Best of Roanoke 2024

Fletcher Nichols, platinum winner, Male "Star of the Star City"
Fletcher Nichols, platinum winner, Male "Star of the Star City"

The story below is from our May/June 2024 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you! 


A heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed winners for earning the title of Roanoke’s finest, as voted by you!



Our Best of Roanoke Annual Reader Poll remains as exciting as ever, thanks to your enthusiastic participation, with a record-breaking number of votes — over 17,000 of them!

Everyone has a chance to be nominated via our write-in ballot. Winners are distinguished with platinum, gold and silver awards, with ties considered within specific nominations.

Each email is entitled to one vote; we diligently monitor for any irregularities to ensure the authenticity of the results reflects our readers’ choices. Categories may evolve annually and are open to suggestions from our readers.

A heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed winners for earning the title of Roanoke’s finest, as voted by you!


Events, Faces & Places

Meet this year’s winners and uncover fresh categories that spotlight exceptional talents in education, entertainment and influence, as chosen by our dedicated readership. 

Your Male “Star of the Star City”
  • Platinum: Fletcher Nichols, Co-Founder, The Dwelling Place Family Ministry; Founder, The Encouragement Group
  • Gold: Brandon Evans, Vice President of Operations, Friendship Retirement Community
  • Silver: John Park, @HungryAsianRke
Your Female “Star of the Star City”
  • Platinum: Genya Kalinina
  • Gold: Quiana Fields
  • Silver: Kianna Price Marshall
Your Star City Hero of the Year
  • Platinum: Anita Price
  • Gold: Lee Clark, CEO, Rescue Mission of Roanoke (TIE)
  • Gold: Quiana Fields, Educator (TIE)
  • Gold: James Creasy, Sergeant – Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office (TIE)
Most Savvy Entrepreneur
Your Top Healthcare Champion
Best Community Builder of the Year
  • Platinum: Abby Verdillo Hamilton, President & CEO, United Way of Roanoke Valley
  • Gold: Joe Cobb, Roanoke City Council Vice Mayor (TIE)
  • Gold: John Garland, Engineer, Garland Properties (TIE)
  • Gold: Nathan Webster, Owner, Village Grill & Scratch Biscuit Company (TIE)
Best Cultural Ambassador
  • Platinum: Cheryl Mosley, Vice President Community Impact, United Way of Roanoke Valley
  • Gold: Kat Pascal, Farmburguesa, etc.
  • Silver: Genya Kalinina, @Hello.Roanoke (TIE)
  • Silver: Lisa Spencer, Executive Director, Local Colors (TIE)
Best Local Social Media Presence
  • Platinum: Genya Kalinina, @Hello.Roanoke
  • Gold: Kinnfolk, @KinnfolkMusic
  • Silver: John Park, @HungryAsianRke
Best Local Musician / Band of the Year
  • Platinum: Eric Wayne Band
  • Gold: Kinnfolk
  • Silver: Jared Stout Band
Best Local Artist of the Year
  • Platinum: Jon Murrill
  • Gold: Bryce Cobbs
  • Silver: Marie Osorio Driscoll (TIE)
  • Silver: Maggie Perrin-Key (TIE)  
Best Television or Radio Personality of the Year
  • Platinum: Brett Sharp, 94.9 Star Country
  • Gold: Logan Sherrill, WDBJ7
  • Silver: Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7
Best Meteorologist
  • Platinum: Brent Watts, WDBJ7
  • Gold: Chris Michaels, WSLS10
  • Silver: Jeff Haniewich, WSLS10    
Most Fun Show on Local Radio
  • Platinum: The Mornin’ Thang, K92
  • Gold: Dick and Dave in the Morning, Q99
  • Silver: Brett and Taylor Mornings, 94.9 Star Country
Best Radio Station
  • Platinum: The Rock Channel: 97.3 & 97.9
  • Gold: Q99
  • Silver: K92
Best Local Podcast
Best Educator
  • Platinum: Quiana Fields, Fallon Park Elementary School
  • Gold: Chris Dowdy, Patrick Henry High School
  • Silver: Candace Blair, Treblemakers Music
Best Preschool/Pre-K
  • Platinum: North Cross School
  • Gold: Faith Christian School
  • Silver: Fishburn Park Elementary School
Best Public School
  • Platinum: Fallon Park Elementary School
  • Gold: Fishburn Park Elementary School
  • Silver: Cave Spring High School
Best Private School
Best Homeschool Co-op
  • Platinum: Cornerstone Classical Academy
  • Gold: Roanoke-Salem Homeschool Academy
  • Silver: Classical Conversations (TIE)
  • Silver: The Road Less Traveled (TIE)
Best College/University
  • Platinum: Roanoke College
  • Gold: Virginia Tech
  • Silver: Hollins University
Best Career and Technical Education School
  • Platinum: Burton Center for Arts & Technology
  • Gold: Roanoke Technical Education Center
  • Silver: Botetourt Technical Education Center (TIE)
  • Silver: Virginia Western Community College (TIE)
Best Daycare or After-school Programming
  • Platinum: Small Steps Learning Academy
  • Gold: Childcare Network #65
  • Silver: HoneyTree Early Learning Center
Best Library Branch
  • Platinum: South County Branch
  • Gold: Melrose Library
  • Silver: Vinton Public Library
Best Museum
  • Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
  • Gold: Harrison Museum of African American Culture
  • Silver: Science Museum of Western Virginia
Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting/Conference
Best Networking Group
  • Platinum: Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Gold: FemCity Roanoke
  • Silver: Get2KnowNoke
Best Place to Work
Best Local Company that Gives Back
Greenest / Most Eco-Friendly Local Company
Most Innovative Local Company
Best Family-Owned Company
Best New Company of the Year
Local Company on the Grow
Best Local Artwork Project
  • Platinum: Kinnfolk presents: Star Above the Mountain
  • Gold: A Star City in Motion, Jon Murrill
  • Silver: Climbing Towards Success, James Bullough
Best Source of Information for Events and Things to Do
  • Platinum: Genya Kalinina, @Hello.Roanoke
  • Gold: Downtown Roanoke, Inc.
  • Silver: Macaroni Kid Roanoke
Favorite Farmers’ Market
  • Platinum: LEAP Grandin Village Farmers Market
  • Gold: Downtown Roanoke Farmers Market
  • Silver: Salem Farmers Market
Favorite Local Festival, Event or Live Show
  • Platinum: Roanoke Wing Fest
  • Gold: Anthem GO Outside Festival
  • Silver: Henry Street Heritage Festival
Best Entertainment Arena
Best Annual Holiday Event
  • Platinum: Dickens of a Christmas
  • Gold: Fashions for Evergreens
  • Silver: Illuminights
Best Local Charity Event
  • Platinum: Tudor House’s Big Kahuna
  • Gold: The Rescue Mission of Roanoke’s Drumstick Dash
  • Silver: United Way of Roanoke Valley’s Day of Action
Best Race / Marathon
  • Platinum: Drumstick Dash
  • Gold: Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
  • Silver: IRONMAN 70.3 (TIE)
  • Silver: Conquer the Cove 25k & Marathon (TIE)
  • Silver: Four on the 4th (TIE)
Best Outdoor Recreation Event/Festival
  • Platinum: Anthem GO Outside Festival
  • Gold: FloydFest
  • Silver: Roanoke Wing Fest (TIE)
  • Silver: Strawberry Festival (TIE)
Favorite Recurring Event
Best In-Person Pop Up Event
Best Virtual Pop Up Event
Best Ladies’ Night Out

Where to Go, What to Do

Explore our vibrant arts scene, catch live concerts, embrace outdoor adventures and more.

Best Live Music Venue
Best Local Sports Team to Root for
  • Platinum: Rail Yard Dawgs
  • Gold: Salem Red Sox
  • Silver: Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball
Favorite Spot for a Day Date
Best Date Night (Non-Restaurant)
Best Night Club / Dance Spot
Favorite Local Attraction
  • Platinum: Mill Mountain Star
  • Gold: Mill Mountain Zoo
  • Silver: Taubman Museum of Art
Best Arts Performance in 2023
Best Local Craft Beer Brewery
Best Luxury Weekend Getaway
  • Platinum: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
  • Gold: The Homestead
  • Silver: The Greenbrier
Best Country Club
  • Platinum: Roanoke Country Club
  • Gold: Hunting Hills Country Club
  • Silver: Hidden Valley Country Club
Attraction to Feel Like a Kid Again
  • Platinum: Mill Mountain Zoo
  • Gold: Pinball Museum
  • Silver: Starcade at Center in the Square
Best Gym / Place to Work Out
  • Platinum: Fit Studio
  • Gold: Pure Barre Roanoke
  • Silver: Tribe Fitness
Best Personal Trainer
Best Place for Yoga or Pilates Classes
  • Platinum: Uttara Yoga Studio
  • Gold: Pure Barre
  • Silver: Hustle Haven
Best Local Dance Company / School
Best Yoga/Pilates Instructor
  • Platinum: Lauren Bingler, Pure Barre
  • Gold: Caitlin Smith, Club Pilates
  • Silver: Lauren Carpenter, Hustle Haven
Best Live Theatre / Playhouse
  • Platinum: Mill Mountain Theatre
  • Gold: Attic Productions
  • Silver: Showtimers Community Theatre
Best Thing To Happen In Roanoke, 2023
New Business You Can’t Wait to Check Out
Thing You’re Looking Forward to Most in 2024
Hidden Gem
Most Worthy Group to Donate to
You’re Not a Real Roanoker Until You Visit…
  • Platinum: Mill Mountain Star
  • Gold: Texas Tavern
  • Silver: Mill Mountain Zoo

Shop ’til You Drop

Explore local retailers ready to cater to your needs in fashion, home goods, electronics, gifts and more.

Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
  • Platinum: The Bird Cage Boutique
  • Gold: New’d
  • Silver: La De Da
Best Place to Buy Shoes
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
  • Platinum: Davidsons
  • Gold: Mast General Store
  • Silver: 310 Rosemont
Best Local Kids’ Clothing Store
Best Custom Apparel
  • Platinum: King Screen
  • Gold: Press Press Merch
  • Silver: Big Lick Screen Printing LLC
Best Local Florist/Greenhouse/Plant Shop
  • Platinum: George’s Flowers (TIE)
  • Platinum: Flowers by Eddie (TIE)
  • Gold: Creative Occasions
Best Place to Buy Local Arts & Crafts
  • Platinum: Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods
  • Gold: Blue Ridge Indie Market
  • Silver: Market Gallery
Best Resale Merchandise
Best Local Shop for Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
  • Platinum: Safeside Tactical
  • Gold: Walkabout Outfitters
  • Silver: Fleet Feet Roanoke
Best Everyday Grocery Store
  • Platinum: Kroger
  • Gold: Food Lion
  • Silver: The Fresh Market
Best Natural Foods Store
  • Platinum: Roanoke Natural Foods Co+op
  • Gold: Earth Fare
  • Silver: The Fresh Market
Best Place to Buy Seasonal Produce
  • Platinum: Roanoke City Market
  • Gold: LEAP Grandin Village Farmers Market
  • Silver: Country Corner
Local Wine Shop That Carries Your Favorites
  • Platinum: Wine Gourmet
  • Gold: Barrel Chest Wine & Beer
  • Silver: Gladheart Wine & Brews
Best Local Jewelry Store
  • Platinum: Ginger’s Jewelry
  • Gold: Fink’s Jewelers
  • Silver: R.M. Johnson & Sons Jewelers
Best Optical Shop
Best Cellular Provider
  • Platinum: Verizon
  • Gold: T-Mobile
  • Silver: UScellular
Best Local Gifts
  • Platinum: chocolatepaper
  • Gold: Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods
  • Silver: Blue Ridge Indie Market (TIE)
  • Silver: The French Farmhouse (TIE)
Best Local Bookstore
Best Overall Car Dealership
Best Luxury Car Dealership
Best Pre-Owned Car Dealership
Most Dependable Car Repair & Service
Best Auto Collision Repair
Best Bicycle Shop
Best Apartment Living
Best Kitchen & Bath Show Room
  • Platinum: Ideal Cabinets
  • Gold: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery
  • Silver: Rockfab Kitchen & Bath
Best Flooring / Carpet Store
  • Platinum: The Carpet Shops
  • Gold: Carpetland USA
  • Silver: Fashion Floors
Best Furniture Store
Best Home Lighting Store
  • Platinum: The French Farmhouse
  • Gold: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery
  • Silver: CMC Supply
Best Home Décor Store
  • Platinum: The French Farmhouse
  • Gold: Virginia Furniture Market Decorator’s Outlet
  • Silver: Present Thyme
Best Antique/Collectible Store
Best Interior Design Provider
Best Electronics/Home Theater Store
  • Platinum: Audiotronics
  • Gold: Lee Hartman & Sons, Inc.
  • Silver: Sound Decision

Best in Services

Discover local businesses eager to assist with your financial needs, health care, pet care, weddings, beauty and beyond.

Best Regional/Locally Based Bank
Best National Bank
  • Platinum: Truist Financial
  • Gold: WellsFargo
  • Silver: First Citizen’s Bank
Best Credit Union
Best Local/Regionally Based Mortgage Company
Best Local Insurance Agent
  • Platinum: Bill Meador, Bill Meador Insurance Agency
  • Gold: Derek Wiley, Derek Wiley Agency, Inc.
  • Silver: Brent Hershey, State Farm Insurance
Best Mortgage Lender
Best Financial Advisor
  • Platinum: Carl Grove, Edward Jones Investments
  • Gold: Daniel Colston, Upward Financial
  • Silver: Mike Pendleton, Edward Jones Investments
Best CPA Firm
  • Platinum: Brown, Edwards and Company, LLP
  • Gold: Neely’s Accounting Services
  • Silver: Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Best Law Firm
Best Computer Repairs
Best Internet Service Provider
  • Platinum: Glo Fiber
  • Gold: Cox Communications
  • Silver: Lumos
Best Information Technology Solutions for Businesses
Best Women’s Hair Stylist
  • Platinum: Amber Kamide, Bliss Studio
  • Gold: Jenny Schneider, HigherGroundHair
  • Silver: Kate Lagueux-Dever, Onyx Hair Studio
Best Men’s Hair Cuts
Best Spa
Best Nail Salon
  • Platinum: Tiffany Nails & Spa
  • Gold: Polished
  • Silver: T&T Nails
Best Spray Tanning Salon
Best Holistic Healer
  • Platinum: Total You Health
  • Gold: Queenpin Acupuncture
  • Silver: Valley Integrative Medicine
Best Tattoos
  • Platinum: Maiden and Crow Tattoo
  • Gold: Bad Wave Tattoo
  • Silver: Blue Lotus Tattoo
Best Dry Cleaner
  • Platinum: A Cleaner World
  • Gold: Harvey’s Cleaners
  • Silver: Wheeler’s Cleaners
Best Rental Store
  • Platinum: Aztec Rental
  • Gold: Grand Rental Station
  • Silver: Premier Rental-Purchase
Best Massage Therapist
  • Platinum: Janie Morton Cook, Got Your Back Massage
  • Gold: Tristina Pagans, Therapeutic Elements, LLC
  • Silver: Angie Dobbins, Queenpin Acupuncture
Best Home Health Care
Best Retirement Community
Best Rehab/Post-Op Facility
Best Physical Therapy Practice
Best Weight Loss Clinic
Best Eye Care Practice
Best Esthetician
Best Individual Dentist
Best Dental Group
Best Orthodontist
Best Periodontist
  • Platinum: Dr. Linda Till, Dr. Linda G. Till, DDS
  • Gold: Dr. Priya Acharya, Acharya Periodontics & Dental Implants
  • Silver: Dr. Gavin M. Aaron, Aaron Periodontics & Dental Implants
Best Chiropractor
  • Platinum: Dr. Sean Skinner, Tuck Chiropractic Clinic
  • Gold: Dr. Benjamin Bowman, Walter Chiropractic
  • Silver: Dr. Jennifer Walker, Balance Wellspace
Best Place to Find Your Next Pet
Best Local Pet Supply Store
  • Platinum: Nature’s Emporium
  • Gold: Unleashed, LLC
  • Silver: Barkley’s Pet Market (TIE)
  • Silver: Exotics & Aquatics (TIE)
Best Pet Grooming Company
  • Platinum: Barkley & Rover with Klub Kanine
  • Gold: Pretty Paws Dog & Cat Grooming Salon, LLC
  • Silver: Clip & Dip Grooming
Best In-Home Pet Sitting Service
  • Platinum: Pawsome Pet Sitting VA
  • Gold: Pet Pals LLC
  • Silver: The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care 
Best Doggie Day Care/Overnight Service
  • Platinum: Barkley & Rover with Klub Kanine
  • Gold: Aspen Grove
  • Silver: Canine Cottage
Best Dog Trainer
Best Veterinarian Group
Best Individual Veterinarian
Your Favorite Place to Take Fido for a Walk
  • Platinum: The Roanoke River Greenway
  • Gold: Green Hill Park
  • Silver: Grandin Village
Best Real Estate Agency
Best Individual Real Estate Agent
Best Custom Framing Company
Best Home Restoration Company
Best Foundation Repair Company
  • Platinum: JES Foundation Repair
  • Gold: Appalachian Property Preservation, LLC
  • Silver: Fortress Foundation Solutions (TIE)
  • Silver: Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co. (TIE)
Best Kitchen & Bath Contractor
Best Home Design/Building Firm
Best Commercial Construction/Developer Company
Best General Contracting Company
  • Platinum: Dollman Construction, Inc.
  • Gold: F&S Building Innovations
  • Silver: 212 Renovations (TIE)
  • Silver: G&H Contracting (TIE)
Best Custom Cabinetry Services
Best Home Organizing Company
Best HVAC Services
Best Plumbing Services
Best Electrical Services Company
  • Platinum: Ostrom Electrical Plumbing Heating & Air
  • Gold: Cline Electrical
  • Silver: Shively Electric
Best Water Damage Restoration Company
  • Platinum: Servpro of Roanoke, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties
  • Gold: Green Home Solutions
  • Silver: ServiceMaster of Roanoke
Best Indoor Air Quality / Disinfecting Provider
Best Landscaping / Professional Grounds Care
Best Appliance Repair Company
  • Platinum: Appliance Medic
  • Gold: Appliance Repair Service
  • Silver: Chuck’s Appliance Services
Best Pest Control Company
Best Home Cleaning Services
  • Platinum: Galvan Housekeeper LLC
  • Gold: Carey’s Fresh Start Cleaning Service
  • Silver: A+ Custom Cleaning, Inc.
Best Event Designer
  • Platinum: Caroline LaRocca Event Design, LLC
  • Gold: Top Shelf Event Services, LLC 
  • Silver: One Fine Day Events
Best Wedding Florist
  • Platinum: Flowers by Eddie
  • Gold: Caroline LaRocca Event Design, LLC
  • Silver: Creative Occasions
Best Bridal Shop
  • Platinum: Studio I Do Roanoke
  • Gold: The Newfangled Bride
  • Silver: Here & Now Bridal
Best Wedding Photographer
  • Platinum: Pat Cori, Pat Cori Photography Inc.
  • Gold: Mattie Gillespie, Mattie Myers Photo + Film
  • Silver: Kaytlin McCoy, Kaytlin Lane Photography
Best Wedding Videographer
Best Catering Company
  • Platinum: Pumpernickel Pickle Catering Co.
  • Gold: Blue Ridge Catering
  • Silver: Bella Events Catering
Most Unique Wedding Venue
  • Platinum: Sundara
  • Gold: Venue 290
  • Silver: Ivy Rose Barn 

The story above is from our May/June 2024 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you! 

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