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Our readers weigh in on the best and brightest in the Roanoke Valley.
For the last 32 years we have asked our readers to vote for their favorite locally-owned places, spaces, events and people. Anyone is eligible to be nominated; we recognize three levels of winners with platinum, gold and silver, barring ties within individual nominations.Votes are one per email; any attempts at ballot stuffing are carefully evaluated and removed, and we go to great lengths to ensure the integrity of the results are what our readers voted for. Categories can change from year to year, as well as be suggested by our readers. Congratulations to everyone for being recognized as the best of the best by our readers.
Best Regional/Locally Based Bank
- Platinum, HomeTown Bank
- Gold, Bank of Botetourt
- Silver, Bank of Fincastle
Best National Bank
- Platinum, Wells Fargo
- Gold, SunTrust
- Silver, BB&T
Best Credit Union
- Platinum, Member One Federal Credit Union
- Gold, Freedom First Federal Credit Union
- Silver,Blue Eagle Credit Union
Best Local Insurance Company
- Platinum, Brogan Insurance Agency
- Gold, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Silver,Banks Insurance Agency, Inc.
Best Local Insurance Agent
- Platinum, Bill Meador, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Gold, Chance Miller, State Farm
- Silver, Mary Brogan Wilson, Brogan Insurance Agency
Best Financial Advisor
- Platinum, Tommy Bryant, Edward Jones Investments (Tie)
- Platinum, Bart Edmunds, Sage Creek Planning & Investments (Tie)
- Silver, Robert Arthur, IFA (Tie)
- Silver, Mike Pendleton, Edward Jones Investments (Tie)
Best CPA Firm
- Platinum, Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP
- Gold, Micah Fraim, CPA
- Silver, Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co
Best Law Firm
- Platinum, Gentry Locke Attorneys
- Gold, Woods Rogers PLC
- Silver, Crandall & Katt
Best Computer Repairs
- Platinum, Brambleton Computer
- Gold, Vinton Computer
- Silver, Computer Exchange
Best Women’s Hair Stylist
- Platinum, Holly Fox, Adorn Salon
- Gold, Lindsay Accomando, Lindsay Accomando Hair
- Silver, Monica Wakefield, Oliver’s Twist
Best Men’s Hair Cuts
- Platinum, Corporate Image Barbershop
- Gold, Jacks Barber Shop
- Silver, Grandin Road Barbershop
Best Men’s Hair Cuts - Chain/Franchise
- Platinum, Sports Clips
- Gold, The Razors Edge
- Silver, Great Clips
Best Esthetician/Skin Treatment Services
- Platinum, Suzi Bryant, Carilion Cosmetic Center
- Gold, The Medi Spa at Ridgewood Hill (Tie)
- Gold, Starkey Medical Esthetics (Tie)
Best Manicures/Pedicures
- Platinum, polished by claire v.
- Gold, Star Nails Roanoke
- Silver, Beauty Bar
Best Massage Therapist
- Platinum , Crystal Stoots, Crystal’s Healing Hands Massage, LLC
- Gold, Erika McMorris, Onyx Hair Salon Inc.
- Silver, Terry Coffey, Zee’s Salon
Best Day Spa
- Platinum, Pure Spa
- Gold, Azario Salon & Day Spa
- Silver, GLAMHOUSE Day Spa
Best Tattoo Artist
- Platinum, Monica Moses, Electric Eye Custom Tattoos
- Gold, Cassi Williams, Imagine Ink Studios
- Silver, Daniel Jones, Asylum Studios Tattoo & Body Piercing
Best Kids’ Birthday Parties
- Platinum, Bounce Roanoke
- Gold, Launching Pad Trampoline Park & Family Fun Center
- Silver, The Skate Center of Roanoke Valley
Best Child Care Services
- Platinum, Honey Tree Early Learning Center
- Gold, Country Bear Day School
- Silver, Roanoke Valley Montessori School
Best Rental Store
- Platinum, Aztec Rental
- Gold, Grand Rental Station
- Silver, Aaron’s
Best Hotel
- Platinum, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
- Gold, Sheraton Roanoke Hotel
- Silver, Cambria Suites
Best Retirement Community
- Platinum, Brandon Oaks
- Gold, Richfield Living
- Silver, The Glebe
Best Rehab/Post-Op Facility
- Platinum, Brandon Oaks
- Gold, The Rehab Center at Richfield
- Silver, Friendship Health - Rehab South
Best Physical Therapy Practice
- Platinum, Lucas Therapies, PC
- Gold, Carilion Wellness
- Silver, University Physical Therapy
Best Eye Care Practice
- Platinum, Vistar Eye Center
- Gold, Invision
- Silver, Eye Care and Surgery
Best Dentist
- Platinum, Richard Huffman, Huffman &Kreger Family Dentistry
- Gold, Andy Henritze, Henritze Dental Group
- Silver, Griffin Cross, Cross, Lavinder,Quinn & Park Family Dentistry (Tie)
- Silver, Greg Wright, Wright Dental Associates (Tie)
Best Orthodontist
- Platinum, Penny Lampros, Lampros Orthodontics
- Gold, Misty Lenk, Lenk Orthodontics
- Silver, David Jones, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics
Best Chiropractor
- Platinum, Dr. Wendy Brown, InnerSun Family Chiropractic, LLC
- Gold, Jennifer Walker, Balance Wellspace
- Silver, Josh Gilbert, Gilbert Chiropractic
Best Veterinarian Services
- Platinum, Vinton Veterinary Hospital
- Gold, Roanoke Animal Hospital
- Silver, VCA Valley Animal Hospital
Best Dog Grooming Services
- Platinum, Clip & Dip
- Gold, Nature’s Emporium
- Silver, Biscuit & Bubbles
Best Dog Trainer
- Platinum, High Hopes Dog Training
- Gold, Field of Dreams
- Silver, Off Leash K9 Training
Best Doggie Day Care/Overnight Service
- Platinum, Aspen Grove
- Gold, City Dogs
- Silver, Fido Fitness
Best In-Home Pet Sitting Service
- Platinum, Pet Pals
- Gold, Paw 2 Paw Pet Sitting
- Silver, The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care
Best Local Pet Store
- Platinum, Nature’s Emporium
- Gold, Exotics & Aquatics
- Silver, Pet Supply Plus
- Platinum (Chain Winner), Petsmart
- Gold (Chain Winner), Petco
Your Favorite Place to Take Fido for a Walk
- Platinum, The Greenway
- Gold, Highland Park Dog Park
- Silver, Green Hill Park
Best Real Estate Agency
- Platinum, MKB Realtors
- Gold, Re/Max
- Silver, Long & Foster
Best Individual Real Estate Agent
- Platinum, Norm Pullen, MKB Realtors
- Gold, Brad Thomas, Mountain View Real Estate
- Silver, Steven Silcott, Re/Max Real Estate One
Best Custom Framing
- Platinum, Simply Framing by Kristi
- Gold, Brambleton Frame Shop Inc.
- Silver, The Frame Connection
- Platinum (Chain Winner), Michael’s
- Gold (chain Winner), AC Moore
Best Home Restoration Company
- Platinum, ServPro
- Gold, Room For Improvement
- Silver, F&S Building Innovations, Inc.
Best Housekeeping/Professional Cleaning Services
- Platinum, A+ Custom Cleaning, Inc.
- Gold, The Happy Housekeepers
- Silver, Go Green Cleaning
Best Professional Painting Contractor
- Platinum, Mountain Top Painting Inc.
- Gold, B N Edwards Painting
- Silver, Custer’s Custom Painting
Best Kitchen & Bath Contractor
- Platinum, Dollman Construction
- Gold, Cabinetry With TLC
- Gold, Rockfab
Best Home Design/Building Firm
- Platinum, Dollman Construction
- Gold, F&S Building Innovations, Inc.
- Silver, Circle Design Studio (Tie)
- Silver, David James Homes (Tie)
- Silver, Structures Design Build (Tie)
Best Commercial Construction/Developer
- Platinum, Dollman Construction (Tie)
- Platinum, F&S Building Innovations, Inc. (Tie)
- Silver, Lionberger Construction
Best Custom Cabinetry Services
- Platinum, Carter’s Cabinet Shop
- Gold, Cabinetry With TLC
- Silver, Perdue Cabinets (now closed)
Best Electrical Services
- Platinum, Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air
- Gold, Corell Electrical & Plumbing Contractors, Inc.
- Silver, Shively Electric
Best Plumbing Services
- Platinum, Wisler Plumbing Inc.
- Gold, Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air
- Silver, McGuire Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Best Landscaping/Professional Grounds Care
- Platinum, Varsity Landscaping & Grounds
- Gold, Simmons Landscaping LLC
- Silver, Prestige Lawn and Landscape LLC
Best Interior Designer
- Platinum, Emily Mangus, Emily Mangus Interior Design
- Gold, Laurie Hartwell, Hartwell Design
- Silver, Robin Miles, Interior Details, LLC
Best Roofing Company
- Platinum, Miller Roofing Inc.
- Gold, Vinton Roofing Company, Inc.
- Silver, Lynchburg Roofing Company
Best Moving Company
- Platinum, Virginia Varsity Transfer
- Gold, Two Men and a Truck
- Silver, Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services
Best Event Designer
- Platinum, Caroline LaRocca Event Design (CLED)
- Gold, Simplicity
- Silver, Cara Cait Creative
Best Wedding Floral Designer
- Platinum, Creative Occasions
- Gold, George’s Flowers
- Silver, Flowers By Eddie
Best Bridal Shop
- Platinum, Studio I Do Roanoke
- Gold, AmRhein’s Brides & Formals
- Platinum - resale and new, Newfangled Bride
- Platinum (Chain Winner), David’s Bridal
Best Groomswear
- Platinum, Newfangled Bride
- Gold, AmRhein’s Brides & Formals
- Silver, Davidsons
- Platinum (Chain Winner), Men’s Wearhouse
Best Photographer
- Platinum, Patricia Giovannini, Pat Cori Photography
- Gold, Anna Bowser, Anna Bowser Photography
- Silver, Kevin Hurley, Kevin Hurley Photography
Best Wedding Videographer
- Platinum, Michael’s Video and Wedding Cinema
- Gold, Holly Springs Productions
- Silver, Filmhaus Video & Photography
Best Catering Company
- Platinum, pumpernickel pickle catering co.
- Gold, Blue Ridge Catering Company
- Silver, Chanticleer Catering
Best Place to Buy Bridal/Engagement Jewelry
- Platinum, Fink’s Jewelers
- Gold, AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry
- Silver, Ginger’s Jewelry
Most Unique Wedding Venue
- Platinum, Patrick Henry Ballroom
- Gold, Sundara
- Silver, The Kyle House
Best Local Florist/Greenhouse
- Platinum, George’s Flowers
- Gold, Creative Occasions
- Silver, Flowers By Eddie
Best Place to Buy Local Arts & Crafts
- Platinum, Downtown Roanoke Farmer’s Market
- Gold, Upcycled Gifts
- Silver, Black Dog Salvage
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
- Platinum, La De Da
- Gold, Urban Gypsy
- Silver, punch boutique
Best Place to Feed Your Shoe Habit
- Platinum, The Cobbler’s Wife
- Gold, Yarid’s
- Silver, Bush-Flora Shoes
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
- Platinum, Davidsons
- Gold, Garland’s on Crystal Spring
- Silver, 310 Rosemont
Best Local Kids’ Clothing Store
- Platinum, Once Upon A Child
- Gold, Back on the Rack
Best Consignment/Upcycled/Vintage Merchandise
- Platinum, Upcycled Gifts
- Gold, Black Dog Salvage
- Silver, New To Me Consignment Boutique
Best Local Shop for Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
- Platinum, SafeSide Tactical
- Gold, Walkabout Outfitters
- Silver, Play It Again Sports
Best EverydayFood Store
- Platinum, Kroger
- Gold, The Fresh Market
- Silver, Earth Fare
Best NaturalFood Store
- Platinum, Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op
- Gold, Earth Fare
- Silver, The Fresh Market
Local Wine Shop That Carries Your Favorites
- Platinum, Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
- Gold, Wine Gourmet
- Silver, Barrel Chest
Favorite Shopping Center/Area
- Platinum, Valley View Mall
- Gold, Towers Shopping Center
- Silver, Downtown Roanoke
Best Local Jewelry Store
- Platinum, Ginger’s Jewelry
- Gold, Jewells Fine Jewelry
- Silver, R.M. Johnson & Sons Jewelers
Best Optical Shop
- Platinum, Invision
- Gold, Vistar Eye Center
- Silver, Blue Ridge Optical
Best Smartphone Store
- Platinum, Verizon
- Gold, Sprint
- Silver, US Cellular
Best Local Chocolates/Candy
- Platinum, chocolatepaper
- Gold, Baylee’s Best Chocolates
- Silver, Altus Chocolate
Best Local Gifts
- Platinum, chocolatepaper
- Gold, Upcycled Gifts
- Silver, The Gift Niche
Best Overall Car Dealership
- Platinum, Berglund Automotive
- Gold, First Team Auto Mall
- Silver, Haley Toyota
Best Luxury Car Dealership
- Platinum, Berglund Luxury
- Gold, Brambleton Imports
- Silver, Duncan Acura/Audi Roanoke
Best Pre-Owned Car Dealership
- Platinum, Berglund Automotive
- Gold, Brambleton Imports
- Silver, First Team Auto Mall
Most Dependable Car Repair & Service
- Platinum, Berglund Body Works
- Gold, Woods Service Center
- Silver, First Team Auto Mall
Best Bicycle Shop
- Platinum, Cardinal Bicycle
- Gold, American Flyer
- Silver, East Coasters Bike Shop
Best Apartment Community
- Platinum, Sunscape Apartments
- Gold, The Orchards Apartment Homes
- Silver, Pebble Creek Apartment Homes
Best Downtown Living Spot
- Platinum, The Patrick Henry
- Gold, The Cotton Mill
- Silver, The Hancock Building (Tie)
- Silver, South 16 Apartments (Tie)
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room
- Platinum, CMC Supply
- Gold, Rockfab
- Silver, Cabinetry With TLC
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room (Chain)
- Platinum, Ferguson Kitchen and Bath
- Gold, Lowe’s
- Silver, Home Depot
Best Flooring/Carpet Store
- Platinum, Fashion Floors
- Gold, The Carpet Shops
- Silver, Hometown Flooring
Best Furniture Store
- Platinum, Grand Home Furnishings
- Gold, Reid’s Fine Furnishings
- Silver, Virginia Furniture Market
Best Home Lighting Store
- Platinum, Williams Lighting Gallery (Now owned by CMC Supply)
- Gold, Lowe’s
- Silver, Home Depot
Best Home Decor Store
- Platinum, Present Thyme
- Gold, magnolia
- Silver, Upcycled Gifts
Best Home Appliance Store
- Platinum, Vinton Appliance Center
- Gold, Austin’s Appliance Center
- Silver, Appliance Outlet
Best Electronics/Home Theater Store
- Platinum, Audiotronics
- Gold, Sound Decision
- Silver, Lee Hartman and Sons
Local Social Media Page You Follow the Closest
- Platinum, WDBJ7 - Facebook
- Gold, Roanoke Times - Facebook
- Silver, WSLS10 - Facebook
Local App You Use Most
- Platinum, WDBJ7 Weather
- Gold, WSLS
- Silver, Roanoke Times
TV News Person You Watch Daily
- Platinum, Melissa Gaona, WDBJ7
- Gold, Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7
- Silver, John Carlin, WSLS10
Most Accurate TV Weather Person
- Platinum, Brent Watts, WDBJ7
- Gold, Leo Hirsbrunner, WDBJ7
- Silver, Jeff Haniewich, WSLS10
Most Fun Show on the Local Radio
- Platinum, K92
- Gold, Q99
- Silver, Star Country 94.9FM
Best News on the Radio (station)
- Platinum, WVTF
- Gold, Star Country 94.9FM
- Silver, Q99
Best Music on the Radio (station)
- Platinum, K92
- Gold, Star Country 94.9FM
- Silver, Q99
Most Inspiring Teacher
- Platinum, Victor Lamas, North Cross
- Gold, Michelle Basile, North Cross (Tie)
- Gold, Lisa Cone, North Cross (Tie)
- Gold, Candace Cox, Treble Makers Music (Tie)
- Gold, Jennifer Landry, North Cross School (Tie)
- Gold, Annette Mashburn, Roanoke Catholic School (Tie)
Best Preschool/Pre-K
- Platinum, North Cross School
- Gold, Faith Christian School
- Silver, Roanoke Catholic School
Best Public School (any level)
- Platinum, Cave Spring High School
- Gold, Hidden Valley High School
- Silver, Patrick Henry High School
Best Private School (any level)
- Platinum, North Cross School
- Gold, Roanoke Catholic School
- Silver, Faith Christian School
Best College/University
- Platinum, Virginia Tech
- Gold, Roanoke College
- Silver, University of Virginia
Best Tutor/Supplemental Education Services
- Platinum, Cross Walk (North Cross School)
- Gold, Goodspeed Learning Consultants
- Silver, Treble Makers Music
Best Library Branch
- Platinum, South County Main Branch
- Gold, Vinton Public Library
- Silver, Salem Library
Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting/Conference
- Platinum, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
- Gold, CoLab
- Silver, Center in the Square (Tie)
- Silver, Roanoke Higher Education Center (Tie)
Best Employer
- Platinum, Carilion Clinic
- Gold, HomeTown Bank
- Silver, Friendship Health & Living
Local Company that Gives Back
- Platinum, Kroger
- Gold, Carilion Clinic
- Silver, HomeTown Bank
Local Company on the Grow
- Platinum, Carilion Clinic
- Gold, HomeTown Bank
- Silver, Big Lick Brewing Company
Best Live Theatre/Playhouse
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Theatre
- Gold, Showtimers Community Theater
- Silver, Roanoke Children’s Theatre (Tie)
- Silver, Star City Playhouse (Tie)
Best Movie Theater
- Platinum, Grandin Theatre
- Gold, Regal Valley View Grande Stadium 16
- Silver, AMC Classic Roanoke 10
Best Live Music Venue
- Platinum, Elmwood Park Amphitheater
- Gold, The Harvester
- Silver, Martin’s Downtown
Best Museum
- Platinum, Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold, Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Silver, The Don and Barbara Smith Children’s Museum – Kids Square
Best Art Shows of 2017
- Platinum, Sidewalk Art Show
- Gold, Festival in the Park
- Silver, Open Studios Botetourt
Best Date Night Destination
- Platinum, Lucky Restaurant
- Gold, Billy’s
- Silver, Alexander’s (Tie)
- Silver, Fortunato (Tie)
- Silver, Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse (Tie)
Best Arts Performance 2017
- Platinum, The Nutcracker Ballet
- Gold, Jefferson Center
- Silver, Mill Mountain Theatre
Best Local Craft Beer Brewery
- Platinum, Parkway Brewing Company
- Gold, Big Lick Brewing Company
- Silver, Twin Creeks Brewing Company
Best Winery/Vineyard
- Platinum, Chateau Morrisette Winery
- Gold, Valhalla Vineyards
- Silver, Fincastle Winery
Best Local Distillery
- Platinum, Twin Creeks Distillery
- Gold, Franklin County Distilleries
Best Luxury Weekend Getaway
- Platinum, The Omni Homestead Resort
- Gold, Hotel Roanoke
- Silver, The Greenbrier
Best Country Club
- Platinum, Roanoke Country Club
- Gold, Hidden Valley Country Club
- Silver, Hunting Hills Country Club
Best Golf Course
- Platinum, Roanoke Country Club (Tie)
- Platinum, Hidden Valley Country Club (Tie)
- Silver, Hanging Rock
Best Place for Water Sports
- Platinum, Smith Mountain Lake
- Gold, Greenridge Recreation Center
- Silver, Carvin’s Cove
Best Short Hike
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Star Trail
- Gold, Cascade Falls
- Silver, Roaring Run (Tie)
- Silver, McAfee Knob (Tie)
Best Fitness Club/Local Gym
- Platinum, Kirk Family YMCA
- Gold, Planet Fitness
- Silver, Carilion Wellness
Best Yoga/Pilates Classes/Instructor
- Platinum, Beth Fisher, Gold’s Gym Cave Spring (now Crunch Fitness)
- Gold, Lauren Bingler, Pure Barre (Tie)
- Gold, Jill Loftis, Uttara Yoga Studio (Tie)
Best Place To Take A Selfie
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Star
- Gold, McAfee Knob
- Silver, Downtown Roanoke
Attraction That Makes You Feel Like a Kid Again
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Zoo
- Gold, Roanoke Pinball Museum
- Silver, Salem Fair
Favorite Local Festival
- Platinum, GoFest
- Gold, Strawberry Festival
- Silver, Local Colors Festival
Best AnnualHoliday Event
- Platinum, Dickens of Christmas
- Gold, Festival of Trees - Hotel Roanoke
- Silver, Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Best Local Charity Event
- Platinum, Drumstick Dash
- Gold, Faith Christian School’s Project Faith
- Silver, Guns and Hoses Hockey
Where to Take Visitors After the Star?
- Platinum, Downtown Roanoke
- Gold, Market Square
- Silver, Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.
Best Reason To Live In The Roanoke Valley
- Platinum, The People
- Gold, The Mountains, Outdoors and Scenery
- Silver, Cost of Living
Best Thing To Happen In Roanoke, 2017
- Platinum, Amtrak Returning
- Gold, More Breweries
- Silver, Earth Fare Opening
Best New Business, 2017 (Non-restaurant)
- Platinum, Earth Fare
- Gold, Olde Salem Brewing Company
- Silver, The Feinour Center – Adult Medical Daycare at Friendship Retirement (Friendship) - Adult Medical Daycare (Tie)
- Silver, Downshift Bikes (Tie)
Most Worthy Group to Donate to
- Platinum, Angels of Assisi
- Gold, Roanoke Rescue Mission
- Silver, The Salvation Army
Your “Star of the Star City”
- Platinum, Sam Rasoul (Tie)
- Platinum, Sherman Lee (Tie)
- Silver, JD Sutphin (Tie)
- Silver, John Carlin (Tie)
- Silver, Robin Reed (Tie)
Biggest Innovator for the Valley
- Platinum, Ed Walker
- Gold, John Garland
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