News

Jul 31, 2023

Best of Arkansas 2023

Every year, the Arkansas Times shoves its fists into its pockets, digs deep and emerges with a big ol’ thermometer to take readers’ temperatures on all things Arkansas. This year, y’all were

Every year, the Arkansas Times shoves its fists into its pockets, digs deep and emerges with a big ol’ thermometer to take readers’ temperatures on all things Arkansas. This year, y’all were definitely angling for that doctor’s office lollipop, opening up and saying “hell yeah!” to your favorite neighborhood festival, nodding in appreciation of your most trusted TV meteorologist and giving us a mouthful when it came to the “Worst Arkansan” category (was there ever any doubt, Sarah?). Readers weighed in on their favorite barber shops, banks and bike trails and offered up their picks for the best hotels, HVAC repair and home inspectors in the Little Rock area.

Mary Hennigan fell hard for the foliage creations of Petal to the Metal, a Lonoke-based flower studio that’s pulling up the roots on some of floristry’s stuffier traditions.

Benjamin Hardy sat down with Jeff Smith of Smith Family Funeral Home to ponder the mysteries of the afterlife, the logistical difficulties of posthumous dentistry and the changing tides in the art of casket display.

Rhett Brinkley ushered in the dog days of summer at Hounds Lounge, the multilocation canine hotel Central Arkansans trust to care for their pups while on vacation — and to return them safe, sound, freshly groomed and exhausted from all-day play and exercise.

Daniel Grear examined the interplay between the dark and the adorable in artist Sulac’s collages, paintings and pastels.

Austin Bailey ventured past the neon lights of the Cupids storefront downtown to peruse your favorite lingerie offerings and consider the ins and outs of this year’s best-selling, erm, device.

Stephanie Smittle peeled back the vinyl at D&D Sun Control, a North Little Rock window tinting and vinyl wrap company that’s outfitting local school buildings with bullet-resistant window film, while Mary Ruth Taylor surveyed the bookstore scene for promising newcomers and came up with “paper gold” at Paper Hearts, Beautywood Books and Books by the Pound. Read on for the list of winners and finalists.

Recreation

Bike trail

Winner: Arkansas River Trail

Finalists: Mt. Nebo State Park Monument Trails (Dardanelle), Northwoods Trails (Hot Springs), Pinnacle Mountain State Park Monument Trails (Roland), Slaughter Pen (Bentonville)

Cheap date

Winner: Big Dam Bridge

Finalists: The Rail Yard, Riverfront Park, Rock Town River Outfitters, Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Family attraction

Winner: Little Rock Zoo

Finalists: Museum of Discovery, Rock Town River Outfitters, Dave & Buster’s, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park (Hot Springs)

Golf course

Winner: Rebsamen Golf Course

Finalists: Burns Park Golf Course (North Little Rock), Country Club of Little Rock, The Alotian Club, Indian Hills Golf Resort (Fairfield Bay)

Gym/place to work out

Winner: Little Rock Athletic Club

Finalists: 10 Fitness, Sparkfit,

Orangetheory Fitness, Jolly Bodies,

Little Rock Athletic Club

Hiking trail

Winner: Pinnacle Mountain State Park (Roland)

Finalists: Ouachita National Recreation Trail, Devil’s Den State Park (West Fork), Emerald Park (North Little Rock), Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (Mount Ida)

Marina

Winner: Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (Mount Ida)

Finalists: Brady Mountain Resort & Marina on Lake Ouachita (Royal), Eden Isle Marina on Greers Ferry Lake (Heber Springs), Rock Town River Outfitters, Fairfield Bay Marina (Shirley)

Outdoor attraction

Winner: Buffalo National River

Finalists: Garvan Woodland Gardens (Hot Springs), Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Little Rock Zoo

Park

Winner: Petit Jean State Park

Finalists: Two Rivers Park, Devil’s Den State Park, Murray Park, Emerald Park

Place to canoe/kayak/tube

Winner: Buffalo National River

Finalists: Two Rivers Park, Little Maumelle River, Spring River, White River

Place to mountain bike

Winner: Pinnacle Mountain State Park Monument Trails

Finalists: Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (Bentonville), Northwoods (Hot Springs), Mt. Nebo State Park Monument Trails, Rattlesnake Ridge

Place to swim

Winner: Greers Ferry Lake

Finalists: Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center, DeGray Lake, Lake Hamilton, Woolly Hollow State Park

Resort

Winner: The Lodge at Mount Magazine (Paris)

Finalists: Gaston’s White River Resort (Lakeview), Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (Mount Ida), Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay (Fairfield Bay)

Weekend getaway

Winner: Eureka Springs

Finalists: Petit Jean State Park, Cherokee Casino & Hotel (West Siloam Springs), Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Buffalo National River

Local Entertainment

Artist

Winner: Sulac

Finalists: Sunny Jenkins, Philip Rex Huddleston, Michael Shaeffer, SLUGKNIVES

Author

Winner: Ayana Gray

Finalists: Bitty Martin, Kevin Brockmeier, Paula Martin, Kai Coggin

Comedian

Winner: Nate Williams

Finalists: Big Dre, Stef Bright, May Gayden, Chase Myska

Country band/artist

Winner: Ashley McBryde

Finalists: Dylan Earl, Cliff & Susan,

Bonnie Montgomery, Arkansauce

Dance club

Winner: Discovery

Finalists: C4 (Fayetteville), Club 27, Club Sway, Club Nevermore

DJ

Winner: DJ Nick Hud

Finalists: Dream Baby Dream, g-force, JJ Wilson, Shayne Gray

Filmmaker

Winner: SeJames Humphrey

Finalists: Jordan Mears, Brooke Bierhaus, Graham Gordy, Mark Thiedeman

Gay bar

Winner: Discovery

Finalists: 610 Center, C4 (Fayetteville), Sway

Hip-hop artist

Winner: Bankroll Freddie

Finalists: Penn Davis, Kvng Moses, Big Piph, 607

Jazz band/group

Winner: The Rodney Block Collective

Finalists: Funkanites, The Goat Band, Dizzy 7, Ted Ludwig Trio

Late night spot

Winner: White Water Tavern

Finalists: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock), Overtime Lounge (Maumelle), Midtown Billiards, Brewski’s Pub & Grub

Live music festival

Winner: King Biscuit Blues Festival (Helena-West Helena)

Finalists: Mutants of the Monster Fest, Hillberry Music Festival (Eureka Springs), Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival (Hot Springs), Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival (North Little Rock)

Live music venue

Winner: White Water Tavern

Finalists: The Hall, Rev Room, Four Quarter Bar, The Farm (Eureka Springs)

Local actor

Winner: Judge Reinhold

Finalists: Ben Grimes, Verda Davenport-Booher, Brett Ihler, Quinn Gasaway

Local theater

Winner: Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Finalists: Argenta Community Theater (North Little Rock), Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, The Studio Theatre, The Weekend Theater

Movie theater

Winner: Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema

Finalists: AMC Chenal 9, Cinemark Colonel Glenn and XD, Movie Tavern, Regal McCain Mall (North Little Rock)

Museum

Winner: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville)

Finalists: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Museum of Discovery

Neighborhood festival

Winner: Hillcrest Harvestfest

Finalists: Dogtown Throwdown (North Little Rock), Toad Suck Daze (Conway), Main Street Food Truck Festival, Hot Water Hills Arts & Music Festival (Hot Springs)

Performing arts group

Winner: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Finalists: Arkansas Circus Arts, Ballet Arkansas, The Main Thing, Red Octopus Theater Company

Photographer

Winner: Katie Childs

Finalists: Kurt Lunsford, FestyPanda

Photography, Ebony Blevins, Rah Howard

Place for karaoke

Winner: White Water Tavern

Finalists: Town Pump, Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge,

Overtime Lounge (Maumelle)

Place for trivia

Winner: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Finalists: Fassler Hall, Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Dugan’s Pub, Stone’s Throw Brewing

Place to gamble

Winner: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)

Finalists: Cherokee Casino and Hotel (Roland, Oklahoma), Choctaw Casino (Pocola, Oklahoma), Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff), Tunica, Mississippi

Poet

Winner: Kai Coggin

Finalists: Tru Poet, Paula Martin, Drekkia Writes, R.J. Looney

Rock band

Winner: Funkanites

Finalists: DeFrance, Colour Design,

Illusionaut, Tranquilo

Sports bar

Winner: Brewski’s Pub & Grub

Finalists: Legends Sports Bar at Saracen Casino (Pine Bluff), Bar Louie, Dave & Buster’s, Overtime Lounge (Maumelle)

Local Media

Blog

Winner: The Mighty Rib

Finalists: Arkansas Blog, Best of Arkansas Sports, Blue Hog Report, Tie Dye Travels

Columnist/reporter

Winner: Rex Nelson

Finalists: Austin Bailey, John Brummett, Dwain Hebda (Ya!Mule Wordsmiths), Stephanie Smittle

Marketing firm

Winner: CJRW

Finalists: Cranford Co., Eric Rob & Isaac, MHP/Team SI, Thoma Thoma

Podcast

Winner: Arkansas Times: Week in Review

Finalists: Bear Grease, Put Your Books Down, United States of Murder, Blackbelt Voices

Radio personality

Winner: Heather Brown (Alice 107.7)

Finalists: Shayne Gray (KABF 88.3) Tom Wood (Arkansas Rocks), Roger Scott (103.7 The Buzz)

Radio station

Winner: 103.7 The Buzz

Finalists: KABF-FM 88.3, KUAR-FM 89.1/KLRE-FM 90.5, KUAF-FM 91.3, KSSN-FM 96

TV meteorologist

Winner: Todd Yakoubian (KATV)

Finalists: Tom Brannon (THV11), Barry Brandt (KATV), Melinda Mayo (KATV), Skot Covert (THV11)

TV personality

Winner: Craig O’Neill (THV11)

Finalists: Elicia Dover (KATV), Laura Monteverdi (KARK), Donna Terrell (FOX16), DJ Williams (KARK)

TV sportscaster

Winner: Steve Sullivan (KATV)

Finalists: Hayden Balgavy (THV11), Tyler Cass (THV11), Wess Moore (FOX16), DJ Williams (KARK)

TV station

Winner: KTHV (THV11)

Finalists: KARK (Channel 4), KATV (Channel 7), Arkansas PBS, KLRT (FOX16)

Website

Winner: arktimes.com

Finalists: arkansasonline.com, encyclopediaofarkansas.net, bluehogreport.com, hawgbeat.com

People and Politics

Arkansan

Winner: Chris Jones

Finalists: Joyce Elliott, Tippi McCullough, Eric Musselman, Ryan Taneja

Athlete

Winner: Devo Davis

Finalists: John Daly, Bumper Pool, Bobby Portis, KJ Jefferson

Celebrity

Winner: Mary Steenburgen

Finalists: Bobby Bones, Billy Bob Thornton, Symone the Ebony Enchantress, Bonnie Montgomery

Charity event

Winner: Soup Sunday (Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families)

Finalists: Cupcakes for Goodness Sake (CareLink), The Finest Gala (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation), Paws on the Runway (CARE for Animals), Taste of Little Rock (UA Little Rock)

Conservative

Winner: Asa Hutchinson

Finalists: Jonathan Dismang, Jim Hendren, Julie Mayberry, Rex Nelson

Liberal

Winner: Chris Jones

Finalists: Tippi McCullough, Grant Tennille, Clarke Tucker, Kathy Webb

Little Rock City Director

Winner: Capi Peck

Finalists: Andrea Lewis, Virgil Miller, Antwan Phillips, Kathy Webb

Misuse of taxpayer fund/

proposals

Winner: Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Finalists: Arkansas LEARNS, 911 in Little Rock, 30 Crossing, hamburger tax

Nonprofit

Winner: The Van (The One, Inc.) Finalists: Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Our House, Pulaski County Imagination Library, Thea Foundation

Philanthropist

Winner: Bill and Hillary Clinton

Finalists: Johnelle Hunt, Kirk Bradshaw, Tiffany Robinson, Alice Walton

Politician

Winner: Chris Jones

Finalists: Nicole Clowney, Denise Ennett, Clarke Tucker, Kathy Webb

Worst Arkansan

Winner: Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Finalists: Tom Cotton, Jane English, Tim Griffin, David Ray

Food and Drink

Arkansas-brewed beer

Winner: Lost Forty Brewing

Finalists: Burks Brothers Brewing (Bryant), Flyway Brewing, Ozark Beer Co. (Rogers), Stone’s Throw Brewing

Baked goods

Winner: Community Bakery

Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Dempsey Bakery, Flake Baby Pastry, Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)

Birthday or Special Occasion Cake

Winner: Blue Cake Co.

Finalists: Community Bakery, Flake Baby Pastry, Loblolly Creamery, Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets

Bread

Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.

Finalists: Community Bakery, Old Mill Bread, Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie), Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)

Cocktail

Winner: Rocktown Distillery

Finalists: Brood & Barley, Kemuri, The Pantry, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom

Comfort Food

Winner: K. Hall & Sons Produce

Finalists: David’s Family Kitchen, Homer’s Kitchen & Table, Rosie’s Pot & Kettle, Utopia Deli

Curbside restaurant service

Winner: Star of India

Finalists: Buffalo Grill, The Fold Botanas & Bar, Gadwall’s Grill, Utopia Deli

Food festival

Winner: Main Street Food Truck Festival

Finalists: International Greek Food Festival, Arkansas Cornbread Festival, World Cheese Dip Festival, UA Little Rock’s Taste of Little Rock

Hangover Food

Winner: The Root Cafe

Finalists: Big Bad Breakfast, Fassler Hall, Four Quarter Bar, Overtime Lounge

Liquor store

Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits

Finalists: Ace Liquor Center (Cabot), Legacy Wine & Spirits, 107 Liquor, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor

Milkshake

Winner: Purple Cow

Finalists: Big Orange, Loblolly Creamery, Hill Station, Shake’s Frozen Custard

Most Creative Menu

Winner: Brood & Barley

Finalists: Ciao Baci, Flora Jean’s, Four Quarter Bar, Table 28

Munchies food

Winner: Four Quarter Bar

Finalists: Cheba Hut, Overtime Lounge, Tamalcalli: The Tamale House, Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)

Onion rings

Winner: Buffalo Grill

Finalists: Big Whiskey’s, Black Angus, Purple Cow, Town Pump

Place for a Guy’s Night Out

Winner: Fassler Hall

Finalists: Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Cherokee Hotel & Casino West Siloam Springs, Dickey-Stephens Park, Rock Town Distillery

Place for a Girl’s Night Out

Winner: Ciao Baci

Finalists: Cypress Social, Agasi 7: Rooftop Bar + Kitchen, Loony Bin Comedy Club, Petit & Keet

Place to eat on a Sunday

Winner: Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom

Finalist: The Croissanterie, Flora Jean’s, The Root Cafe, Star of India

Restaurant for a first date

Winner: Pantry Crest

Finalists: Brood & Barley, Ciao Baci,

Kemuri, Petit & Keet

Ribs

Winner: Whole Hog Cafe (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Count Porkula, Sims Bar-b-que, Stubby’s BBQ, Knightfire BBQ (Searcy)

Wings

Winner: Four Quarter Bar

Finalists: Certified Pies, Dem Dam Wingz, Mockingbird Bar & Tacos, Waldo’s

Chicken & Beer

Shopping

Antiques

Winner: Midtown Vintage Market

Finalists: Fabulous Finds, Rose Antique Mall & Flea Market (Rogers) Sweet Home/Clement, Twin City Antique Mall

Art Gallery

Winner: M2 Gallery

Finalists: Cantrell Art Gallery, Boswell Mourot Fine Art, Gallery 26

Auto dealer

Winner: Mark McLarty Toyota (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Parker Lexus, Gwatney Chevrolet Company (Jacksonville), Puckett Auto Group (Conway), Steve Landers Auto Group

Bicycle shop

Winner: Angry Dave’s Bicycles (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Shift Modern Cyclery, Spokes Little Rock, Trek Bicycle Little Rock, The Woodsman Company (Rogers)

Bookstore

Winner: WordsWorth Books

Finalists: Bookish (Fort Smith), Dickson Street Bookshop (Fayetteville), Dog Ear Books (Russellville), Paper Hearts Bookstore

Bridal store

Winner: Low’s Bridal (Brinkley)

Finalists: The Bridal Cottage (North Little Rock), Danielle’s Bridal & Special Occasions (Clarksville), David’s Bridal, Unveiled Bridal Collection

CBD store

Winner: Good Earth Organics

Finalists: Healing Hemp of Arkansas, Suite 443, Your CBD Store

Children’s clothing

Winner: The Toggery

Finalists: Basic Blake Boutique (Springdale), Serendipity Kids Boutique (Van Buren), Clara Jane & Jax (Batesville)

Fabrics and drapery

Winner: Cynthia East Fabrics

Finalists: JOANN Fabrics, Marshall Dry Goods Company (Batesville), The Quilt House (Clarksville), Stitchin Post

Farmers market

Winner: Me and McGee Market (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Bernice Garden Farmers Market, Hillcrest Farmers Market, Little Rock Farmers Market, The Bramble Market

Flooring store

Winner: Akels Carpet One Floor & Home

Finalists: Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Carpet Barn (North Little Rock), LL Flooring, McElroy Tops & Floors (Benton)

Florist

Winner: Petal to the Metal Floristry

Finalists: Cabbage Rose Florist, Curly Willow Designs (Cabot), The Empty Vase, Frances Flower Shop

Furniture

Winner: Midtown Vintage Market

Finalists: Arkansas Furniture (Hot Springs), Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Lux Haus (Fort Smith), HOWSE

Garden store

Winner: The Good Earth Garden Center

Finalists: Botanica Gardens, Cantrell Gardens Nursery, Hocott’s Garden Center, Plantopia

Gift shop

Winner: Bang-Up Betty (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Bella Vita Jewelry, Box Turtle, Domestic Domestic, Moxy Modern Mercantile

Grocery store

Winner: Trader Joe’s

Finalists: Bob’s Food City (Mt. Ida), Edwards Food Giant, The Fresh Market, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods Market

Hardware/home improvement

Winner: Fuller & Sons Hardware

Finalists: Ace Hardware, Kraftco Hardware, McCoy’s Lumber & Hardware (Searcy), Walrod’s Hardware (Fort Smith)

Hip clothing

Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage

Finalists: Anthropologie, AR-T’s, Box Turtle, Fringe Clothing, E. Leigh’s Contemporary Boutique

Hobby shop

Winner: Argenta Bead Company

Finalists: ART Outfitters, The Coin & Stamp Shop, The Geeky Oasis (Sherwood), HobbyTown (North Little Rock), Yarn Kandy

Jeweler

Winner: Bang-Up Betty

Finalists: Bella Vita Jewelry, Cecil’s Jewelry, Sissy’s Log Cabin

Lingerie store

Winner: Cupids

Finalists: Aphrodite’s Love Boutique (Rogers), Seductions, Angie Davis (Conway)

Men’s clothing

Winner: Baumans Fine Men’s Clothing

Finalists: AR-T’s Custom Tees, Father & Sons Clothier (Pine Bluff), Mr. Wicks, The Woodsman Company (Fort Smith)

Mobile phone provider

Winner: AT&T

Finalists: Straight Talk Wireless, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless

Motorcycle dealer

Winner: Rock City Harley-Davidson

Finalists: Mike Johnson’s Powersports (Russellville), Rodney’s Cycle Shop, Sunrise Yamaha Motorsports (Searcy)

Outdoor store

Winner: Ozark Outdoor Supply

Finalists: Bass Pro Shop, Domestic Domestic, Fort Thompson, The Woodsman Company (Fort Smith)

Pawn shop

Winner: Braswell & Son Pawn Brokers

Finalists: Big Daddy’s Pawn Shop, National Pawn Shop (North Little Rock), Pawnderosa Pawn, Randy’s Pawn Shop Inc. (Fort Smith)

RV/camper dealer

Winner: Moix RV Supercenter (Conway)

Finalists: Crain RV (Benton), Gander RV & Outdoors (North Little Rock), Goss Camper Sales, Kiko’s Kountry RV (North Little Rock)

Shoes

Winner: Dillard’s

Finalists: Rock City Kicks, Rock City Running, True Grit Running Co. (Fort Smith), Shoe Carnival

Sporting goods

Winner: Academy Sports + Outdoors

Finalists: Dick’s Sporting Goods (North Little Rock), Gene Lockwood’s, Rock City Running, The Woodsman Co. (Fort Smith)

Toy store

Winner: The Toggery

Finalists: Box Turtle, The Geeky Oasis (Sherwood), Kindness & Joy Toys (Fayetteville), Knowledge Tree

Vape shop

Winner: Abby Road

Finalists: Emerald’s Triangle (Jonesboro), Rogue Vapers, Toddy Tobacco & Vape Shop

Vintage clothing

Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage

Finalists: America Jane Vintage (Conway), Oak Forest Vintage, The Retro Fit (Hot Springs), Thriftpologie

Women’s clothing

Winner: Crying Weasel Vintage

Finalists: Anthropologie, BEIGE, J. McLaughlin, Thriftpologie

Education

Pre-k or preschool

Winner: Little Rock School District

Finalists: Little Rock Christian Academy, Child Development Center, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Early Learning Center, Langston Aerospace and Environmental Magnet School

Community college

Winner: UA Pulaski Tech (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Southeast Arkansas College/SEARK (Pine Bluff), National Park College (Hot Springs), University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton

Four-year college/university

Winner: University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)

Finalists: Arkansas State University (Jonesboro), Hendrix College (Conway), University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas (Conway), Lyon College

Private school

Winner: Episcopal Collegiate School

Finalists: The Anthony School, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian Academy, Christ Lutheran

Public school

Winner: Little Rock Central High School Finalists: Forest Heights S.T.E.M. Academy, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (Hot Springs), North Little Rock High School, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School

Goods and Services

Accounting firm

Winner: Frost PLLC

Finalists: J.R. Barney Accounting PLLC, BKD Wealth Advisors LLC, Ferguson Cobb, Landmark

Apartment complex

Winner: Argenta Flats Apartments

Finalists: Fountaine Bleau Maumelle, The Pointe Brodie Creek, The Pointe North Hills

Architect

Winner: Herron Horton Architects

Finalists: Benchmark Group, Cromwell Architects Engineers, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, Taggart Architects

Arkansas-based company

Winner: Tacos 4 Life

Finalists: Benchmark Group, Rock City Kicks, First Orion, Stephens Inc., Onyx Coffee Lab

Artisan

Winner: Bang-Up Betty (Stacey Bowers)

Finalists: Broken Vessels Pottery Studio, Gina Rose Gallina, Crystal C. Mercer, Bella Vita Jewelry (Brandy McNair)

Auto service

Winner: Discount Tire & Brake

Finalists: Cantrell Service Center, Brown’s Auto Clinic, Austin Brothers Tire Service, Kittle’s Garage

Autoglass repair

Winner: Discount Auto Glass

Finalists: Binswanger, Linn’s Auto Glass, Dr. B’s Windshield Repair Co., Mobile Glass Pros

Bank

Winner: Arvest

Finalists: Bank of Little Rock, Centennial Bank, Encore Bank, Simmons Bank

Commercial insurance agency

Winner: State Farm

Finalists: USAA, Shelter Insurance, NRG, Hines

Commercial real estate agency

Winner: KW Commercial/Keller Williams Realty

Finalists: iRealty Commercial Arkansas, Crye-Leike Real Estate, Flake and Company

Company to work for

Winner: UAMS

Finalists: Cherokee Casino & Hotel (West Siloam Springs), Charlotte Potts State Farm Insurance, Benchmark Group, Apptegy

Contractor

Winner: Justin Elbert CJE Construction

Finalists: Hines Homes, Millco Enterprises, Jim Pace Homes, Rush & Co. Inc.

Designer/decorator

Winner: Kelley Kolettis Designs

Finalists: Debi Davis Interior Design, Brittany Nixon Creative, Johnna Novak (Novak Design), Garry Mertins (mertinsdykehome)

Event venue

Winner: The Hall

Finalists: Cherokee Hotel & Casino (West Siloam Springs), Wildwood Park for the Arts, Grandview Acres Lodge and Bunkhouse, The Baker House

Funeral home

Winner: Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home

Finalists: Ruebel Funeral Home, Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, Nelson Funeral Home

Handyman

Winner: Kenny Burroughs

Finalists: Coleman Faust, Harrell May, Fix-It Quick, Mr. Fix-It Inc.

Home builder

Winner: Mike Orndorff Construction

Finalists: Graham Smith Construction, Hines Homes, Kerr Building Services, Markus Homes

Home inspection

Winner: Blackbird Inspections (Eric Young)

Finalists: Joe Cummins, GQ Inspection Services (Dennis Evans), Pillar to Post Home Inspectors (The Paulson Team), Reliable Choice Home Inspections

Home, life, car insurance

Winner: State Farm

Finalists: Arkansas Farm Bureau, Citizens Fidelity Insurance Company, The Jenkins Agency, USAA

Hotel

Winner: Capital Hotel

Finalists: Cherokee Hotel & Casino (West Siloam Springs), AC Hotel by Marriott Little Rock, Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)

HVAC REPAIR

Winner: Bob & Ed’s Heating and Air Conditioning

Finalists: Dewees HVAC, Kirby’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Smart Comfort Inc., Yates Maintenance Heating & Air

Internet service provider

Winner: AT&T U-verse

Finalists: ARNETEX, Xfinity, Comcast, Hyperleap

Landscaper/landscape design

Winner: The Good Earth Garden Center

Finalists: Moon Custom Landscapes, Green Clues Lawn and Landscaping LLC, Botanica Gardens, Plantopia, River Valley Horticulture Products

Law firm

Winner: Wright Lindsey Jennings

Finalists: Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan; Rainwater Holt & Sexton; Taylor King Law; Lassiter & Cassinelli

Lawyer

Winner: Dave Parker

Finalists: Taylor King, Austin King, Michael Kaiser, Charsie Gordon

Mover

Winner: Two Men and a Truck (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Errand Runners of Arkansas, Brandon Moving & Storage (North Little Rock), Elite Movers, Mustard Seed Moving of Arkansas

Music equipment

Winner: Guitar Center (Little Rock)

Finalists: Fry Guitars, Palmer Music Co. (Conway), Renown Music (North Little Rock), Shuffield Music Company (Arkadelphia)

Pest control

Winner: Adams Pest Control

Finalists: Arkansas Pest Control (North Little Rock), Clark Exterminating, Curry’s Termite, Elkins Pest Control (Maumelle), Legacy Termite and Pest Control

Pet groomers

Winner: Hounds Lounge Pet Resort and Spa

Finalists: Gio’s Paw Spa, Dat Pooch, Barkansas Pet Grooming, Shay’s Love Affur Grooming, Howlz Mobile Grooming

Plumber

Winner: Ray Lusk Plumbing

Finalists: Aaron Houff, Matlock Rooter Services, Platinum Plumbing, Razorback Plumbing Co.

Realtor

Winner: Debbie Teague (The Janet Jones Company)

Finalists: Shannon Treece (The Janet Jones Company), Stacy Hamilton (Coldwell Banker RPM), Donna Dailey (The Janet Jones Company), Allison Pickell (Coldwell Banker RPM Group)

Residential real estate agency

Winner: The Janet Jones Company

Finalists: Homeward Realty, The Charlotte John Company, PorchLight Realty, The Property Group

Siding, windows and roofing

Winner: Garcia & Sons Roofing

Finalists: Accountable Roofing, Arkansas Roofing Kompany (Conway), Riley Hayes, Gabe Jones

Solar company

Winner: Seal Solar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: AEV Solar, Peak Power Solar, Sunpro Solar, Chreyton Electric Inc.

Tattoos

Winner: 7th Street Tattoo

Finalists: Black Cobra Tattoos (Sherwood), Love Spell Tattoo, Lucky Bella Tattoos (North Little Rock), Smoky Row Tattoo (Russellville)

Travel agency

Winner: Poe Travel

Finalists: Friends Tours & Travel, West Rock Travel, Sue Smith Vacations (North Little Rock)

Wealth management

Winner: Merrill Lynch

Finalists: John D. Curreri (Edward Jones), Raymond James, Hatcher, Crews & Associates Inc.

Web design

Winner: Rock City Digital

Finalists: Taneja Marketing Group, Elevate Creative, Rebel Design Group, American Business Engine, Kreative Dimensions

Window tinting

Winner: D&D Sun Control (North Little Rock)

Finalists: 007 Window Tinting (Benton), Arkansas RockStar Window Tinting, Jay’s Window Tinting (Sherwood), SunStop Window Tinting (North Little Rock)

Medical and Personal Care

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Winner: Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living

Finalists: Chenal Pines Retirement Resort, The Manor Senior Living Community, Memory Care of Little Rock at Good Shepherd, Woodland Heights

Barbershop

Winner: Dogtown Barber Lounge (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Blade and Barrel (Jacksonville), Handle Barbershop, Jerry’s Barbershop, Park Hill Barbershop

Budtender

Winner: Jared Curtis (Berner’s by Good Day Farm)

Finalists: Jennifer Burr (Natural Relief Dispensary), Jocelin Fuller-Brooks (Greenlight), Christey Noble (The Treatment, Pine Bluff), Darius White (Natural Relief, Sherwood)

Chiropractor

Winner: Brady DeClerk (Omnis Rehab: Joint and Performance Center)

Finalists: Dr. Brad Chambers (Chenal Urgent Chiropractic), Dr. Beverly Foster (Chiropractic Health & Rehabilitation), Lee Hodge (Abundant Health Chiropractic & Therapeutic Massage), Dylan Machycek (Elite Spine & Joint)

Cosmetic dentist

Winner: Dr. DJ Dailey (Smile Dailey General and Cosmetic Dentistry)

Finalists: Dr. Stephen Deal (Deal Family Dentistry, Greenbrier), Dr. Ethan Erwin (Smile, Hot Springs), Dr. Montgomery Heathman (Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry), Dr. Sam Strong (Dentalways)

Cosmetic surgeon

Winner: Dr. Suzanne Yee (Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center)

Finalists: Dr. Rhys Branman (Cosmetic Surgery Center), Dr. Melanie Prince (Melanie Prince, MD Plastic Surgery), Dr. Kris Shewmake (Shewmake Plastic Surgery), Dr. Zachary Young

Counselor/therapist

Winner: Argenta Counseling

Finalists: Cardinal Counseling (North Little Rock), Stacy Kinzler, Rachel Pinto, Dr. Kathleen Wong (Bridges 2 Wellbeing, Fayetteville)

Dermatologist

Winner: Arkansas Dermatology

Finalists: Franks Dermatology, Dr. Jay Flaming, Dr. Ray Parker (Dermatology Group of Arkansas), Pinnacle Dermatology

Diet/weight loss center

Winner: Baptist Health Weight & Nutrition Center

Finalists: Arkansas Heart BMI Institute, Arkansas Health & Nutrition, Encore Medical Center, Natural State Health Center

Eyewear

Winner: Kavanaugh Eye Care

Finalists: Burrow’s and Mr. Franks Optical, Gulley Vision Clinic, James Eyecare & Optics Gallery, UAMS Health Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Optical Shop

Family dentist

Winner: Little Rock Family Dental

Finalists: Austin Family Dentistry, Downtown Dental Care, Jolly Family Dental, UAMS Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Oral Health Clinic

Family physician

Winner: Dr. Alison Richardson (Arkansas Family Medicine)

Finalists: Dr. Kent Covert (Little Rock Family Practice), Dr. Kevin Hiegel (Little Rock Family Practice), Kevin Roberts (Little Rock Family Practice), Dr. Daniel Watson (Autumn Road Family Practice)

Hair salon

Winner: Red Beauty Lounge

Finalists: Carter | Miller Hillcrest, Salon Joseph, Tease Salon, Heather Young Salon

Hospital

Winner: Arkansas Children’s

Finalists: Arkansas Heart Hospital, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, UAMS

In-home care

Winner: Baptist Health Hospice

Finalists: CareLink (North Little Rock), Conway Regional Home Care Services, Home Instead, Superior Senior Care (Conway)

Massage therapist

Winner: Ava Bella Day Spa

Finalists: Abundant Health Chiropractic and Therapeutic Massage (Conway), Arkansas Healing Arts Massage & Wellness, Massage Arkansas, Zach Turner at Little Rock Massage and Wellness (North Little Rock)

Med spa

Winner: Rejuvenation Clinic and Day Spa

Finalists: Ava Bella Day Spa, Doctors MedSpa, Radiant Wellness by S & S, Skin Fix Med Spa

Mental health facility

Winner: UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute

Finalists: The BridgeWay (North Little Rock), Methodist Family Health, Pinnacle Pointe, Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas

Nail salon

Winner: Best Nails

Finalists: Cherish Nails & Spa, City Nails (North Little Rock), Ethereal Nail Spa, Fashion Nails, Glitz & Glamour Hair & Nail

Nursing home

Winner: Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Finalists: Andover Place, Chenal Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Encore West Little Rock, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd

Ophthalmologist

Winner: Dr. Katherine Baltz (Central Arkansas Ophthalmology)

Finalists: Dr. Laurie Barber (Little Rock Eye Clinic), Dr. Joseph Chacko (Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Clinic, UAMS), Dr. Romona Davis (Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute Clinic, UAMS), Dr. Lydia Lane (Little Rock Eye Clinic)

Optometrist

Winner: Dr. Julie Dolven (James Eye Care)

Finalists: Dr. Kathryn Brown (UAMS Health-Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Clinic), Dr. Brian Guice (Kavanaugh Eye Care), Dr. Derek Scott Long (Maumelle), McFarland Eye Care

Orthodontist

Winner: Wardlaw Orthodontics

Finalists: Daniel & Jones Orthodontics, Hodge Orthodontics, Phelan Orthodontics, Vondran Orthodontics

Orthopedic surgeon

Winner: Dr. C. Lowry Barnes (UAMS)

Finalists: Dr. Jesse Burks (Bowen Hefley Orthopedics), Dr. William Hefley Jr. (Bowen Hefley Orthopedics and Arkansas Surgical Hospital), Dr. P. Allan Smith (OrthoArkansas), Dr. Jonathan D. Wyatt (OrthoArkansas)

Pediatrician

Winner: Dr. Leah Youngblood (Little Rock Children’s Clinic)

Finalists: Dr. Dawn Martin (All for Kids Pediatric Clinic), Dr. Liza Murray (UAMS), Dr. Josh O’Neill (Little Rock Pediatric Clinic), Dr. Aaron Strong (Little Rock Pediatric Clinic)

Personal trainer

Winner: Lee Ann Jolly (Jolly Bodies)

Finalists: Anna Bolte (Bolte Fitness), TJ Brown (Westside MMA), Tina Glass (Results Studio LR), Brooke Walker (365 Fitness)

Pharmacy

Winner: Cornerstone Pharmacy

Finalists: Kavanaugh Pharmacy, The Pharmacy at Wellington, Park West Pharmacy, Rhea Drug Store

Physical therapists

Winner: OrthoArkansas

Finalists: Advanced Physical Therapy, Harris & Renshaw Physical Therapy (Sherwood), Omnis Rehab: Joint and Performance Center, Physical Therapy Institute

Prosthetics

Winner: Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics

Finalists: Arkansas Prosthetics and Pedorthics (Benton), Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics, New Hope Prosthetics & Orthotics (North Little Rock)

Retirement community

Winner: Fox Ridge

Finalists: Andover Place, Chenal Pines Retirement Resort, Good Shepherd Community, Superior Senior Care

Spa

Winner: Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa (Hot Springs)

Finalists: Ava Bella Day Spa, Doctors Med Spa, Quapaw Baths and Spa, Rejuvenation Clinic & Day Spa

Veterinarian

Winner: Hillcrest Animal Hospital

Finalists: Allpets Animal Hospital, Bowman Road Animal Clinic, Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital, Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic

Yoga studio

Winner: Barefoot Studio

Finalists: Arkansas Yoga Collective, Big Rock Yoga, Blue Yoga Nyla (North Little Rock), Eden Salt Studio

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