Best of NKY 2020

2020

For the past nine years, the Best of NKY has celebrated all that Northern Kentucky has to offer. From doughnuts to bike stores, we love celebrating the businesses of this community. Thousands of people voted in NKY Magazine’s 2020 Best of NKY competition. Attendees voted for their favorites in 147 categories, and we are excited to bring you this year’s winners.

The competition was sponsored by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Charles Schwab.

By Corinne Minard www.BestofNKY.com

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DRINK Best Bourbon Selection Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar 629 Main St., Covington oldkybourbonbar.com

Best Bar & Best Patio Dining Barleycorn’s

Best Brewery Braxton Brewing Company

Multiple locations including Florence (8544 U.S. 42). barleycorns.com

Multiple locations including Covington (27 W. Seventh St.). braxtonbrewing.com

Serving the Seniors of Northern Kentucky for almost 60 years!

Thank you to all of the residents, families, & staff who have made this honor possible!

Village Independent Living Cottages Lodge Senior Living Apartments with Services Homestead Personal Care Suites www.stcharlescommunity.org Charlie's Club Adult Day Health Program (859) 331-3224 Free Resource Center for Aging 14

NKY MAGAZINE FALL 2020

Drink Best Independent Coffeehouse Reality Tuesday Cafe 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills facebook.com/realitytuesdaycafe/

Best Sports Bar Longnecks Sports Grill Multiple locations including Wilder (1009 Town Drive). longneckssportsgrill.com With three locations in Wilder, Hebron and Walton, Longnecks Sports Grill has become a favorite hangout spot for many Northern Kentuckians. Each location has flat-screen TVs, a menu with over 75 items, over 85 different beers and a friendly atmosphere.

Best Happy Hour Lucky Duck Pub

Best Wine Store/ Tasting DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits

Multiple locations including Burlington (6072 Limaburg Road). luckyduckpub.com

Multiple locations including Ft. Thomas (424 Alexandria Pike). depsfinewine.com

www.BestofNKY.com

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food Best Bakery Emerson’s Bakery

Best Catering McHale’s Events & Catering

Best Chinese Cuisine Casual Chinese

Multiple locations including Covington (3612 Decoursey Ave.). emersonsbakeryky.com

1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills mchalescatering.com

88 Carothers Road, Newport casualchinese.com

Best Chef Ken Durbin, At Home Chef

Best Cupcakes Gigi’s Cupcakes in Florence

theathomechef.com As owner of At Home Chef, Ken Durbin goes into people’s homes and cooks for parties of up to 20 (six during COVID-19) so that people can enjoy a stress-free, intimate meal. “I think my clients would tell you that what makes me different is that I go above and beyond what chefs normally do. When you hire the At Home Chef, even just once, you become a client for life,” he says.

7753 Mall Road, Florence gigiscupcakesusa.com/pages/florence-kentucky

Best BBQ Four Mile Pig 7962 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria fourmilepig.com

Best Breakfast/Brunch First Watch Multiple locations including Crestview Hills (2762 Town Center Blvd.). firstwatch.com

Best Burger Bard’s Burgers & Chili 3620 Decoursey Ave., Covington bardsburgersandchili.com

Best Butcher Bill Finke & Sons

Best Dessert, Best Family Dining & Best Hot Brown Greyhound Tavern

1502 Amsterdam Road, Ft. Wright facebook.com/FinkesMarket/

2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell greyhoundtavern.com

Thank you for voting us Best of NKY!

•Outstanding heading into the 29th year!•

Britney Golsch • 859-341-0202 16

NKY MAGAZINE FALL 2020

food Best Fast Casual Skyline Chili

Best Fresh Catch (Seafood) Knotty Pine on the Bayou

Multiple locations including Florence (7899 Mall Road). skylinechili.com

6302 Licking Pike, Cold Spring theknottypineonthebayou.com

Best Fine Dining Trotta’s Steak & Seafood 441 Sixth Ave., Dayton trottassteakandseafood.com

Best Fried Chicken Colonial Cottage 3140 Dixie Highway, Erlanger thecottagenky.com

Best Frozen Yogurt Whit’s Frozen Custard of Independence 2026 Harris Pike, Independence whitscustard.com/ky-independence

Best Donuts Moonrise Doughnuts

Best Ice Cream Schneider’s Sweet Shop

3718 Winston Ave., Covington moonrisedoughnuts.com While Moonrise Doughnuts may be most known for being the place to buy doughnuts in the evening, it’s also the place to get the best doughnuts in NKY, according to our readers.

Owner Keith Bales says the bakery makes hand-crafted fresh doughnuts every day and some are made to order.

420 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue schneiderscandies.com Schneider’s Sweet Shop was started in 1939

by Robert and Lillian Schneider and continues on today thanks to son Jack and his wife Kathy. The shop specializes in gourmet ice balls with a dip of homemade ice cream in the center, but it also offers malts, floats, oldfashioned sodas and sundaes.

Best Food Truck Marty’s Waffles 300 Washington St., Alexandria martyswaffles.com

Proud to be Your NKY Honda Dealer!

859-380-6621 jeffwylerflorencehonda.com www.BestofNKY.com

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FOOD Best Italian Cuisine Pompilios

Best Pizza Camporosso

600 Washington Ave., Newport pompilios.com Pompilios has been an NKY favorite since 1933, serving from-scratch Italian classics like lasagna, chicken parmigiana and homemade meatballs. The restaurant’s sauces have become so popular that Pompilios has started selling them at local Kroger and Whole Foods stores.

2475 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell camporosso.com

Best Restaurant Walt’s Hitching Post

Best Steak Blinkers Tavern

3300 Madison Pike, Ft. Wright waltshitchingpost.com

Best Sandwich Shop & Best Subs Sub Station ll

318 Greenup St., Covington blinkerstavern.com

1826 Dixie Highway, Ft. Wright substationii.com Sub Station II continues to be a winner by staying true to what makes a good sandwich and sub. “We do that with a New York bun filled with your choice of natural meats and veggies fresh sliced,” says owner Michael Monson. The restaurant has become known for not using preservatives in its sandwiches.

Best Sushi Wabi Sabi

Best Mexican Cuisine Rio Grande

Best Soup/Salad Cobblestone Café

Best Wings Knuk-N-Futz

2015 Declaration Drive ,Independence riograndeindependence.com

654 Highland Ave., Ft. Thomas thecobblestonecafe.net

5468 Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill knuknfutz.com

508 Madison Ave., Covington facebook.com/wabisabicovington/

Best View from a Restuarant Chart House 405 Riverboat Row, Newport chart-house.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING • Spacious private apartments – 5 individual floor plans • Screened porches, patios and Bay windows • Housekeeping and Maintenance provided • Cable TV provided • Scheduled social activities, clubs and outings • 24 hour Emergency communication in each apartment • Local transportation • Staffed Wellness Center

My New Kentucky Home….at Colonial Heights and Gardens!

• 2 Well-prepared Meals Daily in our Dining room • Carports Available / Ample Extra Storage • Over 17 Acres in a Park-like setting

LICENSED PERSONAL CARE/ ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE • Spacious Private apartments – 5 individual floor plans

Voted BEST BBQ!

• Assistance with Bathing, Dressing and Grooming • Medication Administration • Private, Nurturing Environment for Memory Impaired • Scheduled social activities, clubs and outings • 3 Well-prepared meals and Snacks daily • Laundry, Housekeeping and Maintenance Service provided

6900 Hopeful Road Florence, KY 41042

www.colonialheightsandgardens.org

859-525-6900

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• Ample Storage • Now offering Respite Care

The Lifestyle you Deserve.

The Value you Expect.

Call for a Tour Today 859-525-6900 TDD 800-545-1833 ext 359

Visit our new restaurant with our drive thru along with curbside pickup.

7962 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001

www.fourmilepig.com

SHOPPING Best Antiques Florence Antique Mall 8145 Mall Road, Florence florenceantiquemall.com

buying a bike. Owner Mark Ball, who has worked on bikes since he was 14, is known for being an excellent troubleshooter and mechanic, and for helping people stay within their budget.

Best Bike Shop Velocity Bike & Bean

Best Bookstore Half Price Books

7560 Burlington Pike, Florence velocitybb.com With its unique combination of bicycles and coffee, Velocity Bike & Bean has been able to foster a tightknit community and welcoming environment where you can grab a cup of coffee while

Multiple locations including Florence (4999 Houston Road). hpb.com

Best Bridal Shop Donna Salyers Fabulous Bridal 20 W. 11th St., Covington fabulousbridal.com Donna Salyers Fabulous Bridal has been serving the area for more than 15 years, and it will continue to do so thanks to its new larger location. The new space offers large dressing rooms and a spacious shop floor while also providing the shop’s full-service experience.

Best Clothing Store The Lovely Closet Boutique 8109 Alexandria Pike , Alexandria thelovelyclosetboutique.com

Best Consignment Shop Let It Go Consignment 7926 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria letitgoconsignment.com Mary Beth McGarr, owner of Let It Go Consignment, says that her store won by supporting the community. “We consign things for two months and then the consignor can come back to pick things up that don’t sell. If the consignor doesn’t want them back, we hold a sidewalk sale to benefit a nonprofit. This past year NKYHatesHeroin received the profit from our sale,” she says.

www.BestofNKY.com

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Shopping Best Electronic Store Best Buy

Best Grocery Store Kremer’s Market

Best Place for Appliances Hagedorn’s Appliances

Multiple locations including Florence (100 Meijer Drive). bestbuy.com

755 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs kremersmarket.com The fourth-generation, family-owned Kremer’s Market is able to stock specialty items and brands, along with local produce, that you may not be able to find at larger stores. In addition, the market has a monthly menu with lunch and dinner specials.

4432 Dixie Highway, Erlanger hagedornappliance.com

Best Hardware Store Crescent Springs Hardware

Best Shopping Center Crestview Hills Town Center

2460 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs crescentspringshardware.net

2791 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills shopcrestviewhillstowncenter.com

Best Jeweler Monmouth Jewelers

Best Special Gift Shop Bunches of Bows

108 Pavilion Parkway, Newport monmouthjewelers.com

2497 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell bunchesofbows.com

Best Mattresses Original Mattress Factory

Best Thrift Shop St Vincent de Paul NKY

Multiple locations including Florence (7630 Mall Road). originalmattress.com

Multiple locations including Florence (7110 Turfway Road). svdpnky.org

Best Farm Equipment Southern States Multiple locations including Alexandria (2 S. Jefferson St.). southernstates.com

Best Farmer’s Market Boone County Farmers Market 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington boonecountyfarmersmarket.org

Best Furniture Store ReStyle Home Furnishings 8419 US 42, Florence restyle-home-furnishings.business.site

Best Garden Center Baeten’s Nursery & Greenhouses 364 Frogtown Road, Union baetensnursery.com

Best Place for Home Accessories HomeGoods Multiple locations including Florence (7607 Mall Road). homegoods.com

YOUR JOURNEY. YOUR WAY. Welcome to the life you deserve... the independence you want, the support you need.

This is life at Charter Senior Living of Edgewood, where we offer the highest level of personal care available, along with our exclusive FlourishSM Memory Care. It’s everything you need to live your best life no matter where you are in your senior living journey.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES • Special dietary menus • Chapel • One bedroom and studio apartments • Pet friendly • Lovely private dining • Full service beauty salon • Lifestyle and wellness activites

• Weekly housekeeping and laundry sevices • Resource library • Resident and guest parking • Beautifully landscaped grounds, including a courtyard and garden • Emergency call system in each apartment home

Your journey your way!

QUALITY OF LIFE ... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Call to learn more.

859.426.1888 2950 Turkeyfoot Road Edgewood, KY 41017

www.charteredgewood.com

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Perfect

Survey 2020

by The Kentucky Board of Health

ENTERTAINMENT Best Live Music Madison Theater 730 Madison Ave., Covington madisontheater.com The Madison Theater may be most known for its iconic yellow marquee sign and art-deco building, but it brings national acts of every genre to the area throughout the year. Chanell Karr, marketing and ticketing coordinator, says the theater won thanks to its committed fans throughout the Tristate.

Best Museum Behringer-Crawford Museum Best Bowling Alley Super Bowl of Erlanger

Best Festival St. Cecilia Labor Day Festival

510 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger superbowl-centers.com Super Bowl of Erlanger has 64 lanes of fun at its location off Interstate 75. The bowling alley is open daily and brings out cosmic lights and music each Friday and Saturday night. The alley also hosts multiple leagues for bowlers age 3 to seniors.

5313 Madison Pike, Independence stcfest.com

Best Golf Course Pendleton Hills Golf Course 317 Country Club Drive, Butler pendletonhills.com

1600 Montague Road, Covington bcmuseum.org The Behringer-Crawford Museum is the only museum that is solely focused on Northern Kentucky people and history, says Sharen Kardon, communications manager for the museum. From the geology of the region and Native American artifacts to the modes of transportation that shaped the region and work by local artists, all is represented within this museum.

www.BestofNKY.com

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SERVICES Best Accounting/CPA Bezold Tax and Accounting Services

Best Bank Credit Heritage Bank

Best Car Wash Mike’s Carwash

7817 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria bezoldtax.com

Multiple locations including Florence (7434 U.S. 42). ourheritage.bank

Multiple locations including Florence (8036 Burlington Pike). mikescarwash.com

Best Barber Shop Spanky’s Barbershop

Best Carpet Cleaner Shirden’s Carpet Cleanering

Muliple locations including Newport (439 W. 12th St.) . spankysbarbershop.com Spanky’s Barbershop combines an old-fashioned barbershop experience with classic haircuts for the modern man. The shop has modernized the experience by adding online booking for both of its Northern Kentucky locations.

Hebron, 859-586-4900, shirden.com According to owner Jeff Shirden, Shirden’s Carpet Cleaning is a family-owned and -operated carpet and upholstery cleaning business that’s been serving the region since 1996. Shirden says the company has found success thanks to the referrals of its many repeat customers.

Best Assisted Living St. Charles Community 600 Farrell Drive, Covington stcharlescommunity.org St. Charles Community has served the community for more than 60 years by remaining independent and committed to its mission.

Margie Volpenhein, director, says the community offers independent living, memory suites, an adult day health program and much more.

It also offers a free consultation service for those trying to navigate aging services.

Best Computer Repair Tech Castle 4314 Boron Drive, Covington techcastle.com

Best in Doors/Windows Lilly’s Glass 859-242-1017 facebook.com/lillysglass/

Now Open Newport on the Levee • 1 Levee Way • Newport, KY 41071 • 859.652.7250 • rotolobowling.com 22

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SERVICES Best Dry Cleaner Braxton’s Cleaners

Best Florist Jackson Florist

Multiple locations including Burlington (6025 Taylor Drive). braxtonscleaners.com

3124 Madison Ave., Covington jacksonfloristinc.com

Best Funeral Home Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Homes Multiple locations including Walton (45 N. Main St.). chambersandgrubbs.com

Best Electric Quinn Electric

Best Hearing Aid Miracle-Ear Hearing Air Center Cold Spring

859-341-4321 quinnelectric.com

4200 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring miracle-ear.com

Best Exterminator Perfection Pest Control

heating and cooling systems throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky while treating customers like they would their own family.

Best Home Builder Drees Homes 211 Grandview Drive, Ft. Mitchell dreeshomes.com Drees Homes uses its 90 years of experience to help homeowners throughout the country get their best possibly home. In NKY, the builder has built condos, townhomes, patio homes and single-family homes. It’s also started a new program, called Build on Your Lot, that allows homeowners to build a Drees home on their own land.

Best Heating Cooling Schneller & Knochelmann

9967 Old Union Road, Union perfectionpest.com

615 W. Ninth St., Covington schnellerair.com Schneller & Knochelmann is a family affair, says Liz Knochelmann, marketing director, of the company. “Some are family by blood, some by marriage and the rest by choice,” she says.

The company installs, maintains and repairs

Best Financial Planner Crystal Mann, Charles Schwab 285 Buttermilk Pike, Ft. Mitchell client.schwab.com/public/ consultant?fc=crystal.mann

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! BE

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We are so excited to be voted the best!

We are so excited to be voted the best! www.BestofNKY.com

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SERVICES Best Mortgage Company First Equity Mortgage 211 Grandview Drive, Ft. Mitchell firstequityonline.com First Equity Mortgage is a wholly owned subsidiary of Drees Homes, and thus knows a thing or two about owning a home. The company uses its 40 years of experience to help future homeowners access multiple types of mortgages.

Best Plumber Arlinghaus Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning 40 Cave Run Drive, Erlanger arlinghausair.com You can’t miss the Arlinghaus team thanks to their bright pink shirts, but the company also prides itself on its quality service. “It is our team’s No. 1 priority to provide the best quality service and solutions to our customers. Our licensed technicians will care for your home and complete the job with speed and precision,” says Shara Evans, marketing manager.

Best Pool Service Kramer Pools 859-441-1040 kramerpools.com

Best Home Remodeler JLH Customs

Best in Law Ziegler & Schneider

3075 Dixie Highway, Erlanger facebook.com/Jlhcustoms/ JLH Customs is all about family. The company is run by husband and wife Josh and Danielle Harris, who bring the same commitment to quality and satisfaction to every project they work on. They work on both small and large projects and enjoy walking clients through all the steps.

541 Buttermilk Pike, Covington zslaw.com

Best Insurance Agent Britney Golsch, Roeding Insurance

3224 Dixie Highway, Erlanger bondedlock.biz

2734 Chancellor Drive, Crestview Hills roedinginsurance.com Britney Golsch of Roeding Insurance says that she was voted Best Insurance Agent because she can relate to and connect with clients. “I quote each client as if it were my own home, auto, etc. I take pride in helping my clients find the best coverage while also saving them the most money I can,” she says.

Best Landscaper A&A Lawncare & Landscaping 7765 Foundation Drive, Florence aalawns.com

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Best Lawnmower Crescent Springs Hardware 2460 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs crescentspringshardware.net

Best Locksmith Bonded Lock & Security

Best Lumber Boone Kenton Lumber & Building Supply Co. 3219 Crescent Ave., Erlanger boonekentonlumber.com The Boone Kenton Lumber Company has more to offer than just quality wood—it also boasts plenty of experience. Its staff has more than 175 years of experience, and owner Herbert Works has been there for 61. In business since 1914, the company specializes in decking and railing systems as well as hard-to-find hardwoods and moldings.

Best Real Estate Agency Keller Williams Realty Northern KY 7210 Turfway Road, Florence kwnorthernkentucky.com

Best Real Estate Agent Kelly Barrett, Huff Realty 60 Cavalier Blvd., Florence kellybarrett.huff.com

Best Roofing Northern KY Roofing LLC 71 Cavalier Blvd., Florence northern-ky-roofing-llc.business.site

Best Tailor Rip ‘N Stitch 8105 Connector Drive, Florence

Best Tire Center Tire Discounters Ft. Wright 3475 Valley Plaza Parkway, Ft. Wright tirediscounters.com

Best Tree Care Willoughby Tree Service 859-356-2543 facebook.com/Willoughby-Tree-Service- 321671611239274/

Voted 2020 Best Place to Have a Wedding

The Stables Entwined Event Venue is beautifully located among the majestic countryside in California, Kentucky just 20 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Stables offers a setting that can be anything from country chic to totally unique. No matter which type of wedding a couple is looking for, The Stables offers a beautiful backdrop for the special day. Our event wood barn was built 2016, large main level, loft seating with iron scenes, large stage, pool table, staging kitchen, bridal dressing room and groom’s cabin. The Stables is complete with outdoor experiences including a 50’ x 65’ patio, grain bin bar, playground, pavilion, and fire pit. All of this alongside a pond nestled between the countryside and trees makes for a picturesque setting for any event.

Experiences we provide:

Stallion Experience

Friday 12pm to Sunday 12pm Rehearsal, Ceremony, Reception 2 Night Accommodation for 12 guests

Yearling Experience

16 hours Friday, Saturday or Sunday Ceremony & Reception

Falabella Experience

5 hours Friday Saturday or Sunday Reception Only

Murder Mystery

A beautiful bride is murdered at her rehearsal dinner party.

Can you solve the murder in 4-8 hours?

859-630-1053 | stablesentwined.com

AUTO/FAMILY

949 Burlington Pike, Florence jeffwylerflorencehonda.com

Best Auto Parts Reitman Auto Parts & Sales 6810 Four Mile Road, Melbourne reitmanautoparts.com

Best Auto Repair Don Baxter Auto Repair 9574 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria facebook.com/donbaxterautoKY/

Best in Auto Used Kerry Chevrolet of Alexandria 7500 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria kerrychevrolet.com

Best Birthday Party Location Totter’s Otterville 4314 Boron Ave., Covington tottersotterville.com Totter’s Otterville does its best to make birthday parties fun for both the children and

adults. The facility takes care of the entertainment, food, paper products and clean up, and admission for the whole day is included for each party guest. With multiple play-to-learn areas, it’s easy to spend the day there.

Best Dance/Theatre Instruction Studio Dee 3420 Valley Plaza Parkway, Ft. Wright studiodeenky.com

Jenny Kammes, marketing director for Silverlake “The Family Place,” attributes the facility’s wins to Silverlake’s commitment to expanding over the years. The membershipbased facility has duckpin bowling alleys, a trampoline park, the new Active Entertainment Center, group exercise classes (including swimming lessons), Adults’ Night Out events and more.

Best Daycare Center Independence Learning Center 155 Courthouse Crossing, Independence facebook.com/independencelearning/

Best Education St. Cecilia Catholic School 5313 Madison Pike, Independence saintceciliaschool.net

Best Family Fun Entertainment & Best Swim Lessons Silverlake “The Family Place” 301 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger silverlakefamily.com

• Ants • Roaches • Mice • Bats

Perfectionpest.com • 859-525-8560 PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROPERTY

• Birds • Bedbugs • Termites • Raccoons • Squirrels • Bees

No Bugs • No Odor • No Mess • No Trouble.

Perfection Pest Control is a member of:

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• Fleas • Any pest that crawls or flies

License #12227 Ohio, #299 Kentucky, #F225001 Indiana

Best in Auto New Jeff Wyler Honda in Florence

FAMILY Best Gymnastics Center Top Flight Gymnastics 721 Centre View Blvd., Crestview Hills topflightgymnastics.com

School of the Arts, allows students of all ages to have access to high-quality music education. While the school’s environment helps make it unique, Holly Atter, director of the program, says that they’ve also found great success with online programs this year.

Best Summer Camp Camp Ernst

Best Photographer Sugar Sprout Studio

2812 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills learningexpress.com

7615 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington myycamp.org

Best Toy Store Learning Express Crestview Hills

300 Washington St., Alexandria sugarsproutstudio.com

Best Place for a Family Day Newport Aquarium 1 Aquarium Way, Newport newportaquarium.com

Best Music Instruction NKU Music Preparatory Fine Arts Center 371 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights nku.edu/academics/sota/musicprep NKU Music Preparatory, a community music school within Northern Kentucky University’s

Best Preschool St. Paul Preschool 7301 Dixie Highway, Florence stpaulnky.org/school/st-paul-preschool/

Best School Spirit (K-12) St. Cecilia Catholic School 5313 Madison Pike, Independence saintceciliaschool.net

www.BestofNKY.com

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PLACES/PETS Best Event Space The Madison Event Center 700 Madison Ave., Covington thecovingtonmadison.com

Best Fitness Trail, Best Park & Best Place for an Instagram Photo Devou Park 1201 Park Drive, Covington exploredevoupark.org

Best Hotel/Motel Hotel Covington 638 Madison Ave., Covington hotelcovington.com

fishing lake, RV and tent campground, planned programs, special events and a live bison herd.

Best Place to have a Wedding Stables Entwined Event Venue 2777 California Cross Road, California stablesentwined.com Stables Entwined won Best Place to have a Wedding this year because of its customer service, says owner Mary Lippert. The family-owned business offers set up and clean up, parking attendants and bartenders to those who choose to have their wedding there. In addition, the rustic barn venue has both indoor and outdoor spaces for the ceremony and reception.

Best Place for a Picnic Big Bone Lick State Historic Site 3380 Beaver Road, Union parks.ky.gov/union/parks/historic/big-bonelick-state-historic-site Big Bone Lick State Park gives families the opportunity to learn about the region’s history while enjoying the park’s 40-plus acres of picnic grounds. The park is free and has a newly renovated museum, visitor center, hiking trails,

Best Groomer Allie’s Walkabout 2640 Crescent Springs Road, Erlanger allieswalkabout.com

Best Pet Store LuLu’s Pet Pantry 2510 Burlington Pike, Burlington luluspetpantry.com LuLu’s Pet Pantry, a full-line pet supply stores that focuses on unique products, prides itself on its friendly staff and personalized recommendations. Along with the three shop cats— Emmie, Bubba and Sammy—the staff can help you find special items for your pet.

Best Vet Grants Lick & Pendleton County Veterinary Hospitals Multiple locations including Alexandria (10307 Alexandria Pike). grantslickvet.com

Thank you for voting

Shirden’s Friendly Carpet Cleaning Best Carpet Cleaner in NKY!

859-586-4900 2025 Declaration Dr, Independence, KY 41051

www.nkyfriendlycarpetcleaning.com 28

NKY MAGAZINE FALL 2020

(859) 429-1327 www.PeterFamilyDentistry.com

BEAUTY Best Hair Salon The Color Room of Florence

Best Place for a Spa Day Sweet Serenity Massage & Salt Therapy

8115 Connector Drive, Florence thecolorroomflorence.com

9910 Berberich Drive, Florence sweetserenitysalt.com

Best Manicure/Pedicure Sassy Nails 8761 U.S. 42, Union sassynailsnky.squarespace.com Nancy Nguyen, owner of Sassy Nails, says that her salon has repeatedly won Best Manicure/ Pedicure because of its family atmosphere.

Started by Nguyen’s mother, Hop, 16 years ago, Sassy Nails is a committed part of the community, donating to great causes and fostering close relationships with its clients.

Best Master Stylist JJ Campbell, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa 393 Mt. Zion Road, Florence cloud9salonspa.com This is the fifth time that JJ Campbell, owner and stylist at Cloud 9 Salon & Spa, has been voted Best Master Stylist in NKY. Campbell, who has been a stylist for 28 years and owner of Cloud 9 for 13, says she is committed to continuing education and keeps up with the most recent trends.

Serving Children, Adolescents and Special Needs

Thanks for voting us the Best of NKY Call today for an appointment, 859-781-1500 1809 Alexandria Pike Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076 859-781-1500 • teeth4kidz.com www.BestofNKY.com

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HEALTH Best Charitable Race NKYHatesHeroin

Best Fitness Center Anytime Fitness Independence

nkyhatesheroin.com

1920 Declaration Drive, Independence anytimefitness.com

Best Chiro All Star Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Multiple locations including Florence (7201 Dixie Highway). allstar-chiropractic.com

Best Dentist Peter Family Dentistry 2025 Declaration Drive, Independence peterfamilydentistry.com

Best Eye Doctor Metzger Eye Care Multiple locations including Florence (6901 Dixie Highway). metzgereyecare.com Metzger Eye Care has been providing quality eye care for more than 60 years.

Today, Dr. Julie Metzger, along with Dr. Bill Metzger and Dr. Christina Kreinest, is able to provide eye exams using cutting edge technology as well the latest styles in eyewear.

Best Fitness Class Instructor Paige Knollman, Anytime Fitness 1920 Declaration Drive, Independence anytimefitness.com

Best Fitness Gear Tri-State Running Company 148 Barnwood Drive, Edgewood tristaterunning.com

Best Health Food Store Better Blend Nutrition 8181 Mall Road, Florence betterblendnutrition.com

Best Massage Therapist Becki Mikola, Core Massage Studio 5294 Madison Pike, Independence coremassagestudio.com Becki Mikola, massage therapist and owner of Core Massage Studio, credits this year’s

Stay up to date on the

Arts, Entertainment & Culture in the Northern Kentucky, visit: bestofnky.com

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win to her years of experience treating thousands of clients. Her studio provides Swedish, deep tissue, sinus and Ashiatsu Bar massages and treats acute and chronic pain and injuries.

Best Medical Facility The Bill & Betsy Scheben Care Center 31 Spiral Drive, Florence schebencarecenter.org The Bill & Betsy Scheben Care Center serves those over 16 who have medical, physical, social and/or cognitive disabilities in multiple ways. It offers socialization, daily exercise, therapeutic activities and rehabilitation in a comfortable homelike environment.

Best Medical Spa dermalounge 723 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs mydermalounge.com

Best Orthodontist Gruelle Dempsey Orthodontics Multiple locations including Ft. Thomas (40 N. Grand Ave.). gruelleorthodontics.com

HEALTH Best Pediatrician Pediatric Associates, PSC Multiple locations including Crestview Hills (2865 Chancellor Drive). pediatricassociatesnky.com

Best Personal Trainer Brian Voorhees, Town & Country Sports and Health Club 1018 Town Drive, Wilder towncountrysports.com

Best Pharmacy Nie’s Pharmacy & Wellness Center 11745 Madison Pike, Independence niespharmacy.com

Best Physician St. Elizabeth Physicians Best Pediatric Dentist David M Rider DMD 1809 Alexandria Pike , Highland Heights teeth4kidz.com According to Dr. David Rider, he has worked over the last 35 years to make his office

a pediatric dental destination in Northern Kentucky. By accommodating children of different needs and anxiety levels, Rider and his team have been able to make their office a place that children look forward to visiting.

Multiple locations including Alexandria (300 Commerical Circle). stelizabethphysicians.com

Best Yoga Studio Yoga Studio 43 300 Washington St., Alexandria yogastudio43.com

Family Owned, Family Operated, Honest, Affordable, Mechanical Vehicle Repairs.

Membe r of BBB ASE Cer t Technic ified ian

9574 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, Ky. 41001 • 859-635-4000 www.BestofNKY.com

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Sports Bar

Finalists The 2020 Best of NKY is a celebration and competition among the top establishments in Northern Kentucky. Finalists were determined by nominations cast by the general public and the readers of NKY Magazine.

This year, the Best of NKY was an online competition and people voted on bestofnky.com for their favorite businesses. There were 147 categories, including food, retail and service organizations. The competition was sponsored by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Charles Schwab.

Below you will find the finalists as well as the winners in each category.

Drink

n Alexandria Brewing Company n Braxton Brewing Company n Darkness Brewing

Bar

n Barleycorn’s n Camp Springs Tavern n Dickmann’s

Happy Hour

n Alexandria Brewing Company n Barleycorn’s n Lucky Duck Pub

Bourbon Selection (Restaurant/Bar

n Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar n Smoke Justis n Wiseguy Lounge

Independent Coffeehouse

n Carabello Coffee, Newport n Reality Tuesday Cafe n Velocity Bike and Bean

Voted Best of NKY

5 YEARS in a row

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We slice every sandwich to order. Produce is sliced everyday to ensure the best taste and without the addition of chemicals. Our bread is a true east coast Italian sub roll.

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NKY MAGAZINE FALL 2020

n Bill Finke & Sons n Brooks Meats n Ebert’s Meats

Wine Store/Tasting

Catering

Food

Chef

n Crafts & Vines n DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits n The Party Source

Bakery

n Emerson’s Bakery n Oakbrook Bakery n Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli

BBQ

Brewery

Butcher

n Barleycorn’s n Dickmann’s n Longnecks

n City Barbeque n Four Mile Pig n Harmon’s Barbecue

Breakfast/Brunch n The Baker’s Table n Colonial Cottage n First Watch

Burger

n Bard’s Burgers & Chili n Bru Burger Bar n Flipdaddy’s Brilliant Burgers & Craft Beer Bar

n Be Creative Catering n It’s Just Brick’s n McHale’s Events & Catering n Ken Durbin, The At Home Chef n Travis Faris, Be Creative Catering n Chris Baulo, Repertoire

Chinese Cuisine

n KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia n Casual Chinese n Oriental Wok

Cupcakes

n Gigi’s Cupcakes Florence Ky n Little Flour Baked Goods n SugarSnap! Truck

Dessert

n Blinkers Tavern n Greyhound Tavern n Walt’s Hitching Post

Donuts

Fried Chicken

Patio Dining

Subs

Family Dining

Frozen Yogurt

Pizza

Sushi

Fast Casual

Hot Brown

Restaurant

n Barleycorn’s n Bourbon House Pizza n Walt’s Hitching Post

View from a Restuarant

n Chart House n Eighteen at the Radisson n Metropolitan Club

Fine Dining

Ice Cream

Sandwich Shop

n Cobblestone Cafe n The Pretzel Place n Sub Station ll

Wings

n Barleycorn’s n Buffalo Bobs Family Restaurant n Knuk-N-Futz

Food Truck

Italian Cuisine

Soup/Salad

Entertainment

n Emerson’s Bakery n Moonrise Doughnuts n Paradise Donuts Independence n Barleycorn’s n Greyhound Tavern n The Gruff n Fessler’s Legendary Pizza and Hoagies n Lita’s Tacos n Skyline n Bouquet Restaurant n Purple Poulet n Trotta’s Steak and Seafood n Lita’s Tacos n Marty’s Waffles n SugarSnap! Truck

Fresh Catch (Seafood) n Afishionados n Chart House n Knotty Pine on the Bayou

n Colonial Cottage n Libby’s Southern Comfort n Purple Poulet n Orange Leaf n sweetFrog n Whit’s Frozen Custard Independence n Colonial Cottage n Greyhound Tavern n Tousey House Tavern n Fort Thomas Ice Cream n Schneider’s Sweet Shop n Whit’s Frozen Custard n Carrabba’s Italian Cuisine n Camporroso n Pompilios

Mexican Cuisine n Agave & Rye n Lita’s Tacos n Rio Grande

n Barleycorn’s n Fort Mitchell Public House n Washington Square Cafe n Bourbon House Pizza n Camporosso n Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria

n Cobblestone Cafe n CoreLife Eatery n Greyhound Tavern

Steak

n Blinkers Tavern n Trotta’s Steak and Seafood n Walt’s Hitching Post

n Fessler’s Legendary Pizza and Hoagies n Firehouse Subs n Sub Station ll n Sake Bomb n Wabi Sabi n Zozo’s Tavern

Bowling Alley

n Axis Alley n Southern Lanes Sports Center n SuperBowl of Erlanger

Festival

n Alexandria Fair and Horse show n Boone County Fair n St. Cecilia Labor Day Festival

www.BestofNKY.com

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Pamper Yourself.

Eat Well. Enjoy Life.

Bring an epicurean adventure into your home with The At Home Chef.

Leave all the cooking and cleaning to us!

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CHEF KEN DURBIN theathomechef.com 859-640-6958

finalists Golf Course

n Hickory Sticks Golf Club n Pendleton Hills n Twin Oaks Golf and Plantation Club

Grocery Store

n Fresh Thyme Farmers Market n Kremer’s Market n Kroger

Carpet Cleaner

Landscaper

Live Music

Hardware

Computer Repair

Law

Museum

Jeweler

Door/Window

Lawnmower

Shopping

Mattresses

Dry Cleaner

Locksmith

Place for Appliances

Electric

Lumber

Place for Home Accessories

Exterminator

n Camp Springs Tavern n Madison Theater n Riverside Marina n Behringer-Crawford Museum n Creation Musuem n Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati

Antiques

n Burlington Antique Show n Faded Finds n Florence Antique Mall

Bike Shop

n Reser Bicycle Outfitters n Trek Bicycle Store n Velocity Bike and Bean

Bookstore

n Blue Marble Books n Half Price Books n Roebling Point Books & Coffee

Bridal Shop

n David’s Bridal - Florence n Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Bridal n Mansion Hill Bridal

Clothing Store

n Coveted Boutique n Dazzled Babies Boutique,LLC n The Lovely Closet Boutique

Consignment Shop

n Let It Go Consignment n Soul Unique Consignment Boutique n Walk In Closet

Electronic Store n Best Buy n Tech Castle

Farm Equipment

n Kubota Tractor of the TriState n Southern States n Tractor Supply Co.

Farmers Market

n Boone County Farmers Market n Covington Farmers Market n Fort Thomas Farmers Market

Furniture Store

n Best Furniture Gallery n ReStyle Home Furnishings n Watson’s

Garden Center

n Baeten’s Nursery & Greenhouse n Jackson Florist and Garden Center n Maddox Garden Center

n Ace Hardware of Independence n Crescent Springs Hardware n Klingenberg’s Hardware & Paint n Cleves & Lonnemann Jewelers n Herzog Jewelers n Monmouth Jewelers n Cincinnati Overstock n The Original Mattress Factory n Snuggy’s Mattress Express n Hagedorn’s Appliances n Home Depot n Recker and Boerger n Coda Co. n Faded Finds n HomeGoods

Shopping Center

n Blue Sky Carpet Cleaning n Jolly Cleaning and Restoration n Shirden’s Carpet Cleaning n Blair Tech n Tech Castle n uBreakiFix

n Jack’s Glass n Lilly’s Glass n Window World of the Queen City n Atlas Dry Cleaners, Newport n Braxton’s Cleaners n Sunshine Cleaners n AJ Electric n Edgewood Electric n Quinn Electric n Black Diamond Pest Control n Perfection Pest Control n Snowball Pest Control

Financial Planner

n Crestview Hills Town Center n Florence Mall n Newport Pavilion

n Crystal Mann, Charles Schwab n Quentin Muth, Lifetime Financial Growth n Ken Sadler, Mutual of Omaha

Special Gift Shop

Florist

n Bunches of Bows n MK’s Totebags and Monogramming n That Special Gift

Thrift Shop

n Snooty Fox n St Vincent de Paul NKY n Walk In Closet

Services Accounting/CPA

n Baker Business & Tax Solutions n Bezold Tax and Accounting Service n Bramel & Ackley, PSC

Assisted Living

n Rosedale Green n The Seasons at Alexandria a BLC Community n St. Charles Community

Bank Credit

n Commonwealth Bank and Trust n GE Credit Union n Heritage Bank

Barber Shop

n Jackson Florist n The Secret Garden n Swan Floral & Gift Shop

Funeral Home

n Chambers and Grubbs Independence, Ky n Linnemann Guneral Homes n Stith Funeral Homes

Hearing Aid

n Acute Hearing n Ellis-Scott & Associates Your Hearing Solution n Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center

Heating Cooling

n DBL Law n The Jaeger Firm n Ziegler & Schneider n Cottingham Hardware n Crescent Springs Hardware n Godby’s Lawn Mower Shop n Advance Lock Service n Bonded Lock & Security n Combined Lock Service n Boone-Kenton Lumber and Building Supply Co. n Hellman Lumber & Hardware Co. n Independence Lumber

Mortgage

n First Equity Mortgage n Martin O’Brien, NRL Mortgage n Polaris Home Funding Northern Kentucky Branch

Plumber

n Arlinghaus Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. n Dixon Plumbing And Service n Jolly Plumbing

Pool Service

n Kramer Pools n Nelson Pools, LLC

Real Estate Agency

n The Buckley Real Estate Team n Hand in Hand Realty KY n Keller Williams Realty Services

Real Estate Agent

n Kelly Barrett, Huff Realty n Jewel Buckley, Coldwell Banker n Andrew Lovett, Realty Executives

Roofing

n Arlinghaus Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. n Niceley’s Heating and Air n Schneller and Knochelmann

n AnyWeather Roofing n Northern KY Roofing LLC n Patriot Roofing

Home Builder

Tailor

Home Remodeler

Tire Center

n Arlinghaus Builders n Drees n Fischer Homes

n Breakroom Barbers n Jim Young’s Barber Shop n Spanky’s Barbershop

n Custom Cabinetry & Countertops by Granite World n JLH Customs n Level Renovations

Car Wash

Insurance Agent

n Classic Car Wash n Johnny’s Car Wash n Mike’s Car Wash

n A&A Lawn Care & Landscaping n Karschner Lawn Care & Landscaping n Pro Lawn Care

n Lora Lee, Allstate n Jami Anna, Insurance Services n Britney Golsch, Roeding Insurance

n Alterations by Frances n Rip N Stitch n Theresa’s Alterations n Alexandria Tire Pros n Tire Discounters Ft. Wright n Tires Plus

Tree Care

n Kremer Tree Service n Twin Tree Care LLC n Willoughby Tree Service

www.BestofNKY.com

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finalists Auto Auto New

n Jeff Wyler Honda in Florence n Kerry Chevrolet of Alexandria n Marshall Chevrolet

Auto Parts

n AutoZone n KOI Auto Parts (Florence) n Reitman Auto Parts, Camp Springs

Auto Repair

n Community Car Care n Don Baxter Auto Repair n Konen’s Pittstop

Auto Used

n Jeff Wyler Ft. Thomas n Kerry Chevrolet of Alexandria n Marshall Motors of Florence

Family Birthday Party Location n Lazer Kraze n Silverlake “The Family Place” n Totter’s Otterville

Dance/Theater Instruction

n Dance Express n Moss Performing Arts Academy n Studio Dee

Daycare Center

n Independence Learning Center n Skidaddles n Zion Christian Academy

Education

n Holy Trinity Catholic School n St Cecilia School n Zion Christian academy

Family Fun Entertainment n Dave and Buster’s n Defy n Silverlake “The Family Place”

Gymnastics Center

n All-Star Academy Gymnastics n Spirit Athletics n Top Flight Gymnastics

Music Instruction

n Bowman Music and Creative Outlet n NKU Music Preparatory n Willis Music Company

Photographer

n Katie Woodring Photography n Rene’ Jent Photography n Sugar Sprout Studio

Place for a Family Day

n Dave and Buster’s n Newport Aquarium n Silverlake “The Family Place”

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NKY MAGAZINE FALL 2020

Preschool

n Hopeful Lutheran Preschool n Lakeside Presbyterian Preschool n St. Paul Preschool

School Spirit (K-12)

n Covington Catholic High School n St Cecilia School n St Therese School

Summer Camp

n Benton Farms Day Camp n Camp Ernst n NKU Music Preparatory

Swim Lessons

n Bear Paddle Swim School n Silverlake “The Family Place” n Town & Country Sports and Health Club

Toy Store

n Dazzled Babies Boutique n Learning Express, Crestview Hills n Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe

Health Charitable Race

n Loop for Lana n NKYHatesHeroin n Tunnel to Towers NKY 5K

Chiro

n All Star Chiropractic n Basic Health Chiropractic & Rehab n ProWellness Chiropractic and Rehab

Dentist

n Edgewood Dental Care n Peter Family Dentistry n Shearer Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Eye Doctor

n Edgewood Eye Center n Metzger Eye Care n Wing Eyecare

Fitness Center

n Anytime Fitness Independence n Silverlake “The Family Place” n VIBE Dance Fitness

Fitness Class Instructor

n Paige Knollman, Anytime Fitness n Mollie V., Body Alive n Gabby Williams, SWT Fitness

Fitness Gear

n Atlas Fitness n Play It Again Sports n Tri-State Running Company

Health Food Store

n Better Blend Nutrition n Fresh Thyme Farmers Market n Healthy Alternative

Massage Therapist

n Kelly Conrad, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa n Becki Mikola, Core Massage Studio n Amanda Snow, Rustic Remedy Massage and Aromatherapy

Medical Facility

n The Bill & Betsy Scheben Care Center n dermalounge n St. Elizabeth Edgewood KY

Medical Spa

n dermalounge n Sweet Serenity Massage & Salt Therapy n Zero Gravity Med Spa

Orthodontist

n Gruelle Dempsey Orthodontics n Jeri Stull Orthodontics n Quast Orthodontics

Pediatric Dentist

n David M Rider DMD n Pediatric Dental Garden Dr. Duvall n Union Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatrician

n Pediatric Associates, PSC n Pediatric Care of Kentucky n Primary Pediatrics

Personal Trainer

Park

n Boone Woods n Devou Park n Tower Park Fort Thomas

Place for a Picnic

n Big Bone Lick State Historic Site n Devou Park n Florence Nature Park

Place for an Instagram Photo n Devou Park n Newport on the levee n Riverside Drive

Place to have a Wedding n The Inn at Oneonta n The Prickle Barn n Stables Entwined Event Venue

Pets Groomer

n Allie’s Walkabout n A Diamond in the Ruff n Pawsitively Purfect Salon & Daycare, Inc.

Pet Store

n LuLu’s Pet Pantry n Pet Supplies Plus, Independence n Pet Wants Fort Thomas

n Kagan Strok, Affordable Athletic Supplements n Christie Stayton, EmPower Studio n Brian Voorhees, Town & Country Sports and Health Club

Vet

Pharmacy

Beauty

n Nie’s Pharmacy & Wellness Center n Ruwe Family Pharmacy n Walton Family Pharmacy

Physician

n The Christ Hospital Physicians - Ft Mitchell n Seven Hills Women’s Health n St. Elizabeth Physicians

Yoga Studio

n Body Alive n Madison Pike Yoga n Yoga Studio 43

n Florence Veterinary Hospital n Grants Lick (Pendleton County) Veterinary Hospital n Middendorf Animal Hospital

Hair Salon

n Cloud 9 Salon & Spa n The Color Room n The Hallow Hair Studio

Manicure/Pedicure n Cloud 9 Salon & Spa n Sassy Nails n Woodhouse Day Spa

Master Stylist

Places

n JJ Campbell, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa n Shiela Arsenault, The Color Room n Carly Dorning, Uniquely Senise

Event Space

Place for a Spa Day

n The Madison Event Center n Newport Syndicate n The Prickel Barn

Fitness Trail

n Boone County Arboretum n Devou Park n England Idlewild Park

Hotel/Motel

n Hilton Cincinnati Airport n Hotel Covington n Hyatt Place

n Cloud 9 Salon & Spa n Sweet Serenity Massage & Salt Therapy n The Woodhouse Day Spa

PLUMBING • HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING

Sometimes things break when you least expect it. You can rely on Arlinghaus Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning when that happens.

• Family Owned • Free Second Opinion

• State Licensed Technicians • Home of the Lifetime Warranty

2020

(859) 838-4792 OH 48803 KY MPL-7768 KY HM-05428 OH 47296