The story below is from our May/June 2019 issue. For the full story Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
Our readers weigh in on the best and brightest in the Roanoke Valley.
K92 Crew by Amy Pearman of Boyd Pearman Photography
For the last 33 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.
Faces, Places and Events
See the winners, including new categories like “Male and Female Stars of the Star City,” and learn more about the best employers, schools, festivals and more as decided by our readers.
You’re Not a Real Roanoker Until You Visit...
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Star
- Gold, Texas Tavern
- Silver, Roanoke Weiner Stand
Your Male “Star of the Star City”
- Platinum, Joseph Hoff, President and CEO of Friendship Retirement
- Gold, JD Sutphin, Big Lick Entertainment
- Silver, Robin Reed, WDBJ7 Anchor
Your Female “Star of the Star City”
- Platinum, Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7 Anchor
- Gold, Nancy Agee, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic
- Silver, Beth Macy, Author
Most Savvy Entrepreneur
- Platinum, Ed Walker
- Gold, JD Sutphin, Big Lick Entertainment
- Silver, John Garland
TV News Person You Watch Daily
- Platinum, Robin Reed, WDBJ7
- Gold, Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7
- Silver, Melissa Gaona, WDBJ7
Most Accurate TV Weather Person
- Platinum, Brent Watts, WDBJ7
- Gold, Jeff Haniewich, WSLS10
- Silver, Leo Hirsbrunner, WDBJ7
Most Fun Show on Local Radio
- Platinum, The Mornin’ Thang - K92
- Gold, Dick and Dave - Q99
- Silver, Brett and Boomer - 94.9 Star Country (Tie)
- Silver, Greg Roberts Live - WFIR (Tie)
Best Radio Station
- Platinum, K92
- Gold, Q99
- Silver, Star Country 94.9FM
Best Educator
- Platinum, Victor Lamas, North Cross (Tie)
- Platinum, Lisa Cone, North Cross (Tie)
- Silver, Annie Robertson, North Cross
Best Preschool/Pre-K
- Platinum, North Cross School
- Gold, Roanoke Catholic School
- Silver, Faith Christian School
Best Public School (any level)
- Platinum, Cave Spring High School
- Gold, William Byrd Middle School (Tie)
- Gold, Hidden Valley High School (Tie)
Best Private School (any level)
- Platinum, North Cross School
- Gold, Roanoke Catholic
- Silver, Faith Christian School
Best College/University
- Platinum, Virginia Tech
- Gold, Roanoke College
- Silver, Virginia Western Community College
Best Library Branch
- Platinum, South County Main Branch
- Gold, Vinton Public Library
- Silver, Hollins Library
Best Museum
- Platinum, Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold, Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Silver, Center in the Square (Tie)
- Silver, Science Museum of Western Virginia (Tie)
Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting/Conference
- Platinum, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
- Gold, CoLab
- Silver, Club Friendship
Best Employer
- Platinum, Friendship Health & Living
- Gold, Carilion Clinic
- Silver, Roanoke County Public Schools
Local Company that Gives Back
- Platinum, Friendship Health & Living
- Gold, Carilion
- Silver, Kroger
Local Company on the Grow
- Platinum, Friendship Rehab North
- Gold, Carilion
- Silver, Robbins Nest Primitives and Antiques
Favorite Local Festival
- Platinum, GoFest
- Gold, Strawberry Festival
- Silver, Local Colors
Best Annual Holiday Event
- Platinum, Dickens of a Christmas
- Gold, Christmas Tree Lighting at Hotel Roanoke
- Silver, Drumstick Dash
Best Local Charity Event
- Platinum, Drumstick Dash
- Gold, JDRF Denim and Diamonds Gala
- Silver, First Fridays
Best Race/Marathon
- Platinum, Blue Ridge Marathon
- Gold, Drumstick Dash
- Silver, Turkey Trot
Best Live Music Venue
- Platinum, Elmwood Park Amphitheater
- Gold, Harvester Performance Center
- Silver, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
Favorite Spot for a Day Date
- Platinum, Downtown Roanoke
- Gold, Mill Mountain Star
- Silver, The Greenway
Favorite Local Attraction
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Star
- Gold, Taubman Museum of Art
- Silver, Mill Mountain Zoo
Best Arts Performance in 2018
- Platinum, The Nutcracker Ballet
- Gold, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Pops
- Silver, “Annie,” Roanoke Children’s Theatre
Best Local Craft Beer Brewery
- Platinum, Big Lick Brewing Company
- Gold, Twin Creeks Brewing Company
- Silver, Parkway Brewing Company
Best Luxury Weekend Getaway
- Platinum, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
- Gold, The Omni Homestead Resort
- Silver, The Greenbrier
Best Country Club
- Platinum, Hidden Valley Country Club
- Gold, Roanoke Country Club
- Silver, Hunting Hills Country Club
Best Place for Water Sports
- Platinum, Smith Mountain Lake
- Gold, Green Ridge Recreation Center
- Silver, Carvins Cove
Best Local Hiking Trail
- Platinum, McAfee Knob
- Gold, Appalachian Trail
- Silver, Dragon’s Tooth
Attraction to Feel Like a Kid Again
- Platinum, Roanoke Pinball Museum
- Gold, Mill Mountain Zoo
- Silver, Launching Pad Trampoline Park & Family Fun Center
Best Yoga/Pilates Classes/Instructor
- Platinum, Erica Austin, Roanoke Yoga
- Gold, Lauren Bingler, Pure Barre
- Silver, Jill Loftis, Uttara Yoga Studio
Best Live Theatre/Playhouse
- Platinum, Mill Mountain Theatre
- Gold, Showtimers Community Theater
- Silver, Attic Productions
Best Thing To Happen In Roanoke, 2018
- Platinum, Amtrak Up and Running
- Gold, Macado’s Opening in Vinton
- Silver, Heywood Fralin’s $50 million gift to Virginia Tech Carilion
New Business You Can’t Wait to Check Out (Non-Restaurant)
- Platinum, BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Gold, Unleashed Dog Bakery & Boutique
- Silver, The Roanoke STARCADE (Tie)
- Silver, RetroGetgo Vintage (Tie)
Hidden Gem
- Platinum, Texas Tavern
- Gold, Spring Valley Farms
- Silver, Viet Sub (Tie)
- Silver, Grandin Village (Tie)
Most Worthy Group to Donate to
- Platinum, Angels of Assisi
- Gold, Habitat for Humanity of Roanoke Valley
- Silver, Roanoke Rescue Mission
Best Regional/Locally Based Bank
- Platinum, HomeTown Bank (merging with American National)
- Gold, Bank of Botetourt
- Silver, Bank of Fincastle
Best National Bank
- Platinum, Wells Fargo
- Gold, SunTrust (merging with BB&T)
- Silver, BB&T (merging with SunTrust)
Best Credit Union
- Platinum, Member One Federal Credit Union
- Gold, Freedom First Federal Credit Union
- Silver, Blue Eagle Credit Union
Best Local Insurance Agency
- Platinum, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Gold, Banks Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Silver, Brogan Insurance Agency
Best Local Insurance Agent
- Platinum, Bill Meador, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Gold, Chloe White, State Farm
- Silver, William Caleb Mann, Farmers Insurance
Best Mortgage Lender
- Platinum, Jonathan Sweat, ALCOVA Mortgage, LLC
- Gold, Jamie Lee Bailey, ALCOVA Mortgage, LLC (Tie)
- Gold, Kent Andrew Blackburn, Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation (Tie)
Best Financial Advisor
- Platinum, Tommy Bryant, Edward Jones Investments
- Gold, Mike Pendleton, Edward Jones Investments
- Silver, Jim Patterson III, National Financial Services, Inc.
Best CPA Firm
- Platinum, Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co
- Gold, Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP
- Silver, Micah Fraim, CPA
Best Law Firm
- Platinum, Gentry Locke Attorneys
- Gold, Woods Rogers PLC
- Silver, Crandall & Katt
Best Computer Repairs
- Platinum, Brambleton Computer
- Gold, Vinton Computer
- Silver, TwoRobs, Inc.
Best Women’s Hair Stylist
- Platinum, Monica Slate, Oliver’s Twist Salon
- Gold, Holly Fox, Adorn Salon
- Silver, Meredith Seaton, Terra Firma Salon
Best Men’s Hair Cuts
- Platinum, Corporate Image Barber Shop
- Gold, Jacks Barber Shop
- Silver, Grandin Road Barber Shop
Best Place to Treat Yourself
- Platinum, polished
- Gold, Pure Spa
- Silver, Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center
Best Tattoos
- Platinum, Asylum Studios Tattoo & Body Piercing
- Gold, Electric Eye Custom Tattoos
- Silver, Mischief Ink Tattoo
Best Rental Store
- Platinum, Aztec Rental
- Gold, Grand Rental Station
- Silver, Aaron’s
Best Retirement Community
- Platinum, Brandon Oaks
- Gold, Friendship
- Silver, The Glebe Retirement Community
Best Rehab/Post-Op Facility
- Platinum, Friendship
- Gold, Brandon Oaks
- Silver, The Rehab Center at Richfield
Best Physical Therapy Practice
- Platinum, Lucas Therapies, PC
- Gold, Friendship (Tie)
- Gold, University Physical Therapy (Tie)
Best Eye Care Practice
- Platinum, Vistar Eye Center
- Gold, Invision
- Silver, Eye Care and Surgery
Best Dentist
- Platinum, Andrew Henritze, Henritze Dental Group
- Gold, Griffin Cross, Cross, Lavinder, Quinn & Park Family Dentistry
- Silver, Randy J. Norbo, Norbo Family Dental
Best Orthodontist
- Platinum, David Jones, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics
- Gold, Penny Lampros, Lampros & Reopelle Orthodontics
- Silver, Evan Johnson, Johnson Orthodontics
Best Chiropractor
- Platinum, Wendy Brown, InnerSun Family Chiropractic, LLC
- Gold, Daryl Rich, CORE Chiropractic and Wellness Center
- Silver, Jennifer Walker, Balance Wellspace
Best Veterinarian Services
- Platinum, Vinton Veterinary Hospital
- Gold, Angels of Assisi
- Silver, Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic
Best Dog Trainer
- Platinum, Hope Cogen, High Hopes Dog Training
- Gold, Crystal Armes, Off Leash K9 Training, LLC
- Silver, Karen Hough, Field of Dreams
Best Doggie Day Care/Overnight Service
- Platinum, City Dogs Boarding and Playcare
- Gold, Canine Cottage
- Silver, Biscuits and Bubbles
Best In-Home Pet Sitting Service
- Platinum, Paw 2 Paw Pet Sitting
- Gold, Pet Pals
- Silver, The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care
Best Local Pet Store
- Platinum, Nature’s Emporium
- Gold, Exotics and Aquatics
- Silver, Pet Supplies Plus
Your Favorite Place to Take Fido for a Walk
- Platinum, The Greenway
- Gold, Green Hill Park
- Silver, Highland Park
Best Real Estate Agency
- Platinum, MKB Realtors
- Gold, Re/Max
- Silver, Long & Foster
Best Individual Real Estate Agent
- Platinum, Brad Thomas, Mountain View Real Estate, LLC
- Gold, Norm Pullen, MKB Realtors
- Silver, Jodi Stiles, Long & Foster
Best Local Custom Framing Services
- Platinum, Simply Framing By Kristi
- Gold, The Frame Connection
- Silver, Brambleton Frame Shop Inc.
Best Home Restoration Company
- Platinum, F&S Building Innovations
- Gold, ServPro
- Silver, Dollman Construction, Inc.
Best Kitchen & Bath Contractor
- Platinum, Dollman Construction, Inc.
- Gold, Rockfab
- Silver, F&S Building Innovations
Best Home Design/Building Firm
- Platinum, F&S Building Innovations
- Gold, Dollman Construction, Inc.
- Silver, CIRCLE Design Studio
Best Commercial Construction/Developer
- Platinum, F&S Building Innovations
- Gold, Lionberger Construction Company
- Silver, Dollman Construction, Inc.
Best Custom Cabinetry Services
- Platinum, Carter’s Cabinet Shop
- Gold, Cabinetry with TLC
- Silver, Ideal Cabinets
Best HVAC Services
- Platinum, Woods Family Heating & Air Conditioning
- Gold, Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air
- Silver, WC Butler Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
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, Landscape Solutions
Best Event Designer
- Platinum, Caroline LaRocca Event Design (CLED)
- Gold, One Fine Day Events
- Silver, Top Shelf Event Services, LLC
Best Wedding Florist
- Platinum, Creative Occasions
- Gold, George’s Flowers
- Silver, Flowers by Eddie
Best Local Bridal Shop
- Platinum, Studio I Do Roanoke
- Gold, The Newfangled Bride
- Silver, AmRhein’s Brides & Formals
Best Wedding Photographer
- Platinum, Patrick Perkins, Patrick Perkins Photography LLC
- Gold, Pat Giovannini, Pat Cori Photography Inc.
- Silver, Anna Bowser, Anna Bowser Photography (Tie)
- Silver, Chris Wilson, Fire Away Photography (Tie)
Best Catering Company
- Platinum, pumpernickel pickle catering co.
- Gold, Blue Ridge Catering Company
- Silver, Bella Events Catering
Most Unique Wedding Venue
- Platinum, The Kyle House
- Gold, Sundara
- Silver, The Patrick Henry Ballroom (Tie)
- Silver, Silver Hearth Lodge (Tie)
Best Local Florist/Greenhouse
- Platinum, George’s Flowers
- Gold, Flowers by Eddie
- Silver, Creative Occasions
Best Place to Buy Local Arts & Crafts
- Platinum, Upcycled Gifts
- Gold, Roanoke City Market
- Silver, Buy the Season
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
- Platinum, Christy’s Apparel & Accessories
- Gold, La De Da
- Silver, Urban Gypsy
Best Place to Buy Shoes
- Platinum, Bush-Flora Shoes
- Gold, Yarid’s
- Silver, The Cobbler’s Wife
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
- Platinum, Davidsons
- Gold, 310 Rosemont
- Silver, Alligator Alley
Best Local Kids’ Clothing Store
- Platinum, Back on the Rack
- Gold, LFA Kids Consignment
- Silver, Once Upon a Child
Best Resale Merchandise
- Platinum, Back on the Rack
- Gold, Upcycled Gifts
- Silver, Goodwill
Best Local Shop for Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
- Platinum, SafeSide Tactical
- Gold, Walkabout Outfitter
- Silver, Play it Again Sports
Best Everyday Food Store
- Platinum, Kroger
- Gold, The Fresh Market
- Silver, Food Lion
Best Natural Food Store
- Platinum, Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op
- Gold, Earth Fare
- Silver, The Fresh Market
Local Wine Shop That Carries Your Favorites
- Platinum, Wine Gourmet
- Gold, Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
- Silver, Barrel Chest Wine & Beer
Best Local Jewelry Store
- Platinum, Fink’s Jewelers
- Gold, Ginger’s 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 Gifts
- Platinum, Upcycled Gifts
- Gold, chocolatepaper
- Silver, Two and a Half Sisters
Best Overall Car Dealership
- Platinum, Berglund Automotive
- Gold, Haley Toyota
- Silver, First Team Auto Mall
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, Virginia Auto Inc.
Most Dependable Car Repair & Service
- Platinum, Berglund Body Works
- Gold, Mitchell Service Center
- Silver, Woods Service Center
Best Auto Collision Repair
- Platinum, Berglund Body Works
- Gold, Cave Spring Auto Body
- Silver, Wooding’s Auto Body Works, Inc.
Best Bicycle Shop
- Platinum, Cardinal Bicycle
- Gold, Starlight Bicycles (now Cardinal Bicycle)
- Silver, East Coasters Bike Shop
Best Apartment Living
- Platinum, The Orchards Apartment Homes
- Gold, Sunscape Apartments
- Silver, Pebble Creek Apartment Homes
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room
- Platinum, Rockfab
- Gold, CMC Supply (Tie)
- Gold, Vinton Appliance Center (Tie)
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room (Chain)
- Platinum, Ferguson Kitchen and Bath
- Gold, Lowe’s
- Silver, Home Depot
Best Flooring / Carpet Store
- Platinum, Fashion Floors of Roanoke, Inc.
- Gold, Whitt Carpet One Floor & Home
- Silver, ProSource of Roanoke
Best Furniture Store
- Platinum, Grand Home Furnishings
- Gold, Present Thyme
- Silver, Virginia Furniture Market (Tie)
- Silver, Reid’s Fine Furnishings (Tie)
Best Home Lighting Store
- Platinum, Williams Lighting Galleries / CMC Supply
- Gold, Lowe’s
- Silver, Ferguson Kitchen and Bath
Best Local Home Décor Store
- Platinum, Upcycled Gifts
- Gold, Present Thyme
- Silver, Buy The Season
Best Local Electronics/Home Theater Store
- Platinum, Audiotronics
- Gold, Sound Decision
... for more from our May/June 2019 issue, Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!