Doesn’t it feel good to do business with a crew, a collective, or an expert you can really trust—one that goes above and beyond in the services they provide and makes the time you spend with them truly worthwhile? These special businesses, the ones capable of making us feel like family, are an integral part of our daily life in Tallahassee.

To honor them, Tallahassee Magazine conducts an annual poll that gives readers a chance to vote for their favorite businesses across four categories: Food & Beverage, Service Providers, Shopping, and Entertainment. Meet the winners (and a few of the faces behind the winners) here.

These interviews originally appeared in print alongside the Best of 2025 winner listings.

Photo courtesy of Lucky Goat

BEST Coffee Shop

Carlyn Marinaccio

Digital Marketing Specialist
LUCKY GOAT

Q: If you had to give an award for Best Lucky Goat Roast, which would you choose?

A: Definitely our Billy Goat Breakfast Blend! It’s a smooth, well-balanced roast that has been with us since the beginning. Fun fact: It’s the base for all of our flavored coffees.

Q: Are there any “secret menu” items that Lucky Goat customers like to order?

A: Guests love customizing their drinks, but one of the popular off-menu creations is a Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Latte.

Q: Which location has the best ambience for working or studying?

A: Our South Adams Street café is the go-to spot. With lots of natural light and plenty of space inside and on our patio, it’s the perfect location to study, work, or for a pick-me-up after walking in Cascades Park.

Q: What city is the next step in Lucky Goat’s expansion journey?

A: We’re so excited to [have brought] a Lucky Goat franchise café to Lakeland, Florida, this October and [to open] another Florida location by the end of the year.

Photo by Whitney Fletcher

BEST Outdoor Dining Restaurant

Mandy Lemons
Co-owner
TABLE 23

Q. What makes Table 23’s outdoor dining experience stand out? 

A. The location. We are so lucky to do what we do in a 100-year-old building that is so much a part of Tallahassee’s history. Originally a family home, it has transformed through the years and is now home to Table 23.

Q. Was there a particular theme, vision, or vibe in mind when designing the outdoor space?

A. We just wanted a “come as you are” space. We wanted to capitalize on the surrounding landscape and the natural beauty of our hometown. The tree lights bring the magic to the outside deck and lawn, while the chandeliers add a touch of elegance to the covered porch.

Q. How do you adapt your outdoor dining area for different seasons or weather conditions?

A. We have gas heaters for the cold months and fans and sunshades for the warmer months. We also have awnings that we pull down during the wintertime that help hold the heat in.

Q. What’s the best meal and cocktail to enjoy outdoors on a crisp night?

A. That’s a tough one! You can’t go wrong with the coffee-rubbed rib eye or the Grouper 23. Personally, I would choose a nice glass of red wine, but the Pecan Old-Fashioned is definitely a guest favorite.

Photo courtesy of Growing Room

BEST Child care Provider

Lisa Owens
Chief Operating Officer
Growing Room Tallahassee

Q: How do you mix learning and play at Growing Room?

A: At Growing Room, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and are having fun. Our lesson plans focus on the social and emotional growth of our children, and every age learns appropriate play. Every activity has a purpose behind it. When it is fun, they are learning.

Q: What keeps great early childhood educators inspired?

A: Great preschool teachers are inspired by the little moments. The first time a child writes their name, first steps, a first word from a shy child, the excitement in their eyes when they discover something new. At Growing Room, our teachers stay motivated by a positive work culture, ongoing training, and the relationships they build with families.

Q: How do you support children who have extra challenges?

A: We believe every child deserves to feel successful and experience preschool at Growing Room, and all children learn at their own pace.  Our staff takes the time to understand each child’s individual needs and works closely with families and therapists when needed.

Q: Could you share a moment that made you really proud of a student?

A: Most of our favorite moments are when the child that was very shy and did not enjoy coming to school each day starts to come out of their shell and starts to love coming to school. Those are the moments that remind us why we choose to work in early childhood.

Photo courtesy of Premier Health & Fitness Center

BEST Fitness Center

Victoria Aranguren Communication strategist and Christine Morse Fitness Coordinator
Premier Health & Fitness Center

Q: What does Premier offer that’s different than other gyms?

A: Our 55,000-square-foot facility offers amenities you won’t find anywhere else, including multiple heated pools, an indoor track, racquetball and basketball courts, luxury locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms, and over
100 weekly group fitness classes.

Q: Does Premier have a philosophy on catering to the widely varying fitness goals of its members?

A: Yes! Our philosophy is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to fitness. Whether a member wants to train for performance, recover from an injury, improve longevity, or simply move and feel better day-to-day, we meet them where they are. Our personal trainers, instructors, and staff are dedicated to tailoring experiences to each individual.

Photo courtesy of Premier Health & Fitness Center

Q: How does Premier promote wellness beyond fitness?

A: Premier offers massage therapy, Stretching Your Life sessions, mind/body classes, and recovery options, as well as healthy, happy socializing opportunities from the pool to the pickleball courts. In addition, we collaborate with health care professionals from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to provide educational resources on nutrition, stress management, and overall wellness.

Q: What advice would you give someone looking to get fit in a gym but unsure where to begin?

A: Start simple, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. At Premier, every member receives two complimentary personal training sessions each year, which is a great way to get guidance and feel confident using the equipment. Try a variety of classes or activities until you find what you enjoy—consistency comes easier when fitness feels fun.

BEST Photographer

JENNIFER POWELL
Jennifer Powell Photography

Q: What was your reaction to being voted “Best Photographer”?

A: Pure gratitude. I feel incredibly honored that my community trusts me to capture their most important moments. Photography has been my passion and career for over 20 years, and being recognized in this way is both humbling and inspiring.

Q: How would you describe the style or tone of the images you photograph?

A: Light, bright, natural, and full of movement. My work is rooted in real life but styled in a way that highlights each client’s natural beauty with structure and artistry. I love creating images that feel authentic yet polished, capturing both energy and emotion.

Q: Do you take a special approach with clients who might feel camera shy or intimidated by posing?

A: Absolutely—this is truly my superpower. I love people and their stories, and listening is such a huge part of my process. When clients feel comfortable, they naturally shift into a different energy, and that shows in their photos. I believe you can feel how a person feels from a photo, and my goal is always to reflect that authenticity.

Q: What’s on your photography bucket list? Anything special you’d love to shoot someday?

A: I’ve been fortunate to live out many of my dreams through photography, but one that excites me is capturing dancers and performers on stage. The lighting, the movement, and the magic of a live performance—it would be incredible to freeze those moments in time through my lens.

Photo courtesy of Kessler Collection

BEST Residential Builder/Contractor

Nicole Kessler
Chief Operating Officer
Kessler Construction

Q: What role does Kessler play in making Tallahassee feel like “home”?

A: Everything about Kessler Construction is custom, so the new homes and remodels we are completing throughout Tallahassee represent what our community wants and needs to feel at home.

Q: How does Kessler differ from other residential builders in our county?

A: Kessler Construction offers a five-year workmanship warranty, which is unheard of in our industry. Additionally, we actively invest in our community on the ground level through community engagement and workforce development opportunities.

Q: Can you share a project you’re especially proud of?

A: We thrive off problem-solving and being creative. We recently completed an expansive state-of-the-art workshop for a model train enthusiast. The workshop includes a ticket counter and original barn doors that we designed and built to look exactly like the side of a train car. You really feel like you are in a train station!

Q: What kind of feedback do you hear most often from clients?

A: Our clients appreciate our attention to detail and our trustworthiness. They know we will stand by their side and do the right thing throughout the entire design-build process.

Photo courtesy of J. Lynn’s Consignment

BEST Consignment Shop

Terri Lynn Dulworth Co-Owner

J. Lynn’s Boutique Consignment

Q: Where did the J. Lynn’s journey begin? What was the inspiration behind opening the store?

A: Over six years ago, we opened our doors with the concept of combining consignment with new market merchandise. We also offer a luxe area with designer handbags, clothing, and shoes.

Q: What is most exciting about the business of luxury consignment?

A: You never know what is going to come through our doors! It is exciting to have access to so many local brands as well as brands not readily available in our area.

Q: Are there any standout pieces that have come to the store, ones you’ll never forget?

A: Luxury handbags and accessories are top sellers. Our most memorable consigned pieces would have to be the Chanel handbags as they are extremely desirable with our customers.

Q: Luxury resale is often linked to sustainability. how do you see your store connecting with conscious consumerism?

A: We take pride in offering our consigners gently loved items at an affordable price in a highly organized boutique. Consignment and resale are thriving as consumers are interested now more than ever in affordability, sustainability, and unique finds.

Photo courtesy of Tallahassee Museum

BEST Place to Take the Kids

Allison Ashcroft Director of Programs and Jess Wackes Director of Marketing

TALLAHASSEE MUSEUM

Q: What part of the property do kids tend to love most?

A: Two words: dinosaurs and animals! There’s something magical about watching a child’s face when they encounter our dinosaur exhibits or get up close with our native Florida wildlife. The dinosaurs spark their imagination about ancient worlds, while our animal encounters help them connect with the natural world around them.

Q: Do you offer special programs, camps, or events that families or schools should know about?

A: Our birthday parties are incredibly popular. We also run comprehensive summer camps and homeschool programs. We’re particularly proud of our preschool programs and our Sunday historical farm program. But here’s what really gets families excited: our overnight programs. Children can actually sleep over at the museum!

Photo courtesy of Tallahassee Museum

Q: When parents visit the museum with their kids, what will they love most?

A: Parents love that their children are burning energy while genuinely learning. Kids are actively exploring and developing empathy, all while they think they’re just having fun. But what really makes parents smile is our café. Families can relax with a meal, and parents can enjoy a locally crafted cold beer while the kids recharge.

Q: Is the Tallahassee Museum also a great destination for school field trips?

A: School field trips represent a substantial portion of our visitor base, and it’s one of our greatest sources of pride. We regularly welcome schools from throughout Florida and even South Georgia. What’s particularly rewarding is hearing from teachers who return year after year because they see genuine engagement from their students.