Who’s more passionate about the best of our area than our readers? We’re convinced that nobody is. With more than 51,000 individual votes in this year’s Best of Roanoke balloting, you have broken all records for voicing your views. We’re pleased to present the results, and to congratulate all
the winners.
Pop-Out People
Your Local Hero
- Platinum: Ed Walker, developer
- Gold: Douglas Pierce, physician
- Silver: Pearl Fu, goodwill ambassador
Government Person Who Gets It
- Platinum: Court Rosen, Roanoke City Council
- Gold: Bob Goodlatte, U.S. Representative
- Silver: Chris Morrill, Roanoke City Manager
Government Person With Foot in Mouth
- Platinum: David Bowers, Roanoke Mayor
- Gold: Bob Goodlatte, U.S. Representative
- Silver: Morgan Griffith, U.S. Representative
Most Inspiring Teacher
- Platinum: Victor Lamas, North Cross
- Gold (tie): Wade Whitehead, Crystal Spring Elem.; Holly Martin, Westside Elem.; Erin Jones North Cross
Local Celeb You’d Want for Your Charity Event
- Platinum: Robin Reed, WDBJ7
- Gold: Karen McNew, WSLS 10
- Silver: Danny Myers, K92
Local Website You Visit Most
- Platinum: roanoke.com
- Gold: wdbj7.com
- Silver: roanoke.edu
Best Local Facebook Page
- Platinum: Things In Roanoke That Don’t Suck
- Gold: WSLS 10
- Silver: WDBJ 7
Best Local Twitter Feed
- Platinum: Bob Patrick, K92
- Gold: WDBJ7
- Silver: WSLS 10
Best Local Pinterest Page
- Platinum: Bella Magazine
- Gold: Get2KnowNoke
- Silver: AL Flair
Best Local Smart Phone App
- Platinum: WDBJ7 Weather App
- Gold: Valley Bank
- Silver: WSLS 10 Weather
On The Air
TV News Person You Rely On
- Platinum: Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7
- Gold: Karen McNew, WSLS 10
- Silver: Kimberly McBroom, WDBJ7
TV Weather Person You Rely On
- Platinum: Robin Reed, WDBJ7
- Gold: Jeff Haniewich, WSLS 10
- Silver: Jamey Singleton, WSET 13
TV Sports Person Getting it Across Best
- Platinum: Travis Wells, WDBJ7
- Gold: John Appicello, WSLS 10
- Silver: Karen Loftus, WDBJ7
- Honorable Mention: Greg Roberts (radio)
Most Fun on the Radio
- Platinum: Danny Meyers
- Gold: Brett Sharp, 94.9 Star Country
- Silver: Zack Jackson, K92
Best Serious Stuff on the Radio (Station)
- Platinum: WVTF/Radio IQ
- Gold: WFIR – News Radio
Best Music on the Radio (Station)
- Platinum: K92 FM
- Gold: 94.9 FM
- Silver: SteveFM
Education & Business
Best Public School
- Platinum: Cave Spring High School
- Gold: Patrick Henry High School
- Silver: Salem High School
Best Private School
- Platinum: North Cross School
- Gold: Roanoke Catholic School
- Silver: Faith Christian School
Best College/University in the Valley
- Platinum: Roanoke College
- Gold: Virginia Tech
Best Library Branch
- Platinum: Roanoke County HQ
- Gold: Roanoke County – Hollins
- Silver: SalemSilver: Hollins University
Best Museum
- Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold: Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Silver: Science Museum of Western Virginia
Best Art Gallery
- Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold: Signature 9 Gallery
- Silver: Market Street Gallery
Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting
- Platinum: Hotel Roanoke
- Gold: Sheraton Roanoke
- Silver: Shenandoah Club
Best Place to Work
- Platinum: Carilion Clinic
- Gold: Valley Bank
- Silver: BB&T
Best Tutor
- Platinum: Sylvan Learning Centers
- Gold: Learning & Behavior Specialists
- Silver: Goodspeed Learning Consultants
What Happened / What’s Happenin’
Best Thing to Happen in Roanoke in 2012
- Platinum: Extension of the Greenway
- Gold: City Market reopening
- Silver: Efforts to rebuild Elmwood Park
Favorite Annual Festival
- Platinum: Festival in the Park
- Gold: Strawberry Festival
- Silver: Microfestivus
Best Annual Holiday Event
- Platinum: Dickens of a Christmas
- Gold: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Silver: Drumstick Dash
Best Local Charity Event
- Platinum: Drumstick Dash
- Gold: Relay for Life
- Silver: Barbells for Boobs
Best Free Laughs
- Platinum: Roanoke City Council meetings
- Gold: K92 Morning Thang
- Silver: Tuned Out TV
Best New Business
- Platinum: Just Dance Roanoke
- Gold: One Earth Mulch, Inc.
- Silver: Beamer’s 25 Restaurant
Place that Makes You Feel Like a Kid
- Platinum: Chuck E Cheese
- Gold: Mill Mountain Zoo
- Silver: Pump It Up
Best Kept Secret in Town
- Platinum: Just Dance Roanoke
- Gold: The Callback Comedy Club at Growler’s
- Silver (tie): Silver Hearth Lodge and Brickhouse Crossfit
Best Looking Building
- Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold: Hotel Roanoke
- Silver: Meridium
Best Idea for the Valley
- Platinum: Passenger Rail Service
- Gold: Finishing the Greenway
- Silver: Comedy Club
Most Worthy Group to Donate to or Volunteer For
- Platinum: Rescue Mission
- Gold: Roanoke Valley SPCA
- Silver: Angels of Assissi
Where To Go / What To Do
Shows the Best Movies
- Platinum: Grandin Theatre
- Gold: Valley View Regal Grande
- Silver: Tanglewood Carmike
Best Live Music Hot Spot
- Platinum: Blue 5
- Gold: Martin’s Downtown
- Silver: Kirk Avenue Music Hall
- Best for a Beer with the Boys
- Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
- Gold: Blue 5
- Silver: Growler’s American Grill and Venue
Best Girls Night Out
- Platinum: Metro!
- Gold: 419 West
- Silver (tie): 202 Market and Corned Beef & Co.
Best Spot for a Romantic Evening
- Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine
- Gold: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Silver: Alexander’s
Best Affordable Entertainment Opportunity
- Platinum: Salem Red Sox games
- Gold: The Callback Comedy Club
- Silver (tie): Martin’s and The Greenway
Best Long Weekend Getaway
- Platinum: The Homestead
- Gold: The Greenbrier
- Silver: Smith Mountain Lake
Golfer’s Dream Course
- Platinum: Ballyhack
- Gold: Hanging Rock
- Silver: Hidden Valley
Fido’s Favorite Place for a Walk
- Platinum: The Greenway
- Gold: Highland Dog Park
- Silver: Greenhill Park
WiFi Spot Where you Feel at Home
- Platinum: Panera Bread
- Gold: Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea
- Silver: Starbucks
Best Section of Roanoke River Greenway
- Platinum: Wasena Park
- Gold: Roanoke River
- Silver: near Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Best Wet Spot to Reel in “The Big One”
- Platinum: Smith Mountain Lake
- Gold: James River
- Silver: Roanoke River
Best Route to Pedal on Two Wheels
- Platinum: The Greenway
- Gold: Carvins Cove
- Silver: Blue Ridge Parkway
Best Short Stroll (under 5 Miles)
- Platinum: Greenways
- Gold: Mill Mountain
- Silver: Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail
Best Long Hike (5+ Miles)
- Platinum: McAfee Knob
- Gold: Dragon’s Tooth
- Silver: Peaks of Otter
Best View that’s not Mill Mountain
- Platinum: McAfee Knob
- Gold: Blue Ridge Parkway
- Silver: Valhalla Winery
Best Fitness Club
- Platinum: RAC
- Gold: YMCA
- Silver (tie): Just Dance Roanoke and Planet Fitness
Best Yoga/Pilates Classes
- Platinum: Uttara Yoga Studio
- Gold: The Yoga Center
- Silver: YMCA
Best Country Club
- Platinum: Roanoke Country Club
- Gold: Hidden Valley Country Club
- Silver: Hunting Hills Country Club
Best Live Theatre
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Theatre
- Gold: Showtimers
- Silver: Roanoke Children’s Theatre
Best Reason to Live in the Valley
- Platinum: Scenery/outdoors
- Gold: The People
- Silver: Great Place to Raise Kids
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Best Store to Splurge on Shoes
- Platinum: Yarid’s
- Gold: Cobbler’s Wife
- Silver: Bush-Flora Shoes
- Chain Winner: Macy’s
Freshest Flowers
- Platinum: George’s
- Gold: Stritesky’s
- Silver: Creative Occasions (Vinton)
- Chain Winner: Fresh Market
Best Wedding Floral Designer
- Platinum: Creative Occasions
- Gold: George’s
- Silver: The Crystal Orchid (Franklin Road)
Best Bridal Shop
- Platinum: Amrhein’s
- Gold: Proms, Pageants, & Pretty Things at the Brides House
- Silver (tie): Patina and The Newfangled Bride (Salem)
- Chain Winner: David’s Bridal
Best Local Wedding Venue
- Platinum: Hotel Roanoke
- Gold: Sundara (Boones Mill)
- Silver: Woodland Place (Vinton)
Best Catering
- Platinum: Schaal’s Catering & Events
- Gold: Blue Ridge Catering
- Silver: Chanticleer Catering
Best Women’s Clothing
- Platinum: Urban Gypsy
- Gold: Punch Boutique
- Silver: La De Da
Best Men’s Clothing
- Platinum: Davidsons
- Gold: Garland’s on Crystal Spring
- Chain Winners: Jos. A. Bank, Men’s Wearhouse
Best Sporting Goods
- Platinum: Dick’s (chain)
- Gold: Play it Again Sports (chain)
- Silver: Gander Mountain (chain)
Best Kids Clothing
- Platinum: Once Upon a Child (chain)
- Gold: Toad’ly Kids
- Silver: Our Little Cherubs Boutique
Best Consignment Shop
- Platinum: New to Me Consignment Boutique
- Gold: Hidden Treasures
Best Local Bookstore
- Platinum: Barnes and Noble (chain)
- Gold: Too Many Books
- Silver: Givens Books
Best Everyday Groceries
- Platinum: Kroger
- Gold: Fresh Market
- Silver: Food Lion
Best Gourmet Groceries
- Platinum: Fresh Market
- Gold: Tinnell’s
- Silver: Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op
Best Wine Shop
- Platinum: Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
- Gold: Wine Gourmet
- Silver: Tinnell’s
- Chain Winner: Kroger
Best Open Air Produce
- Platinum: Roanoke City Market
- Gold: Salem Farmers Market
- Silver: Grandin Farmers Market
Pharmacy You Trust Most
- Platinum: CVS
- Gold: Kroger
- Silver: Walgreen’s
Best Mall or Shopping Center
- Platinum: Valley View Mall
- Gold: Tanglewood Mall
- Silver: Towers Shopping Center
Best Jewelry Store
- Platinum: Fink’s
- Gold: Jewells
- Silver: Amrhein’s
Best Jewelry Repair
- Platinum: Fink’s
- Gold: Jewells
- Silver: Amrhein’s
Best Place to Buy Estate Jewelry
- Platinum: Amrhein’s
- Gold (tie): F. Geoffrey Ltd. and Ginger’s Jewelry
Best Optical Shop
- Platinum: Newman, Blackstock & Associates
- Gold: Vistar
- Silver (tie): Invision & The Optical Shop
Best Place to Buy an Instrument
- Platinum: Kelley’s Music
- Gold: Fret Mill
- Silver: Ridenhour Music
Best Coffee/Tea Shop
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Coffee
- Gold: Cups
- Silver: Froth
- Chain Winner: Starbucks
Best Local Gift Shop
- Platinum: chocolatepaper
- Gold: Two and a Half Sisters
- Silver: Gift Niche
Wheels
Where to Buy Your Luxury Dream Car
- Platinum: Crossroads
- Gold: Brambleton Imports
- Silver: First Team Auto Mall
Best for a Good Basic Ride
- Platinum: Berglund
- Gold: Haley Toyota
- Silver: First Team Auto Mall
Most Dependable Car Repair
- Platinum: Woods Service Center
- Gold: Wayne’s Imported Automotive
- Silver: RJK Services
Best Car Wash/Detailing
- Platinum: Tanglewood Auto Wash
- Gold: Sunnybrook Auto Spa
- Silver: Southern Classic
Quickest Dependable Oil Change
- Platinum: SpeeDee
- Gold: Jiffy Lube
- Silver: TLC (The Lube Center)
Best Bicycle Shop
- Platinum: Cardinal Bicycle
- Gold: East Coasters
- Silver: Just the Right Gear
Best Motorcycle Route
- Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
- Gold: Va. 311
- Silver (tie): Bent Mountain & Shooting Creek Road
Home Sweet Home
Friendliest Neighborhood
- Platinum: Grandin Court/Raleigh Court
- Gold: South Roanoke
- Silver: Old Southwest
Best Apartment Complex
- Platinum: Pebble Creek
- Gold: Sunscape
- Silver: Hickory Woods Apartments
Greenest Garden Shop
- Platinum: Townside Gardens
- Gold: Greenbrier Nurseries
- Silver: Cindy’s Greenery
Best Hardware Store
- Platinum: NorthwestTrue Value Hardware
- Gold: Lowe’s
Best Flooring Store
- Platinum: Lowe’s
- Gold: Carpetland USA
- Silver: Lumber Liquidators
Best Furniture Store
- Platinum: Grand Home Furnishings
- Gold: Reid’s Fine Furnishings
- Silver: Virginia Furniture Market
Best Kitchen & Bath Shop
- Platinum: Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Gold: Provisions
- Silver: Lowe’s
Best Electronics/Home Theater Store
- Platinum: Audiotronics
- Gold: Lee Hartman & Sons
- Silver: Sound Decision
Best Landscaping
- Platinum: Varsity Landscaping
- Gold: One Earth Landscapes
- Silver: Prestige Acres Landscaping Inc.
Best Custom Cabinetry Services
- Platinum: Carter’s Cabinet Shop
- Gold: Cabinetry with TLC
- Silver: Perdue Cabinets
Plumber that Gets it Fixed Fast
- Platinum: Richard Brogan Plumbing
- Gold: Ostrom
- Silver: Allen Shipplet
Best Roofing Company
- Platinum: Miller Roofing
- Gold: Vinton Roofing
- Silver: Baker Roofing
Best Home Appliance Store
- Platinum: Vinton Appliance Center
- Gold: Austin’s Appliance
Best Home Appliance Store (Chain)
- Platinum: Lowe’s
- Gold: Sears
- Silver: Ferguson
Best Home Lighting Store
- Platinum: Williams Lighting Center
- Gold: Lowe’s
- Silver: Ferguson
Best for Mattresses
- Platinum: Grand Home Furnishings
- Gold: Mattress Depot
- Silver: Mattress Warehouse
Best Interior Designer
- Platinum: Circle Design Studio – Theresa Dorlini
- Gold: Hartwell Design – Laurie Hartwell
- Silver: Elaine Stephenson Interior Design – Elaine Stephenson
Best Home Décor Store
- Platinum: Kirkland’s
- Gold: Pier 1 Imports
- Silver: Black Dog Salvage
Best In Services
Best Photographer
- Platinum: Kevin Hurley
- Gold: Tina Holtzlander
- Silver: Kemper Mills Fant
Most Reliable Electrician
- Platinum: Ostrom
- Gold: Shively Electric
- Silver: Keenan Electric
Best Dog Groomer
- Platinum: Padgett’s Grooming
- Gold: Tails a Waggin’
- Silver (tie): Cindy’s Dog
- Grooming and Clip n’ Dip
- Chain Winner: Petsmart
Best Local Bank
- Platinum: Valley Bank
- Gold: Hometown Bank
- Silver: Member One Federal Credit Union
Best National Bank
- Platinum: BB& T
- Gold: Suntrust
- Silver: Wells Fargo
Best Lawyer
- Platinum: John Litchenstein
- Gold: John Weber
- Silver: Tony Anderson
Best Women’s Hair Stylist
- Platinum: Elaine Baldacci – Pampered & Polished
- Gold: Candy Brown – Licensed to Cut
- Silver: Kate Lagueux-Dever – Onyx
Best Men’s Haircuts
- Platinum: Les Cheveux Salon
- Gold: Jack’s Barber Shop
- Silver: Licensed to Cut
Best Esthetician/Skin Treatment Services
- Platinum: Les Cheveux
- Gold: Skin Care Consulting – Melinda Kantor
- Silver: Azario Salon and Day Spa
Best Manicures/Pedicures
- Platinum: Polished by Claire v.
- Gold: Les Cheveux Salon and Day Spa
- Silver: Natural Nail Care Clinic
Best Spa Services
- Platinum: PureSpa
- Gold: Les Cheveux Salon and Day Spa
- Silver: Azario Salon and Day Spa
Best Kid’s Birthday Parties
- Platinum: Chuck E Cheese
- Gold: Pump It Up
- Silver: Thunder Valley
Best Child Care Center
- Platinum: HoneyTree Early Learning Centers
- Gold: Country Bear Day School
- Silver: Childcare Network
Best Custom Framing
- Platinum: Simply Framing by Kristi
- Gold: Michael’s (chain)
- Silver: Brambleton Frame Shop
Veterinarian You Trust Most
- Platinum: Cave Spring Vet – Steve Karras
- Gold: Vets for Cats – Connie Canody
- Silver: DeRolf Animal – Dirk DeRolf
Best Dry Cleaners
- Platinum: Wheeler’s Fast Service
- Gold: Skyline
- Silver: Harvey’s on Brambleton
Best Real Estate Agency
- Platinum: MKB Realtors
- Gold: ReMax Valley
- Silver: Long and Foster
Best Real Estate Agent:
- Platinum: Callie Dalton (Long & Foster)
- Gold: Bob Hartman (RealStar Realtors)
- Silver (tie): Jerry Cohen (Park Place Realty) and Curtis Burchett (MKB)
Exterminator That Stops Pests Fast
- Platinum: Bug Man
- Gold: Perdue Exterminators
- Silver: Dotson
Best Moving Company
- Platinum: Virginia Varsity
- Gold: Collegiate Movers
- Silver: Crowning Touch
Best Limo Service/Luxury Transportation
- Platinum: Executive Town Car and Limo
- Gold: Prestige Limo Service
- Silver: Cartier
Best Rental Store
- Platinum: Aztec Rentals
- Gold: Grand Rentals
- Silver: Premier Rental
Best Computer Repairs
- Platinum: Vinton Computers
- Gold: Computer Exchange
- Silver: PC Land
Best Hotel for Visitors to Spend the Night
- Platinum: Hotel Roanoke
- Gold: Cambria Suites
- Silver: Holiday Inn
Best CPA Firm
- Platinum: Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
- Gold: Budd & Company, PLC
- Silver: Brown, Edwards and Company
Best Retirement Community
- Platinum: Friendship Retirement Community
- Gold: Brandon Oaks
- Silver: The Glebe
Best Nursing Home
- Platinum: Friendship Retirement Community
- Gold (tie): Brandon Oaks and South Roanoke Nursing Home
Best Eye Care
- Platinum: Andrew C. Kartesz (Kartesz Family Eye Care)
- Gold: Mac Scothome (Vistar)
- Silver: Kevin Coolbaugh (Eye Care & Surgery)
Best Dentist
- Platinum: Dr. Wharton Ramsey
- Gold (tie): Randy Norbo and Griffin Cross
Best Orthodontist
- Platinum: Maston McCorkle
- Gold: Franklin Wheelock
- Silver: Penny Lampros
Best Family Practice Physician
- Platinum: Nina Sweeney (Roanoke Partners in Health)
- Gold: Donald Smith (Carilion Brambleton)
- Silver: Clifford Nottingham (Carilion North Roanoke)
Best Chiropractor
- Platinum: Tuck Chiropractic
- Gold: Walter Chiropractic
- Silver: Wellspring Chiropractic
Best Dog Trainer
- Platinum: High Hopes Dog Training
- Gold: Alpha K-9 (Dr. Jackson Savage)
- Silver: Field of Dreams
