Ace Educational Supplies

When my kids ask to go to the toy store, I often take them here - they have know idea it is a LEARNING store!!

Ace Educational has an enormous selection of teaching and learning toys, classroom necessities, books, workbooks, you-name-it. The staff knows their inventory well and can find you whatever it is you are looking for in a jiffy!

If you are in need of a gift for your childrens' teachers - come to ace - they offer gift certificates in any amount and all teachers are SO grateful for Ace certificates.

They have a corner location in a large shopping plaza so they are easy to find and parking is abumdant...grab a cart when you walk in because you may have come in to pick up just one item - but I assure you, you'll leave with lots more than just one thing!

PROS: HUGE selection of educational supplies and toys
CONS: none

Hertz Parkland Jewelers

Hertz is a wonderful gem of a jeweler. Run by Scotty Hertz, who insists all his customers call him by his first name, he and his staff make you feel welcome the minute you walk in the door. He gives extra special treatment to those he has known for a long time or friends of friends...often doing repair work free of charge.

The jewelry he carries is stunning and unique and he has a nnice array of gift-items - crystal and vases - so any husband can come in at any time and bring home just the right thing to make his wife smile.

Hertz is located on a busy street, University Drive, but is in a plaza set off teh road slightly with ample parking space - nice for two reasons - your wife won't drive by and see your car in the lot unless she is specifically looking for you...and you don't have to worry about walking far in a huge parking lot with expensive items and being at risk of getting mugged. Hertz is next door toKinki's - a well lit, 24 hour storefront.

PROS: personal service
CONS: none

POLAIR

I have dealt with Boca Air for many years as both a residential customer as well as a commercial customer. They treated me well in both roles. They are always polite on tehphone, remembering you by name and they always, without fail, show up at their scheduled time to do the maintennence and/or repair work you ordered.

They offer air conditioner maintennence plans to save you money in the long run keeping your unit running smoothly and hour home or office eternally cooled - very important in this climate.

Their workers are always clean and polite and I have always felt safe allowing them into my home, even when I wa shome alone with my children - more than you can say for some of the companies out there.

PROS: reliable, safe, on time
CONS: none

Party City

It seems this store in forever re-organizing. For years, everytime I attempt to shop here, I go in and ask for assistance in finding what I am looking for and they tell me they are in the midst of re-stocking or re-organizing their shelves or they are checking inventory so I should please excuse the disarray and disorganization. Then they have to send someone in the back to attempt to find the item I need. Nothing is ever on the hang-peg it is supposed to be on and things are always all over the place. I find it a very frustrating place to shop.

PROS: none
CONS: disorganized

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain And Chocolate Shop

Ghirardelli Soida Fountain and Chocolate Shop is located amongh the beautiful sights and shows of City Place in downtown West Palm Beach, a lovely area to spend a relaxing day.

This wonderful sweets shop has ice creams and chocolates that are beyond your most decadent fantasies. Chocolate covered strawberries and bananas, milk shakes and malts, and bars of thick dark rich chocolate...yummm. It is the chocolate lover's dream come true.

The staff are friendly, the place is alsowat clean - which is amazing considering the amount of sticky-fingered children in and out of there on a daily basis and the bathrooms are always immaculate.

Well run in every department, this place is a must-see, must-try when you are in the West Palm Beach area!!

PROS: amazing chocolates, clean facility
CONS: none

Oakland Park Flea Market Mall

This place is just awful.

I was sent here on an errand last month to pick something up for a family member. I will not go back. For starters, it is filthy and not well lit. The clientele are creepy.

This is the type of place where you cling to your purse and clutch your husbands' arm as you quickly go in, get what you want, and leave.

There are several booths of clothing, jewelry, ethnic food items, housewares, a run-down arcade-area with machines that mostly don't work, and a few food-court style booths that look roach infested.

This place should be condemned.

PROS: none
CONS: filthy, creepy

Allstate Insurance: John Scharff

At IC Bikes you are guaranteed to have your bicycle repaired quickly, properly, and with a smile.

If you are looking to buy a bicycle, they will help you select the one best suited for your build and your needs.

They take the time to get to know their customers and find out exactly what their customers want and need...and then they go about meeting those wants and needs at a great price, quickly and happily.

PROS: Great service - friendly, too!
CONS: none

My Own Cruising Journal

My Own Cruising Journal is the most wonderful, quaint giftshop in all of Broward County. They carry elegant gifts in all departments.

They carry Tommy Bahama clothing as well as Lilly Pulitzer and Fresh Produce. They also carry trinket gifts - jewelry boxes, journals, Brighton key fobs,candles, lotions...fabulous items and all very high end.

The store is tucked away just off of Federal Highway next to a day spa and a bagel/lunch restaurant. While they are easily accessible (just off Federal), you don't feel the rush of the highway because you are tucked off just a bit.

The staff is wonderful. They offer you assistance - and if you just want to browse, they allow you to browse without hovering over you. You can tell them the type of person you are shopping for and they will assist you in picking out just the right gift.

PROS: Classy, elegant
CONS: none

Eclipse Investigations Inc

Eclipse Investigations has been around for years. The owner, Barry, is an honest hardworking man who will make sure your case is solved and will charge you a fair amount for his time and work. From financial investigations to spousal investigations, he takes the case and finds out all you need to know. He is honest and trustworthy. Most PI firms are fly-by-night...you can take comfort in knowing this one has been around for years...and isn't going anywhere.

PROS: Honest - well run
CONS: none

Coral Springs Nursery

At the Coral Springs Nursery you get a nice selection of gorgeous landscaping as well as decorative statues and what-not for your yard or garden. But the nicest thing I found here at the Coral Springs Nursery is the friendly, one on one service and the care they put behind what they sell.

This is a small-town nursery and garden store plopped in a large city-like area. With Home Depot right down the road, one might be surprise the Coral Springs Nursey has survived...but once you go in and see how well they treat their customers, you'll understand how and why they have no problem keeping up with the big guys.

PROS: small, personal service
CONS: none