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
Wedding Floral Designer
Platinum: Creative Occasions
Gold: George’s
Silver: The Crystal Orchid (Franklin Road)
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
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 /at which salon
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