Month: October 2015

Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2015: Nightlife

Post author By Flyer Staff
Post date October 1, 2015

Levitt Shell

Best Place to See Live Music

1. Levitt Shell

2. Lafayette’s Music Room

3. Minglewood Hall

Devil Stick Guy. Dancing Kid. Midtown Hipster. Germantown Mom. They all go to the Shell. Why? Quality acts with a range of styles. Blankets. Beer. Buddies. All under the open sky. What’s not to like?

Best Band

1. North Mississippi Allstars

2. Dead Soldiers — tie — Star & Micey

3. Lucero

More than any act, the North Mississippi Allstars keep our region’s music in the national spotlight. The band is still rollin’ and tumblin’ with new projects and keeping the hill country blues alive and well.

North Mississippi Allstars

Best Singer

1. Amy LaVere

2. Alexis Grace

3. Joyce Cobb — tie — Yo Gotti

Amy LaVere lives in Memphis, but the highway is her home. She tours relentlessly across the U.S., but last year she took time to record Hallelujah I’m a Dreamer with her husband and guitarist, Will Sexton. The record was released in April. Described as a “sonic portrait,” the record captures the couple’s live shows.

Best Comedian

READERS’ CHOICE

Ambrose Jones

Josh McLane

Katrina Coleman

Mo Alexander

This one was too close to call, but the folks listed above are among Memphis’ most gifted funny-bone ticklers.

Best Comedy Venue

1. Chuckles Comedy House

2. P & H Café

3. Hi-Tone

Chuckles Comedy House sought to lead the charge in a stand-up rebirth here when they opened last year. The club now brings a laudable mix of up-and-coming comedians, like Ambrose Jones, underground comics like Doo Doo Brown, and undisputed superstars like Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans, and Carlos Mencia.

Best Karaoke

1. Windjammer Restaurant & Lounge

2. P & H Café

3. The Blue Monkey

Whether you’re crooning “Summer Love” with your bestie or croaking out “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” this classic East Memphis joint is the place to be.

Earnestine & Hazel’s

Best Hole-in-the-Wall

1. Earnestine & Hazel’s

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. The Cove — tie — P&H Café

Best Jukebox

1. Earnestine & Hazel’s

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. Young Avenue Deli

This is Memphis, so the competition for best cozy bar was fierce, but the haunted vibe in South Main’s landmark beer joint won the day. And E & H’s monster jukebox, thick with soul and R&B, draws drinkers to the dinky dance floor on the regular.

Best College Hangout

1. RP Tracks Restaurant and Bar

2. Alex’s Tavern — tie — Celtic Crossing

3. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

After years as a BOM bridesmaid, this University of Memphis-area institution ascended to the top spot, perhaps on the strength of the magic they work with barbecue and tofu.

Best After-Hours Club

1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. Earnestine & Hazel’s

Best Dance Club

1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

2. Club 152 on Beale

3. Rumba Room

Just imagine what downtown would be if Paula Raiford hadn’t taken up the reins of this dance palace when her father retired. And “No Discrimination!” has to be the best business motto in the city.

Best Pick-up Joint

1. Peabody Rooftop

2. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

3. Celtic Crossing — tie — Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Less of a “joint” and more of an “international landmark,” the weekly rooftop parties in the summer are the hands-down favorites of Flyer-reading singles looking to hook up.

Best Margarita

1. Molly’s La Casita

2. Babalu Tacos & Tapas

3. Las Delicias

There was a time when Molly’s was the ONLY place to get a decent ‘rita in Midtown. Now there’s competition, but it’s still the best place to shake off a stressful Monday.

Best Artisanal Cocktails

★ BOM 1. Alchemy

2. Hog & Hominy

3. Beauty Shop — tie — The Cove — tie — Peabody Lobby Bar

This Cooper-Young restaurant is built around a huge central bar, and the concept of bringing innovative cocktails to the masses is clearly a big hit with our readers. Bonus points for having an original drink called Tequila Mockingbird.

Best Happy Hour

READERS’ CHOICE

Alchemy

Bardog Tavern

The Blue Monkey

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Local

Slider Inn

The only conclusion we can draw from this too-close-to-call category is that Midtown and downtown are the happiest places to be at 5 p.m.

Best Sports Bar

1. Fox & Hound Sports Tavern

2. Rec Room

3. Buffalo Wild Wings

Now that football season is in full swing and basketball season isn’t far behind, fans will be flocking to the Fox & Hound to get their game on with an extensive beer selection and heavenly nachos.

Best Gay Bar

1. The Pumping Station

2. Dru’s Place

3. Spectrum Memphis

Is there a more evocatively named business in Memphis than this Midtown institution? It’s been a center of Memphis’ thriving LGBT community for 14 years and still going strong.

Best Bartender

READERS’ CHOICE

Brian Davis, Huey’s

Dan Taylor, The Pumping Station

David Parks, Alchemy

Evan Potts, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Matt Lilly, Local

Vincent Hale, Bari Ristorante

Wisecracking friend. Priest confessor. Alchemist. Bouncer. The bartender, kings and queens of the watering hole, is all of those things, and we join our readers in saluting these guys at the top of their game. Shake their hands, be respectful, and tip generously!

Lafayette’s Music Room

Best New Bar

1. Lafayette’s Music Room

2. Rec Room

3. Memphis Made Taproom — tie — Schweinehaus

Lafayette’s Music Room isn’t only one of the best places to see live music every night of the week, it’s also the best new bar in Memphis. From hard rock to bluegrass, Lafayette’s serves up great local, regional, and national bands daily, in addition to an impressive beverage selection.

Best Bar

READERS’ CHOICE

Alchemy

Bardog Tavern

Lafayette’s Music Room

Local

Let’s raise our glasses to all the fine bars in Memphis. From the chic cocktail bar and the music joint to the spot where regulars congregate and the comfy hangout, all are perfect for getting your drink on.

The Best of Memphis 2015

Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2015: Arts & Entertainment

Post author By Flyer Staff
Post date October 1, 2015

Pink Palace Museum

Best Museum

1. Pink Palace Museum

2. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

3. Children’s Museum of Memphis — tie — National Civil Rights Museum

The Pink Palace continues to be the best museum in the city, thanks to their planetarium, 3-D theater, and tons of other awesome attractions. First-time visitors will quickly recognize the Pink Palace as one of the top attractions in Memphis, something locals have known for years.

Best Gallery

1. Crosstown Arts

2. David Lusk Gallery

3. Jay Etkin Art Gallery

Crosstown continues its reign

as one of the top new areas in Memphis, and what’s a great neighborhood without a great art gallery? From workshops to art installations, Crosstown Arts is the premier place for cutting-edge art in Memphis.

Best College Gallery

1. Main Gallery, Memphis College of Art

2. Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art Nesin Graduate School — tie — Art Museum of the University of Memphis

3. Clough-Hanson Gallery, Rhodes College

Memphis College of Art features a mix of alumni, student, and working artists shows integrated into the school environment. The college also has a cool speaker series and plenty of public art to check out around the building.

Best Live Theater

1. The Orpheum

2. Playhouse on the Square

3. Theatre Memphis

Featuring plays, film screenings, comedians, and live musical performances, the Orpheum continues to be the go-to spot for entertainment of all kinds.

Best Movie Theater

1. Paradiso

2. Studio on the Square

3. Ridgeway Cinema Grill

For folks who like nothing more than to settle in deep and really enjoy a film (the 3-D-ier the better), there’s no finer spot in town than Malco’s Paradiso.

Best Casino

1. Horseshoe Tunica Hotel and Casino

2. Gold Strike Casino Resort

3. Southland Park Gaming and Racing

Tunica might technically not be in Memphis, but don’t tell that to the locals and tourists who flock to the Horseshoe Casino every weekend. The Horseshoe has something for everyone, and with great food and an amazing live music lineup, you’ll think you never left Memphis at all.

Memphis Zoo

Best Family Entertainment

1. Memphis Zoo

2. Concerts at Levitt Shell

3. Memphis Redbirds Games — tie — Shelby Farms

The Memphis Zoo has long been considered one of the best in the nation, and with funding for a new herpetarium secured last month, even the reptiles will be living in style at the impressive institution known as the Memphis Zoo.

Austin Nichols

Best Amateur Athlete

1. Austin Nichols, former Memphis Tigers Basketball player

2. Paxton Lynch, Memphis Tigers Football player

3. Shaq Goodwin, Memphis Tigers Basketball player

Well, this is kind of awkward. After being the face of U of M basketball for two seasons, Austin Nichols traded Blue and Gray for Orange and White when he left the University of Memphis for the University of Virginia this summer. No hard feelings, Austin, just remember your roots.

Best Professional Athlete

★ BOM 1. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

2. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

3. Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies — tie — Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

What can we say about Marc “Big Spain” Gasol? All N.B.A. First Team. Object of “I want to climb him.” Muse of this year’s Mid-South Maze.

Memphis Grizzlies

Best Sports Team

★ BOM 1. Memphis Grizzlies

2. Memphis Redbirds

3. Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball

We Don’t Bluff. Grit and Grind. The Grindhouse. The Grindfather. With so many locally concocted slogans to choose from, it’s safe to say that the Grizzlies have won the hearts of Memphians young and old. And after numerous consecutive N.B.A. playoff appearances, the men in Beale Street blue deserve all the accolades they can get. This is Hoop City, and the Grizzlies are kings of the court.

The Best of Memphis 2015

Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2015: Media

Post author By Flyer Staff
Post date October 1, 2015

Everyweatherman

The heel wrestlers had a nickname for Dave Brown. They called the smooth-talking WMC meteorologist/wrestling announcer the “Weather Clown.” It was supposed to be an insult, but it’s also a great description of the beloved Memphis broadcaster who retired from WMC-TV in August after more than 50 years on the air. Brown was never a joker and he took his job as a weatherman seriously. But, like all good clowns, he possessed a deeply silly side too, as well as the ability to comfort us and move us to tears.

Brown’s roots are in radio, but in 1968 he migrated to television, becoming the dapper host of WHBQ-TV’s mid-day movie show, Dialing for Dollars. In the ’70s, he joined the weather team at WMC-TV. Through it all — or most of it, anyway — there was wrestling. It didn’t matter if pencil-necked performance comic Andy Kaufman fought women or wild man wrestler Terry Funk smashed his own head bloody with a metal folding chair. In the midst of the chaos, Brown remained as crisp and unrumpled as his suits. He was a similarly calm and calming presence when interrupting our favorite sitcoms to report on severe weather events like the 1994 ice storm or the devastating straight-line wind known as Hurricane Elvis. Brown, a tireless and convincing advocate for sober driving and better DUI laws, shared his grief just as calmly when his daughter and granddaughter were killed by a drunk driver in 1997.

Funny men are a dime a dozen. We trust our clowns with so much more than laughter, and Dave Brown the Weather Clown will be sorely missed. WMC did name him Meteorologist Emeritus, though, which hopefully means he’ll still be there when severe weather threatens the Mid-South. Or when Bill Dundee threatens Jerry Lawler. — Chris Davis

Best Radio Station

1. WEVL-FM 89.9 Volunteer Supported Radio

2. WKNO-FM 91.1 NPR — tie — WXMX-FM 98.1, the Max

3. WMFS-FM 92.9 ESPN

The airwaves are alive with this volunteer-run radio station. Spinning tunes from country to hip-hop, and jazz to rockabilly, there’s something for all of us at WEVL.

Best Radio Show

★ BOM 1. The Drake Hall Show, 98.1 the Max

2. Ron Olson and Michelle Lewis, FM 100

3. CJ and Liz, Q 107.5

Best Radio Personality

1. Drake Hall, 98.1 the Max

2. Ron Olson, FM 100

3. Chris Vernon, 92.9 ESPN

Drake Hall’s personality is larger than life, and there’s only one radio station that can contain him. From politics to literature, Drake keeps us going on our daily commute.

Best Sports Radio Show

1. The Chris Vernon Show, 92.9 ESPN

2. The Geoff Calkins Show, 92.9 ESPN

3. The Gary Parrish Show, 92.9 ESPN

Everybody needs their daily fix of Grizzlies and Tigers, and everyone needs a break from the boss in the middle of the day. Chris Vernon scratches both those itches.

Best Newspaper Columnist

1. Geoff Calkins, The Commercial Appeal

2. Wendi C. Thomas, The Memphis Flyer

3. Bruce VanWyngarden, The Memphis Flyer

Geoff Calkins, a cup of coffee, and some of the keenest insight on the Grizzlies, Tigers, and Redbirds the city has to offer — no better way to start the day.

Jarvis Greer, Dave Brown, Joe Birch

Best TV Weatherperson

1. Dave Brown, WMC-TV Channel 5

2. Ron Childers, WMC-TV Channel 5

3. Joey Sulipeck, WHBQ-TV Fox 13

Best TV Sportscaster

★ BOM 1. Jarvis Greer, WMC-TV Channel 5

2. Carrie Anderson, WMC-TV Channel 5 — tie — Glenn Carver, WREG-TV Channel 3

3. Matt Stark, WHBQ-TV Fox 13

Best TV News Anchor

★ BOM 1. Joe Birch, WMC-TV Channel 5

2. Claudia Barr, WREG-TV Channel 3

3. Adam Hammond, WREG-TV Channel 3 — tie — Mearl Purvis, WHBQ-TV Fox 13

WMC-TV5 has these categories sewn up with the trifecta of newsgathering and dissemination.

Best Twitter

READERS’ CHOICE

Choose901, @choose901

I Love Memphis, @ilovememphis

Tony Allen, @aa000G9

With only 140 characters at a time, these three talented tweeters have climbed their way to the top of the social media mountain.

Best Instagram

1. Choose901

2. Ilovememphisblog

3. iamjoeymiller

Say “cheese,” and, most likely, it will be Choose901 on the other side of the camera phone, capturing your smile and Memphis mojo to spread to the world.

Choose901

Best Blog

READERS’ CHOICE

www.choose901.com

www.ilovememphisblog.com

It appears that this Internet is more than just a fad, and these folks have mastered how to use it to get out the best our city has to offer.

Best Website

READERS’ CHOICE

www.choose901.com

www.ilovememphisblog.com

www.memphisflyer.com

Look, we all love Memphis for our own reasons. Now, it’s up to us to make the rest of the planet love us just as much, and no one is doing it better via the World Wide Web.

The Best of Memphis 2015

Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2015: Goods & Services

Post author By Flyer Staff
Post date October 1, 2015

Kroger

Best Grocery Store

1. Kroger

2. Fresh Market

3. Whole Foods Market

With expansions in Germantown and the U of M areas, and a new store slated for Midtown, it’s no wonder Kroger continues its dominance in the game of groceries.

Best Specialty Food Store

1. Sweet Noshings

2. Porcellino’s Craft Butcher

3. Cooper Street 20/20 — tie — The Mighty Olive

How do you make a dinner date in Overton Square even better? With dessert at Sweet Noshings — it’s where your sweetie satisfies a sweet tooth.

Best Liquor Store

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wines

2. Joe’s Wines & Liquors

3. Kirby Wine & Liquors

Whether you’re in the market for moonshine or margaritas, Buster’s has an encyclopedic selection of spirits. The staff is well-trained to help you navigate the largest selection of adult beverages in the state, as well as offer some evergreen tips about which wine to pair with dinner.

Best Shopping Center

1. Carriage Crossing

2. The Shops of Saddle Creek

3. Laurelwood Shopping Center

With businesses like Milano’s Pizza, Barnes & Noble, and H&M, it is hard to beat Carriage Crossing for shopping convenience. The Collierville shopping center, home to over 70 retailers, also hosts regular outdoor family movie nights.

Best Gift Shop

1. Babcock Gifts

2. Maggie’s Pharm

3. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Gift Shop — tie — More Than Words Gifts — tie — Wizard’s

This East Memphis gift shop provides one-on-one help so that customers can secure the best bridal, baby, or holiday present. As their website says, “You can find something for everyone — except perhaps a teenage boy.”

Best Farmers Market

1. Memphis Farmers Market

2. Agricenter Farmers Market

3. Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market

Start your morning with a donut and a cup of iced coffee before you source local veggies and listen to live music at the Memphis Farmers Market. There is no better spot to speak face-to-face with the men and women who till the region’s soil. You can even leave your dog with on-site pet sitters while you do your week’s shopping!

Best Bookstore (New)

1. The Booksellers at Laurelwood

2. Barnes & Noble

3. Burke’s Book Store

A success story in a time when independent bookstores struggle to survive, the Booksellers is known for their well-read staff, regular author events, comprehensive (and cozy) magazine section, and family story times. They also offer a selection of gifts and home goods and recently expanded to include a used books section.

Best Bookstore (Used)

1. Burke’s Book Store

2. The Booksellers at Laurelwood

3. Tiger Bookstore

There is no better place in town to find a well-loved book about old school Memphis music or to browse dog-eared poetry chapbooks. Burke’s also carries great reads by local authors, a curated shelf of new fiction and nonfiction, and the classics.

Best Bank

★ BOM 1. First Tennessee Bank

2. Bank of Bartlett

3. Independent Bank — tie — Orion Federal Credit Union

During the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, a solitary cashier named Charles Q. Harris singlehandedly kept First National Bank open, at a time when most businesses were fleeing the stricken city. The bank not only handled the payrolls of other companies but also dispensed much-needed relief funds for food and medicine, playing a big role in keeping our city alive. We like to think that the brave spirit of Harris is embodied in all the employees of what is now known as First Tennessee Bank, and it’s for that reason that the bank — which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year — ranks first with our readers year after year.

Crazy Beautiful

Best Women’s Clothing

1. Crazy Beautiful

2. The Attic Apparel

3. 20twelve — tie — Indigo

“Late nights, records, whiskey, dirty sheets, my lover’s tee and a topknot” reads a shirt you can buy at Crazy Beautiful, something of a manifesto for the relaxed and fun-loving women’s clothing boutique. From reasonably priced sundresses to sequined shorts, Crazy Beautiful creates looks for women who are, well, crazy and beautiful.

Best Women’s Shoes

1. Joseph

2. Cook & Love

3. Outdoors Inc.

Women around these parts speak in reverent, hushed tones about Joseph. And all the gods are there: Louboutin, Burch, Chloé, Blahnik … Amen!

Oak Hall

Best Men’s Clothing

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis

3. Outdoors, Inc.

Best Men’s Shoes

1. Oak Hall

2. Outdoors Inc. — tie — James Davis

3. Baer’s Den

A fine suit, a brilliant tie, a belt that provokes envy — that’s being dressed to kill, and Memphis’ sharpest dressed men pick up their armaments at Oak Hall.

Best Vintage/Used Clothing

1. Goodwill

2. Flashback

3. Blues City Thrift — tie — Hoot + Louise

The ’80s are back, or is it the ’70s? Fringe is in and skinny jeans out. Maybe you don’t follow, so that long, gold circa-’60s wool coat speaks to you. You can keep your wardrobe snapping on the cheap at the many area Goodwill stores.

Best Home Furnishings

1. Ashley Furniture HomeStore — tie — Stash

2. Great American Home Store

3. Pottery Barn Outlet

Looking for a new coffee table on which to display your Memphis Flyer? Or perhaps a comfier couch, so you can be an even better potato? Both Ashley and Stash offer a selection of stylish furniture and accessories for any room in the house. With quality products and convenient locations, our readers think they’re equally great.

Best Pet Store

1. Hollywood Feed

2. Petco

3. PetSmart

The knowledgeable employees at Hollywood Feed are eager to help as soon as you walk in the door of any of their area locations. And they’ve got a great variety of all-natural treats and eats, tons of toys, and locally made beds for your furry friends. Pets love the place, and so do our readers.

Best Hair Salon

1. Gould’s Day Spa & Salon

2. Dabbles Hair Company

3. Capelli Inc.

Best Day Spa

★ BOM 1. Gould’s Day Spa & Salon

2. Midtown Massage & Bodywork

3. Germantown Day Spa

Best Place to Get a Facial

★ BOM 1. Gould’s Day Spa & Salon

2. Eden Spa & Laser

3. Germantown Day Spa

Best Nail Salon

1. Gould’s Day Spa & Salon

2. Nail Bar on the Island

3. Roses Nails

Best Place to Get Waxed

1. Gould’s Day Spa & Salon

2. European Wax Center

3. Dabbles Hair Company

When it comes to pampering ourselves, Memphians clearly choose Gould’s. Looking to get a new hairdo, fancy nails, a good waxing, a facial, or to enjoy a relaxing day at the spa? Their professionals take good care of us, and we like that.

Best Hair Stylist

READERS’ CHOICE

Allison Becksfort, formerly of Pavo Salon Spa

Feras Hdaib, New Beginnings by Roy Evans

Holly Woods, Paggio’s Salon

Jaklyn Keen, Dabbles Hair Company

Marcie Seccombe, Salon 387

Wallis Ashley, Salon 387

Healthy hair is happy hair. And a new ‘do, cut, or color can make anyone feel great. Having a talented and personable stylist just makes the whole experience that much better. Our readers think these stylists are the hairspray to their hold, the Goldi to their locks, the Jheri to their curl.

Best Health/Fitness Club

1. Salvation Army Kroc Center

2. Planet Fitness

3. Germantown Athletic Club — tie — Fogelman Downtown YMCA

Maybe we do eat a lot of barbecue, but that doesn’t mean Memphians aren’t fit. Our readers try to work off as much of that pork and sauce as they can, and they prefer to do it at the Kroc Center.

Cardio Barre

Best Specialty Fitness Studio

1. Cardio Barre

2. Pure Barre

3. CrossFit 901

Much like ballet, barre exercises have you doing high energy/no impact movements using a horizontal barre for support. At Cardio Barre, they combine barre work with light weights so our arms, torso, butt, and legs look great.

Best Yoga Studio

1. Midtown Yoga

2. Better Bodies Yoga

3. Bikram Yoga East Memphis — tie — Bikram Yoga Overton Square — tie — Delta Groove Yoga

Breathe in. Breathe out. Stretch. Release. Finding your center is easy at Midtown Yoga. They’ll help you do your best and most effective downward dog, cat, hare, or tree pose. You may even align a chakra or two. Namaste!

Best Fine Jewelry Store

1. Mednikow

2. Las Savell Jewelry

3. Sissy’s Log Cabin

A little bling goes a long way if you’ve got the good stuff. And Mednikow offers the real deal. Silver and gold, rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, and diamonds — beautiful, shiny diamonds — they’ve got the hook up.

Best Tattoo Parlor

1. No Regrets Tattoo Emporium

2. Undgerground Art, Inc.

3. Trilogy Tattoos

When our readers want to get inked by some of the city’s best artists, they choose No Regrets. They do beautiful work in a clean, comfortable environment and fulfill the promise of the shop’s name, whether you’re getting a phoenix, a flower, or Fat Albert.

Best Antiques Store

1. Sheffield Antiques Mall

2. Antique Warehouse Mall — tie — Flashback

3. Palladio Antiques and Art

Looking for a cool piece of decorative art, vintage furniture, or retro jewelry? Sheffield Antiques Mall has that stuff and more. With a variety of items on offer from more than 360 antiques dealers, our readers go there to get their fix.

Best Tobacco Shop

1. Tobacco Corner, Ltd.

2. Wizard’s

3. Tinder Box

Tobacco Corner has taken the top spot yet again this year for Memphis’ best tobacco shop. For over 45 years, the shop at South Mendenhall and Poplar has been a Memphis institution.

Best Alternative Smoke Shop

1. Whatever

2. Wizard’s

3. Cooper-Young Glassworks & Gifts

It’s no surprise that Whatever has won the title of Best of Memphis again this year. The shop offers plenty for the alternative smoker: pipes made of glass, tobacco papers, and all kinds of gifts like jewelry.

Best Dry Cleaner

1. Bensinger’s Fine Cleaners

2. Germantown Cleaners

3. Dryve Cleaners — tie — Happy Day Laundry and Cleaners

Bensinger’s has 10 locations all over Memphis, and our readers love taking their clothes there. They’ve been in business for more than half a century — one of the reasons Memphians have voted it the best in the city.

Best Florist

1. Pugh’s Flowers

2. Holliday Flowers & Events, Inc.

3. Garden District

Pugh’s may have been voted best florist, but Pugh’s has more than flowers for every occasion. They offer plants, edibles like cakes and cookies, and tapestries, too.

Best Garden Center

1. Dan West Garden Center

2. Midtown Nursery

3. Digger O’Dell Nursery — tie — Stringer’s Poplar Pointe Garden Center

Our readers love Dan West, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to being the best place to get garden supplies and plants, Christmas time is an experience at Dan West, offering all kinds of natural Christmas trees for over 20 years.

Best Athletic Goods Store

1. Outdoors Inc.

2. Breakaway Running

3. Fleet Feet Sports

Outdoors Inc. is known for its vast array of products for everything — climbing, camping, cycling, whitewater rafting — for the active Memphian. If you do it outside, you know that you can find everything you need at their five locations.

Best Bicycle Shop

1. Peddler Bike Shop

2. Midtown Bike

3. Outdoors Inc.

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or learning to ride a bike for the first time, Peddler is the place to find everything you need, from the bikes to all the gear.

Goner Records

Best Record Store (New)

1. Spin Street

2. Goner Records

3. Shangri-La Records

If you need to find the latest CD, Spin Street at the corner of Poplar and Highland has your back. The mainstay record store not only has music filled to the walls but also gifts for all music lovers in your life.

Best Record Store (Used)

1. Goner Records

2. Shangri-La Records

3. Spin Street

Popular Goner Records is the only record store in town to have its own festival, Goner Fest, for 12 years. The store’s charm is only half the reason to shop there; the music selection is the other.

Amro Music

Best Music Equipment Store

1. Amro Music

2. Guitar Center — tie— Memphis Drum Shop

3. Gibson Guitar

Amro not only has the biggest selection of instruments, pianos, and accessories in Memphis, they’ve also got repair technicians, support staff for directors and students, and a rental system that makes getting an instrument a breeze.

Best New Car Dealership

READERS’ CHOICE

Acura of Memphis

AutoNation Honda 385

Landers Ford

Lexus of Memphis

Wolfchase Honda

Wolfchase Toyota-Scion

Memphians love their car dealerships — so much, in fact, that we couldn’t determine a winner for this category. These dealerships are all over the map, too; perfect for wherever you live.

Best Used Car Dealership

1. CarMax

2. City Auto

3. Gossett Used Car Auto Center — tie — It’s All Good Auto Sales

CarMax’s way to buy a car is easy, thanks to the online search and friendly staff that doesn’t try to push anything on you.

Best Motorcycle Dealership

★ BOM 1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson

2. Honda-Yamaha of Memphis

3. Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson

Bumpus is a winner again this year by an overwhelming majority, something that shouldn’t surprise motorcycle enthusiasts, who truly love the shop.

The Best of Memphis 2015

Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2015: Staff Picks

Post author By Flyer Staff
Post date October 1, 2015

Hattiloo Theatre

Best New Cultural Amenity: Hattiloo Theatre

The Hattiloo Theatre recently completed its first season in its new custom-built home on Overton Square and is currently celebrating a 10th anniversary. Since arriving on the Square the Afro-American-centric theater company has maintained its focus while partnering with groups like Indie Memphis and New Ballet Ensemble. Perhaps, more importantly, it’s become home to regular panel discussions and forums about culture, history, and social justice. From zero to institution in 10 years is impressive. And if this first year in the new space is any indication, the best really is yet to come. — Chris Davis

Best Burger: The Oshi Burger

I don’t eat hamburgers all that often, but when I do, I like to do it right, so I go to the Oshi Burger Bar downtown and order the Oshi Burger ($12). This thing is ridiculously good: wagyu Kobe American beef dressed with a soy glaze, shiitake mushroom tapenade, Swiss cheese, and umami mayonnaise. Banzai! — Bruce VanWyngarden

Best New Band: Chickasaw Mound

Made up of members of the Sheiks, Blackberries, and Aquarian Blood, Chickasaw Mound deliver soulful garage rock like no other band in Memphis. Singer Jesse Davis is one of the most promising local front men in recent memory, and his backing band of seasoned players speaks for itself. Save this band’s debut single because it’ll be worth a small fortune one day. — Chris Shaw

Bass Pro

Best Ride: Bass Pro’s Elevator

If you haven’t taken the nation’s tallest free-standing elevator to the top of the Bass Pro Pyramid yet, now’s the time, now that the summer crowds have thinned. It costs $10, but there are drinks and appetizers awaiting at the top — along with an incomparable view of Memphis and the Mississippi River. — BV

Best Neighborhood to Impress: South Main

South Main has everything you need to blow an out-of-town guest away when visiting Memphis. The hauntingly cool Earnestine & Hazel’s, the historic Arcade Restaurant, the hip Love Pop Soda Shop, and all of the amazing local boutiques like Hoot + Louise help make a Memphis day and evening a memorable one. If you want to show someone what Memphis is like, take them down to the arts district, especially on the last Friday of the month — you won’t regret it.
— Alexandra Pusateri

Best Future Site for a Public Art Graveyard: The Greensward

Every city that has the bravery to commission public artworks should have the discretion to also designate a “Public Art Graveyard” where, when bulky artworks wear out their public welcome, they can be gracefully retired. The Public Art Graveyard would be an open space where children and animals could roam peacefully amidst statues glorifying questionable people, giant metal abstractions, and superannuated corporate fountains. The Overton Park Greensward, that out-of-the-way patch of grass recently commandeered by the Zoo for parking space, would be a perfect place for Memphis’ yet-unrealized Public Art Graveyard. — Eileen Townsend

Best Sound Person: Alyssa Moore

All hail the dive bar that could. Not only does Murphy’s give all the door money to the bands performing, they also have a dedicated sound person who goes the extra mile to make touring and local bands sound as good as they possibly can. Tip your bartender and buy Alyssa a drink when you see her behind the sound board at Murphy’s, she deserves it. — CS

Best New Memphis-Based Company: LYFE Kitchen

We’re still in disbelief that LYFE Kitchen, the healthy fast-casual restaurant chain, moved their headquarters from tech-obsessed Palo Alto, California, to barbecue-obsessed Memphis. But they did, and we’re thrilled about it. LYFE, which stands for Love Your Food Everyday, offers wholesome gourmet meals in a casual fast-food environment at their East Memphis location. Nothing is fried, and no white sugar or white flour is used. And you won’t find a soda on the menu. You will find lots of vegan and gluten-free options, creamy smoothies, salads, wraps, and even breakfast. We’re fans of the veggie burger with avocado and smoky pepper aioli on ciabatta bread with kale salad on the side. LYFE will soon be opening a second location downtown in the remodeled Chisca building. — Bianca Phillips

Best Reason to Save the Coliseum: Memphis’ Preservationists

Remember when a developer said Midtown’s last best chance for Overton Square was demolishing all the existing buildings and erecting a suburban-style grocery store where the parking garage now stands? Because that almost happened. Today, Memphians turn out in huge numbers to enjoy free concerts at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park. They can do so because, for 20 years, a group called Save Our Shell kept it from being torn down. We enjoy Overton Park because an even earlier group of activists kept it from being cut in half by an interstate extension. Today music tourism pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into Memphis’ economy annually even though Beale Street was leveled and mostly shuttered into the ’80s. Stax was completely demolished, and Sun was once empty and ripe for redevelopment. Even if you don’t know what the Coliseum might someday become, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due: The preservationists have a pretty good track record. — CD

Pink Diva Cupcakery

Best Vegan Lunch: Pink Diva Cupcakery

Don’t let the name fool you — Pink Diva Cupcakery offers more than cupcakes. Every Monday through Saturday, owner Cassi Conyers serves up hot vegan comfort food from the space formerly occupied by DeJaVu on Florida. Ramen bowls, nachos, and vegan mac ‘n’ cheese bowls come with unlimited toppings (kale, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.). Conyers makes good use of her deep fryer with fried spicy barbecue tofu and fried vegan fish filets. There’s a chickpea salad sandwich named The Susan (after Flyer managing editor Susan Ellis) and occasional daily specials, such as stuffed tofu manicotti. Saturdays feature a menu of breakfast all day! — BP

Best Beer Garden: Station No. 3: The Memphis Firehaus

Technically, Station No. 3: The Memphis Firehaus had not started as of press time, but we already know it’s going to be best beer garden of 2015. That’s because the team behind the fall pop-up event at the abandoned firehouse at Third and MLK has already hosted one awesome beer garden this past spring — The Revival at the Tennessee Brewery. Now Benjamin Orgel, Paul Stephens, Logan Scheidt, and J.C. Youngblood are taking the concept to the old firehouse. Every Thursday through Sunday, from October 1st through November 30th, Station No. 3: The Memphis Firehaus will be open with local craft beers, food trucks, live music, and Griz-watching parties. — BP

Best Reader: Janet Sides

All my fellow WYPL nerds, can I get a WOOP WOOP!?

Memphis Public Library ‘s WYPL radio station offers readings of books and local and national publications as well as other programming. There’s a certain comfort in the routine of WYPL — the reading of the sports section or TV section of The Commercial Appeal in the mornings, etc. I’ve picked up more than a few books after hearing a half hour or so on WYPL. And then there’s the great pleasure of how various readers handle omitting the bad words from copy. My favorite is “expletive deleted.” “The man said, ‘Now hold on, you expletive deleted! You’re telling me that expletive deleted just expletive deleted my wife?'” It’s expletive deleted awesome!

One reader who’s caught my ear is Janet Sides. I once heard her read a story from the Flyer. I knew the story was good, but when Sides took it on, she made the story sing — the cadences of her voice taking the listener through a wild ride, an expert pause after a joke a tonal rim shot. And great respect to her for her tackling of James Clavell’s epic, over 1,000-page Shōgun. — Susan Ellis