And the winners Are…
2016
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
2
Clockwise from top left: WSNY Sunny 95’s Dino Tripodis and Stacy McKay; Charles and Debra Penzone from The Charles Penzone Salons; Kenny McDonald of the Columbus 2020 team was the guest speaker at the inaugural CBUS Top Picks Gala; Dispatch Media Group Publisher Brad Harmon congratulates Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.
Welcome to the best of Columbus Dear Dispatch Reader,
voted, more than 184,000 votes were cast and 115 winners were crowned. Inside this section are the winners in all categories. This initiative has proved popular with readers, so there’s no doubt it’ll be back to accept your votes once again in 2017. In the meantime, I hope you’ll take a look at who finished among the top
three in each of this year’s categories. Maybe you’ll see some businesses you already admire. Maybe you’ll find new companies to consider the next time you need the product or service they provide. One thing’s for certain, though: The companies, personalities, activities and services inside are the best of the best in central Ohio. Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
With 2016 coming to a close, I wanted to give you a sense of how exciting this year has been for us at The Columbus Dispatch and Dispatch Media Group. There was the historic presidential election you may have heard about. Dispatch reporters and photographers covered a pair of teams fighting for their sports’ ultimate prizes from up the road in Cleveland. And, of course, they continue to crisscross the Midwest and beyond to bring you unparalleled coverage of the Ohio State Buckeyes. We were named the Best Newspaper in Ohio once again by the state’s Associ-
ated Press Media Editors. And we debuted a number of new special sections, products and events for central Ohioans like you to enjoy, including The Dispatch CBUS Top Picks. This inaugural class of the best businesses, organizations and services in central Ohio was unveiled Dec. 7 during a gala at St. Charles Preparatory School and is being recognized within these pages. As summer came to a close, we asked readers to nominate their favorite favorites in more than 100 categories to become Top Picks finalists. Once those finalists were determined, we opened voting back up to determine the winners. In all, an incredible 24,670 people
Bradley M. Harmon President & Publisher Dispatch Media Group
THANK YOU! FOR VOTING US AMONG THE TOP HAPPY HOURS IN COLUMBUS 6725 AVERY-MUIRFIELD DRIVE DUBLIN, OH | 614.799.9100 1436 GEMINI PLACE COLUMBUS, OH | 614.841.4430 1400 GRANDVIEW AVENUE COLUMBUS, OH | 614.754.1026 MTMTAVERN.COM
3
(Top Picks are Listed in Alphabetical Order)
Auto Body Repair #1 Top Pick Three-C Body Shop Top Picks Rife’s Autobody Roush Honda
#1 Top Pick CarMax Top Picks Ricart Automotive Group Roush Honda
Entertainment & Leisure
Oil Change
Motor Cycle/Sports Recreational Vehicles Dealer
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
Used Car Dealer
#1 Top Pick Germain Automotive Group Top Picks Byers Auto Group Lindsay Honda
Auto Services
#1 Top Pick Iron Pony Motorsports (Pony Powersports) Top Picks A.D. Farrow Co. Harley-Davidson Honda (Marysville) Motorsports
New Car Dealer
#1 Top Pick Valvoline Instant Oil Change Top Picks Firestone Complete Auto Care Jiffy Lube
Charity Event
RV, Camper or Boat Dealer #1 Top Pick Camping World of Columbus Top Picks Haydocy Airstream & RV RCD Sales Company
#1 Top Pick Pelotonia Top Picks Charity Newsies Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Concert Venue #1 Top Pick Ohio Theatre
Top Picks Nationwide Arena Schottenstein Center
Family Outing
#1 Top Pick Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Top Picks Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Columbus Clippers
Festival/Fair
#1 Top Pick Ohio State Fair Top Picks Circleville Pumpkin Show Columbus Arts Festival
Flyers Pizza & Subs flyerspizza.com
CBUS TOP PICKS — PIZZA
Recipe for success In 1976, Wayne Ulrey opened the first Flyers Pizza in West Jefferson, with his own recipe serving as the backbone of the business. Forty years and six additional central Ohio locations later, the company remains in family hands — as does the original recipe. The store has never changed the ingredients for its pizza sauce or cheese, because there’s never been a need to, said Steve Ulrey, Wayne’s son and president of Flyers Pizza. The pizza chain has won numerous awards for
4
its pizza — including a ranking in Pizza Today Magazine’s top 100 independent pizzerias and Best of the Midwest title in the 2009 International Pizza Challenge. But it’s not just about the food. The Ulrey family is committed to supporting schools in central Ohio, and they actively support other community endeavors, including their annual “Give a Pizz-a Your Heart to Autism Speaks” campaign that starts in late January. An eighth Flyers Pizza will open in Grove City in late February 2017.
IMAGE: MITSUBISHI
Flyers’ signature pizza: The Bomber
Live Theater
Service Organization
Movie theater
Food, Dining & Spirits
#1 Top Pick Ohio Theatre Top Picks Palace Theatre Shadowbox Live
#1 Top Pick Charity Newsies Top Picks Aladdin Shriners Rotary Club of Columbus
#1 Top Pick AMC Theatres Top Picks Bexley Drexel Theater Marcus Theatres
Breakfast
Parade
#1 Top Pick Doo Dah Parade Top Picks Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade Upper Arlington 4th of July Parade
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Bob Evans Top Picks First Watch Scrambler Marie’s
Burger
#1 Top Pick The Thurman Cafe Top Picks Five Guys Burgers and Fries Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
 � �
€‚ƒÂ„…ƒ„„†‡
Â
†
  € ‚ƒ„  Â? Â?Â? Â
Â… Â? Â? Â… „     Â
Â…
Â? Â?
Â? Â? Â? Â? Â Â
5
Chinese Restaurant
Fast Casual
Coffee Shop
Fine Dining
Diner
Food Truck
#1 Top Pick P.F. Chang’s Top Picks China Dynasty Hunan Lion
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Tim Hortons Top Picks Panera Bread Starbucks
#1 Top Pick Cap City Fine Diner and Bar Top Picks Starliner Diner Tommy’s Diner
#1 Top Pick Chipotle Mexican Grill Top Picks Panera Bread Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
Gastro Pub
#1 Top Pick 101 Beer Kitchen Top Picks Chef T’s Pub The Crest Gastropub
#1 Top Pick Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse Top Picks Refectory Restaurant & Bistro The Top Steak House #1 Top Pick Schmidt’s Sausage Truck Top Picks Mikey’s Late Night Slice Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Meyers Jewelers meyersjewelers.com
CBUS TOP PICKS — JEWELRY STORE
Treating customers like family for more than 50 years Meyers Jewelers celebrates over 50 years of business here in central Ohio. With us, you will always experience the family difference with one of the owners in the store at all times. Let Meyer, Jeff or Scott help you pick the perfect piece of jewelry — whether it’s an engagement ring, time piece or something special for an extra special ocassion or no reason at all — from some of the best brands in the business.
6
We carry Tacori, Hearts on Fire, Le Vian, Fana, Pandora, Alex and Ani, a variety of watches including Breitling, Shinola, Philip Stein, Movado, Bulova, Citizen and more. Stop in to meet the passionate and dedicated family behind our fullservice jewelry store today. From left, co-owners and brothers Jeff and Scott, along with their father Meyer, the company founder.
IMAGE: MITSUBISHI
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
From left, Worthington Jewelers’ Bob Capace, owner, and Cheryl Claypool, marketing director; Dispatch Media Group’s Kelsey Elliot and Edwin Yang.
7
Greek Restaurant
Italian Restaurant
New Restaurant
Seafood Restaurant
Happy Hour
Kids Meal
Patio
Sports Bar
Ice Cream
Mexican Restaurant
Pizza
Steakhouse
#1 Top Pick Happy Greek Restaurant & Pub Top Picks King Gyros Greek Restaurant The Mad Greek
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Roosters Top Picks Local Cantina Matt the Miller’s Tavern
8
#1 Top Pick Graeter’s Top Picks Dairy Queen Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
#1 Top Pick Olive Garden Top Picks Marcella’s Spaghetti Warehouse
#1 Top Pick Chick-fil-A Top Picks McDonald’s Red Robin Gourmet Burgers #1 Top Pick El Vaquero Top Picks Chile Verde Café Local Cantina
#1 Top Pick Bibibop Asian Grill Top Picks Chef T’s Pub The Avenue Steak Tavern #1 Top Pick Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar Top Picks Barcelona Local Cantina #1 Top Pick Massey’s Pizza Top Picks Donatos Pizza Flyers Pizza & Subs
#1 Top Pick Columbus Fish Market Top Picks Mitchell’s Ocean Club Red Lobster #1 Top Pick Roosters Top Picks Buffalo Wild Wings Winking Lizard Tavern
#1 Top Pick Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse Top Picks Texas Roadhouse The Top Steak House
Sushi
#1 Top Pick FUSIAN Top Picks Akai Hana Haiku Poetic Food & Art
Sweets
Vegetarian
#1 Top Pick The Northstar Cafe Top Picks The Angry Baker Whole World Natural Restaurant & Bakery
#1 Top Pick The Andersons Top Picks Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant The Wine Bistro
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Allergist
#1 Top Pick Premier Allergy Top Picks Midwest Allergy Ohio ENT and Allergy Physicians
Barbershop #1 Top Pick Sports Clips
Top Picks Dublin Barber Shoppe Rex’s Barber Shop
Chiropractor
#1 Top Pick Columbus Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center Top Picks Dr. Michael Green, DC, Chiropractic Progressive Health & Rehab
Cosmetic Surgery Center #1 Top Pick Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Top Picks Central Ohio Plastic Surgery The Skin Center
Dentist
#1 Top Pick Grove City Family Dentistry Top Picks Dublin Dental Care The Gentle Dentist
Gym
#1 Top Pick YMCA Top Picks Planet Fitness Westerville Community Center
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Resch’s Bakery Top Picks Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. Mozart’s
Wine Selection
Hair Salon
#1 Top Pick The Charles Penzone Salons Top Picks Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas Salon Lofts
9
Hearing
Pharmacy/Drug Store
Hospital
Spa
#1 Top Pick Echo Hearing Systems & Audiology Top Picks Absolute Hearing Solutions Columbus Speech & Hearing Center
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Riverside Methodist Hospital Top Picks Nationwide Children’s Hospital The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Nutrition center
#1 Top Pick GNC Top Picks Central Ohio Nutrition Center Vitamin World
#1 Top Pick CVS Pharmacy Top Picks Kroger Pharmacy Walgreens Pharmacy
#1 Top Pick The Charles Penzone Salons Top Picks Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas The Woodhouse Day Spa
Sports Medicine
#1 Top Pick Orthopedic ONE Top Picks OhioHealth Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Physicians
Logan Services www.logan-inc.com
CBUS TOP PICKS — HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
Keeping customers comfortable since 1969 Logan Services is a local, familyowned residential heating and air conditioning business that’s been offering repair, replacement and routine maintenance to customers since 1969. Our team is here to treat you with respect and fix/install your system right the first time at a fair and affordable price. Our team is licensed, bonded and background checked, always giving attention to detail during each service call and new system installation. All
10
employees stay up-to-date with the latest HVAC trends and products. We’re passionate about home comfort by offering the latest technology and highest efficiencies in residential heating and cooling. We’ve partnered with the top brands in the HVAC industry because we are dedicated to 100% total customer satisfaction. We love what we do, and it’s a delight for all of us here at Logan Services to help keep our customers comfortable all year long.
IMAGE: MITSUBISHI
Logan A/C and Heat Services offers same-day estimates and next-day installation. Visit logan-inc.com or call now for a free, in-home consultation.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Sports Medicine
IN & AROUND THE HOUSE
Home Builders
Carpet Cleaning
#1 Top Pick Stanley Steemer Top Picks Martin Carpet Cleaning Master Clean
#1 Top Pick Levi’s 4 Floors Top Picks Lowe’s Home Improvement RiteRug Flooring
Garden Center
#1 Top Pick Oakland Nurseries Top Picks Dill’s Greenhouse Strader’s Garden Centers
Home Organization Company #1 Top Pick The Container Store Top Picks Lowe’s Home Improvement Menards
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Romanelli & Hughes Top Picks Bob Webb M/I Homes
Flooring
11
Home Security
#1 Top Pick ADT Security Services Top Picks AT&T SimpliSafe
Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Logan AC & Heat Services Top Picks Atlas Butler Heating & Cooling Favret Heating & Cooling
Insurance Company #1 Top Pick State Farm Top Picks Erie Insurance Nationwide Insurance
Landscape Company
Top Picks Herlihy Moving & Storage Leaders Moving & Storage Co.
#1 Top Pick Oakland Design Associates Top Picks Cedarbrook Landscaping & Garden Center Ciminello’s Landscaping & Garden Center
Painting Company
#1 Top Pick Buckeye House Painting Top Picks Above the Rest Touch of Color Painting
Mortgage Lenders
#1 Top Pick Huntington National Bank Top Picks Chase Bank Fifth Third Bank
Home Cleaning Service #1 Top Pick Molly Maid Top Picks Maid Brigade Stanley Steemer
Moving Company
#1 Top Pick TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
Realtor Company #1 Top Pick HER Realtors
Top Picks Cutler Real Estate Keller Williams (Classic Properties) Realty
Remodeling Company
#1 Top Pick Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers Top Picks Eagle Specialty Remodeling Simple Bath
Roofing Company #1 Top Pick Bone Dry Roofing Top Picks Able Roofing Feazel
Echo Hearing Systems & Audiology echohearing.com
CBUS TOP PICKS — HEARING CENTER
Improving quality of life through individual treatments
Echo Hearing Systems & Audiology has been helping families connect for more than 16 years, and it is our goal to help improve the quality of life for those suffering with hearing loss and impairment. Using top-of-the-line hearing instruments, our doctors of audiology develop individual treatment options that are in the best interest of each person that visits our office.
12
Incorporating state-of-the-art technology, testing and getting to know our patients and their individual needs, our personalized approach sets this practice apart from the rest. Echo Hearing Systems & Audiology operates five locations in the central Ohio area, including Worthington, Powell, Upper Arlington, Bexley and West Columbus.
IMAGE: MITSUBISHI
Senior Living
#1 Top Pick Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber Community Top Picks Friendship Village of Dublin National Church Residences
Window Company
KIDS & EDUCATION
Day Care or Preschool #1 Top Pick Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus
Top Picks Bishop Watterson High School St. Charles Preparatory School
Indoor Play Area
Student Tutoring
#1 Top Pick Sky Zone Trampoline Park Top Picks Magic Mountain Fun Centers Polaris Fashion Place
Kids Birthday Party Venue #1 Top Pick Sky Zone Trampoline Park Top Picks Chuck E. Cheese’s Magic Mountain Fun Centers
Private School
#1 Top Pick Sylvan Learning Top Picks Kumon Math & Reading Center The Tutoring Center
MADE IN CBUS
Bank
#1 Top Pick Huntington National Bank Top Picks Chase Bank PNC Bank
#1 Top Pick St. Francis DeSales High School
Columbus Event
#1 Top Pick Red, White & BOOM! Top Picks Columbus Arts Festival Ohio State Fair
Gourmet Dog Treats
#1 Top Pick Three Dog Bakery Top Picks Moochie & Co. Nom Nom Nom Natural Dog Treats
Hidden Gem
#1 Top Pick Inniswood Metro Gardens Top Picks Basi Italia Columbus Architectural Salvage
Thank you for voting us #1 in the CBUS TOP PICKS Hearing Category!
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Rosati Windows Top Picks Andersen Window-PermaView/A&D Building Materials/Windows Pella Windows and Doors
Top Picks The Goddard School Primrose Schools
Theresa Sokol Shevetz, AuD
Beth Harding, HIS • Theresa Sokol Shevetz, AuD • Karyn Sokol Flynn, AuD • Nancy Stewart, MS, CCC-A
BEXLEY WEST COLUMBUS POWELL WORTHINGTON UPPER ARLINGTON (614) 457-5848 www.echohearing.com
Karyn Sokol Flynn, AuD
13
Local Brewing Company
#1 Top Pick Columbus Brewing Company Top Picks Land-Grant Brewing Company Seventh Son Brewing
Local Dining
#1 Top Pick Cap City Fine Diner and Bar Top Picks Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar The Top Steak House
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
Local Entertainment
14
#1 Top Pick Columbus Funny Bone Top Picks Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza and Live Music Shadowbox Live
Why I Heart CBUS
#1 Top Pick It’s home Top Picks Not too big, not too little … just right. Lots to do
MEDIA
Cable & Satellite TV
#1 Top Pick Time Warner Cable Top Picks AT&T WOW Internet/Cable/Phone
Radio Personality
#1 Top Pick Dino & Stacy, Sunny 95 WSNY
Top Picks Dave & Jimmy Radio Show & Kelsey WNCI 97.9 Woody and the Wake-Up Call WCOL 92.3
Radio Station #1 Top Pick Sunny 95 WSNY Top Picks 92.3 WCOL 97.9 WNCI
Social Media Account To Follow
#1 Top Pick WBNS-10TV Top Picks The Columbus Dispatch WCMH-NBC4
TV Anchor
#1 Top Pick Colleen Marshall WCMH-NBC4 Top Picks Yolanda Harris WSYX-ABC6 Jerry Revish WBNS-10TV
TV Station
#1 Top Pick WBNS-10TV Top Picks WCMH-NBC4 WSYX -ABC 6
Weather Person
#1 Top Pick Chris Bradley (WBNS-10TV) Top Picks Jym Ganahl (WCMH-NBC4) Bill Kelly (WSXY-ABC6)
PETS
Day Care/Boarding
#1 Top Pick All Tails ‘R’ Waggin’ Top Picks Pet Palace Pet Boarding Resort PetSmart
Pet Grooming/Salon
Pet Photographer
#1 Top Pick Browning Photo Top Picks G10 Photography Renee Needham Photography
#1 Top Pick PetSmart Top Picks PetPeople Stores Pet Supplies Plus
Veterinary Hospital
#1 Top Pick The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center Top Picks Beechwold Veterinary Hospital MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets
SHOPPING & STORES
Arts & Crafts #1 Top Pick Hobby Lobby
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick PetSmart Top Picks All Tails ‘R’ Waggin’ Mutts & Co.
Pet Store
15
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
16
Clockwise from top left: Brad Harmon congratulates Grant Cassidy of Lindey’s restaurant; the CBUS Top Picks Gala was held at St. Charles Preparatory School on Dec. 7; Columbus Dispatch Editor Alan Miller; WCMH-NBC4 news anchor Colleen Marshall.
Top Picks Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores Michael’s
Top Picks DeSantis Florist Flowerama Columbus
Top Picks Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Whole Foods Market
Consignment Shop
Furniture
Home Improvement Store
#1 Top Pick Goodwill Columbus Top Picks One More Time Plato’s Closet
Farmers Market
Florist
#1 Top Pick Connells Maple Lee Flowers and Gifts
Grocery
#1 Top Pick Kroger Top Picks Market District (Giant Eagle) Meijer
Health Food Store #1 Top Pick Trader Joe’s
#1 Top Pick Lowe’s Home Improvement Top Picks The Home Depot Menards
Jewelery
#1 Top Pick Diamond Cellar Top Picks Meyers Jewelers Worthington Jewelers
#1 Top Pick Kohl’s Top Picks Macy’s Men’s Wearhouse
Shoes
#1 Top Pick DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Top Picks Kohl’s Nordstrom
Shopping Center, Destination #1 Top Pick Easton Town Center Top Picks The Mall at Tuttle Crossing Polaris Fashion Place
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick North Market Top Picks Grove City Farmers’ Market Worthington Farmer’s Market
#1 Top Pick FrontRoom Furnishings Top Picks Ashley HomeStore Hilliard’s Furniture Company
Men's Clothing
17
Women’s Clothing #1 Top Pick Kohl’s Top Picks Macy’s TJ Maxx
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Annual Sports Event #1 Top Pick Ohio State Buckeyes Football Top Picks Ohio State-Michigan Football Game The Memorial Tournament
Fan Experience Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
#1 Top Pick Ohio State University Football Top Picks Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Clippers
18
2016
Golf Course Private #1 Top Pick Muirfield Village Golf Club Top Picks Scioto Country Club The Ohio State University Golf Club
Golf Course Public
#1 Top Pick Blacklick Woods Golf Course Top Picks Cooks Creek Golf Course Safari Golf Course
Metro Park
#1 Top Pick Highbanks Metro Park Top Picks Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Inniswood Metro Gardens
Sports Team Fan Club
#1 Top Pick Ohio State University Buckeyes Top Picks Columbus Blue Jackets Ohio State University Football
Yoga Studio/ Specialty Fitness Studios #1 Top Pick YMCA Top Picks Yoga Happiness Yoga on High
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
We are sending our sweetest regards to you and yours for voting us as a Cbus Top Pick! Thank you, Columbus! Order Online www.anthony-thomas.com (614) 274-8405
Creature Comforts
Learn more at vet.osu.edu/vmc
The Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center has been reimagined with all the comforts of home, to ensure the best experience for you and your pets. Along with our ever present compassion and care, you’ll be greeted by: • Bright new lobby with comfortable furniture • Pet-friendly flooring and water fountain • Welcoming fireplace
24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Advanced specialty veterinary services
• Children’s play area • Separate cat waiting rooms • Work stations and free WiFi
2016
• Interactive video wall • Multiple television monitors • Natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows
614-292-3551 (dogs & cats) 601 Vernon L. Tharp Street, Columbus, OH 43210
19
THANKS COLUMBUS!
Dispatch Special Sections | Sunday December 18, 2016
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING ATLAS BUTLER AS A TOP PICK FOR ALL OF YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS
More than 95% of the time, we can repair or replace your system the day you call.
Your furnace can stop working at any time. That’s why Atlas Butler offers the Same-Day Comfort Pledge. Call us any time, day or night, weekends or holidays, and we’ll get you up and running the same day without any after-hours or overtime service ACCREDITATIONS AND AWARDS
20