Readers elect their favorites.
The Arkansas Times presents its annual "Best of" issue, giving our readers the floor to present their nominees for the best candidates in clothes-shopping, gun-buying, plant-picking, farmers marketing, hairdo-ing and so forth. You may, of course, vote your conscience, or you may follow the lead of those who say Lake Ouachita is the best place to swim, Pinnacle Mountain State Park is the best place to hike, Riverdale 10 is the best place to watch a movie and the Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the best place to see a play. Along with our list of bests, we take a closer look at local best musical equipment winner Dogtown Sound by our music expert Stephanie Smittle; the hip shoe emporium Old Heights Corner Store, a runner-up in several categories and written by the hippest person on staff, Tom Coulter; Arkansas Circus Arts, which reached performing runner-up status with the greatest of ease, by our earthbound writer David Koon; and offer a survey of Boulevard Bread Co.'s scrumptious offerings. The Times staff also offers its write-in best candidates, including the beef cheeks at Hillcrest Artisan Meats, a faunal viewing drive in East Little Rock, magical elderberries, the best shoe repair shop, the best place to watch a meteor shower, the best place to hear "new classical" music for free and more.
As our yin to your yang, we also offer a new feature, a Worst of Arkansas Activity Book! Get out your crayons and pencils, put on your thinking caps and have fun with games inspired by our readers' least favorite Arkansans!
Shopping center
Promenade at Chenal
Runners-up: Midtowne, The Outlets of Little Rock, Park Plaza Mall, Pleasant Ridge Town Center
Grocery store
Kroger
Local winner: Edwards Food Giant
Runners-up: The Fresh Market, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods Market
Women's clothing
Box Turtle
Runners-up: Anthropologie, Dillard's, E. Leigh's, Tulips
Men's clothing
Dillard's
Runners-up: Barakat Bespoke, Baumans, Greenhaw's Fine Men's Wear, Mr. Wicks
Hip clothing
Fringe Clothing
Runners-up: Box Turtle, Old Heights Corner Store, Rock City Kicks, Scarlet
Children's clothing
The Toggery
Runners-up: Carter's, The Children's Place (Conway), Dillard's, Pickles & Ice Cream
Vintage clothing
Goodwill
Local winner: Mid-Towne Antique Mall
Runners-up: Cheap Thrills (Fayetteville), Galaxy Furniture, Savers
Lingerie
Victoria's Secret
Local winner: Cupids
Runners-up: Adam and Eve, Dillard's, Seductions
Shoes
Dillard's
Local winner: Rock City Kicks
Runners-up: DSW, Old Heights Corner Store, Shoe Carnival
Antiques
Mid-Towne Antique Mall
Runners-up: Blue Suede Shoes, Fabulous Finds, Sweet Home/Clement, Morris Antiques
Furniture
Hank's Fine Furniture
Runners-up: Ashley Furniture, Erdos at Home, Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Nichols Furniture
Garden store or nursery
The Good Earth Garden Center
Runners-up: Botanica Gardens, Green Tree Nursery, Hocott's Garden Center, Plantopia
Hardware/home improvement
Fuller and Son
Runners-up: The Home Depot, Kraftco Hardware and Building Supply, Stanley Hardware, Lowe's Home Improvement
Eyewear
Burrow's and Mr. Frank's Optical
Runners-up: Deer Penick Eye Clinic, James Eye Care, Kavanaugh Eye Care, Little Rock Eye Clinic
Fresh vegetables
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Runners-up: Argenta Farmers Market, Bernice Garden Farmer's Market, Fayetteville Farmers Market, Little Rock Farmers' Market
Outdoor store
Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runners-up: Academy Sports and Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, Gene Lockwood's
Bicycle shop
Chainwheel
Runners-up: Angry Dave's Bicycles, Arkansas Cycling & Fitness, The Community Bicyclist, Spokes
Gun store
Fort Thompson Sporting Goods
Runners-up: Arkansas Armory, Bass Pro Shops, Don's Weaponry Inc., Gander Mountain
Commercial art gallery
Gallery 26
Runners-up: Boswell Mourot Fine Art, Cantrell Gallery, Hearne Fine Art, M2 Gallery
Mobile phone
AT&T
Runners-up: Sprint, Verizon
Internet service provider
AT&T
Runners-up: Aristotle, Centurylink, Comcast, Conway Corp., Suddenlink
Residential real estate agency
Coldwell Banker Rector Phillips Morse
Runners-up: The Charlotte John Co., Crye-Leike, The Janet Jones Co., Keller Williams Realty
Commercial real estate agency
Moses Tucker Real Estate
Runners-up: Coldwell Banker Rector Phillips Morse, Flake & Kelly
Auto service
Jett's Gas and Service
Runners-up: Austin Brothers Tire and Service, Discount Tire & Brake Inc., Foster's Garage, Firestone
Auto stereo
Arkansas Car Stereo
Runners-up: Auto Audio, Best Buy, Bryant Audio
Travel agency
Poe Travel
Runners-up: Small World Big Fun, Sue Smith Vacations, The Travel Shop, West Rock Travel
Hotel
Capital Hotel
Runners-up: 21c Museum Hotel (Bentonville), The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (Eureka Springs), DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock Marriott
Private school
Pulaski Academy
Runners-up: Catholic High School for Boys, Episcopal Collegiate, Miss Selma's School, Mount St. Mary Academy
Public school
Central High School
Runners-up: Forest Park Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, North Little Rock High School, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
Apartment complex
The Park at Riverdale
Runners-up: Brightwaters Apartments, Pleasant Woods, The Pointe Brodie Creek, Rivercliff Apartments
Bank
Arvest Bank
Runners-up: First Security Bank, Bank of the Ozarks, Regions, Simmons Bank
Barber shop
Jerry's Barber Shop
Runners-up: The Art of Men's Cuts (Bryant), Hood's Barber Shop, The Local Hair Shop, Sport Clips
Salon
Suite.102.Salon
Runners-up: Fringe Benefits, Joels, Joey Edwards Salon, The Local Hair Shop, Red Beauty Lounge
Spa
Rejuvenation Day Spa
Runners-up: Ava Bella Day Spa, Caracalla Salon and Body Spa, Floating Lotus Yoga Studio and Day Spa, Indulgences
Diet/Weight Loss Center
Natural State Health Center
Runners-up: Baptist Health Weight Management, Bryant Weight Loss Center, Diet Center, Onyx Nutrition and Fitness
Jeweler
Sissy's Log Cabin
Runners-up: Cecil's Fine Jewelry, Kenneth Edwards Fine Jewelers, Stanley Jewelers, Roberson's Fine Jewelry
Pharmacy
Cornerstone Pharmacy
Runners-up: Kroger, The Pharmacy at Wellington, Rhea Drug Store, Walgreens
Auto dealer
Steve Landers Toyota
Runners-up: Everett GMC, Steve Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Parker Lexus
Car
Subaru Outback
Runners-up: Honda Accord, Honda Pilot, Lexus, Toyota Prius
Home entertainment store
Best Buy
Local winner: Arkansas Record and CD Exchange
Runners-up: Apple Store, Carnes Audio Visual, Hastings (Conway)
Sporting goods
Academy Sports and Outdoors
Local winner: Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runners-up: Bass Pro Shops, Gene Lockwood's, Zimmerman's Sports Center
Toys
Toys "R" Us
Local winner: Box Turtle Kids
Runners-up: Learning Express, Target, The Toggery, The Toy Chest (Hot Springs)
Florist
Tipton & Hurst
Runners-up: About Vase, Empty Vase, Floral Express (Fayetteville), Frances Flower Shop
Plumber
Russell and LeMay
Runners-up: Advantage Service Co., Don Houff Plumbing, Ray Lusk Plumbing, S&K Quality Plumbing
HVAC Repair
Middleton Heat and Air
Runners-up: Bert Black Service Companies, Bob & Ed's Heating & Air Conditioning Co., Jay's Service Co., Russell & LeMay
Gift shop
The Crown Shop
Local winner: Box Turtle
Runners-up: Bella Vita Jewelry, The Full Moon, Moxy Modern Mercantile
Veterinarian
Hillcrest Animal Hospital
Runners-up: ALLPETS Animal Hospital, Green Mountain Animal Hospital, Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic, Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital
Dry cleaners
Hangers Cleaners
Runners-up: Crestwood Cleaners, Moose Cleaners, Oak Forest Cleaners, Schickel's Cleaners
Artisan
Bang Up Betty (jeweler)
Runners-up: Jane Hankins (artist), Katherine Strause (painter), Terra Studios
Decorator
Garry Mertins
Runners-up: Tom Chandler, Tobi Fairley, Marilynn Porter, Larry West
Hobby shop
The Water Buffalo
Runners-up: Art Outfitters, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Moxy Modern Mercantile
Music equipment
Guitar Center
Local winner: Dogtown Sound
Runners-up: Best Buy, Jacksonville Guitar, Saied Music Co.
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble
Local winner: WordsWorth Books & Co.
Runners-up: Dickson Street Bookshop (Fayetteville), Nightbird Books (Fayetteville), River Market Books and Gifts
Pawn shop
Braswell and Sons Pawnbrokers
Runners-up: A-1 Gun and Pawn Inc., iPawn, USA Loans, Sue's Pawn Shop (Benton)
Funeral home
Roller Funeral Homes
Runners-up: Ruebel Funeral Home, Olmstead Funeral Home, North Little Rock Funeral Home, Smith Funeral Home
Retirement community
Parkway Village
Runners-up: Fox Ridge Assisted Living, Good Shepherd Community, Presbyterian Village, Woodland Heights
Place to take a yoga class
Barefoot Studio
Runners-up: Arkansas Yoga Collective, Blue Yoga Nyla, Clubhaus, Little Rock Athletic Club
Chiropractor
Brady DeClerk
Runners-up: Beverly Foster, John Vincent, Elite Chiropractic, Rebecca Slayton
Tattoo
Robert Barry (7th Street Tattoo & Piercing)
Runners-up: Adrian Berry (7th Street Tattoo & Piercing), Scott Diffee (The Parlor), Rick Medina (Tried & True Tattoo), Katie McGowan (Black Cobra)
Investment adviser
Kelly Ross Journey (Edward Jones)
Runners-up: Barry Burch (Crews), Barry Corkern, Heath Harper (Morgan Stanley), Mike Jared (Edward Jones)
Company to work for
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Runners-up: Heifer International, Museum of Discovery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Youth Home
Recreation
Place to swim
Lake Ouachita
Runners-up: Jim Dailey Fitness Center, Brady Mountain Resort, Greers Ferry Lake, Little Rock Racquet Club, Magic Springs (Hot Springs)
Park
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Runners-up: Allsopp Park, Burns Park, Two Rivers Park, Murray Park
Cheap date
Movies in the Park
Runners-up: Arkansas Travelers, Big Dam Bridge, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville), 2nd Friday Art Walk
Weekend getaway
Hot Springs
Runners-up: Eureka Springs, Mount Magazine, Bentonville, Petit Jean State Park
Resort
Mountain Harbor
Runners-up: DeGray Lake Resort, Red Apple Inn, Gaston's White River Resort, The Lodge at Mount Magazine
Golf course
Rebsamen Park Golf Course
Runners-up: Pleasant Valley Country Club, Chenal Country Club, Country Club of Little Rock, War Memorial Golf Course
Athletic club
Little Rock Athletic Club
Runners-up: 10 Fitness, Clubhaus, LA Fitness, North Little Rock Athletic Club, Omnis Crossfit
Hiking trail
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Runners-up: Allsopp Park, Devil's Den State Park, Petit Jean Mountain, Two Rivers Park
Place to mountain bike
Camp Robinson
Runners-up: Allsopp Park, Burns Park, Pinnacle Mountain, Slaughter Pen (Bentonville)
Marina
Heber Springs Marina (Greers Ferry Lake)
Runners-up: Mountain Harbor (Lake Ouachita), Jolly Roger's Marina (Lake Maumelle), Brady Mountain Marina (Lake Ouachita), Peter's Sugar Loaf Marina (Greers Feer Lake)
Entertainment
Local charity event
Eggshibition (Youth Home)
Runners-up: Opus Ball (Arkansas Symphony Orchestra); Race for the Cure (Komen Foundation); Red Jacket Ball (City Year); Starry, Starry Night (ACCESS)
Musician or band
Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers
Runners-up: Amasa Hines, Chris DeClerk, Kevin Kerby, Tragikly White
DJ
G-force
Runners-up: DJ Ike, Seth Baldy, Mike Poe, Wolf E Wolf
Place for live music
White Water Tavern
Runners-up: South on Main, Stickyz Rock 'N' Roll Chicken Shack, Revolution Music Room, Vino's
Place to dance
Cajun's Wharf
Runners-up: Club Level, Discovery, South on Main, Sway
Live music festival
Riverfest
Runners-up: Highberry Music Festival (Mulberry Mountain), King Biscuit Blues Festival (Helena-West Helena), Hot Springs Jazz Festival, Toad Suck Daze (Conway)
Neighborhood festival
Hillcrest HarvestFest
Runners-up: Cornbread Festival, Chili Fights in the Heights, Main Street Food Truck Festival, Patio in Park Hill
Late-night spot
Midtown Billiards
Runners-up: Discovery, Ciao Baci, Electric Cowboy, White Water Tavern
Gay bar
Sway Nightclub
Runners-up: Chaps, Discovery, 610 Center, Triniti
Sports bar
Twin Peaks
Runners-up: Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, Dugan's Pub, Gusano's, The Tavern Sports Grill
Movie theater
Riverdale 10
Runners-up: Breckenridge, Colonel Glenn 18 and XD, Dickinson Chenal, Ron Robinson Theater
Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Museum of Discovery, Arkansas Arts Center, Clinton Presidential Center, Historic Arkansas Museum
Performing arts group
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Runners-up: Arkansas Circus Arts, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Arkansas, Red Octopus
Place to gamble
Oaklawn Racing and Gaming
Runners-up: Tunica, Southland Park, Choctaw Casino (Oklahoma), Cherokee Casino (Oklahoma)
Place to see someone famous
Capital Hotel
Runners-up: River Market district, Clinton Presidential Center, South on Main, Verizon Arena
Food and Drink
Food festival
Greek Food Festival
Runners-up: Arkansas Times Craft Beer Festival, Jewish Food Festival, Main Street Food Truck Festival, Cornbread Festival
French fries
Big Orange
Runners-up: Buffalo Grill, David's Burgers, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Maddie's Place
Onion rings
Cotham's
Runners-up: Sonic, Bash Burger Co., Cheddars, Purple Cow
Cheese Dip
Mexico Chiquito
Runners-up: El Porton, Local Lime, Loca Luna, Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro
Ribs
Whole Hog Cafe
Runners-up: Sims Bar-B-Que, Corky's Ribs and BBQ, McClard's Bar-B-Q, South on Main
Wine list
Crush Wine Bar
Runners-up: Cache Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Samantha's Taproom, Zin Urban Wine and Beer Bar
Arkansas-brewed beer
Lost Forty
Runners-up: Diamond Bear, Flyway Brewing, Ozark Brewing Co., Stone's Throw
Happy hour
Big Orange
Runners-up: Boulevard Bistro, Local Lime, Reno's Argenta Cafe, Samantha's Taproom
Liquor store
Colonial Wines and Spirits
Runners-up: Sullivant's Liquor Store, 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Heights Fine Wines and Spirits, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O'Looney's Wine and Liquor
Sushi
Sushi Cafe
Runners-up: Kemuri, Hanaroo, Mt. Fuji, Sky Modern
Salad
ZAZA Fine Salad and Wood-Oven Pizza Co.
Runners-up: U.S. Pizza Co., Samantha's Taproom, Trio's Restaurant, The Root Cafe
Business lunch
Capital Bar and Grill
Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, Forty Two, Samantha's Taproom, Trio's Restaurant
Brunch
Red Door Restaurant
Runners-up: Lost Forty, YaYa's Euro Bistro, The Root Cafe, South on Main
Cocktail
South on Main
Runners-up: 109 & Co., Cache Restaurant, Capital Bar and Grill, Heights Taco & Tamale Co.
Milkshake
Purple Cow
Runners-up: Big Orange, Loblolly Creamery, Sonic, Shake's Frozen Custard
Vegetarian
The Root Cafe
Runners-up: Big Orange, Boulevard Bread Co., Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Three Fold
Bread
Boulevard Bread Co.
Runners-up: Arkansas Fresh, Old Mill Bread and Flour Co., Community Bakery, Mylo Coffee Co.
Caterer
Catering to You
Runners-up: Boulevard Bread Co., Dinner's Ready, Simply the Best, Trio's Restaurant
Outdoor dining
Cajun's Wharf
Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, Damgoode Pies River Market, La Terraza Rum & Lounge, U.S. Pizza Hillcrest
People and Politics
Artist
Kevin Kresse
Runners-up: V.L. Cox, John Kushmaul, Matt McLeod, Katherine Strause
Celebrity
Mary Steenburgen
Runners-up: Bill Clinton, Joey Lauren Adams, Kari Faux, Justin Moore
Photographer
Rett Peek
Runners-up: Joshua Asante, Brian Chilson, Rita Henry, Steven Veach
Politician
Warwick Sabin
Runners-up: Joyce Elliott, Clarke Tucker, Asa Hutchinson, Kathy Webb
Athlete
Hunter Henry
Runners-up: Alex Collins, Dusty Hannahs, Darren McFadden, Bobby Portis
Liberal
Max Brantley
Runners-up: Matt Campbell, Joyce Elliott, Warwick Sabin, Kathy Webb
Conservative
Asa Hutchinson
Runners-up: Nate Bell, Davy Carter, Tom Cotton, John Thurston
Worst Arkansan
Tom Cotton and Jason Rapert (tie)
Runners-up: Josh Duggar, Mike Maggio, Dennis Milligan, Leslie Rutledge
Charity
Heifer International
Runners-up: Arkansas Foodbank, Our House, The Van, Youth Home
Misuse of taxpayer funds
Dennis Milligan
Runners-up: Anti-abortion legislation, Growing God's Kingdom preschool, Little Rock trolley, redecorating the Governor's Mansion
Media
Radio station
Alice-FM, KLAL 107.7
Runners-up: KABF-FM 88.3, KUAR-FM 89.1, The Buzz-FM KABZ 103.7, KUAF-FM (Fayetteville)
Radio personality
Heather and Poolboy
Runners-up: Justin Acri, Corey Dietz, Tommy Smith, Lisa Fisher
TV station
KATV, Channel 7
Runners-up: KARK, Channel 4; KLRT, Fox 16; KTHV, Channell 11; AETN
TV news person
Craig O'Neill
Runners-up: Bob Clausen, Alyson Courtney, Beth Hunt, Donna Terrell
TV weatherman
Todd Yakoubian
Runners-up: Barry Brandt, Tom Brannon, Ed Buckner, Ned Perme
TV sports
Steve Sullivan
Runners-up: D.J. Williams, Aaron Peters, Mary Dunleavy
Newspaper writer
Max Brantley
Runners-up: John Brummett, Ernest Dumas, Benjamin Hardy, Wally Hall
Blog
Arkansas Blog
Runners-up: Blue Hog Report, Eat Arkansas, Rex Nelson's Southern Fried
Website
arktimes.com
Runners-up: bluehogreport.com, fayettevilleflyer.com, rockcitytimes.com, talkbusiness.net
Twitter feed
@arkansasblog
Runners-up: @jessicaxan, @johnbrummett, @KATV_Weather
Instagram feed
@tnorman23
Runners-up: @bangupbetty, @hannahacarpenter, @lrfoodcast
Author
Charles Portis
Runners-up: Kevin Brockmeier, Garrard Conley, John Grisham, Mara Leveritt