Pensacola Independent News

BEST OF THE COAST 2008 | Vol. 10, No. 38, October 16, 2008
(Best Of The Coast 2008)
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Featured Winners - Retail

BEAUTY

STILL WATERS MEDICAL DAY SPA
Winner: Best Day Spa, Best Nail Salon, Best Massage, Best Salon for Waxing Services
Top 3 Finish: Best Skin Care

For the last several years, Still Waters has been a mainstay on our Best of the Coast Winner list. Our readers can't get enough of the upscale, intimate environment and array of medical and non-medical treatments available at the spa.

Still Waters features a full range of traditional spa services, such as massage, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures, body wraps, skin peels, body therapies and make up services. In addition, the spa is medically supervised by Dr. Jack Kotlarz, a board-certified plastic surgeon, so it also offers medical treatments like Botox, Restylane, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, skin rejuvenation IPL and VelaSmooth cellulite treatment.

One of the most unique parts of the Still Waters experience is the spa lounge, where clients relax before and after their treatments next to a subtle cascading water fountain. It's quiet. It's dark. It's peaceful. Read, enjoy a cup a cup of tea or coffee, or do absolutely nothing.

Owners Jeff and Mary Anne Aanestad chose the name Still Waters because they say they love life most when they take time out of their busy lives to be still and enjoy the healing benefits of water. It looks like the rest of us have caught on.

KEVIN WELCH, M.D. & THE SKIN CARE CENTER
Winner: Best Skin Care

For seven years, Dr. Kevin Welch prided his business on an array of different skin care treatment. From facials and chemical peels to Botox and hair removal, the skin center is your beauty and health one-stop shop.

"We offer sort of two parts of the spectrum in skin care," says Welch. "You go to one facility and can get both."

You'll also find some of the newest forms of skin treatment such as Restylane, hyperpigmentation, dermascreen, kelo-cote and thermage skin tightening. Many skin care products are available for purchase including Vitamin C creams and Jane Iredale and Revaleskin skin-care makeups.

The center is one of the 100 largest volume Botox injectors in the United States. Dr. Welch is also a member of the National Education Faculty for Allergan, which allows him to teach other physicians how to inject Botox.

In addition to skin treatment, the center also features a full service medical spa and lip sculpting. New products to the center include ElastIderm, which gives your skin elasity and Vivite makeup that is designed to increase oxygen to the skin.

Dr. Welch graduated from Tufts University and went to medical school at State University of New York. He is a board certified dermatologist and a member of the West Florida Hospital Medical Center.

PLANET BEACH
Winner: Best Tanning Salon

Founded in 1996, Planet Beach has grown to over 200 salons throughout the U.S., Canada and Australia, with another 300 awarded locations. This is the third consecutive year the Pensacola stores have won Best Tanning Salon, not only because they offer state-of-the-art equipment, but because their customer service can't be matched. Planet Beach locations deliver premier wellness, relaxation, UV therapy and skin rejuvenation services in an inspiring, relaxed atmosphere.

Unlike other tanning operations that offer it as secondary service, Planet Beach focuses solely on tanning and the sale of retail products that enhance the tanning experience. It's this focus that has gotten Planet Beach ranked by Enterprise Magazine as No. 1 in the tanning industry, No. 2 in personal care and No. 91 in the Top 500 franchises.

Besides being the largest automated day spa in the world, Planet Beach is also the largest Contempo Spa in the world and offers nutrition programs for weight loss, oxygen therapy, skin wellness and access to online information.

FASHION

PENSACOLA BLUES
Winner: Best Women's Clothing
Top 3 Finish: Best Casual/Hip Clothing

Pensacola Blues is a breath of fresh air in Pensacola's sometimes stagnant women's clothing climate. With an eclectic mix of high-end denim, chic dresses, cool casual wear and accessories from brands like Ella Moss, Citizens of Humanity, Habitual and t-bags, the locally-owned Pensacola Blues brings a touch of New York City class to Pensacola.

PUMPS
Winner: Best New Retail Shop

This new shoe boutique in East Pensacola offers quality women's shoes in a an environment that makes shopping fun. Pumps carries well-known designers, including Bernado, Cole Haan, Hobo, Cynthia Vincent, Max Studio, DKNY, Sister, Pare Gabia, French Sole, Sigerson Morrison, Andre Assous and more.

STUDIO B.
Winner: Best Casual/Hip Clothing
Top 3 Finish: Best Boutique, Best Women's Clothing

Designer-owner Jeni Bailey opened her doors in 2007 and IN readers have flocked to the chic, intimate boutique in Pensacola's historic district. As low-key as it is hip, studio b. features an eclectic mix of dresses, skirts, tops and bags from national and international labels including Parameter, Max Studio, D.E.P.T. of the Netherlands, Eco-ga'nik and Industry, as well as custom clothing by Bailey

SUSAN CAMPBELL JEWELRY
Winner: Best Unique Jewelry
Top 3 Finish: Best Boutique, Best Fashion Accessories

This shop of Pensacola native and young professional Susan Campbell Hatler has caught the eyes of IN readers since it opened in 2005. Susan Campbell Jewelry is located in the historic Quina South House (circa 1840) and is filled with unique, cutting-edge, but designed-to-last pieces that ranging from $100 to more than $1,000. Care has been given into selecting every necklace, bracelet, ring and earring offered.

ELITE REPEATS
Winner: Best Consignment Clothing

For years, Elite Repeats has carried a large selection of new and gently used clothing and accessories. Owner Lisa Compton has built on the store's selective consignment policies to guarantee high-quality options for her customers. Whether IN readers are looking for casual or formal clothing, jewelry, shoes or housewares, they know there are always unique finds at this Gulf Breeze consignment shop.

JEWELER'S TRADE SHOP
Winner: Best Jeweler Overall

Jewelers Trade Shop owners Corbett Davis Jr. and Corbett Davis III continue the shop's tradition of fine quality and outstanding service since it opened in 1956. The family-owned and operated shop devotes its full attention to the customer because it wants to be "your jewelers and gemologists for every generation." From bridal, jewelry, watches or custom design, Jewelers Trade Shop can help you find the perfect gift for that special someone for every occasion.

YEARS A GO-GO
Winner: Best Vintage/Thrift Clothing

Need to create that certain look for a party or event? This vintage boutique carries the necessary clothing and accessories such as shoes, purses, hats, jewelry, scarves, and stockings to carry off the look. Years A Go-Go also stocks retail reproduction pieces such as go-go boots as well as some contemporary funk like hippie look from Gypsy Rose, Goth punk from Lip Service or even a "fat suit" to play the Godfather.

SHOPPING

SASSAFRAS STATIONERY AND GIFTS
Winner: Best Place to Buy A Baby Gift

Last year's Best New Retail Shop, Sassafras Stationery & Gifts is a veteran to Best of the Coast. The store offers custom printing and design service, bridal and baby registries, gift wrapping and personal shopping service. Not to mention the shop is full of unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and other special events.

Sassafras has claimed the top spot for Best Children's Gifts. Owner Saranne Soule says some of her most popular baby gifts include those from Tiny Kingdom pottery out of Birmingham, What a Dish! out of California, Salisbury Pewter for pewter and sterling silver, and Little Giraffe and Angel Dear for soft blankets, which can be embroidered. For older kids, Jellycat stuffed animals and Kidorable raingear are most popular. Also bestsellers and exclusive to Sassafras are Tea Collection clothing, Kee Ka clothing and Mimi the Sardine accessories.

Formerly Ginger Bender Stationery, Soule has expanded the business into its more spacious location in the Shoppes of East Hill on 12th Avenue

CORDOVA CIGARS
Winner: Best Cigar Store

For the past two years, Cordova Cigars has won over IN cigar aficionados. You have to admire their style. It opened its Ninth Avenue location with a bang, hosting cigar celebrity Ernesto Padilla, whose cigar brands include the new Padilla Signature 1932.

Cordova Cigars offers a selection of over 700 fine cigars including some that are very hard to find, and will special order a brand for customers if they don't have it. It has comfortable, luxurious smoking areas, large selection of tobacco accessories, including premium lighters and cigar cutters, pipes, pipe tobacco and pipe accessories. Its gift selection includes items such as Lampe Berger fragrance lampes and SureFire tactical products. The store also has a walk-in humidor.

POOR RICHARD'S ANTIQUES
Winner: Best Antiques

Poor Richard's is certainly not reflective of its non-posh name. All of the antiques in the store are handpicked from countries such as Belgium, Holland, German and France. While many antique stores offer only 20th century collectibles that could often be considered as junk, Poor Richard's stands apart. Focusing on mostly furniture, the two different stores offer period pieces from the 1700s and 1800s. It's no surprise Pensacola has once again considered Poor Richard's top of the line.

DOLLARHIDE'S MUSIC & SOUND
Winner: Best Store for Musical Instruments

Serving 18 counties in Florida and Alabama, owners Bill and Margaret Dollarhide have provided band instruments and pianos to area schools and musicians for nearly 20 years. Their passion for music in the public schools carries over into their support of Bravo for Kids, a community non-profit that solicits donations of money and instruments for public school kids who might have to drop the class due to not having an instrument. Visit their showroom in downtown Pensacola and you'll agree that IN readers have great taste in music.

FRAMERY & GALLERY
Winner: Best Framery

Nothing is too difficult for these professionals to frame. For 25 years, they have offered their expertise and experience to make the most of whatever you want preserved and displayed. The Framery & Gallery also carries original art, poster art and limited edition reproductions.

SANDY SANSING
Winner: Best New Car Dealership

Pensacola native Sandy Sansing has become an icon with his TV ads showing him perched atop an elephant and in support of various youth sports teams from the area. IN readers believe "Sandy Sansing Can!" when it comes to offering a good deal on a new car. The Sandy Sansing Automotive Group includes Chevrolet, Nissan, BMW, Mazda, Hyundai and Chrysler in the Pensacola-Mobile area. All are staffed with professionals ready to make your car purchase as painless as possible.

FRONTIER MOTORS
Winner: Best Used Car Dealership

This family-oriented dealership with its professional staff is out to make you a customer for life. IN readers say Frontier Motors delivers high customer satisfaction both during the sale and providing a world class service experience after the purchase. Visit frontiermotorsinc.com to see their great selection online.

InWeekly

Featured Winners - Retail