Works to celebrate the 2017 Bold City Best winners. 

Photo provided by Intuition Ale Works 

Jacksonville.com crafting a Monday to remember 

The Bold City Best Party is back at Intuition Ale Works 



Jacksonville.com’s Bold City Best 

competition is officially over, but the 

fun is just starting to brew. 

The Bold City Best Party returns on 

Sept. 25 to celebrate the 2017 Bold City 

Best competition. Join Jacksonville.com 

and the Bold City Best winners at Intuition 

Ale Works, 929 E Bay St., for the 

best Monday of the year. 

Open to the public, guests 21 and older 

are invited to enjoy live entertainment, 

interactive games and exciting giveaways 

from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. with host 

Matt Pittman from The Florida Times- 

Union’s Matt About Jax. 

“It’s the perfect excuse to extend your 

weekend into Monday,” Pittman said. 

“We’ll be hooking people up with awesome 

prizes all night, including tickets 

to events at the brand new Daily’s 

Place amphitheater, Florida Theatre, 

and Jaguar games. This is a can’t-miss 

event for everyone who loves Jacksonville.” 

Admission tickets to the party include 

one complimentary drink of beer, 

wine or soda; free appetizers from Black 

Sheep Restaurant in Riverside; a chocolate 

fountain by Peterbrooke Chocolatier; 

live entertainment by The Band Be 

Easy; select drink specials; and much 

more! 

“We’re making this the best party of 

the year because it’s celebrating the best 

Jacksonville has to offer,” Time-Union 

Media Digital Marketing Manager Julie 

Mays said. “We’re taking over the entire 

brewery with live music, fun games, a 

photo booth, drinks, food and exciting 

surprises.” 

Guests arriving early will enjoy a 

champagne happy hour from 6:30 to 

7:30 p.m., and can be some of the first to 

snap a pic in Bold City Best’s exclusive 

photo booth. However, no matter what 

time you show up, games like cornhole, 

ping-pong and life-size Jenga will be 

available in the activity tent in the back 

party lot. 

Party-goers can enjoy Intuition Ale 

Works’ selections of small-batch, handcrafted 

ales. The Jacksonville-based 

craft brewery cans its own beers, and 

was the first brewery in Florida to do so 

in 2012. Some of its well-known beers 

include the flagship People’s Pale Ale, 

Jon Boat Coast Ale, I-10 IPA, King Street 

Stout and Easy on the Eyes. 

The event also will feature a silent 

auction to benefit the Jaguars Foundation, 

a national leader in professional 

sports philanthropy, providing support 

to the community’s most vulnerable 

children. 

Each attendee will head home with a 

swag bag filled with branded gear, coupons 

and special offers from Bold City 

Best winners. 

You can purchase tickets online at 

boldcitybest.com for $25 or at the door 

while supplies last.


Photo provided by Tom Bush Family of Dealerships 

The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships has been operating in the automotive business 

for nearly a century, and has grown to include Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, MINI, preowned 

vehicles and a Certified Collision Center in Jacksonville. 

Photo provided by Travelcamp 

Travelcamp is Jacksonville’s Premier Towable RV Dealer with two area locations 

serving Northeast Florida. 

Autos & More 

Best New Car Dealership 

Tom Bush Family of Dealerships 

Jax: Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville 32225 (VW, 

Mazda, BMW, MINI, Collision Center) 

OP: Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville 32244 

(Mazda, BMW) 

(904) 725-0911, (904) 779-0600 

tombush.com 

The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships 

has been 

operating in 

the automotive 

business 

for nearly a 

century. The 

company has 

grown to include Volkswagen, Mazda, 

BMW, MINI, pre-owned vehicles and 

a Certified Collision Center in Jacksonville. 

Tom Bush has been voted the 

‘Bold City Best’ for the last three years 

and one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ by 

the Jacksonville Business Journal. 

Best Used Car Dealership 

Tom Bush Family of Dealerships 

Jax: Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville 32225 (VW, 

Mazda, BMW, MINI, Collision Center) 

OP: Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville 32244 

(Mazda, BMW) 

(904) 725-0911, (904) 779-0600 

tombush.com 


has been operating in the automotive 

business for nearly a century. The company 

has grown to include Volkswagen, 

Mazda, BMW, MINI, pre-owned vehicles 

and a Certified Collision Center 

in Jacksonville. Tom Bush has been 

voted the ‘Bold City Best’ for the last 

three years and one of the ‘Best Places 

to Work’ by the Jacksonville Business 

Journal. 

Photo provided by North Florida Yacht Sales 

North Florida Yacht Sales gives Jacksonville a selection of the industry’s top boat 

brands, including Monterey, NauticStar, Pioneer and Sea Hunt. 

Best Boat Dealership 

North Florida Yacht Sales 

8940 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32257 

(904) 733-7502 

nfys1.com 

North Florida Yacht Sales strives 

to bring you the industry’s top boat 

brands including Monterey, NauticStar, 

Sea Hunt and the newest addition, the 

legendary Blackfin Boats. Competitive 

pricing and customer service is what 

keeps Jacksonville’s boating community 

coming back time and time again. 

The staff treats customers the way 

they would want to be treated, with 

a friendly smile and respect. North 

Florida Yacht Sales is family-owned and 

has been serving Jacksonville’s boating 

needs for more than 23 years. The company’s 

goal is to give you the best experience 

on the water with your family 

and friends. Stop in, meet the friendly 

staff and look over the large inventory 

of new and used boats. 

Best RV Dealership 

Travelcamp RV Sales, Service, 

Parts & More 

9070 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville 32216 and 

7505 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville 32244 

(888) 902-7353 & (904) 512-5977 

travelcamp.com 

Travelcamp is Jacksonville’s Premier 

Towable RV Dealer with two area locations. 

If you are looking to purchase or 

rent a Towable RV, own an RV and are 

in need of RV related services, or even 

interested in selling your RV, Travelcamp 

is your one-stop shop. You can 

expect professional, fast and sincere 

service to assure your expectations are 

surpassed!


Photo provided by Adamec Harley-Davidson 

Adamec Harley-Davidson has four locations in Northeast Florida and took home the 

Best Motorcycle Dealership 

Adamec Harley-Davidson 

Multiple locations 

adamecharley.com 

Adamec Harley-Davidson is an 

American 

legend, 

and has 

been a 

family tradition 

run 

by three generations since 1931. Adamec 

Harley-Davidson has four locations in 

Northeast Florida. 

Best Auto Insurance 

Agency 

Brightway Insurance 

3733 University Blvd. West, Suite 100, 

Jacksonville 32217 

(904) 764-9554 

brightway.com 

A national property/casualty insurance 

retailer 

selling 

through 

a network 

of 

franchised 

independent agencies, Brightway 

Insurance has grown into one of 

and has since grown to more than 700 

people in 17 states, serving customers in 

all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the 

Things To Do 

& Places To Be 

Best Art Gallery 

Cummer Museum of Art and 

Gardens 

829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville 32204 

(904) 356-6857 

cummermuseum.org 

The Cummer Museum holds one of 

the finest art collections in the Southeast, 

with more than 5,000 objects in its 

permanent collection. The Museum’s 

2.5 acres of historic gardens are unique 

examples of early 20th-century garden 

design, featuring reflecting pools, 

fountains, arbors, antique ornaments, 

and sculptures. Art Connections, the 

Museum’s nationally-recognized interactive 

education center, enhances the 

cultural learning of visitors of all ages 

by offering educational programs and 

interactive opportunities, both in and 

Photo provided by Brightway Insurance 

Brightway Insurance began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to 

Photo provided by The Cummer Museum 

The Cummer Museum holds one of the finest art collections in the Southeast, with 

more than 5,000 objects in its permanent collection.


Photo provided by BairFind 

BairFind is a charity that crowdsources the search for missing children by putting 

their profile pictures in high-traffic public places like Minor League Baseball 

stadiums. 

Best Golf Course 

TPC Sawgrass 

110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach 

32082 

(904) 273-3235 

tpc.com/sawgrass 

Designed by Pete Dye and intended 

to give TOUR players 

a course to call their 

home, THE PLAY- 

ERS Stadium Course 

is home to three of 

the most challenging 

finishing holes 

and one of the most 

photographed holes in 

the world — the island 

green 17th Hole. THE 

PLAYERS Stadium Course allows golfers 

to access a level of course typically 

reserved for PGA TOUR players. 

Best Marina 

Julington Creek Marina 


(904) 268-5117 

marinaatjulingtoncreek.com 

Located on Julington Creek just south 

of Interstate 295 on San Jose Boulevard, 

Julington Creek Marina offers more 

than 70 boat slips, with availability on a 

first-come, first-served basis. The marina 

provides boat storage on-site and 

RV storage off-site on Mandarin Road. 

Water and electrical hook-ups are available 

for each boat, and the inlet facility 

protects the vessels from storm damage 

and rough waters. 

Best Local Charity 

The BairFind Foundation 

8777 San Jose Blvd., Suite 803, Jacksonville 

32217 

bairfind.org 

BairFind crowdsources the search for 

missing children by putting their profile 

pictures in high-traffic public places 

like Minor League Baseball stadiums. 

Every glance at one of these photos is 

another opportunity for a child to be reunited 

with his or her family. BairFind’s 

success is measured by the countless 

stories of featured children who have 

been safely located. 

Best Live Theater 

Alhambra Theatre & Dining 

12000 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville 32246 

(904) 641-1212 

alhambrajax.com 

The recently renovated Alhambra 

Theatre & Dining offers Broadway 

quality shows and one of the best dining 

experiences in town. With a new 

menu for every show, you’ve got two 

great reasons to visit the Alhambra 

Photo provided by Alhambra Theatre & Dining 

Alhambra Theatre & Dining offers Broadway-quality shows and one of the best dining 

experiences in town. The theater is a great place to celebrate special occasions or


you haven’t seen, heard or tasted before. 

Best Movie Theater 

AMC Regency 24 

9451 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville 

32225 

(904) 725-0885 

amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/ 

jacksonville/ amc-regency-24 

Located in Regency Square, AMC 

Regency 24 offers recliner seating, reserved 

tickets and an IMAX experience. 

Best Live Music Venue 

St. Augustine Amphitheatre 

1340C A1A South, St. Augustine 32080 

staugamphitheatre.com 

(904) 209-3746 

Built in 1965 to commemorate St. 

Augustine’s 400th anniversary as the 

nation’s oldest permanent European 

settlement, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre 

has 4,092 seats. The venue underwent 

an $8.7 million renovation in 2002 

and reopened in 2007 with a fiberglass 

tensile canopy over the main stage. 

Best Concert/Event of 

2016/2017 

St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage 

Festival 

St. Augustine 32084 

celticstaugustine.com 

Photo provided by Riverside Arts Market 

The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly market hosted on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 

3 p.m., rain or shine. RAM features a variety of small businesses from farmers and 

artists to makers and bakers. 

Arguably the finest collaboration of 

Celtic artists in the United States, the 

St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage 

Festival typically takes place early March 

in America’s Oldest Celtic City. 

Best Kids’ Entertainment 

Town of Orange Park Kids Fest 

2042 Park Ave., Orange Park 32073 

opkidsfest.com 

Town of Orange Park Kids Fest is 

a two-day event filled with creative 

and interactive activities, storytelling, 

hands-on booths, educational displays, 

cultural experiences, arts and crafts, 

costumed characters and more. 

Best Summer Camp 

First Coast YMCA Summer Camp 

40 East Adams St., Suite 210, Jacksonville 

32202 

(904) 265-1775 

firstcoastymca.org/programs/camp 

The Y is one of the nation’s largest 

providers of camp programs. The 

professionally-trained staff provides 

safe, high-quality care with a focus on 

preventing summer learning loss, developing 

character and making friends. 

YMCA campers enjoy swimming, arts 

and crafts, sports, STEM activities, 

reading programs and more. 

Best Farmers Market


Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or 

shine. RAM features a variety of small 

businesses from farmers to artists to 

makers and bakers. Under the Fuller 

Warren Bridge, you’ll find a familyfriendly 

event that attracts more than 

4,000 visitors every Saturday. The 

riverfront amphitheater seats 350 people 

and features hours of live music. 

Best Flea Market 

Beach Boulevard Flea & Farmers 

Market 


(904) 930-4149 

jaxfleamarket.com 

The Beach Boulevard Flea Market 

opened more than 20 years ago and is 

one of the largest markets of its kind in 

Jacksonville. Located just west of Interstate 

295 on Beach Boulevard, the market 

offers a unique, fun-filled shopping 

experience for everyone. Vendors at 

the Beach Boulevard Flea Market offer 

quality merchandise at affordable prices 

and carry everything from name brand 

merchandise and handcrafted specialty 

items to hidden treasures. 

Best Trivia Night 

Dick’s Wings & Grill 


dickswingsandgrill.com 

Dick’s Wings & Grill has served 

Jacksonville for more than 20 years at 

20 locations with more than 365 flavors. 

Dick’s Wings was voted 2015 and 2016 

Bold City Best Wings, and voted Best 

Wings 12 years running in Folio Weekly. 

Best Martial Arts Studio 

Pak’s Karate 


pakskarate.com 

(904) 384-1111 

Pak’s Karate Academy provides 

traditional Korean martial arts instruction 

to students of any age, with the goal 

of self-improvement. With more than 

22,000 members and 2,800 black belts 

nationwide, Pak’s is one of the largest 

traditional martial arts organizations. 

As the institution’s headquarters, the 

Blanding store’s classes are led by 

founder and president, Grandmaster 

Song K. Pak. 

Best Yoga Studio 

Yoga Den Studio 

Multiple Locations 

yoga-den.com 

With four studios in the Jacksonville 

area, Yoga-Den members can choose 

from more than 100 classes each week, 

led by nationally-accredited teachers. 

Yoga Den also offers a first class for free 

and encourages first-timers to try Mind- 

Body Yoga, a slower-paced class. Class 

packages range from four to 50 classes, 

as well as unlimited options for one and 

three months. 

Best Fitness Center/Gym 

Orangetheory Fitness 


orangetheoryfitness.com 

Orangetheory Fitness is a one-of-akind, 

group personal-training workout 

broken into intervals of cardiovascular 

and strength training. Led by skilled 

instructors, participants use a variety of 

equipment including treadmills, rowing 

machines, TRX Suspension Training 

and free weights, burning an average of 

900 calories per class. The result is the 

Orange Effect — more energy, visible 

toning and extra calorie burn for up to 

36 hours post-workout. 

Best Pilates Studio 

Pilates on 3rd 

319 10th Ave N., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

(917) 664-2972 

pilatesonthird.com 

Pilates on 3rd believes that an effective 

fitness routine facilitates a strong 

and happy you. Strengthening your 

deep core muscles will make you more 

efficient with your movements, thus 

enhancing performance in daily and 

athletic activities. Pilates on 3rd distinguishes 

itself through motivation in a 

semi-private class setting with detailed, 

hands-on instruction. The Pilates studio 

challenges you with a complete workout 

that will push you physically and leave 

Photo provided by Amelia Island Kayak Excursions 

Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is a family-owned/operated kayaking business on 

Amelia Island, offering guided tours year-round for all experience levels. 

you feeling restored in mind and body. 

Best Dance Studio 

Mark Spivak Institute 

3740 San 

Jose Place, 

Jacksonville 

32257 

(904) 268- 

9136 

markspivak. 

com 

Founded in 1980, the Mark Spivak Institute 

offers high-quality dance lessons 

for students of all ages, from toddlers 

to adults. Dances include Ballet, Pointe, 

Character, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, 

Cheerdance, Acrobatics, Tumbling, Preschool, 

Creative Dance and Summer 

Program. Each year the students put on 

an annual recital where they showcase 

their talent.


Cuisine & 

Cocktails 

Best All You Can Eat 

Golden Corral 


goldencorral.com 

Established in 1973, Golden Corral 

offers an enormous buffet that serves 

breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dinner 

buffet has more than 15 different 

proteins, a salad bar, bakery and dessert 

buffet. Its mission is to be the leader in 

the family restaurant segment by making 

dining affordable for every guest, at 

every restaurant, at every table. 

Best Bang for the Buck 

Restaurant 

Metro Diner 


metrodiner.com 

At Metro Diner’s nine Northeast Florida 

locations the portions are big, but 

the egos are small, and the staff is proud 

to give folks a great value for their hardearned 

dollar. Yes, the restaurant serves 

huge portions for breakfast, lunch and 

dinner, and is proud to do so. Known 

for serving up “comfort food with flair,” 

Metro Diner wants all customers to feel 

they are receiving a value no matter 

what they order. 

Best-kept Secret 

Restaurant 

The Lucky Penny Eatery 

8286 Western Way Circle, Suite C-1, 


(904) 731-1242 

theluckypennyeatery.com 

The Lucky Penny Eatery is Baymeadow’s 

Best-kept Secret! Locally owned 

and operated, The Lucky Penny Eatery 

is known for large chef’s salads and 

homemade ranch dressing. Open from 

7 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through 

Friday. Customers love coming to The 

Lucky Penny Eatery for more than just 

salads! A true favorite is the Penny’s 

Pita Deluxe, as well as the Steak ‘n Sack, 

hand-pattied burgers and Cajun Ranch 

wings. 

Best Outdoor Dining 

River City Brewing Company 

835 Museum Circle, Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 398-2299 

rivercitybrew.com 

See why River 

City Brewing Company 

is the premier 

dining destination 

on the Southbank of 

the St. Johns River 

overlooking downtown 

Jacksonville. 

Rejoice in beautiful 

sunsets on the 

patio deck and enjoy a menu filled with 

dishes reflecting a global flavor. RCBC 

is open seven days a week with Happy 

Hour specials, Sunday Brunch and live 

music nights both indoors and on the 

outside deck. Patrons can also reserve 

the upstairs rooms for special occasions. 

Best Romantic Restaurant 

Restaurant Orsay 

3630 Park St., Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 381-0909 

restaurantorsay.com 

Located slightly off the beaten path in 

the Avondale Historic District, Restaurant 

Orsay attracts regular locals and 

foodies from across the Southeast by 

showcasing French cuisine in a warm, 

inviting atmosphere, without being pretentious 

or stuffy. Owner Jonathan Insetta, 

Managing Partner Jason Eddy and 

Executive Chef Michael Mckinney work 

to bring locally sourced ingredients 

together with genuine southern hospitality. 

Recognized as Jacksonville’s best 

restaurant by locals in Folio Weekly for 

the last five years, Restaurant Orsay is a 

premier dining destination on the First 

Coast. The establishment is accredited 

by AAA with four diamonds, has won 

numerous awards for food, service and 

wine, and is the only independent establishment 

in North Florida with Wine 

Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. 

Best Special Occasion 

Restaurant 

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 


(904) 396-6200 

With two locations on the First 

Coast, Ruth’s Chris Steak House offers 

signature cocktails, an award-winning 

wine list with more than 200 labels, 

500-degree sizzling plates, filets and its 

famous seafood tower. The dress code 

is business casual and reservations are 

encouraged. 

Best Family Restaurant 

Metro Diner 



As a family-owned restaurant, Metro


Diner understands it’s important to 

make families large and small comfortable 

and happy during every visit. Members 

of the staff at Metro Diner’s nine 

Northeast Florida locations care about 

the families they cook for every day, and 

are proud to serve a special brand of 

comfort food, as they call it — “comfort 

food with flair.” 

Best Farm to Table/Locally 

Supplied Restaurant 

Kitchen on San Marco 

1402 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 396-2344 

kitchenonsanmarco.com 

Kitchen on San Marco — a gastropub 

— is a multi-award winning restaurant 

located in the historic neighborhood 

of San Marco, just minutes away from 

downtown’s Southbank. The restaurant’s 

lunch, dinner and Happy Hour 

menus change seasonally to focus on 

fresh, locally sourced and regional 

cuisine while combining imaginative, 

upscale cooking techniques with 

a casual dining experience, including 

a wide selection of craft beers, carefully 

curated specialty cocktails and a 

friendly wine list. 

Best Southern Cuisine 

The Potter’s House Soul Food 

Bistro 


thesoulfoodbistro.com 

Opened in 1998 by The Potter’s House 

Christian Fellowship, the original Westside 

location of 600 sq. ft. has grown 

to a 5,800 sq. ft. location in Kingdom 

Plaza. A second location, off Kernan and 

Atlantic Boulevard, was opened in 2013 

and provides the best in Southern cooking 

in a pleasant, family atmosphere. 

Best Bar/Pub 

Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub & 

Restaurant 

2 Independent Drive, Suite 176, Jacksonville 

32202 

(904) 374-1547 

fionnmacs.com 

Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub is locally 

owned and operated by Joe Moye and 

his sister Amy McNulty, both natives of 

Jacksonville, and General Manager Paul 

Glaser. Fionn MacCool’s was originally 

opened in Jacksonville Beach in 2005, 

and has been operating on the riverfront 

in downtown Jacksonville since 2011. 

A full and diverse menu is offered with 

traditional Irish items, American cuisine, 

and weekly creative specials from 

Chef John Walker and Sous Chef Ray 

Harper. Fionn’s has more than 40 beers 

on tap and an extensive list of Scotch 

and Irish whiskey. The local restaurant 

is excited to announce the opening of 

a second location this fall on US 1 near 

Nocatee at 145 Hilden Road. Exciting 

changes are also in the works for the 

downtown location. Fionn MacCool’s 

welcomes customers to enjoy lunch or 

dinner daily, with great food, friendly 

service and a beautiful view of the river. 

Best Local Brewery 

Intuition Ale Works 

929 E. Bay St., Jacksonville 32202 

(904) 683-7720 

intuitionaleworks.com 

Intuition Ale Works is a Jacksonvillebased 

craft brewery established in 

2010 by owner and brewer Ben Davis. 

Specializing in small-batch handcrafted 

ales, Intuition’s mission is to create 

quality, flavorful and creative beers in a 

wide range of styles. In February 2012, 

Intuition Ale Works became the first 

craft brewery in the state of Florida 

to can its beers and currently packages 

five brands: the flagship People’s 

Pale Ale, Jon Boat Coast Ale, I-10 IPA, 

King Street Stout and Easy on the 

Eyes. These core brands are distributed 

throughout the state of Florida 

by Champion Brands (Jacksonville/ 

Northeast Florida) Burkhart Sales & 

Service (Gainesville and surrounding 

areas), Tri-Eagle Sales (Tallahassee), 

J.J. Taylor (Tampa/Central Florida) and 

Florida Distributing Co. (Orlando). In 

September 2016, Intuition completed a 

large expansion project and is enjoying 

its new, state-of-the-art brewing facility 

and taproom in downtown Jacksonville. 

Best Happy Hour 

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 


(904) 396-6200 

The Sizzle, Swizzle, Swirl Happy 

Hour is a deal unique to Ruth’s Chris 

which includes a selection of full-sized 

appetizers and food, as well as handcrafted 

cocktails for $9. Happy hour 

lasts from 4:30 to 7 p.m. every day but 

Saturday. 

Best Sports Bar 

The Mudville Grille 


(904) 398-4326 

themudvillegrill.com 

Mudville has been serving the Jacksonville 

area for nearly 24 years, and 

has been voted Bold City Best Sports 

Bar in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Please visit 

themudvillegrill.com to take a look at 

the menu. 

Best Martini 

Bonefish Grill 


bonefishgrill.com 

Created by mixologists who approach 

each cocktail as a work of art, Bonefish 

offers eight different martinis. During 

happy hour, select martinis are $5, and 

chefs can assist customers in pairing the 

perfect food with the perfect drink. 

Best Margarita 

La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant 


La Napolera serves quality, authentic 

Mexican food that’s guaranteed to be 

the best in the area. Come and taste the 

best of what Mexico has to offer. 

Best Beer Selection 

Brewz 

1011 Atlantic Beach Blvd., Jacksonville 32233 

(904) 372-9297 

brewz.beer 

Brewz is a locally owned and operated 

growler filling station that specializes 

in craft beers and wine from around 

the country and the world. Guests can 

enjoy a glass or a flight on the premises 

or take growlers to go. Brewz is 

dedicated to providing the best rotating 

draft beer selection that you won’t find 

anywhere else. 

Best Wine List 

Taverna 


(904) 398-3005 

taverna.restaurant 

Taverna is a locally owned and operated 

restaurant established in the fall of 

2009. Located in Jacksonville’s historic 

San Marco neighborhood, this rustic, 

yet sophisticated, dining destination 

draws inspiration from the simplicity 

and warmth of rustic Italian kitchens. 

Husband and wife team Sam and Kiley 

Efron specialize in handcrafted Italian 

cuisine. In addition to lunch, dinner 

and craft cocktails, Taverna is home to 

a Wine Spectator award-winning wine 

list, private dining and catering. The 

restaurant offers boxed lunches available 

for pick-up or delivery. See taverna. 

restaurant for details. 

Best Sommelier 

David Bridda at Capital Grille 

5197 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville 32246 

(904) 997-9233 

thecapitalgrille.com 

David Bridda was born and raised in 

Jacksonville, and has been in the restaurant 

business for 15 years. He has been 

running the Wine program at The Capital 

Grille at St. Johns Town Center since 

March 2017. Regular patrons and new 

customers alike rave about his events. 

“I have been blessed to work in a place 

that supports a passion for excellent 

wine, as do our guests,” Bridda said.


Best Tacos 

TacoLu 

1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

(904) 249-8226 

tacolu.com 

Located in the old Homestead Restaurant 

on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville 

Beach, TacoLu has become a popular 

spot for its wide variety of tacos and 

tequila. The restaurant is open six days 

a week and serves brunch on Saturdays 

and Sundays. 

Best Burrito 

Moe’s Southwest Grill 


(904) 220-9090 

moes.com 

Founded in December 2000 in Atlanta, 

Ga., Moe’s Southwest Grill® is a 

fun and engaging fast-casual restaurant 

franchise serving a wide variety of 

fresh, made-to-order Southwest fare in 

a welcoming environment that rocks. 

With more than 20 incredibly fresh ingredients 

like all-natural chicken, grassfed 

steak and organic tofu to create 

one-of-a-kind meals, Moe’s has everyone 

covered, from meat lovers to tree 

huggers to vegetarians and flexitarians. 

While Moe’s is best known for awesome 

burritos, its menu also features options 

Photo provided by M Shack 

M Shack is a collaboration by the Medure brothers — chefs Matthew and David — 

fusing the old fashioned burger joint with style and fresh ingredients. 

for kids, vegetarians and low-calorie 

diners — all served with free chips and 

salsa. 

Best Burger 

M Shack 


mshackburgers.com 

M Shack is a collaboration by the 

Medure brothers — chefs Matthew 

and David — fusing the old fashioned 

burger joint with style and fresh ingredients. 

M Shack burgers are made with 

all-natural, hormone-free Black Angus 

beef ground fresh daily. All beef hot 

dogs, hand-cut fries, mouth-watering 

milkshakes and more help complete the 

unique menu. M Shack is located in Atlantic 

Beach, the St. John’s Town Center, 

Riverside and Nocatee. 

Best Sandwich 

Daily’s Dash 


dailys.com/dash 

Daily’s Dash is a fast-casual cafe 

concept that offers a variety of fresh, 

wholesome, all-natural made-to-order 

breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, 

salads, desserts and specialty coffee 

drinks, all made from with high-quality 

ingredients. Daily’s Dash has been in 

Jacksonville since 2013 and has grown 

to more than 19 locations in the Jacksonville 

market. The team members 

at Daily’s Dash believe in an inspired 

menu full of big flavor and affordable 

prices using high-quality, fresh, natural, 

wholesome, made-to-order food. 

Best Japanese Restaurant 

Daruma Japanese Steak House 


(904) 821-9817 

Located in Hodges Plaza, Daruma 

diners can enjoy hibachi, sushi and 

more, prepared on an open stove in 

front of the customers by cooks who put 

on a show. Great for parties, Daruma 

also offers a wide selection of beer and 

wine. 

Best Crab Cakes 

Barbara Jean’s Restaurant 


barbarajeans.com 

The owners and staff at Barbara 

Jean’s Restaurant thank the wonderful 

Bold City Best voters for the Best Crab 

Cake award. They feel honored and 

hope to see each and every one of you at 

Barbara Jean’s, where you can order an 

award-winning crab cake. 

Best Pancakes 

Metro Diner 



Metro Diner’s pancakes have been 

voted Bold City Best for three years in 

a row for a reason. Always fresh, fluffy 

and flavorful, customers can get their 

pancakes with fresh fruit, nuts, chocolate 

chips or compote. Order pancakes 

from one of Metro Diner’s nine Northeast 

Florida locations for breakfast, 

lunch or dinner — because you can! 

Best Salads 

The Lucky Penny Eatery 

8286 Western Way Circle, Suite C-1, 


(904) 731-1242 

theluckypennyeatery.com 

Locally owned and operated, The 

Lucky Penny Eatery is known for large 

chef’s salads and homemade ranch 

dressing. Open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., 

Monday through Friday. Customers 

love coming to The Lucky Penny Eatery 

for salads as well as favorites like the 

Penny’s Pita Deluxe, the Steak ‘n Sack, 

hand-pattied burgers and Cajun Ranch 

wings. 

Best Healthy Eating 

Native Sun Natural Foods Market 


(904) 260-2791 

nativesunjax.com 

Jacksonville’s homegrown organic 

grocer has been locally owned and operated 

since 1997. Native Sun has three 

locations in Jacksonville and provides 

the local community with access to 

unmatched product standards that go 

above and beyond to ensure only the 

cleanest and healthiest foods end up on 

the shelves. A favorite spot for healthy, 

organic grab-and-go options for every 

diet and eating occasion, Native Sun is 

home to smoothies, juices, sandwiches, 

wraps, salads, kombucha, a gluten-free 

bakery and more. 

Best Wings 

V Pizza 

1406 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 527-1511 

vpizza.com 

V Pizza’s passion is to bring the 

flavor, quality and authenticity of 

Naples, Italy, to your table with unparalleled 

service. With three locations 

across Jacksonville (San Marco, Jacksonville 

Beach and Mandarin) and one 

in Gainesville, V Pizza specializes in 

bringing the art of traditional Napole-


tana pizza, calzones, wood oven roasted 

chicken wings, salads, desserts and 

more to this side of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Best Breakfast 

Metro Diner 



You can order breakfast any time of 

the day at any of Metro Diner’s nine 

locations in Northeast Florida. The staff 

at Metro knows the huge homemade 

breakfasts are one of the reasons the 

restaurant has been voted Bold City 

Best Breakfast for three years running, 

and has so many fans from all over the 

globe. Try The Bissell Breakfast, the famous 

Fried Chicken and Waffle combo, 

one of the Eggs Benedict Classics or 

one of six Breakfast Sandwiches. Metro 

Diner also serves fresh specials every 

day. 

Best Brunch 

Metro Diner 



Honored to be Jacksonville’s favorite 

Brunch spot three years running, 

Metro Diner keeps creating reasons to 

come back. Check out the Chalkboard 

Specials for new, fresh reasons to order 

daily. You’ll find specials from giant 

omelets and the Bold City Best Burger 

to lighter choices like specialty salads. 

When you’re at one of the nine Northeast 

Florida Metro Diners you can relax, 

enjoy and remember “It’s where the 

locals eat brunch.” 

Best Pizza 

V Pizza 

1406 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 527-1511 

vpizza.com 

V Pizza’s passion is to bring the 

flavor, quality and authenticity of 

Naples, Italy, to your table with unparalleled 

service. With three locations 

across Jacksonville (San Marco, Jacksonville 

Beach and Mandarin) and one 

in Gainesville, V Pizza specializes in 

bringing the art of traditional Napoletana 

pizza, calzones, wood oven roasted 

chicken wings, salads, desserts and 

more to this side of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Best Coffee Shop 

Bold Bean Coffee Roasters 


boldbeancoffee.com 

Bold Bean Coffee Roasters’ seasonally 

sourced, farmer-direct, specialty beans 

are roasted at Bold Bean’s very own 

roastery equipped with a cupping and 

training lab. At Bold Bean, it’s about the 

process, and the desire to share their 

passion for outstanding coffee serves as 

Photo provided by The Happy Grilled Cheese 

The Happy Grilled Cheese is a local food 

truck serving Jacksonville in different 

locations. 

the “Why” behind everything they do. 

Bold Bean serves single-origin coffees, 

espresso, signature blends, specialty 

teas, handcrafted syrups, sweet and 

savory pastries, craft beer and wine in 

Riverside, Jacksonville Beach and San 

Marco. 

Best Dessert 

Biscottis Restaurant + Catering + 

Bar 

3556 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 387-2060 

biscottis.net 

Biscottis offers casual comfort, 

innovative cuisine including salads, 

house-made pizzas, pastas and nightly 

specials, as well as a fabulous Saturday 

and Sunday brunch, along with the best 

desserts in Jacksonville, made by its 

very own “b the bakery.” Biscottis now 

serves craft cocktails, and offers happy 

hour specials seven days a week from 4 

to 6:30 p.m. 

Best Food Truck 

The Happy Grilled Cheese 

thehappygrilledchees.wix.com/grilledcheese 

The Happy Grilled Cheese, Jacksonville’s 

perennial favorite food truck, has 

been keeping our streets cheesy since 

2013. Check out the daily food truck 

locations on Facebook and Instagram or 

visit the long awaited brick and mortar 

location at 219 N. Hogan Street. Take it 

Cheesy! 

Best Smoothie 

Planet Smoothie 


Photo by Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union 

At Metro Diner’s nine Northeast Florida locations, the portions are big for breakfast, 

lunch and dinner. 

Photo provided by V Pizza 

V Pizza specializes in bringing the art of traditional Napoletana pizza, calzones, 

wood-oven-roasted chicken wings, salads and desserts to Northeast Florida. 

planetsmoothie.com 

Started in 1995, Planet Smoothie 

serves real fruit smoothies with healthy 

ingredients to fit your lifestyle. Smoothies 

can be customized to include protein, 

energy boosters or “superfoods.” 

As a franchise system, each store is 

independently owned and operated by 

someone from the local community. 

Best Bakery 

Cinotti’s Bakery 

1523 Penman Road, Jacksonville Beach 32250 

(904) 246-1728 

cinottisbakery.com 

As a fifth generation bakery, Cinotti’s 

is proud to serve Jacksonville its famous 

doughnuts, custom cakes, cookies and 

hearty sandwiches for breakfast and 

lunch. Cinotti’s always remember where 

it came from with local favorites and 

staple items, like the beloved pumpkin 

donuts in the fall, but continues to be 

recognized on a national level for the 

ability to be cutting-edge and trendy in 

the baking world. Stop by and see why 

Jacksonville voted Cinotti’s Bold City 

Best Bakery! 

Best Deli 

Pinegrove Market and Deli 

1511 Pinegrove Ave., Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 389-8655 

pinegrovemarket.com 

A neighborhood icon for more than 

60 years, Pinegrove is proud to serve 

handcrafted sandwiches, homemade 

soups and amazing hand-ground burgers. 

Family owned and operated, Pinegrove 

is a deli and butcher shop with 

old-world charm where you are always 

welcome.


Best Barbecue 

Monroe’s Smokehouse BBQ & 

Catering 


(904) 387-4545 

monroessmokehousebbq.com 

Monroe’s Smokehouse is a local 

BBQ restaurant that opened its first 

location 10 years ago on the Westside. 

Now with a second location on Beach 

Boulevard and a food truck, Monroe’s 

offers smoked BBQ and homemade sides 

served by friendly staff, as well as catering 

for 10 to 10,000 guests. 

Best Sushi 

Kazu Japanese Restaurant 


32257 

(904) 683-9903 

kazujapaneserestaurant.com 

Kazu is the only Japanese restaurant 

in Jacksonville that offers a variety of 

sushi-grade fish from around the world. 

Kazu is an elegant, yet comfortable 

dining experience, satisfying for those 

who are sushi veterans looking for a 

way to expand their palettes, as well 

as for people who are venturing into 

Japanese cuisine for the first time. Kazu 

has established itself as the best Sushi/ 

Japanese restaurant in Jacksonville and 

has received positive acclaims. 

Best Diner 

Metro Diner 



Metro Diner has been voted Jacksonville’s 

favorite diner for three years 

in a row. Serving family favorites with 

flare is its specialty. You can order up 

breakfast any time of the day and enjoy 

classics like Chicken and Waffles, Yo 

Hala, Breakfast Pie and don’t forget 

the delectable Charleston Shrimp and 

Grits. Metro Diner has nine locations 

in Northeast Florida that will always be 

“Where the Locals Eat!” 

Best Indian Restaurant 

5th Element 

9485 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville 32256 

(904) 448-8265 

my5thelement.com 

5th Element is an Indian eatery that 

offers a fresh and healthy approach to 

Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s highly 

qualified chefs come from various regions 

of India, bringing with them their 

own expertise. 5th Element offers lunch 

buffet, dinner, carry-out and catering. 

Best Thai Restaurant 

Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine 

13475 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 32, Jacksonville 

32225 

(904) 723-1300 

blueorchid.menu 

Blue Orchid is Jacksonville’s premier 

Thai restaurant. The words on the 

restaurant’s front door — “Add a little 

spice to your life. Experience Thailand.” 

— reveal the desire not only to impress 

you with great Thai food, but also to 

expose you to Thailand’s warm hospitality 

and exotic culture. The words 

are a promise to serve you great food 

made from original Thai ingredients, to 

shower you with smiles, to expose you 

to Thai art and history, and to exceed 

your expectations. 

Best Italian Restaurant 

Enza’s Italian Restaurant 


32257 

(904) 268-4458 

enzas.net 

Enza’s Italian Restaurant offers freshmade 

Italian comfort food, live music 

six days a week and the best service 

in town. As a three-time winner of the 

Bold City Best Italian Restaurant, Enza’s 

invites Northeast Florida to stop in for 

dinner and find out why it has remained 

No. 1. 

Best Chinese Restaurant 

Chef Chan Asian Cuisine 

9802 Baymeadows Road, Suite 3, 


(904) 645-7333 

Located off Baymeadows Road, Chef 

Chan Asian Cuisine is an unpretentious 

take-out restaurant that offers egg rolls, 

fried rice and other authentic Asian 

cuisine. 

Best Mexican Restaurant 

La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant 


La Napolera serves quality, authentic 

Mexican food that’s guaranteed to be 

the best in the area. Come and taste the 

best of what Mexico has to offer. 

Best American Restaurant 

Metro Diner 



Customers can taste the reasons 

Metro Diner won Bold City Best American 

Restaurant. Bite into a fresh, juicy


burger, amazing salad creations, slow 

roasted corned beef hash, meatloaf, 

chicken pot pie and dozens of other 

mouthwatering favorites, and you’ll see 

why Metro Diner is known as “Comfort 

food with flair.” Visit one of the nine 

locations in Northeast Florida. 

Best Greek 

Taverna Yamas 

9753 Deer Lake Court, Jacksonville 32246 

(904) 854-0426 

tavernayamas.com 

Taverna Yamas offers a lively atmosphere 

and authentic Greek cuisine 

right off Southside Boulevard in Tinseltown 

and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 

2 a.m. Yamas offers Greek specialties, 

steaks, fresh fish, seafood, house-made 

desserts, and a full bar menu. Yamas’ 

DJ and Belly Dancing Shows take place 

every Friday and Saturday night. 

Best Seafood Restaurant 

Safe Harbor 


safeharborseafoodmayport.com 

From Safe Harbor’s boats to your 

plates, this family-owned and -operated 

favorite serves up the freshest fish, 

shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, scallops 

and more. Safe Harbor Seafood Market 

and Restaurant is located in historic 

Mayport Village, where you can eat on 

the waterfront deck and enjoy the serene 

view or take your fresh fish home 

to cook yourself. Another Safe Harbor 

Restaurant is located in Jacksonville 

Beach. Come taste for yourself why Safe 

Harbor Seafood was voted Bold City 

Best Seafood. 

Best Local Chocolatier 

Peterbrooke Chocolatier 


(904) 482-1900 

peterbrooke.com 

Your Neighborhood Chocolatier! 

With 14 Northeast 

Florida 

locations, Peterbrooke 

Chocolatier 

transforms 

the art of 

fine European 

chocolate-making into a truly American 

experience by combining the very best 

ingredients and old world techniques 

with a variety of all-American treats. 

Specialties include chocolate-covered 

Oreos, graham crackers, pretzels, 

popcorn and strawberries, which are 

hand-dipped daily in Peterbrooke’s own 

unique blend of milk chocolate, rich 

decadent dark and creamy sweet white 

chocolates.


Best New Restaurant 

South Kitchen & Spirits 

3638 Park St., Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 475-2362 

south.kitchen 

South Kitchen & Spirits mixes southern 

classics and American standards. 

The kitchen serves southern classics 

like fried catfish and grits with collard 

greens, biscuits, and family-style fried 

chicken along with American standards 

like perfectly crafted burgers and 

steaks. Customers can enjoy handcrafted 

cocktails every day with happy hour 

daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Brunch is served 

until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday 

with $12 unlimited Bloody Marys and 

mimosas. A banquet room accommodates 

up to 65 guests, or diners can 

enjoy the expansive outdoor patio, fire 

pits and courtyard seating. Catering and 

delivery is available in Jacksonville and 

the beaches. Another location is set to 

open in Nocatee in late 2017. 

Best Chef 

Sam Efron from Taverna 


(904) 398-3005 






yet sophisticated dining destination 











restaurant for details. 

Best Restaurant Overall 

Taverna 


(904) 398-3005 






yet sophisticated dining destination 











restaurant for details.


Photo by Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union 

The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships is truly a family affair. John Bush (right) is President and CEO, and his children, Brian Bush and Megan Bush Del Pizzo, work as 

E-Commerce Manger and Business Development Manager, respectively. The dealership group won Best New Car Dealership and Best Used Car Dealership for the third year in 

a row in Jacksonville.com’s Bold City Best competition. 

A family 

winner Tom 

Bush driven to be Bold 

traditionThree-time 

City Best dealership group 



There’s no denying the Jacksonville 

community loves the Tom Bush Family 

of Dealerships. For the third year in a 

row, the locally-owned and -operated 

family business won Best New Car 

Dealership and Best Used Car Dealership 

in Jacksonville.com’s 2017 Bold 

City Best competition. 

While many know President and 

CEO John Bush and his children, E- 

Commerce Manager Brian Bush and 

Business Development Manager Megan 

Bush Del Pizzo, as the face of the Tom 

Bush Family of Dealerships, selling cars 

has been in the Bush family for generations. 

Family history 

The first Tom Bush dealership in 

Jacksonville opened on Atlantic Boulevard 

in 1970 by the Family of Dealership’s 

namesake, Tom Bush Jr. He 

entered the car business after serving 

in World War II, taking after his father 

Thomas Marvin Bush Sr., who began 

selling cars door-to-door before the 

dealership model gained popularity. 

“He was knocking on people’s doors, 

asking them if they want to buy a car,” 

Megan said of her great-grandfather. 

“He had dealerships in southern United 

States, and ultimately ended up in New 

Mexico.” 

While Tom Bush Jr.’s first dealership 

was in New Mexico as well, located 

across the street and in direct competition 

with his father’s dealership, his 

excitement for Volkswagen brought him 

to Jacksonville, where he began growing 

what is now the Tom Bush Family of 

Dealerships. 

Today, those dealerships include 

Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, MINI, preowned 

vehicles and a Certified Collision 

Center, with locations on Atlantic 

Boulevard and Blanding Boulevard. 

A growing family 

Although the late Tom Bush Jr.’s son, 

John, has been with the company for 

decades, he was not always destined 

to be part of the family business. After 

obtaining his degree in computer sci-


Photos by Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union 

The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships features four automotive lines: (from left to right) Mazda, BMW, MINI and Volkswagen. Tom Bush has dealerships on Atlantic Boulevard in 

the Regency area and Blanding Boulevard near the Interstate 295 West Beltway to conveniently serve the Northeast Florida community. 

ence, John pursed a career outside of 

the automotive industry until his talents 

brought him to work with his father. 

“In the early ‘80s, our grandfather 

said we needed to stop doing things 

with pen and paper, and start 

computerizing things. He said, 

‘My son would be the perfect 

person to do that,’” Megan said. 

“So, my dad installed computers 

for the dealerships and made all the 

processes computerized, and really 

just fell in love with the business.” 

Much like their father, both Megan 

and Brian began careers outside of the 

auto industry after college. 

“[Our father] wanted us to pursue our 

own thing, and if the dealership was 

a good fit, then he was super happy to 

have us,” Brian said. “And we both did 

that. We both went out on our own and 

pursued our passions.” 

Megan sold advertising in Jacksonville, 

and Brian worked for a startup in 

New York City doing grassroots marketing. 

Both of those paths led the Bush 

siblings back to the Family of Dealerships. 

“I always knew I’d end up back here 

eventually,” Megan said, and Brian 

agreed. 

“We always wanted to be in the business 

while our dad is here so he can 

teach us,” Brian said. 

The siblings said they greatly benefit 

from weekly meetings with their father, 

discussing business matters as well as 

passing down the family history. 

An iconic 1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle and a 2017 Beetle Classic flank a large mural 

of the Volkswagen’s first seven-passenger SUV — the all-new 2018 Atlas — in the Tom 

Bush Volkswagen showroom. 

Continued improvements 

Part of that history is learning the importance 

of improving the dealerships 

to keep up with changing technology, 

and enhancing customer experience. 

Over the last three years, the Tom 

Bush Family of Dealerships has been 

working on a four-part construction 

project to revamp its presence on 

Atlantic Boulevard. The team has built 

a new collision center, moved its BWM 

showroom to an updated, high-tech 

location, and moved Mazda to a larger 

showroom. The final piece of that project 

is to expand the original Volkswagen 

showroom. 

“In the end, we’ll have a lot more 

room and everyone will have a new, updated 

look,” Brian said. “It should be a 

better experience and a better fit for the 

way shopping experiences are today — 

more focused on technology, charging 

stations, and a more digital experience.” 

Part of the community 

Another family tradition that’s been 

passed down from generation to generation 

is being active in the community. 


has worked with many local charities 

over the years, including Navy Safe 

Harbor Foundation, Mission House, 

Police Athletic League (PAL), Cultural 

Council of Jacksonville, Junior League 

of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Chamber of 

Commerce and multiple breast cancerrelated 

charities. 

“We really want to give back to the 

community that’s done so much for us,” 

Megan said. “There’s some great organizations 

that do things on a national 

level, but we only have dealerships 

here in Jacksonville, and we’re very 

Jacksonville-focused, so when we look 

at opportunities to make a difference, 

the difference we want to make is here 

in our community.” 

Along with charitable donations and 

fundraisers, the Tom Bush Family of 

Dealerships is committed to working 

with vendors and others within the 

community as well. 

“People want to do business with 

people they trust and we have so many 

relationships here, locally, where we’re 

all helping each other,” Megan said. 

“We’re one big business community.


Homes & 

Finance 

Best Home Builder 

KB Home 

(904) 596-6813 

10475 Fortune Parkway, Suite 100, 


kbhome.com 

KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is one of the 

largest home builders in the United 

States, with nearly 600,000 homes 

delivered since its founding in 1957. KB 

Home has been building in the North 

Florida market for more than 16 years 

and is one of the area’s most active 

home builders, having constructed 

thousands of new homes in highly-desirable 

locations at a tremendous value. 

Distinguished by its personalized home 

building approach, KB Home lets each 

buyer choose the lot location, floor plan, 

décor choices, design features and other 

special touches that matter most. 

Best Real Estate Broker/ 

Agency 

EXIT Real Estate Gallery 


exitrealestategallery.com 

EXIT Real Estate Gallery was established 

in Northeast Florida over a 

decade ago. Since the beginning, the 

company has assisted more than 10,000 

families and continues to grow with a 

total of eight offices with locations in 

Avondale, Beaches, Deerwood, Fleming 

Island, Mandarin, Orange Park, St. 

Johns and Jacksonville International 

Airport. 

Best Real Estate Agent 

The Cole Slate Team at EXIT Real 

Estate Gallery 

2845-104 County Road 210 W., St. Johns 

32259 

(321) 438-3753 

facebook.com/TheColeSlateTeam 

The Cole Slate Team established itself 

in 2014, and has made a big splash in 

the Jacksonville real estate market. The 

team has received numerous honors 

and accolades by the local, state and 

National Builder Associations. They 

have been recognized as two-time Five 

Star Real Estate Agent, one of the 100 

Most Influential Real Estate Agents in 

Florida, and now the 2017 Bold City Best 

Real Estate Agent! Cole and his team 

could not have done any of this without 

all of their amazing customers. 

Best Bank/Credit Union 

VyStar Credit Union 


(904) 777-6000 

www.vystarcu.org 

VyStar Credit Union is the largest 

credit union headquartered in Northeast 

Florida. VyStar now serves more 

than 560,000 members with assets totaling 

more than $6.8 billion. VyStar membership 

is open to everyone who lives or 

works in 22 Northeast to Central Florida 

counties. 

Best Accountant/CPA 

Susan Carter CPA, P.A. 

590 Wells Road #4, Orange Park 32073 

(904) 213-7743 

susancartercpa.com 

Susan Carter CPA, P.A. is an innovative 

firm of the future specializing in 

Individual and Corporate Taxes, Virtual 

CFO Services, Estates and Trusts, Tax 

Planning, IRS Issues and Audits, Accounting 

and QuickBooks. The team 

members take a holistic approach to 

help their clients save money, make 

better decisions, and plan for the future. 

They provide professional, passionate 

and personalized services to every 

client. Susan Carter CPA, P.A. is “Your 

Tax Pro and Virtual CFO!” 

Best Home Community/ 

Development 

Nocatee 

245 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra 32081 

(904) 924-6863 

nocatee.com 

Nocatee is one of the best-selling 

master-planned communities in 

America, and the No. 1 place to call 

home on the First Coast. Nocatee is a 

coastal community that blends a variety 

of neighborhoods with schools, parks, 

libraries, recreation, offices, shopping, 

restaurants and so much more. 

Located in world-renowned Ponte Vedra, 

Nocatee is just a few minutes away 

from pristine beaches, golf courses, 

business parks and major airports in 

downtown Jacksonville and St. Augustine. 

Nocatee is more than a community, 

it’s a lifestyle.


Best Mortgage Company 

Sharp Mortgages, Inc. 

(904) 997-1093 

8785 Perimeter Park Blvd., Jacksonville 

32216 

sharpmortgages.com 

Sharp Mortgages, Inc. is a company 

with roots extending 28 years in the 

community, and originating mortgages 

of all kinds across Jacksonville and the 

state of Florida. Sharp Mortgages takes 

pride in offering the best advice possible 

with years of experience along with the 

best rates and programs for a simple, 

seamless and stress-free experience in 

obtaining a mortgage. As a family-run 

business, Sharp Mortgages is committed 

to providing personal attention to your 

individual situation and offering you the 

best service in the industry. 

Best Local Home Builder 

(builds only in these 

counties: Duval, St. Johns, 

Clay, Nassau or Flagler) 

SEDA New Homes 

2120 Corporate Square Blvd., Suite 7, 


(904) 394-5300 

SEDAnewhomes.com 

SEDA New Homes has been building 

exceptional quality homes in Northeast 

Florida for more than 35 years. The 

home builder is honored to win the Bold 

City Best Local Home Builder in 2017, 

for the second year in a row. 

SEDA New Homes has grown to be 

one of the largest locally owned and 

operated home builders in the Jacksonville 

area through its commitment 

to customer satisfaction and quality 

construction. 

Currently, SEDA New Homes is building 

in communities throughout the First 

Coast, including Duval, Clay, St. Johns, 

Baker and Nassau counties, with price 

ranges and floorplans to meet all customers’ 

needs. In addition to building in 

its communities, SEDA New Homes will 

also build its floor plan on your lot. 

Best Home Insurance 

Agency 

Brightway Insurance 

3733 University Blvd. West, Suite 100, 


(904) 764-9554 

brightway.com 

A national property/casualty insurance 

retailer selling through a network 

of franchised independent agencies, 

Brightway Insurance has grown into 

one of the largest P&C insurance agencies 

in the country. The Jacksonvillebased 

company began franchising 

operations in 2008 and has since grown 

to more than 700 people in 17 states, 

serving customers in all 50 states. 

Forbes has recognized the company as 

America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. 

Photo provided by SEDA New Homes 

SEDA New Homes builds in communities throughout the First Coast, including in 

Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Nassau counties, with price ranges and floorplans to 

meet all customers’ needs.


Health & 

Well Being 

Best Doctor 

Dr. Leonard Shvartzman 

1550 Riverside Ave., Suite A, Jacksonville 

32204 

(904) 923-6647 

precisiondermjax.com 

Dr. Leonard Shvartzman is a dermatologist 

at Precision Dermatology. He 

specializes in the efficient diagnosis and 

treatment of surgical skin conditions. 

Having tended to thousands of patients 

since 1998, Precision Dermatology’s 

dedicated professionals are eminently 

qualified, experienced, and caring. 

Best Pediatric Practice 

Angel Kids Pediatrics 


(904) 224-5437 

myangelkids.com 

Angel Kids Pediatrics strives to 

provide excellent medical care in a family- 

and community-based environment. 

It upholds the highest standards of a 

patient-centered medical home that provides 

quality, personalized and effective 

medical care. With five convenient locations, 

it is the largest private pediatric 

practice in Northeast Florida. 

Best Dental Practice 

Doctors Lake Family Dental 

1665 Eagle Harbor Parkway, Fleming Island 

32003 

(904) 637-4451 

doctorslakefamilydental.com 

The “fabulous five” who work at Doctors 

Lake Family Dental consists of two 

administrators and three doctors, all 

committed to serving the Jacksonville 

community. 

Best Orthodontic Practice 

Lazzara Orthodontics 

436 Jacksonville Drive, Jacksonville Beach 

32250 

(904) 270-8750 

Lazzara Orthodontics strives to innovate, 

improve and excel every day. The 

team at Lazzara Orthodontics appreciates 

being recognized as Bold City Best 

Orthodontic Practice. 

Best Dermatology Practice 

Precision Dermatology and Skin 

Surgery 

1550 Riverside Ave., Suite A, Jacksonville 

32204 

(904) 923-6647 

precisiondermjax.com 

Precision Dermatology specializes in 

the efficient diagnosis and treatment 

of surgical skin conditions. Having 

tended to thousands of patients since 

1998, Precision Dermatology’s dedicated 

professionals are eminently qualified, 

experienced and caring. 

Best Eye Care Practice 

Florida Eye Specialists 


(904) 564-2020 

floridaeyespecialists.com 

Florida Eye Specialists is one of the 

largest multi-specialty ophthalmology 

private practices in North Florida, with 

nine eye surgeons, many of whom are 

recognized as some of the top sub-specialists 

in their field. Considered one of 

the region’s premier ophthalmic treatment, 

research, and education centers, 

Florida Eye Specialists offers LASIK, 

cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, 

oculoplastics, dry eye treatment, cornea 

surgery, cosmetic services and medical 

retina treatment options. 

Best Medical Spa 

Lash Spa Studio 

7645 Merrill Road, Jacksonville 32277 

(904) 234-0960 

lashspastudio.com 

Lash Spa Studio provides individual 

classic, silk, mink and volume lashes 

along with microblading brows, facials, 

lash lift, teeth whitening, custom nails 

and lash training courses. Customers 

love Lash Spa Studio because of the 

relaxing atmosphere and outstanding 

customer service 

Best Cosmetic Surgery 

Practice 

Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery 

209 Ponte Vedra Park Drive, Ponte Vedra 

Beach 

(904) 273-6200 

pvps.com 

The Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery mission 

is to provide patients with the latest 

and best cosmetic and reconstructive 

plastic surgery treatments available, and 

to treat patients with the respect, compassion 

and the highest level of safety. 

The entire team is incredibly proud to 

be a part of Northeast Florida’s leading 

cosmetic and reconstructive plastic 

surgery center and is eager to serve 

the community. Your privacy, comfort, 

safety and confidence are of great importance 

to PVPS and they are committed 

to providing you with the highest 

level of care during every visit. 

Best Orthopedic Practice 

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute 

and Jacksonville Orthopaedic 

Institute Rehab 


(904) 564-2000 

joionline.net 

The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute 

is focused on providing patients 

with exceptional orthopedic care. Each 

physician at JOI is board certified, 

and the staff provides compassionate 

care while offering pain management, 

physical therapy, non-invasive and 

minimally-invasive procedures and 

complex surgical procedures. There are 

seven convenient Orthopedic Physician 

offices and ten Physical Therapy facilities 

throughout the Northeast Florida 

Region. 

Best Podiatrist/Foot 

Comfort Specialist 

JE Foot & Ankle Associates 

1677 Eagle Harbor Parkway, Suite C, Fleming 

Island 32003 

(904) 278-5112 

jefootandankle.com 

JE Foot & Ankle Associates is dedicated 

to providing excellent foot and ankle care 

to the community. Offering state-of-theart 

technology, patients can expect to have 

the most up-to-date treatments available 

for foot and ankle issues. A wide variety of 

surgeries, cosmetic procedures and common 

foot issues are treated in a warm and 

welcoming environment.


Best Veterinary Practice 

St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital 


(904) 677-4430 

stbernardsanimalhospital.com 

St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital is a 

full-service veterinary clinic open seven 

days a week. The professional and courteous 

staff are committed to providing 

your pets with the very best medical 

care available. 

Best Chiropractic Practice 

Pierce Chiropractic & 

Rehabilitation 

8773 Perimeter Park Court, Jacksonville 

32216 

(904) 724-5443 

piercechirojax.com 

Pierce Chiropractic would like to 

thank its patients, both new and old, for 

their support during the merge between 

Dynamic Health and Pierce Chiropractic. 

Pierce Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 

looks forward to continuing the tradition 

of serving the Jacksonville Community. 

Best Hearing Aid 

Professional 

Florida Medical Hearing Centers 

4765 Hodges Blvd., Jacksonville 32224 

(904) 579-3704 

floridamedicalhearing.com 

Florida Medical Hearing Centers 

offers a variety of hearing care services 

such as hearing tests, hearing aid 

consultations, sales, maintenance and 

repair as they work to enhance patients’ 

hearing abilities using the latest technology. 

The team of doctors includes 

Doctors of Audiology with more than 20 

years of experience serving patients. 

Best Weight Loss Center 

Metabolic Research Centers of 

Greater Jacksonville 


(904) 674-8188 

emetabolic.com 

Metabolic Research Centers (MRC) 

have been serving Jacksonville for more 

than 30 years. With more than 100 locations 

nationwide, MRC serves a diverse 

clientele with weight loss needs just as 

diverse. With varied tools and plans 

to meet the needs of clients of all ages, 

medical conditions and lifestyles, MRC 

knows that a “one size fits all” approach 

is not the answer. Whether you have 20 

pounds to lose or 200, the staff at MRC 

will get to the root cause and customize 

a plan to meet your specific needs, ensuring 

that your weight is managed for 

good, not just for now. Tried the rest? 

Call MRC and come to the best! 

Best Urgent Care 

Avecina Medical 

1633 Racetrack Road, Suite 101, Jacksonville 

32259 

(904) 230-6988 

avecina.com 

Avecina Medical is a multi-specialty 

practice with a focus on urgent care 

and overall health 

of patients. Avecina 

offers walk-in urgent 

care treatments for 

simple, moderate 

and complex medical 

conditions, along with 

appointment-only treatment for weight 

loss and hormone replacement therapy. 

The office is open 7 days a week with 

extended hours available. 

Best Rehabilitation Center/ 

Physical Therapy 

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute 

and Jacksonville Orthopaedic 

Institute Rehab 


(904) 564-2000 

joionline.net 

The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute 

is focused on providing patients 

with exceptional orthopedic care. Each 

physician at JOI is board certified, 

and the staff provides compassionate 

care while offering pain management, 

physical therapy, non-invasive and 

minimally-invasive procedures and 

complex surgical procedures. There are 

seven convenient Orthopedic Physician 

offices and ten Physical Therapy facilities 

throughout the Northeast Florida 

Region. 

Best Health/Life Insurance 

Agency 

Aetna 


(904) 386-2593


aetnamedicare.com 

For more than 160 years, Aetna has 

helped millions of people with their 

health and financial needs. In 1966, 

Aetna paid the first Medicare claim, and 

in 2017 the overall average star ratings 

of Aetna and Coventry Medicare plans 

rank No. 1 among U.S. publicly traded 

companies. A variety of Aetna and Coventry 

Medicare plans are available in 

Jacksonville; each designed to meet the 

unique health needs, preferences and 

goals of those in the Bold City. 

Best Senior/Assisted Living 

Facility 

HarborChase of Jacksonville 

3455 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville 

32224 

(904) 821-8030 

harborchase.com/senior-living/fl/ 

jacksonville/harborchase-of-jacksonville 

HarborChase of Jacksonville Assisted 

Living and Memory Care believes 

in celebrating senior living every day 

and has the perfect location to do just 

that. Shopping, dining and entertainment 

outings take full advantage of the 

greater Jacksonville area. Loving, lively 

and dedicated associates make the most 

of all the activities and events offered 

on campus. The community is far more 

than assisted living — it is about living 

every day to the fullest. 

Home & 

Professional 

Services 

Best Air Conditioning/ 

Heating Service 

Snyder Heating and Air 

Conditioning 

3401 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville 32216 

(904) 641-0600 

snyderac.com 

Proud to be voted Jacksonville’s best 

HVAC company for three years in a row, 

Snyder Heating and Air Conditioning 

offers an array of expertise for any service, 

repair or new installation. Snyder 

technicians are trained to handle any 

customer need and are proud to use the 

best energy-efficient solutions. 

Best Carpet Cleaning 

Company 

Julington Creek Carpet Care 

(904) 230-0678 

Julington Creek Carpet Care is a 

family owned and operated business. 

The company takes an old-fashioned 

approach to customer service with deep 

roots driven into the community. It offers 

carpet, tile and grout, and upholstery 

cleaning for both residential and 

commercial properties. 

Best Cleaning/Maid Service 

Molly Maid 

108 Kingsley Ave., Suite 1, Orange Park 32073 

(904) 269-5505 

mollymaid.com 

Molly Maid is a professional, insured 

and bonded housekeeping service that 

provides two-person teams equipped 

with all the cleaning supplies and equipment 

necessary to clean your home. 

They provide free in-home estimates 

and tailor their service to meet your 

needs. Trust Molly Maid to clean your 

home so thoroughly, people are guaranteed 

to notice. 

Best Flooring Store 

The Flooring & Cabinet Store 


32223 

(904) 778-1583 

flooringstorejacksonville.com 

The Flooring & Cabinet Store is a 

family owned and operated flooring and 

cabinet store that has been servicing 

Jacksonville and surrounding counties 

for more than 25 years. With a wide 

selection of all types of flooring for 

both residential and commercial installations, 

it offers the latest in design 

and style with custom, made-to-order 

cabinets and counter tops from some of 

the best brands in the industry. Let the


Flooring & Cabinet Store come out to 

give you a free estimate of your flooring 

or cabinet needs. 

Best Landscaping Company 

Earth Works Landscape and 

Garden Center 


(904) 996-0712 

earthworksjax.com 

Earth Works has been creating and 

maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces in 

Jacksonville for close to 30 years. This 

locally owned business has blossomed 

from its humble beginnings as a small 

lawn maintenance company to the fullservice 

landscape company and one-ofa-kind 

garden center that it is today. 

Best Lawn Service 

Peninsular Pest Control Services 

2609 Phyllis St., Jacksonville 32204 

(904) 389-3491 

crittergitter.com 

Peninsular Pest Control, the “Critter 

Gitter,” has been providing pest control 

and lawn fertilization services to North 

Florida homes, businesses and hospitals 

since 1954. 

Peninsular’s service technicians are 

bonded professionals, trained to provide 

you with the specific treatment that you 

need for your particular pest problems. 

Offering solutions for both inside 

and out, the company will keep your 

home or office pest-free, and your lawn 

healthy and green. 

Best Plumber 

Rolland Reash Plumbing 

11606 Columbia Park Dr. E., Jacksonville 

32258 

(904) 260-7059 

plumberinjax.com 

Rolland Reash Plumbing has been a 

neighborhood name in the Bold City 

for 17 years. Family owned and operated, 

Rolland Reash Plumbing is a full 

service plumbing company. Rolland 

Reash Plumbing prides itself on commitment 

to top notch service and your 

satisfaction. Thank you from all of us at 

Rolland Reash Plumbing. 

Best Pest Control 

Peninsular Pest Control Services 

2609 Phyllis St., Jacksonville 32204 

(904) 389-3491 

crittergitter.com 

Peninsular Pest Control, the “Critter


Gitter,” has been providing pest control 

and lawn fertilization services to North 

Florida homes, businesses and hospitals 

since 1954. 

Peninsular’s service technicians are 

bonded professionals, trained to provide 

you with the specific treatment that you 

need for your particular pest problems. 

Offering solutions for both inside 

and out, the company will keep your 

home or office pest-free, and your lawn 

healthy and green. 

Best Painting Service 

ProStar Painting 

5110 W 12th St., Jacksonville 32254 

(904) 753-8767 

prostarpaint.com 

ProStar Painting (formerly ProTect 

Painters) is your award-winning quality 

painting service in Duval, Clay and St. 

Johns counties. Commercial or residential, 

interior or exterior, ProStar wants 

to be your painter. ProStar focuses on 

the details, creating stylish spaces using 

products from Sherwin-Williams, PPG 

Architectural Paints, Porter Paints, 

Benjamin-Moore and Behr to help create 

world-class facilities. The company 

is fully insured and licensed, and all 

employees are screened. 

Best Pool Service and Care 

Pinch A Penny 


pinchapenny.com 

Pinch A Penny is your headquarters 

for pool and spa supplies including 

chemicals, chlorine tablets and shock 

products; toys, floats and swim gear; 

swimming pool pumps, motors and 

filters; automatic pool cleaners; pool 

heating systems; above-ground swimming 

pools; and other swimming pool 

accessories. 

Best Car Wash/Detail 

Service 

Charles and George’s Car Wash 


(904) 387-1846 

charlesandgeorgescarwash.com 

Family owned and operated since 

1980, Charles and George’s Car Wash 

has three locations in Jacksonville including 

4495 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 701; 

1354 Cassat Ave.; and 1405 Park Ave., 

Orange Park. 

Best Auto Repair Shop 

RPM Automotive


Photo provided by GrimmWerks Tattoos and Body Piercings 

The artists at GrimmWerks Tattoos and Body Piercings bring body art to life. Above 

body art done by owner and artist Gabriel Grimm. 


rpmautomotive.com 

In the last two decades, RPM has 

expanded to 10 locations serving communities 

throughout Northeast Florida. 

Each service center provides the care 

and customer service you’d expect 

from a neighborhood auto repair shop 

with the resources and technology of a 

national dealership. The independent 

automotive service center provides 

complete maintenance and repairs for 

all vehicle makes and models. One of 

the many advantages of trusting your 

cars to the Automotive Service Excellence-certified 

technicians at RPM is 

the convenience of a one-stop shop for 

all your family’s auto needs. 

Best Window Tinting 

Service 

Tint Authority 

4104 Lenox Ave, Suite 4, Jacksonville 32254 

(904) 470-9892 

tintauthority.com 

Tint Authority is a professional 

window tinting company, specializing 

in automotive and architectural installations. 

It offers a wide variety of shades 

and styles for your car, home, business, 

boat or anything else made of glass. The 

team has more than 25 years combined 

experience in the industry. Tint Authority 

is honored to represent the Bold City 

as Jacksonville’s Best Window Tinting 

Company! 

Best Tattoo Shop 

GrimmWerks Studios Tattoos and 

Body Piercings 

11018 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville 

32257 

(904) 370-1117 

GrimmWerks Tattoos and Body 

Piercings is a custom studio focusing 

on art and creations suited for that 

unique type. If you bring the artists at 

GrimmWerks your dedication and ideas, 

they will bring them to life. The tattoo 

shop is one of Jacksonville’s best-kept 

secrets. 

Best Caterer 

A1 Catering 

3520 Saint 

Johns Bluff Road 

South, Suite 4, 


(904) 327-7496 

a1cateringjax.com 

Family owned 

and operated, A1 

Catering believes 

in superior customer service at a fair 

price. From small office parties to weddings 

and everything in between, trust 

A1 to keep your guests happy. 

Best Florist 

Kuhn Flowers 


(800) 458-5846, (904) 398-8601 

kuhnflowers.com 

Kuhn Flowers has been proudly 

serving Jacksonville since 1947. Family 

owned and operated with multiple locations 

serving Northeast Florida, Kuhn 

Flowers is committed to offering only 

the finest floral arrangements and gifts, 

backed by service that is friendly and 

prompt. Because all of their customers 

are important, their professional staff is 

dedicated to making your experience a 

pleasant one. 

Best Dry Cleaners 

Grove Park Cleaners 

1560B Grove Park Blvd., Jacksonville 32216 

(904) 374-4138 

Grove Park Cleaners is a professional 

dry cleaners owned and operated by 

lifelong residents of the Bold City. They 

pride themselves on their attention to 

detail and the best customer service in 

the 904. Alterations, shoe repair, leather 

cleaning, wedding dress cleaning and 

preservation, rug cleaning, and wash 

and fold are among the many services 

offered. Grove Park Cleaners’ reputation 

is SPOT-less! Follow along on Facebook 

and Instagram @groveparkcleaners. 

Best Nail Salon 

Zimmiz Hair Designers, Inc. 

282 Solano Road, Ponte Vedra Beach 32082 

(904) 285-0503 

zimmizhairdesigners.com 

Zimmiz Hair Designers treats each 

customer like a star. All technicians are 

trained experts in the art and science of 

hair and nail care. 

Best Hair Salon 

For Your Eyes Only Salon & Spa 


(904) 262-4116 

fyeohairsalon.com 

For Your Eyes Only Salon & Spa has 

been in business for 34 years servicing 

the Mandarin Jacksonville area. Owneroperator 

Carlos Alvarado is an Olympic 

hair world competitor. He invites you to 

visit him and his staff if you demand the 

very best!


Best Pet Sitting Service 

Bad to the Bone Pet Care 

6112 Maggie’s Circle Suite 111, Jacksonville 

32244 

(904) 624-5394 

badtothebonepetcare.com 

Bad to the Bone Pet Care offers fully 

customizable in-home pet care, ranging 

from overnight stays and drop-in visits 

to daily dog walking and weekly play 

groups. 

Best Pet Boarding 

Pet Paradise 

5140 University Blvd. W., Jacksonville 32216 

(904) 396-7529 

petparadise.com 

Pet Paradise offers the ultimate pet 

boarding, day camp and grooming experience 

for your dog or cat. With multiple 

locations across the U.S., Pet Paradise 

provides a safe, clean and fun environment 

for your pet while you’re away. 

Whether it is just for the day, or for a 

vacation of their own, Pet Paradise provides 

the ideal home away from home. 

Best Pet Grooming 

Bathhouse Pet Grooming & Spa 

384 15th Ave. South, Jacksonville Beach 

32250 

(904) 241-3293 

bathhousepetgrooming.com 

Bath House Pet Grooming & Spa has 

been serving the beaches area for 37 

years, offering pet grooming for all dog 

and cat breeds. 

Best Photographer 

Through The Lens of Lee-Margaret 

4224 Herschel St., Jacksonville 32210 

(904) 387-8710 

throughthelensoflee-margaret.com 

Photographer Lee-Margaret’s gallery 

is home to a diverse collection of 

national award-winning photographs of 

indigenous people, animals, landscapes 

and colorful gardens from around the 

world — from under the seas to mountain 

tops, stretching over six continents 

and the Arctic. The gallery offers signed 

and numbered limited editions printed 

on museum quality photographic paper 

and matted with acid-free archival quality 

materials, including custom matting 

and framing in sizes from tabletop with 

stands to sofa size. 

Best Wedding Planner 

Make My Day - Wedding & Event 

Planning 


(918) 510-3611 

mmdplanning.com 

Make My Day is a wedding and 

event planning company offering event 

management, partial and full service 

wedding planning as well as planning 

and coordination of any other event 

type. MMD is dedicated to bringing 

a vision to life and creating beautiful 

moments. MMD clients are treated with 

the utmost respect by a personable and 

friendly consultant and are given an 

excellent experience during the entire 

event planning process. 

Best Law Firm 

Farah and Farah 

10 West Adams St., Jacksonville 32202 

(904) 396-5555 

farahandfarah.com 

Farah and Farah is a local law firm 

with roots in Jacksonville since 1979. 

While the firm has opened up offices 

in other cities over the years, Jacksonville 

will always be considered home. 

Members of the team at Farah and Farah 

take pride in giving back to the city that 

helped them grow. 

Best Interior Designer 

Decorator Girl 

1836 Commodore Point Drive, Fleming Island 

32003 

(904) 476-6460 

decoratorgirl.com 

Decorator Girl has been creating 

beautiful spaces throughout the Jacksonville 

area for more than 14 years. 

Classic design with a bit of a twist is a 

signature design concept that allows 

Elizabeth and Melissa to incorporate 

beautiful color palettes into their client’s 

homes. Affordable in-home consulting, 

remodel and new construction 

consulting, paint selection, and redesign 

are all available for an hourly fee. 

Best Child Care Facility 

Chappell Schools 


(904) 739-1279 

chappellschools.com 

The Chappell Schools has provided 

superior preschool education to Jacksonville’s 

youngsters for more than 57 

years! In addition to providing a topnotch 

curriculum, Chappell also has a 

strong focus on social graces, health and


nutrition, and fun. It serves students 

from infants through VPK, and offers 

summer camp. 

Chappell has eight locations across 

Jacksonville and is NECPA accredited, 

Guiding Stars rated and a certified Eco- 

Healthy childcare provider. 

Best Storage Facility 

Atlantic Self Storage 


1 (877) 937-8673 

atlanticselfstorage.com 

Atlantic Self Storage has been serving 

the community since 1979, and the 

storage solutions it offers accommodate 

both personal and business storage 

with climate-controlled units, drive-up 

access units and vehicle parking. With 

more than 44 locations serving Northeast 

Florida, there should always be an 

Atlantic Self Storage near you! 

Best Roofer 

Quality Discount Roofing 

3481 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville 32257 

(904) 396-5000 

qualitydiscountroofing.com 

Quality Discount Roofing LLC is 

a commercial and residential roofer 

servicing Jacksonville and the surrounding 

counties, including Nassau, 

Clay and St. Johns. Quality Discount 

Roofing installs shingles made by 

industry leaders CertainTeed, GAF, 

IKO and Owens Corning, in addition to 

metal roofing. Schedule an appointment 

today and a professional estimator will 

help you choose the best new roof for 

your home. Quality Discount Roofing 

is, “Your Trusted Friend in the Roofing 

Business.” 

Best Transportation 

Service (Taxi/Car/Limo) 

Riverplace Limousine 

1401 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 444-7983 

riverplacelimo.com 

Riverplace Limousine is Jacksonville’s 

newest boutique luxury transportation 

service offering the finest limos, party 

buses and luxury cars for charter in the 

Bold City and beyond. The company is 

family owned and operated by Jacksonville 

locals Pierce and Mary Fleming. 

Best Home Improvement/ 

Repair Service 

Mr. Handyman Serving Greater 

Jacksonville 

1107 Park Ave., Orange Park 32073 

(904) 579-1010 

mrhandyman.com/greater-jacksonville 

Mr. Handyman is redefining the home 

improvement and repair experience in 

greater Jacksonville. The company offers 

a great service experience including 

live answers to calls (no voicemail) 

via local customer care staff, scheduled 

appointment times, transparent pricing, 

quality craftsmanship completed 

by employee staff (not sub-contractors), 

and all work is backed by the Doneright 

Guarantee. If there’s an issue, Mr. 

Handyman simply returns and resolves 

it. Read the reviews online and then call 

Mr. Handyman to learn why the staff 

is proud to say, “There’s simply no one 

like us!” 

Best Music School 

Morris Music Academy 

2602 Isabella Blvd., Suite 50, Jacksonville 

Beach 32250 

(904) 853-5049 

morrismusicacademy.com 

Family owned and operated, Morris 

Music Academy’s private music lesson 

programs for children and adults offer 

students a comprehensive and complete 

music education. Private lessons are 

offered for most band/orchestra instruments, 

including piano, voice, guitar, 

brass, winds, strings and more. Students 

love to come to Morris Music Academy 

for lessons because of its super staff, 

awesome instructors and unbelievable 

performance opportunities. 

Best Tutoring Service 

Tutoring Club of Jacksonville 

10131-17 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32223 

(904) 268-8556 

tutoringclub.com/jacksonvillefl 

The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville is 

the perfect tutoring solution for students 

of all academic levels, kindergarten 

through 12th grade. Tutoring Club 

gives a diagnostic assessment to identify 

your student’s specific needs. Once 

those needs, or gaps, have been identified, 

professionals develop a targeted 

learning plan that is designed to close 

those gaps. The Tutoring Club has 

helped students, time and time again, 

turn Ds and Fs into As and Bs. Let the 

Tutoring Club help your child or grandchild 

become a stronger, more confident 

student. 

Best Home Organizer 

Tailored Living Featuring Premier 

Garage 

11651 Central Parkway, Suite 112, Jacksonville 

32224 

(904) 645-0885 

Since 2005, Tailored Living Featuring 

Premier Garage has helped more than 

5,000 homeowners in Northeast Florida 

transform their garages and closets into 

attractive, organized spaces. Tailored 

Living is the largest whole home organization 

company with more installations 

than any other local company in 

Jacksonville. 

Best Moving Company 

Baymeadows Moving and Storage 

6419 Phillips Highway, Jacksonville 32216 

(904) 217-6540 

baymeadowsmovers.com 

Baymeadows Moving and Storage offers 

residential and commercial moving, 

along with climate-controlled storage. 

The company assists with local and 

long-distance moving, office relocation, 

furniture installations and international 

moves. 

Shops of Jax 

Best Antique Shop 

Eco Relics 

106 Stockton St., Jacksonville 32204 

(904) 330-0074 

ecorelics.com 

Eco Relics is passionate about investing 

in the community here in Northeast 

Florida through salvaging building materials 

from various sources and selling 

them at a fraction of the retail cost. In 

keeping with its mission of reusing and 

re-purposing, Eco Relics has set up shop 

in a historic railroad depot in the heart 

of Downtown Jacksonville. Everything 

done at Eco Relics is in harmony with 

its ‘Green Ethos’ and the staff encourages 

all customers to adopt this mindset. 

Best E-Cig/Vapor Store 

All Day Vape 

4195 Southside Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville 

32216 

(904) 524-8792 

facebook.com/TheAllDayVape 

Owned and operated by locals, All 

Day Vape has the widest selection of 

devices, e-liquid and accessories in 

Northeast Florida. The friendly and 

knowledgeable staff prides itself on 

fulfilling customers’ needs, whether 

you’re a smoker looking for an alternative 

or an avid vape enthusiast. Known 

for staying on top of the trend, this vape 

superstore is your one-stop shop!


Best Garden Shop/Nursery 

Earth Works Landscape and 

Garden Center 


(904) 996-0712 

earthworksjax.com 

Earth Works has been creating and 

maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces in 

Jacksonville for close to 30 years. This 

locally owned business has blossomed 

from its humble beginnings as a small 

lawn maintenance company to the fullservice 

landscape company and one-ofa-kind 

garden center that it is today. 

Best Furniture Store 

Ashley HomeStore 


(904) 880-5860 

ashleyhomestore.com 

With three locations in Jacksonville, 

Ashley HomeStore is the No. 1 furniture 

and mattress retailer in America and the 

No. 1 Tempur-Pedic Retailer in America. 

A portion of every mattress purchase at 

Ashley HomeStore helps to provide free 

beds to local children in need — more 

than 3,000 on the First Coast and more 

than 50,000 nationally! 

Best Mattress Store 

Ashley HomeStore 


(904) 880-5860 

ashleyhomestore.com 

With three locations in Jacksonville, 

Ashley HomeStore is the No. 1 furniture 

and mattress retailer in America and the 

No. 1 Tempur-Pedic Retailer in America. 

A portion of every mattress purchase at 

Ashley HomeStore helps to provide free 

beds to local children in need — more 

than 3,000 on the First Coast and more 

than 50,000 nationally! 

Best Grocery Store 

Publix 


publix.com 

For more than 85 years, Publix has 

been the premier food retailer the community 

knows and loves. It is the largest 

and fastest-growing employee-owned 

supermarket chain in the United States. 

Best Health Food Store 

Native Sun Natural Foods Market 


(904) 260-2791 

Photo provided by Earth Works Landscape and Garden Center 

Earth Works Landscape and Garden Center has been creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces in Jacksonville for close 

to 30 years. 

nativesunjax.com 

Jacksonville’s homegrown organic 

grocer has been locally owned and operated 

since 1997. Native Sun has three 

locations in Jacksonville and provides 

the local community with access to 

unmatched product standards that go 

above and beyond to ensure only the 

cleanest and healthiest foods end up on 

the shelves. A favorite spot for healthy, 

organic grab-and-go options for every 

diet and eating occasion, Native Sun is 

home to smoothies, juices, sandwiches, 

wraps, salads, kombucha, a gluten-free 

bakery and more. 

Best Hardware Store 

Ace Hardware 


With more than 4,600 stores spanning 

40 states and more than 70 

countries, Ace Hardware has brands 

like Big Green Egg, Weber, Costa and 

Yeti Coolers. Stores include more than 

50,000 square feet of nursery space with 

everything needed to cultivate a garden, 

including free expert advice. 

Best Jewelry Store 

Global Diamonds 

4870 Big Island Drive, Suite 1, Jacksonville 

32246 

(904) 515-5959 

globaldiamondsusa.com 

Photo provided by Ashley HomeStore 

A portion of every mattress purchase at Ashley HomeStore helps to provide free 

beds to local children in need. 

Global Diamonds is Florida’s largest 

fine jewelry showroom, specializing in 

loose diamonds and engagement rings 

and also carrying an array of diamond 

fashion jewelry, colored gemstones and 

pearls. Since its beginnings in 2014, the 

Global Diamonds team has provided 

North Florida with expert guidance, 

education and selection, and is proud to 

win Bold City Best Jewelry Store for the 

second year in a row!


Best Children’s Store 

Once Upon a Child 


onceuponachildjacksonville.com 

Once Upon a Child is the nation’s 

leading buyer and seller of new and 

gently used children’s clothes, furniture, 

equipment and toys. The store pays cash 

the same day for your kid’s stuff that is 

still in great condition. 

It is easy to see why Once Upon a 

Child has been voted Bold City’s Best 

Children’s Clothing Store for two years 

in a row by visiting one of the four convenient 

locations in Mandarin, Orange 

Park, Regency Park and River City 

Marketplace. 

Best Liquor Store 

Broudy’s Liquors 


broudys.com 

Broudy’s offers wine, beer and liquor, 

as well as delivery service in Fleming 

Island, Jacksonville Beach, Fruit Cove 

and St. Augustine. 

Best Pawn Shop 

Wild West Guns & Gold 

1233-27 Lane Ave. South, Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 693-0777 

wildwestgunsandgold.com 

Wild West Guns and Gold has been in 

the Bold City for more than 25 years and 

is a one-stop shop for all your shooting 

and hunting needs. The dealer-direct 

outfitter will meet or beat any advertised 

price and offer superior customer 

service. Come to Wild West to buy, sell, 

trade or get a loan on your guns and 

gold. 

Best Shoe Store 

Foot Solutions 

4126 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

(904) 247-0460 

footsolutions.com/jacksonvillebeach 

Foot Solutions is a leading international 

retailer specializing in personalized 

assessments, stylish highperformance 

footwear, custom-fitted, 

custom-crafted arch supports, and 

accessories designed to help individuals 

live pain-free and comfortably. 

Best Thrift Store 

BEAM Thrift 

318 7th Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

(904) 853-6246 

jaxbeam.org/beamthrift 

Beam Thrift Store is a communitybased 

organization serving low-income 

residents living in and around Jacksonville 

Beach. BEAM provides emergency 

assistance to cover overdue rent 

and utility payments and operates two 

client-choice food pantries — in Jacksonville 

Beach and Mayport. Through 

December 2016, BEAM gave more 

than 500,000 pounds of food — worth 

$973,786 — to BEAM families. 

Best Unique Shop 

Eco Relics 


(904) 330-0074 

ecorelics.com 

Eco Relics sells architectural salvage, 

reclaimed and discount building 

materials and antiques. Eco Relics is 

committed to reducing waste, repurposing 

supplies, and providing reclaimed 

and discount building materials to the 

community. 













Best Boutique 

Sweet Repeats Consignment Shop 

1560 University Blvd. West, Jacksonville 

32217 

(904) 730-7782 

shopsweetrepeats.com


Sweet Repeats is an upscale consignment 

shop carrying women’s clothes, 

jewelry, purses and shoes. The styles 

range from trendy to traditional, and 

the sizes range from 0 to 16. The store 

motto is, “Sweet Wardrobe, Sweet Price, 

Sweet Repeats!” 

Best Formal Wear/Bridal 

Shop 

French Novelty 

3520-4 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville 32210 

(904) 779-9000 

frenchnovelty.com 

French Novelty is a family owned 

business that has been a gem in the Bold 

City since 1911. As a leading retailer of 

prom, formal, bridesmaid and destination 

bridal dresses, French Novelty is 

committed to finding you a beautiful 

dress for your special occasion. Providing 

customers with social occasion 

dresses from the top designers at the 

best possible price makes French Novelty 

the perfect fit for all of your formal 

wear needs. 

Best Bicycle Shop 

Open Road Bicycles 

3544 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville 32205 

(904) 388-9066 

openroadbicycles.com 

Open Road Bicycles has a rich heritage 

of selling, servicing, renting, riding, 

racing and loving bicycles. Over the 

years, Open Road has grown to five locations 

all around Jacksonville, but one 

thing remains the same — their passion 

to serve you better. 

Best Mall/Shopping Center 

St. Johns Town Center 

4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville 32246 

(904) 998-7156 

simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center 

St. Johns Town Center represents the 

heart of shopping and dining in Jacksonville. 

With 175 retailers and restaurants, 

many exclusive to the area, the center 

is great for families, romantic evenings 

and serious shopping. Shop your favorite 

brands and designer names while 

enjoying Florida’s beautiful weather 

in one of the state’s premier shopping 

destination centers. 

Best Vintage Shop 

Eco Relics 


(904) 330-0074 

ecorelics.com 

Eco Relics sells architectural salvage, 

reclaimed and discount building 

materials and antiques. Eco Relics is 

committed to reducing waste, repurposing 

supplies, and providing reclaimed 

and discount building materials to the 

community. 













Best Gun Shop 

Green Acres Sporting Goods 

8774 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville 32221 

(904) 786-5166 

jaxgreenacres.com 

Green Acres Sporting Goods is a 

family-owned, full-service premium 

sporting goods store for the outdoorsman. 

It sells firearms, archery, fishing 

equipment and accessories. The store 

also includes a full-time gunsmith, and 

archery and fishing pro shops. Green 

Acres has been serving Jacksonville for 

more than 45 years. 

People & Faces 

of Jax 

Best TV Anchor 

Anchor since 1975. 

Tom Wills, 

WJXT-TV, 

NEWS4JAX 

4 Broadcast 

Place 

Jacksonville 

32207 

Tom Wills 

has been 

a Channel 

4 News 

Best Radio Personality/ 

Host 

Melissa Ross 

Melissa Ross is the host of WJCT’s 

First Coast Connect, a one-hour 

radio call-in program featuring local 

newsmakers, civic and community 

leaders, arts, activities and more, along 

with spot news features and a weekly 

roundtable of local journalists. Email 

firstcoastconnect@wjct.org or comment 

on Facebook at First Coast Connect. 

Best Gift Shop 

Avondale Gift Boutique 

3650 St Johns Ave., Jacksonville 32205 

(904)387-9557 

agbjax.com 

A welcoming institution on a prominent 

corner in the charming Shoppes 

of Avondale for more than 30 years, 

Avondale Gift Boutique strives to make 

every customer interaction an experience. 

Customers become friends and 

appreciate the attentive service that sets 

Avondale Gift Boutique apart. Whether 

shopping for teacher, wedding or special 

occasion gifts, or just something a little 

fun to brighten your season, Avondale 

Gift Boutique is pleased to serve your 

needs. 

Best Newspaper Reporter/ 

Columnist 

Mark Woods 

Mark Woods has been the Metro 

columnist for the Florida Times-Union 

and Jacksonville.com since 2003. He is 

also the author of “Lassoing the Sun: A 

Year in America’s National Parks.” 

Best Local Celebrity 

Tim Tebow 

Timothy Richard Tebow is a former 

professional American football 

quarterback and current professional 

baseball outfielder in the New York 

Mets organization. 

Photo provided by Avondale Gift Boutique 

Avondale Gift 

Boutique has 

array of gifts 

for teachers, 

weddings or 

any special 

occasion. 

Best Visionary of 

Jacksonville 

Shad Khan 

Since becoming the owner of the 

Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, Shad Khan 

has invested time and money in


his vision of downtown Jacksonville. 

Improvements include state-of-the-art 

video scoreboards at Everbank Field and 

Daily’s Place amphitheater, a 5,500 seat 

venue. His next plan — revitalizing the 

shipyards — is even more ambitious. 

Khan’s plan includes more than $500 

million in private investment, 300 to 

500 condominiums on the riverfront, 

and a massive marina. 

Best Person in Public 

Office 

Lenny Curry 

City of Jacksonville 

117 W. Duval St., Suite 400, Jacksonville 

32202 

(904) 630-3404 

COJ.net 

Lenny Curry is the Mayor of the 

City of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is 

the largest city by land mass in the 

continental U.S., serving approximately 

850,000 residents. Located in Duval 

County, City of Jacksonville leadership 

includes the mayor and a 19-member 

City Council. To learn more about the 

City of Jacksonville, visit COJ.net. 

Best Local Sports Hero 

Tim Tebow 

Timothy Richard Tebow is a former 

professional American football 

quarterback and current professional 

baseball outfielder in the New York 

Mets organization. 

Boldest Person of 

Jacksonville’s Past 

Jake Godbold 

Jake Maurice Godbold is an American 

politician of the Democratic Party. He 

served as mayor of Jacksonville from 

1978 to 1987. 

Boldest Person of 

Jacksonville’s Present 

Shad Khan 

Shad Khan, is an American billionaire 

and business tycoon. He is the owner of 

the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National 

Football League. 

Best Place to Work — Small 

(less than 25 employees) 

Doctors Lake Family Dental 

1665 Eagle Harbor Parkway, Fleming Island 

32003 

(904) 637-4451 

doctorslakefamilydental.com 

The “fabulous five” who work at 

Doctors Lake Family Dental consists 

of two administrators and three 

doctors, all committed to serving the 

Jacksonville community. 

Best Place to Work — 

Medium (25-99 employees) 

Corporate Traffic Logistics 

6500 Bowden Road, Suite 202 


(904) 727-0051 

corporate-traffic.com 

Corporate Traffic Logistics is one 

of the most reliable asset-based thirdparty 

logistics providers. Members 

of the team at Corporate Traffic use 

incredibly flexible solutions, paired 

with proprietary technology, to exceed 

client expectations with maximum 

efficiency. They NEVER SETTLE for 

anything other than a work-hard, playhard 

environment. 

Best Place to Work — Large 

(100+ employees) 

The Suddath Companies 

815 South Main St., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 390-7100 

suddath.com/jacksonville 

Suddath® takes moving personally 

— understanding that all cargo is 

precious and every step matters. A 

family company, born in 1919 and bred 

in Jacksonville, Suddath has grown 

from one spirited entrepreneur to a 

global company that moves people, 

businesses and products across town 

or around the world. Suddath has more 

than 2,150 employees worldwide, 22 

locations throughout the United States, 

and strategic alliances serving more 

than 150 countries. Suddath is also the 

largest agent of United Van Lines and 

Mayflower. 

Best New Business 

Topgolf 

10531 Brightman Blvd., Jacksonville 32246


Photo by Architectural Photography by Michael Baxter, Baxter 

Imaging LLC 

Topgolf offers a blend of technology and 

entertainment for golfers and non-golfers. 

been educating students the “San 

Jose Way,” nurturing mind, body, and 

spirit. SJEDS, a private, Christian 

school for grades Pre-K3 through sixth, 

values the strength of relationships 

— among faculty, staff, parents and, 

most importantly, between teachers 

and students. At SJEDS, the mission 

to inspire students with a passion 

for learning, a life of integrity, and a 

heart for Christian service is woven 

throughout all they do. 

Photo provided by San Jose Episcopal Day School 

San Jose Episcopal Day School’s mission is to inspire students with a passion for learning, a life of integrity, and a heart for 

Christian service. 

(904) 328-2002 

topgolf.com/us 

What started with twin brothers 

developing technology to make golf 

scoring fun, has turned into a global 

brand focused on connecting people 

in meaningful ways. Today, Topgolf 

continues to blend technology and 

entertainment, golfers and non-golfers, 

from children to adults — to create 

an experience that makes socializing 

a sport for everyone. No matter the 

occasion or who you share it with, 

Topgolf believes every great time 

starts with play, is fueled by food and 

beverage, moved by music and made 

possible through community. Every 

Topgolf venue features dozens of hightech, 

climate-controlled hitting bays 

for year-round comfort, a chef-inspired 

menu for year-round deliciousness and 

hundreds of associates eager to help 

create the moments that matter. 

Best Private School — 

Primary Education 

San Jose Episcopal Day School 


(904) 733-0352 

sjeds.org 

For more than 65 years, San Jose 

Episcopal Day School (SJEDS) has 

Best Private School — 

Secondary Education 

Episcopal School of Jacksonville 

4455 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville 32207 

(904) 396-5751 

esj.org 

Episcopal School of Jacksonville 

provides a superior college-preparatory 

education in an environment marked 

by high expectation, Christian nurture 

and social diversity. Through a 

balanced program of academics, arts 

and athletics, Episcopal’s faculty seeks 

to instill in each student intellectual 

growth, character development, 

responsible leadership and a 

commitment to community service. 

Best Charter School 

Duval Charter School 

100 Scholars Way, Jacksonville 32216 

(904) 724-1536 

duvalcharter.org 

A three-story, 60,000 squarefoot 

school, Duval Charter opened 

in 2010 and educates students from 

kindergarten to eighth grade. The 

school gives parents access to their 

children’s personal information through 

a password-protected computed-based 

system, and parents are required to 

commit volunteer hours each year 

to the school, all in an effort to keep 

parents active in their children’s 

education. Students can apply to attend 

Duval Charter online, but if applications 

exceed available seats, a random 

lottery will be held to determine who is 

accepted.

Bold City Best 2017

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