Our annual survey reaches adulthood.
Goods and services
Shopping Center
Promenade at Chenal
Runners-up: Park Plaza Mall, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Midtowne
Grocery Store
Kroger
Local winner: Edwards Food Giant
Runners-up: The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Market, Argenta Market
Women's Clothing
Dillard's
Local winner: E. Leigh's
Runners-up: Box Turtle, Cato, Ember
Men's Clothing
Dillard's
Local winner: Mr. Wicks
Runners-up: The Independent, Baumans, Greenhaw's
Hip Clothing
Box Turtle
Runners-up: Scarlet, E. Leigh's, Rue21
Children's Clothing
The Toggery
Runners-up: The Children's Place, Dillard's, Gap
Vintage Clothing
Savers
Runners-up: Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, Blue Suede Shoes Antique Mall, Mid-Towne Antique Mall
Antiques
Fabulous Finds
Runners-up: Mid-Towne Antique Mall, Blue Suede Shoes Antique Mall, Clement/Sweet Home Antiques
Furniture
I.O. Metro
Runners-up: Hank's Fine Furniture, Havertys, Ashley Furniture HomeStores
Garden Store or Nursery
The Good Earth
Runners-up: Hocott's Garden Center, Cantrell Gardens, Botanica Gardens
Hardware/Home Improvement
Lowe's
Local winner: Kraftco Hardware and Building Supply
Runners-up: Home Depot, Fuller and Son, Cantrell Ace Hardware
Eyewear
Burrow's and Mr. Frank's Optical
Runners-up: Kavanaugh Eye Care, LensCrafters, Walmart
Fresh vegetables
Little Rock Farmer's Market
Runners-up: Argenta Farmers Market, Hillcrest Farmers Market, The Fresh Market
Outdoor store
Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runners-up: Gene Lockwood's, Gander Mtn., Academy Sports + Outdoors
Bicycle Shop
Chainwheel
Runners-up: Spokes, The Community Bicyclist, Arkansas Cycling and Fitness
Gun Store
Fort Thompson Sporting Goods
Runners-up: Don's Weaponry, Bullseye Guns and Ammo, Arkansas Armory
Commercial Art Gallery
Gallery 26
Runners-up: Stephano's Fine Art Gallery, Cantrell Gallery, Boswell Mourot Fine Art
Mobile Phone
AT&T
Runners-up: Verizon, Cricket
Internet Service Provider
Comcast
Runners-up: AT&T, Windstream, Suddenlink
Realtor
The Janet Jones Co.
Runners-up: The Charlotte John Co., Pulaski Heights Realty, Crye-Leike
Auto Service
Jett's Gas and Services
Runners-up: Austin Brothers Tire and Service, Christian Brothers Automotive, Discount Tire and Brake Inc.
Auto Stereo
Arkansas Car Stereo
Runners-up: Arch Street Audio, Best Buy, Auto Audio and Video
Travel Agency
Poe Travel
Runners-up: Sue Smith Vacations, West Rock Travel, Little Rock Tours and Travel
Hotel
Capital Hotel
Runners-up: Embassy Suites, DoubleTree, Courtyard Marriott
Private School
Pulaski Academy
Runners-up: Mount Saint Mary Academy, Catholic High School for Boys, Episcopal Collegiate School
Public School
Central High School
Runners-up: Jefferson Elementary School, eStem Public Charter School, Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School
Apartment Complex
Rivercliff
Runners-up: The Park at Riverdale, Foothills Apartments, Lanai Apartments
Bank
Metropolitan National Bank
Runners-up: First Security Bank, Arvest, Region's
Barber shop
Jerry's Barber Shop
Runners-up: Sport Clips, Great Clips, The Local Hair Shop
Salon
Fringe Benefits
Runners-up: Caracalla, Joels, Salon and Spa at Studio 2121
Spa
Caracalla
Runners-up: Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa, The Floating Lotus Day Spa, Ava Bella Day Spa
[page]
Jeweler
Sissy's Log Cabin
Runners-up: Stanley Jewelers, Cecil's Fine Jewelry, Kay's Jewelers
Pharmacy
Walgreens
Local winner: Rhea Drug
Runners-up: Kroger, Walmart, Tanglewood
Mattress
Denver Mattress Co.
Runners-up: Mattress King, Mattress Firm
Auto Dealer
Landers Toyota
Runners-up: Russell Honda, Bale Honda, North Point Toyota
Used Auto Dealer
Landers Toyota
Runners-up: Bill Fitts Auto Sales, North Point Toyota, Parker Lexus
Lingerie
Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions
Runners-up: Victoria's Secret, Cupid's Lingerie, Adam and Eve
Electronics
Best Buy
Local winner: Audio Dimensions
Runners-up: Apple Store, Custom Audio and Video, Target
Sporting Goods
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Local winner: Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runners-up: Gene Lockwood's, Gander Mtn, Dick's Sporting Goods
Toys
Toys "R" Us
Local winner: Knowledge Tree
Runners-up: Cheeky Marshmallows, Learning Express, The Toggery
Florist
Tipton & Hurst
Runners-up: About Vase, Frances Flower Shop, The Empty Vase
Plumber
Ray Lusk Plumbing
Runners-up: Arrow Plumbing, B&R Plumbing, Sanders Plumbing
Gift Shop
The Crown Shop
Runner-up: Box Turtle, Full Moon, Clinton Museum Store
Car Wash
Splash
Runners-up: Best Car Wash, Boomerang Carwash
Veterinarian
Hillcrest Animal Hospital
Runners-up: Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital, Treasure Hill Pet Hospital, All Pets Animal Hospital
Cleaners
Moose Cleaners
Runners-up: Schickel's Cleaners, Hangers Cleaners, Comet Cleaners
Decorator
Larry West
Runners-up: Kaki Hockersmith, Marshall Clements, Tom Chandler
Music Equipment
Guitar Center
Runners-up: Best Buy, Saied Music Co., Jacksonville Guitar Center
Shoes
Dillard's
Local winner: Shoe Connection
Runners-up: DSW, Shoe Carnival, Warren's Shoes
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble
Local winner: WordsWorth Books & Co.
Runners-up: Books-A-Million, Dickson Street Bookshop, River Market Books & Gifts
Pawn Shop
Arch Street Pawn
Local winner: Braswell & Son, USA Loans, Pawnderosa Pawn Shop
Funeral Home
Roller Funeral Home
Runners-up: Reubel Funeral Home, North Little Rock Smith Family Funeral Homes, Dwight Family Funeral Service
Retirement Community
Fox Ridge
Runners-up: Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center, Woodland Heights, Parkway Village
Place to take a yoga class
Barefoot Studio
Runners-up: The Floating Lotus Yoga Studio and Day Spa, 10 Fitness, Blue Yoga Nyla
Chiropractor
Dr. John Vincent (Chenal Chiropractic Clinic)
Runners-up: Brady DeClerk (Central Arkansas Chiropractic), Little Rock Chiropractic, Hurley Chiropractic and Wellness
Tattoo
7th Street Tattoo
Runners-up: Electric Heart Tattoos, Anchor Tattoo, Scott Diffee (The Parlor)
Insurance Agency
State Farm
Local winner: Allen Kerr Insurance Agency
Runners-up: Farm Bureau, Shelter Insurance, AAA Insurance
Investment Advisor
Metropolitan Capital Management
Runners-up: Crews & Associates, Morgan Stanley, Delta Trust Investments
Company to work for
Metropolitan National Bank
Runners-up: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Acxiom, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
RECREATION
Place to swim
Wild River Country
Runners-up: Little Rock Athletic Club, Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center, Greers Ferry Lake
Park
Burns Park
Runners-up: Allsopp Park, Murray Park, Two Rivers Park
Cheap Date
Movies in the Park
Runners-up: Travelers Baseball, Big Dam Bridge, The Joint
Weekend Getaway
Hot Springs
Runners-up: Eureka Springs, Heber Springs, Buffalo River
Resort
Mountain Harbor Resort
Runners-up: Mount Magazine, Red Apple Inn, Arlington Hotel
Golf Course
Rebsamen Golf Course
Runners-up: Chenal Country Club, Country Club of Little Rock, Pleasant Valley Country Club
Athletic Club
Little Rock Athletic Club
Runners-up: 10Fitness, Little Rock Racquet Club, Wellness Revolution Crossfit
Place for tennis
Little Rock Racquet Club
Runners-up: Little Rock Athletic Club, Rebsamen Tennis Center, War Memorial Park Tennis Courts
Hiking trail
Pinnacle Mountain
Runners-up: Petit Jean, Two Rivers Park, Ouachita Trail
Place to mountain bike
Pinnacle Mountain
Runners-up: Burns Park, Sylamore Creek Trail, Allsopp Park
Marina
Heber Springs Marina
Runners-up: Jolly Roger's, Mountain Harbor Resort, Brady Mountain Resort and Marina
Local charity event
Tabriz (Arkansas Arts Center)
Runners-up: Eggshibition (Youth Home), Race for the Cure (Susan Komen Foundation), Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl-a-thon
[page]
ENTERTAINMENT
Band
War Chief
Runners-up: Good Time Ramblers, Amasa Hines, Don't Stop Please
DJ
g-force
Runners-up: DJ Max, Doug Kramer, Deja Blu
Place for live music
White Water Tavern
Runners-up: Revolution, Juanita's, Cajun's Wharf
Place to dance
Discovery
Runners-up: Cajun's Wharf, Electric Cowboy, Revolution
Live music festival
Riverfest
Runners-up: Wakarusa, King Biscuit, Thunder on the Mountain
Late night spot
Midtown Billiards
Runners-up: Salut Bistro, Discovery, Ernie Biggs
Gay bar
Discovery Night Club
Runners-up: Miss Kitty's Saloon, Trax, Triniti
Sports bar
West End Smokehouse and Tavern
Runners-up: Buffalo Wild Wings, Bar Louie, The Tavern Sports Grill
Movie theater
Rave Cinema
Local winner: Market Street Cinema
Runners-up: Dickinson Chenal 9, Regal McCain Mall Stadium 12 & RPX, UA Breckenridge Village
Museum
Arkansas Arts Center
Runners-up: Museum of Discovery, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Clinton Library
Performing arts group
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Runners-up: Weekend Theater, Ballet Arkansas, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Place to gamble
Oaklawn
Runners-up: Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Tunica (Miss.), Choctaw Casino Pocola (Okla.)
Place to see someone famous
Capital Bar and Grill
Runners-up: Clinton Library, Doe's Eat Place, Little Rock Film Festival
FOOD AND DRINK
Food festival
Greek Food Festival
Runners-up: World Cheese Dip Festival, Main Street Food Truck Festival, Jewish Food Festival
French fries
Big Orange
Runners-up: McDonald's, The Root, White Water Tavern
Onion rings
Sonic
Local winner: Arkansas Burger Co.
Runners-up: Burger King, Cheddar's, The Box
Cheese Dip
Mexico Chiquito
Runners-up: Stoby's, El Porton, Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro
Ribs
Whole Hog Cafe
Runners-up: Sims Bar-B-Que, Corky's Ribs and BBQ, Famous Dave's
Wine list
By the Glass
Runners-up: Ashley's, So Restaurant-Bar, Zin Urban Wine Bar
Liquor store
Colonial Wines & Spirits
Runners-up: Lake Liquor, PopATop Fine Wine and Spirits, Sullivant's Liquor Store
Sushi
Sushi Cafe
Runners-up: Igibon Japanese Food House, Hanaroo Sushi Bar, Tokyo House
Salad
ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Runners-up: U.S. Pizza Co., Taziki's Cafe, Boulevard Bread Co.
Business lunch
Capital Bar and Grill
Runners-up: Copper Grill, Trio's Restaurant, Brave New Restaurant
Brunch
Red Door
Runners-up: Loca Luna, The Root, The House
Cocktail
Capital Bar and Grill
Runners-up: Ciao Baci, SO Restaurant-Bar, Local Lime
Milkshake
Purple Cow
Runners-up: Big Orange, Sonic, Chick-Fil-A
Vegetarian
The Root Cafe
Runners-up: ZaZa, Lilly's, Boulevard
Bread
Boulevard
Runners-up: Panera, Old Mill, Community Bakery
Caterer
Catering to You
Runners-up: Simply the Best, Trio's, Boulevard
Outdoor dining
Acadia
Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, Pizza Cafe, Cajun's
PEOPLE AND POLITICS
Artist
Stephen Cefalo
Runners-up: Kevin Kresse, Stephano Sutherlin, James Hayes
Photographer
Brian Chilson
Runners-up: Leigh D. Photography, Nelson Chenault, Jason Masters
Politician
Mike Beebe
Runners-up: Warwick Sabin, Joyce Elliott, Tim Griffin
Athlete
Darren McFadden
Runners-up: Joe Johnson, Tyler Wilson, Cliff Lee
Liberal
Warwick Sabin
Runners-up: Bill Halter, Mike Beebe, Max Brantley
Conservative
Davy Carter
Runners-up: John Thurston, Bill Vickery, Mike Huckabee
Worst Arkansan
Jason Rapert
Runners-up: Nate Bell, Tim Griffin, Martha Shoffner
Charity
Our House
Runners-up: Humane Society, Arkansas Rice Depot, Heifer International
Misuse of Taxpayer Funds
Martha Shoffner
Runners-up: 12 week abortion ban, Mark Martin, proposed Broadway Bridge lights
MEDIA
Radio Station
KUAR 89.1
Runners-up: 103.7 The Buzz, KSSN 96, The Point 94.1
Radio Personality
Tommy Smith
Runners-up: Heather/DC/Poolboy, Bob Robbins, Lisa Fischer
TV Station
KATV
Runners-up: KARK, KTHV, Fox
TV Personality
Jessica Dean
Runners-up: Dawn Scott, Beth Hunt, Craig O'Neill
TV Weatherman
Ed Buckner
Runners-up: Todd Yakoubian, Ned Perme, Greg Dee
TV Sports
Steve Sullivan
Runners-up: Craig O'Neill, Wess Moore, Mark Edwards
Newspaper writer
Max Brantley
Runners-up: John Brummett, Ernie Dumas, John Lynch
Blog
Arkansas Blog
Runners-up: Forbidden Hillcrest, Blue Hog Report, Eat Arkansas
Website
Arktimes.com
Runners-up: Talk Business, Forbidden Hillcrest, The Fayetteville Flyer
Twitter feed
@ForbiddenH
Runners-up: @ArkansasFoodies,
@robybrock, @jefflongUA
Author of books
Charles Portis
Runners-up: Charlaine Harris, Trenton Lee Stewart, Kevin Brockmeier
[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]