The story below is from our May/June 2021 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
We’re excited to celebrate our 35th Best of Roanoke Annual Reader Poll, where we ask you to vote for your 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 Of 2021 Events, Faces and Places
See the winners, including categories like “Local Company on the Grow” and “Best Thing to Happen to Roanoke” and learn more about the best employers, schools, marathons and more as decided by our readers.
Your Male “Star of the Star City”
- Platinum: John Carlin, Anchor, WSLS10
- Gold: Joe Cobb, Former Vice Mayor/City Council (TIE)
- Gold: Robin Reed, Anchor, WDBJ7 (TIE)
Your Female “Star of the Star City”
- Platinum: Kianna Price, “Living Local” Host, WFXR
- Gold: Sabrina Garvin, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke
- Silver: Lisa O’Neill, Director, Angels of Assisi
Most Savvy Entrepreneur
- Platinum: Tyler Carlin, Owner/Podcaster, WBNE
- Gold: Marj Easterling, Owner, Big Lick Screen Printing
- Silver: London Ray-Dykstra, Owner, Hustle/Haven
TV News Person You Watch Daily
- Platinum: John Carlin, WSLS10
- Gold: Robin Reed, WDBJ7
- Silver: Melissa Gaona, WDBJ7
Most Accurate TV Weather Person
- Platinum: Brent Watts, WDBJ7
- Gold: Leo Hirsbrunner, WDBJ7
- Silver: Jeff Haniewich, WSLS10
Most Fun Show on Local Radio
- Platinum: The Mornin’ Thang, K92
- Gold: Dick and Dave, Q99
- Silver: Greg Roberts Live, WFIR
Best Radio Station
- Platinum: K92
- Gold: Q99
- Silver: Star Country 94.9FM
Best Educator
- Platinum: Victor Lamas, North Cross School
- Gold: Tracy Linkous, Fishburn Park Elementary
- Silver: Annie Robertson, North Cross School (TIE)
- Silver: Eboni Harrington, Lucy Addison Middle School (TIE)
Best Preschool/Pre-K
- Platinum: North Cross School
- Gold: Faith Christian School
- Silver: Lakeside Baptist Daycare
Best Public School
- Platinum: Fishburn Park Elementary School
- Gold: Crystal Spring Elementary School
- Silver: Cave Spring High School
Best Private School
- Platinum: North Cross School
- Gold: Faith Christian School
- Silver: Roanoke Catholic School
Best College/University
- Platinum: Virginia Tech
- Gold: Roanoke College
- Silver: Hollins University
Best Library Branch
- Platinum: South County Main Branch
- Gold: Vinton Public Library
- Silver: Raleigh Court Branch
Best Museum
- Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
- Gold: Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Silver: Science Museum of Western Virginia
Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting/Conference
- Platinum: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
- Gold: Club Friendship
- Silver: CoLab
Best Employer
- Platinum: Friendship
- Gold: Carilion Clinic
- Silver: Lucas & Kite PLC
Local Company that Gives Back
- Platinum: Friendship
- Gold: Carilion Clinic
- Silver: Freedom First Credit Union
Local Company on the Grow
- Platinum: Friendship
- Gold: Sign Gypsies Roanoke
- Silver: Carilion Clinic
Favorite Local Festival
- Platinum: Anthem GO Outside Festival
- Gold: Strawberry Festival
- Silver: Local Colors
Best Annual Holiday Event
- Platinum: Dickens of a Christmas
- Gold: Southwest Virginia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
- Silver: Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
Best Local Charity Event
- Platinum: Drumstick Dash
- Gold: Project Faith (Faith Christian School)
- Silver: Guns ‘N Hoses Hockey Game
Best Race/Marathon
- Platinum: Drumstick Dash
- Gold: Blue Ridge Marathon
- Silver: Star City Marathon
Your Best Idea for the Valley’s Future
- Platinum: Renovate 419 Tanglewood area
- Gold: More mountain bike trails
- Silver: Growth in transportation such as walking and biking
Best Of 2021 Shop ‘Til You Drop
From clothing and jewelry to cars and furniture, you told us which local businesses are the best of the best.
Best Place to Buy Local Arts & Crafts
- Platinum: Big Lick Gifts (formerly Upcycled Gifts)
- Gold: Roanoke City Market
- Silver: Crafteria
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
- Platinum: La De Da
- Gold: Gone Coco (TIE)
- Gold: The Bird Cage Boutique (TIE)
Best Place to Buy Shoes
- Platinum: Yarid’s
- Gold: The Cobbler’s Wife
- Silver: Fleet Feet
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
- Platinum: Davidsons
- Gold: Alligator Alley
- Silver: Garland’s on Crystal Spring
Best Local Kids’ Clothing Store
- Platinum: LFA Kids Consignment
- Gold: Back on the Rack
- Silver: Once Upon A Child
Best Resale Merchandise
- Platinum: LFA Kids Consignment
- Gold: Big Lick Gifts (formerly Upcycled Gifts)
- Silver: Back on the Rack
Best Local Shop for Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
- Platinum: Safeside Tactical
- Gold: Play It Again Sports
- Silver: Walkabout Outfitters
Best Everyday Food Store
- Platinum: Kroger
- Gold: The Fresh Market
- Silver: Food Lion
Best Natural Food Store
- Platinum: Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op
- Gold: EarthFare
- Silver: The Fresh Market
Local Wine Shop That Carries Your Favorites
- Platinum: Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
- Gold: Wine Gourmet
- Silver: Barrel Chest Wine & Beer
Best Local Florist/Greenhouse
- Platinum: George’s Flowers
- Gold: Creative Occasions
- Silver: Flowers By Eddie
Best Local Jewelry Store
- Platinum: Fink’s Jewelers
- Gold: Ginger’s Jewelry
- Silver: AmRhein’s Jewelry
Best Optical Shop
- Platinum: Vistar Eye Center
- Gold: Johnson Curran Optometry Centers
- Silver: Blue Ridge Optical
Best Cellular Provider
- Platinum: Verizon
- Gold: UScellular
- Silver: AT&T
Best Local Gifts
- Platinum: Big Lick Gifts (formerly Upcycled Gifts)
- Gold: Crafteria
- Silver: chocolatepaper
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: BMW of Roanoke
Best Pre-Owned Car Dealership
- Platinum: Berglund Automotive
- Gold: Brambleton Imports
- Silver: Competition Cars and Classics
Most Dependable Car Repair & Service
- Platinum: Berglund Body Works
- Gold: Woods Service Center
- Silver: Star City Tire and Battery
Best Auto Collision Repair
- Platinum: Berglund Body Works
- Gold: Cave Spring Auto Body
- Silver: Euro Specialty
Best Bicycle Shop
- Platinum: Cardinal Bicycle
- Gold: East Coasters Bike Shop
- Silver: Downshift - Handcrafted Bikes & Brews
Best Apartment Living
- Platinum: Sunscape Apartments
- Gold: The Orchards Apartment Homes
- Silver: Pebble Creek Apartments
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room
- Platinum: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery
- Gold: Ideal Cabinets (TIE)
- Gold: CMC Supply (TIE)
Best Flooring/ Carpet Store
- Platinum: Fashion Floors of Roanoke, Inc.
- Gold: Whitt Carpet One Floor & Home
Best Furniture Store
- Platinum: Grand Home Furnishings
- Gold: Virginia Furniture Market
- Silver: Reid’s Fine Furnishings
Best Home Lighting Store
- Platinum: Williams Lighting Galleries/CMC Supply
- Gold: Lowe’s (TIE)
- Gold: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery (TIE)
Best Home Décor Store
- Platinum: Big Lick Gifts (formerly Upcycled Gifts)
- Gold: The Grey Goose of Grandin
- Silver: Virginia Furniture Market Decorator’s Outlet
Best Interior Design Provider
- Platinum: Interior Creations
- Gold: Emily Mangus Interiors
- Silver: Hartberger Design and Interiors, LLC
Best Electronics/Home Theater Store
- Platinum: Audiotronics
- Gold: Lee Hartman and Sons
- Silver: Sound Decision
Best in Services
Learn more about our local businesses that can’t wait to help you with your finances, health care, pets, weddings, looks and more.
Best Regional/Locally Based Bank
- Platinum: Bank of Botetourt
- Gold: Bank of Fincastle
- Silver: Truist Financial (SunTrust/BB&T)
Best National Bank
- Platinum: Truist Financial (SunTrust/BB&T)
- Gold: WellsFargo
- Silver: First Citizens Bank
Best Credit Union
- Platinum: MemberOne Federal Credit Union
- Gold: Freedom First Federal Credit Union
- Silver: Blue Eagle Credit Union
Best Local Insurance Agency
- Platinum: Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Gold: Derek Wiley Insurance Agency
- Silver: State Farm
Best Local Insurance Agent
- Platinum: Bill Meador, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
- Gold: Derek Wiley, Derek Wiley Insurance Agency
- Silver: John Waff, Waff Family Insurance
Best Mortgage Lender
- Platinum: Alex Dykes, Intercoastal Mortgage Company
- Gold: Nikki Griffin, Virginia Mountain Mortgage
- Silver: Jamie Lee Bailey, ALCOVA Mortgage
Best CPA Firm
- Platinum: Brown, Edwards and Company, LLP
- Gold: Budd & Company
- Silver: Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Best Financial Advisor
- Platinum: Carl Grove, Edward Jones Investments
- Gold: Mike Pendleton, Edward Jones Investments
- Silver: Stephen Kanode, Bankers Life
Best Law Firm
- Platinum: Gentry Locke Attorneys
- Gold: Woods Rogers PLC
- Silver: Crandall & Katt
Best Computer Repairs
- Platinum: Brambleton Computer
- Gold: Vinton Computer
- Silver: Commonwealth Computer Services
Best Information Technology Solutions for Businesses
- Platinum: Entre Computer Center (TIE)
- Platinum: Commonwealth Computer Services (TIE)
- Gold: Advanced Logic Industries, Inc.
Best Women’s Hair Stylist
- Platinum: Amber Kamide, Bliss Studio
- Gold: Holly Fox, Adorn Salon
- Silver: Monica Slate, A New Slate Salon
Best Men’s Hair Cuts
- Platinum: Corporate Image Barber Shop
- Gold: Grandin Road Barber Shop
- Silver: Jacks Barber Shop
Best Place to Treat Yourself
- Platinum: Brighter Image Day Spa
- Gold: Crystal’s Healing Hands Massage
- Silver: GLAMHOUSE Day Spa
Best Spray Tanning Salon
- Platinum: Golden Girls Spray Tan LLC
- Gold: Blown Away Spray Tanning
Best Tattoos
- Platinum: Asylum Studios Tattoo & Body Piercing
- Gold: Mischief Ink Tattoo
- Silver: Blue Lotus Tattoo
Best Rental Store
- Platinum: Aztec Rental
- Gold: Grand Rental Station
- Silver: Aaron’s
Best Retirement Community
- Platinum: Friendship
- Gold: Brandon Oaks
- Silver: Richfield Living
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
- Silver: University Physical Therapy
Best Eye Care Practice
- Platinum: Vistar Eye Center
- Gold: Eye Care & Surgery
- Silver: Kartesz Eye Care
Best Dentist
- Platinum: Richard Smith, Hunting Hills Family Dentistry
- Gold: Stephen Quinn, Cross, Lavender, Quinn and Park Family Dentistry
- Silver: Sean Eschenbach, Eschenbach Family Denistry
Best Orthodontist
- Platinum: David L Jones, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics
- Gold: Evan Johnson, Johnson Orthodontics
- Silver: Misty Lenk, Lenk Orthodontics
Best Periodontist
- Platinum: Priya Acharya, Acharya Periodontics & Dental Implants
- Gold: Gavin M. Aaron, Aaron Periodontics & Dental Implants
- Silver: Linda Till, Dr. Linda G. Till, DDS
Best Chiropractor
- Platinum: Benjamin Bowman, Walter Chiropractic Clinic
- Gold: Jennifer Walker, Balance WellSpace
- Silver: Sean Skinner, Tuck Chiropractic Clinic
Best Veterinarian Services
- Platinum: Roanoke Animal Hospital
- Gold: Vinton Veterinary Hospital
- Silver: Angels of Assisi
Best Dog Trainer
- Platinum: Hope Cogen, High Hopes Dog Training
- Gold: Joe Cummings, Willis Wolfpack Dog Training
- Silver: Courtney Ramsey, Sweetbriar K9
Best Doggie Day Care/Overnight Service
- Platinum: City Dogs Boarding and Playcare
- Gold: Field of Dreams
- Silver: Barkley & Rover
Best In-Home Pet Sitting Service
- Platinum: Paw 2 Paw Pet Sitting
- Gold: The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care
- Silver: Pawsome Pet Sitting VA
Best Local Pet Store
- Platinum: Nature’s Emporium
- Gold: Exotics and Aquatics
- Silver: Unleashed, LLC
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: Cone Realty Group/Lichtenstein Rowan Realtors
- Silver: Re/Max
Best Individual Real Estate Agent
- Platinum: Hal Cone, Cone Realty Group/Lichtenstein Rowan Realtors
- Gold: Frazier Hughes, Keller Williams Roanoke
- Silver: Brad Thomas, Mountain View Real Estate, LLC
Best Custom Framing
- Platinum: Simply Framing by Kristi
- Gold: Brambleton Frame Shop Inc.
- Silver: Jordan’s Custom Framing
Best Home Restoration Company
- Platinum: Valley Restoration
- Gold: Blue Ridge Restoration and Construction (TIE)
- Gold: Consolidated Construction Services (TIE)
Best Foundation Repair
- Platinum: JES
- Gold: Ram Jack
Best Kitchen & Bath Contractor
- Platinum: Dollman Construction, Inc.
- Gold: F&S Building Innovations
- Silver: Consolidated Construction Services
Best Home Design/Building Firm
- Platinum: Dollman Construction, Inc.
- Gold: F&S Building Innovations
- Silver: Reese Construction
Best Commercial Construction/Developer
- Platinum: Dollman Construction, Inc.
- Gold: F&S Building Solutions
- Silver: R.L. Price 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: WC Butler Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
- Silver: Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air
Best Plumbing Services
- Platinum: Wisler Plumbing Inc.
- Gold: Big Time Plumbing
- Silver: Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air
Best Water Damage Restoration
- Platinum: ServPro
- Gold: Valley Restoration
- Silver: Service Master
Best Indoor Air Quality/Disinfecting Provider
- Platinum: Green Home Solutions of Roanoke
- Gold: Woods Family Heating & Air Conditioning (TIE)
- Gold: Ostrom Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air (TIE)
- Gold: ServPro (TIE)
Best Landscaping/Professional Grounds Care
- Platinum: The Green Team
- Gold: Varsity Landscaping & Grounds
- Silver: Simmons Landscaping LLC
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 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 Cori, Pat Cori Photography
- Silver: Kemper Mills Fant, Kemper Mills Fant Photography
Best Catering Company
- Platinum: Bella Events Catering
- Gold: pumpernickel pickle catering co.
- Silver: Blue Ridge Catering
Most Unique Wedding Venue
- Platinum: The Kyle House
- Gold: The Rooftop at Center in the Square
- Silver: Sundara
Best Live Music Venue
- Platinum: Berglund Center
- Gold: Dr Pepper Park
- Silver: Harvester Performance Center
Favorite Spot for a Day Date
- Platinum: Downtown Roanoke
- Gold: Big Lick Brewing (TIE)
- Gold: Parkway Brewing (TIE)
Favorite Local Attraction
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Star
- Gold: Taubman Museum of Art
- Silver: Roanoke City Market
Best Arts Performance in 2020
- Platinum: Southwest Virginia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” on PBS
- Gold: Berglund Center’s “The Play at Home Concert Series”
- Silver: Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
Best Local Dance Company/School
- Platinum: Art in Motion Dance Center
- Gold: Southwest Virginia Ballet
- Silver: Roanoke Ballet Theatre
Best Local Craft Beer Brewery
- Platinum: Big Lick Brewing Company
- Gold: Parkway Brewing Company
- Silver: A Few Old Goats Brewing
Best Luxury Weekend Getaway
- Platinum: The Greenbrier
- Gold: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
- Silver: The Omni Homestead Resort
Best Country Club
- Platinum: Roanoke Country Club
- Gold: Hidden Valley Country Club
- Silver: Hunting Hills Country Club
Best Place for Water Sports
- Platinum: Smith Mountain Lake
- Gold: Claytor Lake (TIE)
- Gold: James River (TIE)
Best Local Hiking Trail
- Platinum: McAfee Knob
- Gold: Dragon’s Tooth
- Silver: Carvins Cove
Attraction to Feel Like a Kid Again
- Platinum: Roanoke Pinball Museum
- Gold: Mill Mountain Zoo
- Silver: Explore Park
Best Yoga/Pilates Classes/Instructor
- Platinum: Erica Austin, Roanoke Yoga
- Gold: Lauren Bingler, Pure Barre
- Silver: London Ray-Dykstra, Hustle/Haven
Best Live Theatre/Playhouse
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Theatre
- Gold: Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
- Silver: Showtimers
Best Thing To Happen In Roanoke, 2020
- Platinum: Hustle/Haven Opening
- Gold: Mast General Store Opening (TIE)
- Gold: The WellNest Roanoke Opening (TIE)
New Business You Can’t Wait to Check Out
- Platinum: Mast General Store
- Gold: Hustle/Haven
- Silver: Crystal Spring Grocery (TIE)
- Silver: The WellNest Roanoke (TIE)
Hidden Gem
- Platinum: Brighter Image Day Spa
- Gold: A Few Old Goats Brewing
- Silver: The Grey Goose of Grandin (TIE)
- Silver: Dr Pepper Park (TIE)
Most Worthy Group to Donate To
- Platinum: Angels of Assisi
- Gold: Roanoke Rescue Mission
- Silver: Feeding Southwest Virginia
You’re Not a Real Roanoker Until You Visit...
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Star
- Gold: Texas Tavern
- Silver: Roanoke Weiner Stand
The story above is from our May/June 2021 issue. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!