readers' choice awards 2009
Best Overall
Winner: Fuji
Finalists: Godsey’s Grill and O’Charley’s
American Food
Winner: Cracker Barrel
Finalists: Fat City, O’Charley’s and San Francisco Bread Co.
Deli
Winner: Heavenly Ham
Finalists: McAlister’s Deli and Subway
Italian
Winner: Lazzari’s
Finalist: Piero’s
Chinese
Winner: Kirin
Finalists: Dragon & Phoenix and China Buffett
Mexican
Winner: El Acapulco
Finalists: TaMolly’s and Salsa’s
BBQ
Winner: Demo’s BBQ
Finalists: Whole Hog Café and Lewis BBQ
Family Friendly
Winner: Ryan’s/Cracker Barrel
Finalists: Fat City and Chili’s
Romantic
Winner: Omar’s Steakhouse
Finalists: Piero’s and Lazzari’s
Business Lunch
Winner: San Francisco Bread Co.
Finalists: Fat City, Godsey’s and O’Charley’s
Plate Lunch
Winner: Chef’s Inn
Finalists: Ann’s
Breakfast
Winner: Cracker Barrel
Finalists: IHOP and Waffle House
Hamburger
Winner: Fat City
Finalists: Godsey’s and Shorty Small’s
Pizza
Winner: Upper Crust
Finalists: Pizza Inn and Pizza Chef
Catfish
Winner: Ron’s Catfish
Finalists: Ed’s Catfish and Catfish Café
Tea
Winner: McAlister’s Deli
Finalists: San Francisco Bread Co. and Upper Crust Pizza Co.
Salad
Winner: Ruby Tuesday
Finalists: Upper Crust and Fat City
Steak
Winner: Omar’s Steakhouse
Finalists: Colton’s and Outback
Dessert
Winner: Café Buono
Finalists: Chili’s and Fat City
Ice Cream
Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard
Finalists: Bruster’s and Baskin Robbins
Coffee
Winner: Café Buono
Finalists: Starbucks and San Francisco Bread Co.
Buffet
Winner: Chef’s Inn
Finalists: Ryan’s and Western Sizzlin
Sushi
Winner: Fuji
Finalists: Shogun and Kirin
Caterer
Winner: Loretta’s
Finalists: Heavenly Ham, Demo’s and Upper Crust
Chef
Winner: Omar Barry
Finalists: Kevin Province and Marco Trimarchi
Bartender
Winner: Mike Tinsley-Brickhouse
Finalists: Kristen Tyson-Brickhouse
Shopping Center
Winner: The Mall at Turtle Creek
Finalists: Wal-Mart and Caraway Plaza
Supermarket
Winner: Kroger
Finalists: Bill’s Fresh Market and Wal-Mart
Antiques
Winner: 49 South Antiques
Finalists: Green Shutter, Cross Roads and Yesterdays
Furniture
Winner: IO Metro
Finalists: Hank’s and Harris Furniture
Shoes
Winner: Dillard’s
Finalists: Shoe Carnival and Rack Room
Gifts
Winner: Petty’s Hallmark
Finalists: St. Bernards and Froggie’s Full Sun
Videos
Winner: Hastings
Finalists: Blockbuster and Hollywood
Books
Winner: Barnes & Noble
Finalists: Books-A-Million and Hastings
Women’s Fashions
Winner: Dillard’s
Finalists: JCPenney, Charlotte Russe and Kohl’s
Men’s Fashions
Winner: Dillard’s
Finalists: American Eagle and JCPenney
Children’s Fashions
Winner: The Children’s Place
Finalists: Patty Cakes and Dillard’s
Sporting Goods
Winner: Hibbett Sports
Finalists: Play It Again and Gearhead
Toys
Winner: J. Christopher
Finalists: Toy Castle and Wal-Mart
Music Supply
Winner: Back Beat
Finalist: Guit Down
Architect
Winner: Cahoon-Steiling
Finalists: Brackett-Krennerich
and Lee Teague
Home Builder
Winner: Eric Eaves
Finalists: Kelly Copeland and Shelton Construction
Commercial Builder
Winner: Ramsons
Finalists: CNI and Shelton Construction
Pool/Spa Builder
Winner: Environments
Finalists: Classic Pools , Artistic Pools
Florist
Winner: Posey Peddler
Finalists: Heather’s Way, Full Sun and Cooksey’s
Tech Support
Winner: Ritter
Finalists: Kalmer Solutions and IT Associates
Pet Groomer
Winner: Petco
Finalists: Monica Moore and VetCare
Veterinary Clinic
Winner: Jonesboro Family Pet
Finalists: VetCare and Hilltop
Dry Cleaner
Winner: Magic Touch
Finalists: West Cleaner and Massanelli’s
Bank
Winner: Liberty Bank
Finalists: Simmons Bank and Heritage Bank
Brokerage Firm
Winner: Stephen’s
Finalists: Merrill Lynch and AG Edwards
Lawyer
Winner: Anna Smith/Mark Rees
Finalists: Curt Huckabee and Clarke Mixon
Physician
Winner: Dr. Carl Edwards
Finalist: Dr. Scott Hoke
Day Care
Winner: Discovery Island
Finalists: Blessed Sacrament and Hilltop Daycare
Dentist
Winner: Dr. Kelly Gwynne Fergus
Barber Shop
Winner: Spencer Family Hair Center
Finalists: Twisted Scissors and David Nelm’s Hair Palace
AUTO DEALER
Winner: Central Dealerships
Spa
Winner: Eden Spa
Finalists: Textures Day Spa and The Vue
Manicure/Pedicure
Winner: Textures Day Spa
Finalists: Eden Spa and The Vue
Aesthetician
Winner: Kayla Thompson-Textures
Finalists: Virginia McIntosh-Eden and Brenda Craft
Salon
Winner: Textures
Finalists: Jagged Edge and Eden
Jeweler
Winner: Pagan’s Jeweler
Finalists: Zales and George’s Jewelry
Pharmacy
Winner: Walgreen’s
Finalists: Super D Drug and Kroger
Funeral Home
Winner: Emerson Funeral Home
Finalists: Gregg Funeral Home
and Langford-Bookout
Travel Agency
Winner: International Tours
Finalist: Travel With Us
Private School
Winner: Ridgefield Christian
Finalists: Blessed Sacrament and Concordia
Radio Personality
Winner: Brandon Baxter
Finalists: Trey Stafford and Christie Matthews
Recreation
Winner: Jonesboro Bowling Center
Finalists: Craighead Forest and Malco Movie Theater
Real Estate
Winner: ERA
Finalists: Crye-Lieke, ReMax and Fred Dacus Associates
Internet Provider
Winner: Suddenlink
Finalists: Ritter and AT&T
Art Gallery
Winner: Sara Howell
Finalists: Sean Shrum and ASU Bradbury Gallery
Artist
Winner: Sara Howell
Finalists: Janice Potter and Michael Etheridge
TV Personality
Winner: Yolanda Young
Finalists: Bob Snell and Diana Davis
Radio Station
Winner: KISS FM
Finalists: The Fox and 107.5 FM
School District
Winner: Valley View
Finalists: Jonesboro and Brookland
charity Event
Winner: Charity Ball
Finalists: St. Jude’s Super Bowl Stravaganza and Cowboy Up for CASA
Non Profit
Winner: Smiles For A Lifetime
Finalists: Make-A-Wish and NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation
Business Leader
Winner: Ben Burris
Finalists: Mark Young and Chad Holifield
Coach
Winner: Barry Pruitt-Jonesboro
Finalists: Mark McCord-Nettleton
and Steve Roberts-ASU
Teacher
Winner: Ashley Gray-Annie Camp
Finalists: Claire Coppola-Annie Camp and Lacy Tilton-Nettleton
Photographer
Winner: Courtney Fitzwater
Finalists: Pinkston’s and Joey Glaub
Musician
Winner: Phillip Jackson
Finalists: Matt Pierce and Grant Garland
Eyewear
Winner: LensMasters
Finalists: Vision Care and Southern Eye
Lawn Care
Winner: Pope Lawn Care
Finalists: Sartin Services and Superior Lawn
Health Club
Winner: Trim Gym
Finalists: Fitness Bootcamp Unlimited and NEA Wellness Center
Golf Course
Winner: Sage Meadows
Finalists: RidgePointe and Jonesboro Country Club
Garden Store
Winner: Bennett’s Nursery
Finalists: Lowe’s Home Improvement and Harmony Gardens