| Retail intro video by Okay Yellow |
JEWELRY STORE
Angelo
Runner-up: Andrew Minton Jewelers
We suspect he stays on top year after year not simply because jewelry artist Lee Marraccini designs beautiful bling, but because he and his wife, Pam, run more than a jewelry store. They run a jewelry gallery. Next to cases of Lee’s own beauties are collections from more than 40 other designers, many of them local. Talk about sportsmanship. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR FASHION ACCESSORIES
Cha Cha’s
Runner-up: Eloise
There aren’t too many places where you can find cat eye sunglasses, bauble rings and pins with sassy messages all in one store. Cha Cha’s fills that void for you readers, and then some. You turn to Eloise, your runner-up, for a fine-tuned selection of pendant necklaces, bracelets and earrings—often made by local designers!
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The secret to long life is good jeans, as Jean Theory makes clear. |
PLACE FOR JEANS
Jean Theory
Runner-up: Judy b. Jeans
Jean Theory took the runner-up spot in this category last year, but this time around, readers decided they couldn’t get enough of owner Laura Van Camp’s choice of denim. Whether brand new or “Inherited,” them’s some good jeans. You still love runner-up Judy b. for the store’s promise to always find you the best fit.
VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
Antics
Runner-up: Bittersweet
Antics is exactly what a vintage clothing store should be: tucked away on a Downtown Mall side street and filled to the brim with quirky clothes and accessories. This year, readers recognize the Fifth Street shop for the fantastic resource it is. Your runner-up, Bittersweet, now in a new Mall location, actually hasn’t specialized in vintage clothing for a while. But, when something’s that good, it’s not easily forgotten. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR A PARTY DRESS
Eloise
Runner-up: Jean Theory
Nobody does “party dress” better than the ladies (and gent) of Eloise, themselves wont to make your shopping experience a very fun affair. They’ll take the Cynthia Vincent dress you’ve picked out and top it off with a little sparkle and tell you how great you look. Indeed, it’s hard to leave without feeling fabulous. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE TO BUY SHOES
Scarpa
Runner-up: Rack Room Shoes
After years and years of choosing Scarpa, you readers are causing us some concern: Are you addicted to buying gorgeous shoes? Not that we can blame you. Owner Amy Gardner stocks such top-notch choices —like Loeffler Randall and Amalfi—that we can see where you’d have a problem. Now that we think about it, is it a problem at all? You can’t walk around barefoot all the time. It’s just not healthy. For more information on this winner, click here.
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Who has the best doggone pet supplies in town? Pet Food Discounters, that’s who. |
PLACE FOR PET SUPPLIES
Pet Food Discounters
Runner-up: Pet Supplies Plus
One thing’s for sure: Readers like a bargain. You chose Pet Food Discounters in this new category for its hearty selection and 25 years of experience in the biz. Your runner-up, Pet Supplies Plus, also never disappoints. With more than 10,000 items in stock every day, readers usually find what they need.
PLACE TO BUY RUNNING GEAR
Ragged Mountain Running Shop
Runner-up: Charlottesville Running Company
With umpteen marathons available to locals’ blistered feet each year, one thing is clear: Charlottesville is for runners. Readers say nobody knows this better than Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni, who’ve operated their Elliewood shop since 1982. They specialize in finding the best shoe for your gait, posture and form, but they’ll also train newbies interested in running a marathon. Talk about putting your best foot forward. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR KIDS’ CLOTHES
Petit Bebe
Runner-up: Whimsies
Little scores big in this kid-centric category. Petit Bebe takes the win this year, beating out former winner Whimsies for the top spot. You visit PB for wee clothes, toys and skillfully chosen baby gifts and gear. For those up Barracks Road, Whimsies is the place to be. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR A MAN’S SUIT
JoS. A. Bank
Runner-up: Men’s Wearhouse
With more than 100 years in the biz, JoS. A. Bank is a natural fit to win this category. The Barracks Road store sells everything from tuxedos to golf apparel. No wonder readers keep going back. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE TO RENT MEN’S FORMALWEAR
Men’s Wearhouse
Runner-up: Men & Boy’s Shop
What does it take to turn Michael Moore into Clive Owen? $49.99. That’s the base price for renting a suit at Men’s Wearhouse, this year’s winner. With two locations—at Rio Road and Shopper’s World Court—readers can dapper up their look twice over. East Main Street’s Men & Boy’s Shop stands tall in the No. 2 spot.
SECONDHAND CLOTHING STORE
Goodwill
Runner-up: Jean Theory
Some people just don’t have a taste for rummaging through someone else’s discards. Some do. You say Goodwill is the best place to find a treasure, be it a vintage coat, some new-to-you housewares or even lacy PJs. Just be sure to wash, rinse, repeat.
LOCAL HARDWARE STORE
Martin Hardware
Runner-up: Meadowbrook Hardware
In some ways, it doesn’t surprise us at all that, during June’s microburst, Martin Hardware was just about the only place in town that had power, thanks to the store’s backup generators. It’s that same attention to detail that nails them first place every year. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE TO BUY WINE
Market Street Wineshop
Runner-up: Wine Warehouse
Two locations for this year’s winner keep it a nose above the competition. Each spot—one Downtown and one on Seminole Trail—stocks fine wine, beer, breads and cheeses and wine accessories like corkscrews and bottle toppers. Winos near Hydraulic Road say Wine Warehouse has the answer. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE TO BUY BEER
Beer Run
Runner-up: Market Street Wineshop
It’s no surprise that you’d say Beer Run is the best place to buy beer (see Best Draft Beer Selection). We suspect readers think Beer Run is also one of the best places to drink beer, too. With the Belmont spot’s outdoor patio and ample indoor seating (check out those copper-topped tables!) you could sit there all day. BR is open from 8am until at least 10pm every night. For more information on this winner, click here.
CITY MARKET STALL
Taco stand
Runner-up: Radical Roots
Mmm mmm good. We’d say more about Ignacio and Maria Beccera’s Saturday morning City Market treats, but our mouths are filled with a delicious handmade tortilla topped with marinated pork, queso fresco, onions and cilantro. You’ll just have to wait until we’re done chewing. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the throngs of people standing in line for one of these delicacies, it’s that patience is a virtue.
PLACE FOR FURNITURE
Circa
Runner-up: The Artful Lodger
This time last year, Circa owner Jackie Binder gave us a video tour of her favorite things in the store. On her list? A vintage dresser, a set of small chairs and a butcher block table. They’re probably gone by now, but as Binder noted in her video, truckloads of new stuff arrive every week. That anticipation alone keeps you going back year after year. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR ANTIQUES
Circa
Runner-up: The Consignment House
It’s hard to say what you’ll find at Circa. That’s the benefit of a secondhand shop. Like its runner-up, Circa stocks everything from traditional, to contemporary to funky and fantastic. You could make an entire day out of shopping at this year’s winner. In fact, you’d almost have to: 10,000 square feet calls for more than just an afternoon of browsing. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR HOME ACCESSORIES
Circa
Runner-up: World Market
Circa, Circa, Circa. Readers love the McIntire Plaza store for its furniture, its antiques and, come to think of it, its home accessories in general. Is there nothing this store can do wrong? In the runner-up spot, World Market dazzles with its unique ethnic offerings, from pillows and curtains to cabinets and cookware. Don’t mind the “Made in China” sticker on the bottom of your shower caddy.
For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR USED BOOKS
Daedalus Bookshop
Runner-up: Blue Whale Books
Casual book browsers, beware: Daedalus will suck you in with its free book table, hold you captive with its three labyrinthine floors of in- and out-of-print books and spit you out onto Fourth Street a converted bibliophile. A bit farther down the Mall, Blue Whale offers collectible and scholarly hardcovers.
NURSERY
Ivy Nursery
Runner-up: Snow’s Garden Center
Here’s the secret to Ivy Nursery’s success: Its proprietors, Clare and George Carter, each have a masters degree in Landscape Architecture. Translation: When it comes to knowing what to grow and where to grow it, they’ve got it in the bag (of mulch?). Snow’s, your runner-up, takes second place with 98 years of experience and a special appreciation for fruits and veggies. For more information on this winner, click here.
FLORIST
Hedge Fine Blooms
Runner-up: University Florists
Compared to the charm of walking into the perfumed air of Hedge and hand-picking a tulip here and a lily there, well, a flower at any other store just doesn’t seem to smell as sweet. You chose the Downtown shop again this year. And your runner-up, University Florists, always delivers a beautiful bouquet. For more information on this winner, click here.
TOY STORE
Shenanigans
Runner-up: Alakazam
You know how they say, “It isn’t all fun and games”? At Shenanigans, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Barracks Road shop takes the lead again this year because they’re just so gosh darn good at having a great time. Meanwhile, Downtown toy spot Alakazam holds tight to the runner-up spot. For more information on this winner, click here.
BIKE SHOP
Blue Wheel Bicycles
Runner-up: Performance Bicycle Shop
It’s no surprise readers go to Roger Friend and Scott Paisley’s shop to buy bikes, but they also visit the Ix Building spot to get bicycle gear, repairs and solid riding advice. With nearly 40 years in the bike business, Blue Wheel’s got the goods. For more information on this winner, click here.
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LOCAL GROCERY STORE
Market Street Market
Runner-up: C’ville Market
This year’s best grocery store has many merits, of course (delicious $4 Boar’s Head turkey sandwich, anyone?), but never in history were so many people glad to go grocery shopping than this past winter. Flocks of local residents showed up to the shop during the blizzard(s) to get everything from paper towels to potatoes. And now that there’s no snow? Readers say MSM still makes them feel warm and fuzzy. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR GIFTS
O’Suzannah
Runner-up: Cha Cha’s
Again this year, readers agree: Owner Suzannah Fischer’s shop is so sweet and carefully curated that you’ll start to make up gift-giving occasions. Our recommendation: anything with a squirrel theme. Squirrels never disappoint. For more information on this winner, click here.
PLACE FOR GREETING CARDS
Rock Paper Scissors
Runner-up: O’Suzannah
Talk about a good move. Earlier this year, new RPS owners Dani Antol and Heather McNulty moved the local card shop back Downtown and, boy, are you readers happy! The ladies plan to expand the store’s selection of gift items and up the ante in the design department, but for now, readers are happy to browse the card selection or have the ladies whip them up something RSVP-worthy.
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Charlottesville Music is nothing if not noteworthy. |
PLACE FOR MUSIC GEAR
Charlottesville Music
Runner-up: Heinz Musitronics
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Without music, life would be an error.” It’s good, then, that your winner in this new category is whole-heartedly committed to keeping the music alive. Established in 1983, Charlottesville Music specializes in the three Rs: rentals, retail and repairs. Not a musician? The Seminole Trail shop offers lessons, too.