Bookstore
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million, Borders, Main Bookshop
The aromas of Starbucks grab you when you walk in, but you’ll be equally hooked by the extensive selection of books and CDs, helpful staff, comfy reading nooks, and the perpetual hope that Mr. (or Ms.) Bookworm Right is lurking around the next shelf.

Bank
Bank of America
SunTrust, Wachovia
We have a host of banks on almost every corner, but you deposit your greatest trust in Bank of America, a national giant with 19 local locations.

Florist
Beneva Flowers & Gifts
Tiger Lily, University Florist
The arrangements are fresh and original, and there’s a great selection of gifts and other products, but it’s Beneva Flowers’ “Yes, We Can” philosophy of service that keeps longtime customers loyal.

Home Accessories
HomeGoods
Pier One, Pottery Barn
Domestic divas thrill to HomeGoods’ ever-changing inventory of quality discounted furniture, rugs, lighting, kitchenware and decorative accessories.

Furniture Store
Kanes of Sarasota
American Signature, Robb & Stucky
Furniture is big business in this go-go-growth town, and Kanes has dressed many of Sarasota’s fine homes and condominiums with high-style furnishings since 1950.

Consignment Shop
Woman’s Exchange of Sarasota
Designer Consigner, Laura Jean’s
You name it, the Woman’s Exchange has probably stocked it during its 46 years, all the while providing more than $7 million for scholarships for arts nonprofits and students.

Best Gift Shop
Persnickity Cat & Co.
Elysian Fields, Wish
For your in-laws, your neighbors and the boss who has everything, Bee Ridge Road’s Persnickity Cat is packed full with gift-giving inspiration.

Best Swimsuits
SwimMart
Splash, Swim City
Swim Mart has the suits, sandals, resort wear and more to keep you stylishly dressed even when you’re wearing less.

Spa
The Met – Fashion House, Day Spa & Salon
Body & Spirit, The Ritz-Carlton Spa
The Met offers every aesthetic treatment imaginable in serenely elegant surroundings. To really spoil yourself (or someone else), go for the “Full Day Retreat”—seven-and-a-half hours of pure, uninterrupted bliss.

Landscaper
ArtisTree
Jeff Hibbs Landscape, Hazeltine Nurseries
From palms to peonies, top builders and private homeowners turn to ArtisTree for landscape designs that add beauty and value to their properties.

Limousine Service
Boss One
Luxury Limo, Prime Time
How do you distinguish prom from any old dance? A bachelorette party from gals’ night out? Boss One limos are the way to go when it’s more than a special occasion. Choose from Lincoln, Hummer, the “limo lounge” or even a shuttle bus.

Dry Cleaner
Cove Cleaners
60 Minute, Michael the Cleaner
Every well-dressed man or woman depends upon a good dry cleaner, and you, our styling readers, depend on Cove Cleaners most.

Retirement Community
Plymouth Harbor
Bay Village, Sarasota Bay Club
You may have to get on a waiting list to get into Plymouth Harbor, which offers beautiful bay views, a world of activities and the company of sophisticated retirees, but those who are happily ensconced there say it was well worth the wait.

Veterinarian
University Animal Clinic
Bay Road Animal Hospital, Bee Ridge Veterinary Clinic
University Animal Clinic’s caring, highly trained staff makes sure your dog’s tail is wagging (or your kitty cat is purring) when you leave the office.

Hotspots & Highlights

Tourist Attraction
Beach
Mote Aquarium, Ringling Museum
Balmy Gulf breezes, swaying palms, warm water, crystal sands, sensational sunsets and better-than-you’d expect food at the concession stands. What are you waiting for?

Best Local Controversy
Midnight Pass
Growth/development, “What is art?”
Let it flow or no? Impassioned arguments for and against restoring the original Midnight Pass waterway have been going on for 25 years. Whichever way the tide is pulling, you guys refuse to let it go.

Local TV Personality
Heidi Godman
Scott Dennis, Silke Rible
Heidi Godman celebrates her 20th anniversary with ABC7 this year. You’ve witnessed her growth into a crisp and confident pro with an endearing soft spot for children.

Politician
Vern Buchanan
Charlie Crist, Katherine Harris
His first race for public office ended contentiously, but after a year on the job, Congressman Vern Buchanan won your vote.

Place to Meet Singles
Horse Feathers
Ca d’Zan Lounge, The Table
A stylish crowd gathers around the—what else?—horseshoe-shaped bar at downtown’s one-year-old HorseFeathers. (And if you’re already hitched, sit in a corner and enjoy the duck confit or lobster tower instead.)

Free Fun
Beach
Bayfront Park, Downtown Farmer’s Market
Our beaches are among the few in the state that don’t charge for parking—yet. But the county is expanding its fees as tax revenues shrink, so grab your blanket and head to those warm, welcoming white sands while they’re still free.

Reason to Move Away
Property taxes/cost of living
Hurricanes, none
While it’s hard to live like a beach bum in Sarasota, we’ll take this place over the blighted big city any day.

Reason to Stay
Weather
Beaches, culture/art
As we tallied the votes for this contest in February, it was 74 degrees. Enough said.