DISCOVER THE BEST IN SHOPPING, DINING AND DOING
W W W.V I R G I N I A L I V I N G .C O M
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202 SINCE 2012. hotelcapecharles.com | reservations@hotelcapecharles.com | (757) 695–3854
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THANK YOU for voting Bon Secours among Virginia Living’s
BEST of Virginia 2022! Congratulations to these teams for your commitment to our Mission of improving the health and well-being of our communities and bringing good help to those in need. BEST HOSPITAL WINNER
BEST HOSPITAL WINNER
BEST PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE WINNER
Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital 101 Harris Rd. Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital 5801 Bremo Rd. Richmond, VA 23226
Bon Secours Lively Medical Center 36 Lively Oaks Rd. Lively, VA 22507
Learn more at bonsecours.com. 15415RICADV (4-22)
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REALTOR®
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WE WON BEST OF VIRGINIA...AGAIN! THANK YOU!
We are HONORED that the readers of Virginia Living Magazine have chosen IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate as the Best of Virginia for the 9th consecutive year! We love what we do and it is a privilege to work with our buyers and sellers.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF AREA & THE MARKET T R U S T E D S I N C E 1 9 7 5 - F A M I LY O W N E D FA B U L O U S T E A M O F 3 5 + A G E N T S COVERING ALL THE NORTHERN NECK & MIDDLE PENINSULA AREAS
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Thank you Virginia.
At Davenport, we recognize that there is more to our business than delivering high-quality financial services, it is about building meaningful relationships. All of our associates maintain a discipline of putting our clients’ needs ahead of our own and delivering products and services that meet their goals. We are honored to be named a “Best Financial Planning Firm” in Virginia Living magazine’s reader poll, and we are pleased that our commitment to the financial success and well-being of generations of Virginians has earned us this recognition.
(804) 780-2000 • (800) 846-6666 • investdavenport.com Davenport & Company LLC Member: NYSE | FINRA | SIPC 901 East Cary Street, Suite 1100, Richmond, VA 23219
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LET THE TRUE YOU SHINE THROUGH
Inner beauty is at the core of who you are and we’re here to help you discover the best version of yourself, inside and out. With the guidance of our plastic surgeons and medical aestheticians, we equip you to be fully informed, prepared, and empowered to make the aesthetic choices that are right for you.
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We’re just getting started. Come join us on our journey. Moving to our new location soon. Follow us for more details.
blueskydistillery.com
Thank you to the readers of Virginia Living for the accolades.
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A DAY OF AWE AWAITS A visit to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center can make time fly by as you explore the vast collection of aviation and space icons that have changed our world and how we live.
See: Marvel at Space Shuttle Discovery, an Air France Concorde, a Blue Angels F/A-18 Experience: Test your piloting skills in a flight simulator
Gaze: Experience flight in a big way with a giant screen film in the Airbus IMAX® Theater Share: Relive highlights of your day with family and friends over a meal at Shake Shack (opening 2022) or by taking home something special from our great museum
Open every day but Dec. 25 | Free admission Parking $15 | Public Transit available For all your visit info: airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy
@airandspace
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@airandspace
@airandspacemuseum
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Proud to be recognized as the finest—again. Joyner Fine Properties has been selected as a “Best Real Estate Firm in Central Virginia” for eight consecutive years. THE FINEST AGENTS Helping you get the finest from your home, in the ways that matter most to you.
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THE FINEST SERVICE Making buying or selling a home a most satisfying experience.
THE FINEST EXPERTISE The area’s authority on homes and real estate for nearly fifty years.
Learn more and search our listings today joynerfineproperties.com | 804-270-9440
4/21/22 12:09 PM
Luxury outdoor living spaces that compliment your outdoor lifestyle. Brought to you by Commonwealth Curb Appeal. 804-577-8444 | commonwealthcurbappeal.com
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Editor's Letter PUBLISHED BY
Cape Fear Publishing Company
109 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-343-7539, VirginiaLiving.com
VOLUME 11, 2022 PUBLISHER
John-Lawrence Smith EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR Constance Costas ART DIRECTOR Ryan Rich
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Cecilia Mondragon-Victoria SENIOR EDITOR Madeline Mayhood
ASSOCIATE EDITOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS Vayda Parrish ASSISTANT EDITOR Konstantin Rega
EDITORIAL INTERN Margaret Wadsworth
Shelby Black, Deanna Johnson, Mindy Kinsey, Laura Anders Lee, Margo Millure, Eliza Randolph, Asa Sutton COPY EDITOR Ashley Hunter
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MEDIA CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS
Matthew Marjenhoff 804-622-2602, MatthewMarjenhoff@CapeFear.com Warren Rhodes 804-622-2603, WarrenRhodes@CapeFear.com Clay Thomas 804-622-2609, ClayThomas@CapeFear.com SALES MANAGER
E-STORE SALES AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Lizanne Jeveret 804-622-2614, LizanneJeveret@CapeFear.com E-STORE SALES AND DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
Dan Huber 812-461-8214, DanHuber@CapeFear.com E-STORE CUSTOMER SERVICE Angela Shapiro 804-622-2612, AngelaShapiro@CapeFear.com OFFICE STAFF ACCOUNTING MANAGER Rosa Garcia
EDITORIAL RESEARCH Deanna Johnson
CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Kenny Kane CIRCULATION MANAGER Angela Shapiro ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR Rhett
ASSISTANT ACTIVITIES & MORALE DIRECTOR Shelby
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to VIRGINIA LIVING 109 East Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219
SUBSCRIPTIONS
One year - $36, two years - $64. Send to 109 East Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219; visit VirginiaLiving.com; or contact AngelaShapiro@CapeFear.com
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REPRINTS & REPRODUCTION PERMISSION Contact John-Lawrence Smith, Publisher, at 804-343-7539 or JLSmith@CapeFear.com
LEGALISMS
Virginia Living is a registered trademark of Cape Fear Publishing Company, Inc. Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT: VIRGINIA LIVING (USPS) ISSN 1534-9984 Virginia Living is published bimonthly by Cape Fear Publishing Company, 109 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219.
the best of virginia team, from left to right: cecilia mondragon-victoria, angela shapiro, vayda parrish, konstantin rega, ryan rich, constance costas, madeline mayhood, margaret wadsworth. photo by tyler darden
W
HAT’S THE SECRET TO SUCCESS? The secret sauce that makes a great meal memorable, or a music venue feel electric? Where our annual Best of Virginia issue is concerned, the businesses that took top honors for 2022 all have one thing in common: the support of loyal fans and tight-knit communities. At Virginia Living, we pride ourselves on championing the small businesses, the local restaurants, and the mom and pop shops that give Virginia a flavor all its own. To keep things Virginian through and through, this year we made the decision to limit national chains from consideration. This move proved to be a smart one—we saw more new winners and homegrown businesses make the list than ever before. You might notice Five Guys, the popular fast-food burger joint, for example, made the cut, even though it has more than 1,500 locations in the U.S. Why? Well, those famous patties were first flipped in Arlington, where the company began in the 1980s. If a nationwide business was born and bred here, we kept it in the running. We were excited to see record-high voter turnout in each of our five regions this year. The votes from Southwest Virginia alone nearly doubled compared to 2021. Overall, more than 56,000 of you completed ballots—the most in the 11-year
history of our Best of Virginia contest. And that’s saying something, considering this year’s categories numbered 103, eight fewer than last year. Year after year, we comb through thousands of your responses, comments, and feedback to analyze category performance statistics, taking great care to fine-tune our ballots based on the businesses that matter most to Virginia Living readers. Thanks to our hardworking staff members, Deanna Johnson and Angela Shapiro; our writers and editors, Madeline Mayhood, Constance Costas, Margaret Wadsworth, and Konstantin Rega; and our art department, headed by Ryan Rich with Cecilia Mondragon-Victoria. This was truly a team effort, and we’re proud to share it with you. We’d also love to hear from you. Category suggestions, questions about the issue, or just a shout out to your favorite winner. Anything goes. Happy Reading,
Vayda Parrish Associate Editor, Special Projects VaydaParrish@CapeFear.com
NOTE: We checked all of the businesses and events to the best of our ability and believe they are all open, open seasonally, or intend to reopen, as of publication. Please check websites or call ahead to understand any limitations or exceptions. Cover art and illustrations by Daniel Long; Best of Virginia logo and regional lettering by Sarah Barton
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BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Contents
For a full list of cities and counties in each region, visit VirginiaLiving.com/Our-Regions.
Follow the grid to find your favorites in your region and across the Commonwealth.
EASTERN VIRGINIA
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
pg. 23
pg. 57
pg. 89
pg. 121
pg. 154
pg. 33
pg. 66
pg. 97
pg. 131
pg. 160
pg. 41
pg. 73
pg. 105
pg. 139
pg. 167
pg. 49
pg. 81
pg. 113
pg. 147
pg. 174
CENTR AL VIRGINIA
BEST FOOD & DRINK
BEST LIVING & RECREATION
BEST SERVICES
BEST SHOPPING
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pg. 87
pg. 119
Nimrod Hall
Sail & Surf Adventures
Sisters Thai
pg. 21
Primland
pg. 55 pg. 153
What’s Your VA IQ?
Virginia Winemaker’s Research Exchange
Take the Best of Virginia quiz on page 176!
>
BEST FOOD & DRINK Restaurants
- Asian Restaurant - Barbecue Restaurant - Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant - Burger Joint - Coffee Shop or Roaster
- Fine Dining * - Food Truck - Ice Cream Shop - Indian Restaurant - Italian Restaurant - Mexican Restaurant
- Outdoor Dining - Pizzeria - Sandwich Shop - Seafood Restaurant - Steakhouse - Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten Free Fare *
Food Shopping
Drink
- Museum - Music Venue - Performing Arts Company - Radio Station * - Special Event Venue
- Pet Boarding/Day Care - Veterinary Hospital
Travel
Outdoors & Active
- Bakery - Chocolatier - Farmers’ Market - Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop - Wine Shop
- Brewery - Cidery - Distillery - Specialty Cocktails - Winery
BEST LIVING & RECREATION Entertainment & Events
- Annual Charity Event - Art Event - Entertainment for Adults - Festival - Historic Theater - LOVE Sign
Pets
- Dog Groomer - Dog Training Company
Kids
- Family Entertainment - K-12 Independent School - Preschool - Summer Camp
- Air Charter Service - Bed & Breakfast - Historic Site - Hotel - Resort - Tourist Attraction
- Dance Studio * - Golf Course - Gym - Hiking or Biking Trail - Specialty Fitness * - Tennis Facility *
BEST SERVICES Health
- Alternative Medicine * - Counseling or Therapy Practice - Dental Practice - Home Health Provider * - Hospital - Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN)
BEST SHOPPING - Antiques - Book Store - Consignment Shop - Fine Jewelry Store - Florist Shop - Gift Store - Men’s Clothing Store - Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter - Women’s Clothing Store VirginiaLiving.com
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- Ophthalmology/Optometry Practice * - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice - Orthodontic Practice - Orthopedic Practice - Pediatric Practice - Physical Therapy Practice - Primary Care Practice
Beauty
- Cosmetic Surgery Practice - Dermatology Practice - Hair Salon or Barber Shop - Spa
Home
- Architecture Firm - Greenhouse and Nursery
- Home Builder - Home Furnishings Store - Interior Design Firm - Kitchen & Bath Design Firm - Landscape Design - Plumbing/HVAC Company * - Real Estate Firm - Retirement Community
Services
- Accounting Firm - Auction Company * - Bank/Credit Union * - Car Dealer - Car Wash * - Caterer - Financial Planning Firm - Funeral Home - Law Firm
Our Categories Each year, we evaluate voting statistics and reader feedback to craft a category list that best reflects the businesses Virginians rely on. From the radio station you keep on all day to the plumber you call in a pinch, we hope you'll join us in welcoming the winners of our 13 new or renamed categories. Have a suggestion for 2023? Email us at Editors@CapeFear.com. * New or renamed category for 2022
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Awarded BEST in Central VA once again.
T H A N K YO U ! We are honored to be voted one of Central Virginia’s Best for 11 years running. Being the BEST is more than just award winning accommodations and friendly staff. It’s about making your stay in Lynchburg an experience to remember!
Located on the James River in the heart of downtown Lynchburg, VA www.craddockterryhotel.com I 434-455-1500
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CENTRAL VIRGINIA is the state’s Piedmont Region. It’s characterized by relatively low, rolling foothills, nestled between the Coastal Plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact piedmont is an Italian word that means “foot of the mountain.” The heart of the state, Central Virginia covers 33 of the Commonwealth’s 95 counties, and 10 of its 38 cities—including Fredericksburg to the north; Lynchburg, Bedford, and Danville to the west; and Emporia to the south. Anchored by the capital River City on the banks of the James, Richmond is at the center of the Central region and home to a bounty of this year's winners.
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BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Joy Ting with the Wine Grape Productivity tray presented on behalf of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association by winemaking consultant Tom Payette (left).
CENTRAL VIRGINIA CITIES: - Bedford - Charlottesville - Colonial Heights - Danville - Emporia
- Fredericksburg - Hopewell - Lynchburg - Petersburg - Richmond
COUNTIES:
Winning Wineries
Y
photos by sera petras
- Albemarle - Amelia - Amherst - Appomattox - Bedford - Brunswick - Buckingham - Campbell - Caroline - Charlotte - Chesterfield - Culpeper - Cumberland - Dinwiddie - Fluvanna - Goochland - Greene
OU’LL FIND 74 WINERIES in Virginia Living’s Central Region, more than any other part of the state. And the wines here are succeeding spectacularly. What’s their secret? You might think competition spurs each winemaker to new and more exciting heights. Instead, it’s collaboration. “When one experiment succeeds, everyone benefits from the results,” says Joy Ting, research oenologist and exchange coordinator at the Winemaker’s Research Exchange (WRE). Ting explains that the WRE “brings winemakers together to taste experimental wines and share ideas for innovation and quality improvement.” Launched by a group of Central Virginia winemakers as the Monticello Research Exchange in 2014, the organization now serves vintners around the state. “We’re all working together to produce distinctive, world-class wines right here in Virginia,” Ting says, adding that the WRE was founded under the guiding principle that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” This year’s top three winery winners, Barboursville Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, and Trump Winery, are all located in Central Virginia. And in March, when the Governor announced this year’s
Gold Medal Winners in the prestigious Governor’s Cup Case, six of the 12 winning wines were from the Central region: Barboursville’s 2020 Vermentino Reserve, Trump Winery’s 2015 Brut Reserve, Michael Shaps Wineworks’ 2019 Chardonnay, Pollak Vineyards’ 2017 Meritage, Stinson Vineyards’ 2017 Meritage, and Wisdom Oak Winery’s 2019 Bordeaux blend, called, simply, Nineteen. Now in its fifth decade, Barboursville Vineyards, this year’s Best of Virginia first place winner—their 10th win—sets the standard for viticulture in Virginia. But nothing was assured when Gianni Zonin, a prominent Italian winemaker, acquired the property in 1976 with plans to open a vineyard there. At the time, the region had none, and Thomas Jefferson, who designed Barboursville 170 years earlier, had spent decades tinkering with grapes at nearby Monticello without a single harvest. Winemaker Luca Paschina oversees operations at Barboursville, which is located near Gordonsville, and now offers wine tastings, tours, overnight stays at its 1804 Inn & Cottages, and fine dining at its Palladio restaurant. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in Central Virginia's rich wine tradition.
- Greensville - Halifax - Hanover - Henrico - Louisa - Lunenburg - Madison - Mecklenburg - Nelson - Nottoway - Orange - Pittsylvania - Powhatan - Prince Edward - Rappahannock - Spotsylvania
Wisdom Oak Winery owner Jason Lavallee completes a sensory analysis at Trump Winery.
When one experiment succeeds, everyone benefits from the results." —Joy Ting, research oenologist at the Winemaker’s Research Exchange, Charlottesville
BEST OF VIRGINIA CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Food & Drink
Best Living & Recreation
pg. 23 Restaurants pg. 27 Food Shopping pg. 29 Drink
pg. 33 Entertainment & Events pg. 35 Pets pg. 35 Kids pg. 37 Travel pg. 39 Outdoors & Active
VirginiaLiving.com
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Best Services pg. 41 Health pg. 43 Beauty pg. 45 Home pg. 47 Services
Best Shopping pg. 49
Winners begin on pg. 23
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BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS Asian Restaurant 1st: Peter Chang Multiple locations PeterChangRestaurant.com, 804-728-1820 An award-winning chef, Peter Chang is considered one of the greatest in Chinese cuisine today. Chang takes authentic Szechuan cooking to a whole new level at his restaurants, offering a broad menu that showcases his mastery of peppers and spices, and has garnered a massive following of loyal customers.
2nd: Fat Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Richmond FatDragonRVA.com, 804-354-9888 3rd: Osaka, Richmond OsakaSushiVa.com, 804-288-8801
Barbecue Restaurant 1st: ZZQ 3201 W. Moore St., Richmond ZZQRVA.com, 804-528-5648 ZZQ Texas Craft Barbecue began as a pop up and catering operation. As business grew, it officially opened as a restaurant in 2018. Boasting the only authentic Texas-style barbecue in the Commonwealth, ZZQ uses allwood cooking methods to create its popular sliced brisket, specialty meat sandwiches, spicy sides, and more.
2nd: Buz & Ned’s Real BBQ, Richmond BuzAndNeds.com, 804-355-6055 3rd: BBQ Exchange, Gordonsville BBQEx.com, 540-832-0227
Riverside Lunch’s double cheeseburger.
Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Bodo’s Bagels 3 locations in Charlottesville BodosBagels.com, 434-293-5224
1st:
You don’t need to leave the state to get authentically crafted, freshly baked New York bagels. Locally owned and operated since 1988, Bodo’s Bagels serves traditional bagels and cream cheese, along with affordable sandwiches and salads at three locations in Charlottesville, satisfying locals, visitors, and the college community alike.
2nd: Boychiks Deli, Glen Allen Boychiks.com, 804-747-1030 3rd: Brick House Diner, Richmond BrickHouseDiner.com, 804-794-8798
Burger Joint 1st: Burger Bach Multiple locations BurgerBach.com, 804-359-1305 This New Zealand-inspired gastropub is known for its award-winning gourmet burgers and signature cocktails. Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand is the exclusive supplier of the restaurant’s pasture-raised, 100 percent grass-fed Black Angus beef, ensuring only the best quality, all-natural ingredients. A choice of 16 signature sauces can accompany Burger Bach’s sizzling fresh-cut fries.
2nd: Five Guys, Multiple locations FiveGuys.com, 866-345-4897 3rd: Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, Locations in Charlottesville, Richmond JackBrownsJoint.com, 804-285-1758
Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co.
3 locations in Richmond BlanchardsCoffee.com, 804-687-9443 David Blanchard founded Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co. in January 2005, and it wasn’t long before grocery store chains started selling his beans locally, transforming the company into a favorite wholesale coffee brand. With three cafe locations in Richmond—on West Broad Street, Morris Street in the Fan, and on Forest Hill Avenue on the Southside, Blanchard’s mission continues: Good work in the service of great coffee.
2nd: Black Hand Coffee Company, Richmond BlackHandCafes.com, 804-855-0800 3rd: Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, Richmond CrossroadsRVA.com, 804-231-2030
Fine Dining 1st: Stella’s 1012 Lafayette St., Richmond StellasRichmond.com, 804-358-2011 Established in 1983, Stella’s honors rustic and modern Greek cuisine. The charming and romantic space is a tribute to Stella herself, who, for many years, crafted her famed Greek recipes for all who walked through her doors. You’ll have a hard time choosing what to order from the authentic and thoughtfully crafted menu.
2nd: Can Can Brasserie, Richmond CanCanRVA.com, 804-358-7274 3rd: Old Original Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse, Richmond BookbindersRichmond.com, 804-643-6900
Flipping Burgers Since 1935
In Charlottesville, Riverside Lunch hits the spot.
photo by tom mcgovern
The Riverside, as regulars call it, has been serving up burgers and baskets of fries since 1935. With its friendly staff, unbeatable prices, and consistently good food, nobody seems to mind that the burgers arrive on white paper plates. In fact, that’s part of Riverside’s charm. Located near the Pantops neighborhood, just off High Street, Riverside Lunch offers subs, dogs, onion rings, fried pickles, and ice-cold 8-ounce bottled Coke. But, trust us, it’s all about the burgers. One customer makes a special monthly trip from Richmond—just to savor one.
VirginiaLiving.com
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CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Food Truck 1st: Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen Greater Richmond area Facebook: @mrsyoderskitchen, 540-395-5213 Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen is a familyowned and operated doughnut truck known for its unique sourdough donuts made fresh while you wait with original or chocolate glaze. You can stay up to date with the changing schedule posted on Facebook each week. [Editor’s note: At press time, we received news that Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen is closed until further notice.]
2nd: Boka Tako, Richmond BokaTruck.com, 804-928-2652 3rd: Christopher’s Runaway Gourmay, Richmond ChristophersRunawayGourmay.com, 804-399-7197
Ice Cream Shop 1st: Gelati Celesti 7 locations in the Richmond area GelatiIceCream.com, 804-346-0038 In 1984, Peter and John Edmonds opened Gelati Celesti in Richmond. Each batch of ice cream is handmade and the flavors are churned in small batches using special Italian equipment. Gelati Celesti now boasts seven locations in Richmond (and two in Virginia Beach). With 24 house flavors and 85 others rotating throughout the year, these ice cream experts also offer made-to-order ice cream pies and cakes for any occasion.
2nd: Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream, Richmond BevsHomemadeIceCream.com, 804-204-2387 3rd: Carl’s Frozen Custard, Fredericksburg CarlsFrozenCustard.com
Indian Restaurant 1st: Lehja 11800 W. Broad St., Suite 910, Richmond Lehja.com, 804-364-1111 With a menu offering a modern approach to the classics, Lehja has developed a solid following. Washingtonian magazine claimed deemed it the “best Indian restaurant outside of Washington D.C.’s Rasika in the Region,” and for Rasika fans, that’s quite an accolade. Popular dishes include a deconstructed butter chicken and duck Salli Boti. An extensive wine list won praise from Wine Spectator.
2nd: Anokha Restaurant, Henrico Anokha.us, 804-360-8686 3rd: Lemon Cuisine of India, Richmond LemonCuisineOfIndia.com, 804-204-1800
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This is not the time to limit yourself.
It’s a time for community and connection. For living, learning and growing. A time for stimulating conversation and smiles that come easily.
Say goodbye to the hectic pace, congestion and pollution. Breathe easy and savor meticulously crafted meals where the distance from farm to table is measured in yards, not miles.
Live by a clock that moves at your pace. Or no clock at all. Live in a place your grandchildren will beg to visit and readily trade electronics for a fishing pole and time with you. Where you can rediscover the wonders of nature and live in its midst. This is Covenant Woods. Everything you need and even more than you knew you wanted. Call or go online today: 804.569.4281 CovenantWoods.com
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Senior Living in Hanover County, Virginia 804.569.4281 CovenantWoods.com
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS
Three Blacksmiths’ pan seared diver scallop in saffron coconut milk.
Italian Restaurant 1st: Edo’s Squid 411 N. Harrison St., Richmond EdosSquidRVA.com, 804-864-5488
Seafood Restaurant 1st: Croaker’s Spot Locations in Petersburg, Richmond CroakersSpot.com, 804-269-0464
Edo’s Squid’s authentic, homemade Italian dishes have developed legions of foodie fans. A less-than-grand entrance—up a creaky, old staircase— belies the profound culinary experience waiting inside. Food is consistently delicious, with squid served every which way, and delectable pasta dishes (like broccoli rabe and puttanesca) and flavorful mains like hanger steak and rockfish among customer favorites. But order anything—you can rarely go wrong.
Croaker’s Spot, with roots in the Harlem Renaissance, was reimagined in Richmond as the “soul of seafood.” Tasty menu items like Oysters Rockefeller, crab stuffed salmon, and seafood by the count along with its down-home vibe have secured its place in the city’s impressive food scene. As the original Mr. Croaker was known to say: “Let me tell you... ain’t nuthin’ like good food, good people, at a good spot!”
2nd: Azzurro Ristorante, Henrico Azzurros.com, 804-282-1509 3rd: Angela’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, Henrico AngelasRVA.com, 804-288-7483
2nd: Edo’s Squid, Richmond EdosSquidRVA.com, 804-864-5488 3rd: East Coast Provisions, Richmond EastCoastRVA.com, 804-353-3411
Mexican Restaurant
Steakhouse
1st: Mexico Restaurant 6 locations in the Richmond area Mexico-Restaurant.com, 804-559-8126 Mexico Restaurant opened in 1990 and has since expanded throughout the Richmond area. Serving fresh Mexican food of the highest quality in a casual atmosphere, Mexico is perfect for a family dinner, birthday party, or casual night out. The chain prides itself on food, service, and its involvement in the community.
2nd: Casa Del Barco, 3 locations in Richmond CasaDelBarcoVa.com, 804-775-2628 3rd: El Caporal Mexican Restaurant, 4 locations in the Richmond area ElCaporalRVA.com, 804-673-1090
1st: Buckhead’s Chop House 8510 Patterson Ave., Richmond Buckheads.com, 804-750-2000
Culinary Craftsmanship
Three Blacksmiths brings world-class chefs to Sperryville. With just six tables, Three Blacksmiths offers a high-end tasting menu in an intimate atmosphere. The name pays homage to Sperryville’s early artisans and, today, diners relish the culinary handiwork of Jake and Sara Addeo. The couple, who’ve worked in restaurants in New York, D.C., and Hong Kong, were smitten by the restaurant in tiny Sperryville and, in August of 2021, they purchased Three Blacksmiths, trading their Washington, D.C., apartment for life in the country with their three daughters. “With the pandemic, we were ready for a lifestyle change, and we couldn’t believe a place as special as this existed in a small town,” says Jake. ThreeBlacksmiths.com
Outdoor Dining
photo courtesy of three blacksmiths
1st: Blue Mountain Brewery 9519 Critzers Shop Rd., Afton BlueMountainBrewery.com, 540-456-8020 Blue Mountain Brewery opened in 2007 as the first rural-brewery model in Virginia. Blue Mountain exists solely to be a destination for carefully crafted beer in a beautiful place, complemented by excellent food and service. Popular brews include a noble-hop-laced Pre-Prohibition Lager, a cold-aged German Ale, an Orange Infused IPA, an aromatic DIPA, and a Pale Ale.
2nd: Portico Restaurant & Bar, Richmond PorticoRichmond.com, 804-784-4800 3rd: The Boathouse, 4 locations in the Richmond area BoathouseVa.com, 804-404-9194
VirginiaLiving.com
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CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Pizzeria
Sandwich Shop
1st: Bottoms Up Pizza 1700 Dock St., Richmond BottomsUpPizza.com, 804-644-4400
1st: Boychiks Deli 4024 Cox Rd., B, Glen Allen Boychiks.com, 804-747-1030
Bottoms Up is a staple of Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom district and has specialized in gourmet pizzas for more than 30 years. Surviving floods, hurricanes, and a pandemic, this family-owned business is here to stay, providing Richmond with quality, delicious pizzas, savory sauces, generous pasta portions, and even a selection of juicy burgers.
A family-owned and operated company, Boychiks Deli has been in business since 1990. While the restaurant boasts a large and diverse menu, including burgers and omelets, it’s most famous for its authentic New York-style sandwiches. Taking a bite of Boychiks classic Reuben is guaranteed to transport deli lovers right to the streets of New York City.
2nd: Belmont Pizzeria, Richmond BelmontPizzeria.com, 804-888-9861 3rd: Mary Angela’s Pizzeria, Richmond MaryAngelasPizzaToGo.com, 804-353-2333
2nd: Bodo’s Bagels, 3 locations in Charlottesville BodosBagels.com, 434-293-5224 3rd: Secret Sandwich Society, Richmond SecretSandwichSociety.com, 804-644-4777
Held to the highest standard of excellence, Buckhead’s Chop House has been a Richmond tradition since 1994, featuring succulent Braveheart Beef and fresh seafood. A passion for culinary perfection is evident in every bite. As an added bonus, Buckheads’ bar proudly highlights one of the largest selections of single malt scotches and bourbons in the area.
2nd: The Tobacco Company Restaurant, Richmond TheTobacoCompany.com, 804-782-9555 3rd: Hondos Steak House, Glen Allen HondosSteakHouse.com, 804-968-4323
Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten Free Fare 1st: Goatocado 1823 W. Main St., Richmond Goatocado.com, 804-464-8226 Once a simple food truck, Goatocado now has two restaurants and five food carts. A “conscious kitchen,” Goatocado is dedicated to sustainability and sourcing the freshest ingredients possible. The menu includes wraps, bowls, and ramen, with choices of bases and add-ons—like quinoa or mac ’n’ cheese, and organic tofu or garlic ginger mushrooms.
2nd: Cobra Cabana, Richmond CobraCabanaRVA.square.site, 804-303-3577 3rd: Blue Atlas, Richmond BlueAtlasRVA.com, 804-554-0258
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Best Food & Drink FOOD SHOPPING Bakery 1st: Shyndigz 1903 W. Cary St., Richmond Shyndigz.com, 804-938-3449 Famous for its substantial slices of cake, Shyndigz has a deliciously sweet selection of goodies. Cobblers, oatmeal cream pies, and crème brûlée are also on the menu, along with vegan desserts like banana brûlée. A savory selection of small plates and charcuterie is a recent menu addition. Be sure to follow along on social media for updates on daily specials.
2nd: Pearl’s Bake Shoppe, Richmond PearlsBakeShoppe.com, 804-285-2253 3rd: Sub Rosa Bakery, Richmond SubRosaBakery.com, 804-788-7672
Chocolatier 1st: For the Love of Chocolate 3136 W. Cary St., Richmond ForTheLoveOfChocolateRVA.com, 804-359-5645 After seeing fine chocolatiers on a trip to Europe, For the Love of Chocolate’s original owner wanted to bring that
same luxurious experience to Richmond. This business is a haven for chocolate lovers, with gourmet and international items, Virginia-made options, rare retro candies, kosher and vegan treats, and much more.
Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
2nd: Gearharts Fine Chocolate, Locations in Charlottesville, Richmond GearhartsChocolates.com, 800-625-0595 3rd: Cocoa and Spice, Charlottesville CocoaAndSpice.com, 434-326-5978
Ellwood Thompson’s is Richmond’s premier natural foods market. This small (but much bigger than it used to be), local, organic market focuses on minimally processed, responsibly sourced, and sustainable foods. Its admirable core values and pledge for transparency and social responsibility make it a corporate standout. With hot foods to go, a coffee and juice bar, and an in-house bakery, Ellwood Thompson is a consistent Best of Virginia winner.
Farmers Market 1st: South of the James Market Forest Hill Park, Richmond GrowRVA.com, 804-814-2373 This open-air, producer-only market is the ideal spot for farmers and artisans to sell locally grown and handmade items. Open year-round, rain or shine, South of the James has an impressively extensive vendor list—from soaps to sausage, donuts to dog treats, and fruits to flowers. Its home is in Forest Hill Park on Richmond’s Southside. Sunday hours are from 10:00-1:00.
2nd: Charlottesville City Market Charlottesville.gov, 434-970-3371 3rd: Ashland Farmers’ Market AshlandVa.gov, 804-798-9219
1st: Ellwood Thompson’s 4 N. Thompson St., Richmond EllwoodThompsons.com, 804-359-7525
2nd: Stella’s Grocery, 3 locations in Richmond StellasGrocery.com, 804-358-0020 3rd: Belmont Butchery, Richmond BelmontButchery.com, 804-422-8519
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Wine Shop 1st: Barrel Thief Wine & Provisions
5805 Patterson Ave., Richmond BarrelThiefWine.com, 804-612-9232 Barrel Thief offers a wide variety of wines, wine classes, and even some beer and cider. A carefully curated inventory comes from all over the world. Provisions like chocolates and peanuts are in stock to pair with whatever wine you choose. Wine classes can be unguided, virtually guided, or in-person tastings exploring a specific region or topic.
2nd: Once Upon a Vine, Richmond OnceUponAVine.us, 804-726-9463 3rd: Corks & Kegs, Richmond CorkAndKegs.com, 804-288-0816
Bugle Call Coffee: A Better Way to Keurig
photos courtesy of bugle call coffee
Specialty pods make coffee delicious and convenient. A-ten-tion! A hot cup of Bugle Call Coffee will jolt you awake and put the day’s to-dos in Morning Formation. Helen Montgomery, a William & Mary alum, launched her Quintonbased coffee company in 2019, naming it in tribute to her husband, Jack, who serves in the U.S. Army. “As a military family, we know a little something about early mornings, sleepless nights, and unpredictable days,” says Helen. “We take great pride in roasting coffee that not only fuels, but helps you savor your day.” Made in small batches by head roaster Seth Westerman, Bugle Call takes a down-to-earth approach. “We believe that specialty coffee shouldn’t be pretentious or unattainable,” says Helen. She’s talking to you, Keurig users. Bugle Call’s new line of Keurig-compatible coffee pods makes great coffee accessible, even if you’re not brewing a pot. Even better, Bugle Call’s pods are 100-percent compostable and biodegradable—unlike the single-use plastic Keurig pods sold in stores. A special filter design means they’ll also deliver “the best cup of coffee that will ever come out of your Keurig,” Montgomery notes. In addition to medium and dark roasts, the pods come in Southern pecan and brown sugar cinnamon flavors and are sold in 12-count packs for home and bulk packs of 100 or more. Bugle Call’s by-the-pound blends include Powder Keg Espresso, Black Knight, Morning Formation, and Love Potion, a limited-edition blend of African and South American coffees Co-owners Jack and Helen Montgomery with apple, hazelnut, and honey notes. with head roaster BugleCallCoffee.com
Head roaster Seth Westerman. Below: Bugle Call’s coffee pods.
Seth Westerman.
VirginiaLiving.com
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BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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fixing 60 degree to 90 de
TAPROOM OPEN Sunday 12–8 Monday & Tuesday 4–9 Wednesday & Thursday 12–9 Friday & Saturday 12–10
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Follow us on
and
for specials and events.
101 2nd Street, Clarksville, VA 23927
BuggsIslandBrewing.com
BIBites (Kitchen) OPEN Wednesday & Thursday 12–9 Friday & Saturday 12–10
4/22/22 8:25 PM
Best Food & Drink DRINK Brewery 1st: Hardywood 2 locations in Richmond Hardywood.com, 804-420-2420 Founded in 2011, Hardywood’s mission includes a sharp focus on brewing quality, sourcing locally, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. With 12 total variants, Hardywood is well known for its Gingerbread Stout. Its Ownby Lane location in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition includes a pizza kitchen and an outdoor patio with fire pits and a performance stage.
2nd: Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton BlueMountainBrewery.com, 540-456-8020 3rd: Buggs Island Brewing Company, Clarksville BuggsIslandBrewing.com, 434-265-3343
Cidery 1st: Bold Rock Hard Cider Locations in Charlottesville, Nellysford BoldRock.com, 434-361-1030 After opening its Nellysford Cider Barn a decade ago, Bold Rock Hard Cider has become a regional favorite as the nation’s largest independently owned cider company, racking up more than 100 awards. Experience sweet ciders in-person at the tranquil Nellysford or Carter Mountain locations or purchase hard seltzers and canned cocktails to take home from regional grocery stores.
2nd: Blue Bee Cider, Richmond BlueBeeCider.com, 804-231-0280 3rd: Buskey Cider, Richmond BuskeyCider.com, 804-355-0100
Distillery
photos courtesy of lickinghole creek craft brewery
1st: Belle Isle Craft Spirits 615 Maury St., Richmond BelleIsleCraftSpirits.com, 804-723-1030 Belle Isle Craft Spirits is all about moonshine. Twelve flavors like Lemon Lavender and Aged Honey Habanero are available in 750 ml bottles and a selection of 12 oz. canned cocktails in six flavors are sold readyto-drink in four or 12-packs. These moonshine makers consistently rack up five-star reviews online.
2nd: Cirrus Vodka, Richmond CirrusVodka.com, 844-724-7787 3rd: Three Crosses Distilling Co., Powhatan ThreeCrossesDistilling.com, 804-818-6330
VirginiaLiving.com
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Specialty Cocktails
Winery
1st: Bang! 213 Second St. SW, Charlottesville BangRestaurant.net, 434-984-2264
1st: Barboursville Vineyards 1765 Winery Rd., Barboursville BbvWine.com, 540-832-3824
Bang! is an Asian-inspired tapas restaurant, which also includes a large and creative cocktail menu. “Key Lime Tini” is a vodka martini that comes with key lime pie in the glass, complete with a graham cracker rim. Or try something more tropical, like “Paradise Island,” a mix of Malibu rum, pineapple, and butterscotch. Whatever your tastes, Bang! has you covered.
Barboursville Winery was originally a landmark 18th-century estate designed by Thomas Jefferson for his friend James Barbour, another Virginia statesman. In 1976, the estate was acquired by Gianni Zonin, already heir to a family wine enterprise in Veneto, Italy. Today, guests can experience world-class wine and
CENTRAL VIRGINIA the renaissance of European viticulture in the rolling hills of Virginia.
2nd: King Family Vineyards, Crozet KingFamilyVineyards.com, 434-823-7800 3rd: Trump Winery, Charlottesville TrumpWinery.com, 434-266-9909
2nd: Fahrenheit 132, Fredericksburg Fahrenheit132.com, 540-940-2614 3rd: The Jasper, Richmond JasperBarRVA.com
Brewing A Culture of Care Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
You can learn a lot about a place and the people who run it by how they give directions. To get to Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery in Goochland, you’ll take “a private shared gravel road” the owners say, so “when visiting the brewery please drive slowly and responsibly with respect to our neighbors and the rural area.” Care for their neighbors carries over to a deep care for their customer as well. This is what defines Lickinghole Creek. The brewery’s name may raise eyebrows, but it’s actually all about respect and tradition, both important company tenets. It pays homage to Little Lickinghole Creek, which runs through the property’s rolling hills. For centuries the creek has been known as the “lickinghole,” where wildlife would stop to drink from its nourishing waters. And similarly, the brewery draws directly from the local watershed and runs its own water purification on-site. Not surprisingly, all ingredients are locally and sustainably sourced, and leftover grains are passed along to help feed local livestock. Sales manager Rob Pennington is proud to note, “we harvest ingredients we put in the brews themselves, such as hops wheat, barley, twenty apiary boxes that produce the honeybees that pollinate the 300 acres of land … If we don’t grow it on the farm, we try to source it from other Virginia sources.” Lickinghole gives to the community, the community gives to Lickinghole—there is a meeting in the middle; the brewery hosts
Lickinghole Creek’s Virginia Strawberry Hefeweizen.
countless community events. In February, for instance, they celebrated the (re)release of the well-loved “Blueberry Obsession” stout with live music and food trucks. Coming up May 14-15, bluegrass musician Keller Williams will deliver shows both solo and with his band, The Keels. In between events, the brewery runs
tours, a tasting room, and a disc-golf course—which may become easier or harder depending on whether you visit the course or the tasting-room first. This is a perfect place to check out with family or friends when you’re in the area with a few hours to spare—and the perfect reason as to make the trip, if you’re not. LickingholeCreek.com
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Thank Thankyou youfor forvoting votingus usyour your
BEST BESTREAL REALESTATE ESTATE FIRM! FIRM!
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TERRI ABERNETHY
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BRIDGETTE ALTIZER
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JOSE ANDUEZA
KIMBERLY ATKINSON
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ANDREW BROOCKER
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JJ COX
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ELIZABETH FORD
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PAT GAESER
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Crozet andCrafts CraftsFestival Festival Crozet Arts and Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival
With over 120 Fine Artists and Contemporary Craft Artisans exhibiting from around the country, the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festivals are Central Virginia's premier juried Arts and Crafts event. With over Fine Artists andContemporary Contemporary Craft Craft Artisans Artisans exhibiting from around the country, With over 120120 Fine Artists and exhibiting from around the country, The Festivals take place twice annually - in Contemporary May and October and feature artist demonstrations, local food, With over 120 Fine Artists and Craft- Artisans exhibiting from around the country, the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festivals are Central Virginia's premier juried Arts and Crafts event. the Crozet Arts and live Crafts are Central Virginia's premier juried Arts Crafts event. the Crozet Arts andFestivals Crafts Festivals are Central Virginia's juried Arts and and Crafts event. Virginia wine and beer, music, children's activities, and more atpremier beautiful Claudius Crozet Park in the The Festivals take place twice annually in May and October and feature artist demonstrations, local food, The Festivals placetake twice - inMountains May - and feature artist local food, Thetake Festivals twice annually - inand May October - and feature artistdemonstrations, demonstrations, local food, foothills of place theannually Blue Ridge ,and justOctober 15 minutes from Charlottesville, VA. Virginia wine and beer, live music, children's activities, and more at beautiful Claudius Crozet Park in the Virginia live children's music, children's activities, more beautifulClaudius Claudius Crozet in the Virginia wine and wine beer,and livebeer, music, activities, andand more at at beautiful CrozetPark Park in the foothills of the of Blue Mountains , just, just 15 minutes from Charlottesville, foothills the Ridge Blue Ridge Mountains 15 minutes from Charlottesville,VA. VA.
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival crozetfestival.com crozetfestival.com crozetfestival.com crozetfestival.com
foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains , just 15 minutes from Charlottesville, VA.
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Annual Charity Event Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10 K Presented by Kroger
1st:
Sports Backers, 100 Ave. of Champions, Richmond SportsBackers.org, 804-285-9495
One of the largest 10 Ks in the country, Richmond’s own Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10 K was first held in April of 2000 and has since become one of the city’s most-loved traditions. With tons of fans and onlookers, live bands, and an additional race for kids, this annual event is always one to look forward to.
2nd: Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball, Richmond CHRichmond.org, 804-228-5826 3rd: American Heart Association Heart Ball, Richmond Heart.org, 804-965-6534
Art Event 1st: Arts in the Park 1301 Blanton Ave., Richmond RichmondArtsInThePark.com This much-anticipated event for art lovers and one of Richmond’s largest outdoor springtime events was originally held at the Carillon War Memorial. It’s grown to include more than 350 exhibitors from around the country and has moved beyond the Carillon into surrounding Byrd Park. This year celebrated Arts in the Park’s return and its 51st year.
photo courtesy of virginia department of conservation and recreaction
2nd: 43rd Street Festival of the Arts, Richmond 43rdStGallery.com, 804-233-1758 3rd: Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival CrozetFestival.com, 434-326-8284
Entertainment for Adults 1st: Drive Shack 1647 Four Rings Dr., Richmond DriveShack.com, 804-729-3778 Not a fan of traditional golf? Not a problem. Using augmented reality, Drive Shack combines golfing with video games to give customers a oneof-a-kind experience. Games include “Darts,” “Monster Hunt,” and “Shackjack,” all of which allow for plenty of friendly competition. And with a fun menu of cocktails and traditional pub fare, your visit to Drive Shack is sure to be a good one.
2nd: Bingo Beer Co., Richmond BingoRVA.com, 804-386-0290 3rd: Tang & Biscuit, Richmond TangAndBiscuit.com, 804-362-8264
Festival 1st: Richmond Folk Festival 200 S. Third St., Richmond RichmondFolkFestival.org, 804-788-6466 One of the largest events in the state, the Richmond Folk Festival is a threeday event held each October that tells the story of American cultural diversity through music, dance, crafts, narrative, and cuisine. After celebrating cultural roots and richness virtually this past year, the festival looks forward to an in-person experience this year and continuing this 16-year tradition for years to come.
2nd: Arts in the Park, Richmond RichmondArtsInThePark.com, 804-358-2711 3rd: Carytown Watermelon Festival, Richmond CarytownWatermelonFestival.com
Historic Theater 1st: Altria Theater 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond AltriaTheater.com, 800-514-3849 The Altria Theater opened in 1927 as the “Mosque,” named for its Moorish Revival-style architecture and detailing, and has since hosted thousands of entertainers and performances. Today, you can see a variety of events at the theater, including comedy shows, concerts, children’s theater, and Broadway shows like The Lion King and Fiddler on the Roof.
2nd: The Byrd Theater, Richmond ByrdTheatre.org, 804-358-3056 3rd: Ashland Theatre AshlandTheatre.org, 804-401-7007
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2nd: Children’s Museum of Richmond, Locations in Midlothian, Richmond ChildrensMuseumOfRichmond.org, 804-474-7000 3rd: Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond SMV.org, 804-864-1400
Music Venue 1st: Altria Theater 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond AltriaTheater.com, 800-514-3849 The Altria Theater is one of Richmond’s most popular stages for theater and musical performances. Known for its excellent acoustics, the theater, which dates to 1927, now seats more than 3,500. Past Broadway shows include The Lion King and Fiddler on the Roof. Legendary artists Jackson Browne and Steely Dan are slated for summer performances.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Performing Arts Company 1st: Richmond Ballet 407 E. Canal St., Richmond RichmondBallet.com, 804-344-0906 Now in its 37th season, the Richmond Ballet boasts an expansive repertory that includes 19th- and 20th-century masterpieces as well as more than 75 new ballets by contemporary choreographers. Known as the State Ballet of Virginia, its scope also includes the acclaimed School of Richmond Ballet and Minds In Motion community engagement program.
2nd: Richmond Symphony RichmondSymphony.com, 804-788-1212 3rd: Clarksville Community Players ClarksvillePlayers.org, 434-374-0058
2nd: The National, Richmond TheNationalVa.com, 804-612-1900 3rd: Browns Island, Richmond BrownsIsland.com
Renovated cabin in Pocahontas State Park.
LOVE Sign 1st: LOVEwork at Lewis Ginter
Botanical Garden
1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond LewisGinter.org, 804-262-9887 The concepts for each letter in the LOVE sign at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden were developed by garden staff from all departments to highlight seasonal beauty, celebrate the ecosystem, and welcome guests. The sign is incorporated into the garden’s popular, yearly holiday lights show extravaganza, Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights.
2nd: LOVEwork at Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg ASmithBowman.com, 540-373-4555 3rd: LOVEwork at Blue Quartz Winery, Etlan Virginia.org, 540-923-4048
Museum 1st: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond VMFA.museum, 804-340-1405 Originally opened as a state agency and privately endowed educational institution, the VMFA is the only art
VirginiaLiving.com
museum in the U.S. open 365 days a year with free general admission. It offers a wide array of special exhibitions and access to a global collection of art. Permanent holdings encompass nearly 50,000 works that span more than 6,000 years.
Time Off
State Parks offer a different way to vacation. Sunbathing and snorkeling might make an ideal vacation for some, but for others, lending a hand can turn time off into a far more meaningful experience. Throughout the Commonwealth, volunteer opportunities from the Department of Conservation & Recreation include free lodging for do-gooders who pitch in to preserve and maintain state parks, some of Virginia’s most valuable resources. At Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, repairing cabins built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps is a priority. Volunteers—in groups or solo—can commit to a week or two, or drop in for a day. Skills, like carpentry and roofing, are helpful but not required. Through the American Hiking Society, opportunities to construct and maintain trails make popular volunteer vacations at Hungry Mother State Park, in Marion, and Westmoreland State Park, on the Potomac River in Montross. DCR.Virginia.gov, AmericanHiking.org
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Photo by Bill Draper Photography
Active Cemetery. National Treasure. Outdoor Museum.
Designed in 1847 by noted architect John Notman, Hollywood Cemetery is a fully operational garden cemetery and registered arboretum. Located on the banks of the James River, the cemetery spans 135 acres of valleys and hills, overlooking the Richmond skyline.
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Radio Station 1st: VPM 23 Sesame St., Richmond VPM.org, 804-320-1301 As Virginia’s “home for public media,” VPM’s mission is to use the power of public media to educate, entertain, and inspire. 88.9 FM is home to VPM News, which features shows such as BBC’s “World Service” and NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Tune in to VPM News to stay up-to-date with information about Virginia, the U.S., and beyond.
Dawn and Stuart Siegel with Arlo, a Richmond SPCA alumnus.
Black Ties and Wagging Tails Richmond SPCA celebrates a lifesaving mission.
Calling all pandemic puppies! The Richmond SPCA invites you to the Fur Ball, the lively pet-friendly black-tie gala, held each November to benefit the organization’s Cinderella Fund, which covers medical treatment and veterinary care for thousands of abandoned and abused cats and dogs. Last year, the Fur Ball kicked off with the Parade of Pets led by Twix, a two-month-old kitten who received around-the-clock care, thanks to the Cinderella Fund. Last year, the Fur Ball’s online auction, raffle, and contributions to the Angel Fund raised more than $528,000. RichmondSPCA.org
2nd: WBDB LPFM 103.3, Richmond Bridge1033.org, 804-939-5353 3rd: WBQB FM 101.5, Fredericksburg B1015.com, 540-899-1015
Special Event Venue 1st: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond LewisGinter.org, 804-262-9887 LGBG’s mission is to improve communities and connect people through flora and fauna. Covering 82 acres, the garden includes more than a dozen themed areas, including a conservatory, children’s garden, and Kroger Community Kitchen Garden that supplies area food banks.
2nd: Browns Island, Richmond BrownsIsland.com 3rd: Craddock Terry Hotel, Lynchburg CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1500
PETS Dog Groomer 1st: Barking Lot 606 N. Belmont Ave., Richmond TheBarkingLot.info, 804-358-4038 The Barking Lot has been a fixture in the Richmond grooming scene for more than 30 years. Don’t be fooled by the name—Barking Lot offers cat grooming services too. They groom dogs of all sizes and offer a wide variety of services, including bathing, brushing, dematting, ear cleaning, and much more.
photo by anne goddard rand
2nd: Bark and Sparkle, Midlothian BarkAndSparkleDogWash.com, 804-639-3600 3rd: Blue Ribbon Pet Styling, Midlothian BlueRibbonPetStyling.com, 804-893-4667
Dog Training Company 1st: All Dog Adventures 4111 W. Clay St., Richmond AllDogAdventures.com, 804-355-7737 Established in 1996 as a doggie daycare facility, All Dog Adventures now focuses on pet training classes too,
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plus grooming. The All Dog team is enthusiastic about helping dog owners establish loving relationships with their pups. Manners classes are offered at different levels, and a dvanced classes include agility, competitive obedience, and conformation.
2nd: Breakthrough K9 Training, Mechanicsville BreakthroughK9Training.com, 804-301-2836 3rd: Bohème Dog Training, Multiple locations BohemeDog.com, 804-719-1729
Pet Boarding/ Day Care 1st: Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Locations in Glen Allen, Richmond HolidayBarn.com, 804-672-2200 During Holiday Barn’s early years, Emerson and Kathy Hughes’ goal was to provide a safe, healthy, and fun vacation for Richmond-area pets. Through the years this pet resort has seen great success and expansion, with amenities like an in-ground swimming pool, a doggie day care pavilion and play yards, luxury suites, and cat condominiums.
2nd: All Dog Adventures, Richmond AllDogAdventures.com, 804-355-7737 3rd: Diamond Dog House, Richmond Diamond-Dog-House.com, 804-254-4101
Veterinary Hospital 1st: Cary Street
Veterinary Hospital
3210 W. Cary St., Richmond CaryStreetVet.com, 804-355-9144 The staff at Cary Street Veterinary Hospital are passionate about their work. Staffed with devoted animal lovers, they will treat your pet with the utmost care and respect. Services provided include general health and wellness, dentistry, acupuncture, and physical rehabilitation, among others.
2nd: Bon Air Animal Hospital, Richmond BonAirAnimalHospital.com, 804-320-5991 3rd: Broad Street Veterinary Hospital, Richmond BroadStreetVet.com, 804-531-4523
KIDS Family Entertainment Children’s Museum of Richmond
1st:
Locations in Midlothian, Richmond ChildrensMuseumOfRichmond.org, 804-474-7000 Easily identifiable by the large red puzzle piece that sits outside, the Children’s Museum of Richmond is a place of fun, discovery, and learning through play. Children are welcome to
experience all the exhibits the museum has to offer. From the art studio to the play diner, children will have a blast while expressing their creativity and playing with others.
2nd: Amazement Square, Lynchburg AmazementSquare.org, 434-845-1888 3rd: Flying Squirrels Baseball, Richmond MiLB.com/Richmond, 804-359-3866
K-12 Independent School 1st: Collegiate School 103 N. Mooreland Rd., Richmond Collegiate-Va.org, 804-740-7077 Collegiate School’s mission is to create a diverse and inclusive community of learners. The faculty, staff, and students are compassionate and highly motivated, which makes for a strong sense of community. While strongly dedicated to academic excellence, Collegiate also has incredible arts and sports programs, which allow students to nurture many interests and passions all at once.
2nd: Fredericksburg Christian School FredericksburgChristian.com, 540-371-3852 3rd: Fuqua School, Farmville FuquaSchool.com, 434-392-4131
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Family owned, family loved. Voted Best of Virginia 2022 Since 1972, Holiday Barn has offered full-service pet care in a clean, safe, and stimulating resort where your furry family members can happily wag, play, and stay! We are so dog-gone honored to be recognized as one of “The Best Places to Board Your Pets” in Virginia Living’s readers’ survey again this year. Thank you to everyone who voted and our dedicated pack for making this pawsible!
Thanks for nominating us for the tenth year in a row! This is the ultimutt honor. BOV_2022.indd 36
• Cat Boarding
• Daycare
• Training
• Dog Boarding
• Grooming
• And more!
HOLIDAYBARN.COM GLEN ALLEN (804) 672-2200
MIDLOTHIAN (804) 794-5400
4/21/22 2:27 PM
Best Living & Recreation TRAVEL Air Charter Service 1st: Dominion Aviation 7511 Airfield Dr., Richmond DominionAviation.com, 804-271-7793 Dominion Aviation is a Richmondbased charter aircraft service, fixed base operator, flight school, and Cirrus Platinum Partner. It was founded in 1983 and has grown over time to have the largest air fleets in Virginia. In addition to continuing its tradition of teaching customers how to fly, this year Dominion Aviation plans to add additional aircrafts.
2nd: Martinair, Inc., Richmond FlyMartinair.com, 800-777-7401 3rd: HeloAir, Richmond HeloAir.com, 804-226-3400
Sweet Summertime
The 45th Lakefest makes a splash in downtown Clarksville. Clarksville’s lakefront scene heats up in summer with the Virginia Lake Festival. Known as Lakefest, it’s been named one of the top 20 festivals in the Southeast. Virginia’s only lakeside city, Clarksville rests on the banks of Buggs Island Lake, the largest in the Commonwealth. The July 15 weekend includes live music, arts and crafts, food vendors, children’s entertainment, hot air balloons, sand sculpting, and more, all culminating with a spectacular fireworks show. “This is the festival’s 45th year,” says Sheila Cuykendall, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce director. “Clarksville has such a lovely, small-town atmosphere, and we love welcoming visitors who can enjoy our free festival or rent a boat to get out on the water.” ClarksvilleVa.com
KIDS Preschool 1st: Elizabeth’s Early Learning
Center
photo courtesy of clarksville lakefest
2320 Bedford Ave., Lynchburg EELC.info, 434-528-5698 Founded by Elizabeth Forsyth in 1997, this early learning center offers year-round, full-day childcare services and early childhood education with affectionate and personalized care to children as young as six weeks to kindergarten. The facility is dedicated to the well-being of children in its care, and even provides meals to each child at no separate cost.
2nd: Fredericksburg Christian School FredericksburgChristian.com, 540-371-3852 3rd: Child Development Center at Wyndham, Glen Allen CDCW.us, 804-360-8400
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Summer Camp 1st: Camp Hanover 3163 Parsleys Mill Rd., Mechanicsville CampHanover.org, 804-779-2811 Sixty-plus years and tens of thousands of campers later, Camp Hanover continues its mission of education, outreach, and faith formation. The Christian camp offers both day and overnight programs for elementary, middle, and high school youth, utilizing a decentralized, small-group program model to cultivate strong relationships and focus on each child.
2nd: Camp Friendship, Palmyra CampFriendship.com, 434-589-8950 3rd: Brilliant Summer at St. Catherine’s School, Richmond St.Catherines.org, 804-288-2804
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Hotel 1st: The Jefferson Hotel 101 W. Franklin St., Richmond JeffersonHotel.com, 804-788-8000 The Jefferson Hotel is a true historic icon, hosting its guests in style for over 125 years. With elegant décor, ornate architecture, and fine dining, it is no surprise that this hotel is known as one of the best in the country. The Jefferson’s staff is committed to world-class hospitality as part of an unforgettable experience.
Bed & Breakfast
2nd: Quirk Hotel, Richmond QuirkHotel.com, 804-340-6040 3rd: Craddock Terry Hotel, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1500
1st: Cooper’s Landing Inn and Traveler’s Tavern
Resort
801 Virginia Ave., Clarksville CoopersLandingInn.net, 434-374-2866 Originally built in 1830, Cooper’s Landing is a beautiful place for a romantic getaway. The main inn houses six private guest rooms, with six private cottages on the grounds. The inn also has its own restaurant, featuring a menu that changes with the seasons and focuses on a farm-totable approach. Guests can purchase special romantic packages, wedding packages, and can even take part in cooking classes.
2nd: Acorn Hill Lodge, Lynchburg AcornHillLodge.com, 434-528-0983 3rd: The Inn at Little Washington, Washington TheInnAtLittleWashington.com, 540-675-3800
Historic Site 1st: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Charlottesville Monticello.org, 434-984-9800 Monticello, designed by Thomas Jefferson and built using enslaved labor, is a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1923, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation is a nonprofit that has maintained the estate for nearly 100 years. Monticello is committed to sharing an accurate history of everyone who lived and labored on the mountaintop.
2nd: Belle Isle, Richmond JamesRiverPark.org, 804-646-8911 3rd: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond HollywoodCemetery.org, 804-648-8501
1st: Boar’s Head Resort 200 Ednam Dr., Charlottesville BoarsHeadResort.com, 844-611-8066 This 600-acre resort boasts 168 guest rooms and suites, four restaurants, a spa, and substantial sports and fitness facilities. While a perfect place to relax and get away from it all, Boar’s Head also offers wedding services and has plenty of meeting rooms and outdoor spaces for company retreats and other special events. Visit the Adventure Outpost for activities such as kayaking, biking, geocaching, and more.
2nd: Wintergreen Resort WintergreenResort.com, 434-325-2200 3rd: Keswick Hall Keswick.com, 434-979-3440
Tourist Attraction 1st: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond LewisGinter.org, 804-262-9887 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is to improve communities and connect people through flora and fauna. Covering 82 acres, the garden includes more than a dozen themed areas, including a conservatory, children’s garden, and Kroger Community Kitchen Garden growing fresh produce for Richmond area food banks.
2nd: Carytown, Richmond CarytownRVA.com 3rd: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Charlottesville Monticello.org, 434-984-9800
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www.VAdentist.com www.VAdentist.com www.VAdentist.com www.VAdentist.com VFD-6001 Right Page.indd 1 VFD-6001 Right Page.indd 1 VFD-6001 Right Page.indd 1 BOV_2022.indd 38
2/21/2020 10:11:27 2/21/2020 10:11:27 AM AM 2/21/2020 AM 4/21/2210:11:27 2:30 PM
Best Living & Recreation OUTDOORS & ACTIVE
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Dance Studio 1st: Ballet Aresko 150 Alum Springs Rd., Lynchburg Ballet-Aresko.square.site, 434-942-8432 Ballet Aresko offers professional training for students ages two and up in both lyrical and jazz ballet. The staff aims to teach valuable life skills for young dancers to use both inside and outside of the studio. Affordably priced classes range from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours in length.
A Spot of Tea
Rosewood in Lunenburg serves up English specialties.
photos courtesy of rosewood
Southern hospitality meets British charm at Rosewood, a café, pub, and tea room in Lunenburg. Owners Kathy and Paul Davies are the reason. She hails from Maryland; he’s from Kent in southeast England. The couple married in 2014 and, after living outside Winchester and commuting in opposite directions, they decided to move south. “We found Rosewood on Zillow one evening in early 2017 and arranged to come and look,” says Paul. “As soon as we pulled up outside we knew this is where we wanted to be.” Built in the late 18th century as a Colonial-style home, Rosewood has served as a post office, an antiques store, a judge’s house, and a tavern. It’s also seen a few celebrity guests: Mark Twain stayed overnight while writing about the Virginian Railway, and both Robert E. Lee and Edgar Allan Poe also stopped by. The Davies spent a year renovating and redecorating before reopening in 2018. Now, in its newest iteration, Kathy and Paul call Rosewood home. When they’re not busy serving customers, they live upstairs.
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2nd: Ballet School at Charlottesville Center for the Arts BalletSchoolVa.com, 434-975-3533 3rd: Amherst Dance Academy AmherstDanceAcademy.com, 434-946-7340
Golf Course 1st: Golf Mountaintop & Mountainview–Wintergreen Resort Route 664, Wintergreen WintergreenResort.com, 434-325-8082
Kathy brings her culinary prowess to breakfast and lunch. Favorites include an English breakfast waffle served with cheddar cheese, bacon, fried egg, and tomato. Her grilled bacon blackberry sandwich with Swiss cheese and jalapeño on sourdough is a best-seller. Rosewood’s cozy pub is right out of the English countryside. Expect European craft beers, like Old Speckled Hen from England, Wee Heavy from Scotland, and Spaten, brewed in Munich. If German fare gets you going, don’t miss Rosewood’s annual Oktoberfest, which serves up endless wursts, schnitzels, pretzels, and bier aus Deutschland. But Afternoon Tea service—authentically English, thanks to Paul—is Rosewood’s signature event. “Tables are laid with fine china, crystal glasses, and fine silverware to complete the scene,” he says. You’ll find him dressed to the nines, serving hot tea along with Kathy’s homemade delicacies—specialty scones, traditional tea sandwiches, and sweets—to the friend groups who come to celebrate birthdays and bridal showers. “Afternoon tea is something not to be rushed. It’s a time to relax and enjoy stepping back in time,” he adds. RosewoodVirginia.com
As part of Wintergreen Resort, these two golf courses boast two unique designs and 45 holes. The mountaintop Devils Knob golf course is the highest golf course in Virginia, while the mountainview Stoney Creek course rests in Rockfish Valley. Both are playable year-round, and if you find yourself in need of instruction, simply visit the Wintergreen Golf Academy for assistance.
2nd: Boonsboro Country Club, Lynchburg BoonsboroCC.com, 434-384-2111 3rd: Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville FarmingtonCC.com, 434-296-5661
Gym acac Fitness & Wellness Centers
1st:
Locations in Charlottesville, Glen Allen, Midlothian ACAC.com, 888-979-7870 In the midst of the fitness craze of the 1980s, Phil Wendel opened the first acac in a small shopping center in Charlottesville. Since then, it’s expanded to include 12 clubs in three states, with two locations in the Richmond area. The acac team emphasizes health and wellness in facilities known for their cleanliness and friendly professionals.
2nd: American Family Fitness, Multiple locations AmFamFit.com, 804-364-1200 3rd: Cornerstone Fitness, Lynchburg CornerstoneFitness247.com, 434-534-3054
Hiking or Biking Trail 1st: Buttermilk Trail Richmond JamesRiverPark.org, 804-646-8911 The Buttermilk Trail is 2.5 miles of scenic riverside views with plenty of twists and turns. The James River Park System gives this trail a rating of “difficult” because of its fast descents and steep climbs. The trail is nonetheless beautiful, with creek crossings, bridges, rock gardens, and scenic views guaranteed to make your hike (or bike ride) worth it.
2nd: Virginia Capital Trail, Richmond to Williamsburg VirginiaCapitalTrail.org, 804-788-6453 3rd: Blackwater Creek Trail, Lynchburg LynchburgParksAndRec.com, 434-455-5858
Specialty Fitness 1st: City Barre 1404 Belleville St., Richmond City-Barre.com, 804-999-4227 City Barre is more than just an exercise studio, it’s a community. Each new class is guaranteed to be unique, with no repetition of playlists or choreography. City Barre is beneficial for all ages, bodies, and levels of fitness. The studio also hosts other kinds of events, such as the TEXT and the City Book Club, and Barre Brunch.
2nd: fit20, 2 locations in Fredericksburg Fit20.com, 540-377-0131 3rd: Fly Fitness Inspiration, Fredericksburg FlyFitnessInspiration.com, 540-847-5614
Tennis Facility 1st: Boar’s Head Sports Club 200 Ednam Dr., Charlottesville BoarsHeadResort.com, 844-611-8066 The Boar’s Head Sports Club has a total of 26 indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Memberships are available, and Boar’s Head Inn guests are eligible for tennis time on the courts. Individuals can also book court time by the hour. Adult and junior afterschool clinics are also offered. If that’s not quite your speed, Boar’s Head also has six outdoor pickleball courts.
2nd: Bensley Park, North Chesterfield Chesterfield.gov, 804-748-1623 3rd: Cook Tennis Center, Lynchburg LibertyFlames.com, 434-582-7328
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Creating Beautiful Smiles
For Life!
Thank you Virginia Living readers, for voting us one of the Best Dental Practices in Central Virginia for the past 4 years in a row!
NOW OFFERING INVISALIGN TREATMENT. Mention this ad and receive $300 off of our Comprehensive or Express Invisalign treatment. Retail value of comprehensive is $5500 and express treatment is $3750. Family Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Preventative Dentistry • Pediatric Dentistry • Dental Implants • Periodontics
2314 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
BOV_2022.indd 40
www.glenallendentistry.com
804.261.1970
4/21/22 2:34 PM
Best Services HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: The Float Zone 2034 Dabney Rd., Suite A, Richmond MyFloatZone.com, 804-551-1413 Float therapy, or sensory deprivation, is a unique way to improve both mental and physical well-being. At the Float Zone, a 60-minute float can relieve physical pain, reduce stress and anxiety, speed up muscle recovery, and improve sleep. The experience includes floating in a spacious fiberglass pod in skintemperature water with adjustable controls for light and music.
2nd: First Choice Chiropractic, Richmond RichmondVaChiropractor.com, 804-726-6810 3rd: Omni Family Chiropractic, Richmond TheRichmondChiropractor.com, 804-214-6236
Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: Family Guidance Centers 4 locations in the Richmond area FamilyGuidanceCenters.com, 804-743-0960 Family Guidance Centers began in 1980 with just one location. Today, with five locations across Virginia, the team includes more than 40 licensed and experienced therapists. Services include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and child/ adolescent therapy, among others. Family Guidance offers both in-person and virtual counseling sessions.
2nd: Center For Family Counseling, Fredericksburg CenterForFamilyCounseling.com, 540-361-1556 3rd: Counseling Ministry of Charlottesville, Charlottesville CMCville.org, 434-987-6097
Dental Practice
photo courtesy of bon secours
1st: Virginia Family Dentistry Multiple locations VaDentist.com For 45 years, Virginia Family Dentistry has grown into a multilocation and multi-specialty group practice. Its model is unique, with more than 60 general dentists and specialists working together in the same practice. On- staff specialists include those in periodontics, endodontists, prosthodontics, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry, creating a collaborative approach that offers comprehensive dental care.
2nd: River Run Dental, Locations in Henrico, Midlothian, Richmond RiverRunDentalspa.com, 804-262-1060 3rd: Glen Allen Dentistry, Henrico GlenAllenDentistry.com, 804-261-1970
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Home Health Provider
Ophthalmology/ Optometry Practice
1st: A Plus Home Health Care 2317 Westwood Ave., Richmond APlusHomeHealthCare.biz, 804-278-8782
1st: Harman Eye Center Multiple locations HarmanEye.com, 434-277-4858
A Plus Home Health Care provides a variety of at-home health care services, ranging from short-term to long-term, and from a few hours a week to round-the-clock care. Some non-medical services include personal care, pediatric care, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. A Plus is dedicated to providing peace of mind, and will match caregivers according to client preferences and needs.
Founded in 1988, Harman Eye Center now has locations all over Virginia. Led by David M. Harman, M.D., Harman Eye has performed over 8,000 refractive surgeries and over 40,000 cataract surgeries. The practice is committed to staying at the forefront of proven ophthalmic technology. New additions include the Harman Eye Surgery Center and a dedicated LASIK center.
2nd: AAA+ Home Health Care, Richmond AAAPlusHomeHealthCare.com, 804-553-4150 3rd: Accent Care, Multiple locations AccentCare.com, 804-769-1380
2nd: Dominion Eye Associates, Multiple locations DominionEye.com, 804-251-2172 3rd: Virginia Eye Institute, 9 locations in the Richmond area VaEye.com, 804-287-2020
Hospital Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital
1st:
5801 Bremo Rd., Richmond BonSecours.com, 804-285-2011 Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital has served the central Virginia area since 1966. The hospital was the first in Richmond to achieve Magnet® Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for nursing excellence in 2008. Among many other accolades, the hospital is best known for its birthing center, providing exceptional care for newborns and infants.
2nd: VCU Medical Center, Richmond VCUHealth.org, 800-762-6161 3rd: Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Richmond HenricoDoctors.com, 804-289-4500
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice 1st: Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery 7 locations in the Richmond area OralFacialSurgery.com, 804-794-0794 Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery has excelled in oral and maxillofacial surgery services for the greater Richmond community for more than 35 years. Oral surgeons perform fullscope oral and maxillofacial surgery— from wisdom tooth removal, root
CENTRAL VIRGINIA canals and tooth extractions to sleep apnea treatments, jaw surgery, TMJ disorder treatments, and facial trauma recovery.
2nd: Central Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery, Locations in Farmville, Lynchburg CVOFS.net, 434-832-8040 3rd: Central Virginia Oral and Facial Surgeons, PLC., Locations in Charlottesville, Culpeper CVOFS.com, 434-973-3348
Orthodontic Practice 1st: Horsey Orthodontics Locations in Midlothian, Richmond HorseyOrthodontics.com, 804-672-3030 With offices in Midlothian and Richmond, Horsey Orthodontics specializes in treatment for children, teens, and adults. Some of the services offered are traditional braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign®, Incognito™ braces, retention, and orthognathic surgery. The staff at Horsey Orthodontics are friendly and create a welcoming environment for any and all patients.
2nd: Bates Orthodontics, Locations in Chesterfield, Richmond BatesBraces.com, 804-934-9292 3rd: Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg LynchburgOrthodontics.com, 434-515-0370
Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) 1st: Virginia Women’s Center Multiple Locations VirginiaWomensCenter.com, 804-288-4084 Virginia Women’s Center is a fullservice women’s healthcare practice with five locations in Central Virginia. The staff at Virginia Women’s Center take a holistic approach to patient care and treat each patient as an individual, rather than as a case or a diagnosis. They are dedicated to helping patients on their unique health journeys.
2nd: Virginia Physicians for Women, 7 locations in the Richmond area VPFW.com, 804-897-2100 3rd: Commonwealth OB/GYN Specialists, Richmond HCAVirginiaPhysicians.com, 804-285-8806
CUTTING ENDLESS E.R. wait times, Bon Secours’ Short Pump Emergency
Center is the area’s first freestanding emergency department. Located on West Broad near Cabela’s, the center provides 24/7 urgent medical care for adults, children, and infants. For those needing hospitalization, ambulances transport patients to St. Mary’s for direct admission. BonSecours.com
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CIAL | ORGANIC SKINCARE | THERAPEUTIC MA TMENTS | INFRARED SAUNA THERAPY | LUXUR
TH A N K YO U CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION: FOR VOTING US ONE OF
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ICES
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804.277.4498 | SCENTSOFSERE RICHMOND | SHORT PUMP | GLEN ALLEN | MIDLOTHIAN 804.277.4498 | SCENTSOFSERENITYSPA.COM |
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Best Services HEALTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Orthopedic Practice 1st: OrthoVirginia Multiple locations OrthoVirginia.com, 434-485-8598 OrthoVirginia helps patients reclaim their mobility, strength, and wellbeing by offering comprehensive care for those in need throughout Central Virginia. Each orthopedic specialist works with an on-site physical therapy and surgical staff to provide treatments that include orthopedic care, sports medicine care, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, and more.
Squeaky Squealin’ Clean Cars
At Hogwash Express Car Wash, a couple shares their passion for the community.
Tom and Janet Hogg
After buying an aging car wash near Richmond’s airport, Janet and Tom Hogg renovated it, installed new equipment, and Janet attended “car wash college” to launch Hogwash Express Car Wash in 2018. Now, with a second Hogwash on Broad Street in midtown, this couple finds success in supporting the vibrant community they love. HogwashRVA.com
2nd: VCU Orthopaedics, Multiple locations VCUHealth.org, 804-828-7069 3rd: Central Virginia Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Fredericksburg CVOSM.net, 540-372-6737
Pediatric Practice Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
1st:
Multiple locations CHRichmond.org, 804-828-2467 The nationally ranked Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is one of only 42 verified children’s surgery centers in the country. The hospital is also a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center, able to care for the smallest of injuries to the most serious and complex situations. The hospital is on track to open its new 500,000-squarefoot “Children’s Tower” in 2023.
2nd: Pediatric Associates of Richmond, 3 locations in the Richmond area ParPeds.com, 804-282-4205 3rd: Commonwealth Pediatrics, Locations in Midlothian, Richmond CommonwealthPeds.com, 804-320-1353
Physical Therapy Practice MVP Therapy & Sports Medicine
1st:
photos courtesy of hogwash express car wash
Locations in Henrico, Midlothian MVP-Therapy.com, 804-464-2323
MVP Therapy and Sports Medicine is an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic. Therapists tailor a personalized program of manual therapy, exercise therapy, and patient education to “get you back to the kind of life you want to live.” All therapists are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health. At MVP, you are always the “Most Valued Patient.”
2nd: OrthoVirginia, Multiple locations OrthoVirginia.com, 434-485-8598 3rd: Centra Rehabilitation Services, Multiple locations CentraHealth.com, 434-200-3000
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locations in the Richmond area—and one in Las Vegas! Bombshell also offers special wedding services, including makeup for brides-to-be and the entire wedding party.
Primary Care Practice
natural results. Patients come from all over the state, out of state, and even out of the country.
1st: Commonwealth Primary Care Locations in Glen Allen, Midlothian, Richmond CPCVa.com, 804-288-0399
2nd: Cosmetic Center by VIVA, Fredericksburg VIVAssociates.com, 540-654-9118 3rd: Commonwealth Facial Plastic Surgery (Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS), Midlothian MatthewBridgesMD.com, 804-655-0403
2nd: Belmont Barber Shop, Charlottesville Facebook: @belmontbarber, 434-973-6288 3rd: Blackbird Salon, Richmond BlackbirdSalon.com, 804-353-2473
Dermatology Practice
Spa
1st: Commonwealth Dermatology 7001 Forest Ave., 400, Richmond ComDerm.com, 804-282-0831
1st: Scents of Serenity Organic Spa
Commonwealth Primary Care is the result of 41 board-certified physicians and 15 physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners coming together to create an organization that can more effectively treat the needs of patients all over the Richmond area. With its roots dating back 20 years, Commonwealth Primary Care now has eight locations the Richmond metropolitan area.
2nd: Cold Harbor Family Medicine, Mechanicsville VaPhysicians.com, 804-730-1111 3rd: Colonial Internal Medicine Associates, Fredericksburg CIMAVa.com, 540-374-5599
BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Niamtu
Cosmetic Facial Surgery
11319 Polo Pl., Midlothian LoveThatFace.com, 804-934-3223 Over the last three decades, the small cosmetic surgery practice started by Dr. Joe Niamtu has developed into the highly successful business it is today. The practice’s dedicated staff provides a safe, welcoming environment and
With core values of accessibility, service excellence, quality, and patient education, Commonwealth Dermatology strives to be the premier provider of compassionate, highquality medical and cosmetic skincare services. Commonwealth Dermatology has 12 providers and an incoming Licensed Master Esthetician.
2nd: Complexions Dermatology, Locations in Colonial Heights, Danville ComplexionsDermatology.com, 434-792-0423 3rd: Dermatology Associates of Virginia, Multiple locations DermVa.com, 804-549-4040
Hair Salon or Barber Shop
Locations in Glen Allen, Richmond ScentsOfSerenitySpa.com, 804-277-4498 Scents of Serenity Organic Spa provides guests with the purest luxury spa services and organic products in a tranquil environment. With a recently opened third location in Short Pump featuring 14 treatment rooms, this spa carefully hand-selects each product line and offers popular services like non-surgical facelifts and CBD massages.
2nd: Bombshell Brazilian Waxing & Beauty Lounge, 3 locations in the Richmond area ILoveBombshell.com, 804-342-0051 3rd: Club West Med Spa, Midlothian ClubWestMedSpa.com, 804-897-5297
1st: Bombshell Brazilian Waxing & Beauty Lounge 3 locations in the Richmond area ILoveBombshell.com, 804-342-0051
Bombshell is a full-service salon that offers Brazilian waxing, airbrush tanning, and hair and nail care at three
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ull-service design studio Home accessories & gifts
5726B Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23226 804.288.7000 BeckonHome.com BeckonHomeVA
Full-service design studio Home accessories & gifts
vice design studio Full-service design studio 5726B Patterson Avenue ccessories & gifts VA 23226& gifts Home Richmond, accessories
B Patterson Avenue Owner hmond, Taylor VARaquet, 23226 804.288.7000 eckonHome.com BeckonHomeVA
Taylor Raquet, Owner
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804.288.7000 BeckonHome.com 5726B Patterson Avenue BeckonHomeVA Richmond, VA 23226
804.288.7000 BeckonHome.com BeckonHomeVA
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Best Services HOME
The Providence Hill Real Estate Team.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Architecture Firm 1st: Baskervill 1051 E. Cary St., Suite 200, Richmond Baskervill.com, 804-343-1010 Baskervill provides both architectural and interior design services as well as MEP engineering solutions to a variety of clients, including those in hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, banking, and more. The firm was founded in 1897, making it one of the nation’s oldest continually operating architectural firms. Most recently, Baskervill transformed an old Macy’s department store into the new hub for NOVA of Virginia Aquatics.
2nd: Architectural Partners, Lynchburg ArchitecturalPartners.com, 434-846-8456 3rd: 510 Architects, Richmond 510Architects.com, 804-353-1576
Greenhouse and Nursery
1st: Air Energy Solutions 11010 Trade Rd., Richmond AirEnergySolutions.net, 804-404-2600
VIRGINIA REALTORS PREDICT 2022 home prices will be up 23 percent
over pre-COVID numbers in 2019. “It’s the craziest we’ve seen in our career—we have high demand with all-time inventory lows,” says Dawn vonBechmann, a realtor with Richmond’s Providence Hill Real Estate. “People are working from home, and they’re choosing to leave expensive markets like D.C., New York, and Boston and come to Virginia. Current residents need a different space for a home office or home schooling. We’re also seeing more young professionals staying put, with the restaurant and brewery scene being a big draw.” VirginiaRealtors.com
1st:
Home Furnishings Store
Kitchen and Bath Design Firm
501 Courthouse Rd., Richmond CrossCreekNursery.com, 804-378-0700
1st: Green Front Furniture 316 N. Main St., Farmville GreenFront.com, 434-392-5943
1st: Classic Kitchens of Virginia 12535 Patterson Ave., Richmond ClassicKitchensOfVa.com, 804-784-5075
With its humble beginnings in smalltown Farmville, Green Front now has a big footprint and has emerged as an industry leader in everything for the home. Shop four tobacco warehouses and six downtown storefronts, and browse everything from imported rugs to carpet, gifts, and furniture. Spend the day (or weekend) roaming its one million square feet searching for the perfect find.
While Classic Kitchens of Virginia offers complete custom kitchen design and renovation services, the pros there also specialize in the design and installation of baths, bars, casework, and architectural millwork. Since opening in 1995, the firm’s mission has been to approach each installation systematically in order to make the construction process easier to manage, providing the utmost comfort to the homeowner.
2nd: Classic Furniture, 2 locations in Charlottesville ClassicFurnitureVa.com, 434-973-5146 3rd: Fraîche on the Avenues, Richmond FraicheHome.com, 804-282-4282
2nd: Cornerstone Cabinets & Design, Forest CornerstoneCabinetsAndDesign.com, 434-239-0976 3rd: Cabinet Crafters of Virginia, Locations in Lynchburg, Richmond CabinetCraftersOfVa.com, 804-232-7397
Cross Creek Nursery & Landscaping
A Richmond staple, Cross Creek Nursery & Landscaping is a familyowned and operated business that offers a full-service nursery, landscape design/build service, grounds management, a florist, and interior landscaping. Whether you want to spruce up your landscape or completely redesign it, Cross Creek has everything you need all in one place.
2nd: Strange’s Wholesale Greenhouse & Plants, 2 locations in Richmond Stranges.com, 804-360-2800 3rd: Colesville Nursery, Ashland ColesvilleNursery.com, 804-798-5472
Home Builder 1st: Eagle Construction 10618 Patterson Ave., Henrico EagleOfVa.com, 804-741-4663 photo courtesy of providence hill real estate
Plumbing/ HVAC Company
Eagle Construction has been building homes for Virginians since 1984. With core values of passion, respect, accountability, and commitment, the pros at Eagle pride themselves on the ability to design and build quality custom homes that customers will love for years to come.
2nd: Covenant Building & Design, Richmond BuildingRVA.com, 804-362-9322 3rd: Charlottesville Area Builders CvilleBuilders.com, 434-296-9119
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Interior Design Firm 1st: Bridget Beari
Home Store & Designs
1528 W. Cary St., Richmond BridgetBeariDesigns.com, 804-967-3103
Landscape Design
Air Energy Solutions is the “one-stop shop” for all HVAC services. From installation, to repair, to preventative maintenance, the experts at Air Energy Solutions specialize in AC, heating, and ventilation. Whether your home is a one-room apartment or a huge institutional space, Air Energy Solutions is as adept at fixing small problems as it is at solving those more complicated.
2nd: ARS Rescue Rooter, Chester ARS.com, 804-256-0693 3rd: American Service Company RVA, Midlothian ASCRVA.com, 804-739-4094
Real Estate Firm 1st: Long & Foster Multiple locations LongAndFoster.com, 804-288-8888 Founded with the core values of integrity, innovation, honesty, and good old-fashioned customer service, Long & Foster provides professional and trusted residential real estate services. The firm honors its sales associates and enhances its commitment to excellence with superior training, sophisticated marketing, and state-of-the-art technology, making the real estate process easier for you.
2nd: Joyner Fine Properties, Richmond JoynerFineProperties.com, 804-270-9440 3rd: Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville Real Estate, 3 locations in Richmond SRMFRE.com, 804-288-2100
Retirement Community
Nursery & Landscaping
1st: Covenant Woods 7090 Covenant Woods Dr., Mechanicsville CovenantWoods.com, 804-569-8000
A Richmond staple, Cross Creek Nursery & Landscaping is a family-owned and operated business that offers a full-service nursery, landscape design/ build service, grounds management, a florist, and interior landscaping. Whether you want to spruce up your landscape or completely redesign it, Cross Creek has everything you need.
Covenant Woods is a non-for-profit continuing care retirement community with over 90 acres of landscaped trails, ponds, gardens, and more. Independent and assisted living residents have access to four dining venues, a library, day spa, pool, woodworking studio, and plenty of other amenities. Covenant Woods sits quietly in Hanover County but is just a short drive from Richmond.
1st: Cross Creek
Founder Susan Jamieson launched Bridget Beari in 1992 and has since built a substantial portfolio of both residential and commercial designs. She has completed such projects as historic restorations and modern Mexican retreats, which showcase her ability to work with a variety of styles. The Bridget Beari Home Store opened in 2018 and sells art, accessories, furniture, and more.
501 Courthouse Rd., Richmond CrossCreekNursery.com, 804-378-0700
2nd: Beaty & Brown, Richmond BeatyAndBrown.com, 804-673-7001 3rd: Beckon Home, Richmond BeckonHome.com, 804-288-7000
2nd: Commonwealth Curb Appeal, Midlothian CommonwealthCurbAppeal.com, 804-414-8772 3rd: Chiles Enterprises, Louisa ChilesEnterprises.net, 540-894-6432
2nd: Cedarfield, Richmond Cedarfield.org, 804-474-8800 3rd: Chancellor’s Village, Fredericksburg Chancellors-Village.com, 540-296-2986
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CUE THE CONFETTI
We are honored to be named one of Virginia Living’s top orthodontic offices. At Bates Orthodontics, we bring smiles to life and truly believe a great smile can change a life. We would love to help you reach your smile goals.
BATESBRACES.COM | (804) 934-9292
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Best Services SERVICES Accounting Firm 1st: Cherry Bekaert 200 S. 10th St., Suite 900, Richmond CBH.com, 804-673-5700 As one of the largest certified public accounting firm in the Southeast, Cherry Bekaert works with clients all over the world. Approaching every challenge with a “client-first” mindset, the experts at Cherry Bekaert are committed to creating “shared success” through teamwork, energy, and expertise. More than 1,350 professionals in 10 states can help with all of your accounting needs.
2nd: Adams, Jenkins & Cheatham, Midlothian AJCCPAs.com, 804-323-1313 3rd: Blair & Associates, Richmond BlairCPARVA.com, 804-740-9641
Auction Company 1st: Cannon’s Online Auctions 9125 W. Broad St., Richmond CannonsAuctions.com, 804-325-8598 Cannon’s Auctions specializes in estate sales, online estate auctions, personal property sales, and liquidations and accepts all manner of items for auction—from books to furniture, jewelry, and antiques. With a competitive commission structure, Cannon’s Auctions will work closely with you for a tailored experience.
Bank/Credit Union
Car Wash
1st: Virginia Credit Union Multiple locations VaCU.org, 804-323-6800
1st: Car Pool Multiple locations CarPoolCarWashes.com, 804-726-5405
Virginia Credit Union was founded in 1928 and now has multiple branches across the state. The company describes itself as being “in the business of confidence,” meaning that they strive to give each client confidence in all of their financial decisions. With Virginia Credit Union, you and your finances are in safe hands.
Car Pool has been serving the Richmond area since 1977 and now has eight locations, six of which are full-service, and one of which is a professional full-service detailing shop. Their philosophy centers around courtesy, speed, quality, and value. One visit to Car Pool and your car will look brand new.
2nd: Atlantic Union Bank, Multiple locations AtlanticUnionBank.com, 800-990-4828 3rd: Call Federal Credit Union, 8 locations in the Richmond area CallFederal.org, 804-274-1200
2nd: Flagstop Car Wash, Multiple locations FlagstopCarWash.com, 804-782-9274 3rd: Hogwash, 2 locations in Richmond HogWashRVA.com, 804-718-0444
Car Dealer
1st: Cater 2 Events 8528 Patterson Ave., Henrico Cater2Events.com, 804-269-0359
1st: CarMax Multiple locations CarMax.com, 800-519-1511 Since opening its first store in Richmond in 1993, CarMax now has over 220 locations nationwide. As the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, CarMax provides customers with a personalized, on-demand, and accessible experience that allows everyone to shop on their own terms, whenever and wherever it’s most convenient.
2nd: Colonial Honda, South Chesterfield CMASColonialHonda.com, 804-414-1998 3rd: CarLotz, Midlothian CarLotz.com, 804-404-8573
Caterer
Chef Lona Crittenden went from hosting children’s charity events to running a full-scale boutique catering business that now caters weddings, corporate events, and more. With plenty of sample menus to get you started, Cater 2 Events will factor in your tastes and needs to create the perfect menu for your event.
2nd: Exchange Events + Catering, Gordonsville BBQEx.com, 540-832-0227 3rd: Avenue Foods Catering, Lynchburg AvenueFoods.net, 434-845-2692
2nd: Commonwealth Auctions, Chesterfield CommonwealthAuctionsOfVa.com, 804-399-4323 3rd: Attic to Auction, Midlothian AtticToAuction.com, 804-513-8232
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Financial Planning Firm 1st: King, Baughman & Associates 1021 E. Cary St., Suite 1001, Richmond AmeripriseAdvisors.com, 804-747-1214 King, Baughman & Associates is an Ameriprise financial advisory firm with a team dedicated to instilling client confidence and the power to be in control of your financial life. The firm’s main areas of focus are retirement planning strategies, investment management, and saving for education. If you’re seeking one-toone financial advice, look no further.
2nd: Agili, Richmond AgiliPersonalCFO.com, 804-358-2702 3rd: Anchor Financial Group, Locations in Charlottesville, Midlothian Anchor-Financial.com, 804-673-9070
Funeral Home 1st: Bliley’s 3 locations in Richmond Blileys.com, 804-355-3800 Bliley’s has served the Richmond community since 1874. With a staff that are experts in family support, event planning, grief resources, and funeral customs and rituals, you can rest easy knowing your loved one is never without care. Bliley’s features the only cremation center in RVA that allows families to hold a service and/or stay throughout the process.
2nd: Bennett Funeral Homes, 4 locations in the Richmond area BennettFuneralHomes.com, 804-359-4481 3rd: Woody Funeral Homes, Locations in Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Richmond DignityMemorial.com, 800-343-4464
Carrie Walker
photo courtesy of richmond creative counseling. photo by drazen zigic
Law Firm 1st: Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen Multiple locations AllenAndAllen.com, 866-895-5713
Virtually Healthy
Health professionals supply growing demand through telemedicine. Virginia’s health care providers have turned to telemedicine to provide patients with safe, accessible care. “Telehealth appointments have been a game-changer,” says Carrie Walker, therapist and owner of Richmond Creative Counseling, who notes that telemedicine has allowed her
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practice to continue mental health services during the pandemic. “Clients can access services during spikes.” And, Walker notes, telehealth gives patients in rural areas and parents caring for children at home much needed access to care. According to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, telemedicine is especially effective for prescription management, lab or x-ray results, skin conditions, postsurgical follow-ups, and mental health visits. RichmondCreativeCounseling.com, Telehealth.HHS.gov
Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is a personal injury law practice with over 100 years of experience. Founded in 1910, the generations of the Allen family have worked to establish the firm as an authority in providing quality legal assistance to injured persons and as an altruistic cornerstone for the communities they serve.
2nd: McGuireWoods, Richmond McGuireWoods.com, 804-775-1000 3rd: Williams Mullen, Locations in Charlottesville, Richmond WilliamsMullen.com, 804-420-6000
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THANK
YOU
VIRGINIA
As the region's only Dental Spa, we are elated to be included as a winner in this years Best of Virginia Awards. If you haven't yet given our elevated patient experience a try, we invite you to visit one of our practice locations in the Richmond Metro area - including our newest office located in Libbie Mill opening Fall 2022. Your dental health is important, and you deserve to enjoy your regular dental visits. Call, text, or go online to book. RICHMOND 7820 Shrader Road | Richmond VA | 23294 SHORT PUMP 3400 Haydenpark Lane Suite 203| Henrico VA | 23233 MIDLOTHIAN
14261 Winterview Parkway | Midlothian VA | 23113 COMING SOON - LIBBIE MILL
5001 Libbie Mill East Blvd. Suite 130 | Richmond VA | 23230 RIVER RUN DENT A L | 8 0 4 . 2 6 2 . 1 0 6 0 | R I V E R R U N D E N T A L S P A . C O M
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Best Shopping Antiques 1st: West End Antiques Mall 2004 Staples Mill Rd., Richmond WestEndAntiqueMall.com, 804-359-1600
1st: Chop Suey Books 2913 W. Cary St., Richmond ChopSueyBooks.com, 804-422-8066
West End Antiques Mall has consistently been voted Richmond’s best vintage retailer. With over 250 vendor booths and an ever-changing inventory, customers will find new treasures with every visit to the 53,000 square feet of shopping space. With styles ranging from mid-century modern to Virginia Colonial, industrial to rustic, West End has pieces for all antiquers.
This charming and locally owned bookstore stocks nearly 50,000 new and gently used titles on topics from art to philosophy. Located in the heart of Carytown, Chop Suey is legendary, receiving glowing reviews from the New York Times for it’s “little bit of everything” vibe. Ward Tefft, its original owner, recently sold the business— fortunately to longtime customers who have no plans for drastic changes. Thankfully, WonTon, the store’s feline mascot, will stick around.
2nd: Class & Trash, Locations in Glen Allen, Richmond ClassAndTrash.com, 804-798-0567 3rd: RVA Antiques, Henrico RAVAntiquesAndHomeDecor.com, 804-716-4388
photos (from left) by adrian lorenzoni / courtesy of ragged mountain running shop, courtesy of appomattox river company
Book Store
2nd: Fountain Bookstore, Richmond FountainBookstore.com, 804-788-1594 3rd: Little Dickens & Givens Books, Lynchburg GivensBooks.com, 434-385-5027
Consignment Shop 1st: Clementine 3118 W. Cary St., Richmond ShopClementineRVA.com, 804-358-2357 Clementine has offered contemporary and designer fashion on consignment to the Richmond area for nearly two decades. Selecting every item by hand for quality and style, the staff is dedicated to offering customers a curated collection of unique clothes, shoes, and accessories. Both in-store and online, you’re sure to find something fresh and unexpected every time.
2nd: Revival Consignment, Richmond RevivalConsignment.com, 804-750-2200 3rd: Ashby, Richmond ShopAshbyRVA.com, 804-377-3010
Exercise smarter thanks to these Virginia outfitters. With spring comes the familiar itch to get outside, hike some trails, or paddle a kayak. And outdoor outfitters can set you up with the right gear. If getting out on the water is on your to-do list, check out the world of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards at Appomattox River Company in Farmville. The store offers one of the state’s most extensive inventories, with equipment for customers of all skill levels. It’s a one-stop shop with apparel and accessories. You can even find a life vest for your dog. In Fredericksburg, River Rock Outfitter carries popular clothing brands like Kuhl, Patagonia, Mountain Khakis, and Prana, along with backpacks from Osprey, climbing
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gear from Black Diamond, and Big Agnes tents and sleeping bags. New is River Rock’s Reboot Consignment Program. It’s been a lifesaver—for the store and its customers—during recent supply chain challenges. If you’re ready to replace gently used camping tents, backpacks, hiking boots, and clothing, you can declutter while earning some cash to spend on upgrading your gear. Prefer to hit the running—or walking— trails? When Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni opened Ragged Mountain Running Shop in Charlottesville in 1982, running was king, their primary customers were young men in their 20s, and running shoes set you back 30 bucks a pair. Walking for fitness was still
Fine Jewelry Store 1st: Schwarzschild Jewelers Multiple Locations Schwarzschild.com, 804-355-2136 Schwarzschild Jewelers was founded in the 1890s, when Richmond served as a hub for four major railroads. A watchmaking business was born, crafting timepieces essential for railroad workers to keep trains on time. Since then, Schwarzschild has evolved into a full-service jeweler, offering extensive shopping options, jewelry and watch repair, custom designs, and appraisals.
2nd: Lustre by Adolf, Henrico HaveLustre.com, 804-285-3671 3rd: Fink’s Jewelers, Locations in Charlottesville, Forest, Richmond Finks.com, 540-344-8697
On the James River in Fluvanna County with equipment from Appomattox River Company.
Get Outside
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
in the closet, the Cinderella of the not-quiteburgeoning health and wellness movement. “It’s been an incredible evolution,” says Mark, who notes that, since walking has emerged as a bonafide sport with tangible health benefits, a full half of Ragged
Mountain’s customers are walkers. Most are in their mid-50s and half are women. “During the pandemic, people really seemed to make the connection between getting outside and improved mental health,” he adds. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll in a park or a vigorous run, being in nature can be beneficial. Shoes now run $120-$160 a pair. Familiar brands include Brooks, Asics, and Saucony, and the newer kids on the block like Altra, Hoka, On, and Topo. The store amended its name to reflect a changing demographic: it’s now Ragged Mountain Running & Walking Shop. Company culture discourages customers from saying “I’m ‘just’ a walker.” Mark recalls advice his father once shared: “Treat people like you want them to come back.” Sticking to that guiding principle, which permeates Ragged Mountain’s customer-focus vibe, has worked. By inspiring intense customer loyalty, multi generations of families have become faithful patrons. PaddleVa.com, RiverRockOutfitter.com, RaggedMountainRunning.com
The Ragged Mountain Running Shop family (from left): Alec and Cynthia Lorenzoni, Audrey Sackson, and Mark Lorenzoni.
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VOTED ONE OF THE BEST GIFT STORES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Thank you!
Our sincere thanks to all for voting Tweed one of the Best of Gift Stores in Central Virginia. We believe there are no ordinary moments and that life is a special gift to be celebrated and shared. So we pause to share this moment and celebrate our wonderful customers who have supported us through the years.
Thank you!
discover. celebrate. share. Visit us at 4035 Lauderdale Drive near Short Pump Town Center. Or online at tweedathome.com MUD PIE • SCOUT BAGS • SWIG • YETI • ENEWTON • NORA FLEMING • SMATHERS & BRANSON • KEVA BRUMATE • O-VENTURE • TYLER BOE • JELLY CAT • PURA VIDA • SPONGELLE • LOCAL RVA PRODUCTS
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Best Shopping CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Instant Re-decorating
Bypass the supply chain with Revival’s consignment finds. You’ve been looking for months and finally, you find the perfect sofa. Then comes the soul-crushing news: you’ll wait 26-weeks for delivery. “Supply chain” was never much of a concern, let alone part of your vocabulary.
Florist Shop
photo courtesy of revival home furnishings consignment
1st: Coleman Brothers Flowers 2104 Dumbarton Rd., Richmond ColemanFlowers.com, 804-262-8681 Coleman Brothers Flowers has been family owned and operated since 1971. Offering seasonal arrangements for birthdays, anniversaires, new babies, weddings, and every occasion in between, Coleman has you covered. Same-day delivery is available in the Richmond area, as well as delivery services to nearby hospitals, funeral homes, nursing homes, and wedding venues, to ensure your sweet-smelling sentiments arrive efficiently.
2nd: Strange’s Wholesale Greenhouse & Plants, 2 locations in Richmond Stranges.com, 804-360-2800 3rd: Vogue Flowers, Locations in Ashland, Chester, Richmond VogueFlowers.com, 804-353-9600
Gift Store 1st: Mongrel 2924 W. Cary St., Richmond MongrelRVA.com, 804-342-1272 A stroll through Mongrel is almost a guarantee that a) you’ll find something
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Until now. If you’re ready to redecorate but have been stymied by long, painful lead times, home décor consignment stores can help you refresh right now. “Manufacturers are
more backed up than ever,” says Whitney O’Connor, the owner of Revival Home Furnishings Consignment in Richmond’s Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. “In shopping local consignment stores like ours, at least when you find the sofa or dining table you have been looking for, you can take it home that same day or have it delivered.” Let’s be clear: these aren’t college-grade
attention as well as a vast array of menswear brands, from sartorial business clothing to modern sportswear, outerwear, shoes, and more.
you can’t live without, and b) you’ll hear laughing out loud, mostly coming from customers browsing its always funny and sometimes racey collection of greeting cards. Filled with uncommon gifts for home, mind, body, and soul, Mongrel is a visual feast. There’s even a special section for Fido. Do yourself a favor and don’t rush. Savor every shelf, every detail, and every nook and cranny of this shopping destination.
2nd: Peter Blair Accessories, Richmond PeterBlair.com, 804-288-8123 3rd: Ledbury, Richmond Ledbury.com, 804-793-8569
2nd: Tweed, Richmond TweedAtHome.com, 804-249-3900 3rd: Tinker’s, Richmond TinkerAndCompany.com, 804-359-3301
1st: Green Top Sporting Goods 10150 Lakeridge Pkwy., Ashland GreenTopHuntFish.com, 804-550-2188
[Editor’s note: At press time, we received news that Tinker’s is closing after 34 years. Its furniture restoration business, Tinker & Company, remains open.]
Men’s Clothing Store 1st: Franco’s Fine Clothier 2 locations in Richmond Francos.com, 804-264-2994 Founder Franco Ambrogi has earned a reputation as one of Richmond’s finest tailors, known for his expertise, craftsmanship, and friendly disposition. This men’s clothing store, long a fixture on Richmond’s fashion scene, provides customers with personalized
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter
The pros at Green Top love the outdoors as much as their customers, and they’re known for equipping sporting enthusiasts of all levels with the proper gear to guarantee a memorable season. Green Top offers quality equipment and apparel for hunting, fishing, boating, and more. For diehard fans, scope out Green Top’s Outdoors Podcast, launched last year.
castoffs. Revival carries upscale furniture including upholstered chairs, sofas, and headboards; handwoven rugs, original art, antiques, lighting, mirrors, and designer décor. “Our shoppers take pride in their homes and the spaces they create,” O’Connor says, noting that her customers include, “anyone looking for that special piece to round out their space.” Need help knowing which pieces will work in your home? “We’re always happy to look at someone’s photos and make suggestions,” says O’Connor. The artfully staged store is also chock full of inspiration. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for on your first visit, go back; the restyling surge works in your favor. “We turn 90 percent of our inventory in 45 days,” says O’Connor. “It’s never the same store twice; items move incredibly fast.” What should you do with your old pieces after the refresh? If they’re clean and functional, but aren’t suitable for consignment, consider donating them to the Caritas Furniture Bank in Richmond, which helps people who are rebuilding their lives furnish their homes. RevivalConsignment.com, CaritasVa.org/Programs/Furniture-Bank
Women’s Clothing Store 1st: Levys 5807 Grove Ave., Richmond Facebook: @LevysRichmond, 804-673-0177 Levy’s has been a fixture “On the Avenues” for more than 30 years. This third-generation family boutique, with its roots in Charlottesville, brings accessible fashion and upscale brands to Richmond’s dynamic Grove & Libbie neighborhood. With a reputation for superior customer service and a pledge to help customers find just the right look, Levys remains a favorite among its fashion-forward clientele.
2nd: Hite’s Clothing, Clarksville HitesClothing.com, 434-374-5914 3rd: For Posh Sake, Hanover ForPoshSake.com, 804-569-2713
2nd: Disco Sports, Richmond DiscoSports.com, 804-285-4242 3rd: Dance’s Sporting Goods, Colonial Heights DancesSportingGoods.com, 804-526-8399
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Nestled on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Cape Charles packs an enormous amount of charm into a compact, pedestrian-friendly area. This picturesque town is one of 28 Virginia Main Street communities, boasting 24 of this year’s Best of Virginia reader’s survey winners ranging from restaurants and shops to unique attractions that you’ll only find on this little slice of the Shore. Here’s your guide to an introductory weekend that hits all the highlights, but be warned: You’re guaranteed to want to extend your stay. Start your day with a stroll to , a lofty space located in a former bank building. Pro tip: If you’re staying in Cape Charles’ compact historic district, you’re always an easy walk, bike ride, or golf cart ride away from most of the town’s attractions. Grab a seat on the restaurant’s sidewalk for some people-watching while you sip your coffee (or a mimosa) and tuck into a stack of pancakes or a hearty breakfast burrito. After breakfast, head down to the iconic for an obligatory photo before settling in for a relaxing afternoon on the , beloved for its soft white sand and gentle Chesapeake Bay waters. Prefer to stay active? Pick up some bait — along with any other beach gear you may need — at , then grab a spot on the free town fishing pier to see what’s biting. Pop into a few of the shops on Mason Avenue to pick up souvenirs. You’ll find one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry, including pieces made from glistening fish leather, at has made Virginia Living’s Best Of list six years in a row thanks to its carefully curated, gently used clothing and accessories. And is so much more than a floral shop. They stock a wide array of personal care products including unique items like smudge bundles and crystals and there’s a fun DIY terrarium bar! Once you’ve built up an appetite, head to this year’s Best Italian Restaurant winner , where you can sip on a variety of wine flights while dining on authentic Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. If your so inclined you might take a stroll down the block to catch a great live performance of music or a play at the (also home to Experimental Film Virginia). End your evening on a sweet note with a stop at local favorite . This popular spot tends to draw a long line, but it’s worth the wait for flavors like banana pudding and pistachio apricot. If you’d rather not linger, order some fresh fudge to-go at this year’s Best Chocolatier .
Snap a selfie in front of the photogenic , housed in a former Pur Oil filling station, before heading inside for a cup of local ESCR coffee and a browse through their selection of new and gently used books. Depending on your interests, you might venture out for a day trip to Kiptopeke State Park, a great place to explore unique migratory bird habitats, or enjoy exploring the 5.1 miles of hiking and biking trails. If a glass of wine in a lovely outdoor setting is more your speed, take a short drive up the road to the reader’s pick for Best Winery to sample some local wine and a charcuterie board. On your way back into town, stop at for lunch and a pint at a picnic table under the trees or around the fire pit — their rockfish sandwich is always a solid pick. Swing into to buy supplies for a sunset picnic on the beach — and if you time it right, you may get to sample some wine during one of their regular tasting events. Once the sun goes down, drop into to try one of their adventurous flavors like Strawberry Rhubarb or Coffee Maplewood. If you prefer your drinks on the stronger side, has an extensive cocktail menu featuring handcrafted vodkas, gins and whiskeys you can enjoy in a South Beach-style outdoor lounge area.
Whether you’re traveling with family or enjoying a romantic escape, Cape Charles offers lodging options for every type of visitor. The , a hotel for more than 100 years, has been reimagined in a contemporary living design that boasts harbor views from private glass balconies located in the heart of Mason Avenue. Their welcome mat is open to all types, they even have some dog friendly rooms! For a more traditional vibe, you can relax, rejuvenate and restore while taking a step back in time when you book a room at the . It is known for its indulgent breakfasts, lovingly tended gardens and incredibly attentive innkeepers who can help you make the most of your stay. If the great outdoors is more your style, , has over 300 acres of natural waterfront with breathtaking sunsets, wildlife, and enough onsite activities to keep your entire family busy. Traveling with a bigger group? There are plenty of vacation home rentals available to rent — just be sure to book early, because the secret is out about Cape Charles. Check out another winner, who can help you find the perfect place to call home (or a second home) when you find that a weekend just isn’t enough! Visit www.CapeCharlesVirginiasCape.com for more info on things to do and upcoming events. Congratulations to our other Best of Virginia Winners, 2022:
www.capecharlesvirginiascape.com
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HISTORY MEETS THE WATERFRONT in the Eastern region. Here, we have the legendary Historic Triangle—Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown—all within a 30-minute drive. Farthest afield, the Eastern Shore boasts the longest stretch of remaining wild coastline on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Stop by the Barrier Island Center in Machipongo or visit the Captain Timothy Hill House in Chincoteague, the oldest home on the Eastern Shore. Car-less Tangier Island, the “soft crab capital,” is only accessible by boat, ferry, or air. Cape Charles and Onancock are full of charming inns, restaurants, and galleries perfect for exploring. The Eastern region, home to blue crabs and oysters galore, is a magnet for beachgoers and river lovers alike.
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ADVENTUREINSPIRED.
See what’s new in Hampton this Summer! Experience the launching of the Hampton Queen, Hampton Road’s newest harbor tour, including breathtaking views of Fort Monroe and Norfolk Naval Base. Enjoy delicious fare in the area, savoring the moment and the flavors with the new Taste of Hampton mobile passport, with discounts and prizes for visits to some of the region’s best restaurants. Exciting attractions such as the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, Hampton History Museum, and beautiful waterfront walking trails complete your adventure that’s inspi inspired from the sea to the stars.
PLAN YOUR TRIP. 800.800.2202 VisitHampton.com
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EASTERN VIRGINIA CITIES: - Chesapeake - Franklin - Hampton - Newport News - Norfolk
- Poquoson - Portsmouth - Suffolk - Virginia Beach - Williamsburg
COUNTIES:
On the water with Sail & Surf Adventures. Below right: Clay Dingledine.
- Accomack - Charles City - Essex - Gloucester - Isle of Wight - James City - King and Queen - King George - King William - Lancaster - Mathews
- Middlesex - New Kent - Northampton - Northumberland - Prince George - Richmond - Southampton - Surry - Sussex - Westmoreland - York
Life On The Waterfront
photos by stephanie dee photography
I
F THE SECRET OF SUCCESS is in loving what
you do, Captain Clay Dingledine has hit on the right formula. He launched his Sail & Surf Adventure cruises in 2020 to share his love of sailing. His sunset cruises and day sails— which launch from Irvington on his 36-foot sloop, Galene—caught on quickly. “The coastal Virginia waters offer this special magical scenery, and it shouldn’t only be the people who own boats who get to experience that,” he says, adding, “I get a lot of people who have never been on a sailboat.” Also in Irvington, The Tides Inn wins— again!—in both the resort and hotel categories. This year, the waterfront destination celebrates its 75th year with updated room decor, a maker’s space with art classes, the Chesapeake Gold oyster experience, and more. For a cozier experience, voters gave an enthusiastic nod to the Bay Haven Inn in Cape Charles, which ranks Number 1 this year in the Bed & Breakfast category. Renowned for its laid-back vibe and a standout, all-homemade breakfast spread, Bay Haven is quintessential Eastern Shore.
Marinas are hotspots along Virginia’s coast and often feature some of the best food, craft cocktails, and waterfront views anywhere. Tidewater Yacht Marina, recognized as one of the Southern Bay’s best resort marinas, is in the heart of Portsmouth’s Olde Town District. It’s poised within walking distance of the area’s many museums, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Old Harbor Market. It's also widely praised for its fabulous Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar and Grill restaurant, which offers a variety of delicious comfort food. To celebrate Virginia seafood, look no further than the Urbanna Oyster Festival, held annually in this picturesque Tidewater town. With food trucks, an antique car show, live music, and oysters galore, it’s no wonder it wins top billing in our Best Festival category. For the best family entertainment—maybe anywhere—Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the winner in Best Tourist Attraction. It’s like a trip to Europe without the jet lag. Epic rides and Broadway-style shows make this amusement park a cut above.
The coastal Virginia waters offer this special magical scenery, and you don’t have to own your own boat to experience it.” —Captain Clay Dingledine, Sail & Surf Adventures
BEST OF VIRGINIA CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Food & Drink
Best Living & Recreation
pg. 57 Restaurants pg. 61 Food Shopping pg. 63 Drink
pg. 66 Entertainment & Events pg. 67 Pets pg. 67 Kids pg. 69 Travel pg. 71 Outdoors & Active
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Best Services pg. 73 pg. 75 pg. 77 pg. 79
Health Beauty Home Services
Best Shopping pg. 81
Winners begin on pg. 57
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Thank You for making us a Virginia tradition for over 50 years!
Visit our website for merchandise and catering information.
447 East Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188
order at pierces.com | 757-565-2955 BOV_2022.indd 56
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS Asian Restaurant 1st: Bangkok Noi Thai Cuisine 6724 Main St., Gloucester BangkokNoiThaiCuisine.com, 804-695-1177 Bangkok Noi, the area’s go-to restaurant for delicious Thai food, has been a fixture in Gloucester for more than 15 years. The menu is extensive, with Thai mainstays and superior sushi. Daily specials often involve local, dock-fresh seafood and are the reasons why this restaurant gets top accolades year after year.
2nd: Chao Phraya Thai and Sushi Grill, Kilmarnock ChaoPhrayaThaiAndSushiGrille.com, 804-577-4261 3rd: Great Fortune Chinese Restaurant, Kilmarnock GreatFortuneChinese.com, 804-435-6333
Barbecue Restaurant 1st: Scoot’s BBQ 2091 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Gloucester Point ScootsBBQ.com, 804-993-7063 This family-owned barbecue restaurant is known for their pit-cooked meats, smoked “low and slow” with hickory and oak woods. Located in Gloucester Point, Scoot’s BBQ offers outdoor and online ordering. The Texas Trio is a must-try: fork-tender Texas-style brisket, savory pulled pork, and a quarter-rack of St. Louis ribs.
2nd: Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, Williamsburg Pierces.com, 757-565-2955 3rd: Northern Neck BBQ at The Barn, Montross NNkBBQ.com
Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Car Wash Café & Catering 481 North Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @CarWashCafeVa, 804-435-0405
1st: Aromas Specialty Coffees & Gourmet Bakery
Car Wash Cafe & Catering gets its name from the building’s origins as a convenience store with an attached car wash. Since its reopening in 2005, it’s been a gathering place for friends and family to meet for home-cooked meals. Customer favorites include blueberry pancakes and Chesapeake Bay eggs Benedict with fresh crab meat for breakfast, and extensive seafood-studded lunch options.
2nd: Olivia’s in the Village, Gloucester OliviasInTheVillage.com, 804-694-0057 3rd: Java Jacks Cafe, Tappahannock Facebook: @JavaJacksCafe, 804-443-5225
Burger Joint 1st: NN Burger Locations in Kilmarnock, Tappahannock NNBurger.com, 804-925-6100 NN Burger provides an experience that’s not just the best—it’s legendary. The team does not disappoint, serving fresh, high-quality beef from Schweid & Sons, fresh-baked brioche buns, and delectable burgers prepared in-house daily. Don’t forget to complete your meal with a Freakshake. They come with all kinds of decadently freakedout toppings—think donuts, chocolate cake, and cotton candy—making summertime stops at NN Burger a must.
2nd: Craft 31, Williamsburg Craft-31.com, 757-378-3268 3rd: Corner Bar & Grill, Lively 804-462-0110
Spirits on Wheels
photo courtesy of the tides inn
Tricked out mobile cocktail carts are all the rage.
Imagine a Volkswagon Bug and a Vespa had a baby. And loved to drink. And got a state-of-the-art makeover. Dream no more: A wave of customized bars on wheels have taken Coastal Virginia’s mobile bar scene by storm. From ‘50s-style camper vans to horse trailers, even three-wheelers imported from Italy, these moveable cocktail carts are perfect for parties and events large and small. Cleverly customized with bar counters and wines-on-tap, they also offer craft beers, prosecco, and cocktails. Enjoy drinks courtesy of “Rosie,” the vintage beer cart that lives at The Tides Inn; other outfits rent their portable bars that come with all the fixins—from multiple taps and mixers to glassware and barkeeps. GetCozyBars.com, ClinkMobileBar.com, CoastalCocktailCart.com, TheTidesInn.com
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431 Prince George St., Williamsburg AromasWorld.com, 757-221-6676
This fast-casual coffeehouse cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a strong emphasis on healthy items, fine teas, and fresh roasted coffees. In a cozy, pet-friendly environment, Aromas offers delicious, nutritional food at affordable prices. Box lunches and sandwich trays are available, along with homemade bakery items, salads, and sandwiches.
2nd: Front Porch Coffeehouse, Kilmarnock FrontPorchCoffeehouse.com, 804-577-4103 3rd: Cape Charles Coffee House CapeCharlesCoffeeHouse.com, 757-331-1880
Fine Dining 1st: Relish Restaurant and Wine Bar 115 Main St., Warsaw RelishNNk.com, 804-761-6727 Ingredients at Relish are sourced daily, and the inspired menu can change as frequently. It’s a sure bet that soft shell crab lollipops are delectable, and fresh yellowfin tuna with honey wasabi butter, ponzu, and pineapplemango salsa is also a winner. The menu acknowledges local suppliers—the watermen, farmers, and producers— who help make this Northern Neck restaurant a standout.
2nd: Adrift, White Stone AdriftVa.com, 804-577-4188 3rd: Le Yaca French Restaurant, Williamsburg LeYacaWilliamsburg.com, 757-500-4773
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Food Truck 1st: Terrie’s Place 469 N. Main St., Kilmarnock Terries-Place.edan.io, 804-435-0400 “Boy can this lady cook!” sums up online reviews of Terrie’s Place, a standout in the food truck scene. It’s a fast food joint on wheels that’s won legions of fans for its consistent quality. “World class” chicken salad and fresh crab cakes join staples like burgers and fries. A chalkboard lists Terrie’s daily specials—all guaranteed to sell out.
2nd: Coastal Thirst, Gloucester CoastalThirst.com, 804-815-2506 3rd: A Bite of Maine, Virginia Beach ABiteOfMaine.com, 757-352-0268
Ice Cream Shop 1st: Short Lane Ice Cream Co. 6721 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Gloucester Facebook: @ShortLaneIceCream100, 804-695-2999 This family-owned ice cream shop uses fresh cream to create a wide range of delicious flavors ranging from the classics—like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—to unique varieties like avocado and honey lavender. Choices change frequently, and the staff welcomes any new flavor suggestions.
2nd: Brown Dog Ice Cream, Cape Charles BrownDogIceCream.com, 757-695-3868 3rd: Stevie’s Ice Cream, Kilmarnock Facebook: @SteviesIceCream, 804-435-2252
Indian Restaurant 1st: Amiraj ~ Modern Indian Kitchen 204 Monticello Ave., Williamsburg Amiraj.com, 757-565-3200
From the owners of Nawab, Amiraj is a short drive from Colonial Williamsburg. This restaurant’s chef is all about flavor and creativity, with contemporary entrées like coconut seared scallops, and ingredients like mango powder, ancho chile dust, and iris water. If you are looking for something more traditional, their classics and specialties are always a hit.
2nd: Spice Palace Indian Restaurant, Williamsburg IndianSpicePalace.com, 757-220-3030 3rd: Aago Indian/Nepalese Restaurant, Newport News AagoRestaurant.com, 757-873-3529
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Inspired
by �adition detailed for mod�n Living
ts and community for n e i cl r ou o t your nks a h t supp ny a ort M STROUD ARCHITECT + AOCITE PLLC www.StroudArchitects.com 804.699.1015 6558 Main Street, Suite 1A Gloucester, Virginia
L ICENSED
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IN
VA#014036 NC#14505 FL#AR101326
RCHITECTURE + DEIGN + HITORIC PREERVTION 4/21/22 3:02 PM
Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS EASTERN VIRGINIA
Italian Restaurant 1st: Tony & Milena’s Pizzeria 2364 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes TonyAndMilenas.com, 804-684-0708
Seafood Restaurant 1st: Bubba’s Shrimp Shack Multiple locations BubbasShrimpShack.com, 804-684-5428
Started by a family from Sicily, Tony and Milena’s opened on Route 17 near Gloucester Point in 2007. The menu brings the food of their home country to fans of Italian cuisine and offers delicious entrees like Veal Sorrentino and a selection of pizzas in a variety of styles—New York, traditional, or European. Home delivery is now available.
Bubba’s brings you mouthwatering seafood and sides—all caught fresh and handcrafted in house. Menu items include fish and shrimp baskets, as well as catfish, flounder, and shrimp sold by the pound. No one can beat their signature sauce, so don’t forget to bring a hearty appetite.
2nd: Angelo’s Seafood & Steamer Bar, Montross Angelos.Rocks, 804-493-8694 3rd: Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca, Cape Charles AmbrogiaCC.com, 757-607-3026
2nd: Surf Rider Grill, Multiple locations SurfRiderRestaurant.com, 757-216-7550 3rd: Merroir, Topping RROysters.com, 804-758-2871
Steakhouse
Mexican Restaurant 1st: Los Portales Mexican
Restaurant
Fried fish sandwich from Bubba’s Shrimp Shack in Tappahannock.
Locations in Callao, Gloucester, Tappahannock LosPortalesTapp.com, 804-443-0132 Family owned and operated since in 2006, Los Portales has become an Eastern Virginia favorite for lunch and dinner with authentic, made-fromscratch Mexican cuisine. Specializing in delicious favorites like gorditas and fajitas, Los Portales now offers outdoor seating at their Callao and Tappahannock locations.
2nd: Don Valerio’s, Locations in Eastville, Onley DonValeriosMexicanRestaurant.com, 757-789-5226 3rd: Juan’s Mexican Cafe and Cantina, Locations in Hampton, Hayes, Newport News JuansCafeAndCantina.com, 804-642-5401
Outdoor Dining
photo courtesy of bubba’s shrimp shack
1st: Merroir 784 Locklies Creek Rd., Topping RROysters.com, 804-758-2871 Known as Rappahannock Oyster Co.’s “tasting room” on the banks of the Rappahannock River, Merroir offers delicious small-plate-style cuisine that is singularly focused, seasonal, and ever-changing. Paired with craft brews and world-famous wines, each menu item is prepared raw or cooked on an outdoor grill, ensuring fresh and exciting choices for everyone.
2nd: York River Oyster Company Coastal Bar & Grill, Gloucester Point YROCBarAndGrill.com, 804-792-1511 3rd: Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill, Gwynn’s Island HoleInTheWallWaterfrontGrill.com, 804-505-1005
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Hooked on Seafood
Virginians crave Bubba’s Shrimp Shack. With five locations in Coastal Virginia, Bubba’s Shrimp Shack knows seafood. Its outposts in Gloucester, Grafton, Urbanna, Virginia Beach, and Tappahannock are popular spots for locals and tourists alike. The old-fashioned, shack-style menu features rockfish sandwiches, she-crab soup, fried shrimp, crab cakes, and more. If you can’t decide, go full sail for the Captain’s Basket, including a sampling of favorites with golden hushpuppies and two sides—the mac ’n’ cheese and fried okra are made in-house. Don’t forget to ask for their signature sauce for its perfect tangy goodness. BubbasShrimpShack.com
Pizzeria
Sandwich Shop
1st: Anna’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
1st: The Cheese Shop 410 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg CheeseShopWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-0298
Anna’s bills itself as a destination restaurant with delicious, affordable food made from fresh ingredients. With a “host of mouth-watering dishes and scratch-made specials,” Anna’s promises a memorable dining experience. Online reviews rave about the “insane portions” and the “pleasant and accommodating staff.”
It’s no surprise that The Cheese Shop recently celebrated its 50th year. Consistently offering a superior selection of specialty foods and cheeses, the shop’s most popular item is its made-to-order sandwich menu—and its ultra-famous house dressing. The highest quality meats and cheeses are piled high on bread that’s baked fresh daily ensuring every sandwich is well worth the wait.
150 Old Fair Grounds Way, Kilmarnock AnnasItalianKilmarnock.com, 804-435-8960
2nd: Angelo’s Seafood & Steamer Bar, Montross Angelos.Rocks, 804-493-8694 3rd: Southwind Pizza, Matthews SouthwindPizza.com, 804-725-2766
2nd: TASTE, Multiple locations TasteUnlimited.com, 757-425-3011 3rd: The Daily, Warsaw 804-333-3455
1st: Opus 9 Steakhouse 5143 Main St., Williamsburg Opus9Steakhouse.com, 757-645-4779 No one does steak quite like Opus 9, a restaurant known for its casual elegance and sophisticated ambiance. Menu offerings like a New York strip au poivre and bone-in filet mignon are memorable selections and can be paired with wine from an impressive list. Opus 9 makes the perfect spot for any special occasion.
2nd: The Oaks Restaurant, Lively Facebook: @Livelyoaks, 804-462-7050 3rd: Aberdeen Barn Steakhouse, Virginia Beach AberdeenBarn.net, 757-464-1580
Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten Free Fare 1st: Food for Thought 1647 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg FoodForThoughtRestaurant.com, 757-645-4665 This restaurant creates a positive atmosphere that is intellectually and culinarily stimulating, with décor featuring biographical pictures of inventors, scientists, and social leaders. The menu has many vegetarian and vegan options, including the “Ultimate Vegetarian:” roasted spaghetti squash tossed with sun-dried tomato pesto, roasted garlic mushroom sauce, marinara, or vegan pesto served atop jasmine mushroom rice.
2nd: Culture Cafe, Williamsburg CultureCafeVa.com, 757-378-2556 3rd: Burgerndys, Chesapeake Burgerndys.com, 757-705-6778
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Find your bright way forward.
We’re grateful to have been awarded the honor of Best of Virginia 2022! Our people–first culture is driven by team members who find real purpose in being able to help our members thrive financially and strengthen our communities. Best of all, we’re hiring! Find your bright way forward by viewing our open positions and applying to become a member of our vibrant and energetic team today: Chartway.com/Careers. BOV_2022.indd 60
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Best Food & Drink FOOD SHOPPING Bakery 1st: Out of the Oven Bakery 549 Rappahannock Dr., White Stone OutOfTheOvenBakeryVa.com, 804-577-4187 For founders Marie and Cedrick Sanders, Out of the Oven Bakery is all about making sure everyone is taken care of. The bakery uses quality ingredients to make trusted favorites and custom orders, always for an affordable price. Stop in for a slice of their popular New York-style cheesecake, rich double chocolate croissant, or a fresh pecan sticky bun.
homemade fudge, and more. Boxes of assorted chocolates are popular, as well as chocolate-covered Oreos and turtles—giant, homemade, gooey clusters of pecans, caramel, and chocolate. Homemade fudge flavors include standards like caramel-chocolate-peanut, and watermelon, apple pie, and espresso crunch are just some of the more unusual varieties that are seasonally showcased.
2nd: Cape Charles Candy Company CapeCharlesCandy.com, 757-210-8050 3rd: Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop, Williamsburg Facebook: @wythecandy, 757-229-4406
2nd: Michelle’s Sweet Treats, Warsaw MichellesSweetTreats.weebly.com, 804-761-7565 3rd: Carrot Tree Kitchens, Yorktown CarrotTreeKitchens.com, 757-988-1999
Farmers Market
Chocolatier
Located in Williamsburg’s Merchant Square, this extensive farmers market offers growers and producers the opportunity to sell Virginia-grown and made seasonal food and farm products direct to consumers. Featuring 40 vendors,
1st: Country Cottage 795 Rappahannock Dr., White Stone CountryCottageWS.net, 804-435-3812 Country Cottage is a one-stop shop for flowers, ice cream, gourmet sweets,
Susan Hall delivers a crab cake. Right: Fried fish with Car Wash Café’s signature cole slaw and sweet potato fries.
1st: Williamsburg Farmers’ Market 401 W. Francis St., Williamsburg WilliamsburgFarmersMarket.com, 757-259-3768
the market is a local favorite and an attraction for visitors.
Wine Shop
Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
1st: Specials Wine Seller 52 S. Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @SpecialsWineSeller, 804-436-9463
1st: Gull Hummock Gourmet
Market
115 Mason Ave., Cape Charles Facebook: Gull Hummock Gourmet Market, 757-331-1500 This gourmet market on the southern end of the Eastern Shore consistently garners five star reviews. “If I lived in Cape Charles, I’d be there every day,” gushed one Trip Advisor reviewer. With an outstanding selection of wine, cheese, and craft beer, Gull Hummock also offers plenty of snacks and samples, artisan breads, and Brown Dog ice cream.
photos courtesy of car wash cafÉ
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With an in-house certified sommelier and the largest selection of wines in the Eastern Virginia tri-town area surrounding Kilmarnock, you can discover wines of all origins, styles, tastes, and prices. The shop also offers tastings and serves wine by the glass or bottle alongside delicious charcuterie boards.
2nd: Gull Hummock Gourmet Market, Cape Charles Facebook: Gull Hummock Gourmet Market, 757-331-1500 3rd: Kelsick Specialty Market, Gloucester KelsickMarket.com, 804-693-6500
2nd: The Cheese Shop, Williamsburg CheesesShopWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-0298 3rd: J&W Seafood, Deltaville JAndWSeafood.com, 804-776-6400
This Car Wash Serves Great Crab Cakes
Customers clean plates and cars at Susan Hall’s Car Wash Café. How’s this for one-stop shopping? At Susan Hall’s Car Wash Café, you can enjoy a soft-shell crab sandwich, crab cake, or oysters—along with their famous cole slaw—and get a clean car, all in the same trip. Hall says the café menu was inspired by her mother, who worked in Southern restaurants her whole life. In fact, the pies on the menu are made using her mother’s recipes. At the Car Wash Café, customers come for the food. For breakfast, eggs Benedict are topped with a choice of oysters, a crab cake, or soft-shell crab. Grits are the real-deal, and the creamed chipped beef is made the old-fashioned way—with a slowsimmered, seasoned roux. Open five days a week for breakfast and lunch, this unpretentious spot offers indoor and outdoor dining and gluten-free and keto options. Catering services are also available. Hall says she just wanted to provide a spot where Kilmarnock’s locals and visitors could sit down and enjoy a casual
VirginiaLiving.com
EASTERN VIRGINIA
2nd: Dug In Farms, White Stone DugInFarms.com, 804-580-1567 3rd: Garners Produce, Warsaw GarnersProduce.com, 804-493-3013
yet delicious breakfast or lunch. Be there before 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, or 2:30 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday to get a taste of this repeat Best of Virginia winner. As one reviewer puts it: “Do not drive by and think ‘why would I eat at the car wash?’ The answer is simple: because it’s really good food, and you’ll regret it if you don’t!” Facebook: @carwashcafeva
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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TOURISM VIDEO R EEE TT T O U R IIIS D O O UU R S M D EOO O O U RR SSM M VV TO O U IS M VV VIIID IID D EO TOURISM VIDEO
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Best Food & Drink DRINK Brewery 1st: Gloucester Brewing Company 6778 Main St., Gloucester GloBrewCo.com, 804-210-1407 One of the newer additions to Gloucester’s bustling Main Street, this hometown microbrewery has a country cool vibe and some seriously good beer. Founders Myron Ware and Mike Brewer are all about bringing people together, where a friendly environment, outstanding service, and quality beer rule. Food trucks are onsite on
weekends, or local restaurants will deliver to complete the experience.
2nd: Cape Charles Brewing Co. CapeCharlesBrewing.com, 757-695-3909 3rd: Alewerks Brewing Company, Williamsburg Alewerks.com, 757-220-3670
Cidery 1st: Ditchley Cider Works 1571 Ditchley Rd., Kilmarnock DitchleyCiderworks.com, 804-435-3851 Dating to the 17th century, Ditchley is now home to Ditchley Cider Works just outside of Kilmarnock. This veteran-owned and operated maker of hard
apple cider; producer of pork, beef, and poultry products; and event venue boasts a mix of orchards, grass pastures, and wooded areas that support Belted Galloway cattle and Tamworth and Large Black heritage hogs. Along with hard cider, DCW sells standard cuts of beef and pork, and produces hand-made, nitrate and nitrite-free, artisan cased sausages.
2nd: Buskey Cider on the Bay, Cape Charles Facebook: @BuskeyCiderontheBay, 757-695-3412 3rd: Sly Clyde Ciderworks, Hampton SlyClyde.com, 757-755-3130
Dockside Dining
photos (clockwise from top): courtesy of merroir, york river oyster company, mallard’s on the wharf
To dine at these marina hotspots, no boat required. Whether you arrive by boat or by car, marina restaurants dish up sophisticated fare in relaxed waterfront settings. In Onancock, drop by Mallards on the Wharf and you might catch chef Johnny Mo—also an accomplished guitarist— strumming for the dinner crowd. Customer favorites here include Mo’s fresh Scottish salmon with lemon-horseradish beurre blanc, his “all crab” crab cakes, and an over-the-top filet with lobster cream sauce. At Gloucester Point’s York River Oyster Company, the appetizers include a killer sushi-grade ahi tuna tower with mango salsa, avocado, jasmine rice, and a balsamic drizzle. After dinner, step outside and take in the sailboats and motorboats docked in the slips at the York River Yacht Haven. Across from the old Locklies Marina in Topping, at the Merroir’s ceviche with flounder, shrimp, and scallops. Below: mouth of the Rappahannock River, you’ll find Merroir. Soft shell crab sandwich from There, the small plates on their rotating menu include York River Oyster Company. Angels on Horseback—oysters baked with herb butter and Edwards ham. Owned by the Rappahannock Oyster Company, Merroir serves the freshest around. in the Wall will deliver dinner to your boat. At Deltaville Tap and Raw Bar, take in views of Jackson Creek A Virginia Beach favorite for nearly 40 years, Rudee’s over their oysters, low country boils, or burgers (embellished with Restaurant and Cabana Bar is a great spot to sip a “docktail” crab or oysters, of course). And at Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill while watching the fishing boats come in. Their Rudee’s Ruckus, on Gwynn’s Island, look for crab cakes, oysters, and tacos—fish a mix of rum, vodka, gin, blue Curaçao, pineapple, and sour mix, is or shrimp—topped with lime fresco sauce—on the menu. Feeling so potent there’s a two-per-customer limit. Classic fresh seafood, adventuresome? Try the Gwynn’s Island iced tea, a lethal combinasalads, burgers, and pastas rule the menu here, which also includes tion of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and sour mix topped with a a complete list of gluten-free selections. splash of Coke. If you’re tied up at nearby Narrows Marina, the Hole
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Distillery 1st: Cape Charles Distillery 222 Mason Ave., Cape Charles CapeCharlesDistillery.com, 757-695-3737 Established in 2017, Cape Charles Distillery sources only the finest locally grown ingredients for their handcrafted vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. Inspired by the state’s picturesque mountains and coastline, the distillery taps into the natural essence of Virginia by cooking local corn and grains with pristine Blue Ridge Mountain spring water.
2nd: Copper Fox Distillery, Williamsburg CopperFoxDistillery.com, 757-903-2076 3rd: Blue Sky Distillery, Smithfield BlueSkyDistillery.com, 757-746-8342
Specialty Cocktails 1st: Cape Charles Distillery 222 Mason Ave., Cape Charles CapeCharlesDistillery.com, 757-695-3737 Established in 2017, Cape Charles Distillery has gained many fans with great ambience and refreshing, smooth, and flavorful cocktails. Using its own bourbon, whiskey, moonshine, and vodka, the team at this distillery creates exciting concoctions that celebrate and elevate the Virginiasourced ingredients that originally inspired them.
2nd: Blue Talon Bistro, Williamsburg BlueTalonBistro.com, 757-476-2583 3rd: Adrift, White Stone AdriftVa.com, 804-577-4188
Winery 1st: Good Luck Cellars 1025 Good Luck Rd., Kilmarnock GoodLuckCellars.com, 804-435-1416 Owners Paul and Katie Krop envisioned a community-based vineyard and winery on what was once land used for mining sand, gravel, and topsoil. Paul unexpectedly passed away in October 2020, but his passion for the science of winemaking comes to the forefront when tasting the flavorful and exciting wines that Good Luck Cellars has to offer.
2nd: Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek, Machipongo ChathamVineyards.net, 757-678-5588 3rd: The Williamsburg Winery WilliamsburgWinery.com, 757-229-0999
Dockside dining at Mallards on the Wharf.
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BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Don’t Just Dream of A Live It Here. Every D a Bay & River Home Decor
Chesapeake Wealth Management
Northern Neck Family YMCA
Bay Internists, Inc.
Compass Entertainment Complex
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury
Best Home Furnishings Store Best Primary Care Practice
BodyFit
Best Gym or Fitness Studio
Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital Best Hospital
Bragg & Company Best Home Builder Best Real Estate Firm
Burke’s Fine Jewelers Best Fine Jewelry Store
Car Wash Cafe & Catering
Best Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant, Caterer
Carousel Physical Therapy Best Physical Therapy Practice
Best Financial Planning Firm
Best Entertainment for Adults, Family Entertainment
Country Cottage Best Chocolatier
Currie Funeral Home Best Funeral Home
Dehnert, Clarke & Co., PC Best Accounting Firm
Ditchley Cider Works Best Cidery
Dug in Farms
Best Farmers’ Market
Good Luck Cellars Best Winery
Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club
Carried Away Cuisine
Best Racquet Pro, Tennis Facility
Chesapeake Academy
Best Real Estate Firm
Best Caterer
IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate
Best Preschool, K-12 Independent School, Summer Camp, Annual Charity Event
Hubbard, Terry & Britt, PC
Chesapeake Bank
Kilmarnock Antique Gallery
Best Bank
Best Gym or Fitness Studio
Best Retirement Community
Rivah Consignments Best Consignment Shop
Rumsey & Bugg, PC Best Law Firm
Stevie’s Ice Cream Best Ice Cream Shop
The Dandelion
Best Women’s Clothing Store
The Lancaster Players
Best Performing Arts Company
The Wild Bunch Best Florist
Visiting Angels
Best Home Health Provider
Weekends
Best Men’s Clothing Store
Best Law Firm Best Antiques
NN Burger
Best Burger Joint
Thank you, Virginia Living readers, for voting us the Best of BOV_2022.indd 64
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f Adventure. D ay. Forever.
LANCASTER
COUNTY VIRGINIA
PHOTO USED COURTESY OF COREY MILLER, WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA. coreymillerphoto.com
st of Eastern Virginia. Go to lancasterva.com to learn more. BOV_2022.indd 65
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Best Living & Recreation Annual Charity Event 1st: Barrier Islands Center Oyster Roast Fundraiser 7295 Young St., Machipongo BarrierIslandsCenter.org, 757-678-5550
The Barrier Island Center is one of the Eastern Shore’s most vital educational resources, and its Annual Oyster Roast is its largest fundraiser, helping preserve the area’s unique coastal heritage. Local oyster houses manage roasting and steaming oysters and clams, and the silent auction showcases a variety of local talent—from artisans and restaurants to entrepreneurs and artists.
2nd: Bay School Annual Fine Arts Auction, Mathews BaySchool-Arts.com, 804-725-1278 3rd: Chesapeake Academy Annual Auction, Irvington ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575
Art Event 1st: An Occasion for the Arts Merchants Square, Williamsburg AOFTA.org This arts extravaganza has become the area’s premier arts and music festival. Held the first weekend in October, AOFTA draws outstanding artists from around the country and is a fixture of Williamsburg’s rich cultural scene. Drawing nearly 100 artists, it features a Youth Arts Show, live performances on two stages, and a food hall.
2nd: 2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival, Williamsburg 2ndSundaysWilliamsburg.com, 757-879-3029 3rd: Art and Music on the Farm at Machipongo BarrierIslandsCenter.org, 757-678-5550
Entertainment for Adults 1st: Compass Entertainment Complex 100 Entertainment Dr., Irvington CompassEntertainmentComplex.com, 804-884-4356
A multi-purpose family entertainment center nestled in Virginia’s Northern Neck, Compass Entertainment Complex provides a quality entertainment and moviegoing experience in a family-oriented environment. The state-of-the-art entertainment venue features the area’s only multi-screen movie theater, in addition to an arcade, indoor adventure course, climbing
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walls, go-karts, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
2nd: Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, Locations in Hampton, New Kent RosiesGaming.com, 804-966-7223 3rd: Axe Republic, Williamsburg AxeRepublic.com, 757-808-5397
Festival 1st: Urbanna Oyster Festival Drawer C – 390 Virginia St., Suite C, Urbanna UrbannaOysterFestival.com, 804-758-0368 f The Urbanna Oyster Festival has remained a treasured event in Eastern Virginia for 65 years—and counting. Featuring the Virginia State Oyster Shucking Championship and the popular Fireman’s Parade, the festival also offers music, waterfront activities, arts and craft vendors, wine and beer tastings, delicious food, and a children’s carnival.
2nd: Daffodil Festival, Gloucester DaffodilFestivalVa.org, 804-693-2355 3rd: Bacon, Bourbon & Music Fest, Smithfield SmithfieldVaEvents.com, 757-869-0664
Historic Theater 1st: Historic Palace Theatre 305 Mason Ave., Cape Charles Historic-Palace-Theatre.Business.site, 757-331-4327 The Historic Palace Theatre, in the heart of Cape Charles, is the town’s performing arts hub. Dating to 1941 and restored in the 1990s, it now offers a robust schedule of movies, plays, music, and dance performances. The nonprofit Arts Enter provides fine and performing arts education and programming at both the Historic Palace Theatre and nearby Lemon Tree Gallery.
LOVE Sign
Music Venue
1st: LOVEwork in Cape Charles Bay Avenue and Mason Avenue, Cape Charles Virginia.org, 757-210-8083
1st: Ferguson Center for the Arts 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News FergusonCenter.org, 757-594-8752
With an L made of sea glass and seashells to represent the bayside community, a tractor tire as the O for agriculture, a V made of kayaks for outdoor adventure activities, and an E fashioned from crab pots for aquaculture, LOVEwork in Cape Charles artistically reflects the town’s rich history and community.
Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts stands out from the rest with its commitment to offering a broad range of performances. Designed by renowned architects I.M. Pei and Henry Cobb, the Ferguson Center is a world-class venue that has hosted headlining talent including Andrea Bocelli, Tony Bennett, and Joan Baez.
2nd: LOVEwork at Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, DeltavilleMuseum.com, 804-776-7200 3rd: LOVEwork at Whitley’s Peanuts in Gloucester WhitleysPeanut.com, 804-642-1975
Museum 1st: Chrysler Museum of Art One Memorial Place, Norfolk Chrysler.org, 757-664-6200 In 1971, automotive heir William P. Chrysler donated most of his vast art collection to what was then the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. It was renamed the Chrysler Museum of Art soon thereafter. According to The New York Times, Chrysler’s holdings were “one any museum in the world would kill for.” Now, 50 years and several expansions later, the Chrysler is one of the country’s most distinguished mid-sized museums.
2nd: American Revolution Museum at Yorktown JYFMuseums.org, 757-253-4838 3rd: Deltaville Maritime Museum Deltavillemuseum.com, 804-776-7200
2nd: Flat Iron Crossroads, Gloucester FlatIronCrossroads.com, 804-699-3361 3rd: Chrysler Hall, Norfolk SevenVenues.com, 757-664-6464
Performing Arts Company 1st: The Lancaster Players 361 Chesapeake Dr., White Stone LancasterPlayers.org, 804-435-3776 What started out as a few Northern Neck moms wanting to find a creative outlet for their children has become one of the area’s most successful regional theaters. The all-volunteer Lancaster Players’ recent productions include Motherhood the Musical, The Savannah Sipping Society, and a live radio play of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps.
2nd: The Westmoreland Players, Callao WestmorelandPlayers.org, 804-529-9345 3rd: The Court House Players, Gloucester CourthousePlayers.org, 804-815-8504
2nd: Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry, Mathews DonksTheater.com, 804-725-7760 3rd: Kimball Theatre, Williamsburg Kimball.WM.edu, 800-249-0179
Going Vertical
Norfolk’s state-of-the-art rock climbing gym aims high. Did the documentary Free Solo inspire you? Learn the ropes (literally) at Norfolk’s Send It Climbing Gym. The 10,500-square-foot space was founded by four local climbers in 2017 after they realized the community lacked a modern climbing gym. “It’s an Olympic sport,” says founder Dallas Steitz. “The benefits range from team building and problem solving to building endurance and relieving stress.” Send It has something for every climber. Beginners learn the basics through an orientation class, while experienced climbers can tackle walls that stretch up to 43 feet. SendItClimbingGym.com
photo courtesy of send it climbing gym
ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Radio Station 1st: WXGM AM 1420 634 Main St., Gloucester Xtra99.com, 804-693-2105
At Home in Cape Charles
Long the number one radio station in Gloucester, Xtra 99.1 offers a unique and fun programming mix. Music from up-and-coming local talent as well as Billboard chart toppers are genres on rotation. Station culture is dedicated to community outreach and supporting a variety of area fundraisers.
Bay Creek redefines coastal living.
2nd: WGH FM 97.3, Virginia Beach 973Eagle.com, 757-490-9797 3rd: WJVA LPFM 106.5, Hampton WJVARadio.org, 470-344-9582
Special Event Venue 1st: Deltaville Maritime Museum 287 Jackson Creek Rd., Deltaville DeltavilleMuseum.com, 804-776-7200 In the heart of the Chesapeake Bay’s boatbuilding region is the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park. Celebrating the area’s rich nautical heritage and extraordinary boating history, the museum encourages visitors to learn about boatbuilding and watch skilled craftsmen produce replicas of the signature vessels that once plied the waters of the Bay.
2nd: Chrysler Hall, Norfolk SevenVenues.com, 757-664-6464 3rd: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Chrysler.org, 757-664-6200
PETS Dog Groomer
photo courtesy of bay creek
1st: Blue Collar Dog Services 4155 George Washington Hwy., Hayes Facebook: @bluecollardogservices, 804-993-7023 Beau Davenport opened Blue Collar Dog Services in 2019 after gaining experience in PetSmart’s grooming department. He and his team make “your dog feel like part of our family” and specialize in dogs that are a bit more difficult to groom, whether due to health or behavioral issues or unruly fur.
2nd: 4 Leggers Daycare, Boarding and Grooming, Irvington Facebook: @4leggersnnk, 804-577-4280 3rd: Clip-It-Up Pet Grooming, Williamsburg ClipItUpGrooming.com, 757-220-0066
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Hikers stop to read about the ecology of Cape Charles.
Dog Training Company 1st: Belroi Agility and Obedience
Center
6023 Gallopond Ln., Gloucester Facebook: @BelroiAgilityClub, 804-693-2167 From jumps and tunnels to cones and planks, agility courses test dogs’ physical and mental acuity through obstacles designed to challenge handlers and dogs alike. Belroi Agility and Obedience Center offers agility classes for all levels and its many obedience classes help bring out the best in your furry friend.
2nd: Citizen K9 Dog Training & Agility, Norfolk CitizenK9DogTraining.com, 757-724-1332 3rd: Canine Obedience Training at Hunt Club, Locations in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach Dog-School.biz, 757-427-2292
Pet Boarding/ Day Care
ensuring your furry friend will be well taken care of.
2nd: D.O.G.’s Daycare & Spa, Smithfield DogsDaycareAndSpa.com, 757-356-9909 3rd: Bay Rivers Boarding & Daycare, Yorktown 757-664-9681
Veterinary Hospital 1st: Cape Charles Animal Hospital 22491 Lankford Hwy., Suite B., Cape Charles CapeCharlesAnimalHospital.com, 757-695-8378 From routine wellness checks to surgical and dental care, Cape Charles Animal Hospital is the area’s choice for excellent veterinary care. Vet Nathan Higgins consistently gets five-star reviews for his compassion and patience, and the staff is praised for excellent customer service and flexibility.
2nd: Gloucester Veterinary Hospital, GloucesterVet.com, 804-693-3030 3rd: Animal Care of Gloucester, Hayes AnimalCareOfGloucester.com, 804-642-5740
1st: 4 Leggers Daycare, Boarding
KIDS
and Grooming
3413 Irvington Rd., Irvington Facebook: @4leggersnnk, 804-577-4280 This small business located in Virginia’s Northern Neck excels in offering the best personalized services for dogs and cats. 4 Leggers Daycare, Boarding and Grooming has a team of talented employees known for their caring demeanors and attention to detail,
Bay Creek, an award-winning planned community in Cape Charles that focuses on natural conservation, is generating lots of buzz. It offers a number of thoughtful amenities—all hallmarks of its parent company, Preserve Communities. It’s where small-town charm meets sophisticated coastal living. Here, a 350-acre nature preserve—open to the public—showcases the Eastern Shore’s diverse ecosystem. Hiking trails and bike paths are interconnected, and a resident naturalist offers guided tours on foot, by kayak, or canoe. Bay Creek combines distinctly designed homes and villas with 27 holes of golf, two miles of private bayfront beach, a fitness center, and fine dining at the Bay Creek’s renowned Coach House Tavern. BayCreekLife.com
Family Entertainment 1st: Compass Entertainment
Complex
100 Entertainment Dr., Irvington CompassEntertainmentComplex.com, 804-884-4356
Complex provides a quality entertainment and moviegoing experience in a family-oriented environment. The state-of-the-art entertainment venue features the area’s only multi-screen movie theater, in addition to an arcade, indoor adventure course, climbing walls, go-karts, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
2nd: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg BuschGardens.com, 757-229-4386 3rd: Bethpage Miniature Golf & Ice Creamery, Urbanna BethpageCamp.com, 804-758-4653
K-12 Independent School 1st: Chesapeake Academy 107 Steamboat Rd., Irvington ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575 Located in Virginia’s Northern Neck, this independent school aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for students’ academic, emotional, and social development. In 2019, the school opened an Arts & Innovation Hub and expanded the James Library, creating an integrated space for robotics, coding, digital arts, and video and audio production.
2nd: Aylett Country Day School, Millers Tavern ACDSPatriots.net, 804-443-3214 3rd: Cape Charles Christian School CCCSESV.org, 757-331-1717
A multi-purpose family entertainment center, Compass Entertainment
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Thank you to all the Virginia Living readers for voting us one of the best Plumbing/HVAC Companies in the Eastern region!
757-428-0651 AmericanMechanicalVA.com
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Best Living & Recreation TRAVEL Air Charter Service 1st: Bay Aviation 2649 Greys Point Rd., Topping BayAviationOnline.com, 804-436-2977 Bay Aviation’s skilled pilots design and instruct aviation courses and participate in several volunteer outreach programs, including the Forgotten Heroes Foundation, which connects pilots, engineers, and teachers with students in STEM programs. The pilots also fly for Pilots N’ Paws, an all-volunteer organization that coordinates transports to rescue animals across the country. Flight instruction at Bay Aviation is also offered, along with the necessary support to earn a private pilot’s license. Michael Repper conducting the Northern Neck Orchestra.
Small Town Charm Meets Big City Orchestra Northern Neck Orchestra celebrates 30 years.
Kilmarnock just might be the smallest town in the U.S. to boast a full-sized orchestra. Founded in 1991, Northern Neck Orchestra celebrates its 30th season this year with an impressive range of performances led by award-winning conductor Michael Repper, who has worked with the New York Youth Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, among others. With three to four concerts per season, the Northern Neck Orchestra brings beloved classical composers as well as Broadway compositions, and exciting, lesser-known pieces vividly to life. This month, the orchestra will perform works by Mendelssohn and the often overlooked English and French composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Louise Farrenc. The 2022-2023 season begins in the fall. NorthernNeckOrchestra.org
KIDS Preschool
photo by kent eanes
1st: Chesapeake Academy 107 Steamboat Rd., Irvington ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575 Known as a small school with a huge classroom and dynamic approach to education, Chesapeake Academy provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to develop academically, emotionally, and socially. The academy serves a diverse population in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Its campus includes a Nature Trail and Outdoor Classroom featuring direct access to Carter’s Creek.
2nd: Aylett Country Day School, Millers Tavern ACDSPatriots.net, 804-443-3214 3rd: Buoys and Gulls Preschool, Hartfield LowerUMC.org, 804-776-6250 VirginiaLiving.com
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Summer Camp 1st: Chesapeake Academy Summer Camps 107 Steamboat Rd., Irvington ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575
The summer camp offerings at Chesapeake Academy have a little something for every child. Kids can expect a summer of fun, exploration, and discovery participating in activities like paddle boarding, soccer, astronomy, visits to zoos and farms, and a STEM program for girls making full use of the school’s Arts & Innovation Hub.
2nd: Aylett Country Day School, Millers Tavern ACDSP.net, 804-443-3214 3rd: Camp Piankatank, Hartfield CampPiankatank.com, 804-776-9552
2nd: Coastal Sky Taxi, Topping CoastalSkyTaxi.com, 804-436-3128 3rd: Hampton Roads Charter Service, Locations in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach HRHeli.com, 757-488-9044
Bed & Breakfast 1st: Bay Haven Inn 403 Tazewell Ave., Cape Charles BayHavenInnBnB.com, 757-331-2838 Patrons of Bay Haven Inn enthusiastically proclaim that its hosts, idyllic location, and comfortable accommodations are a wonderful combination of history and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. And despite the “no rush” vibe, there is still plenty to do. The inn is surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of the Eastern Shore, and close by are guided kayak tours with Southeast Expeditions, Kiptopeke State Park, and Sterrett Gardens.
2nd: Kilmarnock Inn KilmarnockInn.com, 804-435-0034 3rd: The Hope & Glory Inn, Irvington HopeAndGlory.com, 804-438-6053
Historic Site 1st: Colonial Williamsburg ColonialWilliamsburg.org, 800-446-9240 Colonial Williamsburg offers more than 600 reconstructed original buildings, two world-class museums, and an extensive educational outreach program for students, educators, and history buffs alike. Serving as the capital of the colony and later the Commonwealth from 1699 to 1780, the site now includes historic taverns, lodging, shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more.
2nd: Fort Monroe National Monument NPS.gov, 757-722-3678 3rd: Stratford Hall StratfordHall.org, 804-493-8038
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Hotel 1st: The Tides Inn 480 King Carter Dr., Irvington TidesInn.com, 804-438-5000 With a dedication to hospitality, the Tides Inn has long established itself as Virginia’s “Family Resort.” A secluded waterfront setting affords guests the luxury of space while providing a deep connection to this picturesque part of the state. Accommodations include picture windows and expansive views in a locale that’s perfect for romantic getaways and family vacations.
2nd: Hotel Cape Charles HotelCapeCharles.com, 757-695-3854 3rd: The Williamsburg Inn ColonialWilliamsburgHotels.com, 757-220-7978
Resort 1st: The Tides Inn 480 King Carter Dr., Irvington TidesInn.com, 804-438-5000 Recently reopened and refreshed, the Tides Inn now offers a variety of events and activities, including cooking demonstrations, kayak tours, wine excursions, and arts experiences in the newly created Maker Space.
2nd: Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg GreatWolf.com, 757-229-9700 3rd: Cherrystone Family Camping Resort, Cape Charles Cherrystone.com, 757-331-3063
Tourist Attraction 1st: Busch Gardens 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg BuschGardens.com, 757-229-4386 Set on nearly 500 acres, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the country’s most popular amusement parks. Different European hamlets are replicated in the style of villages in England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Ireland. The park is known for its Broadway-style productions and for showcasing each country’s authentic food, music, and festivals. Its world-famous roller coasters include Griffon, Loch Ness Monster, Alpengeist, and Apollo’s Chariot.
2nd: Colonial Williamsburg ColonialWilliamsburg.org, 800-446-9240 3rd: Cape Charles Beach Virginia.org, 757-331-3259
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Premier Coastal Living on Virginia’s Cape
Find Your Ideal Family Retreat by the Chesapeake Bay Set upon 1,720 lush acres along the Chesapeake Bay, Bay Creek is a masterplanned community that brings families together to live their best life through a connection with its coastal landscape, nature, phenomenal club amenities and active lifestyle programming. From exploring sparkling bay waters to hosting friends for dinner on the porch of your welcoming new coastal home, Bay Creek is the easy-going, elegant lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. We invite you to explore this natural wonderland in a place where residents connect, forge friendships and pursue their interests and passions. There is truly nothing like it on the coast of Virginia.
Homesites from the $90s Homes from the $400s
Contact us for details of our Discovery Visit Package Toll Free
844.620.2900
info@ BayCreekLife.com
BayCreekLife.com
Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or values, if any, of the property. This is not intended to be and does not constitute an offer in any state or jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices and square footages are provided for reference only but are subject to change and not guaranteed. Renderings are artist’s conceptual illustrations and are subject to change. Sales by Bay Creek Realty/Broker. ©2022 Bay Creek. All rights reserved.
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Model Homes Open Daily
4/21/22 3:29 PM 4/4/22 1:59 PM
Best Living & Recreation OUTDOORS & ACTIVE
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Dance Studio 1st: 7 Cities Ballroom Dance
Studio
5251 John Tyler Hwy., Suite 65-67, Williamsburg 7CitiesBallroom.com, 757-903-4867 7 Cities Ballroom Dance Studio is named for the seven cities that make up the Hampton Roads area. Now headquartered in Williamsburg, 7 Cities is run by Steve Kirvan who has 25 years of ballroom dancing experience. Steve has competed professionally throughout the Southeast, amassing a number of awards. Group classes and private instruction are available.
2nd: Chesapeake Dance Center ChesapeakeDance.com, 757-361-9400 3rd: A Time To Dance, Virginia Beach ATimeToDanceVa.com, 757-490-8999
Golf Course 1st: Bay Creek 1 Clubhouse Way, Cape Charles BayCreekLife.com, 757-331-8623
Learning To Fly
photo courtesy of ifly virginia beach
Indoor skydiving offers fun without fear. “That was one of the coolest things we’ve ever done!” It’s a refrain Bob Pizzini hears from customers again and again. It’s often followed by “We can’t wait to do it again!” and “The kids are still talking about it!” And no wonder. Pizzini, CEO of iFLY Virginia Beach spends his days teaching people to fly. The first iFLY vertical wind tunnel opened in Orlando in 1998. A 26-year Navy veteran, Pizzini used similar facilities to train military skydivers, but he also saw “the great fun that everybody had.” At locations across the country, he watched families, birthday parties, and date-night couples enjoy flying. Inspired, Pizzini worked for six years to launch iFLY Virginia Beach, opened in 2015. Business has been “incredible,” Pizzini says. In addition to training professional and sport skydivers and welcoming the public, he has created a leadership development and team-building academy. Teams break the ice with a flight, then gather for leadership training in iFLY’s conference room.
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It’s all about “bringing people together through the dream of flight”—iFly’s mission. When people come, Pizzini says, “they have a wonderful experience with each other. They learn, they overcome a challenge, a fear of heights, a fear of falling, a fear of flying—all these things—in a way that’s very fun and very enjoyable. To see that every day, and to know that we deliver that every day, is just incredible.” After a training video, guests put on a flight suit and helmet, then enter the clear wind chamber. The instructor tips you into the air stream, and you float, weightless. The loud rush of air, like putting your head out a car window, is, Pizzini says, “a perfect simulation of falling out of an airplane”—except instead of the stomach-churning feeling of falling, you hover, controlling your motion with small movements. Beginners simply float, while advanced students rise and dive, turn upside down, and spin. It is one of the coolest things you’ll ever do. You won’t stop talking about it—and you’ll want to go again. iFLYVaBeach.com
Bay Creek aims to bring families and nature together while preserving the Eastern Shore ecosystem. With a 27-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus along the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll enjoy the views as much as the game. Golfers of all ages and skill levels have the chance to take private lessons and group clinics with PGA Professionals.
2nd: Piankatank River Golf Course, Hartfield PRGCGolf.com, 804-776-6516 3rd: Golden Eagle Golf Club, Irvington TidesInn.com, 804-438-4460
Gym 1st: BodyFit, White Stone 578 Chesapeake Dr., White Stone BodyFitVa.com, 804-436-2214 When the weather is fine, Bodyfit owner Ramona Darden takes advantage of the gym’s origins as a firehouse to open the garage doors for open-air classes. With 24/7 access to the fitness studio, and many classes and workshops to choose from, you’ll find becoming your healthiest self is easier than ever.
2nd: Body By D Locations in Gloucester, Yorktown BodyByDGym.com, 757-369-8479 3rd: Northern Neck Family YMCA, Kilmarnock YMCAVP.org, 804-435-0223
Hiking or Biking Trail 1st: Freedom Park Trails 5537 Centerville Rd., Williamsburg JamesCityCountyVa.gov, 757-259-4022 Freedom Park is a 600-acre forested retreat with two miles of multi-use trails and 20 miles of mountain bike trails. Also within Freedom Park is the Williamsburg Botanical Garden, the GoApe Treetop Adventure Course, and an interpretive center. Freedom Park’s rich history, which dates to the 1650s and includes a 19th-century Free Black Settlement, is sure to intrigue history buffs.
2nd: Virginia Capital Trail, Richmond to Williamsburg VirginiaCapitalTrail.org, 804-788-6453 3rd: The Mariners’ Noland Trail, Newport News MarinersMuseum.org, 757-596-2222
Specialty Fitness 1st: C-Fit Studio 143 N. Main St., Suite 100, Suffolk CFitStudio.com, 757-514-1180 C-Fit Studio is all about “honoring the body you were given and loving the skin you’re in.” Instructors help clients move safely and efficiently and encourage confidence and growth. Nutritional counseling, personal training, infrared sauna, and group classes in yoga, pilates, KAOS, fit core, cycle circuit, and more are offered.
2nd: Bdefined, Williamsburg BdefinedFitness.com, 757-345-6801 3rd: Abilities Abound Physical Therapy & Wellness Center, Callao AbilitiesAPWC.com, 804-529-5178
Tennis Facility 1st: Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center 4501 Parker Ave., Norfolk PlayTennisODU.com, 757-683-5312 Folkes-Stevens, on the Old Dominion University campus, is a membershipbased tennis facility spanning 74,000 square feet with eight indoor and 12 outdoor courts. All courts are hard surface. Ample spectator space includes comfortable seats, flat-screen TVs, and vending machines. Junior groups, adult leagues, stringing, and a pro shop are also available.
2nd: The Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club Racquet Program, Kilmarnock ICYCC.com, 804-435-1340 3rd: Graham Slam Tennis, Chesapeake GrahamSlamTennis.com, 757-560-5400
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We are healthier
Congratulations to all our
Best of Virginia Winners!
TOGETHER
At Riverside, it is our mission to care for others as we would care for those we love. Our comprehensive network of services includes:
• Fellowship-trained and board-certified medical providers and specialists • State-of-the-art technology and nationally recognized, award-winning hospitals and facilities • Accredited Stroke and Chest Pain Centers • Urgent and emergency care locations, including a Level II Trauma Center • Active senior living communities and lifelong health services
We are your partners throughout your journey of lifelong health and wellness.
riversideonline.com/medical-services
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Best Services HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: Gate of Life Acupuncture 6604 Main St., Gloucester GateOfLifeAcupuncture.com, 804-210-1749 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Brianna Teschner brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the area. After extensive study in the U.S. and China, she returned to her hometown of Gloucester to open Gate of Life in 2017. Her practice offers consultations, acupuncture, Tui Na and cupping, Celluma light therapy, and facials.
2nd: Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Portsmouth FamilyChiropracticVa.com, 757-686-3716 3rd: Elements for Personal Healing, LLC, Yorktown ElementsForPersonalHealing.com, 757-598-2065
Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: Chesapeake Counseling
Associates, PC
7296 York Ave., Gloucester CCAPCGloucester.com, 804-695-2557 Chesapeake Counseling Associates provides a caring environment in which clients can work with professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, substance abuse counselors, and clinical psychologists. This private practice offers in-person and telehealth options to make scheduling convenient.
2nd: Coastal Counseling & Consulting, Accomac Facebook: Coastal Counseling & Consulting, 757-709-4602 3rd: Coastal Virginia Counseling and Mediation, Virginia Beach CoVaVB.com, 757-222-4944
Dental Practice 1st: David A. Newman Family
Dentist
photo by yuzhu zheng
61 Irvington Rd., Kilmarnock DavidNewmanDMD.com, 804-435-1220 Smiles are a top priority at this Northern Neck dental practice. In addition to cleanings and exams, Dr. David Newman offers a variety of general and cosmetic dental procedures, including implants, porcelain veneers and crowns, teeth whitening, and emergency visits.
2nd: Dr. Dale Lazar, Kilmarnock KilmarnockDentist.com, 804-435-3008 3rd: Beach Dental Center, Virginia Beach BeachDental.com, 757-496-0993
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Home Health Provider
Ophthalmology/ Optometry Practice
1st: Visiting Angels 68 S. Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @Visitingangels.NNMP, 804-435-2229
1st: Hampton Roads Eye Associates
Visiting Angels customizes comprehensive at-home care for seniors based on individual needs and preferences. With a mission to help older adults live happily and safely in the comforts of home while providing their families with peace of mind, Visiting Angels offers an alternative to residential nursing homes and serves the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.
From routine eye care to complex medical conditions, the opthamologists, optometrists, and opticians at HREA are the area’s most trusted eyecare team. HREA’s comprehensive adult eye care includes treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, red eye, trauma, cornea, and eyelid problems, along with retinal issues. Routine eye exams and pediatric ophthalmology are also offered.
2nd: Amedisys Home Health Care, Multiple locations Amedisys.com, 757-223-5424 3rd: BrightStar Care, Williamsburg BrightStarCare.com, 757-206-1167
Hospital 1st: Bon Secours Rappahannock
General Hospital
101 Harris Rd., Kilmarnock BonSecours.com, 804-435-8000 Rappahannock General Hospital is a 75-bed, short-term, acute care hospital and offers quality, state-ofthe-art healthcare. RGH provides a wide array of inpatient services, along with many outpatient programs such as oncology and physical therapy. A dedicated 10-bed acute psychiatric treatment center is also on-site.
2nd: Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk CHKD.org, 757-668-7000 3rd: Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester RiversideOnline.com, 804-738-8814
11800 Rock Landing Dr., Newport News HREA-Op.com, 757-643-8800
2nd: The Eye Site, 2 locations in Tappahannock EyeSiteTap.com, 804-443-3901 3rd: Colonial Eye Care, Williamsburg ColonialEyeCare.com, 757-903-2633
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice 1st: Virginia Facial Surgery 1157 First Colonial Rd., Suite 101, Virginia Beach VaFacialSurgery.com, 757-496-8066 With a goal to offer the most advanced care in facial, cosmetic, and oral surgery, the highly skilled team at Virginia Facial Surgery, led by Dr. David Mueller, only works with the latest technological advancements and continually strives to exceed patient expectations. Valuing communication
EASTERN VIRGINIA and a strong dialogue with patients, the practice strives to ensure that every question and concern has been addressed.
2nd: Coastal Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implants, Inc., Williamsburg CoastalOralSurgery.com, 757-208-0138 3rd: Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Multiple locations CoastalVaOMFS.com, 757-517-8927
Orthodontic Practice 1st: Faber Orthodontics Locations in Kilmarnock, Tappahannock BracesByDrBeth.com, 804-443-6419 Opened in 1986, Faber Orthodontics provides a safe and welcoming environment for oral health services and education. With a team of highly trained, compassionate, and personable professionals, this orthodontic practice delivers effective patient care and ethical treatment recommendations tailored to age and specific needs.
2nd: Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, Multiple locations EasternVirginiaOrthodontics.com, 757-583-2333 3rd: Dailey Ortho Locations in Hampton, Poquoson DaileyOrtho.com, 757-826-5075
Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) 1st: Riverside Partners in Women’s Health, Riverside OB/GYN Specialists Multiple locations RiversideOnline.com, 800-675-6368
With highly skilled doctors, advanced practice providers and support staff, Riverside Partners in Women’s Health offers a full range of OB/GYN and surgical services for women of every age. This practice provides a holistic approach to women’s health, looking at all conditions that may impact a woman’s quality of life.
2nd: Dominion Women’s Health, St. Stephens Church DominionWomensHealth.com, 804-925-6486 3rd: Chesapeake Regional Obstetrics & Gynecology ChesapeakeRegional.com, 757-312-6130
ASSEMBLY, A COWORKING SPACE in Norfolk, is forging collaborations between creatives and tech innovators. The membership-based community serves freelancers and solopreneurs along with startups and larger companies. With business amenities like podcast recording rooms, office suites, a library, bike repair station, boardroom, kitchen, rooftop deck, and more, the stylish Assembly campus is designed to promote collaboration. In the works, a planned renovation of the adjacent 1930s Sears & Roebuck buildings will bring an additional 53,000 square feet to Assembly’s workspace, with construction slated to begin in 2023. AssemblyNfk.com
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Thank You FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE Best ORTHOPAEDIC PRACTICES ln Virginia SPORTS MEDICINE
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NEWPORT NEWS | WILLIAMSBURG | YORKTOWN | SOUTHSIDE
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Best Services HEALTH EASTERN VIRGINIA
Orthopedic Practice 1st: Hampton Roads Orthopedics Spine & Sports Medicine Multiple locations HROSM.com, 757-873-1554
From sports injuries to broken bones and worn out joints, the team at Hampton Roads Orthopedics Spine & Sports Medicine can treat just about any orthopedic-related ache and pain. HROSM is consistently recognized for its comprehensive orthopedic care, innovative minimally invasive surgical techniques, compassionate patient-centered care, and an engaged team who deliver excellent customer service.
2nd: CHKD Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Multiple locations CHKD.org, 757-668-6550 3rd: Hampton Roads Foot & Ankle Specialists Locations in Hampton, Williamsburg HamptonRoadsFootAndAnkle.com, 757-220-3311
Chesapeake Bank’s Christian Kent and Thomas Claiborne at a Virginia Reads One Book event.
Show Them the Money
Kids learn valuable lessons from financial literacy. Even young children can learn valuable financial skills by handling real money, says Felicia Stovall of Chesapeake Wealth Management. “The experience of holding
the money is much more real than looking at it on a screen.” She says it’s important for kids to understand that money is a limited resource.
Stovall’s two sons manage their own cash jars to save for specific goals—in her house, that often means Legos. The children earn money using a coupon system. A chore chart, posted on the fridge, lists a dollar amount for individual chores. When the boys have enough saved, they head to the store to complete the lesson. Stovall says, “They hand the money to the cashier and also receive any change.” Chesapeake Wealth Management is a part of Chesapeake Bank, whose website features a free online program on teaching money management using real-life scenarios. ChesBank.com
Pediatric Practice 1st: Children’s Clinic Locations in Gloucester, Newport News ChildrensClinicLtd.com, 757-595-0358 Established in 1937, Children’s Clinic frequently sees grandparents and great grandparents who grew up using their services bringing their own grandchildren in for care. It is this longstanding mission to serve as a community resource to generations of patients that makes them one of the best in the medical business.
2nd: Courthouse Pediatrics, Gloucester CHKD.org, 804-695-0305 3rd: General Booth Pediatrics, Virginia Beach CHKD.org, 757-668-6700
Physical Therapy Practice
photo courtesy of chesapeake wealth management
1st: Belfield Physical Therapy Multiple locations BelfieldPT.com, 804-333-8222 Belfield Physical Therapy was established with a mission to offer quality one-on-one physical therapy services to the Northern Neck. Since opening in 2003, the business has grown to offer a wide variety of services including aquatic therapy, physical therapy, and wellness programs that help patients achieve their rehabilitation goals.
2nd: APEX Physical Therapy & Movement Center, Williamsburg APREXVa.com, 757-969-5200 3rd: Carousel Physical Therapy Locations in Hartfield, Kilmarnock CarouselPT.com, 804-435-3435
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Primary Care Practice 1st: Bon Secours Lively
Medical Center
36 Lively Oaks Rd., Lively BonSecours.com, 804-462-5155 Bon Secours Lively Medical Center serves the broader Lancaster community. A knowledgeable and professional staff can address a multitude of medical needs—from annual physicals to chronic disease care, women’s services, immunizations, and well-child care. For emergencies, physicians are available 24 hours a day.
2nd: Sentara Family Medicine Physicians, Multiple locations Facebook: @SentaraHealth, 800-736-8272 3rd: Bay Internists, Kilmarnock BayInternistsVa.com, 804-435-3103
BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Virginia Facial Surgery 1157 First Colonial Rd., Suite 101, Virginia Beach VaFacialSurgery.com, 757-496-8066 Dr. David Mueller has been practicing in Hampton Roads for 27 years and founded Virginia Facial Surgery in 2001. Its primary mission is to provide clients with individualized treatments utilizing proven techniques in a professional, friendly,
and safe environment. Working exclusively in facial procedures, the practice steers clear of fads and focuses solely on procedures that give long-lasting results.
2nd: Associates in Plastic Surgery, Locations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach AssociatesPlasticSurgery.com, 757-330-6747 3rd: Cosmetic Surgery Center, Virginia Beach DrJoanneLopes.com, 757-497-5400
Dermatology Practice 1st: Pariser Dermatology
Specialists
Multiple locations PariserDerm.com, 757-622-6315 This dermatology practice has provided services to the Hampton Roads community for almost 75 years. Now in six offices across Eastern Virginia, their services have expanded to include Mohs surgery, a variety of light therapies, and a full range of cosmetic dermatology services. Pariser treats all skin conditions and concerns under one roof and enables a seamless patient experience.
2nd: Dermatology Consultants of Gloucester GloucesterDermatology.com, 804-693-6527 3rd: Atlantic Dermatology Associates Locations in Cape Charles, Virginia Beach AtlanticDermatologyVB.com, 757-481-1666
Hair Salon or Barber Shop 1st: Bridgewaters Salon & Spa 6661 Hickory Fork Rd., Hayes BridgewatersSalon.com, 804-693-6272 The team at Bridgewaters Salon & Spa believes in connecting beauty, environment, and well-being. This Aveda salon designs treatments that restore balance using nurturing, high-touch approaches. Services include hair styling, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more.
2nd: Split Enz, Gloucester SplitEnzSalon.com, 804-693-5343 3rd: Blown Away, Locations in Hayes and Yorktown BlownAwaySalonVa.com, 804-642-5064
Spa 1st: Bridgewaters Salon & Spa 6661 Hickory Fork Rd., Hayes BridgewatersSalon.com, 804-693-6272 Bridgewaters primps and pampers using Aveda aromas and techniques. The Tulasara™ facial combats acne, as well as dry, oily, aging, uneven, and sensitive skin for a natural glow. For total relaxation, book an Aveda aroma massage for deep-tissue attention, or schedule an Aveda Signature Aqua Body Polish for full-body exfoliation.
2nd: Blown Away, Locations in Hayes, Yorktown BlownAwaySalonVa.com, 804-642-5064 3rd: Body Shoppe Spa & Salon, Yorktown BodyShoppeSpa.com, 757-596-4847
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Live like you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort ...
If there’s one thing Rappahannock WestminsterCanterbury residents will tell you, it’s “Don’t wait too long to join the fun here!” Many of our residents are from big cities, and they love the transition to a more relaxed pace of kayaking, fishing, gardening and exploring on our 165-acre campus – very close to the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay. RWC offers single family homes, cottages, apartments and on-site health services. We are minutes away from a worldclass resort, boutiques, fine dining, historic sites, golf courses, wineries and more.
804-438-4000 | info@r w-c.org | www.r w-c.org
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Best Services HOME EASTERN VIRGINIA
Architecture Firm 1st: Stroud Architects +
Associates
Plumbing/HVAC Company
6558 Main St. 1A, Gloucester StroudArchitects.com, 804-699-1015 Providing architectural design, historic preservation, and construction administration, Stroud Architects + Associates delivers results utilizing more than 50 combined years of expertise. This full-service firm located in Gloucester specializes in residential and commercial design, and recognizes the importance of forging collaborative and creative relationships between client and architect during the design process.
2nd: GuernseyTingle, Williamsburg GuernseyTingle.com, 757-220-0220 3rd: Hanbury, Norfolk Hewv.com, 757-321-9600
Greenhouse and Nursery 1st: Brent & Becky’s Bulbs 7900 Daffodil Ln., Gloucester BrentAndBeckysBulbs.com, 804-693-3966 Third generation bulb growers and experts, Brent & Becky Heath are horticulture superstars. Their eight-acre Chesapeake Bay Friendly Garden is a mini-botanical garden showcasing plants that thrive in the region, and two seasonally published catalogs feature thousands of blooming bulbs and plants to make any landscape a stand out. Catch Brent on-site for some sagely plant advice and shop in the Bulb Shoppe, a gardener’s paradise.
2nd: Anderson’s, Locations in Newport News, Virginia Beach LoveAndersons.com, 757-599-3510 3rd: Bloxom’s Nursery, Hampton BloxomsNursery.com, 757-851-0721
Home Builder 1st: Chip Hudnall Custom Building 5273 Jesse Dupont Hwy., Wicomico ChipHudnallCustomBuilding.com, 804-580-2415 From luxury homes to getaway cabins, Chip Hudnall Custom Building gets the job done. “I really love building homes for our clients and watching their dreams become real,” Hudnall says. By providing custom home construction, commercial construction, remodeling, and deck and porch building, making clients happy is the goal of the team at Chip Hudnall Custom Building.
2nd: Bragg & Company Real Estate, Kilmarnock BraggCo.com, 804-435-2299 3rd: Charles Ross Homes, Williamsburg CharlesRossHomes.com, 757-565-5630
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1st: Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electric Locations in Chesapeake, Yorktown BudsUSA.com, 757-890-2600
MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Protect your skin this summer by following these tips from the Mid Atlantic Dermatology Center, with locations in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. First, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 15. Next, plan ahead. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you’re in the sun—and re-apply every two to three hours. Finally, accessorize. Mid Atlantic’s dermatologists recommend wearing sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and protective clothing to minimize sun exposure. MidAtlanticDermatology.org, SkinCancer.org
Home Furnishings Store
Kitchen and Bath Design Firm
1st: Bay & River Home Decor 2 N. Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: Bay & River Home Decor, 804-436-1900
1st: Baldwin Cabinet Shop 3693 Richmond Hwy., Tappahannock Custom-Kitchen-Cabinets.com, 804-443-5421
Bay & River Home Decor offers a vast array of home furnishings and gifts. Think comfy furniture upholstered in durable, colorful fabrics with nautical themes like coral and fish. Rounding out its well-curated gift section, which includes a baby boutique and nautically inspired accessories. The company takes pride in selling all Americanmade furniture.
2nd: W. F. Booth & Son Inc., Kilmarnock WFBooth.com, 804-435-1329 3rd: Carrollton Furniture, Carrollton CarrolltonFurniture.net, 757-238-3664
Interior Design Firm 1st: Elizabeth Interiors Williamsburg ElizabethFKennis.com, 757-713-1223 This full-service interior design firm is known for translating customer needs and wants into livable, beautiful spaces. Designer and owner Elizabeth Kennis brings a wealth of experience to the table—from custom window treatments to whole-house projects. She is known for her superior attention to detail, keen logistical planning, and top-notch customer service.
2nd: Cindy Lloyd Design, Warsaw FeatherYourNestCindyLloydDesign.com, 804-761-3715 3rd: Decorating Den Interiors (Elaine Moore), Heathsville ElaineMoore.DecoratingDen.com, 804-580-3939
Located in Tappahannock, Baldwin Cabinet Shop specializes in high-end, customized, solid wood cabinets, as well as cabinet doors and dovetail drawers for residential kitchen, vanities, and closets. Baldwin also provides crown molding installation. The shop is staffed with master craftsmen and has been in the Tappahannock community for more than 50 years.
2nd: Bancroft Kitchen & Bath, Virginia Beach BancroftGranite.com, 757-988-1100 3rd: B&T Kitchens and Baths, Virginia Beach BandTKitchens.com, 757-502-8625
Landscape Design 1st: Browder-Hite Landscaping 11254 Broadwater Rd., Exmore BrowderHite.com, 757-442-5296 Browder-Hite is a landscape design and installation firm that also offers tree and plant care, maintenance, paver-patio design and installation, along with a myriad of services to meet the needs of its residential and commercial landscape customers. BrowderHite services the entire Eastern Shore and provides professional know-how and creativity to complete each job.
2nd: Booth’s Landscaping Co., Kilmarnock BoothsLandscapingCompany.com, 804-435-6416 3rd: Basnight Land & Lawn, Chesapeake BasnightLandAndLawn.com, 757-436-9617
Available 24/7, this plumbing and HVAC company delivers consistent, quality service. Online reviews rave about reasonable prices, friendly staff, and reliable service. Serving the Hampton Roads area, Bud’s can be contacted to schedule an at-home consult.
2nd: Atlantic Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Multiple locations AtlanticPHAC.com, 757-838-1036 3rd: American Mechanical, Virginia Beach AmericanMechanicalVa.com, 757-428-0651
Real Estate Firm 1st: Blue Heron Realty Co. 113 Mason Ave., Cape Charles BlueHeronVA.com, 757-678-5200 This local, family-owned firm specializes in waterfront and water access property on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Partnering with a wide network of mortgage companies, attorneys, surveyors, architects, and home builders, the team at Blue Heron strives to provide its customers an enjoyable experience.
2nd: Bragg & Company Real Estate, Kilmarnock BraggCo.com, 804-435-2299 3rd: Horsley Real Estate, Multiple locations HorsleyRealEstate.com, 804-758-2430
Retirement Community 1st: Rappahannock WestminsterCanterbury 132 Lancaster Dr., Irvington RW-C.org, 804-438-4000
Located on 165 acres, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury (RW-C) boasts a thriving continuing care community providing quality living experiences for senior residents. Fans say RW-C employs a caring and compassionate staff. Services include nursing care, help with dressing, and a mental wellness program. Choose from a variety of continuing care options, including At Home with RW-C, a stayin-your-own-home program.
2nd: Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach WCBay.com, 757-496-1785 3rd: Colonial Heritage, Williamsburg Lennar.com, 757-229-5205
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“Dedicated to Helping Our Neighbors Celebrate Every Life”
T H ANK YO U TO AL L T HE VI RGI NIA LI VI NG R E ADE R S FOR VOT ING U S ONE OF T HE BE S T FUNE R AL HOME S IN T HE E A S T E R N R EGION.
Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home Mathews, Virginia 23109 804-725-2141
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Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home Saluda, Virginia 23149 804-758-2315
Marks-Bristow Funeral Home Tappahannock, Virginia 22560 804-443-2210
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Best Services Bank/Credit Union
Car Wash
1st: Chesapeake Bank Multiple locations ChesBank.com, 877-436-9032
1st: Buggy Bathe Car Wash,
Detailing & Auto Services
Denhart, Clarke & Co. specializes in tax planning and preparation, but their expertise includes a variety of additional accounting services that meets the needs of individuals and businesses. From basic tax management to more comprehensive services such as audits and financial statements, Dehnert, Clarke & Co. has offices in Mathews and Irvington.
The roots of Chesapeake Bank stretch deep into the sandy soil of the Northern Neck. What first started as Lancaster National Bank, with watermen, farmers, and small business owners among its first clients, has emerged as a well-respected leader in community banking. Now offering a myriad of services, including wealth management and merchant services, Chesapeake Bank now has 16 branches throughout the Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg, and Richmond.
Buggy Bathe Car Wash, Detailing & Auto Services is a one-stop shop for your car wash needs. With two convenient locations—in Williamsburg and Virginia Beach—Buggy Bathe operates a touchless car wash system which culminates in a beautiful shine for your vehicle. From oil changes to auto servicing, car washing or detailing, Buggy Bathe gets the job done.
2nd: Carmines, Robbins & Company, PLC, Newport News CarminesRobbins.com, 757-873-8585 3rd: Burks’ Bookkeeping & Tax Service, Newport News BurksBookkeeping.net, 757-595-6966
2nd: Atlantic Union Bank, Multiple locations AtlanticUnionBank.com, 800-990-4828 3rd: Chartway Federal Credit Union, Multiple locations Chartway.com, 800-678-8765
Auction Company
Car Dealer
SERVICES Accounting Firm 1st: Dehnert, Clarke & Co. Locations in Irvington, Mathews DCCoCPA.com, 804-438-5656
1st: Atlantic Asset Management
Group
1195 Lance Rd., Norfolk AtlanticRemarketing.com, 757-461-6867 Atlantic Asset Management Group has over 40 years of experience working with credit attorneys, trustees, and special asset managers. These special relationships enable the team to quickly liquidate assets. They offer personalized service and are fully licensed and bonded. Known for effectively turning assets into resources, the experts at Atlantic Asset stand at the ready to assist their clients.
2nd: Barrett Street Auction Center, Virginia Beach BarrettStreet.com, 757-463-1911 3rd: Aaron, Ryan and Jones Realty and Auctions, Virginia Beach Facebook: @arjrealtyandauctions, 757-523-0052
Kitchen Resource photo courtesy of jim’s cabinet creations
Find cabinets and countertops in one stop. For anyone renovating a kitchen or bath, choosing quality cabinets begins with finding a trusted dealer. Jim’s Cabinet Creations, of White Stone, provides custom kitchen and bath cabinetry from top brands like Omega, Waypoint Living Spaces, Homecrest, KitchenCraft, and Mantra— in a range of style and price points. In business since 1984, Jim’s also offers countertop options, from granite, quartz, and soapstone, to Corian®, Silestone, and more. JimsCabinetCreations.com
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1st: Bareford Buick GMC 603 Church Ln., Tappahannock BarefordBuickGMC.com, 804-443-3500 Located in Tappahannock, Bareford Buick has been serving its community since 1947. Customers love its fast service; many return to purchase additional vehicles. Bareford wants to be “your dealer for life” and is dedicated to making that happen. The dealership is proud to be the longestlasting in Tappahannock and the Northern Neck.
2nd: Bill Hudgins GMC, Gloucester BillHudginsAuto.com, 804-792-1807 3rd: Barton Ford, Suffolk BartonFord.com, 757-539-1595
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Locations in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg BuggyBathe.com, 757-220-9315
2nd: Buckets Car Wash, Williamsburg BucketsCarwash.com, 757-206-1876 3rd: Carrollton Car Wash, Carrollton CarrolltonCarWash.com
Caterer 1st: Car Wash Café & Catering 481 North Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @CarWashCafeVa, 804-435-0405 This beloved caterer and breakfast spot originated as a convenience store with an attached car wash. Since the restaurant opened in 2005, it has served patrons delicious American staples and catered weddings, birthdays, graduations, and more. Whether you are dining in, carrying out, or having your event catered, Car Wash Café & Catering will surely satisfy.
2nd: Berry’s Catering, Tappahannock 804-370-4130 3rd: Carried Away Cuisine, Kilmarnock Facebook: @CarriedAwayCuisine, 804-435-9191
Cabinet and countertop renovation by Jim’s Cabinet Creations.
Financial Planning Firm 1st: Davenport & Company Multiple locations InvestDavenport.com, 804-780-2000 Independent and employee-owned since 1863, Davenport & Company is a trusted financial advisor to generations of families and institutions. The firm fosters a collaborative environment in which time-tested principles are combined with current analytical tools to create effective investment strategies. The firm is currently positioning itself for the future by upgrading their platforms and technology to better serve clients.
2nd: Chesapeake Wealth Management, Locations in Kilmarnock, Williamsburg ChesapeakeWealth.com, 888-653-9088 3rd: Coastal Tax Preparation and Planning LLC, Newport News 757-926-5353
Funeral Home 1st: Currie Funeral Home 116 E. Church St., Kilmarnock CurrieFuneral.com, 804-435-1077 This Kilmarnock funeral home began in 1924 under the name “A.C. Elmore Furnishing Undertaker.” Over time the business has changed hands and names but has always prioritized professionalism and courtesy towards its clients. For funeral, burial, or cremation services, Currie Funeral Home will guide you through the process with care.
2nd: Welch Funeral Home, Locations in Montross, Warsaw WelchFuneralHomeVa.com, 804-333-3770 3rd: Faulkner Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Multiple locations FaulknerFuneralHCS.com, 804-758-2315
Law Firm 1st: Hubbard, Terry & Britt 293 Steamboat Rd., Irvington IrvingtonLaw.com, 804-438-5522 From land use and zoning laws, decoding workers compensation benefits, or understanding estate planning jargon, the experts at Hubbard, Terry & Britt offer a variety of legal services. Serving the Northern Neck since 1977, the practice takes pride in its commitment to its clients and community.
2nd: Dunton, Simmons & Dunton, White Stone DSDLaw.com, 804-435-4000 3rd: Rumsey & Bugg, Irvington RumseyAndBugg.com, 804-438-5588
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“The Eyes Have It (faces and smiles too). Thank you for voting us Best Cosmetic Surgery Center and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center for the 10th year in a row.”
Mueller
Dr. David
Virginia Facial Surgery Face and neck lift • Eyelids • Brow lift • Laser Resurfacing • Botox and Fillers TMJ and Jaw Reconstruction • Facial and Dental Implants 1157 First Colonial, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 | 757-496-8066 | vafacialsurgery.com
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Best Shopping Antiques
Book Store
Consignment Shop
1st: Kilmarnock Antique Gallery 144 School St., Kilmarnock Virginia-Antiques.com, 804-435-1207
1st: Peach Street Books 401 Mason Ave., Cape Charles PeachStreetBooks.com, 757-273-6449
1st: Periwinkles Consignment Boutique
Lynn and Steve Bonner opened Kilmarnock Antique Gallery in June 1996 with only five vendors, worked seven days a week, and were closed only two days a year. In its 25th year in business, it remains one of the most beloved antique galleries in the state of Virginia, showcasing quality dealers and providing excellent customer service.
In the historic buildings of a 1930s Pure Oil Station and 1950s three-bay garage, Peach Street Books holds over 10,000 gently used books and 500 new titles, plus a coffee shop featuring Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co. coffee. Relax with a good book and a hot cup of joe in this quaint Cape Charles treasure.
2nd: Williamsburg Antique Mall AntiquesWilliamsburg.com, 757-565-3422 3rd: Acme Antiques, Tappahannock Facebook: Acme Antiques Tappahannock, 804-925-6471
2nd: The Book Nook, Kilmarnock KilmarnockVa.com, 804-435-3355 3rd: Book Bin, Onley BookBinVa.com, 757-787-7866
215 Mason Ave., Cape Charles PeriwinklesVa.com, 757-678-2481
Located on Mason Avenue in Cape Charles, Periwinkles Consignment Boutique offers upscale women’s clothing, accessories, and local artisan items in an eclectic boutique environment. A love of fashion, thrifting, and recycling items inspired the owner to open the award-winning boutique, providing customers with unique finds for a fraction of retail prices.
2nd: Rivah Consignments, Kilmarnock Facebook: @RivahConsignments, 804-435-8999 3rd: The Velvet Shoestring, Williamsburg TheVelvetShoeStringWmsbg.com, 757-220-9494
EASTERN VIRGINIA
Fine Jewelry Store 1st: Burke’s Fine Jewelers Locations in Kilmarnock, Warsaw BurkesJewelers.com, 804-435-1302 Serving the Northern Neck since 1969, Burkes Fine Jewelers specializes in custom designs and one-of-a-kind pieces, and offers remounting, repairs, appraisals, watch battery replacement, and engagement and bridal pieces. In business for over 51 years, this jewelry store provides nothing but the finest treasures, the most accommodating service, and friendly smiles when you walk through the door.
2nd: Ross’s Fine Jewelers, Kilmarnock RossFJ.com, 804-435-3529 3rd: Moonrise Jewelry, Cape Charles MoonriseJewelry.com, 757-678-0055
A Bookworm’s Paradise
photos courtesy of sundial books
Chincoteague Island’s Sundial Books charms with its small town appeal. “When we opened in 2007, there were three other bookstores in Chincoteague,” says coowner Jane Richstein of Sundial Books, “now it’s just us.” But even through the past two years, says Richstein’s husband and co-owner, Jonathan, “the community as a whole stepped up to support us.” The boom in online book sales has helped, too. “We’ve had to pay much more attention to our
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online presence, but it’s going well.” Located just off the water—perfect for the back porch music jams Sundial once hosted—the shop stands across from the Chincoteague Island Theatre on Main Street. The storefront’s big glass windows are perfect for eye-catching displays of must-read titles. “Most are seasonal or when new books come out, especially if
they’re local,” says Jane. They have a variety of local artists displayed there as well. “We want folks to see it and encourage them to come in and look at more,” Jane adds. With two floors of used and new books by regional and national authors, it’s a bookworm’s paradise. “Misty of Chincoteague and other pony books are always bestsellers,” Jonathan notes. But if you’re in
the market for something else, the owners are more than happy to help you find your literary soulmate from their vast collection of fiction, tourist guides, art books, and much more. Though Sundial’s winter hours were reduced, warm weather signals expanded hours. And events are making their way back onto their schedule. “Book signings have been something we’ve done from the beginning,” says Jonathan. And they hope to do a few poetry readings in the future. So far, the Richsteins show no signs of slowing down. “We enjoy what we do, though. We love our customers; some are like family. It’s gonna take a combination of things to get us to stop.” SundialBooks.net
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Your friendly N
orthern Neck &
Middle Penins
ula staff is read
y to help!
THANK YOU client families, caregivers and readers who voted for us! It’s an honor to provide care at home for Eastern Virginians across the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula! Please check out our other locations for services near you. Virginia Beach 757- 530-5961
Norfolk 757-525-2525
Newport News 757-599-4145
Fredericksburg 540-373-6906
Manassas 703-530-8811
Lynchburg 434-337-3836
Midlothian 804-423-6500
Richmond 804-424-5510
Roanoke 540-904-7104
Springfield 703-569-2380
Alexandria 703-750-8121
Harrisonburg 540-217-2441
FOR NORTHERN NECK & MIDDLE PENINSULA SERVICES, CALL 804-435-2229
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Best Shopping Florist Shop 1st: Smith’s Florist & Gift Shoppe 6626 Main St., Gloucester SmithsFlorist.net, 804-693-2010 Located in charming Gloucester Courthouse, Smith’s Florist & Gift Shoppe has been a fixture on Main Street since 1964. Family owned and operated, the expert designers at Smith’s offer an assortment of arrangements for all occasions—from weddings, birthdays, thank yous, holidays, and just because—as well as gourmet and fruit baskets. Online reviewers rave about the Smith team going the extra mile.
2nd: The Wild Bunch, Kilmarnock TheWildBunchFlowers.com, 804-435-1044 3rd: Seagrass Floral & Apothecary, Cape Charles SeagrassFloral.com, 757-695-2130
Gift Store 1st: The Rivah 49 S. Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @ShopTheRivah, 804-577-4291 Kilmarnock’s “The Rivah” has onestop shopping for the brands you crave. Simply Southern, Live Oak, and Lilly Pulitzer are just a few of the faves in stock. Items such as bath bombs, jewelry, apparel, and one-ofa-kind fun finds make for an enjoyable shopping experience. Customers
love the hospitable atmosphere and awesome selection.
2nd: Colonial Collectibles, Warsaw ShopColonialCollectibles.com, 804-333-0581 3rd: River Birch Gifts, Locust Hill RiverBirchGifts.com, 804-758-8814
Men’s Clothing Store 1st: Waterline 80 S. Main St., Kilmarnock Facebook: @ShopWaterline, 804-577-4160 Located in the popular downtown shopping area of Kilmarnock, Waterline stocks a variety of cool coastal styles. This store fulfills all of your apparel, footwear, and accessory needs from classic brands like Vineyard Vines, Fish Hippie, Heybo, and Socksmith. Waterline offers a taste of summer with their styles all year long.
2nd: Weekends Fashions, Kilmarnock Weekends-Fashions.MyShopify.com, 804-577-4041 3rd: T-Town Tack, Tappahannock T-TownTack.com, 804-443-4614
Sports now boasts more than 10,000 square feet that’s stocked with turkey calls and duck decoys, rods and reels, clothing, Yeti products, guns, ammo, and plenty of Northern Neck bling. RW is known throughout the Northern Neck as Callao’s one-stop shop for hunting and fishing gear.
2nd: Bailey’s Bait and Tackle, Cape Charles BaileysBaitAndTackle.com, 757-331-1982 3rd: Eastern Shore Outfitters, Exmore ESOutfitters.com, 757-442-4009
Women’s Clothing Store 1st: The Dandelion 4372 Irvington Rd., Irvington TheDandelion.com, 804-438-5194 The Dandelion has been a destination for fashion-forward ladies of the Northern Neck and beyond for more
EASTERN VIRGINIA than 40 years. Housed in a charming former parsonage built during the Steamboat Era, The Dandelion has been described as a “living catalog” and a “treasure trove” of fabulous ladies’ clothing, accessories, and gifts from around the world that owners Sheila Broderick Brown and Jean Ward-Smith have carefully curated.
2nd: The Rivah, Kilmarnock Facebook: @ShopTheRivah, 804-577-4291 3rd: Angie’s Strength & Style Boutique, Warsaw AngiesAndersStrengthAndStyle.com, 804-761-0211
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter 1st: RW’s Sports 1434 Northumberland Hwy., Callao RWSports.com, 804-529-5634 Once a simple tackle shop with some saltwater bait, tackle, and t-shirts, RW
Smart Car Buying
Car-shopping tips when the supply chain is strained. Make, model, mileage. Leather seats or sunroof? There’s a lot to consider when buying a car. Now, add microchips to the list. Turns out a global scarcity of chips is causing a car shortage. And, unfortunately, these problems aren’t ending anytime soon, say experts at Consumer Reports and Edmunds. Wait to buy a car, if possible. But if you need new wheels now, follow these car-buying pointers:
photo courtesy of ken houtz chevrolet buick
Be flexible. Finding a car that checks all of your boxes might not be realistic right now. Instead, decide what features matter most, whether it’s price, mileage, passenger count, or towing capacity, then check for different makes and models that might do the job. Shop around. Instead of just checking stock at local dealers, cast a wider net. A dealer farther afield might have “your” car in stock or listed at a better price. Expect higher prices. When supply is low and demand is high, dealers aren’t inspired to negotiate. According to the experts at Edmunds, “These days, paying MSRP might actually be a ‘good deal,’ relatively speaking.” Consumer Reports notes that “large pickup trucks and SUVs have seen the biggest increases, while smaller
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cars, sedans, hatchbacks, and front-wheel drive SUVs have had smaller price hikes.” Expect higher prices on used cars, too. Some experts say the average used car price will soon top $30,000, a first in this category. Be prepared to buy now. Cars don’t last on lots, so when you do find “the one,” act quickly. Go ahead and arrange financing and get a quote on your trade-in, so when the right car comes along, you’ll be prepared to move on it. But expect to wait. The best way to get exactly what you want: order it from the dealer. Although lead times can stretch to 12 weeks or longer, if you have your heart set on a particular hybrid or truck—in your favorite color—your patience will pay off.
The Ken Houtz Chevrolet Buick team.
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Experience the Best of Virginia KO Distilling in Manassas, VA Enjoy craft cocktails, bourbon, whiskey, & gin tastings, distillery tours, bottle sales, special events, & more. Learn more, shop online, & ship KO Distilling spirits nationwide at kodistilling.com. Visit KO Distilling & mention this ad for a free distillery tour for two people!
kodistilling.com | 10381 Central Park Drive, Suite 105, Manassas, VA 20110 | (571) 292-1115
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A WHOLE LOT URBAN and more than a little rural, Northern Virginia combines the sophisticated city spirit of neighboring D.C. with some of the state’s most beautiful countryside and treasured historic sites. We love Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront, Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, and the charming Loudoun County village of Waterford. The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was voted Number 1 in the region's museum category. Here, you can see the Air France Concorde (New York to Paris at the speed of sound!) along with the Space Shuttle Discovery. Or hike Great Falls Park to hear water rushing over ancient boulders. Best of Virginia’s Northern region is also home to 68 wineries (last count, that is), a vibrant restaurant scene, and plenty of shopping. Here, find out what locals love most about their neck of the woods.
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NORTHERN VIRGINIA CITIES: - Alexandria - Fairfax - Falls Church
- Manassas - Manassas Park
COUNTIES: - Arlington - Fairfax - Fauquier
- Loudoun - Prince William - Stafford
A selection of dishes from Sisters Thai. Right: Tammie Disayawathana with her husband Jaturon Srirote and daughter Janita.
Dishing up Deliciousness
photos courtesy of sisters thai
W
HAT MAKES A BEST OF VIRGINIA
favorite? From food trucks to fine dining to barbecue joints, it’s about great food that reflects a sense of place. Like they say at Red Truck Rural Bakery—a 10-time winner—the cakes are “made with love and butter in the Virginia piedmont.” When you put your heart into food, use the finest ingredients, and make your customers feel right at home, you’ve got an irresistible combination. Sisters Thai, now a three-time winner, earns raves for its living room style. Each of the Sisters locations—from Fairfax to Alexandria and Vienna—feels like home, complete with artfully arranged bookshelves and portraits on the walls. A Tysons location will open later this year. Sure, the food is delicious, but customers come back for the homey atmosphere as well. This year marks the ninth win to date for L’Auberge Chez François in Great Falls, where executive chef Jaques Haeringer carries on in the Alsatian tradition of his father, François, serving
fine French food that satisfies appetite and soul. And at Arlington’s Heidelberg Bakery—with 14 Best of Virginia wins—owner Wolfgang Büchler has the devotion of his customers. But it took time for them to embrace his crusty European bread. That was back in the 1970s. Now Büchler and his wife, Carla, have expanded the business to include deli foods, pastries, and even wedding cakes—often made for the grandchildren of the shop’s earliest patrons. Also returning for a win this year, Bob & Edith’s Diner has been dishing up unfussy fare for more than 50 years. Classics like burgers, subs, meatloaf, grilled cheese, hand-spun milkshakes, and omelets and eggs every-which-way remain customer favorites. Now run by Bob and Edith’s son, Greg Bolton and his two children, this diner is carrying on the family legacy. There’s a reason why Monk’s BBQ has been a Best of Virginia winner three times and again this year: smoke. Pro pitmasters take no shortcuts during the cooking process, which translates to long
For Sisters Thai, it’s about serving consistent food that tastes great every time in a space that feels like our living room. If you see bookshelves with colorful books—that’s us.” —Tammie Disayawathana, Sisters Thai nights, but unparalleled flavor. Customers flock for their authentic brisket, pulled pork, pastrami, spare ribs, burnt ends, and turkey—all seasoned and rubbed and smoked to perfection. It’s the secret to their success.
BEST OF VIRGINIA CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Food & Drink
Best Living & Recreation
pg. 89 Restaurants pg. 93 Food Shopping pg. 95 Drink
pg. 97 Entertainment & Events pg. 99 Pets pg. 99 Kids pg. 101 Travel pg. 103 Outdoors & Active
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Best Services pg. 105 Health pg. 107 Beauty pg. 109 Home pg. 111 Services
Best Shopping pg. 113
Winners begin on pg. 89
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Experience Boutique Remodeling
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022 IN 3 CATEGORIES
Best Home Builders • Best Kitchen & Bath Design Firms • Best Interior Design Firms
www.danielsremodeling.com
703.239.2700
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS Asian Restaurant 1st: Sisters The Extraordinary Café 4004 University Dr., Fairfax SistersThai.com, 703-267-9618 With a cozy ambience of books and flowers, this café has been serving Asian cuisine since 2012 in the Main Street area. They have a multitude of menu options from curry to roasted duck, and their dessert selections are based on Thai recipes.
2nd: Four Sisters Restaurant, Falls Church FourSistersRestaurant.com, 703-539-8566 3rd: Peking Gourmet Inn, Falls Church PekingGourmet.com, 703-671-8088
Barbecue Restaurant 1st: Monk’s BBQ 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville MonksQ.com, 540-751-9425 A family-owned restaurant, this is the place to go for slow-cooked brisket, pastrami, pork, and ribs. Monk’s also offers a wide selection of local brews and an impressive list of bourbons. Every Friday and Saturday feature live music from bands around the area.
2nd: The Bone BBQ, Locations in Gainesville, Manassas TheBoneBBQ.com, 703-753-5551 3rd: Willard’s Real Pit BBQ, Locations in Chantilly, Reston DCBBQ.com, 703-488-9971
Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Bob & Edith’s Diner Locations in Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield BobAndEdithsDiner.com, 703-594-0280
1st: Caffé Amouri 107 Church St. NE, Vienna CaffeAmouri.com, 703-938-1623
This iconic, family-run diner is open 24/7 and has been promising exceptional value, service, and hospitality since 1969. Originally a 10-stool countertop run by Robert and Edith Bolton, the business has grown to include five locations in Northern Virginia and is a local favorite for breakfast and brunch.
Located on historic Church Street, this caffeine stop is where coffee meets community. Caffé Amouri rotates their selections frequently, from Jamaica Blue Mountain to Cup of Excellence. Supporting the community is one of their missions. The cafe often hosts local musicians, cooking classes, book talks, and more. They even recycle their coffee grounds to local farmers.
2nd: Ted’s Bulletin, Multiple locations TedsBulletin.com, 202-544-8337 3rd: Yorkshire Restaurant, Manassas YorkshireRestaurantManassas.com, 703-368-4905
Burger Joint 1st: Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers 525 E. Market St., Suite J, Leesburg MeltGourmetCheeseburgers.com, 703-443-2105 Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers offers a wide and exceptional selection of burgers and sandwiches, including beef, crab, tuna, and bison. The quality ingredients set the food apart, and monthly specials, like the Peking Duck Burger and the Pizza Burger, have become favorites in Northern Virginia.
2nd: Social Burger, Vienna MySocialBurger.com, 703-364-5420 3rd: Jimbo’s Grill, Gainesville JimbosGrill.com, 571-248-0752
Jill Erber
2nd: King Street Coffee, Leesburg KingStreetCoffeeLeesburg.com, 571-439-0407 3rd: Northside Social Coffee & Wine, Locations in Arlington, Falls Church NorthsideSocialVa.com, 703-465-0145
Fine Dining 1st: L’Auberge Chez Francois 332 Springvale Rd., Great Falls LaubergeChezFrancois.com, 703-759-3800 L’Auberge Chez Francois is named after its original founder, Francois Haeringer, a culinary icon in the D.C. region who set the standard for authentic French cuisine that satisfies the appetite and soul. Now run by sons Paul and Jacques Haeringer, the restaurant sits atop six acres of rolling hills that witness many marriage proposals each year.
2nd: The Black Sheep Restaurant, Manassas TheBlackSheepRestaurant.com, 703-420-2028 3rd: Clarity, Vienna ClarityVienna.com, 703-539-8400
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Food Truck 1st: Ford’s Fish Shack Locations in Ashburn, Chantilly, Leesburg FordsFishShack.com, 571-918-4092 The first Ford’s opened in Ashburn in 2010. Today, they have three locations and a food truck, “Ford’s On the Road.” The food truck offers a selection of 11 main dishes and seven sides and desserts, including classics such as a “Lobstah Roll,” fish and chips, and whoopie pie.
2nd: The Bone BBQ, Locations in Gainesville, Manassas TheBoneBBQ.com, 703-753-5551 3rd: Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company, Alexandria Rocklands.com, 703-778-9663
Ice Cream Shop 1st: Moo Thru Locations in Hillsboro, Remington MooThru.com, 540-439-6455 As a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Fauquier County, founder Ken Smith knew a thing or two about quality dairy ingredients back in 2010. Today, Moo Thru has gained recognition for being one the best ice cream shops in the state of Virginia and is dedicated to not only serving excellent dairy treats but also giving back to its community.
2nd: The Dairy Godmother, Alexandria TheDairyGodmother.com, 703-683-7767 3rd: Nathan’s Dairy Bar, Manassas NathansDairyBar.com, 703-335-9051
Indian Restaurant 1st: Bollywood Bistro 3955 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax BollywoodBistro.com, 703-273-0031
Hail to the Cheese photos ourtesy of cheesetique
Cheesetique is paradise for NoVa’s turophiles. Since she opened Cheesetique in 2004, owner Jill Erber, a hard-core turophile—that’s a cheese lover to the rest of us—has been known as “the Cheese Lady.” And with good reason: Her cheese boutiques in Alexandria and Arlington offer an extensive selection of
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fine cheeses from the U.S. and Europe. Look for Mt. Alice from Vermont’s Von Trapp Family Farmstead (yes, those Von Trapps), a cow’s milk cheese that truly makes the hills come alive, and Psychedillic, a dill and dill pollen-infused goat cheese from
California’s Cypress Grove. Connoisseurs will recognize Cowgirl Creamery and Kerrygold and discover lesser-known brands like Wookey Hole, Wyfe of Bath, and Ewephoria. The Cheese Lady is constantly adjusting her offerings to keep up with demand. The shop’s Cheese & Wine Bar is a full service, cheese-centric restaurant. Customers can order artfully curated Friday night cheese boards for pick-up or delivery. And online, Cheesetique’s immersive, online learning experiences have become a popular virtual hub for cheeseheads. Cheesetique.com
With a wide selection of vegetarian and meat dishes (lamb, goat, chicken), and baked breads like naan, there’s something for everyone here. Not only does Bollywood Bistro serve traditional Indian cuisine like samosas and chicken tikka, but the menu is continuously being modernized. The restaurant also provides catering services.
2nd: Haandi Indian Cuisine, Falls Church Haandi.com, 703-533-3501 3rd: Rangoli Indian Restaurant, Manassas RangoliRestaurant.com, 703-957-4900
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Italian Restaurant 1st: Ciao Osteria 14115 St. Germain Dr., Centreville Ciao-Osteria.com, 703-543-8955
Seafood Restaurant
Classically delicious and “obsessively authentic” Italian recipes and culinary techniques remain the cornerstone of Ciao Osteria’s success. Founded in Centreville only seven years ago, this family-owned and operated Italian restaurant helmed by chef Antonio Di Nicola specializes in wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, meats, seafood, and traditionally hand-rolled meatballs, and even offers homemade gelato.
Fall fruit and nut cake with fig and grape emulsion.
Starting in Ashburn and founded by Ana and Tony, Ford’s has expanded to three locations in the past ten years. Their mission is to provide the freshest of the fresh seafood whether it’s halibut from Alaska, shrimp from North Carolina, or Massachusetts clams. Ford’s also serves rolls stuffed with oysters, lobster, and more alongside thin grilled corn fries.
2nd: Trattoria Villagio, Clifton TrattoriaVillagio.com, 703-543-2030 3rd: Pazzo Pomodoro Locations in Ashburn, Vienna PazzoPomodoro.com, 703-858-5555
2nd: Coastal Flats, Locations in Fairfax, McLean CoastalFlats.net, 571-522-6300 3rd: Blue Ridge Seafood, Gainesville BlueRidgeSeafood.com, 703-754-9852
Mexican Restaurant 1st: Anita’s Multiple locations AnitasCorp.com, 703-281-8580
Family-owned and operated, Anita’s has been serving Northern Virginia for over 40 years. Most of the menu items come from Anita’s family recipes. From jumbo burritos to plantain platters to fish taco dinners, the variety and combination possibilities are endless. Now in eight locations, Anita’s also provides full-service catering.
2nd: Taco Bamba Taqueria, Multiple locations TacoBamba.com, 703-639-0505 3rd: El Paso Mexican Restaurant, Multiple locations ElPasoMexicanRestaurants.com, 703-619-5123
Outdoor Dining
photo by alex ponce de león
1st: 2 Silos Brewing Co. 9925 Discovery Blvd., Manassas 2SilosBrewing.com, 703-420-2264 Located at Farm Brew LIVE at Innovation Park in Prince William County, 2 Silos Brewing Company is a premier destination for the ideal outdoor brewery experience. This is the perfect place for family and friends to gather to enjoy delicious craft beer offerings, specialty cocktails, food, and live music in a relaxed, sunny atmosphere.
2nd: Clyde’s, Multiple locations Clydes.com, 202-333-9180 3rd: L’Auberge Chez Francois, Great Falls LAubergeChezFrancois.com, 703-759-3800
Steakhouse 1st: Sweetwater Tavern Locations in Centreville, Falls Church, Sterling SweetwaterTavern.pub, 703-449-1100
Farm-to-Fork Fabulous Savor fresh farm cuisine at the Restaurant at Patowmack Farm.
The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm offers a sophisticated dining experience on Virginia’s first certified organic farm. Condé Nast editors included the Lovettsville spot on its 2021 Gold List of “Best Bars and Restaurants in the World.” Chef Vincent Badiee turns out beautifully plated dishes made from the day’s freshest ingredients, as diners soak up views of the Potomac. On days when he’s not in the kitchen, Badiee—who has cooked at New York’s Eleven Madison Park and Mison Premiere and D.C.’s Gravitas, Cranes, and Fiola—helps tend the farm. Look for special events throughout the year, like the restaurant’s annual Feast in the Forest, coming in October. Prix fixe dinners are available Thursday through Saturday along with monthly Sunday suppers and weekend brunch. PotowmackFarm.com
Pizzeria
Sandwich Shop
1st: Tony’s New York Pizza Locations in Bristow, Haymarket, Manassas TonysNewYorkPizza.com, 703-330-8909
1st: The Italian Store Two locations in Arlington ItalianStore.com, 703-528-6266
Founded in 1989, Tony’s New York Pizza is the quintessential familyowned and operated Italian pizza shop. Serving New York, Sicilian, and focaccia-style pizzas both by the slice and the pie, they also offer other favorite Italian foods, such as cured meats and pasta.
Ready with all of your Italian-style grocery needs, the Italian Store also offers full-service delis that can cater to all of your sandwich cravings. The stores feature made-to-order Italian subs and gourmet sandwiches, fresh New York-style pizzas, and ready-togo entrees prepared daily. The Westover location features the Andiamo Coffee Bar, open seven days a week.
2nd: Fire Works Pizza, Multiple locations FireWorksPizza.com, 703-779-8400 3rd: Pupatella, Multiple locations Pupatella.com, 571 312-7230
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1st: Ford’s Fish Shack Locations in Ashburn, Chantilly, Leesburg FordsFishShack.com, 571-918-4092
2nd: Lost Dog Cafe, Multiple locations LostDogCafe.com, 703-553-7770 3rd: Chutzpah Deli, Fairfax ChutzpahDeli.com, 703-385-8883
Sweetwater Tavern is part of the Great American Restaurants group and has been watching its customer base grow for 26 years. The Drunken Ribeye, Southwest Chicken Salad, and the seasonal site-brewed beers are what make this steakhouse so beloved. Check out the restaurant’s expanded outdoor dining spaces and take-out and delivery services offered through the app, GAR.
2nd: Mike’s “American”, Springfield MikesAmerican.com, 703-644-7100 3rd: DC Prime Steaks & Seafood, Ashburn DCPrimeSteaks.com, 703-840-2099
Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Fare 1st: Founding Farmers Locations in Reston, Tysons WeAreFoundingFarmers.com, 202-822-8783 Founding Farmers is not only a restaurant, it is now a farmers market and grocery, providing chef-cooked meals. Since 2008, they have been making everything from scratch. From yogurt and granola to chicken and waffles, burgers and apple pie, Founding Farmers strives to showcase the country’s rich culinary flavors.
2nd: Busboys and Poets, Arlington BusboysAndPoets.com, 703-379-9757 3rd: Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant, Vienna CrystalSunflower.com, 703-319-3888
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Best Food & Drink FOOD SHOPPING Bakery 1st: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe 2150 N. Culpeper St., Arlington HeidelbergBakery.com, 703-527-8394 With its roots in traditional German baking techniques, Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe has become a renowned business in Northern Virginia. There is no better place to satisfy a sweet-tooth craving than this Arlington-based bakery and deli combo. The shop has garnered particular attention for its wedding cakes and pastries.
2nd: Red Truck Rural Bakery, Locations in Marshall, Warrenton RedTruckBakery.com, 540-364-2253 3rd: Best Buns Bread Company, Locations in Arlington, Vienna BestBunsBakeryCafe.com, 703-552-5120
Chocolatier
Farmers Market
1st: Cocoa Vienna 120 Church St. NE, Vienna CocoaVienna.com, 703-865-8881
1st: Manassas Farmer’s Market Two locations in Manassas VisitManassas.org, 703-361-6599
Formally trained by a renowned chocolatier, co-owner Sam Aboulhosn has been in the chocolatiering industry for more than 19 years. When he and Staci Meruvia opened Cocoa Vienna, they wanted to offer a hometown chocolate experience. They treat every customer like old friends and feature fresh, high-quality chocolate products that nourish the body and soul.
Located in Old Town Manassas, this farmers market has been going strong for over 25 years. Now year-round, all matters of produce, meats, cheeses, beverages, and artisan crafts can be bought from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Make sure to check the website for a full vendor list.
2nd: The Conche, Leesburg The-Conche.com, 703-779-1800 3rd: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, Arlington HeidelbergBakery.com, 703-527-8394
2nd: Old Town Farmers Market, Alexandria AlexandriaVa.gov, 703-746-3200 3rd: Leesburg Farmers Market LoudounFarmersMarkets.org, 540-454-8089
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop 1st: The Italian Store Two locations in Arlington ItalianStore.com, 703-528-6266 Operated by the Tramonte family for over 30 years, The Italian Store is a gourmet shop featuring a variety of Italian staples and specialty items— from homemade style ravioli and pasta, to fresh cheeses and meats, to unique Italian wines. Many hard-tofind items, imported from Italy, are regularly available.
2nd: Cheesetique, Locations in Alexandria, Arlington Cheesetique.com, 703-706-5300 3rd: Arrowine & Cheese, Arlington Arrowine.com, 703-525-0990
Wine Shop 1st: Arrowine & Cheese 4508 Lee Hwy., Arlington Arrowine.com, 703-525-0990 Arrowine’s hand-picked selection of wines comes from around the world and features established and new-toyou labels. Established in 1979, the shop also specializes in charcuterie boards and highlighting the best beers from breweries around the U.S. Their baguettes are always fresh from Bread Furst bakery in D.C.
photos (from left) by michael ventura, daniel lobo
2nd: Vienna Vintner ViennaVintner.com, 703-242-9463 3rd: Ashburn Wine Shop AshburnWineShop.com, 703-723-7575
A Hip, Literary Hub—With Grub Arlington’s Busboys and Poets satisfies body and spirit. From book club meetings to poetry slams, Busboys and Poets—a combination bookstore, bar, restaurant, and event space—has become a lively cultural hub for artists, writers, readers, and thinkers. The brainchild of Anday Shalla, who opened the first location in D.C. in 2005, Busboys and Poets now has nine locations,
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including a Virginia outpost in Arlington’s Shirlington Village. The name references poet and playwright Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel during the 1920s. The place attracts literary stars including Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, Rita Dove, and others, who have given readings
here. Also popular are open mic nights, spoken word performances, karaoke, and author readings. Busboys and Poets supports both local and national authors and partners with local arts and literary organizations. Each Busboys and Poets location also exhibits work from local artists, much
of it for sale, with an open invitation online where artists can submit work for consideration for future shows. More than a restaurant, more than a bookstore, Busboys and Poets creates a space where intellectual, cultural, political, and social issues flourish through discussion that benefits everyone. BusboysAndPoets.com
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Best Food & Drink DRINK Brewery 1st: Bear Chase Brewing Company 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont BearChaseBrew.com, 540-554-8210 Having just won the Gold Medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®, Beer Chase is known for its love of the craft. They grow their own hops on-site and their new chef, Anthony Walker, continues to expand the brewery’s menu. Their GermanStyle Koelsch is an award-winning fan favorite.
2nd: 2 Silos Brewing Co., Manassas 2SilosBrewing.com, 703-420-2264 3rd: Port City Brewing Company, Alexandria PortCityBrewing.com, 703-797-2739
Cidery
Distillery
1st: Lost Boy Cider 317 Hooffs Run Dr., Alexandria LostBoyCider.com, 703-566-5737
1st: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Lost Boy Cider’s primary mission is to make the world a little better by creating world-class, approachable, sugar-free dry cider. Honoring the history of Virginia hard cider, Lost Boy produces the beverage as it was meant to be: unpasteurized and unfiltered, with Shenandoah heirloom apples. What remains is refreshing, sugar-free awesomeness!
2nd: Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery, Middleburg MtDefiance.com, 540-883-3176 3rd: Wild Hare Cider Cabin, Locations in Leesburg, Middleburg, Warrenton WildHareCider.com, 703-402-7956
120 W. Main St., Purcellville CatoctinCreekDistilling.com, 540-751-8404 Nestled on the banks of its namesake creek, Catoctin opened in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. The distillery’s flagship spirit, Roundstone Rye, has received international acclaim. Pick your poison from one of the brand’s full line of products including whisky, gin, and brandy, plus seasonal releases and exclusive cask offerings.
2nd: MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, Bristow MurLarkey.com, 571-284-7961 3rd: KO Distilling, Manassas KODistilling.com, 571-292-1115
Specialty Cocktails 1st: Trummer’s 7134 Main St., Clifton TrummersRestaurant.com, 703-266-1623 Master mixologist and co-owner Stepfan Trummer leads his team in exploring innovative craft cocktails. Drinks like “Sage” (gin, sage, elderflower, lime) and “Pain & Pleasure” (tequila, combier, jalapeño, hibiscus) are just two of the
Global Flavors
photos courtesy of the pure pasty co.
Taste the world at these international specialty markets. At The Pure Pasty Co. in Vienna, discover Cornish pasties, both fresh and frozen, with all sorts of fillings. Traditional beef is a best seller, but consider trying chicken masala, veggie samosa, or cheese and onion—a gold medal winner in the 2018 World Pasty Championship in Cornwall. In the market, find British sausages, blood puddings, digestives, dry goods, and sweet treats curated by Pure Pasty’s English-born proprietor, Mike Burgess. PurePasty.com Baku Delicious market and café in Fairfax specializes in Azeri food—of Azerbaijan— along with Turkish and Russian grocery items. Hot entrées, including samsas, a Central Asian street food favorite, are made in-house. Look for levengi, too, a baked fish or chicken stuffed with walnuts, onions, and a variety of condiments—a national dish of Azerbaijan.
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Facebook:@bakudelicious K Market International, an Asian food superstore in Annandale fills a repurposed K-Mart—it’s that big. Ramen from Taiwan, Japan, China, and Korea fill two aisles and the frozen food and houseware selections are extensive. Fishmongers are on hand to debone and filet fresh fish. And don’t miss the food court, where vendors serve up soups, street food, sushi, and more. KMarketUSA.com Sultan Gourmet Market brings Turkish delights to Fairfax, with a healthy mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern groceries and freshly prepared foods. In the bakery, try pogacha, a stuffed bread baked in ashes and finished in the oven; simit, a Turkish bagel—round and topped with sesame seeds; and fresh cookies, which are baked daily. Facebook:@sultaingourmetmarket
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
India AI Grocery in Arlington stocks whole and ground Indian spices, fresh produce, and everything you need to create authentic Indian dishes. Or order from their Minerva Express restaurant where the samosas, curries, biryanis, and palak paneer, a spinach and cheese dish—are sublime. IndiaA1Minerva.com German Gourmet in Falls Church offers
unique flavor experiments making Trummer’s a standout.
2nd: MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, Bristow MurLarkey.com, 571-284-7961 3rd: King Street Oyster Bar, Locations in Leesburg, Middleburg KingStreetOysterBar.com, 571-442-8068
Winery 1st: Stone Tower Winery 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., Leesburg StoneTowerWinery.com, 703-777-2797 Mike and Kristi Huber were wine connoisseurs prior to entering the industry. Their dedication to quality wine inspired them to bring in top consultants to analyze the terroir of their 300-acre estate on Hogback Mountain, home to three generations of the Huber family. Today, Stone Tower sits on beautifully preserved property and produces a world-class selection of complex and age-worthy wine.
2nd: Bluemont Vineyard BluemontVineyard.com, 540-554-8439 3rd: The Winery at Bull Run, Centreville WineryAtBullRun.com, 703-815-2233
an extensive selection of imported groceries, beers, wines, sausages, meats, and cheeses. Try the Deutscher Sub, Alpine Cheese Melt, or Frikadellen, a European burger of seasoned ground beef, pork, and onions, served on a brioche roll. For parties or meetings, order a deli platter with German cold cuts, European cheeses, and a selection of bratwursts. GermanGourmet.com
Michael Burgess after winning the World Pasty Championship in 2018. Above: Some of Burgess’ pasties.
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PAWS AWHILE PET MOTEL
pawsawhilepetmotel.com • 540-347-4855
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Annual Charity Event 1st: ViVa! Vienna 245 Maple Ave. W., Vienna VivaVienna.org, 703-981-4911 Happening Memorial Day weekend, this event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Virginia which provides support for charitable, educational, and community groups. Taking place on and around Church Street, there are plenty of fun rides, musical entertainment, and local vendors serving dishes like kettle corn and barbeque.
2nd: The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, Alexandria CampagnaCenter.org, 703-549-0111 3rd: Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Walk for the Animals AWLA.org, 703-931-9241
Art Event 1st: Art on the Avenue Alexandria ArtOnTheAvenue.org This highly anticipated street arts festival has celebrated the diversity and vibrancy of the Northern Virginia cultural community for 26 years. It stretches across 10 blocks of Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. Visitors can view showcased art, enjoy music or culinary treats, and even bring the kids along for interactive art activities.
2nd: Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival ArtFestival.com, 561-746-6615 3rd: Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston FXVa.com, 703-471-9242
Entertainment for Adults
photo courtesy of little goat farm
1st: Farm Brew LIVE 9901 Discovery Blvd., Manassas FarmBrewLive.com, 703-420-2264 On a 12-acre campus in Prince William County, Farm Brew LIVE is a hub for craft beer, food, and live music. Venues include The Pitt BBQ, the Yard music stage, La Gringa food truck, 2 Silos Brewing Co., and many more. It is part of Innovation Park, on the site of the historic Thomasson Barn.
2nd: The State Theatre, Falls Church TheStateTheatre.com, 703-237-0300 3rd: The Farm Brewery, Broad Run TheFarmBreweryAtBroadRun.com, 703-753-3548
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Festival 1st: Christmas in Middleburg 200 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg ChristmasInMiddleburg.org, 540-687-3600 There is no better place to celebrate the holiday season than the charming and picturesque downtown Middleburg, which hosts one of the most festive and fun-filled events of the year. Rain or shine, the tree lighting, Christmas parade, caroling, and premium gift shopping will be sure to put you in high spirits.
2nd: Art on the Avenue, Alexandria ArtOnTheAvenue.org 3rd: Celebrate Fairfax! Festival CelebrateFairfax.com, 703-324-3247
Historic Theater 1st: The Barns at Wolf Trap 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna WolfTrap.org, 703-255-1900 The Barns at Wolf Trap is a performance venue made up of double barns dating back to the 18th century. From October to May each year, The Barns host jazz greats, chamber musicians, folk artists, and more, bringing rustic charm to the Northern Virginia arts scene. During the summer months, The Barns are home to Wolf Trap Opera.
reconstruct, repair, and preserve rare aerial artifacts.
2nd: George Washington’s Mount Vernon MountVernon.org, 703-780-2000 3rd: Manassas National Battlefield Park Facebook: Manassas National Battlefield Park, 703-754-1861
Music Venue 1st: Wolf Trap 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna WolfTrap.org, 703-255-1900 From Bonnie Rait to Yo Yo Ma and Sting, the shows at Wolf Trap feature talent from all genres of music. For nearly fifty years, Wolf Trap has partnered with the National Parks Service, dedicating itself to creating excellent performing arts experiences for the enrichment, education, and enjoyment of music lovers.
2nd: Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow LiveNation.com, 703-754-6400 3rd: The Birchmere, Alexandria Birchmere.com, 703-549-7500
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Performing Arts Company 1st: Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington SigTheatre.org, 703-820-9771 With new Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner appointed in 2021, the Tony Award®-winning, non-profit Signature Theatre moves forward with its mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals, and develop new work. Shows from Sweeney Todd to The Color Purple are what keep this theater a fan favorite.
2nd: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas HyltonCenter.org, 703-993-8794 3rd: Little Theatre of Alexandria TheLittleTheatre.com, 703-683-0496
2nd: The Birchmere, Alexandria Birchmere.com, 703-549-7500 3rd: Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg TallyHoTheater.com, 703-777-1665
LOVE Sign 1st: LOVEwork at Manassas Welcome Center I-66 West, Mile Marker 48, Manassas Virginia.org, 703-361-2134
The LOVEwork sign at the Manassas Welcome Center is located next to ECPI University and adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park. These LOVEwork signs, located all throughout the state, remind Virginia natives and tourists alike that Virginia is indeed for lovers. The signs have become popular tourist destinations across the Commonwealth.
2nd: LOVEwork in Leesburg Virginia.org, 703-777-2420 3rd: LOVEwork in Manassas Virginia.org, 703-368-1873
Museum 1st: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly AirAndSpace.si.edu, 703-572-4118 Now open daily, there are thousands of aviation and space artifacts to explore and discover, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and an Air France Concorde aircraft. Make sure to visit the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar to watch specialists
Can You Say Nam-aaa-ste? Goat yoga is more fun than a barrel of kids.
Introducing goat yoga: The pet therapy you didn’t know you needed. Classes at Little Goat Farm combine the relaxation of yoga with the nibbling and nuzzling of baby goats. In classes on this Prince William County farm, yogis are joined by half a dozen kids (of the furry kind). “Goats are very social creatures,” says yoga instructor Susanna Marsh. As you move from Warrior I to Warrior II pose, baby goats will climb onto your shoulders and paw at your back.” The practice began accidentally, explains Marsh. “Five years ago, I moved my class outdoors and the farm goats instantly flocked to us,” she says. And with that, goat yoga was born. LittleGoatFarmVa.com
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Radio Station 1st: WAVA FM 105.1 1735 N. Lynn St., Suite 500, Arlington WAVA.com, 703-236-7681 From an all-news station, to soft rock, and then contemporary Christian music, WAVA FM has been on the air waves since 1946. Serving the Washington metro area, the Salem Media Group-owned studio is based in Arlington and provides a Christian talk and a conservative talk show as well.
2nd: WWWT FM 107.7, Manassas WTopNews.com, 202-895-5000 3rd: WERA LPFM 96.7, Arlington ArlingtonMedia.org, 703-524-2388
Special Event Venue 1st: Meadowlark Botanical
Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna NoVaParks.com, 703-255-3631 With 95 acres of ornamental garden displays and unique native plants collections, the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens provide an exquisite venue for tying the knot. Couples can choose between the glass-walled atrium, the historic Rust Manor House, the elegant woodlands, or the new Occoquan Regional Park River View as their ceremony or celebratory site.
2nd: Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria TorpedoFactory.org, 703-746-4570 3rd: Stone Tower Winery, Leesburg StoneTowerWinery.com, 703-777-2797
photo by thalia romero / courtesy of george washington’s mount vernon
PETS Dog Groomer 1st: A Pup’s Valley 6680 Fayette St., Haymarket APupsValley.com, 703-596-3647 Formerly known as A Dog’s Day Out, A Pup’s Valley’s new facility offers cage-free daycare, pet spa, dog training, and overnight boarding (with Private VIP and Kennel Suite options). Not only is there an outside space for your pets to run around in, but an indoor playroom as well. A Pup’s Valley also offers small group training yearround, and one staff member lives onsite full time.
2nd: Vienna Pet Spaw ViennaPetSpaw.com, 703-319-7729 3rd: Dogma Bakery Locations in Arlington, Reston DogmaBakery.com, 571-422-0370
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Washington’s Winner
Mount Vernon sweeps three categories this year.
Dog Training Company 1st: Olde Towne School for Dogs 529 Oronoco St., Alexandria OTSFD.com, 703-836-7643 A family-run business since 1975, Olde Towne School for Dogs provides comprehensive dog care and obedience training for the Alexandria community. As long-time members of the city of Alexandria and the Northern Virginia region, the school is well-regarded and the premier option for all your pet training needs.
2nd: Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria WholisticHound.com, 703-962-6335 3rd: Good Dog Workshop, Multiple locations GoodDogWorkshop.com, 703-489-1319
Pet Boarding/ Day Care 1st: A Pup’s Valley 6680 Fayette St., Haymarket APupsValley.com, 703-596-3647 A Pup’s Valley’s new facility offers cage-free daycare and overnight boarding (with Private VIP and Kennel Suite options). A Pup’s Valley provides raised cots and fluffy beds, but customers are welcome to bring their pet’s own blanket or bed. With indoor and outdoor play areas, dogs get plenty of
exercise. And there’s always one staff member living full-time on-site.
2nd: Country Club Kennels & Training, Catlett CountryClubKennels.com, 540-788-3559 3rd: Paws A While Pet Motel, Warrenton PawsAWhilePetMotel.com, 540-347-4855
Veterinary Hospital 1st: Caring Hands Animal Hospital Multiple locations CaringHandsVet.com, 703-942-8800 This network of eight veterinary hospitals was born from a simple idea: creating a better world for animals and the people who love them. With a focus on top-quality veterinary care, Caring Hands is one of the most open and transparent veterinary experiences in the region.
2nd: Pender Vet Animal Hospital, Fairfax PenderVet.com, 703-591-3304 3rd: Vienna Animal Hospital ViennaAH.com, 703-938-2121
KIDS Family Entertainment 1st: Great Country Farms 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont GreatCountryFarms.com, 540-554-2073
Overlooking the Potomac River about eight miles south of Alexandria, Mount Vernon is the estate and burial site of George Washington and his wife, Martha. Today, visitors can explore the house along with its working farm, functioning distillery, museum, and more. First known as Little Hunting Creek and owned by the Washington family in the 17th century, the property descended through the generations, eventually being purchased by Augustine, Washington’s father, in 1726. In the late 1740s, it became known as Mount Vernon. George Washington took full possession of the estate in 1761. And though his architectural sketches for renovations and additions show the manor as symmetrical, in fact, an extra window above the stairwell throws off the facade’s balance. The siding, which appears to be made of stone blocks, is actually made from pine. MountVernon.org
With its own “ninja” course, fishing pond, play area, and market, this farm is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Great Country Farms also hosts a number of events, like an Easter egg hunt and a peach “fuzztival.”
2nd: Wolf Trap, Vienna WolfTrap.org, 703-255-1900 3rd: Leesburg Animal Park LeesburgAnimalPark.com, 703-433-0002
K-12 Independent School 1st: Foxcroft School 22407 Foxhound Ln., Middleburg Foxcroft.org, 540-687-5555 Charlotte Haxall Noland founded Foxcroft School in 1914 with the mission to instill high purpose, integrity, leadership, understanding, and empathy into students. Foxcroft offers an academic experience that highlights rigor and exceptional proficiency, a community residential experience, and national recognition as a leader in STEM education for girls.
2nd: Wakefield School, The Plains WakefieldSchool.org, 540-253-7500 3rd: Flint Hill School, Oakton FlintHill.org, 703-584-2300
This 400-acre working farm is at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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AUG 12
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AUG 18
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Best Living & Recreation KIDS Preschool 1st: Bristow Montessori School 9050 Devlin Rd., Bristow BristowMontessori.com, 703-468-1191 Celebrating 10 years serving children from infancy through 3rd grade, Bristow Montessori School continues to provide individualized and cooperative learning. Their programs offer a unique experience, designed to help children maximize their potential by building self confidence and cultivating curiosity for learning. BMS believes in promoting academic, athletic, and artistic maturation.
2nd: Willowcreek Academy, Locations in Centreville, Gainesville WillowcreekAcademy.net, 703-754-7767 3rd: Congressional School, Falls Church CongressionalSchool.org, 703-533-9711
Summer Camp 1st: Tiny Dancers Locations in Alexandria, Fairfax TinyDancers.com, 703-385-5580 A family-owned studio, Tiny Dancers is a specialized dance program for children 2-12 offering year-round classes in ballet, tap, hip-hop, and more. You can also enroll your child in camps like Bunny Hop Camp. These are full of dance, crafts, and activities with themes like “Enchanted Castle.”
with 19th-century pieces, four of which have wood-burning fireplaces. Known as a wedding venue, the Inn also makes a beautiful retreat for the weekend with its gardens and awardwinning restaurant cuisine.
2nd: Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn, Middleburg BriarPatchBAndB.com, 703-327-5911 3rd: Manassas Junction Bed and Breakfast ManassasJunction.com, 703-216-7803
Historic Site 1st: George Washington’s
Mount Vernon
3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon MountVernon.org, 703-780-2000 The home of the first U.S. president, George Washington’s Mount Vernon is almost 11,000 square feet. Though the core was built by his father in 1734, Washington added two wings, the cupola, and the piazza in 1774. Now a historic landmark, the estate and its gardens and grounds are open to the public.
2nd: Arlington National Cemetery ArlingtonCemetery.mil, 877-907-8585 3rd: Manassas National Battlefield Park Facebook: Manassas National Battlefield Park, 703-754-1861
Hotel 1st: The Red Fox Inn & Tavern 2 E. Washington St., Middleburg RedFox.com, 540-687-6301 Family-owned and operated for three generations, the historic and boutique Red Fox Inn & Tavern provides a tranquil getaway for rest and relaxation. Nestled in the charming town of Middleburg, its central location allows guests easy access to local shopping, breweries, wineries, and the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
2nd: Lansdowne Resort & Spa, Leesburg LansdowneResort.com, 703-729-8400 3rd: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, Middleburg Goodstone.com, 540-687-3333
Resort 1st: Salamander Resort & Spa 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg SalamanderResort.com, 844-303-2723 Guests will never run out of things to do at this Forbes Five-Star resort. The scenic Salamander Resort and Spa features 168 guest rooms and suites along with a plethora of amenities, including an award-winning spa, equestrian center, culinary program, and an abundance of outdoor activities. This
NORTHERN VIRGINIA is the ultimate combination of luxury and discovery.
2nd: Lansdowne Resort & Spa, Leesburg LansdowneResort.com, 703-729-8400 3rd: Airlie, Warrenton Airlie.com, 540-347-1300
Tourist Attraction 1st: George Washington’s Mount
Vernon
3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon MountVernon.org, 703-780-2000 In addition to being home to the first U.S. president, George Washington’s Mount Vernon also features a museum and learning center to educate visitors on the history of the estate. Explore 23 galleries, see hundreds of artifacts, and view interactive exhibits that detail the lives of both Washington and the Mount Vernon community.
2nd: Great Falls Park, McLean NPS.gov, 703-757-3101 3rd: Old Town Alexandria VisitAlexandriaVa.com, 703-838-5005
2nd: Camp Highroad, Middleburg CampHighroad.org, 540-687-6262 3rd: Wakefield Schools Summer Programs, The Plains WakefieldSchool.org, 540-253-7500
TRAVEL Air Charter Service 1st: Skynet Air Charter 9998 Wakeman Dr., Manassas SkynetCharter.com, 800-671-8250
photos courtesy of dea museum
A private charter airline based in the Metro Washington, D.C., area, Skynet gets you where you want to go when you want to go. With access to 5,000 airports in the U.S., Skynet focuses on reliability, predictability, and flexibility for their customers.
2nd: Paramount Business Jets, Leesburg ParamountBusinessJets.com, 877-727-2538 3rd: Jet Linx, Sterling JetLinx.com, 703-570-6900
Bed & Breakfast 1st: The Ashby Inn & Restaurant 692 Federal St., Paris AshbyInn.com, 540-592-3900 This Northern Virginia bed and breakfast offers guest rooms furnished
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Scenes From a Drug Bust Artifacts from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) surprise and fascinate.
Stories of true crime and drug trafficking come vividly to life at Arlington’s DEA Museum. This newly renovated museum pays tribute to the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and explores the history and highlights of drug enforcement. The museum examines society’s toxic
relationship with drugs, the science of addiction, and the dangerous world of drug-related crime. See outfits worn by undercover agents (our favorites: green platform shoes), a Harley Davidson seized from a Hells Angels leader, and the infamous El Chapo’s weapons, confiscated
by DEA agents. Become an agent for the day and inspect artifacts, examine fingerprints, and go on virtual missions. Younger visitors can earn a Junior Special Agent badge by completing challenges that prompt them to think like a true DEA agent. Museum.DEA.gov
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Explorers Wanted Is your child curious, looking for a challenge, and ready for the next adventure? Our advanced, research-based curriculum is waiting for them! We're looking for passionate learners, creative problem-solvers, collaborators, and engaged citizens - students ready to explore!
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Best Living & Recreation OUTDOORS & ACTIVE
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Dance Studio 1st: Tiny Dancers Locations in Alexandria, Fairfax TinyDancers.com, 703-385-5580 Since 2001, Tiny Dancers has grown from 30 students to 1,000. Today, it remains a family-owned studio committed to the idea that the joy of dance lies in the creative expression and non-competitive experience at its core. In March 2020, it began offering live-streamed virtual dance classes.
2nd: Showcase Dance Studio Inc., Manassas Showcase.dance, 703-368-0555 3rd: Stage Door Dance Studio, Manassas StageDoorDanceStudio.com, 703-330-5060
Golf Course 1st: Army Navy Country Club Locations in Arlington, Fairfax ANCC.org, 703-521-6800
Trappe Road in Upperville.
Taking the Scenic Route
photo by doug graham
Three picturesque drives in Northern Virginia. There’s more to Northern Virginia than convoluted interstates and mindnumbing traffic jams. Just off the highways outside of D.C. lie some of the state’s most picturesque drives, full of pastoral beauty. These routes make great afternoon jaunts, or inspire longer forays to relax over a fine meal, take a hike, or escape overnight. Here, three signature NoVa drives will make you a convert. Virginia’s First Scenic Byway and Great Falls: Start at either end of the 12mile Georgetown Pike. Plot a course that traverses Seneca Road and Beach Mill Road, as well as the town of Great Falls. This bucolic drive rises and falls through Virginia’s most expensive zip codes, great for real estate rubbernecking and taking in views of the Potomac at one of three parks. Great Falls Park offers two accessible viewpoints of the namesake falls. Be sure to take in the twisting beauty of Georgetown Pike between Dranesville and McLean. Gilbert’s Corner at Aldie to Bluemont: Head west on Route 50, past the Aldie Mill on the left before taking a right onto Snickersville Turnpike, once an Iroquois hunting trail. Stone walls, reminiscent of the English countryside, line this 14-mile route, where you’ll pass
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fields, farms, and houses spanning the centuries. Instead of rowdy wineries with big parking lots, you’ll find the Philomont or Bluemont general stores along this quiet road. Other points of interest include Hibbs Bridge and a Civil War monument that commemorates the losses sustained by the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. At Bluemont, continue on Route 7 to Bears Den Overlook, a popular stop on the Appalachian Trail, for stunning westward views of the Shenandoah Valley. Middleburg into Fauquier County: Catch Middleburg’s horsey vibe before continuing west on Route 50 into Fauquier County. Note the farms, orchards, and vineyards that dot this gentle landscape as you pass through Upperville and Paris. The route gives way to the Blue Ridge foothills at Sky Meadows State Park as you head toward Markham via Leeds Mountain Road. In Markham, pick up Route 55, passing through Marshall with its historic schoolhouse—the one room Number 18 School, that dates to 1887— and on through The Plains. To return to Aldie, take Hopewell Road to Route 15 or— if you’re feeling adventurous—take the unpaved Bull Run Mountain Road back to Route 50 in Aldie. FunInFairfaxVa.com
The 54 holes on the Army Navy Country Club golf course are spread across two locations. A more rugged “Golden Age” course in Arlington— where President Eisenhower was said to golf—and the “Modern Era” course in Fairfax known for its gentle curves. The club offers private and group instruction alongside their various competitions.
2nd: Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, Leesburg RaspberryFalls.com, 703-779-2555 3rd: Trump National Golf Club, Potomac Falls TrumpNationalDC.com, 703-444-4801
Gym 1st: Freedom Aquatic & Fitness
Center
9100 Freedom Center Blvd., Manassas Freedom-Center.com, 703-993-8444 Though attached to George Mason University, this gym is open to the public. With basketball courts, a pool, various fitness rooms, and racquetball courts, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center has many programs (like Zumba) for members. They also offer two-hour child care while parents use the facility.
2nd: The St. James, Springfield TheStJames.com, 703-239-6870 3rd: Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Leesburg LeesburgVa.gov, 703-777-1368
Hiking or Biking Trail 1st: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail 21293 Smiths Switch Rd., Ashburn Virginia.org, 703-729-0596
Often called the skinniest park in Virginia, Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park is a paved trail between Shirlington and Purcellville. Take the 45-mile route along a former railroad roadbed, running through urban heartland and into the countryside. Equestrians can ride the adjacent 32-mile gravel horse trail.
2nd: First Battle of Manassas Trail Loop at Manassas National Battlefield Park Facebook: Manassas National Battlefield Park, 703-754-1861 3rd: The River Trail at Great Falls National Park, McLean NPS.gov, 703-757-3101
Specialty Fitness 1st: Halo Fitness Experience 10400 Premier Ct., Suite E, Burke HaloFitnessExperience.com, 571-655-5554 With a training facility designed for all levels of fitness and age, team programs are featured in order to promote personal success. Halo’s programs include CrossFit703, focusing on fitness and nutrition; Peak Strength, 45-minute strength and cardio training; Spark Kids, a strength and conditioning program for kids.
2nd: Kelly’s Bootcamp, Locations in South Riding, Sterling KellysBootcamp.net, 703-431-1732 3rd: Cordaro Fit®️, Arlington CordaroFit.com, 202-549-7084
Tennis Facility 1st: Burke Racquet and Swim Club 6001 Burke Commons Rd., Burke BurkeClub.com, 703-250-1299 For 37 years, the Burke Racquet and Swim Club has been offering classes to the community. Featuring five indoor tennis courts (with 40-foot ceilings) and one racquetball court, they provide services for beginner to advanced players, instructional to aerobic tennis, private lessons to class lessons, and team practices for kids aged 3 to adult. The facility also has a new ball machine.
2nd: Ida Lee Park Tennis Center, Leesburg LeesburgVa.gov, 703-737-6068 3rd: Middleburg Tennis Club MiddleburgTennisClub.com, 540-687-6388
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For Over 40 Years, We’ve Been Proudly Serving The Northern Virginia Area; And We Are Extremely Grateful To Be Chosen By YOU As One Of The Best Home Experts In The Region!
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Best Services HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: Active Family Wellness 10721 Main St., Suite 1500, Fairfax ActiveFamilyWellness.com, 703-373-7113 Led by Dr. Gregory Lee (an America’s Best Chiropractor 2020 from the National Consumer Advisory Board) who has 14 years of experience, Active Family Wellness focuses on helping those with traumatic injuries, pregnant women, and young children. They provide spinal adjustments, acupuncture treatment, cupping therapy, and more.
2nd: Gainesville Holistic Health Center GHHCenter.com, 571-248-0695 3rd: Pure Balance Naturopathic Medicine, Fairfax PureBalanceNaturopathicMedicine.com, 540-364-5824
Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: The Women’s Center 133 Park St. NE, Vienna TheWomensCenter.org, 703-281-2657 Individual, couples, family, and teen therapy just scratch the surface of the treatments The Women’s Center provides. Providing care since 1974, the Center strives to be synonymous with mental well-being and improve the quality of life, relying in part on philanthropic support from the community.
2nd: Dominion Center for Behavioral Health Services, South Riding DC4BHS.com, 703-348-0030 3rd: Blue Ridge Psychological Center, Gainesville BRPCVa.com, 571-248-2358
Dental Practice 1st: Dental Associates of Northern Virginia
Multiple locations DentalAssociatesNoVa.com, 703-398-1242 Dental Associates of Northern Virginia provides children and adults with teeth cleaning, cavity repair, tooth replacements, dental implants, and teeth whitening treatments. They have board-certified periodontists, who specialize in gum health, and orthodontists as well. For emergency appointments, there’s a dentist on-call 24-hours a day.
2nd: Fair Lakes Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Fairfax FairLakesDental.com, 703-273-4505 3rd: Gainesville Dental Associates GainesvilleDentalAssociates.com, 703-570-6573
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Home Health Provider 1st: At Home Personal Care
Services, LLC
Locations in Manassas, Warrenton HomePersonalCareVa.com, 703-330-2323
Ophthalmology/ Optometry Practice 1st: Northern Virginia
Ophthalmology Associates
Locations in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church NoVaEyes.com, 703-534-3900
This home health service provides skilled live-in and overnight care, nonmedical care, physical therapy, and much more. Being accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program ensures that At Home Personal Care Services meets the industry’s highest nationally recognized standards in the care that they offer.
At Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, eye health is the number one concern. Optometric services are also available, including contact lens fittings and eye exams. As a multidisciplinary practice, the team at Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates performs an array of surgical procedures and in-office services.
2nd: Five Star Home Health Care, Chantilly FSHHC.com, 703-662-7500 3rd: Nova Home Health Care, Fairfax NovaHHC.com, 703-831-1111
2nd: The Retina Group of Washington, Multiple locations RGW.com, 844-749-3627 3rd: The Eye Center, Multiple locations TheEyeCenter.com, 888-844-2020
Hospital 1st: Inova Fairfax Hospital 3300 Gallows Rd., Falls Church Inova.org, 703-776-4001 Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is an independent academic medical center and serves as a regional medical school campus. It is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and offers organ transplantation for the heart, lung, kidney, and pancreas. Known for its high-quality patient care and safety, Inova is also dedicated to providing comfort and education.
2nd: Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax Inova.org, 703-391-3600 3rd: Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington VirginiaHospitalCenter.com, 703-558-5000
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice 1st: Fairfax Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery
Multiple locations FairfaxOralSurgery.com, 703-385-5777 Fairfax Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has been serving and treating the Northern Virginia community since 1980. With expertise including dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth removal, and corrective jaw surgery, Fairfax OMS practices the full scope of oral
and maxillofacial surgical needs for facial pain, injuries, fractures, and more.
2nd: Loudoun Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Locations in Ashburn, Leesburg LoudounOMS.com, 703-729-8700 3rd: Northern Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, Multiple locations NVOMSA.com, 703-634-4230
Orthodontic Practice 1st: Orthodontics by Crutchfield 14012 Sullyfield Cir., Suite E, Chantilly OBCOrtho.com, 703-263-0575 Orthodontics by Crutchfield treats every day like a day at the beach and invites all their patients to do the same. Rejecting the one-size-fits-all approach, OBC uses multiple treatments and state-of-the-art technology to fit patients’ needs. Whether you’re sitting in the treatment chair or relaxing in the waiting room, grab one of the iPads made available to all guests.
2nd: Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, Gainesville DuneganCole.com, 703-753-4996 3rd: Northern Virginia Orthodontics, Multiple locations NVOrthodontics.com, 703-327-1718
Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) 1st: Capital Women’s Care Multiple locations CWCare.net, 301-340-8339 The providers of Capital Women’s Care seek the highest quality medical and ethical standard in an environment that nurtures the spirit of caring for every woman. As the largest and most successful private OB/GYN practice in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Capital Women’s Care network enables rapid coordination with specialists to address any of your individual needs.
2nd: UVA Obstetrics and Gynecology Haymarket NHLakeManassasOBGYN.org, 571-261-3529 3rd: Fair Ridge OBGYN, Fairfax FairRidgeOBGYN.com, 703-264-7801
IF IT’S TIME TO CONQUER CLUTTER, a professional organizer may be just the ticket. Think of them as being somewhere in between Mary Poppins and a house doctor. Industry expert Cris Sgrott of Organizing Maniacs in Tysons Corner helps clients start with seven encouraging words: “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” OrganizingManiacs.com
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Best Services HEALTH Orthopedic Practice 1st: OrthoVirginia Multiple locations OrthoVirginia.com, 703-383-6470 As the area’s largest orthopedic practice, OrthoVirginia remains committed to the health and wellbeing of their communities. Their highly trained teams are equipped to address everything from arthritis care, to physiatry, to weight loss assistance. With a collaborative approach, OrthoVirginia focuses on your needs to support a speedy recovery.
2nd: Arthritis & Sports Locations in South Riding, Sterling ArthritisAndSports.com, 703-444-5000 3rd: Nirschl Orthopaedic Center, Arlington Nirschl.com, 703-525-2200
Pediatric Practice
Physical Therapy Practice 1st: OrthoVirginia Multiple locations OrthoVirginia.com OrthoVirginia is committed to relieving pain and nerve damage through exercise, pain control, and bracing or splinting equipment. Working with your doctor, an OrthoVirginia physical therapist designs a program that assesses your condition and targets your goals. The Northern Virginia Sports Performance program even provides highly specialized therapies designed to get injured athletes on the mend.
2nd: Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center, Locations in Gainesville, Warrenton BlueRidgeOrtho.com, 540-347-2918 3rd: Arthritis & Sports, Locations in South Riding, Sterling ArthritisAndSports.com, 703-444-5000
1st: Children’s Medical Associates
Primary Care Practice
Locations in Alexandria, Fairfax CMANVa.com, 703-691-4700
1st: Inova VIP 360 Locations in Arlington, Fairfax, Leesburg InovaVIP360.org, 855-694-6682
of Northern Virginia
By providing flexible hours, phone appointments for busy families, and a wide range of services, CMA can accommodate many children with a variety of pediatric needs. From lactation help and behavioral/mental health services, to immunizations, you can trust your child’s care to Children’s Medical Associates of Northern Virginia.
2nd: Capital Area Pediatrics, Oakton CapitalAreaPediatrics.com, 703-359-5160 3rd: Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates, Falls Church NorthernVirginiaPediatrics.com, 703-532-4446
Inova VIP 360 offers comprehensive health care to the Northern Virginia Community. The Concierge Medicine Program makes handling life’s busy schedules and your medical needs manageable. With a focus on YOU, the team at INOVA takes genuine interest in each patient while addressing health concerns for a more balanced life.
2nd: Leesburg Sterling Family Practice, Multiple locations YourFamilyMed.com, 703-724-7530 3rd: Fairfax Family Practice FairfaxFamilyPractice.com, 703-391-2020
BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Chantilly Cosmetic Surgery 4437 Brookfield Corporate Dr., 107B, Chantilly ChantillyCosmeticSurgery.com, 703-962-2520 The mission at Chantilly Cosmetic Surgery is to provide patients with comprehensive, outstanding care. The expertise of the caring and knowledgeable staff ensures that the entire journey is executed in a “compassionate, thoughtful, and thorough manner.” Utilizing the latest technologies, the doctors and staff at Chantilly work to enhance the quality of life for each and every patient.
2nd: Cosmetic Dermatology Center, McLean Cosmetic-Dermatology-Center.com, 703-827-8600 3rd: Craig R. Dufresne & Associates M.D., Fairfax CDufresneMD.com, 703-207-3065
Dermatology Practice
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Hair Salon or Barber Shop 1st: Three Ways Beautiful Salon & Spa
7917 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville ThreeWaysBeautifulSalon.com, 571-284-5986 The owner and staff of Three Ways Beautiful are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and high-end products. With a vast array of options available for clients, the highly trained staff is well-versed in beauty products and services. Whatever the need or desire, the folks here can pamper you with exceptional beauty treatments. And while there, have a complimentary espresso!
2nd: Studio B Salon & Beauty Bar, Haymarket StudioBSalonAndBeauty.com, 571-284-7951 3rd: PR at Partners, Multiple locations PRAtPartners.com, 703-734-9680
1st: Cosmetic Dermatology Center 8377B Greensboro Dr., McLean Cosmetic-Dermatology-Center.com, 703-827-8600
Spa
Since 2003, Dr. Nicole Hayre’s primary mission has been to provide care that is personalized to each individual’s skincare needs. Leveraging her dermatologic training and scientific background, she uses innovation to treat her clients and has even formulated her own skincare line, Schön, which includes acne treatments, cleansers, sunscreens, and more.
Located on a 340-acre property framed by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Salamander Resort and Spa is truly dedicated to the health and wellness of visitors. The 23,000-square-foot spa features innovative and regionalized treatments, and holistic and result-driven therapies, promising an experience that is both luxurious and rejuvenating.
2nd: Prince William Dermatology PC, Gainesville PWDerm.com, 571-261-1234 3rd: Renewal Dermatology and MedSpa, Multiple locations RenewalDermatology.com, 703-753-9860
1st: Salamander Resort & Spa 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg SalamanderResort.com, 844-303-2723
2nd: Esthetics By Emily | Skin Studio, Gainesville EstheticsByEmily.co 3rd: Lansdowne Resort & Spa, Leesburg LansdowneResort.com, 703-729-8400
Find the Ideal Spa Experience Lansdowne Resort’s leads the way to optimal health. photos courtesy of lansdowne spa
Trying to make a positive change, but can’t seem to find your groove? Dejia Harmony’s wellness plan at Leesburg’s Lansdowne Spa combines the best of both Eastern and Western therapeutic practices that helps put your life in balance. With spa treatments, innovative therapies, and salon services, a bit of pampering can help you take control of your present—and your future. LansdowneResort.com
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Best Services HOME NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Architecture Firm 1st: Case Architects & Remodelers Locations in Alexandria, Falls Church CaseDesign.com, 703-910-2817
Plumbing/HVAC Company
Case turns inspired ideas into beautiful homes, guiding its clients through every step of the design and remodeling process with care and precision. With more than 60 years of experience, the firm’s expert craftsmanship and professional project management produce exactly what its customers are looking for.
2nd: Loveless Porter Architects, Manassas LovelessPorterArchitects.com, 703-368-1600 3rd: John F. Heltzel AIA, P.C., Manassas HeltzelAIA.com, 703-330-6170
Greenhouse and Nursery 1st: Merrifield Garden Center Locations in Fair Oaks, Gainesville, Merrifield MerrifieldGardenCenter.com, 703-560-6222 Plant enthusiasts from around the country travel to Merrifield Garden Center to find the highest quality plants, gardening supplies, and home décor items. The staff of this familyowned and operated business strives to provide an unmatched selection of new and noteworthy plants and products for your home and garden, pouring their hearts into caring for plants and connecting with people.
2nd: Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape, Multiple locations MeadowsFarms.com, 703-450-4240 3rd: Greenstreet Gardens Flowers & Gifts, Alexandria GreenstreetGardens.com, 703-998-3030
Home Builder 1st: Daniels Design & Remodeling 3930 University Dr., Suite 100, Fairfax DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700 As a “boutique” remodeling firm, Daniels Design and Remodeling offers a wide range of services for their clientele. Daniels’ expertise in the industry ensures each client’s vision is executed to their satisfaction. The companyrecognizes the importance of owners’ peace of mind. For that reason, weekly meetings are scheduled to track progress. Satisfied clients have raved about Daniels’ “white glove” service.
2nd: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Fairfax MichaelNashKitchens.com, 703-991-2942 3rd: Van Metre Homes, Fairfax VanMetreCompanies.com, 703-425-2600
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1st: F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, & Electrical Locations in Gainesville, Manassas FHFurr.com, 888-603-6405
HUMANS KNOW THE VALUE of daily flossing and annual check-ups, but when was the last time your pet visited the dentist? Great Falls Animal Hospital stresses the importance of good oral health for animals. “Our practice started in 1963, and we’ve always had a strong education program,” says hospital administrator Karen Bracken-Penley. “We want to help our clients take care of their pets so they live longer, healthier lives.” Regular checkups and good oral hygiene are important for the entire family, pets included. Dental health makes pets smell better of course, but more importantly, it avoids the pain and discomfort caused by periodontal disease. GreatFallsAnimalHospital.com
F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, & Electrical is dedicated to getting the job done right, the first time. The certified staff is knowledgeable and courteous, equipped to provide a myriad of services. Satisfied customers love their efficiency and timeliness. Whether your need is plumbing, cooling repair, or something else, this team checks all the boxes!
2nd: CroppMetcalfe, Inc., Fairfax CroppMetcalfe.com, 703-698-8855 3rd: John Nugent & Sons, Inc., Sterling NugentSons.com, 703-832-4567
Real Estate Firm Home Furnishings Store
Kitchen and Bath Design Firm
1st: Belfort Furniture 22250 Shaw Rd., Dulles BelfortFurniture.com, 703-947-0853
1st: Daniels Design & Remodeling 3930 University Dr., Suite 100, Fairfax DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700
Belfort Furniture first opened its doors in 1982 at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax. At that time Belfort exclusively sold European furniture, specializing in “shrunks” (European wall units) and unique accessories. Today, with more than 200 dedicated employees, Belfort displays more than 500 room settings of name-brand furniture and is an unmatched retailer for the Northern Virginia region.
With mission in mind, this team works with homeowners in Northern Virginia to develop a high-quality project delivered with outstanding customer service. Daniels Design and Remodeling believes that each client and each project is unique. They are committed to creative design that fits the needs and improves quality of life for every customer.
2nd: The Old Lucketts Store, Leesburg LuckettStore.com, 703-779-0268 3rd: Arhaus, McLean Arhaus.com, 703-734-9001
2nd: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Fairfax MichaelNashKitchens.com, 703-991-2942 3rd: Grace Thomas Designs, Leesburg GraceThomasDesigns.com, 203-258-2497
Interior Design Firm
Landscape Design
1st: Grace Thomas Designs 19648 Greenham Dr., Leesburg GraceThomasDesigns.com, 203-258-2497
1st: Merrifield Garden Center Locations in Fair Oaks, Gainesville, Merrifield MerrifieldGardenCenter.com, 703-560-6222
Grace Thomas Designs works closely with each client to deliver quality, creativity, and beauty. Combining function with beauty, this design group has a natural knack for supreme service, as well as understanding and delivering a large range of styles and aesthetics. Armed with extensive experience, owner Michelle Troxell always “stays on the pulse of new trends and ideas.”
This family-owned and operated garden business strives to offer an exemplary selection of unique and interesting plants and products for inside and outside the house. Landscaping services include custom patios, outdoor kitchens, and lighting, as well as irrigation systems, mulching, tree transplant and trimming, and much more.
2nd: Daniels Design & Remodeling, Fairfax DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700 3rd: J & L Interiors, Leesburg JandLInteriors.net, 703-737-7660
2nd: Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape, Multiple locations MeadowsFarms.com, 703-450-4240 3rd: Kane Landscapes, Sterling KaneLandscapes.com, 703-803-3146
1st: Long & Foster Multiple locations LongAndFoster.com, 703-437-3800 Long & Foster started in 1968 with a handshake between P. Wesley Foster Jr. and Henry Long, and has since grown into the largest real estate company on the East Coast. The goal of the firm remains the same: to help its real estate agents achieve success in the business by providing them with the best training, technology, and support possible.
2nd: McEnearney Associates, Alexandria McEnearney.com, 703-549-9292 3rd: RE/MAX Executives, Multiple locations Executives-100428927.Remax.com, 703-879-0505
Retirement Community 1st: Falcons Landing 20522 Falcons Landing Cir., Potomac Falls FalconsLanding.org, 703-844-0506 A nonprofit senior residential facility, Falcons Landing reinvests all funds back into the community. The benefits go directly to the residents. It’s been called “a wonderful place to call home.” This community, dedicated for those who have served in the United States military, teems with activities galore.
2nd: Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community, Ashburn EricksonLiving.com, 703-936-2108 3rd: Heritage Hunt Active Adult Community, Gainesville 703-743-2000
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OUR MI SSION To help every girl explore her unique voice and to develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world.
A Foxcroft graduate is ready to
LEARN LEAD AND
I N C O L L E G E AN D B E YO N D
P O R T R A I T
O F
VO I C E
· Recognizes her role and responsibility as a global citizen and works to effect positive change in her community and the world. · Stewards the environment for a sustainable future. · Effectively collaborates to achieve shared goals. · Advocates for her needs academically, professionally, and personally. · Develops life-long practices that support a healthy mind in a healthy body.
A
F O X C R O F T
S C H O O L
C H AR AC T E R
INTEL L ECT
· Engages in and is curious about the world around her. · Seeks out academic challenges and creates her own learning opportunities. · Pursues knowledge and skills to better herself and her community. · Thinks critically, tackles complex problems with empathy, and uses logic and evidence to support her claims. · Utilizes scientific and quantitative reasoning skills. · Adopts ethical academic practices, evaluates sources, and properly credits information.
· Acts with integrity and responsibility and values these traits in others. · Treats all with respect, kindness, and an understanding heart. · Acts with courage to do what is right. · Desires to learn from differences. · Dedicates herself to serving others. · Exhibits persistence and resilience and adapts to changes and new situations.
· Expresses herself persuasively and creatively for a variety of purposes, using various modes: written, spoken, and visual.
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Since 1914 #GreatWomenFXC
SAVE THE DATE: 2022-23 OPEN HOUSES
Visit our website to learn more about our Portrait of a Graduate and the accomplishments of our students and alumnae. Discover for yourself what makes us experts at educating girls. www.foxcroft.org | admission@foxcroft.org | 540.687.4340 22407 Foxhound Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117
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G R A D U AT E
October 7 December 2 April 28 www.foxcroft.org/admission/visit
A boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 & post-grad
4/21/22 4:21 PM
Best Services SERVICES Accounting Firm 1st: DuvallWheeler LLP 9430 Forestwood Ln., Suite 203, Manassas DuvallWheeler.com, 703-392-9292 DuvallWheeler has more than 30 years of accounting expertise. Services include tax planning, exit or succession planning, and business valuation. The firm maintains the key to growth “is through relentless learning and commitment to offer the best possible outcome for each individual client.”
2nd: Matthews, Carter & Boyce, CPAs, Fairfax MCB.CPA, 703-218-3600 3rd: Gordon CPA Group, Reston SWGordonCPA.com, 571-665-4450
Auction Company 1st: Damewood Auctioneers 35091 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville DamewoodAuctioneers.com, 703-303-4760 The Damewood Auctioneers have been a part of Northern Virginia’s auction market for nearly 40 years. Their team has sold millions of dollars in real estate, equipment, and collectibles for sellers in the greater D.C. Metropolitan area. Damewood regularly works with local estates, businesses, families, individuals, institutions, schools, and nonprofits.
2nd: Alexandria Auctions AlexandriaAuctions.com, 571-565-3300 3rd: Quinn’s Auction Galleries, Falls Church QuinnsAuction.com, 703-532-5632
Bank/Credit Union
Car Wash
1st: Navy Federal Credit Union Multiple locations NavyFederal.org, 888-842-6328
1st: Flagship Car Wash Center Multiple locations FlagshipCarWash.com
Since 1933, Navy Federal Credit Union has grown from seven members to over 11 million, exclusively serving the military, veterans, and their families. Founded at the end of the Great Depression by a small cadre of Navy Department employees wanting to help coworkers reach their financial goals, it continues to encourage building security for its customers.
Offering unlimited car washes, professional detailing, and 24-hour automatic car wash services, Flagship will have your vehicle looking its best. Flagship offers various packages for the different services, providing an even greater flexibility for customers.
2nd: Apple Federal Credit Union, Multiple locations AppleFCU.org, 703-788-4800 3rd: Capital One, Multiple locations CapitalOne.com, 877-383-4802
Car Dealer 1st: CarMax Multiple locations CarMax.com, 800-519-1511 CarMax provides 24-hour test drives and 30-day returns. A large variety of car brands are available at prices ranging from $10,000 to well over $30,000. CarMax offers customers the ability to buy online, in store, or a hybrid combination. Offering a “Love Your Car Guarantee,” CarMax strives for customer satisfaction.
2nd: Shannon Auto Sales, Manassas ShannonAutoSales.com, 703-361-3040 3rd: Pohanka Lexus, Chantilly PohankaLexusChantilly.com, 703-968-9100
Looking For a Counselor?
Deciphering degrees is the first step to finding a mental health provider. LCSW or PhD? MD or Pys.D? The jumble of letters that accompany mental health professionals’ names are hard to decipher. While they typically refer to education, training, and licensure, knowing what to make of this alphabet soup can help you pinpoint the right pro for your needs. Recognize a few of these? L.C.S.W. = licensed clinical social worker L.P.C. = licensed professional counselor L.M.F.T. = licensed marriage and family therapist A doctor of clinical psychology has a Ph.D while a doctor of psychology will have a Psy.D. Both provide psychological evaluations and most offer psychotherapy. A psychiatrist is an M.D. and can prescribe and manage medication. Your primary care physician can make initial referrals to help you locate the provider who’ll be a good fit.
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2nd: Embassy Autowash, Multiple locations EmbassyAutowash.com, 703-273-5650 3rd: Top Shine Car Wash & Detail Center, Gainesville TopShineCarWash.com, 571-222-7088
Caterer 1st: Pampa’s Fox Catering 11905 Aden Rd., Nokesville PampasFoxCatering.com, 202-368-5412 Whether you’re ordering a single cake or food for a banquet or large wedding, Pampa’s Fox Catering is happy to service your culinary needs. They are a family-owned and operated small business originating from Argentina, bringing their cooking talents to Virginia.
2nd: Savoir Fare Limited, Round Hill SavoirFareLimited.com, 540-338-8300 3rd: Purple Onion Catering Co., Vienna PurpleOnionCatering.com, 703-631-0050
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Financial Planning Firm 1st: Cassaday & Company 8180 Greensboro Dr., Suite 1180, McLean Cassaday.com, 703-506-8200 Providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management, Cassaday & Company hopes to integrate and simplify a client’s personal finances. Founded in 1993, they now have 70 employees, serving 2,600 households with a total of 4.7 billion dollars in monetary assets. They also support charities like So Others Might Eat and Central Union Mission.
2nd: Buchanan Wealth Management, Reston BuchananWealth.com, 703-956-2633 3rd: Meridian Financial Partners, Warrenton MeridianFinancialPartners.com, 540-878-5416
Funeral Home 1st: Money & King Funeral Home 171 Maple Ave. W., Vienna MoneyAndKing.com, 703-938-7440 Family-owned, Money & King Funeral Home and Cremation Services is proud to offer pre-planning, funeral services, burial services, and cremation services. Their traditions, accomplishments, and legacy of the past 140 years of service are dedicated to those they serve in the community.
2nd: Adams-Green Funeral Home and Crematory, Herndon AdamsGreen.com, 703-437-1764 3rd: Pierce Funeral Home, Manassas PierceFH.com, 703-257-6028
Law Firm 1st: Geller Law Group 4000 Legato Rd., 1100, Fairfax TheGellerLawGroup.com, 703-687-6188 The incredible story of the Geller Law Group began in 2011 when Rebecca Geller, a young mother and attorney, created a new business model in the legal profession to accommodate working parents. The group now serves more than 5,000 clients and has changed the way law is practiced in a way that embraces flexibility without compromising excellence.
2nd: Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, PLLC, Leesburg DBLLawyers.com, 703-777-7319 3rd: Family First Law Group, Alexandria FamilyFirstLawVirginia.com, 703-299-3440
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Best Shopping Book Store
Antiques 1st: The Old Lucketts Store 42350 Lucketts Rd., Leesburg LuckettStore.com, 703-779-0268
1st: McKay Used Books 8345 Sudley Rd., Manassas McKayUsedBooks.com, 703-361-9042
Built in 1879 by the Luckett family, the Old Lucketts Store is a restored general store and family home. The shop houses more than 35 dealers who sell antiques, vintage finds, and just plain cool stuff. Lucketts offers outdoor checkout and curbside pickup, so customers can enjoy the outdoors while helping alleviate congestion inside the shop.
Since 1983, McKay Used Books has provided hundreds of thousands of titles, including fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels, as well as other types of entertainment media, all sourced by the local community. The staff at McKay is proud that it has been able to give back to the community; they donated more than $1,800 to local public schools in 2020 alone.
2nd: Baileywyck Antiques, The Plains BaileywyckAntiques.com, 540-687-6097 3rd: Iron Horse Antiques, Manassas Facebook: Iron Horse Antiques, 703-368-4959
2nd: Bard’s Alley, Vienna BardsAlley.com, 571-459-2653 3rd: Old Town Books, Two locations in Alexandria OldTownBooks.com, 703-647-9749
Consignment Shop 1st: Copper Cricket 15026 Washington St., Haymarket The-Copper-Cricket.business.site, 703-743-2346 Now in their sixth year, Copper Cricket is open Tuesday-Sunday. This consignment shop’s ever-changing inventory of furniture and decor makes each experience different and provides plenty of opportunity to find something unique. From larger items like brass beds, to smaller pieces like figurines, there’s something for everyone.
2nd: Carousel Consignments, Manassas CarouselConsignments.biz, 571-208-0638 3rd: Twice is Nice, Leesburg LadiesBoard.org, 703-771-0208
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Fine Jewelry Store 1st: Ketterman’s Jewelers 212 Catoctin Cir. SE, Leesburg Kettermans.com, 703-777-0033 Family-owned in Leesburg since 1988, Ketterman’s not only makes its own jewelry but has an on-site repair shop, which offers cleanings. Open MondaySaturday, they provide engraving services, jewelry insurance, and have a large selection of gifts and accessories for special occasions, like weddings, from a multitude of designers.
photos (clockwise from left) courtesy of: manassas olive oil company, red barn mercantile, le village marche
2nd: Ashby Jewelers, Manassas AshbyJewelers.com, 703-368-4653 3rd: Quinn’s Goldsmith, Woodbridge QuinnsGoldsmith.com, 703-878-1622
Emily Thompson of Manassas Olive Oil Company. Right: Red Barn Mercantile’s storefront. Below: Candles from Le Village Marche.
Gift Giving 101
Experts weigh in on just the right hostess gift. More whisper than shout, a hostess gift has one essential purpose: to send a thoughtful gesture of appreciation. To help you get it just right, we polled some of our favorite gift shops for tips and ideas. Angela Phelps of Arlington’s Le Village Marche’s go-tos include candles, cocktail napkins, and chocolates. “For candles, choose a citrus scent. It’s a safe choice, as some people are sensitive to scents—they are great for using after cooking.” For times when something more lasting and substantial is warranted, she suggests a quality set of marble coasters. “They are
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useful and go with any decor.” Gifts of flavored olive oil are favored by Emily Thomson of Manassas Olive Oil Company, who says it’s a perfect choice—something everyone will enjoy. “It can be used for cooking any meal, drizzling on a salad, or as a bread dipping.” Among her favorites: Tuscan Herb, flavored with rosemary, oregano, basil, and garlic, and Milanese Gremolata, a blend of lemon zest, parsley, and garlic. “I’d rather bring a nice bottle of olive oil or specialty salt that they can use later,” says Amy Rutherford of Red Barn Mercantile in
Alexandria. She advises against perishable gifts like flowers or consumable ones like wine. Two of her favorites are Sydney Hale Candles and liquid Marseille soap. And any consummate entertainer will appreciate the Wine and Cheese Pairing Swatchbook, an easy-to-follow guide perfect for get-togethers. At $15, it’s an easy price point too. Courtney Thomas of The Picket Fence in Burke suggests focusing on treats that can be enjoyed after guests have left. “Put together a little goodie basket of Virginia peanuts, dip mixes, and locally made jams for the hostess.” For a fun twist on the traditional bottle of wine, she recommends adding a pack of Vinoos Wine Gummies. And one more tip not to overlook: Be sure your gift has a “to and from” tag. Hand it
directly to the host or place it where it can be found after the party—maybe on a front hall table. Be sure to include a simple handwritten message: “Thank you! This is for you to enjoy later.”
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orthern thern Pr Proud oud T To o Be One o off N Nor Vir irg ginia inia’’s Best Florists Thank you for voting Mayflowers as one of the Best Florists in Northern Virginia! We’re so grateful that you chose to support our small, women-owned business. Visit our stores in Mclean or Reston, Virginia, or visit our website at mayflowersonline.com.
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Best Shopping Florist Shop 1st: Karin’s Florist 527 Maple Ave. E., Vienna KarinsFlorist.com, 703-281-4141 Named after co-owner Bill Dukas’ first born child, Karin’s Florist has been serving the area since 1956 and was named Best Florist in America on The Steve Harvey Show. They provide flowers for every occasion, from parties to funerals. Other products include plants like orchids, gift baskets packed with snacks and treats, and gifts like pillows, table runners, photo frames, and more.
2nd: The Flower Gallery, Manassas FlowerGalleryManassas.com, 703-361-5186 3rd: Mayflowers, Locations in McLean, Reston MayflowersOnline.com, 703.709.1200
Gift Store 1st: The Things I Love 9084 Center St., Manassas Facebook: The Things I Love, 703-335-7711 Established in 1997 by Joanne Wunderly, this home decor and gift shop is
2nd: Highcliffe Clothiers, Middleburg HighcliffeClothiers.com, 540-687-5633 3rd: Britches Great Outdoors, Warrenton Warthog.vip, 855-420-2437
2nd: Shining Sol Candle Company, Manassas ShiningSol.com, 571-719-3957 3rd: The Fun Shop, Middleburg TheFunShop.com, 540-687-6590
1st: Potomac River Running Store Multiple locations PotomacRiverRunning.com, 703-243-2332
Men’s Clothing Store 1st: Davelle Clothiers 11921 Freedom Dr., Suite 100, Reston DavelleClothiers.com, 703-904-0011 A true American success story, Davelle Clothiers is dedicated to four things: high-quality fabrics, craftsmanship, the perfect fit, and the expression of every man’s individual style. This shop has been providing customers with high-end garments for more than 29 years, taking pride
The Hive is Buzzing in Old Town
photos courtesy of the hive
Fashionistas flock to Alexandria’s trio of stylish shops. When a friend suggested to Elizabeth Todd that she open a shoe store in a tiny Old Town storefront, she jumped. “By the time I mentioned it to my husband, I was no longer pondering,” she recalls of her 2003 decision. Catering to women seeking high-end brands found in department stores—but in a boutique experience—Todd’s Shoe Hive quickly carved out a specialty niche. Over the next decade, she grew the brand, tripling its floor space to become an established member of Old Town’s bustling business community. Todd soon branched into accessories and jewelry, and when a few racks of clothing
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in its unrivaled personal service and staff expertise.
also a tea room. Originally situated in a building over 140 years old on Battle Street, the shop relocated to a bigger storefront in the Old Conner Opera House in late 2010. The store sells pillows, chairs, teacups, tote bags, and more. Make sure to catch their special holiday themes for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas.
crept into the mix, she opened The Hive, in 2016. Specializing in accessible lines like Rag & Bone, Frank & Eileen, Sundry, and Tibi, The Hive was soon joined by Yellow Jacket, a menswear shop, last fall. “I would like to be the Cheers of Old Town, where everybody knows your name,” Todd says. “What makes us stand apart is the community. We have wonderful customers who are loyal to us, and I have been lucky enough to have amazing people working at the stores.” The brand’s online shop, which carries about 90 percent of The Hive’s inventory, has grown quickly during the pandemic as
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter
Locally based and family-owned, Potomac River Running Stores have grown to nine locations in Virginia since their 2003 opening. And you won’t just find footwear there. The store offers a wide range of gear, apparel, and accessories as well as advice. Among their various training programs for runners, their track club youth program teaches children the basics of competitive running and supporting an active lifestyle.
2nd: Pacers Running, Multiple locations RunPacers.com, 703-836-1463 3rd: Casual Adventure, Arlington CasualAdventure.com, 703-527-0600
customers shifted to virtual shopping, taking style pointers from their blog, Instagram feed, and newsletter. “It is really like we have four stores,” says Todd. “The Shoe Hive, The Hive, Yellow Jacket, and the web store.” A revamp of the website has paid off, too, she says: “We have reconnected with customers who had moved away, and met some new ones who live in places that don’t have shops like ours.” Todd adjusts her inventory to reflect customers’ evolving preferences. She and her staff also mastered the pandemic hustle. “We did a different virtual trunk show every week for a few months,” she says. “We delivered items all over town, and when a sale hit, we had a sign up where you could FaceTime the store virtually.” Over the years, Todd’s intuitive business
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Women’s Clothing Store 1st: Undeniable Boutique 2920 District Ave., Suite 140, Fairfax UndeniableBoutique.com, 571-281-0348 Constantly changing inventory with weekly new arrivals, shopping is made easy and fun at Undeniable Boutique. The shop has experienced stylists to help find that new outfit and personal shopping appointments are available. Their VIP shopping parties make a great night out with the whole store and their top stylists to yourself.
2nd: Nollypop Mobile Boutique, Multiple locations Nollypop.net, 703-967-1435 3rd: The Hive, Alexandria TheShoeHive.com, 703-548-7110
sense has served her retail hive well. “Ignorance has always been my biggest friend and work ethic, my ally. I don’t know how things are supposed to work. I just go.” TheShoeHive.com
Elizabeth Todd
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magical BATH
Journeys.
The peaceful back roads offer stunning mountain views. The great food, outdoor adventure and exceptional hospitality turn a weekend getaway into an epic road trip. That’s a Made in Bath County experience. DiscoverBath.com · 540-839-7202 · #MadeInBathVA
Camp Mont Shenandoah
The Inn at Gristmill Square
The Omni Homestead Resort
We are a small all-girls camp located on the waters of the Cowpasture River. Since 1927, we have served girls between the ages of 7–16, offering activities like swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, tennis, arts & crafts and much more. By Girls. For Girls. With Girls. Go Girls!
A boutique Inn with 18 wonderful guest rooms, the award-winning Waterwheel Restaurant, warm and personable staff, and modern touches that make you feel right at home in the heart of the George Washington National Forest. You’ll immediately know what makes us the Best of Virginia.
Not all escapes are created equal. Indulge in a world-class spa. Play one of the top golf courses in the country. Savor exquisite cuisine. Experience more than 30 activities from archery to zip lines. Discover The Omni Homestead, a destination unlike any other.
CampMontShenandoah.com 540-997-5994
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GristmillSquare.com 540-839-2231
TheHomestead.com 800-838-1766
4/21/22 4:33 PM 3/29/22 11:52 AM
WITH ITS SWOON-WORTHY VISTAS and small cities with big hearts, there’s plenty to love about the Shenandoah Valley. Winchester, the Valley’s largest city, is the “Apple Capital” of the Commonwealth. Harrisonburg, the “Friendly City,” is a college town with a foodie vibe. And Staunton boasts one of the most beautiful main streets in the country, according to Architectural Digest no less. Head west and you’ll encounter Lexington, nicknamed the “Paris of Virginia” thanks to its winning combination of culture and charm. Wherever you land in the Shenandoah Valley, you’re guaranteed awe-inspiring natural beauty (we’re looking at you, Natural Bridge), unparalleled history, and a dynamic arts and culture scene combined with opportunities to play outdoors. This region has the best of everything—and something for everyone.
>
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“We had an excellent experience with KK Homes! They were not
“This team is amazing. They are like no other. Their care and expertise surpasses any other in this area by far. They represent their clients like family. My family alone has now worked
only professional, they were also
with them on four transactions and as far as we’re concerned
very sympathetic to our situa-
they are the ONLY team in town. You want results? You want
tion. Highly recommend them!”
You want someone who represents the best of this community
— Nancy A.
expert advice, guidance, honesty and care? Call KK Homes. and supports this community? Call KK Homes! — Kim M.
“I’ve used KK Homes to sell and purchase three houses. I highly recommend them for anyone, the entire staff is great and easy going. Never once had an issue or felt like I wasn’t a priority. Even if my realtor wasn’t available they would have someone else ready and willing to help as the buying market was moving very fast and time was of the essence. I can’t say enough great things about this company and their people.” —Crystal D.
With over a decade of experience helping Virginians and those relocating to and from the Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg areas of Virginia to buy and sell their homes and commercial properties, KK Homes has expertly crafted a personal, hands on approach for each client served. Through the years, KK Homes has been able to help hundreds of home buyers and sellers, and has gained tremendous experience and fulfillment from serving the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
16 Gosnell Crossing, Suite 102 Staunton, Virgina 24401 540-836-5897 www.kkhomes.com • team@kkhomes.com
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY CITIES:
Laura Loe in her Richmond Studio. Below right: Loe's painting A Nimrod Studio, 2014.
- Buena Vista - Covington - Harrisonburg - Lexington
- Staunton - Waynesboro - Winchester
COUNTIES: - Alleghany - Augusta - Bath - Botetourt - Clarke - Craig - Frederick
- Highland - Page - Rockbridge - Rockingham - Shenandoah - Warren
A Thriving Arts Scene
photo by tyler darden. painting courtesy of laura loe
B
ORDERED BY THE BLUE RIDGE AND
Allegheny Mountains, the Valley is home to a thriving arts community. Looking for creative inspiration? Nimrod Hall in Bath County hosts weeklong summer workshops in painting, crafts, and writing. Affectionately known as “art camp,” Nimrod has offered creative retreats for beginning to advanced artists for more than 30 years. “Your food and room are provided here,” says artist Laura Loe, Nimrod’s owner, “so you can just show up and create.” The property, which includes a main house, dining hall, and series of small cottages, dates to 1783. “We’re unapologetically old-fashioned,” Loe adds. In nearby Hot Springs, the popular Bath County Art Show—coming July 16-24—will feature 200 regional artists. And just up the road, Garth Newel Music Center combines world-class chamber music with fine dining. Just south of Harrisonburg, you’ll find the Dayton Days Autumn Celebration, our top art event winner. Showcasing over 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, the 42nd annual celebration is
on October 1. In Waynesboro, check out the Fall Foliage Art Show from October 8-9, a juried event that combines works from over 100 artists. The town of Woodstock plays host to the third annual Shenandoah Valley ArtFest on June 25. Visitors can view and purchase original artwork while enjoying live music and games along with food trucks, local craft beer, and wines from the region. For theater, this year’s top honor goes—once again—to Staunton's American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only recreation of William Shakespeare’s original indoor theater. Performances here include original and contemporary adaptations of the Bard of Avon’s plays, along with contemporary works. Frommer’s calls their productions, simply, “stunning.” Also in Staunton, in second place is ShenanArts Theatre, which produces musicals and plays for audiences of all ages as well as a theatrical training program for aspiring young actors. Over in Lexington, Lime Kiln Theater takes first place in the music venue category. Founded in 1967, it attracts a lineup of top bluegrass, country, and folk performers for audiences al fresco.
Nimrod is summer artsand-crafts camp for adults. We offer home-cooked meals, simple rooms, and professional art teachers. You just show up and create.” —Laura Loe, artist and owner, Nimrod Hall
BEST OF VIRGINIA CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Food & Drink
Best Living & Recreation
pg. 121 Restaurants pg. 125 Food Shopping pg. 127 Drink
pg. 131 Entertainment & Events pg. 133 Pets pg. 133 Kids pg. 135 Travel pg. 137 Outdoors & Active
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Best Services pg. 139 Health pg. 141 Beauty pg. 143 Home pg. 145 Services
Best Shopping pg. 147
Winners begin on pg. 121
>
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Thank You!
to all of our friends,
patrons and partners who have
supported us over the last 17 years.
C . H . E . F. S . C a t e r i n g C o m p a n y, L L C CREATIVE HOSPITALITY E VENTS F ROM STONERIDGE O v e r 3 0 Ye a r s E x p e r i e n c e i n t h e H o s p i t a l i t y I n d u s t r y
& @ BOV_2022.indd 120
540-462-7182
www.stoneridgecatering.com
chefs@stoneridgecatering.com
302 Stoneridge Lane Lexington, VA 24450
Vot ed On e of t h e B es t Catering Companies in the Shenandoah region
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS Asian Restaurant 1st: Taste of Thai 917 S. High St., Harrisonburg Taste-of-Thai.com, 540-801-8878 Staple favorites such as the Tom Kha Gai, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice dessert washed down by a Singha beer have sustained Taste of Thai as the longest-standing Thai restaurant in the Harrisonburg area. The restaurant serves a variety of Thai and other regionally inspired dishes for lunch and dinner, and also offers catering.
2nd: Napa Thai, Lexington NapaThai.com, 540-461-8133 3rd: Golden China, Harrisonburg GoldenChinaHarrisonburg.com, 540-434-1285
Barbecue Restaurant 1st: Hank’s Grille & Catering 49 Bloomer Springs Rd., McGaheysville HanksGrilleandCatering.com, 540-289-7667
Breakfast/ Brunch Restaurant
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Magpie Diner 85 W. Gay St., Harrisonburg MagpieDiner.com, 540-383-4813
1st: Bridgewater Coffee Co. 610 Main St., Bridgewater BridgewaterCoffee.com, 540-237-4408
What was once a 1950s tire service station is now Magpie Diner, a fullservice breakfast and lunch restaurant offering a modern, diner-inspired menu. Magpie makes classics like biscuits and gravy, but also offers unique twists on traditional diner fare—think a spinach artichoke grilled cheese. The menu is updated weekly.
After noticing the town lacked a central coffee shop, two families opened Bridgewater Coffee in 2017. Focusing on community—with a mantra to “Sip Savor Repeat”— beautifully crafted drinks and seasonal favorites are on the menu. A Grasshopper Latte combines mint, dark chocolate, and crème de menthe pieces, while mocha and Oreo cookies are blended into a Cookies & Creme Frappe. Tasty baked goods, fresh breakfast foods, and delectable sandwiches are also on the menu.
2nd: Kathy’s Restaurant, Staunton Kathys-Restaurant.com, 540-885-4331 3rd: Mr. J’s Bagel & Deli, 3 locations in Harrisonburg MrJsBagels.com, 540-564-0416
Burger Joint Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
1st:
80 S. Main St., Harrisonburg JackBrownsJoint.com, 540-433-5225
Hank’s new food truck addition, Hank’s Fly’n Pig, has been serving the McGaheysville area for several months with the same great Southern cuisine and barbecue that have defined the restaurant. Try the new brunch—you’ll love Hank’s savory chicken and waffles. Catering is also available.
With expanded indoor seating, Jack Brown’s is the place to be for all your burger cravings. Try the bestselling “Greg Brady Burger”—with homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and Martin’s BBQ chips. Wash it down with one of more than 100 craft beers on draft while you enjoy the large, dog-friendly outdoor dining space.
2nd: Bar-B-Q Ranch, Harrisonburg Bar-B-QRanch.com, 540-434-3296 3rd: The Fishin’ Pig, Waynesboro FishinPig.com, 540-943-3474
2nd: Wright’s Dairy-Rite, Staunton Dairy-Rite.com, 540-886-0435 3rd: Cuban Burger, Harrisonburg CubanBurger.com, 540-434-1769
2nd: Roadmap CoffeeWorks, Lexington RoadmapCoffeeWorks.com, 540-462-3990 3rd: Greenberry’s, Harrisonburg Greenberrys.com, 540-434-0111
Fine Dining 1st: Local Chop & Grill House 56 W. Gay St., Harrisonburg LocalChops.com, 540-801-0505 Housed in a renovated factory, Local Chop & Grill House takes farm-totable cuisine to new heights. Working with farms, breweries, and vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley and across Virginia, this local favorite offers delicious steak options including a filet mignon with demi-glace and a rib eye with horseradish crème fraiche.
2nd: Zynodoa, Staunton Zynodoa.com, 540-885-7775 3rd: Joshua Wilton House, Harrisonburg JoshuaWilton.com, 540-434-4464
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Food Truck 1st: Grilled Cheese Mania 1476 S. Main St., Harrisonburg GrilledCheeseMania.com, 540-746-7515 After relocating from New Jersey, Kathleen Mania-Casey quickly established herself as the “grilled cheese lady,” rustling up delicious cheese-centric sandwiches out of a food truck. Now with its own storefront, Grilled Cheese Mania serves everything from a plain ol’ grilled cheese to the whopping “the Maniac”—a double-decker grilled cheese stuffed with mac ‘n’ cheese, pepperoni, cheddar, and bacon.
2nd: Mashita, Harrisonburg EatMashita.com, 540-810-1875 3rd: Gloria’s Pupuseria, Staunton GloriasPupuseria.com, 540-487-2428
Ice Cream Shop 1st: Smiley’s Ice Cream 205 Don Litten Pkwy., Bridgewater SmileysIceCream.com, 540-271-2805 Owner Derek Smiley started his journey by selling ice cream out of the back of his truck at a local farmers market. His newest store sits on 2.5 acres of land and includes both indoor and outdoor seating. Smiley’s traditional or “porch” ice cream has flavors ranging from vanilla to piña colada and are made using locally sourced ingredients.
2nd: Kline’s Dairy Bar, Multiple locations KlinesDairyBar.com, 540-434-4014 3rd: The Split Banana, Staunton TheSplitBanana.com, 540-712-0721
Indian Restaurant
photos courtesy of hopscotch coffee & records
1st: Taste of India 106 S. New St., Staunton StauntonTasteOfIndia.com, 540-213-8882
Part of the Hopscotch crew: Gideon Kupka, Andy Lauck, manager Rebekah Lisk, Katelyn Kibler, and dog Lando.
Record Setting
Hopscotch Coffee & Records offers plenty of perks. Get your caffeine and vinyl fix at Hopscotch Coffee & Records, a hop, skip, and a jump from downtown Winchester. The locally owned shop serves Virginia’s own Lone Oak coffee and fresh pastries, with a hip record store to browse while you sip. “We’re coming up on eight years, and we’ve become a fun
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little unique crowd-pleaser,” says manager Bekah Lisk. “Our owner, Nate Rhodes, has been collecting and selling records his whole life. We’re a cool spot for locals and a fun find for people traveling through the Shenandoah Valley on the I-81.” HopscotchCoffeeAndRecords.com
Taste of India features delicacies from the country’s very distinct regions. Tandoori specials, from the north, are prepared in a cylindrical clay oven; Biryani dishes hail from the south. The waitstaff gladly helps guests navigate the extensive menu, and spice levels are adjustable to suit all tastes. For those new to Indian cuisine, the generous lunch buffet is a great way to get acquainted.
2nd: Taj of India, Harrisonburg TajOfIndiaVa.com, 540-615-5888 3rd: Indian & American Cafe, Harrisonburg IndianAndAmericanCafe.com, 540-433-1177
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Lexington's favorite living room. TAPS lobby lounge bar at The Georges, serving elevated pub fare, creative cocktails and craft beer.
Voted Best Specialty Cocktails in the Shenandoah Valley! Dining is available indoors or out on the garden terrace - we'll see you there!
11N Main Street Lexington, VA 24450 540-463-2504 www.thegeorges.com/taps
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Best Food & Drink RESTAURANTS Italian Restaurant
TAPS’ fish tacos with sesame seared tuna and Asian coleslaw.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
1st: Vito’s Italian Kitchen 1047 Port Republic Rd., Harrisonburg VitosItalianKitchen.com, 540-433-1113
Seafood Restaurant
Born in a small town in the Italian province of Palermo, Vito Pellerito and his wife, Katharine, started Vito’s Italian Kitchen in 2007. The restaurant offers Italian favorites made from the highest quality ingredients in a warm and welcoming environment. Popular menu items include shrimp scampi, garlic knots, and a wide selection of hot and fresh pizzas.
1st: Blu Point Seafood Co. 123 W. Beverley St., Staunton BluPointSeafoodCo.com, 540-712-0291 Blu Point Seafood Co. brings a love of the Chesapeake Bay and New England to the Shenandoah Valley with the freshest seafood around. Served by friendly staff in a welcoming atmosphere with a coast-in-the-valley vibe, food favorites include lobster rolls, fried clam baskets, soft shell crabs, oysters, and seasonal catches.
2nd: Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza, Harrisonburg BellaLunaWoodFired.com, 540-433-1366 3rd: Little Maria’s, Verona Little-Marias.com, 540-248-0026
2nd: Blue Stone Inn, Harrisonburg Facebook: @BlueStoneInnRestaurant, 540-434-0535 3rd: Mill Street Grill, Staunton MillStreetGrill.com, 540-886-0656
Mexican Restaurant 1st: El Charro Locations in Bridgewater, Harrisonburg EatElCharro.com, 540-828-4027 After its first location opened in 1990, El Charro now operates five locations in Virginia. The restaurant brings bright and flavorful Mexican cuisine to the Shenandoah Valley in a family-friendly atmosphere. The menu includes added wings and chicharrones, along with tortas, traditional Mexican sandwiches.
2nd: Chicano Boy Taco, Staunton ChicanoBoyTaco.com, 540-569-2105 3rd: Don Tequila, Locations in Buena Vista, Lexington DonTequilaMexicanVa.com, 540-463-3289
Outdoor Dining
photo by sera petras / courtesy of the georges
1st: Stable Craft Brewing 375 Madrid Rd., Waynesboro StableCraftBrewing.com, 540-490-2609 Once a stable that raised and trained Tennessee Walkers, Stable Craft Brewing is now an event space, taproom, and agri-pub-style brewery and restaurant. From its scenic setting, to the horses, the hops fields, the inside look at the brewing process, and the farm-fresh craft beer results, visitors get an authentic farm and brewery experience.
2nd: Byers Street Bistro, Staunton ByersStreetBistro.com, 540-887-6100 3rd: The Cracked Pillar Pub, Bridgewater TheCrackedPillar.com, 540-237-4563
Steakhouse 1st: Mill Street Grill 1 Mill St., Staunton MillStreetGrill.com, 540-886-0656
Sipping TAPS
Local food and creative cocktails drive the vibe at The Georges’ main bar. Welcome to The Georges, Main Street Lexington’s charming inn where rich history meets modern accommodations. In the lobby, guests will find TAPS, the inn’s bar and restaurant, serving upscale pub fare. Visitors come for the craft beer and cocktails and stay for the food. The menu features ingredients from local farms throughout the Shenandoah Valley, including crowd-pleasers like burgers topped with bacon-onion jam, hand-cut fries, a Virginia cheese board, and fried chicken and waffles. TheGeorges.com
Pizzeria
Sandwich Shop
1st: Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza 80 W. Water St., Harrisonburg BellaLunaWoodFired.com, 540-433-1366
1st: Mr. J’s Bagels and Deli 3 locations in Harrisonburg MrJsBagels.com, 540-564-0416
Following the time-honored method of Neapolitan pizza making, Bella Luna uses the intense high heat of burnt local white oak to create unforgettable textures and flavors. Center stage at Bella Luna is the open kitchen, where guests can watch the chefs craft delicious pizza, pastas, and breads using fresh, organic ingredients.
Since 1990, Mr. J’s Bagel & Deli has been serving fresh, homemade baked bagels and made-to-order bagel sandwiches along with a full array of pastries to start mornings in Harrisonburg off right. Look for new and exciting bagel flavors rotated on and off the menu throughout the year.
2nd: Vito’s Italian Kitchen, Harrisonburg VitosItalianKitchen.com, 540-433-1113 3rd: Shenandoah Pizza & Tap House, Staunton ShenPizza.com, 540-213-0008
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2nd: Lola’s Delicatessen, Harrisonburg LolasDelicatessen.com, 540-908-3253 3rd: Macado’s, Locations in Harrisonburg, Lexington, Winchester Macados.net, 540-434-2106
Mill Street Grill has served the Staunton area for 30 years with a consistently delicious menu. This restaurant offers quality food and efficient service, all in the cozy atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century flour mill. The prime rib is a bestseller, and other popular menu offerings include oysters, New York strip, and the Hawaiian rib eye special.
2nd: Local Chop & Grill House, Harrisonburg LocalChops.com, 540-801-0505 3rd: The Depot Grille, Staunton DepotGrille.com, 540-885-7332
Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten Free Fare 1st: Bowl of Good 831 Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg ABowlOfGood.com, 540-437-9020 A Bowl of Good operated in the back of a health food store and the local farmers market before moving to its current home. This communityminded business prioritizes local and all-natural ingredients, bringing healthy, internationally influenced cuisine to Harrisonburg. Popular vegan and vegetarian options include the Bangkok Bowl with tofu and the Bowl de la Milpa with black beans, avocado, and salsa.
2nd: BoBoKo Indonesian Cafe, Harrisonburg BoBoKoIndonesianCafe.com, 540-434-3542 3rd: Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery, Staunton GoCranberrys.com, 540-885-4755
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Best Food & Drink FOOD SHOPPING Bakery Anita’s Decadent Delights Bake Shoppe
1st:
510 N. Main St., Bridgewater Facebook: @AnitasDecadentDelightsBakeShoppe, 540-828-3155
This charming little bakery is familyowned and operated, for more than four decades. Anita’s goodies are all homemade, and her legendary favorites include cookies, cakes, doughnuts, cupcakes, pies, and more. The bakery offers catering, as well as custom cakes, trays, and baskets. At lunchtime, you can even order homemade soups and sandwiches to go.
2nd: Heritage Bakery & Café, Harrisonburg HeritageBakes.com, 540-564-1200 3rd: Réunion Bakery & Espresso, Staunton ReunionBakery.com, 540-569-2819
Chocolatier 1st: Cocoa Mill Chocolate Locations in Lexington, Staunton CocoaMill.com, 540-464-8400 Cocoa Mill Chocolate is known for its wide array of exquisite fair-trade chocolates and for vigilantly assessing quality at each production step. Specialty offerings include dipped fruits, artisan truffles, and gourmet barks.
2nd: Warfel’s Sweet Shoppe, Dayton Warfels.biz, 540-879-9598 3rd: The Cheese Shop, Stuarts Draft TheCheeseShopVa.com, 540-337-4224
Farmers Market 1st: Harrisonburg Farmers Market 228 S. Liberty St. (Turner Pavilion), Harrisonburg HarrisonburgFarmersMarket.com, 540-476-3377 Since 1979 the Harrisonburg Farmers Market has supported environmental stewardship and community wellbeing as a source for locally grown or
produced foods and crafts. A great place to spend a Saturday morning, this market features fresh-baked breads and pastries, canned goods, local produce, flavorful spices, hot coffee, and much more.
2nd: Staunton Farmers’ Market StauntonFarmersMarket.org, 540-448-1937 3rd: The Dayton Market TheDaytonMarket.com, 540-879-380
Specialty/ Gourmet Food Shop 1st: Friendly City Food Co-op 150 E. Wolfe St., Harrisonburg FriendlyCity.coop, 540-801-8882 As with other co-ops, Friendly City Food is based on community and sustainability. It’s a locally owned, organic grocery store emphasizing healthy food, local products, and sustainably produced goods. Friendly City also has a hot food bar, with a menu that changes weekly.
2nd: The Cheese Shop Country Market & Deli, Stuarts Draft TheCheeseShopVa.com, 540-337-4224 3rd: Valley Pike Farm Market, Weyers Cave ValleyPikeFarmMarket.com, 540-453-4168
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Wine Shop 1st: Yelping Dog Wine 9 E. Beverley St., Staunton Facebook: Yelping Dog Wine, 540-885-2275 This wine shop and bar offers a great selection of wine, as well as gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese plates. The owners recently started a wine delivery service and opened a unique men’s gift and apparel shop right next door, so that patrons can sip a glass of wine while they shop.
2nd: Valley Pike Farm Market, Weyers Cave ValleyPikeFarmMarket.com, 540-453-4168 3rd: Washington Street Purveyors, Lexington WashingtonStPurveyors.com, 540-464-9463
Historic House Turned Inn
At the Joshua Wilton House, fine dining is also the draw.
photos (from left) courtesy of joshua wilton house (2), by adam ewing
Located in Harrisonburg’s Historic Old Towne District, the Joshua Wilton House is a restored Victorian-era mansion turned restaurant and inn. Executive chef, Tom French, creates elevated Southern flavors using traditional French techniques: think croquettes made with Gruyere and Edward’s country ham topped with romesco sauce—or pan seared sea scallops paired with Parisienne gnocchi. Born in England, French did a short stint at Buckingham Palace, cooking for the Queen and the royal family and worked at Keswick Hall near Charlottesville before heading up the kitchen here. The wine list, a three-time Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, is composed of established and new varieties of grapes found locally and from around the globe. The house wines include vintages such as a 2019 Beqaa Valley rosé imported from Lebanon, a 2017 red from Bluestone Vineyard in Virginia. The space itself offers an intimate, fine dining experience with a woodburning fireplace in the bar and lounge. The inn, which has five bookable rooms, is popular with
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visitors to James Madison University. The honeymoon suite features turret windows and a canopy bed; a wraparound porch with rocking chairs invites guests to linger. The Joshua Wilton House also exhibits work from the area’s artists and hosts regular “Meet the Artist” events, where works are available for purchase. In back, a brick patio sets the scene for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other celebrations catered by the inn’s kitchen. JoshuaWilton.com
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Shenandoah Dermatology Serving the Valley with Excellence Accepting new patients in all SIX of our convenient locations! Staunton, Afton, Raphine, Fishersville, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg
Jane Lynch, MD
Lindsay Kidd, MD
Kevin Miller, DO
Brittany Drozdo, PA-C Whitney Colella, PA-C
Stephen Vance, MD
Patrick Carr, MD
June Wilson, PA-C
Online scheduling available on our website
www.shenandoahdermatology.com or call us to make an appointment at
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Best Food & Drink DRINK Brewery 1st: Devils Backbone Outpost Tap
Room & Kitchen
50 Northwind Ln., Lexington DBBrewingCompany.com, 540-817-6071 An offshoot of the flagship Devils Backbone in Nelson County, Lexington’s Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen is a cornerstone of Rockbridge County. What was once the brewery’s production facility has evolved into a full scale tasting space with a full food menu. Sip award-winning beer while enjoying mouthwatering burgers, tacos, and more on the recently added, sunny back deck overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Cidery
Specialty Cocktails
1st: Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery 375 Madrid Rd., Waynesboro StableCraftBrewing.com, 540-490-2609
1st: TAPS at The Georges 11 N. Main St., Lexington TheGeorges.com/TAPS, 540-463-2504
What was once a horse training facility has become a highly successful event space, taproom, and agri-pubstyle brewery and restaurant. The “field-to-glass” experience and scenic atmosphere of the farm make it a popular spot for weddings, birthdays, or a casual night out. A new outdoor kitchen and expanded outdoor bar are planned for the near future.
As the main bar at the Georges Hotel, TAPS serves elevated pub fare and snacks, along with craft beer and specialty cocktails. Try the “Keydet,” a TAPS original that includes Malibu rum, white rum, pineapple, and grenadine–all topped off with a float of ginger beer. Or try one of the “new schools” like “Fancy Dress,” a tequila-based drink with egg white and muddled strawberries.
2nd: Sage Bird Ciderworks, Harrisonburg SageBirdCiderworks.com, 540-607-8084 3rd: Showalter’s Orchard, Timberville ShowaltersOrchard.com, 540-896-7582
2nd: Zynodoa, Staunton Zynodoa.com, 540-885-7775 3rd: Jimmy Madison’s, Harrisonburg JimmyMadisons.com, 540-432-1000
photos courtesy of the bad apple
The Bad Apple speakeasy and restaurant is worth the search. Looking for the Bad Apple? Don’t rely on your GPS to find it. This Prohibition-themed restaurant, outside of Pembroke (pop. 1,100), is situated inside a big, red barn at the end of Doe Creek Farm Road. From Blacksburg, you’ll take routes 700, 460, and 613, which means, in short, that it’s down a dirt road. Driving after dark, it’s easy to get lost, which would-be patrons do, a lot. But the Bad Apple is worth the search. The red barn, which once housed sheep, is now an elegantly appointed restaurant. Dark paneling, crystal chandeliers, and a stained glass window give it a vintage, speakeasy vibe. It’s all a bit on the downlow—no street signs, no directional markers, or arrows pointing the way. The only clue is revealed late in the game: a discrete neon apple on the side of the barn. The Bad Apple’s extensive cocktail menu features an impressive selection of Virginia distilled spirits as well as Virginia beers and wines. The only bad apples here come in the form of cocktails flavored with apple syrup from the farm’s orchard. The dinner menu changes seasonally to take advantage of what’s locally available, and includes favorites like shrimp and grits, Beef Wellington,
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Winery 1st: Bluestone Vineyard 4828 Spring Creek Rd., Bridgewater BluestoneVineyard.com, 540-828-0099 This family-owned and operated winery is committed to crafting small-batch wines from locally sourced and estate-grown fruit. Be sure to try the “Golden Hour,” a limited edition blend of Viognier and Petit Manseng, or the 2019 Petit Manseng, which was named to the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case.
2nd: CrossKeys Vineyards, Mt. Crawford CrossKeysVineyards.com, 540-234-0505 3rd: Barren Ridge Vineyards, Fishersville, 540-248-3300
2nd: Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery, Waynesboro StableCraftBrewing.com, 540-490-2609 3rd: Basic City Beer Co., Waynesboro BasicCityBeer.com, 540-943-1010
Off the Beaten Path
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Pan-seared duck breast with roasted grapes, gastrique, and fingerling potatoes.
and vegan japchae, a Korean comfort food courtesy of Executive Chef Mikie Bodtke. The shadowy, somewhat secretive ambiance of the place is a deliberate nod to Prohibition, when alcohol sales were outlawed in the U.S. The crackdown spawned an underground network of hidden bars in unlikely locations—barns, basements, old warehouses. Georgia Haverty and Allison Hollopter, the mother-daughter duo behind The Bad Apple, both liked the idea of a rustic exterior concealing an elegant,
club-like interior, so they capitalized on the property’s elements to create this experiential dining destination. The drive to The Bad Apple is quintessential Virginia—rolling hills, valleys, and fertile farmland—but once inside the restaurant, there is no view. The lack of windows bolsters the secretive vibe. Getting there is definitely a journey in itself. But once you’re seated, you’ll discover a whole new world of destination dining. BadAppleBarn.com
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M S
BLUE RIDGE RAL &
AXILLOFACIAL URGERY
Thank you Virginia Living readers for voting us one of the best practices in the Shenandoah Valley!
TOP DENTIST
M. Todd Brandt, DDS, MD
Corey C. Burgoyne, DMD
Fisherville Office
Lexington Office
Helping patients live healthier lives.
540-886-2956
540-213-8748
www.BlueRidgeOralSurgery.com
54 S. Medical Park Drive Fisherville, VA 22939
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112 B Houston Street Lexington, VA 24450
Serving the Shenandoah Valley community for over 40 years.
4/21/22 4:52 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!
LOVEwork in Constitution Park
eer Co. Basic City B
Fall Foliage Art Show
The Fishin’ Pig
Kline’s Dairy
Bar
Stable Craf t Brewing
visitwaynesboro.com
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#BestofVirginia
#HumpbackBridge
This #UniquelyAlleghany moment courtesy of LOVE.
Congratulations for being voted Best of Virginia by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine
Hillcrest Mansion Inn
Humpback Bridge
Livy’s Closet
VisitAlleghanyHighlands.com 540-962-2178 · 888-430-5786 · #UniquelyAlleghany
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Annual Charity Event 1st: Virginia Food Truck Battle
and Beer Competition
Augusta Expo Center, 277 Expo Rd., Fishersville TheMaDeeProject.com, 540-849-9635 This one-day competition benefits the MaDee Project, a nonprofit providing financial support to pediatric cancer patients and their families in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, and the surrounding area, and features entertainment and children’s activities. Food trucks, breweries, and wineries from across the state compete to see who will walk away the “Grand Champion” of food and drink.
2nd: Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale, Harrisonburg VaReliefSale.com, 540-433-9993 3rd: Night at the Museum, Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900
Art Event 1st: Dayton Days DaytonVa.us, 540-879-2241 Hundreds of art vendors display their handmade crafts, wood sculptures, wall art, jewelry, and more at this one-day event, which ushers in the fall season each year. Enjoy delicious food from local vendors as well as free entertainment and activities in charming downtown Dayton.
2nd: Fall Foliage Festival Art Show, Waynesboro SVACArt.com, 540-949-7662 3rd: First Fridays, Harrisonburg ValleyArts.org, 540-801-8779
Entertainment for Adults 1st: Ruby’s Arcade 165 S. Main St., 100B, Harrisonburg RubysArcade.com, 540-615-5351 Ruby’s Arcade has everything you need for a fun night out, with duckpin bowling, pool, darts, foosball, shuffleboard, arcade games, and more. The space supports a variety of events regardless of budget and party size. The team at Ruby’s provides excellent food, drinks, and customer service to make your experience fun for the whole group.
2nd: Beards & Broads Axe Throwing, Harrisonburg BeardsNBroads.com, 540-208-7902 3rd: Visulite Theater, Staunton VisuliteCinemas.com, 540-885-9959
Festival Highland County Maple Festival
1st:
165 W. Main St., Monterey HighlandCounty.org, 540-468-2550 Designated a “Local Legacy” by the Library of Congress and the official maple festival of Virginia by the state governor, the Highland County Maple Festival draws in tens of thousands of visitors each year. To celebrate the “opening” of the trees, festival-goers can enjoy sugar camp tours, pancake dinners, doughnuts, arts and crafts, and more than 100 juried vendors.
2nd: Dayton Days/Autumn Celebration, DaytonVa.us, 540-879-2241 3rd: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester TheBloom.com, 540-662-3863
Historic Theater 1st: American Shakespeare Center/Blackfriars Playhouse 10 S. Market St., Staunton AmericanShakespeareCenter.com, 540-851-1733
As the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater, American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse is truly one-ofa-kind and has entertained hundreds of thousands of audience members from around the globe. This historic theater was built in 2001 after years of research on the original Blackfriars’ size, orientation, scale, materials, and textures.
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2nd: Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900 3rd: Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester TheMSV.org, 540-662 -1473
Music Venue 1st: Lime Kiln Theater 607 Borden Rd., Lexington LimeKilnTheater.org Rooted in the magic of a natural, outdoor theater, Lime Kiln Theater sits on the site of a 19th-century lime kiln and quarry with two stages: The Bowl and The Kiln. The venue offers musical and theatrical performers a welcoming platform to exhibit popular and original material to a passionate audience.
2nd: Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, Harrisonburg JMUForbesCenter.com, 540-568-4394 3rd: Bluestone Vineyard, Bridgewater BluestoneVineyard.com, 540-828-0099
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Performing Arts Company American Shakespeare Center/Blackfriars Playhouse
1st:
10 S. Market St., Staunton AmericanShakespeareCenter.com, 540-851-1733
Staunton is the home of the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor stage, the American Shakespeare Center’s 300-seat Blackfriar’s Playhouse. Intimate in scale and epic in imagination, its sophisticated and accessible seasons are built around a company of versatile actors performing in repertory all year round. The Washington Post calls it “shamelessly entertaining;” the Boston Globe agrees, describing productions as “phenomenal … bursting with energy.”
2nd: ShenanArts, Staunton ShenanArts.org, 540-712-0001 3rd: Rockbridge Ballet Company, Lexington RockbridgeBallet.org, 540-463-3463
2nd: Court Square Theater, Harrisonburg ValleyArts.org, 540-433-9189 3rd: Hull’s Drive-In Theatre, Lexington HullsDriveIn.com, 540-463-2621
LOVE Sign 1st: LOVEwork in Waynesboro VisitWaynesboro.com, 540-942-6512 This LOVE sign represents Waynesboro’s connection to the outdoors. The sign has a fisherman’s boot as the L, a fishing reel as the O, two fish in the shape of a V, and kayak paddles forming the E. Waynesboro is located at the intersection of Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail—adventure awaits!
2nd: LOVEwork at Humpback Bridge, Covington VisitAlleghanyHighlands.com, 540-962-2178 3rd: LOVEwork at Natural Bridge State Park DCR.Virginia.gov, 540-291-1326
Museum 1st: Frontier Culture Museum 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton FrontierMuseum.org, 540-332-7850 This museum tells the story of those who migrated to colonial America and the lives they created here. Through
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outdoor recreations of frontier life for communities who came from England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa, as well as the indigenous Ganatastwi people, visitors can learn more about the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of early colonial times.
Knockerball and Nerf Wars: Not For Kids Only
Elevation Sports is “the most fun you’ll ever have.” Imagine running around in a giant, clear bubble, taking your frustrations out on a whole field of other bubbles. That’s Knockerball. It’s like bumper cars without the car. Elevation Sports in Harrisonburg promises the “most fun you’ll ever have,” and the slew of five-star online reviews indicate they’re spot-on. Nerf Wars and Combat Archery are also on the menu. Elevation provides a “ridiculously awesome” experience—from birthday parties to corporate team-building events, fundraisers, and fun with families and friends. Said one happy customer, “We had a group of six of over 40-year-olds, and we felt like we were four years old again.” GoElevationSports.com
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So this little town in the Shenandoah Valley has a dozen winners of Best of Virginia??? Yep. And a lot more! Congratulations to
www.bridgewater.town
Anita's Decadent Delights Bake Shoppe Blue Ridge Christian School Bluestone Vineyard Bridgewater Coffee Co. Bridgewater Retirement Community Cracked Pillar Pub El Charro Restaurant Evergrowin' Greenhouses Johnson Funeral Service Mark W. Craig Auctions Mill Cabinet Shop Smiley's Ice Cream
Bridgewater A BETTER LIFE
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Best Living & Recreation ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Radio Station 1st: WKCY FM 104.3 207 University Blvd., Harrisonburg KCYCountry.iHeart.com, 540-434-6837 104.3 WKCY FM is a country music radio station serving the Central Shenandoah Valley. Tune in to listen to stars like the Zac Brown Band, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and more. And while you’re at it, listen to the Bobby Bones Show, hosted by Arkansas native and comedian Bobby Bones.
photos (from left) courtesy of: the woodrow wilson presidential library & museum (2), us national archives
2nd: WMRA FM 90.7, Harrisonburg WMRA.org, 540-568-6221 3rd: WQPO FM 100.7, Harrisonburg Q101Online.com, 540-434-033
Dog Training Company 1st: Love on a Leash 3225 Harpine Hwy., Harrisonburg Fun4Dogs.com, 540-833-8118 Love on a Leash’s mission is to help people live in harmony with their dogs. The experienced dog trainers include the business owner, Sheli Rhodes, who is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and an evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test. Some activities offered include agility and pet obedience classes.
2nd: Anything is PAWSable, Lexington PAWSableByJo.com, 540-649-1023 3rd: Positive Paws K-9 Training, Stuarts Draft PPK9Angels.org, 540-569-9211
Special Event Venue
Pet Boarding/ Day Care
1st: Cross Keys Barn 921 Cross Keys Rd., Harrisonburg CrossKeysBarn.com, 540-820-1744
1st: All About Paws 1685-B Garbers Church Rd., Harrisonburg AllAboutPawsBoarding.com, 540-208-7540
Cross Keys is nestled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, just minutes from Harrisonburg. The original part of the barn is more than 100 years old, giving the venue rustic character and modern elegance. Event spaces include a scenic ceremony site, cocktail area, open reception area, bridal suite, groom’s room, and catering prep room.
With the service at All About Paws, you can rest assured that all of your pet’s needs are taken care of while you are away. This pet boarding, doggie daycare, and grooming business employs experienced and trained professionals to care for your dog, cat, reptile, small, or even exotic pet.
2nd: Bluestone Vineyard, Bridgewater BluestoneVineyard.com, 540-828-0099 3rd: Brix & Columns Vineyard, McGaheysville BrixAndColumns.com, 540-810-0566
2nd: Blue Ridge Animal Clinic, Lexington BlueRidgeAnimalClinic.com, 540-463-7799 3rd: Happy Hounds, Harrisonburg HappyHoundCompound.com, 540-560-8530
Veterinary Hospital 1st: Anicira Veterinary Center 1992 Medical Ave., Harrisonburg Anicira.org, 540-437-1980
Anicira Veterinary Center is devoted to providing compassionate, affordable care in order to end animal suffering and unnecessary euthanasia. In 2021 alone, Anicira performed 21,247 surgeries and provided 2,907 pets with free care. At Anicira, your pet is in very good hands.
2nd: Staunton Veterinary Clinic StauntonVetClinic.com, 540-885-1915 3rd: Ashby Animal Clinic, Harrisonburg AshbyAnimalClinic.com, 540-433-9174
KIDS Family Entertainment 1st: Explore More Discovery Museum
150 S. Main St., Harrisonburg IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900 Explore More Discovery Museum is a non-profit organization devoted to entertaining and educating young minds through interactive and engaging activities. Exhibits include a play kitchen and farmer’s market, a construction zone, science lab, art studio, and more.
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K-12 Independent School 1st: Blue Ridge Christian School Locations in Bridgewater, Dayton BRCSchool.org, 540-828-2233 Blue Ridge Christian School has served Shenandoah Valley families since 1990, educating more than 300 students at the Lower School in Bridgewater and Upper School in Dayton. Known for having a balanced program that develops the whole student, BRCS offers small classes, hands-on learning, excellent academics, service and leadership opportunities, fine arts exploration, and athletic rigor.
2nd: Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg EasternMennonite.org, 540-236-6000 3rd: Stuart Hall School, Staunton StuartHallSchool.org, 540-885-0356
2nd: Hull’s Drive-In Theatre, Lexington HullsDriveIn.com, 540-463-2621 3rd: Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge VirginiaSafariPark.com, 540-291-3205
PETS Dog Groomer 1st: Four Paws Grooming 4550 Early Rd., Harrisonburg FourPawsGroomingHarrisonburg.com, 540-437-7455 With a combined total of over 50 years of grooming experience, the groomers at Four Paws will take wonderful care of your pets. Four Paws grooms both cats and dogs (big and small), and with services such as a “skunk package,” nail painting, and even a blueberry facial, your pet is bound to be pampered.
2nd: All About Paws, Harrisonburg AllAboutPawsBoarding.com, 540-208-7540 3rd: K-9 Heaven, Staunton Facebook: @groomingbyK, 540-280-0593
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Woodrow Wilson’s Legacy Treasures on display at the 28th President’s Staunton birthplace.
Looking for an activity that doesn’t involve a screen? Travel back in time at The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, located in the heart of Staunton. Visitors can stroll through historic gardens, read about Wilson’s family treasures, and experience a replica of a World War I trench. Born in 1856 in Staunton, President Woodrow Wilson led the country through World War I, Prohibition, and the women’s suffrage movement. The museum includes a 1923 radio receiver and a presidential favorite—a 1919 Pierce-Arrow Limousine, which still runs to this day. WoodrowWilson.org
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Helping pets be happier and healthier
Dr. Creighton & Luna
Sick + Well Care Spay + Neuter Surgery A Nonprofit Veterinary Hospital
General Surgery Dentistry + Oral Surgery
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Best Living & Recreation SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Best in Show
Bath County Art Show is a hot spot for artists. More than 200 artists will exhibit their work at the Bath County Art Show in Hot Springs this July 16-25. Now in its 57th year, the show will include more than 600 pieces, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, sculpture, and photography. “We have first-time artists to those who are very experienced and well-known, and we have local artists to those as far away as California and Colorado,” says Leigh Johnson, art show chair. Art sales help support Bath County arts programs, from fostering independent filmmakers to hosting dance workshops and continuing education classes. In addition, one Bath County high school senior is awarded up to $3,000 in scholarships. BathCountyArts.org
Right: 2021 first place sculpture by Michael Hough. Far right: 2021 Best in Show painting “Roiled Pursuit” by Rebecca Bradbury.
KIDS Preschool 1st: Blue Ridge Christian School 100 Dinkel Ave., Bridgewater BRCSchool.org, 540-828-2233
photos courtesy of bath county art show
Preschoolers at BRCS receive a Christ-centered early childhood education through music, prayer, arts and crafts, Spanish immersion, playtime, and storytelling. Through hands-on learning opportunities like field trips and community service projects, students are encouraged to discover and interact with the world around them from a formative young age.
2nd: Little Oaks at Mill Creek, Port Republic LittleOaksPreschool.org 3rd: Generations Crossing, Harrisonburg GenerationsCrossing.com, 540-434-4901
Summer Camp 1st: Camp Mont Shenandoah 218 Mont Shenandoah Ln., Millboro CampMontShenandoah.com, 540-997-5994 Camp Mont Shenandoah is an allgirls summer camp that’s been around since 1927. Girls between the ages of 7-16 participate in activities such as archery, cooking, hiking,
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horseback riding, water sports, and more. Sessions range from one week to six in length.
2nd: Camp Horizons, Harrisonburg CampHorizonsVa.com, 540-896-7600 3rd: Brethren Woods Camp, Keezletown BrethrenWoods.org, 540-269-2741
TRAVEL Bed & Breakfast 1st: Inn at Gristmill Square 118 Old Germantown Rd., Warm Springs GristmillSquare.com, 540-839-2231 This historic inn features 18 charming rooms and suites, each of which has its own unique style and décor. Also at the Inn is the Waterwheel Restaurant, a farm-to-table style eatery that uses vegetables and herbs grown onsite. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, gift shop, and wine cellar.
2nd: Joshua Wilton House, Harrisonburg JoshuaWilton.com, 540-434-4464 3rd: Hillcrest Mansion Inn, Clifton Forge HillcrestMansionInn.com, 540-865-0350
Historic Site 1st: Downtown Staunton StauntonDowntown.org, 540-332-3867 With dozens of restaurants, specialty stores, antique retailers, service busi-
nesses, and salons, this historically preserved downtown area is a quaint destination for local shoppers and vacationers alike. Highlights include the Farmers’ Market, Antique Fire Engine Museum, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, and Blackfriars Playhouse at the American Shakespeare Center.
2nd: Natural Bridge State Park DCR.Virginia.gov, 540-291-1326 3rd: Luray Caverns LurayCaverns.com, 540-743-6551
Hotel 1st: The Omni Homestead Resort 7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766 To stay at The Omni Homestead Resort is to relax in the comfort of true Southern luxury. As the only hotel in Virginia offering over two centuries of historic hospitality, the Homestead boasts 483 distinctive guest rooms. From a Traditional Room to a Presidential Suite, there’s a blissful night’s sleep behind every door.
2nd: Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg HotelMadison.com, 540-564-0200 3rd: Mimslyn Inn, Luray MimslynInn.com, 540-743-5105
Resort 1st: The Omni Homestead Resort 7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766 Known as “America’s First Resort,” the Omni Homestead began as a small wooden lodge in 1766. Since then, the four-season destination has welcomed 23 presidents and numerous world leaders. The Homestead offers a golf course and spa, and more than 30 recreational activities, including archery, falconry, skiing, horseback riding, ziplining, fly fishing, and mountain biking.
2nd: Massanutten Resort MassResort.com, 540-289-9441 3rd: Shenandoah Acres, Stuarts Draft SunOutdoors.com, 888-709-1172
Tourist Attraction 1st: Skyline Drive Shenandoah National Park VisitSkylineDrive.org, 540-999-3500 Skyline Drive is a 105-mile National Parkway that runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park. Known for its spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley, Skyline Drive houses many other attractions, including resorts like Skyland and hikes on sections of the Appalachian Trail.
2nd: Luray Caverns LurayCaverns.com, 540-743-6551 3rd: Natural Bridge State Park DCR.Virginia.gov, 540-291-1326
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36 Holes of World Class Golf • Award Winning Grill • Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses in the Mid-Atlantic THANK YOU TO ALL THE VIRGINIA LIVING READERS FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST GOLF COURSES I N T H E S H E N A N D O A H VA L L E Y.
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365 Rock Harbor Drive, Winchester, VA 22602 540-722-7111 • RockHarborGolf.com
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Best Living & Recreation OUTDOORS & ACTIVE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Dance Studio 1st: Dance & Co. 115 S. Main St., Harrisonburg DanceNCo.com, 540-810-3631 Dance & Co. offers training to both children and adults in ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, musical stage, hip-hop, and Irish step. The studio devotes itself to promoting the importance of the arts and humanities, as well as to providing a positive and motivating environment to its dancers.
2nd: Valley Dance Theatre, Staunton ValleyDanceTheatre.net, 540-213-3908 3rd: Staunton Academy of Ballet StauntonAcademyOfBallet.com, 540-886-9355
Golf Course 1st: The Cascades at Omni Homestead Resort The Priest in Nelson County, accessible via the Appalachian Trail from a trail head along Virginia State Route 56.
The Trails are Ready When You Are
With Appalachian Trail demand rising, some hikers seek out the newer Great Eastern Trail. The Appalachian Trail is trending. Hikers have flocked there in record numbers since 2020, “as people looked for safe ways to get exercise and just get out of the house,” says Kathryn Herndon-Powell, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Central Virginia regional manager. Hiking, after all, doesn’t require a lot of special equipment, and the trails are ready when you are. The Trail, also called the A.T., stretches 2,175 miles from Maine to Georgia and includes 550 miles in Virginia—the most of any state. In a typical year, 3 million visitors will lace up hiking boots to hit the A.T. But since the pandemic, the best-known hikes, such as McAfee Knob near Catawba, have been seeing record crowds. Still, the Trail belongs to everyone, and everyone belongs on the Trail. For a hiking experience that enriches your soul, stick to weekdays, says Herndon-Powell, and if you must hike on weekends, look for alternate routes. “Find the hidden gems,” she advises. “Pick up a good map or guidebook and go exploring…you’re more likely to find solitude
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and a sense of adventure.” Good stewards of the trail leave no trace. “Stay on marked trails, pack out your trash, and camp in designated areas—good campsites are found, not made,” says Herndon-Powell. Finally, find ways to give back: pick up litter or volunteer with a local Trail club. For breathtaking hikes without the crowds, head west to the Great Eastern Trail, known as the G.E.T. This 1,800-milelong path connecting New York to Alabama, runs roughly parallel to the A.T. and includes both new and established hiking trails. About 275 miles of the G.E.T. are in Virginia or straddle its borders. Under construction since 2007, mostly by volunteers, the G.E.T. is finally nearing completion. “We have defined trails in all of the northern half—with Hinton, West Virginia, at the midpoint—and about half of the southern half,” says G.E.T. board president Tim Hupp. Why hike the G.E.T. instead of the A.T.? “It’s a great place for solitude,” says Hupp. “The G.E.T. is far less used in most places.” AppalachianTrail.org, GreatEasternTrail.net
7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766 With stunning views of the Allegheny Mountains, the Cascades Golf Course is a beautiful place to play. William S. Flynn designed this 18-hole course, the terrain of which is both challenging and charming. Players of all levels are welcome to book a tee time and try their luck!
2nd: Lakeview Golf Club, Harrisonburg LakeviewGolf.net, 540-434-8937 3rd: Rock Harbor Golf Course, Winchester RockHarborGolf.com, 540-722-7111
Gym 1st: Sentara RMH Wellness Center 2500 Wellness Dr., Harrisonburg RMHWellnessCenter.com, 540-564-5682 Founded in 1984, the Sentara RMH Wellness Center was the first of its kind as a hospital-owned, medically based fitness pavilion with programs and classes to improve the health of the Harrisonburg community. The center has classes and amenities for all ages and life stages including yoga, aquatic fitness, cycling, two indoor pools, and more.
2nd: 24/7 Family Fitness, Locations in Bridgewater, Harrisonburg TotalBodyPlace.com, 540-432-6076 3rd: Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA SAYMCA.org, 540-885-8089
Hiking or Biking Trail 1st: Appalachian Trail AppalachianTrail.org, 304-535-6331 The Appalachian Trail is the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, at a total length of 2,193.1 miles. Traversing 14 states, the trail welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year. The Commonwealth possesses more miles of the Appalachian Trail than any other state—nearly a quarter of the trail’s entire length.
2nd: Chessie Trail, Lexington VMI.edu, 540-464-7992 3rd: Jackson River Scenic Trail JacksonRiverTrail.com
Specialty Fitness 1st: Phoenix Fitness and Yoga 58 Myers Corner Dr., Staunton PhoenixFitnessAndYoga.com, 540-649-1671 Phoenix Fitness and Yoga offers barre, pilates, yoga, hot yoga classes, and more. With fun as one of their core values, the instructors at Phoenix want to help you grow stronger, all while easing your levels of stress and anxiety. They’ve recently added online courses for those who can’t make it to the studio.
2nd: The Center (Yoga & Pilates), Harrisonburg TheCenterDowntown.com, 540-383-0438 3rd: Center of Gravity Yoga & Pilates, Lexington LexingtonCenterOfGravity.com, 540-462-2944
Tennis Facility 1st: The Club at Ironwood 62 Country Club Cir., Staunton TheClubAtIronwood.com, 540-248-7272 The Club at Ironwood has two tennis courts that are open for play any time. And after a nice match with friends or family, head over to the club’s 19th Hole Restaurant for a casual meal while overlooking the 18-hole golf course.
2nd: Massanutten Fitness and Recreation Club MassResort.com, 540-289-9441 3rd: Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg SpotswoodCC.com, 540-433-2659
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The family you choose
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Best Services HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: The Amato Clinic 100 Mactanly Pl., Suite D, Staunton AmatoClinic.com, 540-213-3904 The Amato Clinic aims to help patients achieve total wellness through chiropractic care. Some of the issues that the clinic treats are pinched nerves, sciatica, migraines, and degenerative disc disease. One patient said, “I feel like a new person after leaving from my adjustments!”
2nd: Atwell Family Chiropractic: A Creating Wellness Center, Harrisonburg GetWellWithAtwell.com, 540-442-8294 3rd: Sentara Integrative Medicine Physicians, Harrisonburg Sentara.com, 540-564-5400
Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board 1241 N. Main St., Harrisonburg HRCSB.org, 540-434-1941
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board is one of 40 community-based public providers of mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services throughout Virginia. Supporting infants and toddlers, school-aged youth, and adults across their lifespans, the practice provides excellent services and partners with every individual to achieve their best and most comfortable recovery process.
2nd: Journey Counseling, Harrisonburg JourneyCounselingMinistries.org, 540-908-3464 3rd: Community Counseling Center, Harrisonburg HBCCC.org, 540-433-1546
Dental Practice
photo courtesy of virginia company dog training
1st: Cardinal Dental Specialists 3344 Emmaus Rd., Harrisonburg CardinalSpecialists.com, 540-705-0195 Drs. William T. Goodwin II, Amy S. Reichert, and Magdalena S. Holz are the specialists at the center of the exceptional patient experience offered at Cardinal Dental. Whether you’re in the office for a routine cleaning or more advanced dental work, the practice’s comforting amenities and friendly staff will put you right at ease.
2nd: Dental Health Associates, Multiple locations MyDentalHealthAssociates.com, 540-248-2500 3rd: Brown and Sutt, Harrisonburg Facebook: Brown and Sutt, PLLC, 540-434-2102
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Home Health Provider 1st: Home Instead 278 Lee Hwy., Verona HomeInstead.com, 540-235-8030 The caregivers at Home Instead have one priority: the patient. Services range from personal care and “home helper,” to hospice support and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. But above all, Home Instead offers compassion and companionship, promising to make your relationship with them a positive experience.
2nd: First Choice Home Health & Hospice, Harrisonburg FirstChoiceHarrisonburg.com, 540-434-3916 3rd: Sentara Home Care Services, Harrisonburg Sentara.com, 540-564-5735
Hospital 1st: Augusta Health 78 Medical Center Dr., Fishersville AugustaHealth.com, 540-332-4000 Augusta Health opened in 1994 to offer personalized care and small town hospitality to the Shenandoah region. The hospital’s highly trained physicians and staff utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide the highest quality health service. Augusta Health recently joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network and received a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A” in the fall of 2021.
Ophthalmology/ Optometry Practice 1st: EyeOne Multiple locations EyeOneVa.com, 540-213-7720
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Founded in 1995, EyeOne is a onestop shop for all your eye care needs, practicing ophthalmology and optometry and offering an optical shop. The highly skilled doctors at EyeOne use state-of-the-art technology and proven procedures to help patients with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, retina disorders, and more.
wisdom tooth removal, facial trauma care, dental implants, and more.
2nd: Eye Center of Shenandoah Valley, Winchester 540-723-6824 3rd: Staunton Eye Clinic, PLC StauntonEye.com, 540-885-8186
1st: Kray & Giardina Orthodontics 2505-A Evelyn Byrd Ave., Harrisonburg KrayOrthodontics.com, 540-433-8814
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice 1st: Cardinal Dental Specialists 3344 Emmaus Rd., Harrisonburg CardinalSpecialists.com, 540-705-0195 The team at Cardinal Dental Specialists is all about patient comfort. From an inviting waiting room with work stations and a beverage bar, to warm towels and noise-canceling headphones, your experience here is sure to be a good one. Services include
2nd: Blue Ridge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Locations in Fishersville, Lexington BlueRidgeOralSurgery.com, 540-886-2956 3rd: Legacy Surgery, Harriosnburg LegacySurgery.com, 540-437-1230
Orthodontic Practice
As a family-oriented practice, Kray & Giardina Orthodontics loves to serve people of all ages. Drs. Frances Kray and Julia Giardina simply want to create beautiful smiles for all. One parent gushed, “To work with such amazing doctors is a blessing, and to have them treat our children is a bonus beyond compare!”
2nd: Parrott Orthodontics, Staunton ParrottOrthodontics.com, 540-949-6600 3rd: Dr. A. B. Hammond, PC, Lexington CMySmile.com, 540-463-7744
2nd: Sentara RMH Medical Center, Harrisonburg Sentara.com, 540-689-1000 3rd: Winchester Medical Center (Valley Health) ValleyHealthLink.com, 540-536-8000
Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare/The Spa at Shenandoah
1st:
241 Lucy Dr., Harrisonburg SWHC-Office.com, 540-418-3831
The certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, estheticians, and top-rated experienced physicians at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare and The Spa at Shenandoah are committed to helping women take control of their physical and holistic health. Offering gynecology, obstetrics, preventative care, and surgical care, this dedicated team serves women at every stage of life.
2nd: Harrisonburg OB/GYN Associates HarrisonburgOBGYN.com, 540-434-3831 3rd: Augusta Health Care for Women, Locations in Fishersville, Lexington AHCFW.com, 540-213-7750
MELISSA KENNGOTT’S experience as a dog walker in Philadelphia taught her a lot about canine behavior, especially how to handle stressed-out inner city dogs. After moving south, she spun that successful business into Virginia Company Dog Training, where she specializes in helping dogs overcome behavioral challenges— separation and social anxiety issues, fearfulness, and aggressive tendencies. Now a fully certified dog training professional, Kenngott offers highly personalized, in-home training in the Augusta County area with a simple goal: happy dogs and happy owners. VirginiaCompanyDogTraining.com
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ENDODONTICS
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Best Services HEALTH SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Orthopedic Practice 1st: Hess Orthopaedic Center & Sports Medicine 4165 Quarles Ct., Harrisonburg HessOrtho.com, 540-434-1664
The Farmhouse Sink
Dr. Irvin Hess founded Hess Orthopaedic Center & Sports Medicine in 1971. Today, the providers at Hess Orthopaedic remain dedicated to Dr. Hess’ original mission: to provide the most comprehensive orthopedic care in the area. The team can perform outpatient surgeries onsite so that patients don’t have to be in the hospital.
Love the look? Consider your space, says this designer.
“Farmhouse sinks have become a functioning part of the kitchen alongside colanders and cutting boards,” says Jill McGlaughlin, President of Classic Kitchen & Bath in Harrisonburg. Looking to install one? Consider the space before the splurge. “Most require a special sink base cabinet that must be customized by a skilled installer,” adds McGlaughlin. Other options to consider include bowl configuration and material, such as porcelain, stainless steel, or copper. ClassicKitchens.com
2nd: Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Locations in Fishersville, Staunton ShenandoahValleyOrthopedics.com, 540-932-5850 3rd: Sentara RMH Orthopedic Center, Harrisonburg Sentara.com, 540-689-5500
Pediatric Practice 1st: Bluestone Pediatrics 4059 Quarles Ct., Harrisonburg BluestonePediatrics.com, 540-437-4800 The five providers at Bluestone Pediatrics have a philosophy based on care and respect, and consider it an honor to be trusted with caring for your children. Many parents of patients leave reviews praising the staff’s ability to treat each patient with care and kindness, rather than treating them as just another number.
2nd: UVA Augusta Pediatrics, Fishersville UVAHealth.com, 540-932-0980 3rd: Valley Pediatric Group, Locations in Verona, Waynesboro ValleyPedGroup.com, 540-949-0118
Physical Therapy Practice
photo courtesy of classic kitchen & bath
1st: Bethesda Physical Therapy 1609 N. Coalter St., Staunton BethesdaPT.com, 540-213-1320 Bethesda Physical Therapy treats a variety of issues like TMJ pain, headaches and migraines, concussions, and more. They also offer neurological rehab, pre/post-surgical rehab, and vestibular rehab, among others. Bethesda continually strives for best-in-class patient care and exceptional customer service.
2nd: Synergy Rehab and Wellness, Locations in Verona, Waynesboro SynergyRehabAndWellness.com, 540-932-0333 3rd: Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, Harrisonburg DrayerPT.com, 540-434-1200
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Primary Care Practice 1st: Augusta Health Primary Care Multiple locations AugustaHealth.com, 540-332-4000 Augusta Health Primary Care has several locations in the region, providing attentive healthcare for all ages. Whether you’re feeling sick, need a preventative scan, or it’s time for an annual checkup, Augusta Health’s providers are ready to provide comforting care. The online patient portal MyAugusta Chart is also available for providing access to your health records at any time.
2nd: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine, Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482 3rd: Harrisonburg Family Practice HarrisonburgFamilyPractice.com, 540-433-9151
BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Asfa Plastic Surgery 3302 Albert Long Dr., Rockingham AsfaPlasticSurgery.com, 540-432-0303 Asfa Plastic Surgery offers cosmetic and reconstructive procedures by Board Certified surgeon Saied Asfa, MD, FACS. The practice is committed to providing services of the highest standard to each of its patients. The business recently underwent a major expansion to accommodate the
success of both the medical practice and enhance the features of the newly independent Ziba Medical & Day Spa.
2nd: Body Essence, Staunton ABodyEssence.com, 540-887-8200 3rd: Shenandoah Oral and Facial Surgery, Rockingham ShenandoahOFS.com, 540-453-8833
Dermatology Practice 1st: Harrisonburg Dermatology 4549 Spotswood Tr., Suite 8, Penn Laird HarrisonburgDermatology.com, 540-433-8700 With a friendly, timely, and professional staff, Harrisonburg Dermatology offers full-spectrum dermatological medical services to the local community and surrounding counties. The practice employs experienced and attentive medical professionals who specialize in the medical diagnosis and management of diseases of the skin, hair, and nails including acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
2nd: Shenandoah Dermatology, Staunton ShenandoahDermatology.com, 540-885-4500 3rd: Access Dermatology, Harrisonburg Access-Dermatology.com, 540-434-1756
Hair Salon or Barber Shop
salon and spa services and excellent client care in a clean and professional atmosphere. The highlight of this salon and spa is its wide array of services, including haircuts, color, nail care, bridal services, facials, brow and eyelash grooming, waxing, and massages.
2nd: High Tech Salon and Spa Studios, Staunton HighTechSalon.com, 540-248-3333 3rd: Omar’s Hair Salon and Barbershop, Harrisonburg OmarsBarbershop.com, 540-282-2575
Spa 1st: Cedar Stone Spa 1832 S. Main St., Harrisonburg CedarStoneSpa.com, 540-437-0411 Cedar Stone Spa therapists utilize stones in every treatment and service they provide. Offerings include body, facial, pre-and post-natal, therapeutic, and custom massages. Facial skincare, nail care, waxing, and other grooming services are also available, so you can feel well all over.
2nd: The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766 3rd: High Tech Salon and Spa Studios, Staunton HighTechSalon.com, 540-248-3333
1st: The Studio Hair Salon & Day Spa
353 Neff Ave., Harrisonburg TheStudioHairSalon.com, 540-434-8188 The Studio has been a Harrisonburg favorite since 1980, offering quality
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Shenandoah Valley’s Real Estate Firm
Congratulations to our real estate professionals who have been recognized among the best in the Shenandoah Valley!
Joe Kemper Elizabeth Funkhouser Funkhouser Kistler Principal Broker
REALTOR®, COO
REALTOR®, CFO
Pete Laver
Allie Coffey
Chris Monahan
Shirley French
Kelsey
Swartzentruber Horst
Chris
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
John Mauzy
Gordon Weirich
Betsy Glendye
Bailey Alford
Megan Morris
Mike Nesselrodt
Kaitlin Mazer
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Ronald Flores
Mattias Clymer
Ryan Roberts
Jayne Schlabach
David Galgano
Sable Ponn
Luke Smith
Lauren Reed
Emily Barone
Mary Jo Miller Turner Plaster REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Delaney Westwood
Laura Measell
Suzanne Bothamley
Tina Regan
Jack Rose
Nina Fox
Chase Louderback
Suzanne Trow
Tom Schroeder
Jan Flora
Bobbie Reeves
Chris Dunkel
Pete Hill
Ken Hensley
Nancy Denita Keyser-Bryant Gray REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Carey Keyes
Carol Holsinger
Brandon Obaugh
Ben Schlabach
Courtney Leach
Pete Bonavita
Yvonne Pirkey
Gary Beatty
Jimmy Lansberry
Josh Brown
Karen Click
Daniel Barnett
Diana Kiser
David Emswiler
Lisa Hensley
Sal Romero
Andrew McManus
Ryann Kelly
Steve Spence
Del Price
Cereda Johnson
Joe Bowman
Kizzie Kincer
Manny Salang
Jacob McKay
Nathan Blackwell
Jaime Pinto
Linda Mars
Jon Watten
Logan Evans
Amy Shelton
Brent Gerald
Matt Bailey
Jonas Buttke
Kenneth Robinette
Micah Young
Stacy Polk
Angie Grogg
Jen Chapman
Katie Whitney Kidd-Johnson Huffman
Stephanie
Sue Emswiler
Molly Munden
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®, Manager
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®, Manager
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Scott Rogers
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Director of Client & Associate Support
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Director of Client Services
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Director of Property Management
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Assistant Property Manager
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Sherfey-Barnes Associate & Client Support
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Associate & Client Support
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
Associate & Client Support
FunkhouserGroup.com Serving The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Funkhouser Real Estate Group is a family owned and operated real estate firm serving the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia since 1975. We provide services in residential brokerage, commercial brokerage, and property management. Contact us today to buy or sell in the Shenandoah Valley.
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Best Services HOME Architecture Firm 1st: Frazier Associates 213 N. Augusta St., Staunton FrazierAssociates.com, 540-886-6230 Frazier Associates has been in business since 1986, specializing in residential design, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization, among others. Recently, Frazier Associates transformed a 1910 commercial garage into a 1,260-square-foot home in downtown Staunton. The design was even featured on HGTV’s website.
2nd: Blue Ridge Architects, Harrisonburg Blueline.team, 540-437-1228 3rd: The Gaines Group, Harrisonburg TheGainesGroup.com, 540-437-0012
Greenhouse and Nursery 1st: Milmont Greenhouses 48 Milmont Dr., Waynesboro Milmont.com, 540-943-8408 Milmont Greenhouses humbly began with two small greenhouses used for growing vine-ripened tomatoes. Now a thriving family business with a greenhouse, outdoor growing space, and garden center, Milmont stocks everything you need for gardening and landscaping. Founders Willis and Salina Miller say that houseplants and vegetable sales have become even more popular in recent years.
2nd: Blue Ribbon Nursery & Landscaping, Broadway BlueRibbonNursery.com, 540-896-6358 3rd: Evergrowin’ Greenhouses, Bridgewater Facebook: Evergrowin’ Greenhouses, 540-828-2434
Home Builder
photo courtesy of bank of clarke county
1st: Welsh Construction 15A N. Randolph St., Lexington WelshConstruction.com, 540-464-1008 Specializing in whole house, kitchen, and bathroom remodeling, Welsh Construction can also build additions, porches and decks, or perform historical restoration work. After being in business for 25 years, they’ve built up quite the portfolio. The team at Welsh Construction love turning clients’ concepts into reality.
2nd: Gary Crummett & Sons, Harrisonburg GaryCrummettConstruction.com, 540-820-1030 3rd: Oaktree Builders, Fort Defiance OaktreeBuildersHomes.com, 540-607-6433
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VIRGINIANS ARE DISCOVERING the benefits
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of banking locally, whether it’s small business support, easier access to loans, or more personal relationships. When recent lockdowns shuttered local economies, they got proof: “Due to our size and ability to move quickly, we were one of the country’s first banks to submit a loan to the U.S. Small Business Administration and get money in the hands of local businesses that needed it,” says Brandon Lorey, CEO of the Bank of Clarke County. Celebrating its 140th year, the bank’s main branch is in Berryville. “Stories like this can be found throughout the state with local community banks stepping up and doing the right thing for their markets,” says Lorey. BankOfClarke.bank
Plumbing/HVAC Company 1st: Blauch Brothers, Inc. 911 Chicago Ave., Harrisonburg BlauchBrothers.com, 540-434-2589 Founded in 1954 by James W. Blauch, Sr., this family business remains as dedicated as ever to “enriching lives.” From commercial and residential plumbing and HVAC services, to construction and design building, Blauch Brothers can do it all.
Brandon Lorey
Home Furnishings Store
Kitchen and Bath Design Firm
1st: Grand Home Furnishings Multiple locations GrandHomeFurnishings.com, 866-472-6343
1st: Classic Kitchen & Bath 1930 Deyerle Ave., Harrisonburg ClassicKitchens.com, 540-437-1990
What started as a Roanoke piano store in 1911 is now one of the largest furniture and mattress businesses in the South, with stores in Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Grand Home Furnishings offers the area’s best selection of the latest styles and designs, all at affordable prices.
Founded with just two designers and two installers, Classic Kitchen & Bath is celebrating its 21st anniversary this June. The primary mission of this kitchen and bath design firm is to deliver exceptional customer experience while providing professional design and valuable material solutions, ensuring that every client loves the end result.
2nd: House of Oak and Sofas, Harrisonburg HouseOfOak.com, 540-432-1383 3rd: Dayton Interiors, Harrisonburg DaytonInteriors.net, 540-432-9144
Interior Design Firm 1st: Crystal Ortiz Rockingham County BluestoneDecorating.com, 540-271-2686 Crystal Ortiz founded her boutique firm in 2014 and built the business from the ground up. What started as giving others color and layout advice has become the full-scale design of kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Ortiz uses rich color palettes and mixes patterns, encouraging clients to try new and exciting visual ideas.
2nd: Queen City Salvage and Design, Staunton QueenCitySalvageDesign.com, 540-910-0260 3rd: Augusta Interiors, Waynesboro AugustaInteriorsVa.com, 540-949-8278
2nd: Fashion Floors & Cabinets, Lexington FashionFloorsAndCabinets.com, 540-464-1422 3rd: Mill Cabinet Shop, Bridgewater MillCabinetShop.com, 540-828-6763
Landscape Design 1st: Blue Ribbon
Nursery & Landscaping
192 S. Main St., Broadway BlueRibbonNursery.com, 540-896-6358 Blue Ribbon Nursery is a gift and retail store, garden center, and landscape company specializing in landscaping installation, maintenance, trimming, and more. Customers can also participate in workshops and can shop the nursery’s online store. Sugar Bear, Fluffy, Smokey, KitKat, and Fancy—the five cats that roam freely around the nursery—are sure to greet you when you arrive.
2nd: Shreckhise Landscape, Weyers Cave ShreckhiseShrubbery.com, 540-234-8500 3rd: Williams Brothers Landscaping, Staunton WilliamsBrothersTree.com, 540-324-1100
2nd: Valley Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Staunton ValleyAirHVAC.com, 540-302-5185 3rd: Hostetter Heating & Cooling, Lexington Facebook: Hostetter Heating & Cooling, 540-463-6228
Real Estate Firm 1st: Kline May Realty Multiple locations KlineMay.com, 540-437-3500 Kline May Realty was founded in 1970 and now has four offices and nearly 100 agents available to serve the community. The team believes that residential real estate has more to do with service than sales, which is why they seek out agents with “servants’ hearts,” in order to establish the best relationships possible with clients.
2nd: Funkhouser Real Estate Group, Harrisonburg FunkhouserGroup.com, 540-434-2400 3rd: KK Homes (Long & Foster), Staunton KKHomes.com, 540-836-5897
Retirement Community 1st: Bridgewater Retirement Community 302 N. 2nd St., Bridgewater BRCLiving.org, 540-828-2550
Bridgewater Retirement Community rests on 90 acres of land and offers four levels of living: independent, assisted, memory support, and nursing households that provide longterm care and rehab. They welcome everyone aged 55 and older. Some of the on-site amenities include a fitness center, a billiards room, styling salons, and a thrift shop.
2nd: Sunnyside Retirement Community, Harrisonburg Sunnyside.cc, 540-568-8200 3rd: Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg VMRC.org, 540-564-3400
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Best Services SERVICES Accounting Firm 1st: Brown Edwards 1909 Financial Dr., Harrisonburg BECPAS.com, 540-434-6736 Brown Edwards is a full-ranking accounting firm with a long-standing presence in Harrisonburg and a strong history of supporting the Shenandoah Valley region. The firm offers a variety of financial services from auditing to advisory, and is committed to supporting and advising clients when financial concerns arise.
2nd: PBMares, Harrisonburg PBMares.com, 540-434-5975 3rd: Didawick and Co., Staunton Didawick.com, 540-885-0855
Auction Company 1st: Green Valley Auctions 2259 Green Valley Ln., Mt Crawford GreenValleyAuctions.com, 540-434-4260 This family-owned auction house opened in 1967 and today provides estate appraisals and dispersals. The Green Valley family also runs a bookstore (Green Valley Book Fair) and a moving company (Green Valley Moving). Browse the consignment shop both online and in-store, and download the Green Valley App to stay updated on new pieces.
2nd: Col. Jack Bowman Auctions, Harrisonburg BowmanAuctions.com, 540-434-7653 3rd: Mark W. Craig Auctions, Bridgewater MarkCraigAuctions.com, 540-246-6430
Bank/Credit Union
Car Wash
1st: DuPont Community Credit Union
1st: Miracle Car Wash Four locations in Harrisonburg MiracleCarWashOnline.com, 540-433-5800
Multiple locations MyDCCU.com, 800-245-8085
DuPont’s first office opened in 1959 in the basement of an employee’s house. Today, the company serves over 115,000 members. “We believe in people—not profits,” their website says. DuPont provides personal banking, loan, and business services, and is also an active partner in community events and wellness.
2nd: F & M Bank, Multiple locations FMBankVa.com, 540-896-8941 3rd: Atlantic Union, Multiple locations AtlanticUnionBank.com, 800-990-4828
Car Dealer 1st: Bob Wade Autoworld 3005 S. Main St., Harrisonburg BobWadeAutoworld.com, 540-434-3900 For more than 30 years, Bob Wade Autoworld has maintained its reputation as a friendly small business providing dependable new and used vehicles. The experienced staff creates a relaxed environment in which all questions and concerns are attentively cared for. The variety of makes and models in its new and certified preowned inventory assures everyone can find the perfect car.
2nd: CMA’s Valley Honda, Staunton CMAsValleyHonda.com, 540-213-9000 3rd: McDonough Toyota, Staunton McDonoughToyota.com, 540-886-6201
Estate Planning 101 Writing your will? Don’t settle for one-size-fits-all.
No matter the size of your assets, drafting a last will and testament is often the first step in estate planning. While the Commonwealth will create an estate plan for those who die without a will, you don’t want the default rules, says Clint Sellers, of Sellers Law Firm in Harrisonburg. “There are no effective contingencies for minors, disabled persons, or instructions to ensure fairness if there are special circumstances,” Sellers says. The best approach, he advises, is to find a lawyer you like, preferably with flat fees. Make sure you choose someone who will listen to your concerns and goals and then help you put a plan in writing. Sellers.law
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Each Miracle Car Wash location offers self-serve, automatic, and vacuum services. Be sure to get a free Miracle Wash Card so that every time your car gets a bath, you’re one step closer to a free wash!
2nd: Home Town Express, Staunton Facebook: @hometownexpressautodetailing, 540-480-1219 3rd: White Horse Auto Wash, Multiple locations WhiteHorseAutoWash.com, 540-316-6019
Caterer 1st: C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company 302 Stoneridge Ln., Lexington StoneridgeCatering.com, 540-462-7182 C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company provides a charming, stress-free culinary experience for every client. Established menus are seen as a starting point so that each event can be customized to suit every client’s needs. Offering hors d’oeuvres, lunch, cookouts, buffets, bar menus, and more, there are packages that work for all events and tastes.
2nd: Love at First Bite Catering & Events, White Post LoveAtFirstBiteCatering.com, 540-955-4462 3rd: Hank’s Grille & Catering, McGaheysville HanksGrilleAndCatering.com, 540-289-7667
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Financial Planning Firm 1st: Good Wealth Management 544 S. Main St., Harrisonburg GoodWM.com, 540-801-8000 This locally owned full-service wealth management firm employs trusted professionals who offer objective advice to multiple generations of families. Believing that each client’s situation is unique, Good Wealth Management provides personal attention and goal-based financial planning. Services include comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and more.
2nd: Weaver Insurance & Financial Advisors, Waynesboro WeaverAdvisors.com, 540-943-1221 3rd: Bookkeeping & Management Systems, Inc., Waynesboro Bookkeeper.com, 540-943-4193
Funeral Home 1st: Kyger Funeral Home 3173 Spotswood Tr., Harrisonburg Kygers.com, 540-434-1359 Kenny Kyger and Donald Trobaugh worked together to start Kyger & Trobaugh Funeral Home in 1975. After Trobaugh’s retirement, Kyger Funeral Home continues to serve families of the Shenandoah Valley with attentive care and compassion. Among many achievements, Kyger Funeral Home became the first funeral home in the state certified by the Green Burial Council.
2nd: Bradley Funeral Home, Luray TheBradleyFuneralHome.com, 540-743-5747 3rd: Johnson Funeral Service, Locations in Bridgewater, Grottoes JohnsonFS.com, 540-828-2542
Law Firm 1st: Hoover Penrod 342 S. Main St., Harrisonburg HooverPenrod.com, 540-433-2444 Founded in 1935, Hoover Penrod has earned a strong reputation in the Shenandoah Valley. Areas of practice include personal injury, family law, bankruptcy, real estate, and more. Hoover Penrod is passionate about serving its community and remains heavily committed to pro bono legal services.
2nd: Clark & Bradshaw, Harrisonburg Clark-Bradshaw.com, 540-433-2601 3rd: Natkin & Crickenberger, Lexington DavidNatkin.com, 540-464-3283
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CELEBRATING 110 YEARS More than a century of caring
110
Sunnyside Communities has a distinguished history of supportive senior living that began in 1912 with one home serving six residents. Today it has grown to three award-winning Life Plan Communities in Virginia serving more than 825 residents. Our communities are recognized for their innovative programming, best practices and commitment to quality care and support. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we want to thank our residents and their families, team members, community partners, neighbors and friends. We look forward to the next 110 years of serving our residents and establishing new relationships. Want to learn more about why our communities are a premier choice for senior living? Call today to schedule your visit and tour.
The Alice Burton Home, Danville, VA. Sunnyside’s beginning in 1912.
SUNNYSIDE Harrisonburg, VA 800.237.2257
KING’S GRANT Martinsville, VA 800.462.4649
SUMMIT SQUARE Waynesboro, VA 800.586.5499
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Best Shopping Antiques
Book Store
Consignment Shop
1st: Factory Antique Mall 50 Lodge Ln., Suite 106, Verona FactoryAntiqueMall.com, 540-248-1110
1st: Green Valley Book Fair 2192 Green Valley Ln., Mt. Crawford GoBookFair.com, 540-434-0309
1st: Gift & Thrift 731 Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg GiftAndThrift.org, 540-433-8844
The 135,000-square-foot Factory Antique Mall is the largest in the country. This sprawling space accommodates the inventory of more than 250 vendors, who attract shoppers of all varieties. While you shop all day (and it will take that long to rummage through the place), stop by Tasty Bites café, serving unbelievable, made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, and soups.
More than 50 years strong, this discount book outlet has adjusted its hours and is now open year-round. Green Valley Book Fair is stocked with everything from children’s books to adult titles and carries categories for all ages and interests. The fair has a steady supply of new titles and gifts at bargain prices.
At Gift & Thrift, “every purchase is a gift to the world.” The store offers a large variety of items at affordable prices, from furniture to puzzles, and books to electronics. Gift & Thrift also has a boutique department, Thriftique, that sells brand-name and vintage clothing.
2nd: Duke’s Lexington Antique Center DukeDukeAntiques.com, 540-463-9511 3rd: Verona Antiques VeronaAntiques.com, 540-248-3532
2nd: The Bookery, Lexington LexingtonVirginia.com, 540-464-3377 3rd: The Book Dragon Shop, Staunton TheBookDragonShop.com, 540-712-7941
2nd: Livy’s Closet, Clifton Forge LivysClosetCliftonForge.com, 540-865-0373 3rd: Karis, Mt. Sidney KarisGifts.org, 540-248-4511
Vogueing in the Valley photos (from left) courtesy of the yellow button, by susan lendermon
Summer trends and smart styles at these fashionforward boutiques.
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Fine Jewelry Store 1st: Christopher William Jewelers Locations in Harrisonburg, Weyers Cave ChristopherWilliamJewelers.com, 540-234-9075 Christopher William Jewelers has been serving the Shenandoah Valley and beyond for over 30 years. They have two locations in the Valley, both of which carry an extensive collection of loose diamonds and colored gemstones so that items can be tailored to your wants and needs.
2nd: James McHone Jewelry, Harrisonburg McHoneJewelry.com, 540-433-1833 3rd: H.L. Lang & Co., Staunton HLLang.com, 540-885-1275
The Yellow Button. Below: Legendary fashionista Linda Holden of The Fashion Gallery.
Summer is right around the corner which means it’s time for a closet refresh. Linda Holden, owner of The Fashion Gallery in Verona, shares her fashion dos and don’ts for this season. First up, don’t be shy to be colorful this summer. From blues and shades of pinks to daffodil and tangerine, Holden says you will see joy in people’s wardrobe. Next, say goodbye to short sun dresses. “Maxi dresses with flounce hems, puff sleeves and smocking detail are in,” she tells us. And finally, when it comes to prints this summer, go bold. “Prints have taken a less serious vibe with lots of florals and interesting
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
opened this South Main Street boutique in 2009, and it quickly became a hip hive for multi-generational fashionistas. Ebersold’s vision was to offer quality made products on
par with metropolitan trends, while providing shoppers the relaxed and approachable comfort of the Shenandoah Valley’s signature lifestyle. The Button’s legions of daughters, mothers, and grandmothers looking to stay classic or current would say Ebersold got it right. “The Yellow Button is absolutely perfect,” one Yelp reviewer wrote. “I’m nearly 50, my daughter is 18, and my mom is 78, and we all love the Button!” Another reviewer from Toronto stumbled upon The Button while visiting Harrisonburg, “This store has so many different brands that feel fresh but not overly trendy. The people working there were extremely knowledgeable about how different brands fit.” In addition to an extensive instore shopping experience, Ebersold parlayed her considerable fashion background into the Button Box, a personal styling service for those looking for a wardrobe update or an outfit for a special occasion. TheFashionGallery.com, ShopTheYellowButton.com
graphics,” Holden says Holden’s family opened The Fashion Gallery in 1981 with the goal of providing locals upscale fashion with a Southern twist. Today, more than 40 years later, The Fashion Gallery is a favorite shopping destination for fashion-forward Virginians across the state. From formal dresses and shoes to a large collection of Vera Bradley bags and purses, to beautiful home decor and fine furnishings, this hot spot will keep you coming back for more. Just a half hour north on I-81 is Harrisonburg, where locals rave about The Yellow Button. Founder Miranda Ebersold
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ThankThank you, you,
Shenandoah Valley! Shenandoah Valley!
F&M Bank supports clients with a robust digital banking suite, full-service branches, and essential services like mortgage loans, title services, wealth management, business banking, and agricultural lending. With philanthropic efforts totaling over $300,000 annually, and a team dedicated to volunteering, we aim to provideclients a bright future right here where we allsuite, live, work and play.branches, and essential F&M Bank supports with a robust digital banking full-service
services like mortgage loans, title been services, wealth business banking, and agricultural lending. Since 1908, we have dedicated to management, supporting Virginia’s economy and remain your community bank. With philanthropic efforts totaling over $300,000 annually, and a team dedicated to volunteering, we aim to provide a bright future right here where we all live, work and play. Since 1908, we have been dedicated to supporting Virginia’s economy and remain your community bank. Banking You Love from People Who Care. | NMLS# 414464 | www.fmbankva.com
Banking You Love from People Who Care. | NMLS# 414464 | www.fmbankva.com
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Best Shopping Filigree ring with peridot.
Hugo Kohl’s Singular Vision
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
The master craftsman brings new life to vintage jewelry styles. Most days, Hugo Kohl can be found in his Harrisonburg workshop and boutique, doing what he loves: creating authentic, vintagestyle jewelry. Kohl’s story began in 1993 when he visited Providence, Rhode Island, the historic center of Industrial Age jewelry manufacturing. Here, his path took an interesting turn. While chatting with a dealer in the city’s Jewelry District, Kohl noticed workers loading boxes into a dump truck. When one of the boxes broke open, spilling pieces onto the ground, he wasn’t sure what he was looking at, but he had a hunch those pieces would somehow play an important role in his future. Kohl then did what any artist following a creative hunch would do: He excused himself, hopped in his car, and eventually managed to flag down the dump truck driver to negotiate the purchase of the mysterious box of scrap. Kohl then immersed himself in identifying the pieces he’d rescued and researched how they might have been used in the past. Turns out, the box was full of “hubs,” some dating from the 1800s. Hubs, he discovered, served as a mold for die-struck
Florist Shop 1st: Long’s Florist 808 E. Main St., Luray Facebook: Longs Florist, 540-743-5466 Long’s Florist has garnered only fivestar ratings, all of which rave about the quality and beauty of the arrangements. Reviewers also consistently praise florists Peggy and Lori for their wonderful customer service, with some saying that it feels like “dealing with family.”
2nd: Honey Bee’s Florist, Staunton HoneyBeesFlorist.com, 540-887-1221 3rd: Blakemore’s Flowers, Harrisonburg BlakemoresFlowers.com, 540-434-4461
Gift Store
photos by adam ewing
1st: Gift & Thrift 731 Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg GiftAndThrift.org, 540-433-8844 Gift & Thrift has everything from electronics to clothing, and more— something for everyone on your list. Not only are their large quantities of pre-loved items restocked everyday, the store also hosts silent auctions for
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jewelry. To create a piece using a hub, a jewelry craftsman would hammer a thin sheet of gold—or other metal—onto the hub to create the design. Over the past 30 years, Kohl hasn’t strayed from the artistic vision that crystalized that day in Providence. In addition to using his collection of historic pieces in his own jewelry making, Kohl continues to collect antique manufacturing parts and tools. His vault now contains thousands of hand-engraved hubs, dies, and rolls. At his Harrisonburg boutique and workshop, Kohl offers a wide selection of authentic vintage replication jewelry in decorative styles spanning the centuries, from Art Nouveau to mid-century modern. He also offers custom jewelry design and repair services. Kohl and his team of highly skilled craftspeople work closely with customers
antiques and other rare collectibles. Check out the Booksavers section, featuring gifts for readers, movie buffs, and music lovers.
2nd: Agora Downtown Market, Harrisonburg AgoraDowntownMarket.com, 540-705-1047 3rd: Virginia Gift Shop, Luray Facebook: @vagiftshop, 540-743-4022
Men’s Clothing Store 1st: CFO Trading Co. 13 E. Beverley St., Staunton CFOTradingCompany.com, 540-466-5078 Owners John and Nancy Reese named this store after their three dogs Charlie, Franklin, and Oscar. The store carries men’s apparel but also sells a number of gifts, like watches, cocktail mixes, and pint glass sets. John and Nancy’s other store, Yelping Dog Wine, sits right next door so you can browse with a drink in hand!
to create one-of-a-kind pieces, which often feature delicate filigree and period details rich with symbolism. Working with ethically sourced and conflict-free silver, gold, and platinum, as well as precious and semi-precious stones, his work is priced to appeal to jewelry connoisseurs of all budgets. HugoKohl.com
Shelves of hubs at Hugo Kohl Jewelry in Harrisonburg.
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter
Women’s Clothing Store
1st: Walkabout Outfitter Locations in Harrisonburg, Lexington WalkaboutOutfitter.com, 540-434-9900
1st: The Fashion Gallery 111 Lee Hwy., Verona FashionGalleryVa.com, 540-248-4292
Owners Kirk and Tina Miller opened the first Walkabout Outfitter in 2005. Kirk, an Eagle Scout and Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, and Tina, an experienced small retail business owner, combined their knowledge to create an outdoor outfitter with quality merchandise and an inclusive environment. Walkabout Outfitter has all the gear you need for hiking, camping, trail running, water sports, and more.
With 25,000 square feet of sales floor, The Fashion Gallery is your one-stop shop for classic clothing and accessories, including jewelry, scarves, handbags, and shoes. The store carries a wide selection of formalwear for weddings and special events, so guests, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride can all find their perfect dress.
2nd: Dominion Outdoors, Fishersville DominionOutdoors.com, 540-337-9218 3rd: Wilderness Adventure, Staunton WildernessAdv.com, 540-885-3200
2nd: HenHouse Shoppe, Elkton HenHouseShoppe.com 3rd: The Yellow Button, Harrisonburg ShopTheYellowButton.com, 540-801-8110
2nd: Alvin-Dennis, Lexington AlvinDennis.com, 540-463-5383 3rd: Walkabout Outfitter, Locations in Harrisonburg, Lexington WalkaboutOutfitter.com, 540-434-9900
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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THANK YOU! Barter Theatre is humbled to have been voted Best of Virginia in six different categories for 2022. We are proud to be a part of this region, and are happy to continue our tradition of bringing world-class theatre to Virginia!
A B I N G D O N , VA BarterTheatre.com | (276) 628-3991
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FOR TICKETS AND MORE!
4/21/22 5:24 PM
AN ADVENTURER’S PARADISE, Southwest Virginia includes two national parks, 11 state parks, and a good stretch of the Appalachian Trail. It’s also home The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, which illustrates the state's rich music history. Tucked away in Bland county near Wytheville, you'll find the award-winning Eupepsia Wellness Resort, known for its farm-to-table fare and personalized approach. And in Abingdon, the Martha Washington Inn, affectionately known as The Martha, offers a resort experience in a charming, historic setting. Cities like Roanoke, Martinsville, and Bristol inject plenty of culture into this region. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol was named Southwest’s Number 1 cultural attraction. It was followed by Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art and the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.
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Thanks for PICKING the Harvester Performance Center as the 2022 Best Music Venue and Best Special Event Venue! 5/1 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/14 5/21 6/2 6/3 6/23 7/24 8/19 8/20 9/30 10/1 10/22
We Banjo 3 Willie Watson Victor Wooten Katie Pruitt and Jade Bird The SteelDrivers Rodney Crowell The Petty Hearts The Blind Boys of Alabama Natalie Hemby Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Suzy Bogguss Gangstagrass Dan Tyminski Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Bob Mould with H.C. McEntire
MORE 2022 SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED
2022
HARVESTER PERFORMANCE CENTER TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HARVESTER-MUSIC.COM BOX office 540-GUITARS
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SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CITIES: - Bristol - Galax - Martinsville - Norton
- Radford - Roanoke - Salem
COUNTIES: - Bland - Buchanan - Carroll - Dickenson - Floyd - Franklin - Giles - Grayson - Henry - Lee - Montgomery
The Highland Course at Primland. Below right: The signature facial at Primland's Auberge Spa.
photos courtesy of auberge resorts collection
S
- Patrick - Pulaski - Roanoke - Russell - Scott - Smyth - Tazewell - Washington - Wise - Wythe
Best of the West OUTHWEST VOTERS AGREE: the 34-mile
Virginia Creeper Trail, which connects Abingdon and Damascus, was voted Number 1 in this year’s contest, followed by the Cascade Falls Trailhead in Pembroke with its views of the impressive 66-foot high Cascade Falls on the four-mile out-and-back trail. In third place, the paved Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail runs just over four miles along the Danville and Western Railroad corridor. This trifecta of hiking and biking trails define the area’s outdoor culture. To gear up for your hikes and bikes, look to Clinch Life Outfitters in St. Paul, which earned a first place win from our voters for its kayaks, canoes, rods, and reels—along with guided fishing trips. Blue Ridge Outfitters in Marion came in second. This locally owned and operated store offers outdoor apparel, hiking boots, cowboy hats, and more. And in Roanoke, our third place winner, Mast General Store, which dates back to the late 1800s, also offers gifts, jewelry, knives, and toys. Looking for luxury? Our readers voted Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Meadows of Dan, an outdoor lover’s favorite. “Set amidst 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is
difficult to not immerse yourself in Primland’s natural surroundings,” says Ashley Nelson, Primland’s director of marketing. The resort is known for its “best in-class service, luxury accommodations and amenities, and an unrivaled guest experience,” she notes. It’s consistently voted one of the best resorts in the South by Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, and our voters agree. The resort’s Highland Golf Course blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, food is world class, and spa services are decadent and extensive—all in a breathtaking mountain setting. Nestled in the New River Valley, Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke offers serenity, relaxation, and the adventure of the Appalachian Mountains right outside. Vacationers have been enjoying this rural resort, made famous by the movie Dirty Dancing, for centuries. Cap off a visit to this dynamic part of the state with a stopover at the Floyd Country Store. You’ll have a boot-stompin’, finger-pickin’ good time at one of the best incubators around for local heritage music and dancing. It’s always a favorite in our Best Music Venue category, along with Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount.
Set amidst 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland is known for its unrivaled guest experience.” —Ashley Nelson, director of marketing, Primland
BEST OF VIRGINIA CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Food & Drink
Best Living & Recreation
pg. 154 Restaurants pg. 157 Food Shopping pg. 159 Drink
pg. 160 Entertainment & Events pg. 161 Pets pg. 161 Kids pg. 163 Travel pg. 165 Outdoors & Active
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Best Services pg. 165 Health pg. 169 Beauty pg. 171 Home pg. 173 Services
Best Shopping pg. 174
Winners begin on pg. 154
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Best Food & Drink Asian Restaurant 1st: Café Asia 3940 Valley Gateway Blvd., Suite B1, Roanoke CafeAsiaRoanoke.com, 540-206-2298 Serving the Roanoke area since 2008, Café Asia offers a hospitable experience alongside authentic East and Southeast Asian cuisine, serving elegant sushi and pan-Asian entrées. Café Asia has recently reopened its dining room and indoor seating services; however, customers can also enjoy the restaurant’s delicious and delectable fare for takeout and delivery.
2nd: Peking Chinese Restaurant, Wytheville Facebook: @PekingVA, 276-228-5515 3rd: Red Flower Chinese Restaurant, Richlands 276-596-9921
Barbecue Restaurant 1st: Buddy’s BBQ 480 Tanyard Rd., Rocky Mount BuddysBBQVa.com, 540-482-0369 Featuring North Carolina-style barbecue, Buddy’s BBQ adds a Franklin County moonshine twist to their sauces. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the pulled pork BBQ is smoked fresh daily! Homemade sauces, hush puppies, Carolina red slaw, and mac ’n’ cheese are just a few of the wonderful dishes you’ll find at this establishment. According to Buddy’s, there’s not a microwave on the premises!
2nd: Checkered Pig, Martinsville CheckeredPig.com, 276-632-1161 3rd: Bootleg BBQ, Floyd BootLegQ.com, 540-285-0691
A Juice Reboot
From smoothies to power bowls, White Birch Juice Co. makes healthy food delicious. At White Birch Juice Co., located in the heart of Abingdon, the smoothies, coldpressed juices, and quinoa power bowls are made with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. Owners Jeannie Ferracci and William Denton offer a wide variety of tasty and healthy creations at their Main Street café. From homemade biscuits to green kale smoothies and turmeric tonic pressed juice, White Birch believes in clean foods to make you feel your best. Take home a juice cleanse kit for a digestive reboot, or try a golden milk latte for a healthy eye-opener. WhiteBirchJuice.com
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Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Chick-n-little 401 W. Main St., Abingdon Facebook: ChickNLittle, 276-628-6690
1st: Blackbird Bakery 56 Piedmont Ave., Bristol BlackbirdBakeryBristol.com, 276-645-5754
Chick-n-Little serves the Abingdon area with fantastic fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Order breakfast any time of the day or enjoy many of the other Southern specialties, such as fried green tomatoes or deliciously seasoned fried chicken. Either dining in or carrying out, fans say they will return.
Blackbird Bakery provides the Bristol area with the best desserts and service while also inspiring happiness and giving back to the community. The bakery staff is committed to going above and beyond for their customers, serving fan favorites like the pink almond cake, brownie tower, and banana pudding.
2nd: Gillie’s, Blacksburg GilliesRestaurant.com, 540-961-2703 3rd: Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro, Multiple locations ODBB.com, 540-953-2815
2nd: Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, Locations in Roanoke, Salem MillMountainCoffee.com, 540-389-7549 3rd: Daily Grind, Martinsville DGUptown.com, 276-632-0035
Burger Joint
Fine Dining
1st: Burger Bar 120 Piedmont Ave., Bristol TheOriginalBurgerBar.com, 276-466-6200
1st: The Tavern Restaurant 222 E. Main St., Abingdon AbingdonTavern.com, 276-628-1118
“Come Get Burger Bar’d!” This restaurant has been operating as a classic diner since 1942. It was even said that Hank Williams, well-known American country artist, ate here. Not only can you get a great fresh burger, but enjoy a savory beer from a local brewery. Catering and event hosting are also available.
Steeped in history, The Tavern is the eighth-oldest bar in the nation. The Tavern, built in 1779, was constructed to be a pub and overnight inn for stagecoach travelers. Today, guests enjoy an award-winning menu along with a generous beer, wine, and cocktail list. Customers love the excellent service and friendly staff.
2nd: Dude’s Drive In, Christiansburg Dudes-Drive-In.business.site, 540 382-7901 3rd: Rocky Mount Burger Company RMBurger.com, 540-456-2337
2nd: Ippy’s Restaurant, Rocky Mount IppysRestaurant.com, 540-489-5600 3rd: The Palisades Restaurant, Eggleston ThePalisadesRestaurant.com, 540-626-2828
Food Truck 1st: Cabo Fish Taco Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CaboFishTaco.com, 540-552-0950 The food truck version of Cabo Fish Taco transports customers to California’s sandy beaches, where surfing culture rules. With a menu that stars tacos, wraps, and burritos served out of a funky converted delivery truck, the food is what reigns supreme. Partnerships with local businesses like Long Way Brewing and Old Salem Brewing Company enhance the experience.
2nd: Thai This Food Truck, Radford ThaiThisExpress.com, 540-838-2329 3rd: Eat with Otis, Pounding Mill Facebook: Eat With Otis, 276-345-4008
Ice Cream Shop 1st: Homestead Creamery 7254 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Wirtz HomesteadCreameryInc.com, 540-721-2045 Homestead Creamery was founded in 2001 by two dairy farmers wanting to preserve their family’s farm for the next generation and provide the community with what they deemed “the way milk should taste!” The cream starts with happy cows and a familyrun business that values freshness and minimal pasteurization, and ends with excellent ice cream and satisfied customers.
2nd: Blue Cow, Roanoke BlueCowIceCream.com, 540-400-8558 3rd: The Ice Cream Stop, Abingdon Facebook: The Ice Cream Stop, 276-676-0447
Indian Restaurant 1st: India Garden Restaurant 210 Prices Fork Rd., Blacksburg IndiaGardenOnline.com, 540-951-5100 India Garden Restaurant offers a rich menu boasting all fresh, natural ingredients, wholesome sauces, and flavorful spices. Whether you prefer a tandoori-style meat grill or one of the fine vegetarian dishes, or if you’re a first-timer to Indian cuisine, you’re in for a treat. Each dish is prepped with freshly ground herbs and spices suited to individual tastes.
2nd: Nawab Indian Cuisine, Roanoke NawabRestaurant.com, 540-345-5150 3rd: Taaza Indian Cuisine, Roanoke TaazaRoanoke.com, 540-342-4773
photos courtesy of white birch juice company
RESTAURANTS
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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RESTAURANTS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Italian Restaurant 1st: Sal’s Italian Restaurant
& Pizzeria
Southern California. Unlike most Baja-style restaurants, Cabo combines coastal Mexican cuisine with a unique California ambiance. The food and atmosphere of Cabo are an impeccable fusion of styles, and the restaurant is a local favorite.
709 W. Main St., Radford SalsRadford.com, 540-639-9669
Founded in 1978, Sal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria has been a favorite spot for the Radford community for 44 years. Family-owned and operated, this upscale, distinctly Italian space serves a full menu of seafood, sandwiches, pizza, and pasta dishes, perfect for a casual, filling lunch or a romantic evening out.
2nd: Captain Tom’s Seafood, Martinsville Facebook: CAPTAIN TOMS, 276-666-0326 3rd: Billy’s, Roanoke BillysRoanoke.com, 540-206-3353
2nd: Fortunato, Roanoke FortunatoRoanoke.com, 540-400-7315 3rd: Milano’s Italian Cuisine, Abingdon MilanosCuisine.com, 276-698-3331
Steakhouse 1st: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse 104 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke FrankieRowlandsSteakhouse.com, 540-527-2333
Mexican Restaurant 1st: El Bronco 6 Radford St., Christiansburg ElBroncoMexican.com, 540-381-0674
Serving up authentic Mexican food, El Bronco has a hefty menu featuring many appetizing choices. Customers rave about the excellent customer service. There’s a childrens’ menu for the tykes and an impressive bar selection. Providing a delicious meal with great service is their goal.
2nd: El Rio Mexican Grill, Rocky Mount ElRioMXGrill.com, 540-483-1322 3rd: Compadres Mexican Restaurant, Pulaski Facebook: Compadres of Pulaski, 540-994-5557
Outdoor Dining 1st: Dip Dog Stand 2035 Lee Hwy., Marion DipDogs.net, 276-783-2698
Bristol’s Blackbird Bakery Local art finds a sweet home.
On the Virginia side of Bristol’s quaint downtown, Blackbird Bakery is a feast for the eyes. The display case features freshly baked pies, signature doughnuts, and scrumptious cupcakes in a rainbow of colors; the walls are adorned with the works of local artists. “We’re lining up new local artists now and rotate groups each month,” says Beverly Matda, Blackbird’s administrative manager. “We might have a group from a local senior center or a semi-professional artist, and everything from photography and paintings to stained glass and pen and ink.” BlackbirdBakeryBristol.com Art on display at Blackbird Bakery. Above: Devil’s food chocolate cake with buttercream icing.
photos courtesy of blackbird bakery
Pizzeria 1st: Bella’s Pizza and Subs 872 E. Main St., Abingdon Facebook: @BellasPizzaAndSubs, 276-628-8101 Fans love Bella’s customer service and quality of food. While the pizza toppings include favorites like pepperoni, there are many other options including a generous veggie list. For more than 40 years, Bella’s has been com-
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mitted to providing a clean and fun dining experience for their guests.
2nd: Brick House Pizza, Radford BrickHousePizzaVa.com, 540-639-5793 3rd: Benny Marzano’s, Blacksburg BennysVa.com, 540-443-3949
Sandwich Shop 1st: Macado’s Multiple locations Macados.net, 540-345-8034
Deemed “the Continuously Evolving Deli,” Macado’s offers Southwest Virginia a fun and casual atmosphere where both employees and customers have a good time. With so many great
2nd: The Tavern Restaurant, Abingdon AbingdonTavern.com, 276-628-1118 3rd: Bonanza, Lebanon Facebook: @BonanzaLebanonVA, 276-889-3621
Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten Free Fare 1st: Big Stone Gap General Store
and Café
215 Wood Ave. E., Big Stone Gap Facebook: @BSGGeneralStore
For 65 years, Dip Dog Stand has been enticing the community with unique, delicious treats. The Dip Dog tradition is filled with family pride as the company continues to flourish. Serving hamburgers, footlong hotdogs, wings, BBQ, and a myriad of platters, baskets, and shakes, Dip Dog Stand is a fun destination for any foodie.
2nd: Sugar Hill Cidery, Norton SugarHillCidery.com, 276-325-7313 3rd: The Farmhouse, Christiansburg TheFarmhouseChristiansburg.com, 540-251-7600
Established in 2001, Frankie Rowland’s features over 120 wines, 130 liquors, and 70 martinis. Their food menu, of course, is full of steak. From filets to “Cowboy Ribeyes” and Kansas City Strips, you’ll definitely find a steak to suit your tastes. If that’s not your speed, there’s also a variety of seafoods, like Maine lobster or jumbo crab cakes.
sandwiches on the menu, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but some best-sellers are the Babe Ruth, the Big Daddy, and the Big City Jazz.
2nd: 128 Pecan, Abingdon 128Pecan.com, 276-698-3159 3rd: Bread Basket, Floyd BreadBasketVa.com, 540-745-5382
At Big Stone Gap General Store and Café, there’s plenty of room to gather, relax, and dig in. As the town’s unofficial community center, entertainment might feature traditional Appalachian music, dance, or theater, plus the work of local artists. All the while, customers can enjoy small bites, like salads and coal-fired artisan-style pizzas with a huge variety of toppings. Gluten-free options are also available.
2nd: Gillie’s, Blacksburg GilliesRestaurant.com, 540-961-2703 3rd: White Birch Juice Co., Abingdon WhiteBirchJuice.com, 276-608-0541
Seafood Restaurant 1st: Cabo Fish Taco Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CaboFishTaco.com, 540-552-0950
Cabo Fish Taco will take you right out of the Virginia mountains and transport you to the sunny coast of
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C&S Construction Services, Inc. 579 Topaz Drive Max Meadows, VA 24360 540-605-1108 | info@csnrv.com
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We are a Class-A Contractor licensed and insured in VA, NC, and WV. We specialize in new construction, remodels, and designer cabinetry. Proudly located in the New River Valley.
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4/21/22 5:29 PM
Best Food & Drink FOOD SHOPPING Bakery 1st: Blackbird Bakery 56 Piedmont Ave., Bristol BlackbirdBakeryBristol.com, 276-645-5754
Blackbird Bakery provides the Bristol area with the best desserts and service while also inspiring happiness and giving back to the community. The bakery staff is committed to going above and beyond for their customers, serving fan favorites like the pink almond cake, brownie tower, and banana pudding.
2nd: Carol Lee Donuts, Blacksburg CarolLeeDonuts.com, 540-552-6706 3rd: Anthony’s Desserts, Abingdon AnthonysDesserts.com, 276-623-1500
Chocolatier 1st: Anthony’s Desserts 284 W. Main St., Abingdon AnthonysDesserts.com, 276-623-1500
Since 2010, Chef Anthony Perkins has been providing an assortment of unique, delicious desserts to the Abingdon area. Stop in to savor their
scrumptious ice cream or a cup of coffee. “The staff was friendly and the service really great,” say fans of this establishment.
Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
2nd: Cocoa Trail Chocolates, Collinsville CocoaTrail.com, 276-647-1980 3rd: chocolatepaper, Roanoke ChocolatepaperRoanoke.com, 540-342-6061
and Café
Farmers Market 1st: Abingdon Farmers Market Corner of Remsburg Dr. & Cummings St. AbingdonFarmersMarket.com, 276-698-1434
From cooking demos to live music and loads of wholesome, homegrown food, the Abingdon Farmers Market is where local farmers, artisans, and food producers showcase their goods and demonstrate their talent. Open year round, the AFM is a local favorite, where garden-ripe vegetables and flowers, along with handmade soaps, local crafts, homemade baked goods, and farm fresh eggs are on display.
2nd: Blacksburg Farmers Market BlacksburgFarmersMarket.com, 540-239-8290 3rd: Rocky Mount Farmers’ Market RockyMountVa.org, 540-483-0907
1st: Big Stone Gap General Store 215 Wood Ave. E., Big Stone Gap Facebook: @BSGGeneralStore
This general store and café is a space for the people of Big Stone Gap to showcase the beauty and history of their town while sharing music, food, drink, and conversation. Located in the historic building that once housed the town’s newspaper, The Post, it’s now a thriving community space that showcases the best of the region. The café serves locally sourced lite-bites.
2nd: Blue Hills Market, Abingdon Facebook: @BlueHillsMarketAbingdon, 276-628-3170 3rd: Cranberry Lane, Bristol CranberryLaneHome.com, 276-669-9899
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Wine Shop 1st: Chateau Morrisette 292 Winery Rd. SW, Floyd TheDogs.com, 540 593-2865
Committed to providing amazing experiences, Chateau Morrisette has its home in Floyd. Ample outdoor seating makes this wine shop a wonderful place to gather with friends. Purchase your wine in the shop and then enjoy on the premises while you listen to your favorite band. Atmosphere and ambiance, and bring the dog, too. All are welcome!
2nd: Blacksburg Wine Lab BlacksburgWineLab.com, 540-605-7291 3rd: Katbird’s Wine & Gourmet, Abingdon KatbirdsWine.com, 276-623-0001
Sorghum glazed pork chop, with crispy brussels sprouts, butter grits, and orange zest. Below: Seared tuna with wasabi aioli, szechuan peppercorn, smoked salt, and pea sprouts.
The Black Hen and Bar Blue
photos by john park
Spirited farm-to-table fare.
Tucked in amid downtown Blacksburg’s bustling bars, you’ll find The Black Hen restaurant and its charming Bar Blue. Unlike its neighbors, the place is neither large nor loud. But the contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails at The Black Hen & Bar Blue are worth writing home about. Most recently helmed by Chef Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire of reality cooking show Hell’s Kitchen fame, the restaurant takes pride in plating delectable dishes with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The offerings change frequently, creating a fresh dining adventure with each visit. A smattering of favorites: for brunch, “Have Mercy”—sweet potato pancakes with bourbon maple syrup and hot chicken with eggs. Pair it with their selection of rich coffees— Rwandan, Sumatran, Bolivian, Brazilian. On the dinner menu, a turkey pot pie is rounded out with rabbit and pheasant. And for dessert, you might encounter s’mores crème brûlèe or fried lemon pound cake. Online reviews are consistently effusive: “The menu is as close to NYC as you can get in Blacksburg,” gushed one patron. Bar Blue’s cocktails are well-made and well-served, with plenty to choose from. Standouts include “Ruby My Dear,” a festival of grapefruit vodka, St. Germain, and lemon, and the “French Hen,” gin-based, with lemon juice, simple The French Hen, with syrup, St. Germain, and a twist. gin, St. Germain, lemon juice, and TheBlackHenRestaurant.com simple syrup.
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Franklin County Distilleries, VA.
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Best Food & Drink DRINK Brewery 1st: Sugar Hill Brewing Company 16622 Broad St., St. Paul SugarHillBrewing.com, 276-738-1088
Housed in an old hardware store, Sugar Hill Brewing Company was established in 2016 to produce exceptional beer and food. With some of the top brewers in the area, the Sugar Hill team loves to research and innovate their recipes to get the perfect beer every time, while offering from-scratch eats and a laid-back atmosphere.
2nd: Big Lick Brewing Company, Roanoke BigLickBrewingCo.com, 540-562-8383 3rd: Buffalo Mountain Brewery and McDaniel’s Tavern, Floyd BuffaloMountainBrewery.com, 540-745-2491
Scratch Biscuit Company’s Nashville hot chicken biscuit.
Distillery
Specialty Cocktails
1st: Twin Creeks Distillery 510 Franklin St., Rocky Mount TwinCreeksDistillery.com, 540-483-1266
1st: LUSH Lounge 317 E. Main St., Floyd LUSHLounge.net, 540-745-5874
Twin Creeks Distillery has deep roots in Franklin County. Guests can purchase bottles at the distillery store or attend a tasting for a sampling of spirits. The distillery prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and providing an “authentic experience.” (Fun fact: Twin Creeks produced and sold the first legal batch of liquor in Franklin County.)
2nd: Five Mile Mountain Distillery, Floyd 5MileMountain.com, 540-745-4495 3rd: Franklin County Distilleries, Boones Mill FCDMoonshine.com, 540-334-1610
This cocktail bar will take you all the way back to the Prohibition Era with its speakeasy-style décor and cocktails. With drink names like “Dangerous Liaison” and “Kiss of Death,” you’re sure to have a good time. And if you’re feeling peckish, LUSH also has an elegant menu with offerings like lobster bisque and steak and truffle frites.
2nd: The Tavern Restaurant, Abingdon AbingdonTavern.com, 276-628-1118 3rd: Five Mile Mountain Distillery, Floyd 5MileMountain.com, 540-745-4495
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Winery 1st: Chateau Morrisette 291 Winery Rd. SW, Floyd TheDogs.com, 540 593-2865
Committed to providing amazing experiences, Chateau Morrisette has its home in Floyd. Ample outdoor seating makes this wine shop a wonderful place to gather with friends. Purchase your wine in the shop and then enjoy on the premises while you listen to your favorite band. Atmosphere, ambiance and…bring the dog, too. All are welcome!
2nd: Iron Heart Winery, Hiwassee IHeartVirginiaWine.com, 540-320-0203 3rd: Abingdon Vineyards AbingdonVineyards.com, 276-623-1255
A Downhome Good Breakfast Scratch Biscuit makes its mark on Roanoke.
photos by john park
At Scratch Biscuit Company, the down home breakfasts come hot and homemade. “We make our biscuits by hand each day,” says owner Nathan Webster. Beyond favorites like egg and cheese or sausage biscuits, look for the Jerry Garcia with smoked tofu; the Jezebel, made with country ham, pimento cheese, and jezebel sauce; or the Bless Your Heart Biscuit, filled with fried green tomatoes, bacon, and chipotle sauce. “One biscuit is really enough,” says Webster, of his oversized Southern style “cathead” biscuits, which measure five inches across. For bigger appetites, platters at Scratch include The Cowboy Crippler— country fried sausage, pulled pork, hash browns, and cheese on a Scratch biscuit. Pancakes, cinnamon rolls, breakfast tacos, and waffles—along with scrambled eggs, country ham, bacon, grits, fried apples, and hash browns—round out the menu. And then there’s the coffee. Scratch brews exclusive roasts from sister company Henhouse Roasters. Look for Grelen Gold, served daily, along with Dark Side of the Barn, Dee’s Nuts, and Rooster Scratch blends. These, along with Scratch’s own Biscuit Mix—made with flour from familyowned Big Spring Mill in nearby Ellison— are available for purchase at Scratch’s online store. Webster made the leap to open Scratch in 2017, when the former Village Grill restaurant space in Roanoke’s historic
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Grandin Village went up for sale. He’d been catering and serving wood-smoked barbecue from a food truck. But with Scratch, he wanted to create “a down home good breakfast served in a warm comfortable setting.” The restaurant’s interior is “all made from Virginia wood, from the walls to the bar and tabletops.” Adding to the homey feel, “the farm tools on the walls were used by my grandparents,” he says. In a time that’s pushed some restaurants to the brink, Scratch, says Webster, is “still going strong. I’m thankful for the customers and staff that continue to support us.” Coming later this year, Webster says he’s looking to implement online ordering and introduce a Scratch app. ScratchBiscuit.com
Nathan Webster
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Best Living & Recreation Annual Charity Event 1st: Boots & Bowties Woodbrook Limousin Farms, Abingdon
Boots and Bowties is a charity event benefiting the Johnston Memorial Cancer Center in Abingdon. Held at the beautiful Woodbrook Farms, attendees enjoy dinner and desserts, great music, and a silent auction, all for a good cause. Auction items include vacations, jewelry, sports memorabilia, and more.
2nd: The Charity League of Martinsville/ Henry County Bargain Fair CharityLeague.org 3rd: Cancer Kids and Christmas, Narrows 540-599-2578
Art Event 1st: Virginia Highlands Festival 1 Partnership Cir., Abingdon VaHighlandsFestival.org, 276-623-5266
The first Virginia Highlands Festival was held in 1949 to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. Over the decades, it has grown to include even more artists, craftsmen, and performers from Virginia’s Southwest. Organizers take pride in the worldly cultural and creative exchange it provides.
2nd: Art In Bloom, William King Museum of Art, Abingdon WilliamKingMuseum.org, 276-628-5005 3rd: Chautauqua Festival, Wytheville Wythe-Arts.org, 276-228-6855
Sip ’n’ See
Trek Virginia’s Craft Beer Trail along scenic Route 58. More than a dozen breweries make up the Virginia 58 Beer Trail, part of the state’s largest network of craft beer hot spots. This scenic stretch of highway from Gate City to Clarksville meanders through mountains, small towns, and pristine forests along Virginia’s southern border. After a trip to Clinch River State Park, quench your thirst at St. Paul’s Sugar Hill Brewing Company. For hikers of Whitetop Mountain or the Appalachian Trail, unwind at The Damascus Brewery or Abingdon’s Wolf Hills Brewing Company. Creek Bottom Brewing and Mountain Valley Brewing are perfect places to perch after visiting Lover’s Leap, the famous scenic overlook in Patrick County. Virginia.org
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Entertainment for Adults 1st: McClains at First & Main 1614 S. Main St., Blacksburg McClainsBlacksburg.com, 540-242-5246
McClains at First & Main is a dining, bowling, and arcade experience. Utilizing one of their several party packages, plan a celebration or special occasion with friends and family. The bowling lanes and arcade help create an air of excitement as you enjoy socializing. Good food, local brews, music, an arcade, and bowling— McClains has it all.
2nd: Blue Ridge Axe Throwing, Roanoke BlueRidgeAxeThrowing.com, 540-266-7293 3rd: State Street Brewing, Bristol StateStreetBrewing.com, 276-644-3773
Festival 1st: Bristol Rhythm & Roots
Reunion
416 State St., Bristol BristolRhythm.com, 423-573-1927
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, held annually at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, is a threeday music festival with more than 100 live music acts performing on over a dozen outdoor stages and indoor venues. This festival “showcases the very
best in Appalachian roots music’s past, present, and future.”
2nd: FloydFest FloydFest.com, 888-823-3787 3rd: Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, Ferrum BlueRidgeInstitute.org, 540-365-4416
Historic Theater 1st: Barter Theatre 127 W. Main St., Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
The Barter Theatre opened its doors in 1933, proclaiming “with vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh,” referring to the ticket price being equivalent to a piece of produce. It has a long history of innovation, big dreams, and the Appalachian culture of tenacity that has ensured the theater’s survival and prosperity for nearly 90 years.
2nd: The Grandin Theatre, Roanoke GrandinTheatre.com, 540-345-6177 3rd: Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke MillMountain.org, 540-342-5740
LOVE Sign 1st: LOVEwork at Burke’s Garden Burke’s Garden Rd., Tazewell Virginia.org, 276-322-1345 Located right off of Virginia Scenic Byway Route 623, this LOVE sign
Damascus Brewery founder Adam Woodon.
is a nod to the many barn quilts that can be found all over Burke’s Garden. This red, black, and white sign has a quilted design and rests on the side of a barn in Tazewell—a picture-perfect opportunity!
2nd: LOVEwork at Black Dog Salvage, Roanoke Virginia.org, 540-343-6200 3rd: LOVEwork in Abingdon VisitAbingdonVirginia.com, 276-676-2282
Museum 1st: Birthplace of Country Music
Museum
101 Country Music Way, Bristol BirthPlaceOfCountryMusic.org, 423-573-1927
As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum celebrates the 1927 “Bristol Sessions,” which recorded some of the earliest country music in America. Returning this September is the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a three-day music festival with more than 100 live music acts.
2nd: Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke TaubmanMuseum.org, 540-342-5760 3rd: Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville VMNH.net, 276-634-4141
Music Venue 1st: Harvester Performance Center 450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount Harvester-Music.com, 540-484-8277 Harvester Performance Center opened in April 2014 with the mission of bringing people to Rocky Mount to enjoy live music and experience the town’s charm. Its first national act to perform was The Indigo Girls and it has since hosted stars like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Brandi Carlile.
2nd: Floyd Country Store FloydCountryStore.com, 540-745-4563 3rd: Barter Theatre, Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
Performing Arts Company 1st: Barter Theatre 127 W. Main St., Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Katy Brown, the Barter Theatre’s bevy of resident artists live and work year-round in Abingdon. From directing, design, and stage management professionals, to three acting companies, as well as in-house drama instructors for adults and children, the playhouse is truly the beating artistic heart of Southwest Virginia.
2nd: Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke MillMountain.org, 540-342-5740 3rd: Appalachia Cultural Arts Center AppalachiaCulturalArts.com, Facebook: @AppalachiaCulturalArtsCenter
photo by sarah hauser / courtesy of virginia tourism corporation
ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Radio Station 1st: WSLC FM 94.9 3934 Electric Rd., Roanoke 949StarCountry.com, 540-387-0234
The Floyd Country Store
WSLC 94.9 FM, or “Star Country,” is a country music radio station serving the New River Valley. Featured artists include Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, and many more. Tune in to the Star Country morning show every weekday from 6:00 a.m.10:00 a.m.
This joint is jumping with bluegrass and roots music. Sure, you can grab a pickled beet salad, order an ice cream soda, and find housewares and artisan crafts at the Floyd Country Store. But the store’s main attraction is the music. Here, unassuming virtuosos play old-time bluegrass and roots music on banjo, guitar, fiddle, and bass. Authentic to the core, it’s a rollicking good time. And everybody’s welcome. Drop in on a Saturday for Americana Afternoon. Or grab a chair and circle up for the Sunday Music Jam where the tunes flow and, if the spirit moves them, a local or two might break out in a little clogging or flat-footing. Join guest musicians for the Friday Night Jamboree, or come for Honky Tonk Thursdays and do a little boot scooting. Can’t be there in person? Stream Floyd Country Store events on their YouTube channel or listen live on Apple Podcasts. FloydCountryStore.com
2nd: WXLK FM 92.3, Roanoke K92Radio.com, 540-774-9236 3rd: WFIR AM 960, Roanoke WFIRNews.com, 540-345-5955
Special Event Venue 1st: Hotel Roanoke 110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke HotelRoanoke.com, 540-985-5900
The elegant, Tudor-revival style Hotel Roanoke, now part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, was built in 1882 by what was then the Norfolk and Western Railway. After decades of renovations, it remains a fixture of Roanoke’s downtown landscape, blending antique decor with modern comforts. Well-suited for conferences and events, it includes 63,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as an enclosed walkway that connects to the city.
2nd: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount Harvester-Music.com, 540-484-8277 3rd: The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, Abingdon TheMartha.com, 276-628-3161
PETS Dog Groomer
photo by by brett winter lemon
1st: Biscuits & Bubbles 109 W. Main St., Salem Facebook: @BiscuitsAndBubbles, 540-378-5200
Biscuits & Bubbles are all about canine culture. From doggie daycare to grooming and boarding, this dog-centric team in Salem promises to make your pet a priority. A budget-friendly, do-it-yourself option provides pet owners with all the essentials, like shampoo, towels, and blow dryers. Family owned and operated, Biscuits & Bubbles treats all its customers like friends.
2nd: Dog Daze Grooming Salon, Galax Facebook: @DogDazeGroomingSalon, 276-236-7877 3rd: Diva Dogs Canine Spa, Christiansburg Facebook: @DivaDogsCanineSpa, 540-392-4548 VirginiaLiving.com
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Dog Training 1st: Beyond Sit And Stay Professional Dog Training 224 St. Johns Way Rd., Chilhowie PSHUPE.webs.com, 276-685-1154
Owned and operated by a certified trainer, Beyond Sit and Stay provides training to pet owners, law enforcement agencies, and others. Offering many different training programs to fit your needs, including private lessons, owner Paula Shupe has over 25 years of expertise and understanding of dog behavior. She enlists different training techniques to benefit each need.
2nd: BarksBurg Dogs, New River Valley BarksBurgDogs.com 3rd: Appalachian Canine Coaching, Sugar Grove AppalachianCanineCoaching.com, 276-685-2752
Pet Boarding/ Day Care 1st: Biscuits & Bubbles 109 W. Main St., Salem Facebook: @BiscuitsAndBubbles, 540-378-5200
The owners of Biscuits and Bubbles decided that Salem needed a grooming and daycare boarding kennel just for dogs. After a successful six years, they expanded in 2009 to include grooming, boarding, and socialization skill training. The company’s focus on exceptional care and meeting grooming, boarding, and socialization needs
ensures that you and your canine companion have a happy experience.
2nd: Canine Cottage, Roanoke CanineCottageRoanoke.com, 540-206-3647 3rd: Buddy’s Boarding, Floyd Facebook: @BuddysBoarding, 540-745-4465
Veterinary Hospital 1st: Animal Care Clinic 3649 Stoney Fork Rd., Wytheville WythevilleAnimalCare.com, 276-228-2727
This veterinary care clinic and animal hospital is run by licensed veterinarian Dr. Tiffanie Walters. Services offered include preventative healthcare, microchipping, radiology, surgery, and more. Though the facility may be small, Animal Care Clinic is a full-service hospital where staff “treats your pets like the valued family members they are.”
2nd: Big Lick Veterinary Services, Roanoke BigLickVet.com, 540-776-0700 3rd: Abingdon Animal Medical Center MyAbingdonVet.com, 276-628-9655
KIDS Family Entertainment 1st: Barter Theatre 127 W. Main St., Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
there’s never a dull moment at Barter Theatre, a fixture of Abingdon’s art scene since 1933. In warm weather, the open-air Moonlite Drive-In streams sound through your car’s radio while you watch actors live on stage and simulcast on the big screen.
2nd: Clinch River Adventures, St. Paul ClinchRiverAdventures.com, 276-275-4154 3rd: Downtown Roanoke DowntownRoanoke.org, 540-342-2028
K-12 Independent School 1st: Carlisle School 300 Carlisle Rd., Axton CarlisleSchool.org, 276-632-7288
This independent, college preparatory school offers a transformative learning experience with a balanced curriculum. Small class sizes afford teachers the ability to focus on individual attention, where the uniqueness of each student is recognized and fostered. Carlisle’s philosophy is to guide students’ curiosity and fuel their desire to learn through discovery and project-based learning.
2nd: Christian Heritage Academy, Rocky Mount CHAKnights.org, 540-483-5855 3rd: Blue Mountain School, Floyd BlueMountainSchool.net, 540-745-4234
From productions of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the world premiere of the musical Kentucky Spring, BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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Best Living & Recreation KIDS Preschool 1st: Carlisle School 300 Carlisle Rd., Axton CarlisleSchool.org, 276-632-7288
Carlisle’s Preschool provides a transformative learning journey of discovery for every child. With a focus on the whole child’s physical, social, and academic needs, preschoolers gain independence in a safe environment that is nurturing, enriching, and diverse. Faculty engages students in child-centered learning experiences that foster collaboration with their peers while immersed in discoverybased activities.
2nd: Building Bridges Child Development, Dublin BuildingBridgesCDC.center, 540-674-0101 3rd: Central United Methodist Church, Radford CUMCRadford.org, 540-639-3529
Summer Camp 1st: Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center 25236 Hillman Hwy., Abingdon SWVa4HCenter.org, 276-676-6180
Historic Site 1st: Barter Theatre 127 W. Main St., Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
The longest running professional theater in the U.S., Barter Theatre was founded by Robert Porterfield during the Great Depression. His formula was ingenious: the price of admission was 40 cents, or bartering the equivalent of produce from the area’s farms and gardens that would otherwise be rotting in fields. Nearly a century later, Barter remains the arts epicenter of this culturally rich region.
2nd: Mabry Mill, Meadows of Dan NPS.gov, 276-952-2947 3rd: Booker T. Washington National Monument, Hardy NPS.gov, 540-721-2094
Hotel 1st: Hotel Roanoke 110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke HotelRoanoke.com, 540-985-5900
With 329 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and ample convention space to hold meetings, conferences, and special events, on-site amenities also include two restaurants, a coffee bar,
spa services, and a business center. In 1993, a multi-million dollar restoration of this sprawling, 19th-century Tudor Revival hotel guaranteed its position as the grand centerpiece of the city.
2nd: Hotel Floyd HotelFloyd.com, 844-851-5963 3rd: The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, Abingdon TheMartha.com, 276-628-3161
Resort 1st: The Martha Washington Inn
& Spa
150 W. Main St., Abingdon TheMartha.com, 276-628-3161
This historic inn was originally built in 1832 as a private residence for General Francis Preston and his family. It didn’t open as a hotel until 1935, but now has over 60 rooms and suites, a swimming pool, putt-putt golf, and, of course, a spa. The Southern charm of this resort makes it a perfect place for weddings and romantic getaways.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Tourist Attraction 1st: Blue Ridge Parkway BlueRidgeParkway.org, 828-670-1924
The majestic highland boulevard of the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains and sees about 15 million annual visitors. Along with providing scenic corridors of the tri-state region of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Parkway also offers a broad range of recreation, shopping, lodging, dining, and support services to the community.
2nd: Barter Theatre, Abingdon BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991 3rd: Breaks Interstate Park BreaksPark.com, 276-865-4413
2nd: Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke MtnLakeLodge.com, 540-626-7121 3rd: Primland, Meadows of Dan Primland.com, 855-876-6593
Located in Washington County, the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center has been serving the community at its historic 79-acre facility since 1960. Situated on a property of rolling meadows and woodlands, the center provides affordable, accessible day and residential camping programs that focus on educational and cultural enrichment and outreach.
2nd: Camp Bethel Ministries, Wise CampBethel.com, 276-328-6876 3rd: Blue Ridge Christian Camp, McCoy BlueRidgeChristian.org, 540-639-9147
TRAVEL Bed & Breakfast
photos courtesy of roanoke pinball museum
1st: Early Inn at the Grove 50 Floyd Ave., Rocky Mount EarlyInn.com, 540-524-2525
Tucked behind the pines, the Early Inn at the Grove is an 1854 Greekrevival B&B rests on 10 scenic acres. Take a stroll through the wildflowercovered property, settle into the historic library with a good book, or enjoy drinks on the patio from the Breezeway Bar. Every guest leaves feeling pampered and well-rested.
2nd: A Tailor’s Lodging, Abingdon ATailorsLodging.com, 276-628-7119 3rd: Rockwood Manor, Dublin Rockwood-Manor.com, 540-674-1328
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Pinball Wizard
Play through the decades at Roanoke Pinball Museum. Learn pinball’s fascinating history, master the physics behind the game, and attempt to beat the top score at Roanoke Pinball Museum. Since opening in 2015, players young and old can’t get enough. “People come in and can’t believe our
collection,” says Nic Schell, pinball champion and the museum’s executive director. “We have around 65, and they’re all playable.” Pinball machines on display include the first to have flippers, from 1947, and Schell’s personal favorite, the 2018 Iron Maiden.
The museum also obtained a rare 1932 machine that was once forbidden. During Prohibition, pinball was considered gambling. To keep from being burned by law enforcement, the machines had to be hidden. RoanokePinball.org
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WE DESIGN. WE BUILD.
OFFICES IN ROANOKE AND VIRGINIA BEACH 540.765.9700 | DOLLMANCONSTRUCTION.COM
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Best Living & Recreation OUTDOORS & ACTIVE
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Dance Studio 1st: A-List Dance Academy 455 S. Main St., Rocky Mount AListDanceAcademy.com, 540-483-0307
A-List Dance Academy opened just last year and offers a wide variety of dance classes to dancers of all ages. Styles include ballet, hip hop, jazz, clogging, and more. The seven instructors have an immense amount of experience, as well as passion and dedication for what they do.
A Grassroots Music Festival Grows Up
In its 12th year, Martinsville’s Rooster Walk promises its best ever lineup.
photos courtesy of rooster walk music and arts festival
The range of music at the Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in Martinsville has always been expansive, says Johnny Buck, executive director: “Typically rock, jam, funk, blues, bluegrass, soul, roots, and Americana. We toss in a little country, reggae, and jazz here and there.” Buck co-founded the festival in 2009 with William Baptist to honor their friends, Edwin “the Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, who passed away in their 20s. “Walker and Edwin had a pretty wide range of musical tastes, which was the impetus for Rooster Walk's musical offerings,” says Buck. While the first Rooster Walk was “as grassroots as it gets,” he explains, the festival has evolved into a four-day event with 50 bands that attracts 5,000 fans to Pop’s Farm, its dedicated venue, along with a year-round concert series known as Rives on the Road. Since launching, the festival has generated more than $240,000 in donations to local charities, including the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund at Martinsville High School and the Rooster
Walk Music Instrument Program, which honors the late Todd Eure by providing refurbished instruments and making microgrants to local school band programs. Now in its 12th year, Rooster Walk takes place May 26-29 this year. “I'm more excited about this band lineup than any in the history of our festival,” Buck says, citing a list that includes Little Feat, Tab Benoit, Mike and the Moonpies, Lettuce, and Andy Frasco and the U.N. “The thing that I'm most jazzed about is the depth of the lineup,” he notes, adding that both afternoon and evening sessions will feature nationally known touring bands. “That's pretty cool—it’s something we've never been able to do to this extent.” The family-friendly festival also includes “lots of arts and crafts activities,” says Buck, plus a kids’ parade, magician, silent dance party for teens, food and drink, river floats, hiking, yoga, and more. Attendees can camp on-site, stay at local hotels (shuttle service provided), “or just come for the day.” Get tickets online or on-site. RoosterWalk.com Little Feat
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2nd: Derek Wagner Dance Center, Radford RadfordDance.com, 540-835-3334 3rd: Ardell Stone School of Dancing, Inc., Roanoke ArdellStoneDance.com, 540-774-8136
Golf Course 1st: Chatmoss Country Club 550 Mt. Olivet Rd., Martinsville ChatMossCC.org, 276-638-2484
This 18-hole golf course, designed by J. Ellis Maples, spans well over 6,000 yards of the Chatmoss Country Club’s estate. Also on the premises is a driving range and practice putting green. After a round, take a dip in the club pool, or visit the Boxwood Grille for a hearty meal.
2nd: Draper Valley Golf Club DraperValleyGolf.com, 866-980-4653 3rd: Ballyhack Golf Club, Roanoke DormieNetwork.com, 540-427-1395
Gym 1st: Body by Lee 889 Empire Dr. SW, Abingdon BodyByLee.com, 276-739-0188
Body by Lee is a 24-hour fitness center with free weights, a women’s-only facility, machine weights, cardio machines, fitness studios, and more. Body by Lee also offers personal training, either in the gym, at home, or virtually. Customers love the cleanliness of the gym and have nothing but praise for the personal training services.
2nd: Carilion Wellness, Multiple locations CarilionWellness.com, 540-853-0000 3rd: Coomes Recreation Center, Abingdon CoomesCenter.com, 276-623-5279
Hiking or Biking Trail 1st: Virginia Creeper Trail 300 Green Spring Rd., Abingdon VaCreeperTrail.org
The Virginia Creeper Trail stands out from others due in part to its long, storied history and uniquely beautiful landscape. The alpine-forested scapes near Whitetop roll through the agricultural area of Damascus all the way to the more suburban Abingdon—the trail sees more than 225,000 outdoor adventure seekers annually.
2nd: Cascade Falls Trailhead, Pembroke FS.USDA.gov, 540-552-4641 3rd: Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail, Martinsville Virginia.org, 276-634-4640
Specialty Fitness 1st: Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness 115 S. Hill Dr., Blacksburg BlacksburgBoxingAndFitness.com, 540-315-3231 Kevin and Augusta Bowen founded this family-owned gym in 2015. As the only boxing-specific training gym in Blacksburg, they offer a variety of classes, like “BOXING 101” for beginners, “Fighter-Fit,” “Weekend Warrior,” and even low-intensity classes for those who are just starting out.
2nd: 460 Fitness, Blacksburg 460Fitness.com, 540-509-1460 3rd: Crimper’s Climbing Gym, Christiansburg CrimpersClimbing.com, 540-251-3040
Tennis Facility 1st: Chatmoss Country Club 550 Mt. Olivet Rd., Martinsville ChatMossCC.org, 276-638-2484
With six outdoor clay courts and three indoor climate-controlled courts, Chatmoss Country Club offers yearround tennis programs. After a lesson or a friendly match, feel free to take a dip in the Chatmoss pool, or visit the Boxwood Grille for a bite to eat.
2nd: Coomes Recreation Center, Abingdon CoomesCenter.com, 276-623-5279 3rd: Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center, Blacksburg VT.edu, 540-231-5908
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Many thanks to our patients and staff!
DRS. MOORE & STOCKSTILL, P.C.
Barbara C. Moore, M.D. Kurt R. Stockstill, M.D.
O F F I C E G YN E CO LO G Y
www.mooreandstockstill.com
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Phone 540-904-7710 Fax 540-904-7987
5104 Bernard Drive Roanoke, VA 24018
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Best Services HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: Blue Ridge Clinic for Chinese
Medicine
2537 Floyd Hwy. N., Floyd BRCCM.org, 540-745-4144
The Blue Ridge Clinic for Chinese Medicine specializes in drug-free pain relief. The acupuncturists at BRCCM work with many different traditional Chinese herbs and formulate mixtures specifically for each client. The practice also offers Tui Na and Gua Sha massages therapies, cupping, and heat therapy.
2nd: Balance Wellspace Integrative Medicine, Roanoke BalanceWellspace.com, 540-824-1014 3rd: Acupuncture Center of Roanoke AcupunctureOfRoanoke.com, 540-344-3286
Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: Blue Mountain Therapy Locations in Abingdon, Wytheville BlueMountainTherapy.com, 276-525-6043
Blue Mountain Therapy was founded in 2013 and today offers home health therapy, early intervention therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, and other physical and behavioral therapy services, both in home and outpatient settings. One happy client said, “They changed my family’s life and they can do the same for you.”
2nd: Dandelion Counseling LLC, 2 locations in Martinsville Facebook: @DandelionCounseling, 276-634-8304 3rd: Comprehensive Counseling Services, Roanoke ComprehensiveCounselingServices.com, 540-343-0004
Dental Practice
photo courtesy of rufflections pet grooming
1st: Brown Dental Associates 915 W. Main St., Abingdon BrownDentalAssociates.com, 276-628-9507
Whether you need a simple, routine cleaning or a wisdom tooth removal, the doctors and staff at Brown Dental Associates will have your smile looking good again in no time. Their loyal customer base speaks to their skill, professionalism, and family-friendly attitudes.
2nd: Cross, Lavinder, Quinn, & Park Family Dentistry of Roanoke DentistRoanoke.com, 540-989-1170 3rd: Blue Ridge Dental Group, Multiple locations BlueRidgeDentalGroup.com, 540-904-4969
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Home Health Provider 1st: Interim HealthCare of
Ophthalmology/ Optometry Practice 1st: Eye Physicians of Southwest
Southwest Virginia
Virginia
Interim HealthCare was founded in 1966 and now comprises over 300 independently owned franchises nationwide. The staff at Interim provide comprehensive home care services, whether you’re recovering from a stay in the hospital or simply need some support to continue living independently.
Eye Physicians of Southwest Virginia have four locations and have been serving the area since 1982. They offer adult and pediatric eye exams, as well as surgeries like glaucoma and cataract surgeries. No matter your vision issue, they offer comprehensive eye care for the entire family.
1013 E. Main St., Salem InterimHealthCare.com, 540-774-8686
2nd: Carilion Clinic Home Care, Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-964-9300 3rd: Home Nursing Service of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon TheCliftonCompanies.com, 276-628-2666
Hospital 1st: Carilion Roanoke Memorial
Multiple locations EyePhysiciansOfSWVa.com, 276-628-3118
2nd: Blacksburg Smiles BlacksburgSmiles.com, 540-509-0112 3rd: Aesthetic & Family Dental of Martinsville 276-638-3265
Orthodontic Practice
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice
Founded in 1978 by Dr. David C. Jones, the practice specializes in traditional braces and Invisalign® services. With a mission to provide the best quality smiles one patient at a time, the practice is the largest provider of Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® in Southwest Virginia and is proud to serve the community they love.
1st: Carilion Clinic Cosmetic
Center
The Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital first opened in 1900 as the Roanoke Hospital and joined Carilion in 1996. One of the largest hospitals in the state and the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, Roanoke Memorial is dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves and training tomorrow’s physicians.
Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center is dedicated to providing patients with safe, effective surgical and nonsurgical treatments for all areas of the body. Focused on building trusting relationships between staff and patients, Carilion ensures that patients are fully informed, fully prepared, and
2nd: Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, Christiansburg CarilionClinic.org, 540-731-2000 3rd: Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital CarilionClinic.org, 276-988-8700
fully empowered to make aesthetic choices that meet their expectations and improve quality of life.
2nd: Vistar Eye Center, Multiple locations VistarEye.com, 540-855-5100 3rd: Eye Care & Surgery, Multiple locations EyeCareSurgery.com, 800-650-7313
Hospital
1906 Belleview Ave. SE, Roanoke CarilionClinic.org, 540-981-7000
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CarilionCosmetic.com, 540-853-0510
1st: Jones & DeShon Orthodontics 25 Cleveland Ave., Suite E, Martinsville DavidJonesOrthodontics.com, 276-638-8888
2nd: Dr. Dennis Vaughan, Radford Facebook: Vaughan Orthodontics - Radford, 540-639-3002 3rd: Dr. Paul C. Kaiser Orthodontics, Roanoke KaiserOrthodontics.com, 540-362-1097
Tosha Thompson
Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) 1st: Carilion Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482
Carilion Clinic Obstetrics and Gynecology offers excellent gynecologic, prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care to new parents in the Southwest region. Screening mammograms and Pap smears are available to all women, regardless of the ability to pay. For prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care, the Carilion team gives mom the birthing experience she and her family desire.
2nd: Abingdon OB/GYN BalladHealth.org, 276-628-4335 3rd: Drs. Moore & Stockstill, Roanoke MooreAndStockstill.com, 540-904-7710
RUFFLECTIONS PET GROOMING in Marion might just be a step above
your average pet salon. The slew of awards owner Tosha Thompson has racked up through grooming competitions have “made me a better groomer,” she says, adding that she’s only one of five groomers on the Virginia State Groom Team. Next up is a Master Groomer Certification, a level very few have achieved and a process she’s mid-way through. What also sets Rufflections apart are special services her salon offers, like the Nayagu system for irritated skin, and Thompson’s commitment to continuing education. “It helps us better serve the animals,” she says. RufflectionsPetGrooming.com
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CELEBRATING OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS At Carilion Clinic, we could not be more proud of our employees. From the bedside to those behind the scenes and everything in between—each of you plays an important role in providing the best to our patients. Your commitment to our patients and each other has carried us through our most challenging times. It’s also how you’ve delivered us to a more hopeful time. This Hospital and Health Care Week and Week of the Nurse, we celebrate you. With courage and compassion, you’ve rallied to improve the health of the communities we serve. Thank you for your dedication, your innovation and for being an inspiration. You make our community #CarilionProud. To learn about our mission and joining our team, visit CarilionClinic.org/careers.
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
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Best Services HEALTH SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Orthopedic Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org/GeneralOrtho, 540 510-6200
The team of surgeons at Carilion Clinic Orthopedic are proud to provide care at the Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences throughout the Southwest region. Their boardcertified, fellowship-trained reconstruction surgeons evaluate and treat thousands of patients annually with a vision of collaboration, innovation, and a team-based approach to healing efficiently.
Chinese Medicine in the Blue Ridge Alternatives therapies use ancient healing practices.
Based in Floyd, the Blue Ridge Clinic for Chinese Medicine employs acupuncture, Tui Na—a form of Chinese medical massage—heat therapy, cupping, and traditional Chinese herbs to promote health and relieve pain. The clinic is led by J. Nile Bachman, L.A.C. MSOM, a graduate of Virginia Tech and the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine. Bachman also attended Naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University in Washington state. BRCCM.org
2nd: Blue Ridge Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Abingdon BalladHealth.org, 276-258-1760 3rd: Lewis Gale Orthopedics, Salem LGPhysicians.com, 540-772-3400
Pediatric Practice 1st: Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482
Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic serves nearly one million Virginians from several different locations. Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine offers routine checkups, immunizations, nutritional counseling, physicals, newborn care, minor injury treatment, and more. Carilion’s sole focus is to improve the health of the communities it serves.
2nd: Children First Pediatrics of Virginia, Martinsville ChildrenFirstPediatricsOfVa.com, 276-638-5437 3rd: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine, Christiansburg CarilionClinic.org, 540-381-6000
Physical Therapy Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Therapy and Rehabilitation Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482
Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic serves nearly one million Virginians from several different locations. Their rehabilitation staff are highly trained in speech, occupational, and physical therapy treatments, among others. Three Carilion locations offer “Swing Bed” programs, which provide 24-hour nursing care with a rehabilitation focus.
2nd: Bassett Physical Therapy, Stanleytown BassettPT.com, 276-622-3636 3rd: Advanced Physical Therapy of Virginia, Salem APTOfVa.com, 540-444-0291
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Primary Care Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-472-8482
Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic Family Medicine works together with a comprehensive network of hospitals and specialty practices to provide quality care close to home for nearly one million Virginia residents. The practice seeks to advance family health care through medical education, community health and safety, and low costs.
2nd: Cave Spring Family Practice, Roanoke LGPhysicians.com, 540-777-4000 3rd: Community Health Center of the New River Valley, Christiansburg CHCNRV.org, 540-381-0820
BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Alouf Aesthetics 1602 Apperson Dr., Salem AloufAesthetics.com, 540-215-0286
Having served the Roanoke Valley since 2004, Alouf Aesthetics offers both surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic services. Surgical services
include facial surgery and body contouring, while nonsurgical services include injections, facials, and microneedling. Dr. Alouf and his team will take care of whatever cosmetic needs you have.
Hair Salon or Barber Shop
2nd: Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center, Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CarilionCosmetic.com, 540-853-0510 3rd: Plastic Surgery Specialists, Abingdon PLSurgery.com, 757-345-5599
Cuttin’ Up Hair Salon has friendly and talented stylists that can meet any and all of your hair needs. The salon also employs an esthetician and a massage therapist if you’re ever in need of more than just a haircut. Customers have nothing but kind words for all of the stylists at this salon.
Dermatology Practice 1st: Cutting Edge Dermatology 143 Woodland Dr. SW, Wise CEDWise.com, 276-365-8071
Drs. Autumn and Christopher Starnes started this dermatological practice in 2011. They have surgical services for skin cancer but also provide services such as hair removal, Botox®, fillers, tattoo removal, and microneedling. Clients love the professional and educational staff at Cutting Edge Dermatology.
2nd: Derm One, Multiple locations DermOneVa.com, 276-326-3376 3rd: Dermatology Practice of Roanoke DermatologyPracticeOfRoanoke.com, 540-562-8873
1st: Cuttin’ Up Hair Salon 500 E. Main St., Abingdon Facebook: @CuttinUpHairSalon, 276-628-2688
2nd: Corporate Image Barbershop, Roanoke CorporateImageBarberShop.com, 540-342-0222 3rd: CharMarie Salon, Blacksburg CharMarieSalon.com, 540-251-3350
Spa 1st: Healing Waters Day Spa & Salon
107 Charwood Dr., Abingdon Facebook: Healing Waters Day Spa & Salon, 276-628-4233
Healing Waters Day Spa’s goal is to “rejuvenate” the body and educate clients by promoting healthy living. The spa offers massages, hair and nail services, waxing, and facials. Uniquely, they also offer colon hydrotherapy and electrolysis. Customers consistently praise the spa’s relaxing atmosphere.
2nd: Azario Salon & Day Spa, Roanoke AzarioSalon.com, 540-772-1300 3rd: Belle Santé, Roanoke BelleSanteSpa.com, 540-566-3519
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Best Services HOME Architecture Firm 1st: Bundy Architecture and
Engineering
190 E. Main St., Abingdon BundyAE.com, 276-628-1067
Founded in 2006, this family-owned and operated business provides fullservice architectural and engineering services to the residents of Southwest Virginia and Northeastern Tennessee. Take a look at their website to view an impressive gallery of unique designs and beautiful homes.
2nd: Cameron Wolfe Architect, Marion Facebook: Cameron Wolfe Architect, 276-783-8391 3rd: Colley Architects PC, Blacksburg ColleyArch.com, 540-953-2724
Greenhouse and Nursery 1st: Crow’s Nest Greenhouses 1811 Brooksfield Rd., Blacksburg CrowsNestGreenhouses.com, 540-552-5550
In 1972, Crow’s Nest Greenhouses was once a small strawberry farm. Today, the nursery and retail shop carries a wide variety of ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, and locally grown perennial plants, as well as decorative garden art and tools. With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Crow’s Nest has an expansive selection to satisfy your green thumb.
2nd: Blackwater Nursery & Landscaping, Rocky Mount BlackwaterNurseryAndLandscaping.com, 540-334-3415 3rd: Bloomin’ Idiots Greenhouses, Bland Facebook: @BloominIdiotsGreenhouses, 276-928-6230
Home Builder
photo courtesy of your grate escape
1st: Countryside Custom Homes Floyd CCHomesFloyd.com, 540-357-5530
Matthew and Jessica Thomas started this family-owned business in 2007 and have since built up an impressive portfolio of beautiful homes, barns, and patios. As an authorized builder for Nationwide Custom Homes, Countryside specializes in modular homes, which are delivered up to 90% complete and are therefore built much faster than site-built homes.
2nd: Dalton Construction, Roanoke 540-537-3441 3rd: Dollman Construction, Roanoke DollmanConstruction.com, 540-765-9700
WHETHER YOU’RE HOSTING an intimate dinner
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Plumbing/HVAC Company 1st: Ashley Plumbing & Heating,
Inc.
26260 Lee Hwy., Abingdon 276-628-5344
Ashley Plumbing and Heating has been serving the residents of Abingdon and its surrounding areas for over 30 years. Customers consistently praise the company’s professionalism and quality of service. From fixing clogged drains to replacing water heaters, “Mr. Ashley will see that your problem is taken care of.”
Home Furnishings Store
Kitchen and Bath Design Firm
1st: Black Dog Salvage 902 13th St. SW, Roanoke BlackDogSalvage.com, 540-343-6200
1st: Cabinetry With TLC 4325 Old Cave Spring Rd., Roanoke CabinetryWithTLC.com, 540-777-0456
With 40,000 square feet of home goods, Black Dog Salvage has an impressive inventory that changes almost daily. A furniture paint line, interior design service, curated showrooms featuring regional vendors, and customizing options are just some of the secrets to Black Dog’s success. A reality TV show, Salvage Dawgs, helped propel Black Dog into a lifestyle brand.
2nd: Clinch Mountain Amish Furniture, Tazewell ClinchMountainAmishFurniture.com, 276-988-5095 3rd: Virginia Furniture Market, Multiple locations VaFurnitureMarket.com, 540-334-3876
Interior Design Firm 1st: Easterly Coleman Furniture 882 Main St., Lebanon EasterlyColeman.com, 276-889-1244
James Easterly, Sr., founded this three-generation furniture company as Lebanon Furniture Company in 1935—with just five hundred dollars. Today, James’s granddaughter, Susan, and her husband, Tim Coleman, run Easterly Coleman Furniture. While incorporating James Sr.’s original ideas, Easterly Coleman now sells high-end home furnishings and offers excellent interior design services.
2nd: Edith Anne Duncan Design, Blacksburg EdithAnneDuncan.com, 540-357-2121 3rd: Elaine Stephenson Interiors, Roanoke ESInteriors.com, 540-344-9401 VirginiaLiving.com
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
for two or a lavish wedding reception for 500, a delicious menu will make the event memorable. Your Grate Escape, a personalized catering service based in Tazewell, turns ordinary into extraordinary thanks to the ingenious creativity of founder and owner Clint Neel. He and his team of fellow foodies and event experts ensure every detail is in place—from tiered charcuterie stations to inventive fondue displays to “action” stations, where guests create their own sliders, fill Southern biscuits with bacon, honey, chicken and jam, or personalize ice cream sundaes. YourGrateEscape.com
Mike Reinschmidt and Terri Langford opened Cabinetry With TLC in 2005. Reinschmidt is an excellent woodworker and Langford a talented designer. They pride themselves on providing clients with American-made cabinets and countertops, all while trying their best to meet their clients’ budgetary needs.
2nd: Cabinet Designs, Max Meadows CSNRV.com, 540-605-1108 3rd: Building & Design of Virginia, Wytheville BuildingAndDesignOfVa.com, 276-228-4851
Landscape Design 1st: Back To Nature Landscaping & Construction
1575 Thomas Ln., Blacksburg BackToNatureLandscaping.com, 540-739-3947 Whether you need your lawn mowed or a deck built, Back To Nature Landscaping & Construction just about does it all. They have an impressive portfolio of stunning water features, outdoor kitchens, firepits, patios, and more. The team’s biggest objective is to improve the lives of everyone they work with.
2nd: Beegle Landscaping & Lawn Care, Floyd Facebook: @BeegleLandscapingAndLawnCare, 540-745-6507 3rd: Cox Lawn and Property Maintenance, Galax CoxPropertyMaintenance.com, 276-233-2750
2nd: Blacksburg Plumbing, Heating, & Electrical, Inc. BlacksburgPlumbing.com, 540-552-5864 3rd: Bryant’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, Martinsville CallBryants.com, 276-638-2321
Real Estate Firm 1st: Berry-Elliott Realtors 18 Starling Ave., Martinsville BerryElliott.com, 276-656-1111
Co-owners and brokers Doris Berry and Mary Rives Brown put their collective experience and extraordinary customer service backgrounds together to found Berry-Elliot Realtors in 1995. Their extensive knowledge of the area’s history, housing inventory, and marketing has helped countless people across the region achieve their real estate goals and dreams.
2nd: Highlands Realty, Abingdon HighlandsRealtyInc.com, 276-676-2221 3rd: Commonwealth LLC Realtors, Collinsville Commonwealth-Realtors.com, 276-647-7772
Retirement Community 1st: ElderSpirit Community Living 125 Elderspirit Ct., Abingdon ElderSpirit.org, 276-619-5544
ElderSpirit is a unique co-housing and mixed income community for those aged 55 and older living in Southwest Virginia. This independent living community emphasizes the importance of mutual support among its residents. There are homes for sale, homes for rent, and low-income-qualified apartments for any and all who want to join.
2nd: Warm Hearth Village, Blacksburg Retire.org, 540-552-9176 3rd: English Meadows, Multiple locations EnglishMeadowsSLC.com, 800-796-5420
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Virginia-Born and Bred Richard E. Byrd • June Carter Cash • Roy Clark Arthur Ashe • Pearl Bailey • Warren Beatty
William Clark • Clarence Clemons • Patsy Cline Arthur Ashe • Pearl Bailey • Warren Beatty
Katie Couric Ella Fitzgerald • William H. Harrison Richard E.•Byrd • June Carter Cash • Roy Clark Thomas Jefferson • Meriwether LewisCline William Clark • Clarence Clemons • Patsy
Gentry Locke
Katie Couric • Ella Fitzgerald • William H. Harrison • Shirley MacLaine
Jefferson Meriwether Lewis JamesThomas Madison • Moses •Malone • James Monroe • Shirley MacLaine Gentry Locke Wayne Newton • Patton Oswalt
James Madison • Moses Malone • James Monroe
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson • George C. Scott Wayne Newton • Patton Oswalt
Fran Zachary Taylor • John Tyler Bill Tarkenton “Bojangles”• Robinson • George C. Scott
George Washington Wilder • Woodrow Wilson Fran Tarkenton •• Doug Zachary Taylor • John Tyler George Washington • Doug Wilder • Woodrow Wilson
What makes a place truly remarkable are its people! What makes a place truly remarkable are its people! When the outcome matters, clients across Virginia choose Gentry Locke. When the outcome matters, clients across Virginia choose Gentry Locke.
Roanoke | Lynchburg | Richmond | gentrylocke.com
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Best Services SERVICES Accounting Firm 1st: Brown Edwards 319 McClanahan St. SW, Roanoke BECPAS.com, 540-345-0936
Brown Edwards offers knowledgeable accounting, assurance, tax, and management advisory services. With a firm-wide staff of more than 350 professionals, it is one of the largest independent CPA firms in Virginia. The company supports individuals and businesses ranging from small companies to large corporations and is committed to excellence on all levels.
2nd: Cooke, Lavender, Massey & Company, P.C., Blacksburg CPACooke.com, 540-953-1152 3rd: Cook Associates CPA Services LLC, Richlands CookAssociatesCPA.com, 276-963-1003
Auction Company 1st: Blue Ridge Land & Auction
Co., Inc.
102 S. Locust St., Floyd BlueRidgeLandAndAuction.com, 540-745-2005
Founded in 1991, Blue Ridge Land & Auction Co. has achieved national recognition as a top 10 United Country Real Estate office in the nation. They specialize in land, farms, recreational and hunting properties, waterfront properties, and luxury country estates.
2nd: Anderson Auction Service, Rocky Mount AndersonAuctionService.com, 540-483-9234 3rd: American Equipment & Auction Co., Salem AmericanEquip.net, 540-389-2634
Bank/Credit Union
Car Wash
1st: Carter Bank & Trust Multiple locations CBTCare.com, 833-275-2228
1st: Bubblez Hand Car Wash & Detailing
Carter Bank & Trust opened in 1974 and now has dozens of branch locations throughout Virginia and North Carolina. They provide a wide range of personal, business, and investment banking services. In their own words, “caring is what we’ll always do best.”
2nd: Atlantic Union Bank, Multiple locations AtlanticUnionBank.com, 800-990-4828 3rd: American National Bank And Trust Company, Multiple locations Facebook: @AmericanNational, 434-792-5111
Car Dealer 1st: Blue Ridge Auto Group Locations in Abingdon, Wytheville TheBlueRidgeWay.com, 855-868-2660
This car dealership is a family-owned and operated group that deals Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Blue Ridge Auto Group promises no hidden fees and to always be upfront and honest. Their two locations even offer free WiFi, children’s play areas, and loaner vehicles to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
2nd: Autos by Nelson, Locations in Bassett, Martinsville AutosByNelson.com, 877-703-7282 3rd: Shelor Motor Mile, Christiansburg Shelor.com, 540-381-8417
14364 Lee Hwy., Bristol Bubblez-Hand-Car-Wash.business.site, 276-591-8945
Bubblez Hand Car Wash & Detailing provides full-service detailing to the residents of Bristol. Customers rave about the efficiency of owner April Davis and her team. One happy reviewer says, “If you want your vehicle detailed and want it done right, Bubblez is the place to go.”
2nd: Blue Hills Car Wash, Roanoke BlueHillsCarWash.com, 540-491-9060 3rd: Brandon Car Wash, Roanoke AboutCleanVa.com, 540-682-4955
Caterer 1st: Center Stage Catering 17 Claiborne Ave., Rocky Mount CenterStageFood.com, 540-489-7827
Center Stage Catering is a local, family-owned company that has been delighting clients with from-scratch cuisine for more than two decades. The emphasis is on employee empowerment, hospitality, and focused delivery of fresh and healthy food. With a highly-skilled, expertly trained culinary team, you’ll be dazzled by the service and products.
2nd: Checkered Pig Barbecue, Martinsville CheckeredPig.com, 276-632-1161 3rd: Catering by Catherine, Abingdon CateringByCatherine.com, 276-525-4415
Mountain biker and Cardinal Bicycle community outreach coordinator Rob Issem.
photo courtesy of cardinal bicycle
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Having recently expanded to New England, Concord Wealth Partners now has four offices, three of which are in Virginia. The firm offers holistic services “that go above and beyond traditional planning.” The professionals at Concord each have different specialties, so you can be sure that any and all of your financial needs will be met.
2nd: David Mullins Wealth Management, Richlands MullinsWealth.com, 276-345-4821 3rd: Evans Financial Services, Marion EvansFS.com, 276-781-7856
Funeral Home 1st: Bradley’s Funeral Home 938 N. Main St., Marion BradleysFH.com, 276-783-1019
Though the original estate was built in 1925, Bradley’s Funeral Home opened in 1999. The staff are very committed to performing their jobs well while also making sure that families feel comfortable and cared for throughout the grieving processes. The funeral home has a chapel that seats 300 people and in 2015, an on-site crematory was added to the estate.
1st: Patrick K. Moore, PC Locations in Blacksburg, Radford PatrickMooreLaw.com, 540-953-1100
Cardinal Bicycle, famous throughout Southwest Virginia, is all about bicycle culture, wherever your ride takes you. Owner Steve Jones advocates for smart bike maintenance and a thorough inspection before your next ride, especially if you and your bike require a little dusting off. His suggestions include:
VirginiaLiving.com
1st: Concord Wealth Partners 955 W. Main St., Abingdon ConcordWealthPartners.com, 276-628-5910
Law Firm
Top tips for a safe riding season.
Check that the wheels are secure in the frame and fork. Be sure levers and bolts are secure. Spin wheels to ensure they spin straight and without resistance.
Financial Planning Firm
2nd: Castlewood Funeral Home CastlewoodFuneralHome.com, 276-762-0764 3rd: Oakey’s Funeral Service & Crematory, Locations in Roanoke, Vinton Oakeys.com, 540-982-2100
Smart Cycling
Inflate tires according to the pressure range indicated on the tire the night before a ride to detect any slow leaks. Inspect rubber for cracks and dry rot.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
The law office of Patrick K. Moore, PC, has been serving the New River and Roanoke Valleys for more than 25 years. Moore himself graduated from Virginia Tech and knows the community well. The law firm specializes in business law, real estate, and estate planning.
Roll the bike along and pull each brake lever independently. Each should be able to fully stop the wheel. Make sure the bike chain is clean and lubed. Clean it with a degreaser and keep it moving smoothly with a bicycle-
specific chain lube (not WD-40, Jones cautions.) Check that the handlebar, stem, seat-post, and saddle are secure. CardinalBicycle.com
2nd: Bolling & Hearl, Locations in Abingdon, Richlands BHLaw.info, 276-676-2022 3rd: Gentry Locke, Roanoke GentryLocke.com, 540-983-9300
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Best Shopping Antiques 1st: Black Dog Salvage 902 13th St. SW, Roanoke BlackDogSalvage.com, 540-343-6200
For nearly 25 years, Black Dog Salvage has been revitalizing architectural salvage, yielding an expansive inventory that constantly changes. In the market for an antique fireplace? Black Dog probably has 100. How about a Louis XVI chair that needs a little love? Check, and it’s ripe for an enthusiastic DIY-er. Now a bonafide lifestyle brand, the Black Dog empire is worth a visit.
2nd: Blue Ridge Antique Center, Wirtz BlueRidgeAntiqueCtr.com, 540-483-2362 3rd: Antiques on Main, Christiansburg Facebook: Antiques On Main, 540-381-0539
Book Store 1st: Appalachian Books 716 Park Ave. NW, Norton ShopAppalachianBooks.com, 276-679-3290
This secondhand bookshop in the heart of downtown Norton will excite booklovers as well as deal-lovers. Used book bundles are a steal at $20 (from mystery, to literary fiction, to nonfiction). The store’s occasionally visiting dog, Frankie, is sure to make you smile while shopping.
2nd: Too Many Books, Roanoke TooManyBooksRoanoke.com, 540-985-6469 3rd: Books and Crannies, Martinsville BooksAndCranniesVa.com, 276-403-4380
Consignment Shop
Fine Jewelry Store
1st: BloomingDeals 275 Franklin St., Rocky Mount Facebook: BloomingDeals, 540-814-0694
1st: Goodman Jewelers 108 E. Main St., Abingdon GoodmanJewelers.Biz, 276-676-3110
2nd: Sprout Consignment, Abingdon SproutConsignment.com, 276-206-8941 3rd: New To Me Consignment Boutique, Roanoke NewToMeBoutique.com, 540-982-2022
2nd: Fink’s Jewelers, Roanoke Finks.com, 540-342-2991 3rd: Haywood’s Jewelers, Locations in Hardy, Rocky Mount HaywoodsJewelers.com, 540-721-2210
BloomingDeals was born in 2014 out of a desire to destigmatize bargain, thrift, and consignment store shopping and has become a kind of community general store over the years, offering not only clothes but also shoes, jewelry, and home decor. Prices are very reasonable and at the end of each season, the store donates to churches and women’s shelters.
Goodman Jewelers is an independent, family-owned store specializing in custom design with an emphasis on bridal jewelry. Located in a 19thcentury building in historic Abingdon, Goodman has a showroom with a wide range of items, including fashion sterling silver, colored gemstones, pearls, gold fashion, diamond fashion pieces, and wedding jewelry.
Roanoke’s Black Dog Salvage The road from salvage store to lifestyle brand. Sure, you could call it a salvage business, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of Black Dog Salvage. It all began in 1999, when Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside bonded over the pending demolition of a local historic home. They made an offer to rescue its architectural treasures, sparing them from the wrecking ball. And with that, Black Dog Salvage was born. The journey from architectural salvage
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store to lifestyle brand has been a roller coaster. Although it began with salvaged and upcycled items, Black Dog Salvage (BDS) now includes an interior design showroom, a monthly marketplace for local artists and vendors, known as the Dog Bowl Market, a furniture design studio, a line of furniture and furniture paint, a vacation rental property—The Stone House—and an event venue, also called The Dog Bowl.
There was also a little thing called a reality television show. The series Salvage Dawgs, featuring the BDS band of talented salvagers, ran on the DIY Network from 2012-2019. In more than 143 episodes, the affable Kulp and Whiteside and their team make tearing apart old houses and barns, well, riveting. You can still catch episodes of Salvage Dawgs on streaming services. Black Dog Salvage regularly pops up on Trips Advisors’ list of most popular things to do in Roanoke, and Salvage Dawgs attracts visitors from far outside the region. But BDS
customers don’t fit neatly in a demographic. A passerby may be drawn in, curious to discover what’s inside the yellow 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Roanoke’s historic Grandin Village. Builders and renovators, DIY types, and shoppers looking for something they don’t know they need are all in the mix. On weekends, BDS attracts families strolling the neighborhood, looking for a diversion. BDS’s real dogs, Molly May and Stella, are usually on hand as official greeters. Customers can bring their own leashed and friendly canines. Most recently the Black Dog Salvage podcast has been added to the mix. Each episode features a special guest, a “DIY Top Tip,” and a look behind the scenes of a Salvage Dawgs episode. BlackDogSalvage.com
photos courtesy of black dog salvage
Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside. Left: Black Dog Salvage’s showroom.
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Gwynn Hamilton
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Flower Fields
Business is blooming at Stonecrop Farm. Imagine fields of snapdragons and dahlias and tulips and ranunculus—a rainbow of color as far as your eyes can see. Lucky for Gwynn Hamilton and Bert Webster, that’s their view nearly all year long. At Stonecrop Farm in rural Newport, Hamilton and Webster grow countless
Florist Shop 1st: George’s Flowers 1953 Franklin Rd., Roanoke GeorgesFlowers.com, 540-981-0900
photos courtesy of stonecrop farm
Founded in 1981, George’s Flowers is an iconic Roanoke business with a distinctly European influence. Its key to success has been staying current with industry trends and taking inspiration from everything. George’s works closely with the community to service any and all celebrations or events and proudly gives Roanoke the best floral arrangements around.
2nd: Flowers By Jones, Rocky Mount FlowersByJones.net, 540-483-5547 3rd: Flowers on Main, Tazewell Facebook: @FlowersOnMainTazewell, 276-979-4006
Gift Store 1st: chocolatepaper 308-3 Market St., Roanoke ChocolatepaperRoanoke.com, 540-342-6061
A family-owned and operated business, chocolatepaper is a local favorite
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flowers to satisfy the appetite for blooms throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. In spring, Hamilton says, the farm is awash in tulips and ranunculus. “Then we move into wildflowers and, toward summer, it’s larkspur, rudbeckia, and snapdragons,” she explains. Lisianthus and a rainbow of dahlias
for buying gifts, home accessories, and decorative items. Located at the Roanoke City Market, chocolatepaper offers the best selection of gourmet treats, greeting cards, artistic decor, and the coolest gifts imaginable. Check out its sister store, Mongrel, in Richmond.
come next, along with zinnias and sunflowers. The list goes on, with a few heirloom vegetables thrown in for good measure. “Bert has the farming background, and I was an art major in college,” says Hamilton. Now, she creates artful bouquets and flower arrangements almost every day. A new breed of farmer florists, Stonecrop Farm grows responsibly managed, seasonal cut flowers available through Blacksburg’s Sugar Magnolia and the city’s Farmers Market. “Each of our bouquets is different,” Hamilton says. “Other places usually have a formula and follow a specific recipe”—three pink tulips, four ranunculus, six daffodils. They all look alike. “We take the time and let our designers be creative and follow their instincts.” The Stonecrop team works to create arrangements suitable for the table or altar. And events—especially weddings—are a big part of their business. The farm also sells flower shares through
munity and the personal attention provided to every client.
2nd: Blakley-Mitchell Co., Bristol BlakleyMitchell.com, 276-669-0116 3rd: Ernie Sullins Clothing, Multiple locations ErnieSullinsClothing.com, 276-644-3900
2nd: Between Friends, Tazewell Facebook: @BetweenFriend, 276-988-8235 3rd: Sugar Magnolia, Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke SugarMagnoliaShops.com, 540-739-3724
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter
Men’s Clothing Store
Clinch Life Outfitters meets the need for specialized outdoor recreation clothing and gear. Here you’ll find the perfect jackets, shoes, and pants for hunting, hiking, and fishing. The store not only offers 24-hour kayak rentals but also guided tours along the Clinch River. Live bait is also available for purchase along with rods and reels.
1st: Davidsons 2 locations in Roanoke DavidsonsClothing.com, 540-343-3734
Larry Davidson is the third generation of his family to operate the business, which was founded in 1910. Davidsons specializes in gentlemen’s sportswear, business attire, and formal wear, with a strong emphasis on custom clothing and special orders. Davidsons takes pride in strong longterm relationships with the com-
1st: Clinch Life Outfitters 3022 5th Ave., St. Paul ClinchLifeOutfitters.com, 276-608-6907
seasonal subscriptions. And thanks to a partnership with Moon Hollow Brewing in Blacksburg, workshops in flower arranging are now part of the farm’s lineup. “We fill the room with buckets of flowers, and our designers are there to help and guide participants,” says Hamilton. This year, Stonecrop flower workshops are on April 21, Aug. 4, and Oct. 6. “Mother Nature is always throwing us curve balls,” says Hamilton, “but we delight in something new and exciting every week.” She adds that they’ve even managed to discover an extra silver lining while immersed in all those flowers: “We’re happy to know we’ve been able to boost people’s spirit these last two years.” StonecropFarm.com
Women’s Clothing Store 1st: Urban Gypsy 1320 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke UrbanGypsyVa.com, 540-400-8552
A boutique located in the Historic Grandin Village in Roanoke, Urban Gypsy was established in 2010. Offering offer a relaxed and friendly shopping experience and a large selection of specialty women’s, men’s, children’s, home, and pet products, Urban Gypsy showcases a wide variety of unique and accessible brands—from jewelry to dresses to decor.
2nd: Hey Helen, Floyd ShopHeyHelen.com, 540-745-4307 3rd: Forget-Me-Not, Abingdon Facebook: @ForgetMeNotAbingdon, 276-628-2700
2nd: Blue Ridge Outfitters, Marion BROMarion.com, 276-378-5184 3rd: Mast General Store, Roanoke MastGeneralStore.com, 540-566-5661
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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What's your VA IQ? Take our quiz and test your knowledge of the Commonwealth.
1.
What luxury resort has the distinction of being “America’s First” dating to 1766 and is nestled in the scenic Allegheny Mountains?
2.
Virginia boasts the longest stretch of this hiker’s paradise, which traverses 14 states over 2,193 miles and welcomes more than three million visitors each year.
3.
9.
Based in a town that rhymes with Havana, this festival—now in its 65th year—celebrates one popular bivalve and features a fireman’s parade, music, craft vendors, and great food.
15. This Abingdon theater first opened
during the Great Depression and allowed patrons who were short on cash to trade fresh produce for tickets.
20. This theme park, located near
Secretariat’s birthplace, just added Virginia’s first 4-D “Spin Coaster,” Tumbili.
21. This Virginia Beach hotel boasts the
nation’s first in-hotel distillery, known as Tarnished Truth Distilling Company.
10. You can make like a paratrooper at
this high-flying entertainment center, with outposts in Virginia Beach and Ashburn.
An oversized puzzle piece lets you know you’ve arrived at this playful museum in Richmond.
4. Though this resort is best known
for its skiing, you can also practice your golf swing here with a view of the mountains.
This popular performing arts venue in Vienna was founded on a working farm owned by Catherine Filene Shouse.
6. This long-standing Richmond
jeweler got its start in the 1890s making timepieces for railroad workers as the city became a major transportation hub.
7.
8.
The name of this Alexandria cidery will make you think of the children’s story, Peter Pan. Once known as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Science, this art museum was renamed shortly after 1971 in honor of a donor.
11. The name of this Rappahannock
River restaurant is a play off the French word mer meaning "sea" and a term used in winemaking—terroir.
12. Located in the heart of Cape Charles,
on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, this former 1941 movie house is now the area’s performing arts hub.
13. This festival celebrates a sweet sap
that comes from trees, usually served with pancakes. Yes, Virginia, we make it here, too.
14. Looking for a good book? You’ll find
more than 500,000 of them in this Mount Crawford store, just south of Harrisonburg—and you’ll save a lot of “green.”
16. This Bristol destination celebrates
22. You can see the Concorde and the
17. Named for its city, this hotel in the
23. This town in Loudoun County hasn’t
some of America’s earliest recorded country music.
state’s Southwest region was built by the Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1882 to accommodate travelers.
18. The second oldest college in the nation
is located in this historic Virginia town, a tourist favorite.
19. This burger chain—now with
locations nationwide—got its start in Fairfax. It’s known for great fries and, if you ask, they’ll give you plenty of peanuts to shell.
Meet the illustrator:
Daniel Long
To capture each of Virginia’s five regions, we turned to illustrator Daniel Long, whose work is heavily influenced by the natural world. Based in Norfolk (the other one, in the UK), Long starts each new project with “lots of pencil sketches” before he turns to Photoshop and finalizes the artwork using “layers and layers of vector shapes.” Long’s use of texture and shading gives each illustration depth, intensity, and an organic feel.
176
Space Shuttle Discovery at this museum in Northern Virginia.
changed much since it was founded in 1733. At the local grocery store, you might see the owner using a spinning wheel.
24. For one week every April, Virginia hosts
“America’s Largest Open House” with homes and gardens across the state open for tours. What’s it called?
25. This luxury resort in Middleburg was
founded by Sheila Johnson, who also co-founded the BET network.
ANSWERS 1. The Omni Homestead 2. The Appalachian Trail 3. The Children’s Museum of Richmond 4. Wintergreen Resort 5. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts 6. Schwarzschild Jewelers 7. Lost Boy Cider 8. Chrysler Museum of Art 9. Urbanna Oyster Festival 10. iFly 11. Merroir 12. Historic Palace Theatre 13. Highland County Maple Festival 14. Green Valley Book Fair 15. Barter Theatre 16. Birthplace of Country Music Museum 17. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 18. Williamsburg 19. Five Guys 20. Kings Dominion 21. The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club 22. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 23. Waterford 24. Historic Garden Week 25. Salamander Resort & Spa
5.
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2022
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LONG & FOSTER
continues to be recognized as the
BEST OF VIRGINIA
We do it all for the love of home. Visit LongandFoster.com Today!
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www.bluestonevineyard.com | 540-828-0099 4828 Spring Creek Road Bridgewater, VA 22812 Tasting Room Hours Monday - Saturday 11am-6pm; Sunday 1-6pm
Thank you for voting us one of the best wineries in the Shenandoah Valley!
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