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CONTENTS
4 12
FOOD & DRINK
A newcomer might have taken home the award for Best Restaurant, but several seasoned food and drink establishments that have won top honors in years past got another Boot to add to their collection.
HEALTH & FITNESS
This category has it all — from a cancer doctor known for his compassion and a throwback pharmacy that treats its customers like family to pet groomers who literally jumped for joy when they learned they were finalists.
16
SHOP
If you are looking for the perfect gift for the vintage lover in your life or you want to buy something made by a group of women with "a story," check out the winners in this category.
20
PLAY
A Downtown Goldsboro tattoo parlor made a major splash and one of Wayne County's most beloved local musicians took home top honors as he prepares to chase his dream in Nashville.
24
PUBLIC SERVICE
They do not do what they do for honors, awards, and accolades, but tens of thousands of voters ensured these public servants got some much-deserved attention anyway.
26
SERVICES
A photographer who has won this competition every year is joined by some new faces — including a former high school basketball star who has turned into one of the community's must-watch entrepreneurs.
We started Best of the Boot as a love letter, of sorts, to the community we call home at a time when the world was seemingly falling apart.
A global pandemic was pushing places like Wayne County to the brink — creating a disconnect between neighbors and threatening the livelihoods of those who run the family-owned businesses that, in many ways, define this little slice of Eastern North Carolina.
The contest was our way of generating buzz for those establishments — an excitement that, perhaps, would inject some life into places that were fighting for their survival.
But we had no idea, back then, that Best of the Boot would become a phenomenon — that thousands upon thousands of votes would pour in and men and women would shed tears when they received their Finalist stickers.
We never could have imagined the impact it would have on the many friends and neighbors who have sent us notes thanking us for allowing their patrons to honor them.
Well, here were are.
And this year, another chapter was added to the Best of the Boot story.
Earlier this year, just before this magazine was set to go to press, Hurricane Helene devastated countless lives and businesses in Western North Carolina, Tennessee, and beyond.
Sure, Wayne County dodged that bullet.
But many local businesses felt the downstream impacts of that horrendous act of God.
We were among them.
Our magazine partner — the team we have worked with since New Old North began printing the many magazines
we have produced over these many years — took some severe damage.
And it looked, for a moment, like they might fold.
They gave us an opportunity to take our business elsewhere to avoid what would become a serious delay in our release of the list of winners for this year's Best of the Boot.
They told us to take a few days to think it over.
Well, it only took a matter of seconds for us to respond.
There was no way, we told them, that we could live with knowing that our dollars — money that might have an impact on their ability to rebuild — would be spent with someone else.
Nobody, we told them, could match the quality our customers have come to expect.
And more importantly, loyalty means something to the New Old North team.
So, we took the hit — understanding that we would likely receive some questions from folks who were eager to know just who won "the boot."
But we did so because of what this contest was born out of — a desire to stand arm and arm with those facing desperate times in the wake of COVID.
We did so because here in Wayne County, many have their own stories about a storm that nearly took everything away from them.
And we did so to show our magazine partner that there is hope when we all stick together — when we stare adversity in the face and pick up the pieces with tears in our eyes.
Your patience allowed us to send that message.
It's another reason we are so grateful to call this community home.
And you should all be proud that this community — one that wears its own scars from Mother Nature's wrath — will forever be a part of the survival of one of our neighbors to the west.
BEST
RESTAURANT
THE BOROUGH
115 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro
2nd PLACE: Brisas Latin Cuisine
3rd PLACE: The Laughing Owl
HONORABLE MENTION: The Plow House
One of Goldsboro's newest eateries was packed every single night for its first few months in business and when it came time to vote for the best restaurant in Wayne County, it looked like those who tasted what the Strickland family is offering at The Borough enjoyed every single bite — and the love their team of friends puts onto every plate.
Fo o d & D r in k
BEST BURGER
P.T.’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE
2134 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Hwy 55
3RD PLACE: Three65 Bar & Grill
HONORABLE MENTION: Terry’s Tasty Shoppe
BEST SEAFOOD
VAILHOUSE OYSTER BAR AND GRILLE
301 North Spence Avenue, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Jay’s Kitchen
3RD PLACE: Mayflower Seafood Restaurant
HONORABLE MENTION: McCall’s BBQ & Seafood
BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH CHICK-FIL-A
1201 North Berkeley Boulevard, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Borough
3RD PLACE: P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille
HONORABLE MENTION: Zaxby’s
BEST SANDWICH (NOT CHICKEN)
GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO. 1721 East Ash Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Jersey Mike’s
3RD PLACE: The Borough
HONORABLE MENTION: Skullies Street Q
BEST BBQ SANDWICH GRADY’S
3096 Arrington Bridge Road, Dudley
2ND PLACE: Wilber’s Barbecue
3RD PLACE: Adam’s Roadside BBQ
HONORABLE MENTION: The Borough
BEST BBQ JOINT GRADY’S BBQ
3096 Arrington Bridge Road, Dudley
2ND PLACE: Wilber’s BBQ
3RD PLACE: Adam’s Roadside BBQ
HONORABLE MENTION: Smithfield’s Chicken ’N BAR-B-Q
GRADY'S
BROOKLYN PIZZERIA
VAILHOUSE
BEST FRENCH FRIES
P.T.’S OLDE FASHIONED GRILLE
2134 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Chick-fil-A
3RD PLACE: Hwy 55
HONORABLE MENTION: Terry’s Tasty Shoppe
BEST BREAKFAST SPOT
EAGLETOWN GRILL
516 N.C.-581 South, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Lantern Inn
3RD PLACE: B&G Grill
HONORABLE MENTION: Kathy's Kitchen
BEST ASIAN FOOD
THE LAUGHING OWL
100 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Nai Thai 2
3RD PLACE: Jay’s Kitchen
HONORABLE MENTION: Wafu Japanese Steakhouse
BEST PIZZA
BROOKLYN PIZZERIA
912 North Spence Avenue, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Brick’s Woodfired Pizza
3RD PLACE: Pizza Inn
HONORABLE MENTION: Up North Pizzeria
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
MEZCALITO
808 North Berkeley Boulevard, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: La Terraza
3RD PLACE: Dos Marias Grill & Cantina
HONORABLE MENTION: Torero’s Mexican Restaurant
BEST STEAK
CARL & ’CHELLE’S GRILL ROOM
702 Corporate Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Village Steakhouse
3RD PLACE: Longhorn Steakhouse
HONORABLE MENTION: Texas Roadhouse
BEST DONUTS
KRISPY KREME
2607 East Ash Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Dunkin’
3RD PLACE: Mickey’s Pastry Shop
HONORABLE MENTION: Café Le Doux
Fo o d & D r in k
BEST BREWERY
GBW: THE FILLING STATION
118 West Chestnut Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: R&R Brewing Co.
3RD PLACE: Goldsboro Brew Works
HONORABLE MENTION: Well Travelled Beer
BEST COCKTAILS
CHURCH SPIRITS & COCKTAILS
136 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Borough
3RD PLACE: The Laughing Owl
HONORABLE MENTION: Brisas Latin Cuisine
BEST ICE CREAM
STAY SWEET BAKERY
469 Buck Swamp Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Heritage Farms General Store
3RD PLACE: Sweet Frog
HONORABLE MENTION: Cry Freedom Missions
BEST BARTENDERS
CHURCH SPIRITS & COCKTAILS
136 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Laughing Owl
3RD PLACE: The Borough
HONORABLE MENTION: The Owlamo
BEST COFFEE
GYPSY BEAN COFFEE SHOP
114 South Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Labrar Coffee Company
3RD PLACE: Café Le Doux
HONORABLE MENTION: Dunkin'
BEST BARISTAS
GYPSY BEAN COFFEE SHOP
114 South Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Labrar Coffee Company
3RD PLACE: Café Le Doux
HONORABLE MENTION: Starbucks (Wayne Memorial Drive)
GYPSY BEAN COFFEE SHOP
BEST DESSERT CAFÉ LE DOUX
506A North Spence Avenue, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Stay Sweet
3RD PLACE: Legacy Cakes and Courtesies
HONORABLE MENTION: Turtle Creek Trading Company
A classically-trained French pastry chef and her coffee-loving partner opened up Cafe Le Doux in an attempt to provide a "quiet little coffee shop" for their friends and neighbors to enjoy. They had no idea that their business would become so popular that they ould outgrow their location in less than a year.
BEST PRODUCE COUNTRY FRUIT STAND #3
303 Goldsboro Street, Pikeville
2ND PLACE: Farm Credit Farmers Market
3RD PLACE: Elroy Farms Market
HONORABLE MENTION: Odom Farming Co.
BEST CATERER THE PLOW HOUSE
3524 Highway 13 South, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Adams Roadside BBQ
3RD PLACE: Chick-fil-A
HONORABLE MENTION: Artis Daily Bread
BEST FOOD TRUCK SKULLIES STREET Q Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Brick’s Woodfired Pizza
3RD PLACE: Gents’ Bounty BBQ
HONORABLE MENTION: Jimmy’s Cookin Shack
BEST DOCTOR
DR. SAMER KASBARI
Southeastern Medical Oncology Center 203 Cox Boulevard, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Dr. Stephen Lies — UNC Health Wayne
3RD PLACE: Dr. Hervy Kornegay Jr. — Immediate Care of Goldsboro
HONORABLE MENTION: Dr. Thad West — UNC Health Wayne
This is not the first time Dr. Samer Kasbari has received Best of the Boot honors and based on the many notes we have received about the care he provides his patients, it's understandable. Cancer might be a word that brings even the toughest among us to their knees, but Kasbari and his team at SMOC have a simple answer to the fear that accompanies
BEST NURSE
HOLLY HARDEE
Gentiva Hospice
2ND PLACE: Marquita Ingram — UNC Health Wayne
3RD PLACE: Dorisa Couling — Southeastern Medical Oncology
HONORABLE MENTION: Stephanie Sauls — UNC Health Wayne
BEST FITNESS CENTER
ELITE PHYSIQUE FITNESS
1705 East Ash Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Gold’s Gym
3RD PLACE: Planet Fitness
HONORABLE MENTION: SJAFB Fitness Center
BEST PHARMACY
DOWNTOWN PHARMACY
151 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Wayne Pharmacy
3RD PLACE: Rosewood Pharmacy
HONORABLE MENTION: Harris Teeter
BEST VETERINARIAN WAYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
2004 U.S. Highway 117 Bypass North
2ND PLACE: Berkeley Veterinary Clinic
3RD PLACE: Landmark Animal Clinic
HONORABLE MENTION: North Wayne Animal Hospital
SUN OF A GUN
H e a lth & Fitne s s
BEST HOSPICE CARE
KITTY ASKINS HOSPICE CENTER
107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: UNC Health Wayne
3RD PLACE: Gentiva Hospice
HONORABLE MENTION: Brian Center Health & Rehabilitation
BEST DENTIST
SMITH, ADAMS & PILKINGTON FAMILY DENTISTRY
2300 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
3RD PLACE: Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
BEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
UNC HEALTH WAYNE
2700 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE:
Mt. Olive Family Medicine
3RD PLACE: Goldsboro Pediatrics
HONORABLE MENTION: Goldsboro Spine Center
BEST MENTAL CARE PROVIDER
GOLDSBORO COUNSELING CENTER
208 Malloy Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Waynesboro Family Clinic
3RD PLACE: Tatum Hardison
HONORABLE MENTION: Godwin Psychiatry
BEST PET GROOMER
TWO PAWS UP
3684 Salem Church Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Eli’s Friends
3RD PLACE: Groomingdails
HONORABLE MENTION: Cutts 4 Muttz
BEST TANNING SALON
SUN OF A GUN
501 Patetown Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Dream-Makers
3RD PLACE: Ultimate Raaz
HONORABLE MENTION: B’s on Breazeale
BEST EYE DOCTOR
ATLANTIC EYE CENTER
2803 Cashwell Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Mitchell Eye Center
3RD PLACE: Parker Family Eye Center
HONORABLE MENTION: Eye 1 Optical
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
DEMOCKO CHIROPRACTIC
1802 East Ash Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Nackley Chiropractic
3RD PLACE: Goldsboro Spine Center
HONORABLE MENTION: Chiropractic Advantage
THE LOFT HAIR STUDIO & SPA
BRINGING A NEW ERA OF MEDICAL EXCELLENCE TO WAYNE COUNTY
At UNC Health Wayne, we’re proud to be the leading edge of medical technology east of I-95 Our facility is equipped with two state-of-the-art surgical robots, and equipment specifically designed to enhance care for cardiac patients and those suffering from COPD. As an accredited Stroke and Chest Pain Center, we are committed to offering the highest standards of care. By continuously investing in advanced technology, we ensure that our patients have access to the very best in modern healthcare, right here in Wayne County
BEST THRIFT STORE
LOLA'S VINTIQUES
154 South Center Street, Goldsboro
2nd PLACE: InJoy Thrift Store
3rd PLACE: Second Fling
There are handmade soaps, candles, and even dog treats, but those who stroll into Lola's say they are looking for items that were made in a bygone era — a time when care was taken to ensure every piece of clothing, furniture, and jewelry met a quality standard that can be difficult to find these days.
BEST JEWELRY STORE
BARNES JEWELERS
502 North Eastgate Drive, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Alan Sutton Jewelry
3RD PLACE: Cry Freedom
Missions Shoppe & Cafe
HONORABLE MENTION: Violet x Wesley
BEST FURNITURE STORE
JERNIGAN FURNITURE
2101 East Ash Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Daniels Furniture
3RD PLACE: Crawford Furniture Co.
HONORABLE MENTION: Red Shed
BEST HARDWARE STORE
DELMUS’ HARDWARE
1051 North Berkeley Boulevard, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Farmer’s Ace
3RD PLACE: Jones True Value
HONORABLE MENTION: Lowe’s
BEST GARDEN CENTER
CASEY GARDEN CENTER
2360 U.S. Highway 70 West, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Brooke’s Fresh Cut Flower Farm
3RD PLACE: Jericho Farms
HONORABLE MENTION: Timmy’s Roadside Garden
BEST BOUTIQUE
MIMI’S BOUTIQUE
107 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Cry Freedom Missions Shoppe
3RD PLACE: Anna Jack’s Children Boutique
HONORABLE MENTION: Emily’s Boutique
hO p
BEST CLOTHING STORE FOR HER BICYCLE WORLD
137 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Mimi’s Boutique
3RD PLACE: 3 Olive Chic
HONORABLE MENTION: Emily’s Boutique
BEST CLOTHING STORE FOR HIM
RYE ALWAYS FRESH
108 East Mulberry Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Bicycle World
3RD PLACE:
Country View Western Store
HONORABLE MENTION:
2nd Amendment on Main
BEST UNIQUE GIFT STORE
CRY FREEDOM
MISSIONS SHOPPE
111 North Center Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Heritage Farms General Store
3RD PLACE: Lola’s Vintiques
HONORABLE MENTION: Grate Sauces and Rubs
BEST OFFICE SUPPLY STORE
ACCUCOPY
322 North John Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Staples
3RD PLACE: Harris Teeter
HONORABLE MENTION: Target
CASEY GARDEN CENTER
BEST TATTOO SHOP
IRON TRADITION
206 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Deep Space Tattoo & Piercing
3RD PLACE: Dark Rose Tattoo Gallery
HONORABLE MENTION: Gold City Tattoo & Body Piercing
Downtown Goldsboro has welcomed more than one tattoo parlor to its community, but Iron Tradition's artists must be doing something special when they give their clients a forever piece of body art, as the shop ran away with the vote in Best of the Boot's first-ever Best Tattoo Shop race.
BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN
TYLER DAVIS
2ND PLACE: Jimmy Deve
3RD PLACE: Eli Winders
HONORABLE MENTION: Victoria Atkins
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
ANNA HINSON
2ND PLACE: Savannah Ivey
3RD PLACE: Lewis Braswell
HONORABLE MENTION: Dreamweaver
BEST FESTIVAL/ COMMUNITY EVENT
N.C. FREEDOM FEST
2ND PLACE: Wings Over Wayne
3RD PLACE: Downtown Lights Up
HONORABLE MENTION: Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair
BEST EVENT VENUE
THE CORNEALIUS PROPERTIES
1536 Old Smithfield Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Firehouse
3RD PLACE: The Maxwell Center
HONORABLE MENTION: The HUB
BEST GOLF COURSE
LANE TREE COUNTRY CLUB
2317 Salem Church Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Walnut Creek Country Club
3RD PLACE: Southern Wayne Country Club
HONORABLE MENTION: Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course
TYLER DAVIS
THE CORNEALIUS PROPERTIES
Public Service
BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN
JOHN BELL
2ND PLACE: Beverly Weeks
3RD PLACE: Julie Whitfield
HONORABLE MENTION: Jamie Taylor
He has secured money for schools, non-profits and local governments. He has fought for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base — and was among the most vocal elected officials when the Air Force decided to divest F-15E Strike Eagles. But for his constituents, what makes Rep. John Bell so special is that he has never let his power or titles go to his head, and remains, in their eyes, a simple family man from Rosewood.
BEST NON-PROFIT
UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY
2ND PLACE: Rewarding Responders
3RD PLACE: Wayne Pregnancy Center/Cry Freedom Missions
HONORABLE MENTION: Wayne Memorial Hospital Foundation
BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER
ANNA KING, ROSEWOOD ELEMENTARY
2ND PLACE: Lori Darden, Wayne Christian School
3RD PLACE: Kelly Sasser, Spring Creek Elementary
HONORABLE MENTION: Joy Brown, Wayne Country Day
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
JORDYN MCGHEE, CHARLES B. AYCOCK
2ND PLACE: Sara McLamb, Wayne Christian School
3RD PLACE: Andrew Lassiter, Goldsboro High School
HONORABLE MENTION: Bethany Stewart, Wayne School of Engineering
BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER
STEPHEN FREDERICK, WAYNE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
2ND PLACE: Leigh Ann Horton, Norwayne Middle
3RD PLACE: Anna Jarrett, Norwayne Middle
HONORABLE MENTION: Sharon Britt, Mount Olive Middle
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
WAYNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
1201 Patetown Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Wayne Country Day
3RD PLACE: Wayne Montessori School
HONORABLE MENTION: St. Mary Catholic School
BEST EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY GROUP
PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN
800 North William Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Literacy Connections
3RD PLACE: Kriquette’s Kidz
HONORABLE MENTION: Wayne County Public Library
BEST ATTORNEY
GEOFF HULSE
233 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Nina Jackson
3RD PLACE: Tonya Barber
HONORABLE MENTION: Billy Strickland
BEST GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE
GOLDSBORO POLICE CHIEF MIKE WEST
2ND PLACE: Pikeville Police Chief Rodney Jarman
3RD PLACE: Kenny Talton, City of Goldsboro
HONORABLE MENTION: Tim Biggerstaff, Town of Pikeville
BEST LOCAL MENTOR BEVERLY WEEKS
2ND PLACE: Kate Daniels
3RD PLACE: Jordyn McGhee
HONORABLE MENTION: Andrea Freile
BEST LAW FIRM
HAITHCOCK BARFIELD HULSE & KING
233 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Nina Fields Jackson
3RD PLACE: Barber & Webster
HONORABLE MENTION: Strickland Agner Pittman
BEST YOUTH GROUP
YOUNG LIFE
1104 East Ash Street Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Emerge
3RD PLACE: Flow Students
HONORABLE MENTION: Bethel Youth
BEST PROFESSOR — UMO
BRENDA CATES
2ND PLACE: Jill Mills
3RD PLACE: Aaron Carter
HONORABLE MENTION: Natalie Kemp
BEST PROFESSOR — WCC
KATIE HOLLOMAN
2ND PLACE: Paul Casey
3RD PLACE: Erin LeGrand
HONORABLE MENTION: Ariana Reyes
BEST DAYCARE
WAYNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
1201 Patetown Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Rosewood Daycare
3RD PLACE: Wayne Community College
HONORABLE MENTION: Small World Child Care
BEST CHURCH
BETHEL CHURCH
2308 North William Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Bridge
3RD PLACE: City Church
HONORABLE MENTION: First Church
GOLDSBORO POLICE CHIEF
MIKE WEST
BEST LANDSCAPE COMPANY
LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF GOLDSBORO
380 Washington Street, Pikeville
2ND PLACE: Case's Lawn Care
3RD PLACE: Wright Brothers Lawn Care
HONORABLE MENTION: Bogue
Their work takes them across the East Coast, but Mark and Lauren Metzler's Landscape Design of Goldsboro has not won Best of the Boot every year since the contest was born because of big-ticket government contracts. The couple — and their team — are likely so beloved is because of the tens of thousands of dollars they have donated, in materials and labor, to causes across Wayne County, from the local school district to Goldsboro Union Station.
BEST FLORIST
BROOKE’S FRESH CUT FLOWER FARM
1024 Old Smithfield Road, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: Pinewood Florist
3RD PLACE: Front Porch Florist & Gifts
HONORABLE MENTION: Pinkney Farm
BEST PEST CONTROL
GRIFFIN EXTERMINATING
2212 North William Street, Goldsboro
2ND PLACE: The Pest Dr.
3RD PLACE: Terminix
HONORABLE MENTION: Arrest-a-Pest Exterminators
BEST HEATING & AIR COMPANY
JACKSON & SONS
2308 Indian Springs Road, Dudley
2ND PLACE:
E.T. Ferrell & Son Heating & Air Conditioning
3RD PLACE: Quinn Heating and Cooling
HONORABLE MENTION: Daniels Heating & Air Conditioning
