Readers' Choice 2023

Our Readers Have Voted

READERS’ CHOICE 2023: UNVEILING YOUR WINNERS!

TPI readers have spoken, the votes have been tallied and it is now time to reveal the winners of the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards - a must-see special section spotlighting the best of the best that our communities have to offer. We invite you to browse through the winners and find your favorites that have been honored and new places you want to visit. Enjoy!

2023 READERS’ CHOICE WINNERS

New Restaurant (One Year or Less) - The Funky Goat

Teacher - Cindy Jackson - Tallapoosa County Board of Education

Cold Beer - The Local at 41 Main

BBQ - Sho-Nuff

Burger [Non Chain], Ice Cream Sundae, Milk Shake - Dairy Creem

Hotdog - Ernie’s

Mexican [Non Chain] - Cazadores

Pizza - Lake Martin Pizza

Seafood - The Wharf

Wine Seller - Grain & Leaf

Elected Official - Talmedge East

Principal - Chris Hand

Realtor - Katelynne Dean

Female Owned Business, Minority Owned Bus, New Business (One Year or Less), Overall Best Business, Boat Repair - Jacksons’ Gap

Boat Storage and Marine Services

Self Storage - Dadeville Storage and Marine Services

Lakefront Dining - The Landing

Marina - Bay Pines Marina

Non-Profit - Meals on Wheels

Overall Best Restaurant - Oskar’s

Tattoo Studio - Excelsior Ink

CBD/Vape Shop - Rabbit Hole

Excavating/Grading Service - Lake Martin Mulching & Excavating

Garden Center - Floyd’s Feed & Seed

Hardware-Building Store - Lake Martin Building Supply

Home Builder - M&M Construction Co

Home Security - Lake Martin Surveillance

Landscaping - Lawn Service - Giddens Lawn Service

Paint Store - Sherwin Williams

Tree Service - Easterwood Tree Service

Home Healthcare - Ivy Creek

Medical Supplies - ROTECH

Pediatrician - Dr Tyler

Hospice - Ivy Creek Hospice

Dance Company - Barbara’s Studio of Dance

Event Center - The Mitchell House

Used Automobile Dealer - Kerley Motor Co

Barber Shop - Donna B’s

Computers/Electronics, Computer/Electronic Repair - Caldwell Electronics

Gift Shop - Jackson Drugs

Thrift-Consignment - Longleaf Antique Mall

Real Estate Agency - Lake Area Realty

Wedding Venue - Azalea Cove

Minister - Josh Sammons

Asian Cuisine - Sakura Bistro

Bakery - Sweet Gaga’s

Breakfast - Huddle House

Caterer - Koon’s

Catfish, Fried Chicken - Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers

Coffee - Scooter’s Coffee

Cole Slaw - Buck’s

Deli - Carlisle

Italian - Castelluccio’s Fine Italian Dining

Steak - Jake’s

Treats & Sweets - Daylight Donuts

Wings - The Station’s Best Attorney - Jason Jackson

Bartender - Mark Gillilland

Tax Preparer, Accountant - Dianne Naler

Bar - Ocie & Belle’s

Convenience Store/Gas Station - Cherokee Quick Stop

Diner - Who’s Diner

Fitness Center/Gym - Planet Fitness

Hotel/Motel - Hampton Inn

Financial Advisor - David Willis - Raymond James

Law Firm - Radney/Radney & Jackson

Furniture Store - Lake Martin Liquidation

Pool Service - Ricky Kelly

Closing Agency - The Closing Agency

Counseling Service - Healing Hearts

Dental Clinic - Alex City Dental Care

Dental Hygienist - Tasha Jackson

Orthodontist - Dr Harrell

Date Night Activity, Family Entertainment - Playhouse Cinemas

Auto Body Repair - Zajac

Auto Glass Repair - Henderson Glass

Oil Change - Wyatt

Insurance Agent - Sheila Martin

Car Wash - Eddie & B’s

Towing - Henderson Towing

Childcare/Daycare - Jacob’s Ladder

Dry Cleaner - Town & Country

Feed Store - Abernathy Farm

Martial Arts - United Arts

Nail Salon - Kimle Nails

Printing Services - Service Printing

Sewing/Alterations - Lolita Still

Staffing Agency - Onin Staffing Agency

Tanning Salon - Lake Martin Tan Bar

Appliance Dealer - Presley Appliance & Furniture

Boutique, Women’s Fashion - Downtown Girl

Cigars - Emporium Wine

Florist - Grace’s

Hunting Supplies, Men’s Clothing, Sporting Goods - Sure Shot

Jewelry - Cloud Nine

Shoes - Shoe Department

Lunch, Fast Food, Place to Work - Chick-fil-a

Optometrist/Ophthalmologist - Dr James Noble- Russel Medical

Fresh Produce - Alex City Farmers Market

Cleaning Services - Mullins Pristine Clean, LLC

Children’s Apparel - Two Grateful Hearts

Auto Salesperson - Jason Tapley

College Professor - Maribeth Farr

Law Enforcement Officer - Tyler Lashley

Local Author - Angela Mullins

Apartment Community - Hillabee Towers

Rehabilitation Center - Brown Nursing Home

Golf Course - Lakewinds

Bank, Mortgage Company - River Bank & Trust

Credit Union - Heritage South Credit Union

Insurance Agency - State Farm-Karen Channell

Carpet-Flooring Store - Holman Floor

Electrical Services - C&T Electric

Heating & AC Services - Channell Comfort Heating & Cooling

Home Design Services - Jes & Gray

Home Inspection - Lake Martin Inspections

Lawn/Garden Equipment - Satterfield

Pest Control - Top Gun Pest Control

Plumber - Worthy Plumbing

Roofing Company - Dunning Roofing

Chiropractor - Kerley Chiropractor

Dermatologist - Dr Mackey

Hospital, Urgent Care - Russell Medical

Massage Therapist - Noel Boone

Nurse - Brandi Worthy

Nurse Practitioner - Sheena Hunter

Assisted Living/Nursing Home - Chapman

OBGYN - Dr Dix

Pharmacy - Hometown Pharmacy

Physician - Dr Justin Vines

Party Rentals - Lake Martin Wedding & Event Rentals

Travel Agency - Fairytale Journeys

Auto Parts - Thomas Auto

Auto Service/Repair, Tire Center - S&S

New Automobile Dealer - Bice

Boat Dealer - AC Marine

Equipment Rental - Russell Do It

Funeral Home - Radney Funeral Home

Grocery - Renfroe’s

Salon - BeYoutiful

Pet Groomer, Pet Boarder - Southern Star Pet Grooming and Boarding

Veterinarian - Wayside Animal Hospital

ATV Dealer - Russell Marine

Monuments - Whatley’s Monument

Firefighter - Stephen Caldwell

Photographer - Megan Mullins

Administrative Assistant - Amber Walker

Coach - Julie Turner

Hair Stylist - Haley Martin

Server - Weil Thornburg

Volunteer - Tara Bramblett Taylor Newberry

Place to Worship - Family Worship Center

Physical Therapist - Baley Moseley

Live Music Venue - Strand Park

Local Artist - Charles Forbus

Local Band - Blackberry Breeze

BEST PLACE TO WORK: CHICK-FIL-A

Lizi Arbogast Gwin / Tallapoosa Publishers

Planet Fitness won this year’s award for Best Gym/ Fitness Center. Pictured are Hayley Marbury and club manager Sharlia Marbury.

BEST MARINA: BAY PINES

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines was named the Best Marina. It is located in Jackson’s Gap.

BEST COACH: JULIE TURNER

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers Julie Turner has been the longtime volleyball coach at Horseshoe Bend, and this year she was named the Best Coach in the Reader’s Choice Awards.

BEST ATV DEALER: RUSSELL MARINE

Lizi Arbogast Gwin / Tallapoosa Publishers

Russell Marine in Alex City was named the Best ATV Dealer. Pictured are, from left, Sarah Baker, Linda Hardman and Wanda Farmer.

BEST BARBECUE: SHO-NUFF BBQ

Lizi Arbogast Gwin / Tallapoosa Publishers

Sno-Nuff BBQ is a staple in Alexander City, and it has been named the Best Barbecue in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Pictured are, from left, Margie Crawford, Anthony Channell, Hayley Sanford and Jessica Woodard.

Jackson Drugs has been serving Tallapoosa County for more than 20 years not just as a great pharmacy but also a great place to go for gifts, souvenirs and home decor.

BEST GIFTS: JACKSON DRUGS

Lizi Arbogast Gwin / Tallapoosa Publishers

BEST MEXICAN: CAZADORES

Submitted / The Outlook

Cazadores has been named the Best Mexican Restaurant in this year’s contest. Pictured are Edi Santiz, Melissa

Macias and Loren Mendez.

BEST TEACHER:

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers

Cindy Jackson teaches fifth grade and is beloved by students and faculty alike.

BEST STAFFING AGENCY ONIN STAFFING

William Marlow / Tallapoosa Publishers Onin Staffing has a great staff that is ready to serve you.

DEDIC ATED POLITE WORKERS CLE VER S TUDENTS YOUNG RELIABLE DYNAMIC GRE AT

ARTISTIC PEOPLE READ THE PAPER.

BEST VOLUNTEER: TARABRAMBLETTNEWBERRY

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers Tara Bramblett, right, is known best for her Black Dog Rescue. She is pictured with her husband Jack and granddaughter McKinley.

BEST PLACE TO WORK CHICK-FIL-A

Not only was Chick-fil-A voted the best place to work, it was also named the Best Lunch

William Marlow / Tallapoosa Publishers

and Best Fast Food.

BEST JEWELRY: CLOUD NINE

Abigail Murphy / Tallapoosa Publishers

Amanda Silavent, Cloud Nine manager, poses next to some of the store’s jewelry collection. Cloud Nine won for Best Jewelry.

BEST TOWING: HENDERSON TOWING

Submitted / Tallapoosa

Henderson Towing was named the Best Towing Service. Pictured are, from left, Andrea Snyder, Kim Henderson, Jesse Henderson, Antwan Hardnett and Joshua Pratt.

BEST CHIROPRACTOR KERLEY CLINICOF CHIROPRACTIC

Cliff Williams / Tallapoosa Publishers

Dr. Andrew Kerley, left, and Sarah Kerley won best chiropractor as Kerley Chiropractor. The practice is located in Alexander City.

TAL EAST

Tal East serves as the probate judge in Tallapoosa County and intends to run for reelection this year. East is well-known in the area as he attends tons of events and gets involved with the community.

File / Tallapoosa Publishers