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Every year, the Arkansas Times shoves its fists into its pockets, digs deep and emerges with a big ol’ thermometer to take readers’ temperatures on all things Arkansas. This year, y’all were definitely angling for that doctor’s office lollipop, opening up and saying “hell yeah!” to your favorite neighborhood festival, nodding in appreciation of your most trusted TV meteorologist and giving us a mouthful when it came to the “Worst Arkansan” category (was there ever any doubt, Sarah?). Readers weighed in on their favorite barber shops, banks and bike trails and offered up their picks for the best hotels, HVAC repair and home inspectors in the Little Rock area.
Brian ChilsonMary Hennigan fell hard for the foliage creations of Petal to the Metal, a Lonoke-based flower studio that’s pulling up the roots on some of floristry’s stuffier traditions.
Brian ChilsonBenjamin Hardy sat down with Jeff Smith of Smith Family Funeral Home to ponder the mysteries of the afterlife, the logistical difficulties of posthumous dentistry and the changing tides in the art of casket display.
Brian ChilsonRhett Brinkley ushered in the dog days of summer at Hounds Lounge, the multilocation canine hotel Central Arkansans trust to care for their pups while on vacation — and to return them safe, sound, freshly groomed and exhausted from all-day play and exercise.
SulacDaniel Grear examined the interplay between the dark and the adorable in artist Sulac’s collages, paintings and pastels.
Brian ChilsonAustin Bailey ventured past the neon lights of the Cupids storefront downtown to peruse your favorite lingerie offerings and consider the ins and outs of this year’s best-selling, erm, device.
Stephanie Smittle
Brian ChilsonStephanie Smittle peeled back the vinyl at D&D Sun Control, a North Little Rock window tinting and vinyl wrap company that’s outfitting local school buildings with bullet-resistant window film, while Mary Ruth Taylor surveyed the bookstore scene for promising newcomers and came up with “paper gold” at Paper Hearts, Beautywood Books and Books by the Pound. Read on for the list of winners and finalists.
Recreation
Bike trail
Winner: Arkansas River Trail
Finalists: Mt. Nebo State Park Monument Trails (Dardanelle), Northwoods Trails (Hot Springs), Pinnacle Mountain State Park Monument Trails (Roland), Slaughter Pen (Bentonville)
Cheap date
Winner: Big Dam Bridge
Finalists: The Rail Yard, Riverfront Park, Rock Town River Outfitters, Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Family attraction
Winner: Little Rock Zoo
Finalists: Museum of Discovery, Rock Town River Outfitters, Dave & Buster’s, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park (Hot Springs)
Golf course
Winner: Rebsamen Golf Course
Finalists: Burns Park Golf Course (North Little Rock), Country Club of Little Rock, The Alotian Club, Indian Hills Golf Resort (Fairfield Bay)
Gym/place to work out
Winner: Little Rock Athletic Club
Finalists: 10 Fitness, Sparkfit,
Orangetheory Fitness, Jolly Bodies,
Little Rock Athletic Club
Hiking trail
Winner: Pinnacle Mountain State Park (Roland)
Finalists: Ouachita National Recreation Trail, Devil’s Den State Park (West Fork), Emerald Park (North Little Rock), Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (Mount Ida)
Marina
Winner: Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (Mount Ida)
Finalists: Brady Mountain Resort & Marina on Lake Ouachita (Royal), Eden Isle Marina on Greers Ferry Lake (Heber Springs), Rock Town River Outfitters, Fairfield Bay Marina (Shirley)
Outdoor attraction
Winner: Buffalo National River
Finalists: Garvan Woodland Gardens (Hot Springs), Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Little Rock Zoo
Park
Winner: Petit Jean State Park
Finalists: Two Rivers Park, Devil’s Den State Park, Murray Park, Emerald Park
Place to canoe/kayak/tube
Winner: Buffalo National River
Finalists: Two Rivers Park, Little Maumelle River, Spring River, White River
Place to mountain bike
Winner: Pinnacle Mountain State Park Monument Trails
Finalists: Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (Bentonville), Northwoods (Hot Springs), Mt. Nebo State Park Monument Trails, Rattlesnake Ridge
Place to swim
Winner: Greers Ferry Lake
Finalists: Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center, DeGray Lake, Lake Hamilton, Woolly Hollow State Park
Resort
Winner: The Lodge at Mount Magazine (Paris)
Finalists: Gaston’s White River Resort (Lakeview), Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (Mount Ida), Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay (Fairfield Bay)
Weekend getaway
Winner: Eureka Springs
Finalists: Petit Jean State Park, Cherokee Casino & Hotel (West Siloam Springs), Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Buffalo National River
Local Entertainment
Artist
Winner: Sulac
Finalists: Sunny Jenkins, Philip Rex Huddleston, Michael Shaeffer, SLUGKNIVES
Author
Winner: Ayana Gray
Finalists: Bitty Martin, Kevin Brockmeier, Paula Martin, Kai Coggin
Comedian
Winner: Nate Williams
Finalists: Big Dre, Stef Bright, May Gayden, Chase Myska
Country band/artist
Winner: Ashley McBryde
Finalists: Dylan Earl, Cliff & Susan,
Bonnie Montgomery, Arkansauce
Dance club
Winner: Discovery
Finalists: C4 (Fayetteville), Club 27, Club Sway, Club Nevermore
DJ
Winner: DJ Nick Hud
Finalists: Dream Baby Dream, g-force, JJ Wilson, Shayne Gray
Filmmaker
Winner: SeJames Humphrey
Finalists: Jordan Mears, Brooke Bierhaus, Graham Gordy, Mark Thiedeman
Gay bar
Winner: Discovery
Finalists: 610 Center, C4 (Fayetteville), Sway
Hip-hop artist
Winner: Bankroll Freddie
Finalists: Penn Davis, Kvng Moses, Big Piph, 607
Jazz band/group
Winner: The Rodney Block Collective
Finalists: Funkanites, The Goat Band, Dizzy 7, Ted Ludwig Trio
Late night spot
Winner: White Water Tavern
Finalists: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock), Overtime Lounge (Maumelle), Midtown Billiards, Brewski’s Pub & Grub
Live music festival
Winner: King Biscuit Blues Festival (Helena-West Helena)
Finalists: Mutants of the Monster Fest, Hillberry Music Festival (Eureka Springs), Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival (Hot Springs), Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival (North Little Rock)
Live music venue
Winner: White Water Tavern
Finalists: The Hall, Rev Room, Four Quarter Bar, The Farm (Eureka Springs)
Local actor
Winner: Judge Reinhold
Finalists: Ben Grimes, Verda Davenport-Booher, Brett Ihler, Quinn Gasaway
Local theater
Winner: Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Finalists: Argenta Community Theater (North Little Rock), Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, The Studio Theatre, The Weekend Theater
Movie theater
Winner: Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema
Finalists: AMC Chenal 9, Cinemark Colonel Glenn and XD, Movie Tavern, Regal McCain Mall (North Little Rock)
Museum
Winner: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville)
Finalists: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Museum of Discovery
Neighborhood festival
Winner: Hillcrest Harvestfest
Finalists: Dogtown Throwdown (North Little Rock), Toad Suck Daze (Conway), Main Street Food Truck Festival, Hot Water Hills Arts & Music Festival (Hot Springs)
Performing arts group
Winner: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Finalists: Arkansas Circus Arts, Ballet Arkansas, The Main Thing, Red Octopus Theater Company
Photographer
Winner: Katie Childs
Finalists: Kurt Lunsford, FestyPanda
Photography, Ebony Blevins, Rah Howard
Place for karaoke
Winner: White Water Tavern
Finalists: Town Pump, Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge,
Overtime Lounge (Maumelle)
Place for trivia
Winner: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Finalists: Fassler Hall, Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Dugan’s Pub, Stone’s Throw Brewing
Place to gamble
Winner: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Cherokee Casino and Hotel (Roland, Oklahoma), Choctaw Casino (Pocola, Oklahoma), Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff), Tunica, Mississippi
Poet
Winner: Kai Coggin
Finalists: Tru Poet, Paula Martin, Drekkia Writes, R.J. Looney
Rock band
Winner: Funkanites
Finalists: DeFrance, Colour Design,
Illusionaut, Tranquilo
Sports bar
Winner: Brewski’s Pub & Grub
Finalists: Legends Sports Bar at Saracen Casino (Pine Bluff), Bar Louie, Dave & Buster’s, Overtime Lounge (Maumelle)
Local Media
Blog
Winner: The Mighty Rib
Finalists: Arkansas Blog, Best of Arkansas Sports, Blue Hog Report, Tie Dye Travels
Columnist/reporter
Winner: Rex Nelson
Finalists: Austin Bailey, John Brummett, Dwain Hebda (Ya!Mule Wordsmiths), Stephanie Smittle
Marketing firm
Winner: CJRW
Finalists: Cranford Co., Eric Rob & Isaac, MHP/Team SI, Thoma Thoma
Podcast
Winner: Arkansas Times: Week in Review
Finalists: Bear Grease, Put Your Books Down, United States of Murder, Blackbelt Voices
Radio personality
Winner: Heather Brown (Alice 107.7)
Finalists: Shayne Gray (KABF 88.3) Tom Wood (Arkansas Rocks), Roger Scott (103.7 The Buzz)
Radio station
Winner: 103.7 The Buzz
Finalists: KABF-FM 88.3, KUAR-FM 89.1/KLRE-FM 90.5, KUAF-FM 91.3, KSSN-FM 96
TV meteorologist
Winner: Todd Yakoubian (KATV)
Finalists: Tom Brannon (THV11), Barry Brandt (KATV), Melinda Mayo (KATV), Skot Covert (THV11)
TV personality
Winner: Craig O’Neill (THV11)
Finalists: Elicia Dover (KATV), Laura Monteverdi (KARK), Donna Terrell (FOX16), DJ Williams (KARK)
TV sportscaster
Winner: Steve Sullivan (KATV)
Finalists: Hayden Balgavy (THV11), Tyler Cass (THV11), Wess Moore (FOX16), DJ Williams (KARK)
TV station
Winner: KTHV (THV11)
Finalists: KARK (Channel 4), KATV (Channel 7), Arkansas PBS, KLRT (FOX16)
Website
Winner: arktimes.com
Finalists: arkansasonline.com, encyclopediaofarkansas.net, bluehogreport.com, hawgbeat.com
People and Politics
Arkansan
Winner: Chris Jones
Finalists: Joyce Elliott, Tippi McCullough, Eric Musselman, Ryan Taneja
Athlete
Winner: Devo Davis
Finalists: John Daly, Bumper Pool, Bobby Portis, KJ Jefferson
Celebrity
Winner: Mary Steenburgen
Finalists: Bobby Bones, Billy Bob Thornton, Symone the Ebony Enchantress, Bonnie Montgomery
Charity event
Winner: Soup Sunday (Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families)
Finalists: Cupcakes for Goodness Sake (CareLink), The Finest Gala (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation), Paws on the Runway (CARE for Animals), Taste of Little Rock (UA Little Rock)
Conservative
Winner: Asa Hutchinson
Finalists: Jonathan Dismang, Jim Hendren, Julie Mayberry, Rex Nelson
Liberal
Winner: Chris Jones
Finalists: Tippi McCullough, Grant Tennille, Clarke Tucker, Kathy Webb
Little Rock City Director
Winner: Capi Peck
Finalists: Andrea Lewis, Virgil Miller, Antwan Phillips, Kathy Webb
Misuse of taxpayer fund/
proposals
Winner: Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Finalists: Arkansas LEARNS, 911 in Little Rock, 30 Crossing, hamburger tax
Nonprofit
Winner: The Van (The One, Inc.)
Finalists: Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Our House, Pulaski County Imagination Library, Thea Foundation
Philanthropist
Winner: Bill and Hillary Clinton
Finalists: Johnelle Hunt, Kirk Bradshaw, Tiffany Robinson, Alice Walton
Politician
Winner: Chris Jones
Finalists: Nicole Clowney, Denise Ennett, Clarke Tucker, Kathy Webb
Worst Arkansan
Winner: Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Finalists: Tom Cotton, Jane English, Tim Griffin, David Ray
Food and Drink
Arkansas-brewed beer
Winner: Lost Forty Brewing
Finalists: Burks Brothers Brewing (Bryant), Flyway Brewing, Ozark Beer Co. (Rogers), Stone’s Throw Brewing
Baked goods
Winner: Community Bakery
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Dempsey Bakery, Flake Baby Pastry, Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)
Birthday or Special Occasion Cake
Winner: Blue Cake Co.
Finalists: Community Bakery, Flake Baby Pastry, Loblolly Creamery, Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets
Bread
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: Community Bakery, Old Mill Bread, Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie), Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)
Cocktail
Winner: Rocktown Distillery
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Kemuri, The Pantry, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom
Comfort Food
Winner: K. Hall & Sons Produce
Finalists: David’s Family Kitchen, Homer’s Kitchen & Table, Rosie’s Pot & Kettle, Utopia Deli
Curbside restaurant service
Winner: Star of India
Finalists: Buffalo Grill, The Fold Botanas & Bar, Gadwall’s Grill, Utopia Deli
Food festival
Winner: Main Street Food Truck Festival
Finalists: International Greek Food Festival, Arkansas Cornbread Festival, World Cheese Dip Festival, UA Little Rock’s Taste of Little Rock
Hangover Food
Winner: The Root Cafe
Finalists: Big Bad Breakfast, Fassler Hall, Four Quarter Bar, Overtime Lounge
Liquor store
Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits
Finalists: Ace Liquor Center (Cabot), Legacy Wine & Spirits, 107 Liquor, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Milkshake
Winner: Purple Cow
Finalists: Big Orange, Loblolly Creamery, Hill Station, Shake’s Frozen Custard
Most Creative Menu
Winner: Brood & Barley
Finalists: Ciao Baci, Flora Jean’s, Four Quarter Bar, Table 28
Munchies food
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Cheba Hut, Overtime Lounge, Tamalcalli: The Tamale House, Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)
Onion rings
Winner: Buffalo Grill
Finalists: Big Whiskey’s, Black Angus, Purple Cow, Town Pump
Place for a Guy’s Night Out
Winner: Fassler Hall
Finalists: Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Cherokee Hotel & Casino West Siloam Springs, Dickey-Stephens Park, Rock Town Distillery
Place for a Girl’s Night Out
Winner: Ciao Baci
Finalists: Cypress Social, Agasi 7: Rooftop Bar + Kitchen, Loony Bin Comedy Club, Petit & Keet
Place to eat on a Sunday
Winner: Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom
Finalist: The Croissanterie, Flora Jean’s, The Root Cafe, Star of India
Restaurant for a first date
Winner: Pantry Crest
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Ciao Baci,
Kemuri, Petit & Keet
Ribs
Winner: Whole Hog Cafe (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Count Porkula, Sims Bar-b-que, Stubby’s BBQ, Knightfire BBQ (Searcy)
Wings
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Certified Pies, Dem Dam Wingz, Mockingbird Bar & Tacos, Waldo’s
Chicken & Beer
Shopping
Antiques
Winner: Midtown Vintage Market
Finalists: Fabulous Finds, Rose Antique Mall & Flea Market (Rogers) Sweet Home/Clement, Twin City Antique Mall
Art Gallery
Winner: M2 Gallery
Finalists: Cantrell Art Gallery, Boswell Mourot Fine Art, Gallery 26
Auto dealer
Winner: Mark McLarty Toyota (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Parker Lexus, Gwatney Chevrolet Company (Jacksonville), Puckett Auto Group (Conway), Steve Landers Auto Group
Bicycle shop
Winner: Angry Dave’s Bicycles (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Shift Modern Cyclery, Spokes Little Rock, Trek Bicycle Little Rock, The Woodsman Company (Rogers)
Bookstore
Winner: WordsWorth Books
Finalists: Bookish (Fort Smith), Dickson Street Bookshop (Fayetteville), Dog Ear Books (Russellville), Paper Hearts Bookstore
Bridal store
Winner: Low’s Bridal (Brinkley)
Finalists: The Bridal Cottage (North Little Rock), Danielle’s Bridal & Special Occasions (Clarksville), David’s Bridal, Unveiled Bridal Collection
CBD store
Winner: Good Earth Organics
Finalists: Healing Hemp of Arkansas, Suite 443, Your CBD Store
Children’s clothing
Winner: The Toggery
Finalists: Basic Blake Boutique (Springdale), Serendipity Kids Boutique (Van Buren), Clara Jane & Jax (Batesville)
Fabrics and drapery
Winner: Cynthia East Fabrics
Finalists: JOANN Fabrics, Marshall Dry Goods Company (Batesville), The Quilt House (Clarksville), Stitchin Post
Farmers market
Winner: Me and McGee Market (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Bernice Garden Farmers Market, Hillcrest Farmers Market, Little Rock Farmers Market, The Bramble Market
Flooring store
Winner: Akels Carpet One Floor & Home
Finalists: Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Carpet Barn (North Little Rock), LL Flooring, McElroy Tops & Floors (Benton)
Florist
Winner: Petal to the Metal Floristry
Finalists: Cabbage Rose Florist, Curly Willow Designs (Cabot), The Empty Vase, Frances Flower Shop
Furniture
Winner: Midtown Vintage Market
Finalists: Arkansas Furniture (Hot Springs), Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Lux Haus (Fort Smith), HOWSE
Garden store
Winner: The Good Earth Garden Center
Finalists: Botanica Gardens, Cantrell Gardens Nursery, Hocott’s Garden Center, Plantopia
Gift shop
Winner: Bang-Up Betty (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Bella Vita Jewelry, Box Turtle, Domestic Domestic, Moxy Modern Mercantile
Grocery store
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Finalists: Bob’s Food City (Mt. Ida), Edwards Food Giant, The Fresh Market, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods Market
Hardware/home improvement
Winner: Fuller & Sons Hardware
Finalists: Ace Hardware, Kraftco Hardware, McCoy’s Lumber & Hardware (Searcy), Walrod’s Hardware (Fort Smith)
Hip clothing
Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage
Finalists: Anthropologie, AR-T’s, Box Turtle, Fringe Clothing, E. Leigh’s Contemporary Boutique
Hobby shop
Winner: Argenta Bead Company
Finalists: ART Outfitters, The Coin & Stamp Shop, The Geeky Oasis (Sherwood), HobbyTown (North Little Rock), Yarn Kandy
Jeweler
Winner: Bang-Up Betty
Finalists: Bella Vita Jewelry, Cecil’s Jewelry, Sissy’s Log Cabin
Lingerie store
Winner: Cupids
Finalists: Aphrodite’s Love Boutique (Rogers), Seductions, Angie Davis (Conway)
Men’s clothing
Winner: Baumans Fine Men’s Clothing
Finalists: AR-T’s Custom Tees, Father & Sons Clothier (Pine Bluff), Mr. Wicks, The Woodsman Company (Fort Smith)
Mobile phone provider
Winner: AT&T
Finalists: Straight Talk Wireless, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless
Motorcycle dealer
Winner: Rock City Harley-Davidson
Finalists: Mike Johnson’s Powersports (Russellville), Rodney’s Cycle Shop, Sunrise Yamaha Motorsports (Searcy)
Outdoor store
Winner: Ozark Outdoor Supply
Finalists: Bass Pro Shop, Domestic Domestic, Fort Thompson, The Woodsman Company (Fort Smith)
Pawn shop
Winner: Braswell & Son Pawn Brokers
Finalists: Big Daddy’s Pawn Shop, National Pawn Shop (North Little Rock), Pawnderosa Pawn, Randy’s Pawn Shop Inc. (Fort Smith)
RV/camper dealer
Winner: Moix RV Supercenter (Conway)
Finalists: Crain RV (Benton), Gander RV & Outdoors (North Little Rock), Goss Camper Sales, Kiko’s Kountry RV (North Little Rock)
Shoes
Winner: Dillard’s
Finalists: Rock City Kicks, Rock City Running, True Grit Running Co. (Fort Smith), Shoe Carnival
Sporting goods
Winner: Academy Sports + Outdoors
Finalists: Dick’s Sporting Goods (North Little Rock), Gene Lockwood’s, Rock City Running, The Woodsman Co. (Fort Smith)
Toy store
Winner: The Toggery
Finalists: Box Turtle, The Geeky Oasis (Sherwood), Kindness & Joy Toys (Fayetteville), Knowledge Tree
Vape shop
Winner: Abby Road
Finalists: Emerald’s Triangle (Jonesboro), Rogue Vapers, Toddy Tobacco & Vape Shop
Vintage clothing
Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage
Finalists: America Jane Vintage (Conway), Oak Forest Vintage, The Retro Fit (Hot Springs), Thriftpologie
Women’s clothing
Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage
Finalists: Anthropologie, BEIGE, J. McLaughlin, Thriftpologie
Education
Pre-k or preschool
Winner: Little Rock School District
Finalists: Little Rock Christian Academy, Child Development Center, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Early Learning Center, Langston Aerospace and Environmental Magnet School
Community college
Winner: UA Pulaski Tech (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Southeast Arkansas College/SEARK (Pine Bluff), National Park College (Hot Springs), University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Four-year college/university
Winner: University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arkansas State University (Jonesboro), Hendrix College (Conway), University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas (Conway), Lyon College
Private school
Winner: Episcopal Collegiate School
Finalists: The Anthony School, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian Academy, Christ Lutheran
Public school
Winner: Little Rock Central High School
Finalists: Forest Heights S.T.E.M. Academy, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (Hot Springs), North Little Rock High School, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
Goods and Services
Accounting firm
Winner: Frost PLLC
Finalists: J.R. Barney Accounting PLLC, BKD Wealth Advisors LLC, Ferguson Cobb, Landmark
Apartment complex
Winner: Argenta Flats Apartments
Finalists: Fountaine Bleau Maumelle, The Pointe Brodie Creek, The Pointe North Hills
Architect
Winner: Herron Horton Architects
Finalists: Benchmark Group, Cromwell Architects Engineers, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, Taggart Architects
Arkansas-based company
Winner: Tacos 4 Life
Finalists: Benchmark Group, Rock City Kicks, First Orion, Stephens Inc., Onyx Coffee Lab
Artisan
Winner: Bang-Up Betty (Stacey Bowers)
Finalists: Broken Vessels Pottery Studio, Gina Rose Gallina, Crystal C. Mercer, Bella Vita Jewelry (Brandy McNair)
Auto service
Winner: Discount Tire & Brake
Finalists: Cantrell Service Center, Brown’s Auto Clinic, Austin Brothers Tire Service, Kittle’s Garage
Autoglass repair
Winner: Discount Auto Glass
Finalists: Binswanger, Linn’s Auto Glass, Dr. B’s Windshield Repair Co., Mobile Glass Pros
Bank
Winner: Arvest
Finalists: Bank of Little Rock, Centennial Bank, Encore Bank, Simmons Bank
Commercial insurance agency
Winner: State Farm
Finalists: USAA, Shelter Insurance, NRG, Hines
Commercial real estate agency
Winner: KW Commercial/Keller Williams Realty
Finalists: iRealty Commercial Arkansas, Crye-Leike Real Estate, Flake and Company
Company to work for
Winner: UAMS
Finalists: Cherokee Casino & Hotel (West Siloam Springs), Charlotte Potts State Farm Insurance, Benchmark Group, Apptegy
Contractor
Winner: Justin Elbert CJE Construction
Finalists: Hines Homes, Millco Enterprises, Jim Pace Homes, Rush & Co. Inc.
Designer/decorator
Winner: Kelley Kolettis Designs
Finalists: Debi Davis Interior Design, Brittany Nixon Creative, Johnna Novak (Novak Design), Garry Mertins (mertinsdykehome)
Event venue
Winner: The Hall
Finalists: Cherokee Hotel & Casino (West Siloam Springs), Wildwood Park for the Arts, Grandview Acres Lodge and Bunkhouse, The Baker House
Funeral home
Winner: Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home
Finalists: Ruebel Funeral Home, Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, Nelson Funeral Home
Handyman
Winner: Kenny Burroughs
Finalists: Coleman Faust, Harrell May, Fix-It Quick, Mr. Fix-It Inc.
Home builder
Winner: Mike Orndorff Construction
Finalists: Graham Smith Construction, Hines Homes, Kerr Building Services, Markus Homes
Home inspection
Winner: Blackbird Inspections (Eric Young)
Finalists: Joe Cummins, GQ Inspection Services (Dennis Evans), Pillar to Post Home Inspectors (The Paulson Team), Reliable Choice Home Inspections
Home, life, car insurance
Winner: State Farm
Finalists: Arkansas Farm Bureau, Citizens Fidelity Insurance Company, The Jenkins Agency, USAA
Hotel
Winner: Capital Hotel
Finalists: Cherokee Hotel & Casino (West Siloam Springs), AC Hotel by Marriott Little Rock, Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)
HVAC REPAIR
Winner: Bob & Ed’s Heating and Air Conditioning
Finalists: Dewees HVAC, Kirby’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Smart Comfort Inc., Yates Maintenance Heating & Air
Internet service provider
Winner: AT&T U-verse
Finalists: ARNETEX, Xfinity, Comcast, Hyperleap
Landscaper/landscape design
Winner: The Good Earth Garden Center
Finalists: Moon Custom Landscapes, Green Clues Lawn and Landscaping LLC, Botanica Gardens, Plantopia, River Valley Horticulture Products
Law firm
Winner: Wright Lindsey Jennings
Finalists: Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan; Rainwater Holt & Sexton; Taylor King Law; Lassiter & Cassinelli
Lawyer
Winner: Dave Parker
Finalists: Taylor King, Austin King, Michael Kaiser, Charsie Gordon
Mover
Winner: Two Men and a Truck (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Errand Runners of Arkansas, Brandon Moving & Storage (North Little Rock), Elite Movers, Mustard Seed Moving of Arkansas
Music equipment
Winner: Guitar Center (Little Rock)
Finalists: Fry Guitars, Palmer Music Co. (Conway), Renown Music (North Little Rock), Shuffield Music Company (Arkadelphia)
Pest control
Winner: Adams Pest Control
Finalists: Arkansas Pest Control (North Little Rock), Clark Exterminating, Curry’s Termite, Elkins Pest Control (Maumelle), Legacy Termite and Pest Control
Pet groomers
Winner: Hounds Lounge Pet Resort and Spa
Finalists: Gio’s Paw Spa, Dat Pooch, Barkansas Pet Grooming, Shay’s Love Affur Grooming, Howlz Mobile Grooming
Plumber
Winner: Ray Lusk Plumbing
Finalists: Aaron Houff, Matlock Rooter Services, Platinum Plumbing, Razorback Plumbing Co.
Realtor
Winner: Debbie Teague (The Janet Jones Company)
Finalists: Shannon Treece (The Janet Jones Company), Stacy Hamilton (Coldwell Banker RPM), Donna Dailey (The Janet Jones Company), Allison Pickell (Coldwell Banker RPM Group)
Residential real estate agency
Winner: The Janet Jones Company
Finalists: Homeward Realty, The Charlotte John Company, PorchLight Realty, The Property Group
Siding, windows and roofing
Winner: Garcia & Sons Roofing
Finalists: Accountable Roofing, Arkansas Roofing Kompany (Conway), Riley Hayes, Gabe Jones
Solar company
Winner: Seal Solar (North Little Rock)
Finalists: AEV Solar, Peak Power Solar, Sunpro Solar, Chreyton Electric Inc.
Tattoos
Winner: 7th Street Tattoo
Finalists: Black Cobra Tattoos (Sherwood), Love Spell Tattoo, Lucky Bella Tattoos (North Little Rock), Smoky Row Tattoo (Russellville)
Travel agency
Winner: Poe Travel
Finalists: Friends Tours & Travel, West Rock Travel, Sue Smith Vacations (North Little Rock)
Wealth management
Winner: Merrill Lynch
Finalists: John D. Curreri (Edward Jones), Raymond James, Hatcher, Crews & Associates Inc.
Web design
Winner: Rock City Digital
Finalists: Taneja Marketing Group, Elevate Creative, Rebel Design Group, American Business Engine, Kreative Dimensions
Window tinting
Winner: D&D Sun Control (North Little Rock)
Finalists: 007 Window Tinting (Benton), Arkansas RockStar Window Tinting, Jay’s Window Tinting (Sherwood), SunStop Window Tinting (North Little Rock)
Medical and Personal Care
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Winner: Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living
Finalists: Chenal Pines Retirement Resort, The Manor Senior Living Community, Memory Care of Little Rock at Good Shepherd, Woodland Heights
Barbershop
Winner: Dogtown Barber Lounge (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Blade and Barrel (Jacksonville), Handle Barbershop, Jerry’s Barbershop, Park Hill Barbershop
Budtender
Winner: Jared Curtis (Berner’s by Good Day Farm)
Finalists: Jennifer Burr (Natural Relief Dispensary), Jocelin Fuller-Brooks (Greenlight), Christey Noble (The Treatment, Pine Bluff), Darius White (Natural Relief, Sherwood)
Chiropractor
Winner: Brady DeClerk (Omnis Rehab: Joint and Performance Center)
Finalists: Dr. Brad Chambers (Chenal Urgent Chiropractic), Dr. Beverly Foster (Chiropractic Health & Rehabilitation), Lee Hodge (Abundant Health Chiropractic & Therapeutic Massage), Dylan Machycek (Elite Spine & Joint)
Cosmetic dentist
Winner: Dr. DJ Dailey (Smile Dailey General and Cosmetic Dentistry)
Finalists: Dr. Stephen Deal (Deal Family Dentistry, Greenbrier), Dr. Ethan Erwin (Smile, Hot Springs), Dr. Montgomery Heathman (Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry), Dr. Sam Strong (Dentalways)
Cosmetic surgeon
Winner: Dr. Suzanne Yee (Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center)
Finalists: Dr. Rhys Branman (Cosmetic Surgery Center), Dr. Melanie Prince (Melanie Prince, MD Plastic Surgery), Dr. Kris Shewmake (Shewmake Plastic Surgery), Dr. Zachary Young
Counselor/therapist
Winner: Argenta Counseling
Finalists: Cardinal Counseling (North Little Rock), Stacy Kinzler, Rachel Pinto, Dr. Kathleen Wong (Bridges 2 Wellbeing, Fayetteville)
Dermatologist
Winner: Arkansas Dermatology
Finalists: Franks Dermatology, Dr. Jay Flaming, Dr. Ray Parker (Dermatology Group of Arkansas), Pinnacle Dermatology
Diet/weight loss center
Winner: Baptist Health Weight & Nutrition Center
Finalists: Arkansas Heart BMI Institute, Arkansas Health & Nutrition, Encore Medical Center, Natural State Health Center
Eyewear
Winner: Kavanaugh Eye Care
Finalists: Burrow’s and Mr. Franks Optical, Gulley Vision Clinic, James Eyecare & Optics Gallery, UAMS Health Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Optical Shop
Family dentist
Winner: Little Rock Family Dental
Finalists: Austin Family Dentistry, Downtown Dental Care, Jolly Family Dental, UAMS Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Oral Health Clinic
Family physician
Winner: Dr. Alison Richardson (Arkansas Family Medicine)
Finalists: Dr. Kent Covert (Little Rock Family Practice), Dr. Kevin Hiegel (Little Rock Family Practice), Kevin Roberts (Little Rock Family Practice), Dr. Daniel Watson (Autumn Road Family Practice)
Hair salon
Winner: Red Beauty Lounge
Finalists: Carter | Miller Hillcrest, Salon Joseph, Tease Salon, Heather Young Salon
Hospital
Winner: Arkansas Children’s
Finalists: Arkansas Heart Hospital, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, UAMS
In-home care
Winner: Baptist Health Hospice
Finalists: CareLink (North Little Rock), Conway Regional Home Care Services, Home Instead, Superior Senior Care (Conway)
Massage therapist
Winner: Ava Bella Day Spa
Finalists: Abundant Health Chiropractic and Therapeutic Massage (Conway), Arkansas Healing Arts Massage & Wellness, Massage Arkansas, Zach Turner at Little Rock Massage and Wellness (North Little Rock)
Med spa
Winner: Rejuvenation Clinic and Day Spa
Finalists: Ava Bella Day Spa, Doctors MedSpa, Radiant Wellness by S & S, Skin Fix Med Spa
Mental health facility
Winner: UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute
Finalists: The BridgeWay (North Little Rock), Methodist Family Health, Pinnacle Pointe, Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas
Nail salon
Winner: Best Nails
Finalists: Cherish Nails & Spa, City Nails (North Little Rock), Ethereal Nail Spa, Fashion Nails, Glitz & Glamour Hair & Nail
Nursing home
Winner: Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Finalists: Andover Place, Chenal Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Encore West Little Rock, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd
Ophthalmologist
Winner: Dr. Katherine Baltz (Central Arkansas Ophthalmology)
Finalists: Dr. Laurie Barber (Little Rock Eye Clinic), Dr. Joseph Chacko (Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Clinic, UAMS), Dr. Romona Davis (Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Clinic, UAMS), Dr. Lydia Lane (Little Rock Eye Clinic)
Optometrist
Winner: Dr. Julie Dolven (James Eye Care)
Finalists: Dr. Kathryn Brown (UAMS Health-Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Clinic), Dr. Brian Guice (Kavanaugh Eye Care), Dr. Derek Scott Long (Maumelle), McFarland Eye Care
Orthodontist
Winner: Wardlaw Orthodontics
Finalists: Daniel & Jones Orthodontics, Hodge Orthodontics, Phelan Orthodontics, Vondran Orthodontics
Orthopedic surgeon
Winner: Dr. C. Lowry Barnes (UAMS)
Finalists: Dr. Jesse Burks (Bowen Hefley Orthopedics), Dr. William Hefley Jr. (Bowen Hefley Orthopedics and Arkansas Surgical Hospital), Dr. P. Allan Smith (OrthoArkansas), Dr. Jonathan D. Wyatt (OrthoArkansas)
Pediatrician
Winner: Dr. Leah Youngblood (Little Rock Children’s Clinic)
Finalists: Dr. Dawn Martin (All for Kids Pediatric Clinic), Dr. Liza Murray (UAMS), Dr. Josh O’Neill (Little Rock Pediatric Clinic), Dr. Aaron Strong (Little Rock Pediatric Clinic)
Personal trainer
Winner: Lee Ann Jolly (Jolly Bodies)
Finalists: Anna Bolte (Bolte Fitness), TJ Brown (Westside MMA), Tina Glass (Results Studio LR), Brooke Walker (365 Fitness)
Pharmacy
Winner: Cornerstone Pharmacy
Finalists: Kavanaugh Pharmacy, The Pharmacy at Wellington, Park West Pharmacy, Rhea Drug Store
Physical therapists
Winner: OrthoArkansas
Finalists: Advanced Physical Therapy, Harris & Renshaw Physical Therapy (Sherwood), Omnis Rehab: Joint and Performance Center, Physical Therapy Institute
Prosthetics
Winner: Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics
Finalists: Arkansas Prosthetics and Pedorthics (Benton), Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics, New Hope Prosthetics & Orthotics (North Little Rock)
Retirement community
Winner: Fox Ridge
Finalists: Andover Place, Chenal Pines Retirement Resort, Good Shepherd Community, Superior Senior Care
Spa
Winner: Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Ava Bella Day Spa, Doctors Med Spa, Quapaw Baths and Spa, Rejuvenation Clinic & Day Spa
Veterinarian
Winner: Hillcrest Animal Hospital
Finalists: Allpets Animal Hospital, Bowman Road Animal Clinic, Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital, Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic
Yoga studio
Winner: Barefoot Studio
Finalists: Arkansas Yoga Collective, Big Rock Yoga, Blue Yoga Nyla (North Little Rock), Eden Salt Studio
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