A special publication of The Herald-News
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
A Celebration of the Businesses and People Who Make Our Community Great!
Every community has businesses, organizations, and individuals who go above and beyond to serve their neighbors. They are the places we recommend to friends, the professionals we trust with our families, and the local establishments that make our hometown special.
That is why we are so proud to present this year’s Best of the Best Awards.
Unlike many recognitions, these honors are not chosen by a panel of judges— they are chosen by you. Thousands of votes from members of our community determined the Top 3 finalists in each category, making this a true reflection of the businesses and people who have earned the confidence, loyalty, and appreciation of those they serve every day.
Being named among the Top 3 is an accomplishment in itself. It represents months and years of dedication, hard work, outstanding customer service, and a commitment to excellence. Whether a business takes home first place or is recognized as a finalist, each honoree should be incredibly proud of the trust and support shown by the community.
This special newspaper section celebrates those achievements and preserves them as a lasting record of local excellence. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting hometown businesses that invest in our neighborhoods, create jobs, sponsor local events, and strengthen our local economy.
Our Best of the Best Awards event which was held on June 15th, gave us the opportunity to gather together and recognize these deserving winners in person. It was an evening dedicated not only to announcing rankings but also to celebrating the spirit of community and the relationships that make our area such a wonderful place to live and work.
To everyone who cast a vote—thank you for participating and helping shine a spotlight on excellence in our community. To all of the nominees and winners—congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed.
Congratulations to the 2026 Winners! We are honored to share your stories and celebrate your success, and we look forward to the 2027 Best of the Best Awards celebration.
Car Wash
1.The Soapy Rag Carwash
2. GSudz Detailing
3. Whistlestop Express
Muffler Shop
1. Jimmy’s Pro Muffler
Oil Change Shop
1.Total Auto Care
2. Express Lube
3. Hi-Tech
Tire Store
1.Total Auto Care
2. Bradley Tire Company
3. Spring City Auto Care
Transmission Shop
1.Total Auto Care
2.Transmissions Plus
Wrecker/Towing Service
1.Tracy’s Towing
2. Bo’s Wrecker Service
COMMUNITY
Civic Club
1. Rhea County Historical Society
2. Dayton Chamber Of Commerce Ambassadors
3. Dayton Rotary Club
Daycare Facility
1. Boys & Girls Clubs
2. Little Learners
3. Bright Beginnings Academy
Event/Wedding Venue
1.Trinity Chapel & Events
2. Rustic Farms
3.Venue 27
Industry
1. Nokian Tyres
2. Monkeytown Inflatables
3. La-Z-Boy Inc.
Laundry Mat
1. City Quick Wash
2. Coin Laundry Spring City
Local Event
1. Strawberry Festival
2. Let It Glow - Stumbo & Co.
3. Rhea County Fair
Local Non-Profit
1. Rhea of Hope Food Pantry
2. Boys & Girls Clubs (Ocoee Region - Rhea Co
Unit)
3.The Care Center
Most Community Involved Business
1. Rhea County Tourism
2. Keener Marketing, Inc.
3. La-Z-Boy Inc
Place to Work
1. First Financial Bank
2. Keener Marketing, Inc.
2. Dayton Drug and Wellness
3.The Veranda Assisted Living
Public Servant
1. Michelle Ray - Spring
City Chamber of Commerce
2. Ron Travis - State Representative
3. Debbie ChamberlandRhea of Hope
FITNESS & BEAUTY
Barber Shop
1. Kut ‘N’ Up Barbershop
2. Studio 44
3. Premier Cuts Barbershop
Beauty Salon
1. KC Studios
2. Studio 44
3. Mane Attractions
Health & Fitness Center
1. Rhea County Community Center
2. Workout Anytime 24/7
3. Hammer Time Fitness
Nail Salon
1. KC Studios
2. Pretty & Polished
3.The Gel Junkie
Nutrition Center
1. Spring City Nutrition
2. Downtown Dayton Nutrition
3. ICE Ninja’s
Tanning Salon
1. KC Studios
2. Glowen Tan
3. Posh Salon
Weight Loss Clinic
1. Rhea Health PLLC
2. Nurse Wellness Collective
3. Rhea Medical Specialty Center
FOOD & DINING Asian Restaurant
1.Yamato Japanese Restaurant
2. China Panda Buffet
Bakery
1. Master Donuts of Dayton
2. Claire’s Sweet E’s
3. Sweet Southern Treats and More
Barbecue Place
1. MO MO’s Bar BQ
2. Banjo’s BBQ
3. Alexander’s BBQ
1. BB’s Cafe
2. Hardee’s
3. Bojangles
Catering
1. Evelyn’s Catering
2. Bryan College Catering
3. Oren’s Orchard Cafe and Catering
Chicken
1. Piggly Wiggly Deli
2. Zaxby’s
3. KFC
Coffee
1. Glory Coffee
2. Drip Kitchen & Coffee
3. Jennings Coffee & Tea
Desserts
1. Master Donuts of Dayton
2. Cookies & Cream
3. Dayton Coffee Shop
Fish & Seafood Restaurant
1. Carrabelles
2. Nick’s Lakeside Grill
3. Captain D’s
French Fries
1. Monkey Town Brewing Co.
2. BB’s Cafe
3. McDonald’s
Hamburgers
1. Monkey Town Brewing Co.
2. Xanders Restaurant
3. BB’s Cafe
Home Cookin’ Restaurant
1. Dayton Coffee Shop
2. BB’s Cafe
3. Screen Door Kitchen
Hot Dogs
1. Xander’s
2. Kenny’s Bar & Grill
3. MO MO’S Bar BQ
Mexican Restaurant
1. Delia’s Mexican Restaurant
2. El Toro Mexican Restaurant
3. La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Overall Restaurant
1. Monkey Town Brewing Company
2. BB’s Cafe
3. Screen Door Kitchen
Pizza Place
1. 1st Avenue Pizza
2. Pizza King
3. Domino’s
Salad Bar
1. Pizza King
2. Bryan College Cafeteria
3. Food City
Sandwiches
1. BB’s Cafe
2. Drip Kitchen & Coffee
3. Firehouse Subs
Shakes/Malts
1. Cookies & Cream
2. Sweet Johnie’s Sweet Treats & More
3. Sonic
Steaks
1. Carrabelles
2. Screen Door Kitchen
3. Winstead’s American Grill Wings
1. Referees Sports Bar & Grill
2. Long Hollow Grill
3. Nick’s Lakeside Grill
Chiropractic Clinic
1. McCartney Family Chiropractic
2. Reid and Reid Chiropractic
3. Dayton Chiropractic Clinic
Dental Office
1. Richland Creek Dental
2. Spring City Dental
3. Dayton Dental Center
Eye Care Center
1. Eyes on Main
2. Specs in the City
3. Walmart Vision Center
Home Care Agency
1. Amedisys Home Health
2. Adoration Home health
Hospice Care Agency
1. Hearth Hospice
2. Hospice of Chattanooga
3. Amedysis Hospice
Hospital or Medical Clinic
1. Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
2. Nurse Wellness Collective
3. Fast Paced Urgent Care
Massage Therapy Clinic
1. Graceful Holistic Massage
2. KC Studios Massage
Nursing Home
1. Life Care Center of Rhea County
2. Spring City Care and Rehabilitation Center
3. Laurelbrook Nursing Home
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Assisted Living Facility
1.The Veranda Assisted Living
2. GoldenYears
3.The Courtyard at Deer Ridge
Audiology Clinic / Hearing Aid Store
1. Beltone Hearing Center
2. Digital Hearing Services
Pharmacy/Drug Store
1. Dayton Drug & Wellness
2. Hassler’s Drugs
3. Spring City Pharmacy
Physical Therapy Clinic
1. Omni Rehab
2. Professional Therapy Services
3. OrthoSport + Spine
Physical Therapy
Fisher Construction Landscape & Lawn Care Service
1. Real Deal Tackle 2. Big Daddy Bait Campground
1. Blue Water RV Resort & Marina 2. Rhea Springs Campground 3. Boo & Bitty’s Campground
/ Motel
Sleep Inn & Suites
Lender
1.Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union 2. First Financial Bank 3. Corinthian Mortgage Group
OUTDOOR
HOBBIES & RECREATION Bait & Tackle Shop
& SHOPPING
Antique Store
1.The Gathering Place
2. Winsome Stroll Market
3. Jeff Hill Estate Sales
Artwork / Framing Store 1. Art Crafters
Boutique
1.
2.
3.
Consignment
1.
2. Bargain Blessings
Convenience
1. Eagle
2.
3.
Florist
1.
2.
3.
Gifts
1.
2.
3. Winsome
Market
Grocery Store
1. Food City
2. Piggly Wiggly
3. United Grocery Outlet
Home Healthcare Supplies
1. Dayton Drug & Wellness
2. Hassler’s Drugs
3. Earthy Attributes
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Accountant
1. Lisa Daniel - Southeast Bank
2. Cara Roberson - C&C Accounting Solutions
3. Lisa Doss - Morrison & Morrison
Attorney
1. Chelse B. Reed - Law Office of Chelse B. Reed
2. Elizabeth Adams - Elizabeth Greer Adams Law Group
3. John Michael Deakins - Law Office of John Michael Deakins
Auctioneer
1. Doug Colvin - Golden Eagle Auction House
2. Jeff Hill - Jeff Hill Estate Sales
Automotive Technician
1.Tom Schrimpsher - Total Care Auto
2. Mike Ritchie - Hi-Tech Tire
3. Kyle Hendricks - NAPA Spring City
Bank / Credit Union Teller
1. Scott Hartman – TVFCU
2. Kristie Mize - First Financial Bank
3. Phillip Hall - First Financial Bank
3. Brenda Guffey - First Farmers & Commercial Bank
Barber
1. Beth Kearns - Kut ‘N’ Up Barbershop
2. Dana Shaver - Studio 44
3. Bobby Beard - Eagle’s Nest Barbershop
Beautician / Hair Stylist
1. Amber Sledge - KC Studios
2. Dana Shaver - Studio 44
3. Alicia Fuller - Mane Attractions
Chiropractor
1. Dr. Matt McCartney - McCartney Chiropractic
2. Dr.Tim Henry - Dayton Chiropractic Clinic
3. Dr. Henry Reid - Reid Chiropractic Clinic
Dental Hygienist
1. Jodi Beasley - Spring City Dental
2. Briley Frady - Richland Creek Dental
3. Sydney Dodson - Richland Creek Dental
Dentist
1. Dr. McKenzie Boling - Richland Creek Dental
2. Dr. Ryan Tutor - Dayton Dental Center
3. Dr. Greg Osmundsen - Spring City Dental
Insurance Agent
1. Jeromy Hixson - Jeromy Hixson Farm Bureau, Spring City
2. Greg Walker - Gregory Walker Farm Bureau, Dayton
3. Kim Garrett - TriStar Senior Advisors
Loan Officer
1. Nanette Noe - First Financial Bank
2. David Lytle - Lytle Loans
3. Michelle Luke - First Community Mortgage
Local Hero
1. Holly Didona-Crump - Keener Marketing, Inc.
2. Shannon Price - Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
3. Kyle Argo - Rhea County Emergency Management
Massage Therapist
1. Rebekah Peters - KC Studios
2. Carmen Brown - Carmen M. Brown, LMT
3. Cindy Robinson - Graceful Holistic Massage
Nurse
1. Renee Argo - Hearth Hospice
2. Jalynn Cagle - Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
3. Ellie Lytle - Firefly Pediatrics
Nurse Practitioner
1. Jennifer Shaver - Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
2. Sarah Green - Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
3. Brittany Cannon - Dr. Black’s Office
Optometrist / Ophthalmologist
1. Nicole Kammyer - Eyes on Main
2. Brad Shaffer - Eyes on Main
3. Rhonda Gross - Specs in the City
Pharmacist
1. Ryan Smith - Rhea Medical Center
2. Seth Zimmerman - Spring City Pharmacy
3. LeaAnne Perez - Hassler’s Drugs
Real Estate Agent
1.Teresa Congioloso - Keller Williams River to River
2. Angie Stumbo - Stumbo & CO
3. James Maddox - Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty
Veterinarian
1. Dr. Matthew Sachs - Spring City Pet Care
2. Dr. Elizabeth Price - South Rhea Animal Hospital
3. Dr. Amanda Roddy - Rhea Pet Medical Center
Bank
1. SouthEast Bank
2. First Financial Bank
3. First Farmers & Commercial Bank
Cash Advance Service
1. Cash Express
2. Security Finance
Credit Union
1.Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union
2. River Valley AGCredit Union
Physician
1. Dr. Daniel Logan - Logan Family Medicine
2. Dr. JohnYager - Rhea Medical Center
Physician Group
3. Dr. Christopher Horton - Horton Medical Office
Physician Assistant
1. Elizabeth Dede-Deleonardis - Rhea Medical Center Physician Group
SERVICES
Accounting / Bookkeeping / Tax Service
1. Ellis & Ellis, LLC
2. C&C Accounting Services
3. Morrison & Morrison
Bail Bonds Company
1. Massengale Bonding
2. Out Quick Bonding
Employment Agency
1. Customer Driven Staffing
2. Express Employment Professionals
Finance / Loan Company
1. Lytle Loans
2. Security Finance Dayton
3. Corinthian Mortgage Group
Financial & Investment Service
1. Money Concepts
2. Edward Jones Scott Bowers
3. Edward Jones Brandon Boyd
1.
2.Vanderwall Funeral
3.Vaughn Funeral Home
Housekeeping / Cleaning Service
1. All Cleaned Up Housekeeping
2. Down Home Cleaning Co.
3. Dust Bunny Cleaning
1. Jeromy Hixson Farm Bureau Spring City 2. Paramount Title Services, LLC 3. Greg Walker Farm Bureau Dayton
Firm
1. Elizabeth Greer Adams Law Firm
2.The Law Office of Chelsea B. Reed
3. John Michael Deakins Law Office
Martial Arts School
1. Master Johnson’s Taekwondo Academy
2. Parks Isshinryu Karate
Monument Company
1. Dayton Monuments Inc.
Pawn Shop
1. Cash America Pawn
Personal Loans
1. SouthEast Bank
2. First Financial Bank,TVFCU
3. Lytle Loans
Photography Studio
1. Julia Henderson Photography
2. Maddoux & Co. Photography
3. Sumerlin Photography
Printing / Sign / Graphics Company
1. Keener Marketing, Inc.
2. Sign Solutions
3. J2 Graphics
Real Estate Agency
1. Stumbo & CO. Realty
2. Keller Williams Ridge to River
3. Bishop Realty LLC
Storage Facility
1. Dayton Self Storage
2. Storehouse Rentals
3. Golden Eagle Storage
Veterinary Clinic
1. Spring City Pet Care
2. South Rhea Animal Hospital
3. Rhea Pet Medical Center
Lisa Cox, Owner
Herald-News photos by Reed Johnson
Chelse B. Reed
