Winners: Holiday entertaining
Best restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. K&W Cafeteria, Tanglewood Mall and 1609 Hershberger Road N.W. in Roanoke, and 1215 W. Main St. in Salem
3. Cracker Barrel
Honorable mention: Sheridan Livery Inn and Restaurant, 35 N. Main St., Lexington; The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W.; and Roanoke Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E.
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Best place to get Thanksgiving takeout
1. The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. K&W Cafeteria, Tanglewood Mall and 1609 Hershberger Road N.W. in Roanoke, and 1215 W. Main St. in Salem; and Kroger (tie)
3. The Fresh Market, 2207 Colonial Ave. S.W.
Honorable mention: Sheridan Livery Inn and Restaurant, 35 N. Main St., Lexington; Cracker Barrel; and Mary’s Party Works, 400 Washington Ave., Vinton
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Best venue for a holiday party
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. Pomegranate Restaurant, 106 Stoney Battery Road, Troutville
3. Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine, 4167 Electric Road, and Salem House Restaurant, 311 W. Main St., Salem (tie)
Honorable mention: Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second St. S.W.; Coach & Four Restaurant, 5206 Williamson Road; at home with Full Circle Catering, 20 Swink Lane, Lexington, and Olive Garden (three-way tie); and Holiday Inn, Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E., and The Plantation on Sunnybrook, 7342 Plantation Road (three-way tie)
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Best holiday caterer
1. Full Circle Catering, 20 Swink Lane, Lexington
2. Schaal’s Catering and Events, 717 13th St. S.W., and Blue Ridge Catering, 522 Salem Ave. S.W. (tie)
3. Mary’s Party Works, 400 Washington Ave., Vinton
Honorable mention: 2nd Helpings, 1502 Williamson Road N.E.; Plantation Creations, 7342 Plantation Road; and a four-way tie among Center Stage Catering, 315 Franklin St., Rocky Mount; Gillie’s, 153 College Ave., Blacksburg; Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.; and Lib & Amy Catering, 344-1317
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Best neighborhood for holiday lights viewing
1. Grandin Village area
2. Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford
3. South Roanoke, Old Southwest Roanoke and Cove Hollow, Elliston (tie)
Honorable mention: Raleigh Court, Maple and Main in Lexington, Hunting Hills
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Best local holiday event
1. Suntrust Dickens of Christmas (Dec. 7, 14 and 21, downtown Roanoke)
2. Rescue Mission Ministries/Stellar One Drumstick Dash (Thanksgiving Day, downtown Roanoke)
3. Salem Christmas Parade (Dec. 7)
Honorable mention: Lexington-Rockbridge Christmas Parade (Nov. 30);
Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops (Dec. 7)
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Best party spot for New Year’s Eve
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. Downtown Roanoke
3. Home with family and friends
Honorable mention: Corned Beef and Co., 107 S. Jefferson St.; Pomegranate, 106 Stoney Battery Road, Troutville; Martin’s, 413 First St. S.W.
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Winners: Shopping warriors
Best shopping mall/district
1. Valley View Mall
2. Tanglewood Mall
3. Downtown Roanoke
Honorable mention: Towers Shopping Center, New River Valley Mall and Downtown Blacksburg
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Best men’s clothing store
1. Davidsons, 412 S. Jefferson St. and 4235 Electric Road
2. Belk
3. JoS A. Bank Clothiers
Honorable mention: Macy’s, Eddie Bauer and Men’s Wearhouse
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Best women’s clothing store
1. Punch Boutique, 3117 Franklin Road S.W.
2. Belk
3. Mad Dog Boutique, 109 N. Main St., Blacksburg
Honorable mention: Coldwater Creek, 1460 S. Main St., Blacksburg; J & J Fashions, 275 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, and Talbots, 4702 Starkey Road (tie); Chico’s, 4714-B Starkey Road, and Stein Mart, Tanglewood Mall (tie)
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Best salesperson
1. Laurie Frohock at Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. Catherine Grainger at Punch Boutique, 3117 Franklin Road S.W.
3. Sheila Copenhaver at J & J Fashions, 275 Franklin St., Rocky Mount
Honorable mention: Terri Burnett Urquhart, The Rescue Mission Thrift Store; Jayna Browder, Kay Jewelers in New River Valley Mall; and Robby Jones, Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington
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Best restaurant for girlfriend shopping date
1. Olive Garden
2. Wildflour Cafe
3. Panera Bread
Honorable mention: Cheddar’s, Valley View; Montano’s International Restaurant, 3733 Franklin Road S.W.; Carrabba’s Italian Grill at Valley View
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Winners: Where do you buy?
Best place to get a gift for your clients
1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave., S.W.
(Tie) 2. Chocolatepaper, Roanoke City Market (308-3 Market St.) and The Shoppes at West Village (3565-C Electric Road)
(Tie) 2. Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington
3. Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem
Honorable mention: On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; Walmart and Target (tie); Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, 2825-B Brambleton Ave., S.W., and Allura MD Laser Aesthetics, 1900 Braeburn Drive, Salem (tie)
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Best place to get a gift for the cook in your life
1. Provisions, 4235 Electric Road
2. Bed Bath & Beyond
3. Ladles & Linens, Roanoke City Market (305 Market St.) and 13 S. Main St., Lexington
Honorable mention: Macy’s; Gourmet Pantry, 401 S. Main St., Blacksburg; Tuesday Morning, 1923 Electric Road, Salem, and 3165 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg
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Best place to get a gift for someone who has everything
1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem
Honorable mention: On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; Provisions and RSVP, 4235 Electric Road; Allura MD Laser Aesthetics, 1900 Braeburn Drive, Salem
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Best place to get a gift for your mother-in-law
1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave., S.W.
3. Belk
Honorable mention: Macy’s; On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; WillowPod Provisions & Gifts, 90 Town Center St., Suite 105, Daleville
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Best place to get a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life
1. Gander Mountain
2. Dick’s Sporting Goods
3. Walkabout Outfitter, 301 Market St.; Valley View Mall; 15 W. Washington St., Lexington
Honorable mention: Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3550 Ferncliff Ave. N.W.;Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Orvis, 19 Campbell Ave. S.E.
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Best place to get a gift for your pet
1. PetSmart
2. Petco
3. Nature’s Emporium, 3912 Brambleton Ave.
Honorable mention: Walmart; Target; Kibbles on Main, 1531 N. Main St., Blacksburg
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Best place to get a gift for your special gal
1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.
2. Frantz Diamonds and Jewelry, 3540 Electric Road
3. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
Honorable mention: Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington, and Victoria’s Secret (tie); Fink’s Jewelers; On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg
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Best place to get a gift for your special guy
1. Dick’s Sporting Goods
2. Belk and Lowe’s (tie)
3. Gander Mountain and Macy’s (tie)
Honorable mention: Davidsons, 412 S. Jefferson St. and 4235 Electric Road, and Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington (tie); Best Buy and Todd’s Jewelry, 900 Dundee Drive, Radford (tie); JoS A. Bank Clothiers and Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem (tie)
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Best place to get a gift for the sports fanatic in your life
1. Dick’s Sporting Goods
2. Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3550 Ferncliff Ave. N.W.
3. On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg
Honorable mention: Fleet Feet Sports, 4347 Franklin Road; Play It Again Sports, 4082 Electric Road; Gobbler Gear, 603 College Ave., Salem, and Campus Emporium, 207 N. Main St., Blacksburg, and 1337 S. Main St., Blacksburg (tie)
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Winners: Holiday decor
Best store decorated for the holidays
1. Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road
2. Cornerstone Collectibles, 114 E. Main St., Salem
3. Macy’s
Honorable mention: Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport; and The Vintage Emporium, 4735 Read Mountain Road, Cloverdale
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Best source for fresh Christmas trees
1. Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport
2. Country Corner, 4273 Challenger Ave. N.E.
3. Kroger
Honorable mention: Lowe’s; Food Lion; and Pine Ridge Nursery, 922 W. Main St., Salem, and Floyd County (tie)
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Best place for holiday decorations — inside the home
1. Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road
2. Cornerstone Collectibles, 114 E. Main St., Salem
3. Target
Honorable mention: Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Kirkland’s, 1383 Towne Square Boulevard, and The Vintage Emporium, 4735 Read Mountain Road, Cloverdale (tie); and Walmart
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Best place for holiday decorations — outside the home
1. Lowe’s
2. Walmart
3. Target
Honorable mention: Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road; Home Depot; Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport, and Roanoke City Farmers Market (tie)
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Winners: Bargain hunters
Best Black Friday sales
1. Walmart
2. Target
3. Best Buy
Honorable mention: Kohl’s, Belk and Macy’s
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Best after-Christmas sales
1. Target
2. Belk
3. Walmart
Honorable mention: J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Kohl’s
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Best clothing consignment
1. Plato’s Closet, 4082 Electric Road
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
3. Hidden Treasures Consignment, 4216 Brambleton Ave.
Honorable mention: Consigning Women, 2214 Electric Road and Creative C.A.T. Consignment, 2316 Orange Ave. N.E. (tie); Euro Fashions & Exclusives, 3635 Franklin Road S.W. and New To Me Consignment Boutique, 1322 Grandin Road S.W. (tie); and Rena’s on Main, 18 E. Main St., Salem
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Best kids consignment
1. Once Upon a Child, 1371 Towne Square Blvd. and 3953 Brambleton Ave. in Roanoke, 360A Arbor Drive in Christiansburg and 18013 Forest Road, Suite B-01 in Forest
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
3. Lauren’s Friends & Alex, 3473 Brandon Ave. S.W.
Honorable mention: Plato’s Closet, 4082 Electric Road; Kidstuff, 4 E. Main St., Salem; and Second Chance Consignment, 8 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg
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Best home decor consignment
1. Consignment 1st, 2065 Electric Road
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, and Tis the Season, Colonial Avenue at 23rd Street Southwest (tie)
3. Buy the Season, 1529 Apperson Drive, Salem
Honorable mention: Creative C.A.T. Consignment, 2316 Orange Ave. N.E. and New To Me Consignment Boutique, 1322 Grandin Road S.W. (tie); Hidden Treasures Consignment, 4216 Brambleton Ave. and Upscale Attic, 360 Arbor Drive, Christiansburg (tie); and Black Dog Salvage, 902 13th St. S.W.
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Winners: Local roots
Best place for locally made arts and crafts
1. Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center, 439 E. Ridgeway St., Clifton Forge
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Roanoke City Market
Honorable mention: Olde Salem Days; The Green Heron Art Center, 111 Third Ave., Radford; and Floyd County Arts and Crafts Festival and Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E. (tie)
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Best place for “Only in Roanoke” souvenirs
1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. Roanoke City Market
3. The Gift Niche, 110 Market Square, and O. Winston Link Museum, 101 Shenandoah Ave. N.W. (tie)
Honorable mention: A three-way tie among Chocolatepaper, Roanoke City Market (308-3 Market St.) and The Shoppes at West Village (3565-C Electric Road), The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W., and Hotel Roanoke Gift Shop, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.; 2nd Helpings Gallery, 1502 Williamson Road N.E., and Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Ave. S.W.
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Best place to buy Virginia wines/beers
1. Kroger
2. Wine Gourmet, 3524 Electric Road
3. Vintage Cellar, 1338 S. Main St., Blacksburg
Honorable mention: Chateau Morrisette Winery, 287 Winery Road S.W., Floyd; Blue Ridge Vineyard, 1027 Shiloh Drive, Eagle Rock and Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, 2825-B Brambleton Ave. S.W. (tie); Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem
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Best place for Virginia Tech gear
1. University Bookstore on the Virginia Tech campus and Volume Two Bookstore, 801 University City Blvd., Blacksburg
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Gobbler Gear, 603 S. College Ave., Salem
Honorable mention: Walmart; Virginia Tech Bookstore|Campus Emporium, 207 N. Main St. and 1337 S. Main St., Blacksburg; and Dick’s Sporting Goods, 100 New River Road, Christiansburg and 1910 Valley View Blvd. N.W., Roanoke
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Best place for University of Virginia gear
1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. Walmart
3. University of Virginia Bookstore, 400 Emmet St. South, Charlottesville
Honorable mention: Willow Grove Gifts, 4706 Starkey Road; Tailgaters United, Valley View Mall; and Mincer’s, 1527 University Ave., Charlottesville
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Winners: Hitting the road
Best weekend shopping destination
1. Charlotte, N.C.
2. Williamsburg
3. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
Honorable mention: Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia, Pigeon Forge outlet malls in Tennessee and New York City
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Best day-trip shopping destination
1. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
2. Valley View Mall in Roanoke, and Greensboro, N.C. (tie)
3. Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C.
Honorable mention: Lynchburg; Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Lexington
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Best high-end mall
1. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
2. Tysons Corner and Tysons Galleria in Northern Virginia
3. South Park in Charlotte, N.C.
Honorable mention: Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond, Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro, N.C., and The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington
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Best outlet mall
1. Tanger Outlets, many locations along the East Coast
2. Williamsburg Premium Outlets
3. Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.
Honorable mention: Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets in Leesburg, Potomac Mills in Woodbridge; and Pigeon Forge outlet malls in Tennessee and Hagerstown Premium Outlets in Maryland (tie)
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Best store that Roanoke doesn’t have but should get
1. Trader Joe’s
2. IKEA
3. Dillard’s
Honorable mention: Whole Foods, Nordstrom and H&M
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Winners: Holiday pampering
Best place for a facial/waxing/skin care
1. Zee’s Salon & Day Spa, 121 Duke of Gloucester St., S.W.
2. Pure Spa, 3555 Electric Road
3. Allura MD Laser Aesthetics, 1900 Braeburn Drive, Salem
Honorable mention: SkinFit Esthetics, 1630 Braeburn Drive, Suite B, Salem; Les Cheveux Salon & Day Spa, Towers Shopping Center; Medical Grade Skin Care, 4523 Brambleton Ave., Suite 204; and Azario Salon & Day Spa, 5420 Starkey Road (tie)
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Best place for holiday up-dos and highlights
1. Zee’s Salon & Day Spa, 121 Duke of Gloucester St., S.W.
2. Sue Hoag at The Styling Group, 1406 Williamson Road, S.E.
3. Studio 419, 3549 Electric Road
Honorable mention: Les Cheveux Salon & Day Spa, Towers Shopping Center; Salon HeadQuarters, 4806 Pleasant Hills Drive, Suite 101, and Onyx Hair Studio, 1866 Apperson Drive, Salem (tie); and J.C. Penney
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Best local hidden gem more people should know about
1. 2nd Helpings shop/gallery/cafe, 1502 Williamson Road
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington
Honorable mention: Williams Lighting Gallery, 1871 Dillard Drive in Salem and 90 Town Center Street in Daleville; Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; and Mad Dog Boutique, 109 N. Main St., Blacksburg
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Best place to get a massage
1. Zee’s Salon & Day Spa, 121 Duke of Gloucester St., S.W.
2. Pure Spa, 3555 Electric Road
3. Cloud 9 State of Mind Massage Therapy, 2305 Colonial Ave., S.W., Suite C
Honorable mention: LVI Massage and Body Contouring Center, 2115 Crystal Spring Ave. S.W.; Body Sense Day Spa and Clinic, 3507 Franklin Road S.W.; Soothing Techniques, 3426 Brambleton Ave. and Essentials Massage Therapy, 420 Church Ave. S.W. (tie)
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Best place to lose the pounds you packed on over the holidays
1. Planet Fitness, Towers Shopping Center
2. Weight Watchers
3. Gold’s Gym
Honorable mention: YMCA, Roanoke Athletic Club, 4508 Starkey Road, and Spa Fit, 1630 Braeburn Drive, Suite A, Salem (tie); The Weigh Station, 1600 Roanoke Street, Suite D, Christiansburg, and 2601 Franklin Road S.W., Roanoke
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