Category: Best of Memphis

Best New Reason To Go Out To Eat

Say what you will about Styrofoam: It lasts and lasts and lasts.

Oh, hey, wait. That isn’t a good thing.

More than a pound of trash is produced for every restaurant meal
served, but more than 95 percent of restaurant waste can be recycled.
So Margot McNeeley decided to do something about it.

Her brainchild is Project Green Fork, a local non-profit that has
restaurants becoming more energy efficient, using recyclable to-go
containers, and composting food scraps.

Now if only someone would start Project Green Bar to deal with all
the beer bottles. — Mary Cashiola

Best Local History Book of 2009 AND Best History Book Title of All Time

In Sputnik, Masked Men, and Midgets, Ron Hall has produced a
photo album that documents the early days of Memphis wrestling, when
men like Sputnik Monroe and Jackie Fargo were the rock stars of their
day. Packed with wonderful images, it even includes a CD of songs
performed by famous wrestlers from the 1960s. Well done, Mr. Hall.

— Michael Finger

Rob O’Dea Photography

Nick Lewis

Best Local Athlete You Never Heard Of

Rhodes College graduate Nick Lewis completed the astonishingly
difficult Leadville 100-mile overland run in August, at elevations of
up to 12,800 feet in the Colorado Rockies.

Correction: He didn’t merely complete the race, he finished second,
in a time of 17 hours and 44 minutes, a mere 17 minutes behind the
winner.

Only 271 of the 504 runners who entered the race made it to the
finish. Needless to say, you don’t even enter such a race unless you
are in phenomenal physical and mental condition.

Lewis, 23, started in darkness at 4 a.m. and finished in darkness
nearly 18 hours later in the sixth fastest time ever for the Leadville.
He battled 85 degree temperatures, altitude sickness, steep climbs to a
12,800-foot pass, “the twilight zone” where your mind starts playing
tricks on you, and a whole lot of rocks. With 40 miles to go, he
thought he was done and flopped down in a stream for five minutes. It
revived him, he swallowed a salt pill, ate an energy gel, and got back
in the race. He estimates that he consumed 12,000 calories that day in
the form of drinks, gels, fruit, and peanut butter and honey
sandwiches.

Lewis, who works at Breakaway Athletics, is only 5′-3″ tall and
weighs 110 pounds. He ran track and cross-country at Rhodes, but until
last year all of his running was at low altitude and not more than 50
kilometers (or 31 miles). Three weeks before the Leadville race, he
started training in Colorado. He’s hooked on “ultras” now and expects
to compete in Colorado and California later this year.

— John Branston

Justin Fox Burks

The Memphis Knit Mafia

Best Reason To Pick Up Your Knitting Needles

Scarves aren’t just for necks anymore. And knitting isn’t just for
grandmas.

Last spring, the Memphis Knit Mafia marked their turf with their own
brand of graffiti: a colorful “pole cozy” outside Café Eclectic
in Midtown.

The group, who say they’re younger, more liberal, and have dirtier
mouths than their traditional counterparts, meet every Tuesday to knit,
purl, and spin a yarn or two.

As for more knitted graffiti, be on the lookout next month.

— Mary Cashiola

Best Twitter-er

After Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery’s ill-advised fist-bump with the
Dalai Lama, the following message was on Twitter: “If I met the Lama, I
wouldn’t greet him with crude gestures. I’d do the honorable thing and
extend him the Zambodian penis of friendship.”

That’s only one example of the twisted madness of the anonymous wit
who posts under the name “FakeMongo” on Twitter. I don’t know who he
is. I’m not sure I even want to know. (Yes, I do.) But you have to
admire the man’s comic genius. I just hope he hangs around after the
election. A few more examples:

“Says here in the city bylaws the mayor has to wear a shirt at all
public events where booze is served. Checkmate, Mr. Lawler.”

“Show me on the doll where the mayor touched you, Mr. Lama.”

“Enjoying some flash-frozen gamma locust with Severed Head of
Charles Carpenter. Wish we had some honey mustard for dipping!” —
Bruce VanWyngarden

Best Score for Local Gay Rights

Granted, San Francisco passed an ordinance protecting employees on
the basis of sexual orientation in the 1970s. But hey, Shelby County
was better late than never in passing its nondiscrimination ordinance
this summer that protects gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
county workers. After contentious debate with right-wingers on the
county commission, the wording was dumbed down to not specifically
mention the phrases “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.” But
Commissioner Steve Mulroy’s original intention for the ordinance
remained true. Look for a similar debate to go down with the Memphis
City Council after the October mayoral election.

— Bianca Phillips

Best Save

To an unsuspecting motorist, the brick facade next to the new
Chick-Fil-A on Union Avenue may look a little strange. But
preservationists scored a major victory by convincing the fried-chicken
chain to save a piece of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building
that once stood at that site. The original structure was built in 1951
to serve as headquarters for the church. Chick-Fil-A on Union opened in
mid-September, and the southwest corner of the Cumberland building now
serves as the border of a unique outdoor dining space. —
Bianca Phillips

Best Date/Workout

Okay, the harnesses are not the most flattering accessory, but how
better to impress a girl (or guy) than skittering up Bridges’ 35-foot
climbing wall like a spider monkey?

When Bridges opened its 40-foot ropes course and rock wall, it was
used during training programs for school and corporate groups. But now
the rock course is open to the public once a month during Climb
Nights.

For $15, you can scale the wall as many times as you want, which,
granted, might just be once. But with the adrenaline pumping, the
little bell at the top waiting to be rung, and a belayer from Outdoors
Inc. controlling the rope, what have you got to lose?

— Mary Cashiola

Best Messy Sports Exit

A local hero as long as he was winning, smooth operator John
Calipari revealed himself en route to bluegrass country, taking most of
his heavily anticipated University of Memphis recruiting class with him
to Kentucky and leaving a scandal in his wake. Calipari became the only
coach in college hoops history to have Final Four appearances vacated
at two schools — in both cases, after he’d jumped ship to a new
gig.

— Chris Herrington

Best Messy Sports Entrance

Even if he’s on the downside of his career at age 34, former NBA MVP
and scoring champion Allen Iverson is still one of the four or five
most famous basketball players on the planet. Though he’s not the best
player in Grizzlies history, he’s certainly the biggest star, something
reflected in the ticket sales and merchandising bump the struggling
franchise got upon his arrival and in the hundreds who came out to
Iverson’s public press conference.

That some of those excited civilians played media (grabbing the mic
to ask “the Answer” some questions) and dignitary (strolling to the
dais to make a speech and present Iverson with a gift) probably wasn’t
part of the plan. But it’s appropriate that the Iverson era has been
hugely entertaining — and a little wild — even before he’s
set foot on the court. — Chris Herrington

Best Family Experience

The shows at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park: They are free,
parking ain’t no big thing, it’s casual, kids can dance and run and
play, and the music is across-the-board and excellent. — Greg
Akers

Best Sandwich

The club sandwich at Frank’s, a no-frills deli housed in a former
South Main liquor store, has a narcotic effect. It provides the eater
with a sense of well-being and produces mild euphoria. It makes you
tingle all over and love your fellow man. This overstuffed gift to
humanity consists of chunks of house-smoked turkey layered with
thickish slices of house-smoked ham, smoked cheddar, bacon, lettuce,
tomato and a smear of mayo on crispy grilled bread. It makes you want
to be a better person.

If we dropped these instead of bombs on America’s enemies, we’d have
no enemies. And everybody would be too fat and happy to fight anyway.
In case you haven’t gotten the point yet, this is a damn fine sandwich.
— Chris Davis

Best Urban Homesteading

The Hattiloo Theatre is in the process of adding a cool new
performance space in a space that seems way too small to create a cool
new performance space. This little theater in the Edge District is a
great success story and a shining example for urban homesteaders
everywhere. — Chris Davis

Best Half-Hour of Television

For almost two decades, News Channel 3’s Knowledge Bowl has
been a fixture on local Saturday-morning television, nestled among the
cartoons and outdoors programs. Each week during the school year, the
trivia show pits two high schools against each other in a competition
that is no less riveting than a Friday-night gridiron spectacle. The
kids vie for scholarship money and bragging rights for biggest nerds.
Respect. — Greg Akers

Sister Myotis

Best Character

Sister Myotis, the outspoken evangelical casserole enthusiast
created by Memphis actor/writer Steve Swift will make his/her Off
Broadway debut this summer. If you haven’t caught the live act, you’ve
missed something funny, frightening, and occasionally profound. —
Chris Davis

Alex Harrison

If Memphis only had Elvis Presley and Willie Mitchell, we’d have plenty to be proud of. But over the decades the home of the blues has played host to B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Al Green, the Staple Singers, Alex Chilton, Johnny Cash, Jim Dickinson, Otis Redding, Three Six Mafia, Isaac Hayes, and a host of other artists too numerous to mention. And, if you take a little trip to MTV.com and watch episodes of Craig Brewer’s $5 Cover, you’ll discover that Memphis’ rich musical history isn’t all history. We’re still making some of the sweetest sounds on the planet.

What ever will we do without Mayor Willie Herenton to kick around?
He’s been such good fodder for this section of Best Of, particularly
this year, when his name, in all its various spellings, flooded both
the “Best Success” and “Best Failure” categories.

The Herenton vote also is notable for its ecstatic punctuation. We
counted 500 exclamation points (e.g., “Herenton Leaving! Blessed
Be!!!!”) in the “Best Success” category before giving up(!).

Best Category We Left Out

1. Best Park

2. Best Farmers Market

3. Best Nonprofit

It’s not surprising that Memphians are proud of their parks, because
our green spaces are so much more than green. From the fabulous free
concerts at Overton Park’s newly renovated Levitt Shell, to the cool
Yvonne Bobo sculptures in Peabody Park and the calming Zen landscapes
of the Memphis Botanic Garden our parks — quite literally —
have got it going on.

Best Memphian

1. A C Wharton

2. Steve Cohen

3. Justin Timberlake

Able and competent; always calm; and aiming for consensus: These are
a few of the things A C stands for. Although he has his share of
critics, Shelby County mayor and city mayor hopeful A C Wharton is the
rare politician that people seem to like regardless of race,
profession, or party affiliation. In Memphis, that’s a certifiable
miracle.

Best Neighborhood

1. Cooper-Young

2. Central Gardens

3. High Point Terrace — tie —

Evergreen

Want to pick up a rare first-edition book signed by an author, have
a perfect cup of coffee, and shop for a one-of-a kind piece of jewelry
before sitting down to a fabulous plate of tapas or Thai? You must be
heading toward Cooper-Young. There’s a reason why the annual
Cooper-Young Festival has become one of the biggest events of its kind.
The tree-shaded neighborhood is one of Memphis’ most walkable and
boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and
boutiques.

Best Memphis Failure

1. Mayor Willie Herenton’s Continuing Reign

2. Coach John Calipari’s Departure

3. The Pyramid Remaining Empty

Psssst! Mayor Herenton resigned. Pass it on. And see “Best Memphis
Success” for further details.

Bianca Phillips

Mayor Willie Herenton’s Resignation, 1st place: ‘Best Memphis Success’

Best Memphis Success

1. Mayor Willie Herenton’s Resignation

2. Hiring Josh Pastner

3. Memphis Farmers Market, downtown

On the day Memphis mayor Willie Herenton resigned, Shelby County
mayor A C Wharton honored him by quoting the lyrics to “My Way,” a song
originally recorded by Frank Sinatra, operatically covered by Elvis,
then savaged by Sid Vicious. Nothing could have been more appropriate
for the towering political leader who would later dangle his letter of
resignation above the head of his successor, Mayor Pro Tem Myron
Lowery, and say, “I couldn’t give you this when you were kind of
demanding it.” Although he won his last election with a plurality,
Flyer voters sent a clear message: It was time for the mayor to
go. In the end he agreed. And there was great jubilation.

Alex Harrison

Now nearly a decade old, Cooper-Young’s Black Lodge Video isn’t just a video store; it’s an institution. It’s where local filmmakers like Craig Brewer and Mike McCarthy go for inspiration and where serious cinephiles go to scope out classics and obscurities from film history or just hang out and talk movies. You can find new releases at Black Lodge, but you can also find Asian action, film noir, intriguing documentaries, and perhaps the most thorough horror collection you’ll ever see. You name it, they probably have it.

The top vote-getters in this category were, in order: Buster’s,
Burke’s, Davis-Kidd, Outdoors Inc., and Macy’s. Make of that what you
will.

Best Grocery Store

1. Fresh Market

2. Kroger

3. Whole Foods

The name Fresh Market says it all: an incredible selection of the
tastiest and freshest food in town. The store’s seafood, meat, veggies,
and cheese are almost mind-boggling, and the aroma from the gourmet
coffee aisle is downright intoxicating. Every time we shop here, we
bring home new things that we haven’t tried before.

Justin Fox Burks

Buster’s Liquors & Wine, 1st place: ‘Best Liquor Store’

Best Liquor Store

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wine

2. Joe’s Liquor Store

3. Kirby Wine & Liquors

If you can’t find something to wet your whistle here, maybe you’d
better stick to soft drinks. Overflowing with bottles and boxes of all
sizes, Buster’s offers the city’s best selection of wine, liquor,
champagne, and more.

Best Department Store

1. Macy’s

2. Target

3. Dillard’s

Awesome sales and great brands make Macy’s the best department store
in Memphis. Its collection of clothes, shoes, and housewares is
amazing.

Best Shopping Mall

1. Oak Court

2. Wolfchase Galleria

3. The Avenue Carriage Crossing

Who knew that one of our city’s smallest malls — tucked onto
the site of a former women’s college — would consistently win the
most votes as our city’s best. Larger malls have come and gone, newer
places have opened in the ‘burbs, but the elegant setting and diverse
selection of shops (plus a decent food court) make Oak Court number
one.

Best Gift Shop

1. Babcock Gifts

2. Maggie’s Pharm

3. Pier One

Whether it’s a gift for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion or a
spur-of-the-moment purchase, our readers say Babcock is their favorite
shopping destination. The store has a great selection of china,
silverware, glassware, and other high-end gifts, but there’s plenty of
other items for sale, including a fine selection of handmade pottery
from local artisans.

Best Bookstore (new)

1. Davis-Kidd Booksellers

2. Barnes & Noble

3. Borders Books Music & More

Once again, our readers have chosen this large independent
bookseller as their favorite place to crack open a new book (and, of
course, grab a copy of Flyer). As an added bonus, there’s
Brontë a Novel Bistro, where you can get a mighty tasty meal.

Best Bookstore (used)

1. Burke’s Book Store

2. Tiger Bookstore

3. Xanadu Music & Books

The selection of new, used, and rare books offered at Burke’s befits
this rare gem of a bookstore, winning an award it is probably
accustomed to winning by now.

Best Bank

1. First Tennessee Bank

2. Regions

3. Bank of America

Is it state loyalty? Do they have the cleanest dollar bills in town?
(Their ads certainly seem to feature the biggest.) Whatever the reason,
this repeat winner has done it again.

Best Local Place for Women’s Clothing

1. Crazy Beautiful

2. Indigo

3. Oak Hall

Offering a mix of casual and formal wear, Crazy Beautiful is a
fashion staple in the University of Memphis area and has earned a loyal
fan base. Plus, it’s an independent boutique, owned and operataed by a
young, local woman. What’s not to like?

Best Local Place for Men’s Clothing

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis

3. Jos. A. Bank

From classic suits, blazers, and beautiful ties to Brioni and
Ermenegildo Zegna, tailored suits, and impeccable service, Oak Hall is
yet again a Memphis favorite for men’s clothes.

Best Place for Vintage Clothing

1. Flashback

2. Goodwill

3. Salvation Army

Flashback is an all-out vintage experience, where the décor
plays as big a role as the items for sale. And with their ultra-hip
mannequins going to the pool, hosting barbecues, and dressing up for
Halloween, you’re guaranteed to feel like a square if you don’t stop
by.

Best Local Men’s Shoe Store

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis

3. R.sole

Everyone knows that Memphians do not take their shoe choices lightly
— blue suede or otherwise. Oak Hall is the top choice again this
year for their selection of fashionable men’s footwear, from Alden to
Sebago.

Best Local Women’s Shoe Store

1. Joseph

2. Shoe-Nami

3. Cook & Love Shoes

Situated in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, Joseph is the first
choice for shoe fashionistas and well-heeled women. Check out their
collection of Louboutin shoes and Chloe boots to kick off the fall
season.

Best Home Furnishings

1. Pottery Barn

2. Ashley Furniture Homestore

3. Samuels Furniture & Interiors

Pottery Barn’s blend of comfort, style, and quality makes it the
number-one choice for home furnishings — from patio lights to
bedroom sets. And with their East Memphis outlet store on Spottswood,
you can fill your home with functional design without emptying your
bank account.

Best Pet Store

1. Petco

2. Hollywood Pet Star

3. PetSmart

Petco prides itself on being the store “where the pets go.” Scaled,
furred, or feathered friends enjoy grooming, vaccinations, pet
photography, and an unbelievable assortment of merchandise. Oh, and
don’t worry. People are welcome, too.

Best Hair Salon

1. Gould’s Styling Salon

2. Dabbles

3. Hi Gorgeous

It’s a home run with the bases loaded for Gould’s in this and the
following categories.

Since 1932, family-owned Gould’s has provided Memphis with upscale
hair salons and fashion-forward stylists. For exceptional cuts, coifs,
colors, and customer service, Memphians still look to Gould’s after all
these years. And that’s not all: Gould’s also has built up a loyal
clientele for its day spa, facials, manicures and pedicures, and
waxing. Customers rave about their aromatherapy wrap, deep
pore-cleansing facials, hot stone massages, private pedicure rooms, and
skilled aestheticians. Gould’s is officially Memphis’ number-one place
for preening, pampering, and peace and quiet.

Best Day Spa

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Germantown Day Spa

3. Serenity Day Spa

Best Place To Get a Facial

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Mona Spa & Laser Center

3. Germantown Day Spa

Best Place To Get a Manicure/Pedicure

1. Gould’s

2. Nail Bar

3. Rose’s Nails

Best Place To Get Waxed

1. Gould’s

2. Hi Gorgeous

3. Serenity Day Spa

Justin Fox Burks

French Riviera 1st place: ‘Best Health Club’

Best Health Club

1. French Riviera

2. YMCA Downtown

3. 24 Hour Fitness

With six locations in the city, French Riviera has made getting fit
within reach for everybody. The gym at Poplar and Highland features a
cardio theater room where you can watch movies on the big screen while
working out. The gym also offers a variety of aerobic classes such as
spinning, yoga, Zumba, and kickboxing.

Best Yoga Studio

1. Midtown Yoga

2. Bikram Yoga

3. Evergreen Yoga Center

Midtown Yoga has won “Best Yoga Studio” again. Is it any wonder?
They’ve got a great variety of classes — Kundalini, Vinyasa, and
prenatal, among them.

Best Local Fine Jewelry Store

1. Mednikow Jewelers

2. Las Savell Jewelry

3. Jack Yacoubian Jewelers

Mednikow has been around for more than a century producing and
selling fine jewelry. You can buy the best of the Mednikow collection
or choose from a variety of other designers including Cartier.

Best Tattoo Parlor

1. Underground Art

2. No Regrets Tattoo Emporium

3. Trilogy

Move over Kat Von Dee. Underground Art owner Angela Russell is much
nicer than the tattoo shop owner on TLC’s L.A. Ink. And we’d put
money on the Underground artists over Dee’s drama-loving bunch any day.
This Midtown shop has been voted number one in the Best Of poll for
years, and one look at their quality work will tell you why.

Justin Fox Burks

Toad Hall Antiques (Dana Whitehead pictured), 1st place: ‘Best Antique Store’

Best Antique Store

1. Toad Hall Antiques

2. Flashback

3. Bojo’s Antique Mall

The building started life in the early 1900s as a ma-and-pa grocery
store, with the Andrews family living on the second floor. We wonder
what they would think if they came back and saw their former home and
business today, filled floor to ceiling with an assortment of antiques.
Old books, beautiful furniture, vintage china, and all sorts of
fascinating knickknacks can be found in the bright-yellow building that
anchors the entrance to Cooper-Young.

Best Smoke Shop

1. Tobacco Corner

2. Wizard’s

3. Whatever

Tobacco Corner has a wide variety of smokes, fair prices, and a
knowledgeable staff. Be sure to check out the selection of cigars and
smoking accessories.

Best Dry Cleaner

1. Bensinger’s Fine Cleaners

2. Dryve Cleaners

3. Happy Day Laundry and Cleaners

Cleaning Memphians’ dirtiest stains since 1954, Bensinger’s Fine
Cleaners offers quick, dependable service and convenient locations and
hours. There’s almost nothing the cleaners can’t handle, from
brightening white down comforters to hemming pants.

Best Florist

1. Pugh’s Flowers

2. Holliday Flowers

3. Garden District

Nothing “skunky” about this vote. Pugh’s Flowers has been voted
number one again.

Best Garden Center

1. Dan West Garden Center

2. Stringers Garden Center

3. Midtown Nursery

Dan West Garden Center has everything you need to start a garden or
keep one going. Plus, the people at the Dan West are available every
day to share their expertise.

Best Local Athletic Store

1. Outdoors Inc.

2. Breakaway Athletics

3. Dowdle Sports

Outdoors Inc. offers a variety of equipment for outdoor activities,
including kayaking, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, and snow sports.
They also have kayaks and canoes for rent.

Best Bicycle Shop

1. Midtown Bicycle

2. The Peddler

3. Outdoors Inc.

The name is deceiving, since Midtown Bicycle is now located downtown
on South Main. The store carries an array of bikes and accessories, and
the staff is knowledgeable. They even sell the retro-stylish Electra
brand bike out of California. And they have bikes for every budget,
including used models.

Best Record Store (new)

1. Spin Street

2. Best Buy

3. Shangri-La Records — tie —

Goner Records

You don’t have to be a geek to love Spin Street. Is there anyplace
else in town where you can buy the new Big Star boxed set, a werewolf
statuette, the original Star Trek series on DVD, some magic
tricks, and every cool thing you ever wanted to buy out of the back of
a comic book in 1974? We don’t think so.

Best Record store (used)

1. Shangri-La Records

2. Spin Street

3. Goner Records

If you’ve got a vinyl fetish, Shangri-La lives up to its name. It’s
a music lover’s paradise where you can find vintage cuts by the
best-known Memphis artists crated up next to the most obscure
treasures. And when the staff says, “We appreciate ya,” they really
mean it.

Best Music Equipment Store

1. Amro Music Stores

2. Guitar Center

3. Memphis Drum Shop

They say you can’t tune a fish but don’t believe it until you ask
the experts at Amro who can sell you anything from a sousaphone to a
kazoo. They can teach you how to play a pretty mean piano too.

Justin Fox Burks

Roadshow BMW/Mini, 1st place: ‘Best Place To Buy a New Car’

Best Place To Buy a New Car

1. Roadshow BMW/Mini

2. Dobbs Honda

3. Wolfchase Honda — tie —

Gossett

Why is Roadshow BMW so cruel? How can anyone choose between the
precision, service, and comfort synonymous with Bavarian Motor Works
and the efficiency, adorableness, and Euro-cool of a Mini Cooper? It’s
not fair. It’s not right. And having a friendly, knowledgeable staff
makes it that much worse.

Best Place To Buy a Used Car

1. Carmax

2. City Auto Sales

3. Gossett

Whether you want a Hummer, Honda, Pontiac, or Porsche, the folks at
Carmax are ready to wheel, deal, and set you up with a steal.

Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle

BOM 1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson

2. Al’s Honda

3. Kawasaki of Memphis

Christmas is right around the corner and no gift says “I love you”
like a Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide in amber and
burnt citrus with a flame graphic.

Alex Harrison

If your best friend had an eclectic and kick-ass record collection and had a radio station, it’d be WEVL. Programmed by your neighbors and listener-supported, WEVL is one of the best things in Memphis.

Though modern-rock station 93X was punted this year to make way for
ESPN, it still garnered votes, along with pleas to bring it back. One
media personality, despite making the Best Of consistently, was also
unplugged this year. The response? A smattering of support and one
voter noting since that person’s departure, “My ears hurt less.”

Best AM Station

1. WREC-AM 600 News Radio

2. WHBQ-AM 560 AM Sports

3. ESPN 680 AM Sports

Fun-time exercise: Rank these magnificently popular WREC-AM 600
shows from least sane to most kooky: on-air right-wing national talk
titans Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage,
local drive-time firebrand Ben Ferguson, and left-wing conspiracy show
Coast to Coast with George Noory.

Best Sports Radio Show

1. Chris Vernon Show, 730 Fox Sports Radio

2. Sportstime with George Lapides and Dave Woloshin, WHBQ-AM
560 Sports

3. The Geoff and Gary Show, 730 Fox Sports Radio

To misquote Mae West, when Chris Vernon is glad he’s very good, but
when he’s mad he’s better. To hear him raging about the Grizzlies or
John Calipari is a thing of beauty. No homers allowed on the Chris
Vernon Show.

Best Drive-Time Show

BOM 1. Drake & Zeke in the Morning, WXMX-FM 98.1
The Max

2. Bad Dog & Ric, WEGR-FM 102.7

3. Janet’s Planet, WEVL-FM 89.9

Pulling down honors for “Best Drive-Time Show” and “Best Local Radio
Talk Show,” Drake & Zeke in the Morning is the 500-pound
gorilla of the Memphis radio dial. They’re so badass, they air the same
show twice Mondays through Thursdays (Drake & Zeke After
Dark) and are reportedly looking for a way to crack into the
elusive 5 o’clock time slot.

Best Local Radio Talk Show

BOM 1. Drake & Zeke in the Morning, WXMX FM 98.1
The Max

2. Chris Vernon Show, 730 Fox Sports Radio

3. The Ben Ferguson Show, WREC-AM 600 News Radio

Best Radio Personality

1. Drake Hall, WXMX-FM 98.1 The Max

2. Tom Prestigiacomo, WKIM-FM 98.9 Kim FM

3. John “Bad Dog” McCormack, WEGR-FM 102.7

One-half of the aforementioned radio behemoth Drake & Zeke in
the Morning, Drake Hall eats lightning and craps thunder. Drake
Hall counted to infinity — twice. Drake Hall can slam a revolving
door. If you spell “Drake Hall” in Scrabble, you win. Forever. Jesus
turned water into wine, and then Drake Hall turned it into beer.

Best Newspaper Columnist

1. Geoff Calkins, The Commercial Appeal

2. Wendi Thomas, The Commercial Appeal

3. Michael Donahue, The Commercial Appeal

Are we miffed that a Flyer columnist didn’t make the cut?
Well, sure. But when the prize goes to a nice fellow like Mr. Calkins,
we don’t mind so much. Not only is this Harvard-educated lawyer-to-be
one of the best sportswriters in town, he’s not afraid to lend his
voice (and column) to other civic issues. Add this honor to your shelf
of prizes, Geoff.

Best TV Weatherperson

BOM 1. Dave Brown, WMC-TV, Channel 5

2. Ron Childers, WMC-TV, Channel 5

3. Jim Jaggers, WREG-TV, Channel 3

Some of us old-timers remember when Dave Brown was the voice of
Memphis wrestling, but in later years he certainly found his niche as
our readers’ favorite meteorologist. Maybe it’s that striking white
hair, or maybe it’s the 30-plus years on television, but with his air
of calm authority Dave makes us feel safer when he’s warning us about
the latest storms heading our way.

Best TV Sportscaster

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

2. Carrie Anderson, WMC-TV, Channel 5

3. Glenn Carver, WREG-TV, Channel 3

Jarvis Greer’s “Friday Football Fever” may be the best thing on
local news each fall, and the weekly pep squad of local high school
cheerleaders rowdily enthusing the pigskin highlights is eclipsed only
by Greer’s gleeful sports salesmanship.

Best TV News Anchor

BOM 1. Joe Birch, WMC-TV,

Channel 5

2. Mearl Purvis, WHBQ-TV, Fox 13

3. Claudia Barr, WREG-TV, Channel 3

He’s quite possibly Christian Brothers University’s most famous
graduate, and Joe Birch, who recently celebrated 30 years in
television, has become the face of local news and a consistent winner
in the Flyer‘s Best of Memphis poll. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a
darn nice guy, who devotes so much time to local charities that we
don’t even have space to list them here.

Best Website

1. memphisflyer.com

2. livefrommemphis.com

3. commercialappeal.com

What can we say? We try, and apparently you like what you see. Thank
ya very much.

Best Local Blogger

1. Paul Ryburn, Paul Ryburn’s Journal, paulryburn.com/blog

2. Stacey Greenberg, Dining with Monkeys, diningwithmonkeys.blogspot.com

3. Chris Herrington, Beyond the Arc, memphisflyer.com/blogs/BeyondTheArc

Ryburn’s blog is subtitled “Daily thoughts of a Downtown Memphis
resident,” and that’s an apt and significant descriptor. Unlike many
bloggers (none on this list, mind you), Ryburn didn’t punk out after a
few posts, and Ryburn doesn’t take days off. The blog is an extension
of Ryburn, and he gives downtown a little extra personality.

Best Twitter-er

1. @theogeo

2. @DanWolken — tie —

@watchdogon3

3. @memphisnews — tie —

@sloganeerist

Wittily pithy (at 140 characters an entry), @theogeo is queen of the
Memphis Twitterati. A couple recent tweets: “When I make my biopic, the
soundtrack is going to be nothing but Richard Marx.” And: “Ahhh,
Nashville. Your performance lesbians make me want to barf. And your men
are even more repulsive for watching.” Love her.

Alex Harrison

They just don’t make ’em like this anymore. Downtown’s Orpheum is an opulent extravaganza of crystal chandeliers, lush carpet, heavy brocade, and gilded moldings. Add to that the theater’s touring Broadway shows — which this year included Wicked and Jersey Boys — and you have a lock on this category. It also doesn’t hurt that the Orpheum rounds out its schedule with intimate shows by musical artists and showings of classic movies. Plus, it’s supposedly haunted.

Fun is fun, and there’s plenty of that to be found in Memphis. But
when it comes to voting, fun is serious business. The Memphis Tigers
men’s basketball team outplayed everyone in this section of the ballot
and were one of the top vote-getters of Best Of. Meanwhile, Power
House, the exciting downtown contemporary-art gallery and second-place
winner in “Best Art Gallery,” was shuttered shortly after voting ended,
and that’s seriously sad.

Justin Fox Burks

Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 1st place: ‘Best Museum’

Best Museum

1. Memphis Pink Palace Museum

2. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

3. Children’s Museum of Memphis

The Pink Palace has a little something for everybody: dinosaurs and
sea monsters for the kiddies, the four-story IMAX theater for
moviegoers, and a planetarium for the starstruck. The museum is also
very affordable. A family membership to the IMAX club, for example, is
$100 and gets you free admission to the museum and the Lichterman
Nature Center, six IMAX vouchers, unlimited planetarium passes, free
showings of new IMAX movies, and six guest passes. Or you can go on
Tuesdays after 1 p.m. when admission to the museum — but just the
museum — is free.

Best Art Gallery

1. David Lusk Gallery

2. Power House (now closed)

3. D’Edge Art and Unique Treatures — tie —

Marshall Arts

For most of the year, David Lusk Gallery holds monthly shows of work
by regional artists. For younger and perhaps less affluent collectors,
the gallery’s annual August “Price Is Right” show is a masterpiece.
Fans of local artists eagerly await the show in which all the works are
priced less than $1,000.

Best Movie Theater

1. Malco Paradiso

2. Malco Studio on the Square

3. Malco Cordova

The Paradiso is Malco’s signature showplace. With 17 screens,
multiple concession stands, and an Italian-inspired lobby — the
name comes from a 1988 film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore — the
Paradiso is escapism screened large.

Best Golf Course

1. Mirimichi

2. The Links at Galloway

3. TPC at Southwind

When superstar Justin Timberlake bought the old Big Creek Country
Club near Millington and announced he was transforming it into an
upscale golf course, most people probably thought, What does he know
about golf? Turns out the former Millington native knows more than we
thought, and Mirimichi (the course’s new name) quickly gained favor
with our readers, offering challenging fairways, a beautiful setting,
fine dining in the club’s restaurant, “green” technology, and maybe
— just maybe — the chance to see Justin himself play a few
rounds with his pals.

Best Casino

1. Horseshoe Casino

2. Harrah’s Tunica

3. Gold Strike Casino Resort

We miss the folksy Jack Binion TV ads, but Horseshoe clearly “knows
what gamblers want,” as their slogan says. With some 70 gaming tables
and a whopping 1,700 slot machines, the place offers plenty of chances
to win big. Add the popular stage shows inside Bluesville and fine
dining at Magnolia Delta Grille, and everybody comes out a winner.

Justin Fox Burks

Memphis Zoo, 1st place: ‘Best Family Entertainment’

Best Family Entertainment

1. Memphis Zoo

2. Memphis Redbirds Game

3. Children’s Museum of Memphis

Whether you like your creatures with scales, skin, feathers, or fur,
there’s plenty to see and do here. Our personal favorite: the
“Creatures of the Night” exhibit.

Best Sports Team

BOM 1. Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball

2. Memphis Redbirds

3. Memphis Grizzlies

What a soap opera of a year this has been for the Memphis Tigers
men’s basketball team (Days of Our Lives). Last season’s team
made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament, and
the fan base was pumped (Passions). But Coach John Calipari
decided to leave and take his dream job at Kentucky (One Life To
Live). Then the news broke about former Tiger Derrick Rose cheating
on the SAT (The Young and the Restless). So rookie coach Josh
Pastner and his skeleton crew of ballers have a lot riding on them this
coming season (The Bold and the Beautiful). They’ve already lost
Angel Garcia, but if everyone else can stay healthy (General
Hospital), the team might be decent. We’ll just have to wait and
see (As the World Turns).

Best Grizzlies Player

1. O.J. Mayo

2. Rudy Gay

3. Marc Gasol

Dynamic Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo led NBA rookies in scoring last
season and led your vote as the team’s best player. He was second in
the rookie of the year race (to former Tiger Derrick Rose) but first in
Griz fans’ hearts, at least until Allen Iverson showed up.

Best Local Athlete

1. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies

2. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

3. Shaun Micheel, PGA golfer

The Griz finish first and second here with Mayo and small forward
Rudy Gay, who both spent the summer in camp with the U.S. National Team
and could spend many years together bouncing around the top of this
category.

Best Crab Leg Feast: I love crab legs. There’s something slightly barbaric about cracking open the spiky shells and really working for slivers of that delightfully juicy meat. I’ve found that a short drive to the Hollywood Casino in Tunica on a Friday evening can really satisfy my crab-leg craving. They offer an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, which includes my personal favorite, king crab legs. At under $20 per person, you can’t beat it. Get ’em while they’re hot, think about bringing a bib, and maybe sit by an empty table, so you’ll have somewhere to put all the cleaned-out shells. — Shara Clark

Best Rehab Job: The Levitt Shell at Overton Park. Saved from oblivion by local activists and the Los Angeles-based Levitt Foundation, this WPA-era jewel looks mighty nice after a $1.3 million renovation. With its old wooden benches jettisoned for a lake of gleaming grass, the rechristened Levitt Shell probably won’t be dependent on the name recognition of its bookings to attract a crowd. Like AutoZone Park, the venue itself will be the draw. Early returns have seen a diverse, friendly cross-section of Memphians coming together to enjoy fresh air, live music, and civic fellowship. — Chris Herrington

Best Legit Way To Drink in Public: Combine artwork with great hangouts, wine and beer street vendors, and a designated driver (the trolley), and “ding, ding, ding” goes the bell at the South Main Trolley Art Tour held the last Friday of every month. It’s a place to run into friends, particularly since you can grab a bite at the Cheesecake Corner. But the best part may be admiring artwork in a slightly tipsy state, which allows you to make comments you would never make otherwise, like, “What? I can make that!” — Alicia Buxton

Best Yard Art: The giant concrete Buddha in the front yard of the house at South Mendenhall and Dargen. The family who lives there is actually Buddhist, and the statue is a serious religious shrine, but the bright spotlights that keep the figure illuminated really make it something special. — Michael Finger

Best Yard Art #2: The bomb planted in the front yard of 1082 Colonial. Actually, it’s an old river bouy, erected by the home’s owner, who was a self-described “river rat.” But since it was placed in the ground upside down, with the fins showing, it certainly has an ominous look to it. It’s a wonder the family gets any mail delivered there. — MF

Alex Harrison

Best Homegrown Theater: Voices of the South is a multitalented collective that’s as comfortable adapting classics of Southern literature as they are developing original theatrical experiments. Steve Swift’s larger-than-life creation Sister Myotis has deservingly attracted a cult following and VOTS’ annual Children’s Festival has become a springtime tradition at Rhodes College. — Chris Davis

Best Tease: We’ve never seen such joy, such jubilation, such sheer emotion, as when Mayor Willie Herenton announced he was going to retire. It was like the Rapture or the Tigers making it to the Final Four.

Phone lines were jammed. People were getting out of their cars and thanking their higher power. Former council members Brent Taylor and Carol Chumney both did cartwheels.

by Michael Finger

Best Yard Art

And what happened? Herenton didn’t resign, he’s still mayor, and that is that. — Mary Cashiola

Best Tease, Honorable Mention: March Madness became March sadness as the Tigers were defeated in the national championships against the Kansas Jayhawks.

And yeah, we’re proud of them for making it to the Final Four. But we were so close — so close! — to the national championship and then it slipped away. — MC

Best Place To Feel Like a Turn-of-the-Century Socialite: With its ornate crown molding, raised damask wallpaper, and antique furnishings, it’s hard not to imagine yourself a part of the 19th-century bourgeoisie at Mollie Fontaine Lounge in Victorian Village. But you can leave the hoop skirts and calling cards at home. Instead, bring plenty of friends and raise a toast to the ghost of Mollie Fontaine, the wealthy daughter of the cotton businessman Noland Fontaine. — Bianca Phillips

Best Website: If you’re like me, you have a couple dozen bookmarked websites on your browser. Mine are mostly politics, music, news, journalism, travel, and a few aggregator sites. I “check my traps” daily, sometimes more often. But there are also times when I’m tired of the usual fare, when I crave something fresh and stimulating. That’s when I click on the little icon on my browser that says “Stumble.” And away I go, exploring new and amazing worlds.

Stumbleupon.com aggregates millions of other people’s favorite sites — and believe me, it’s a big, wide, weird Internet out there. You can download the Stumbleupon software onto your browser in seconds, then you simply choose a few favorite categories (mine include humor, art, travel, and photography, to name a few), and click away. Each new website will be in one of your categories but extremely unlikely to be familiar. I’ve been amazed at things I’ve discovered and learned. It’s an instant cure for Internet boredom.

— Bruce VanWyngarden

Best Obscure Local Band: This award lovingly goes to a local avant-garde group, A Funeral Walkaway Parade. The group’s self-produced album, Colours and Of Tones, came out under the radar earlier this year. These six musicians are doing something completely different — something you surely won’t hear on any mainstream radio station and something meant for open, indiscriminate ears. It’s a near impossibility to pin down exactly what style their music is. In trying, I might say classical/experimental/modern folk. But what they really create is a feeling through sound. With ambient electronics and guitar effects, piano, organ, Autoharp, Theremin, percussion, and emotive, almost vulnerable vocals, their music tends to be transcendental. During a live AFWP performance, I’ve been known to hold back tears. There’s an alluring intensity at their shows. If you haven’t heard them yet, you’re in luck: They’ve got two shows this week: Saturday, September 27th, at South Park Bar on Highland, and Monday, September 29th, at Murphy’s. — SC

Best Company Mascot: The giant mouse atop Atomic Pest Control on Elvis Presley Boulevard. He’s been nibbling on that cheese since 1978, and we still think he’s pretty cool. — MF

Best-Kept Grocery Store Secret: Yes, you can keep your Schnucks, your Krogers, your Piggly Wigglys.

We love us some Superlo. What do we like in particular? The prices are right; the workers are Supernice (hi, Nancy!). — MC

by Michael Finger

Best Yard Art #2

Best Buffet: You may not win big at the casino, but you won’t leave hungry, thanks to the new Paula Deen Buffet in Tunica. Boasting six stations of deep-fried and slow-simmered goodness, the newest addition to Harrah’s Casino offers some of the Queen of Southern Cooking’s most cherished recipes. Don’t miss the famous smoky collard greens, the fried hoe cakes, or Uncle Bubba’s char-grilled oysters. — BP

Best Overlooked Natural Gem: Shelby Forest offers a quick getaway from our omnipresent flat Delta terrain and harried urban lifestyle. Twenty miles of hiking trails line steep river bluffs, swampy bottomlands, and Mississippi River banks. There is great fishing and boating at Piersol and Poplar Tree lakes. (You can rent a boat at Poplar Tree; Piersol is BYOBoat.) A disc golf course offers another diversion. The park even has a beach (unofficial) you can walk to, if the river is low. But all this and the more than 40 cabins and dozens of campgrounds in the woods don’t overpower the natural feel of this huge 13,000-acre forest. It’s a true escape, less than a half-hour away. — BV

Best Food Porn: Does anybody else blush when the hyper-flirty Pat and Gina Neely make vaguely suggestive comments on their Food Network show, Down Home With the Neelys? All that stuffing and dry rubbing! — CD

Best Regional Sickness: College football fandom — a chronic condition in which grown men obsess and agonize over the extracurricular activities of college students (and “students”) to whom they aren’t related. — CH

Best Buffet

Best Local Music Breakout: Jay Reatard. The onetime enfant terrible of local rock is having the best year ever, signing a deal with indie-rock heavyweight Matador Records, polishing his growing reputation on the road, and releasing a series of sharp, anticipation-building singles for the label. The former punk provocateur continues to evolve into a versatile, melodic, but forever agitated music maker. His Singles 06-07 collection, released earlier this year as a farewell to his former label, In the Red, doesn’t just chart the progress: It might be the best collection of made-in-Memphis music released this year. — CH

Best Enduring Myth: That the big stone in the park across from the downtown MATA station was a slave trading block. Nothing supports this claim, and in fact, old newspaper articles from the 1920s specifically say the giant chunk of granite was brought to what was then called Colonial Park by a group called the Colonial Dames of America. They mounted a nice shield-shaped plaque on it — since stolen — to mark the site where (they thought) Hernando de Soto may have first seen the Mississippi River. That claim, it turns out, is just as bogus as the one about the stone being an auction block. — MF

Best Fast Fingers: First of all, get your mind out of the gutter. Second of all, speaking of produce, have you ever seen the checkers at Easy Way blanch as they ring up assorted fruits and vegetables?

They know the difference between an English cucumber and a zucchini (you might be surprised). They never seem to have to look up a code. And they type those codes into their cash registers faster than a secretarial pool on speed. — MC

Best Place To Get Pets Spayed or Neutered: Two dogs can produce 12,288 puppies in five years, and two cats can make 11,801 kittens in the same amount of time, which is all the more reason to follow Bob Barker’s advice to spay and neuter your pets. You can’t even use the financial excuse anymore. The Animal Protection Association only charges $25 to $35 to spay or neuter a cat and $45 to $65 for a dog. That’s far cheaper than what most vets charge. You can also throw in a rabies or distemper shot for $5. — BP

Best Thing About the Energy Crunch: It makes the downtown trolley look at least a little less anti-visionary. — CD

Best Block: If you stroll unawares onto Carr Avenue in Midtown, between Diana and Cooper, you may find yourself thinking you’ve entered another dimension — or at least another city. The houses on this shady and intimate block are almost all small shotgun-type domiciles, painted in fanciful colors, with odd and delightful additions poking up from behind or on the side. Porches are filled with flowers and ferns. Odd sculptures adorn some of the tiny front “lawns.” The block is a testament to the creative and wonderful things that can be done in small spaces. — BV

Best New Name: Ovinton J’Anthony “O.J.” Mayo. The Grizzlies’ much-heralded rookie — nationally known since junior high — rivals Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and Stromile Swift for most memorably monikered Memphis baller. The Grizzlies just hope he plays more like the former and can pair with emerging star Rudy Gay to give the franchise some much needed, um, juice. — CH

Best Thing About Flying into Memphis: The smell of barbecue that hits you as soon as you step off the plane. — CD

Best Local Radio Lunatic: Mike Fleming. The 600-AM afternoon host’s jabbering and provincial invective about the candidacy of “Barry Hussein Obama” would be excellent unintentional comedy if only Fleming’s small-minded belligerence didn’t attract so many fellow travelers. — CH

Biggest Outrage of the Year: That members of Topeka’s Westboro Baptist Church would have the gall to drive to Memphis to picket Isaac Hayes’ funeral because they thought his songs were somehow anti-Christian and — oh, it’s too stupid to get into here. The ceremony, held at Hope Presbyterian Church, had already attracted far too much controversy because of the singer/songwriter’s ties with Scientology. Hayes was a pillar in our community and an inspiration to thousands of kids here. He deserved to be treated with far more respect than that. — MF

Best Thing To Do with that Overstuffed Chair You Bought at the Platinum Plus Auction: Burn it! Burn it now! Quick, before the long gestation period is over and it gives birth to half-human/half-chair monsters bent on global insemination. Or domination. — CD

Best Art Show To Anticipate: Look, despite what you may think, there’s not much money in publishing. Prestige, yes. Wine, wanton women, yes. Money, no.

Which is one reason why we like David Lusk Gallery’s annual Price Is Right show, where all the art is priced under $1,000.

And who doesn’t want to get the work of a young up-and-comer at a steal? — MC

Best Local Music Breakout

Best Free Music Festival: You can see Jason D. Williams, Bobby Rush, Joyce Cobb, and the Klezmer All Stars all for no money down? At the Center for Southern Folklore’s annual Heritage Festival, yes you can. — CD by Changzhi Yu

Best Free Music Festival, Pictured: Joyce Cobb

Best Place To Find Exotic Produce: Looking to try the infamously stinky durian fruit? What about cactus? Or daikon? The massive Winchester Farmers Market (which isn’t actually a farmers market at all) on Winchester Avenue has the largest selection of exotic fruits and veggies in town. The store, which caters to the city’s Hispanic and Asian populations, also carries a large variety of ethnic specialty foods, such as Pocky Biscuit Sticks, pure Mexican cane sugar, and sweet red-bean sticky buns. — BP

Best Bubble Tea: Whoever decided to toss cute little tapioca pearls into a cup of flavored, sweetened tea was a genius. There’s just something magical about sucking that chewy “bubble” up an extra-thick straw. At Chang’s in Cordova, diners can ask for tapioca pearls in fruit smoothie teas or classic milkshakes, such as the popular almond milk tea or raspberry chai. For something totally different, try the green-bean tea or mix-and-match with coconut and taro root teas. — BP

Best Plan for the Pyramid: Develop it as the Boondoggle Hall of Fame. — CD

Best of Food & Drink

Best of Nightlife

Best of Arts & Entertainment

Best of Media

Best of Goods & Services

& The Rest

While we refer to the And the Rest section of the ballot as “unofficial,” we count all votes just the same. This is where we let our readers rant and rave, and they did just that. Read on.

Best Category
We Left Out

READERS’ CHOICE

Best Farmers Market

Best Festival/Event

Best Park

Best School

Though it was too close to call in this category, the response was pleasantly civic-minded, with schools, parks, festivals and events, and farmers markets garnering the most votes.

Among the votes in this category was, oddly, “Best Category We Left Out.” “Best Cupcake” and “Best Drunk Food” also got nods, as did “Best Kept Secret,” “Best Meatball” (!), and “Best Place To Shoot Off Your Pistol” (!!).

This category also came with a bit of editorializing, as one reader wrote in, “I don’t know. I’m not through yet.” Another let us know we “got it pretty much covered.” Yet another helpful reader offered this: “None, but you got a lot of useless ones.” So noted.

Best Memphis
Failure

Alex Harrison

Were you one of the 90,000 or so to pack into the Cooper-Young Festival a couple weeks ago? Theres no denying it: The festival draws the crowds, and the neighborhood with its sweet homes, vibrant restaurant and business district, and wonderful walkability once again draws the votes to win this category.

by Justin Fox Burks

Mayor Willie Herenton’s Reelection/Not Resigning, 1st place: Best Memphis Failure

1. Mayor Willie Herenton’s Reelection/Not Resigning

2. The Pyramid Remaining Empty

3. Memphis Tigers Losing in the

NCAA Finals

Our readers are fed up with Mayor Willie Herenton, a repeat “winner” in this category. Reelected to a fifth term last October, he announced he was stepping down to seek the Memphis City Schools superintendent post. That never came to pass, something that clearly disappointed many of our readers.

 

Best Success

1. Memphis Tigers Making It to the NCAA Finals

2. Steve Cohen’s Defeat of Nikki Tinker in Democratic Primaries

3. Hiring Kriner Cash as the Memphis City Schools Superintendent

What a ride! The Tigers, as they clawed their way deeper into this year’s NCAA bracket, brought Memphians together in excitement and anticipation like no event in recent history. Alas, they lost to Kansas in the last minutes of the final game. A heartbreaker, for sure, but there’s always next year. Go, Tigers!

Best Memphian

1. Congressman Steve Cohen

2. Shelby County mayor A C Wharton — tie — Memphis Tigers coach

John Calipari

3. FedEx CEO Fred Smith

For all the people who voted for themselves, we regret to inform you that you did not win.

It was Congressman Steve Cohen all the way in this category. Despite his awful jokes — comparing Hillary Clinton to a character in Fatal Attraction and Barack Obama to Jesus (note to Cohen: Stop it) — Cohen has won over Memphians by holding to his liberal ideals and by being one of the city’s biggest boosters. His sweeping the 9th District primaries in August is proof enough.

 

Best Locally
Produced Product

1. Music

2. Barbecue

3. Gibson Guitars

From blues, neo-soul, and indie pop to jazz, country, and emo, there’s a lot of great music made in this city. It’s a point of pride, in fact, and a winner in this category.

Best of Food & Drink

Best of Nightlife

Best of Arts & Entertainment

Best of Media

Best of Goods & Services

Staff Picks

We shook things up this year in the Goods & Services section. We ditched a few of the duller categories and added several new ones. The result? Plenty of newcomers to this section.

Best Grocery Store

1. Fresh Market

2. Kroger

3. Schnucks

Don’t go to Fresh Market on an empty stomach. The store’s stock is such a feast for the senses you won’t know where to start — or stop. Pristine produce, gourmet coffee, crusty breads, delectable desserts, and all the finest meats and cheeses make Fresh Market an epicurean’s fantasy. No wonder our readers love shopping in this European-style market.

Best Liquor Store

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wine

2. Joe’s Liquor Store

3. Arthur’s Wine & Liquor

This vast, family-owned wine and liquor emporium has been a local institution for more than 50 years, boasting the largest selection of potables in the state. No wonder, then, that it’s been a perennial winner in this category.

Best Department Store

1. Macy’s

2. Target

3. Dillard’s

When Macy’s swooped in and took over Goldsmith’s several years ago, area shoppers worried they were losing a local gem. But it seems the national retailer has acclimated to the area nicely, claiming this year’s top prize.

Best Shopping Mall

1. Oak Court Mall

2. Wolfchase Galleria

3. Avenue Carriage Crossing

For years, Oak Court has set the gold-card standard for Memphis shopping malls.

Like many malls, it has plenty of parking, but Oak Court doesn’t feel like it’s in a sea of asphalt. In fact, it seems nestled in a cozy woodland area.

Oak Court also houses the region’s largest Macy’s, which, if you’ll see above, won “Best Department Store.” Think there’s a correlation?

Best Gift Shop

1. Babcock Gifts

2. Maggie’s Pharm

3. Pier One

With its emphasis on china, crystal, and flatware, Babcock Gifts is a registering couple’s dream. But with specialty items and things for baby, as well, Babcock offers gifts to commemorate the important occasions — those things that you cherish not for a few weeks but for a lifetime.

Best Bookstore (New)

1. Davis-Kidd Booksellers

2. Barnes & Noble

3. Borders Books & More

You have to admit: In this day and age, it’s pretty rare to have a large independent bookstore in town. Internet retailers have even hurt the larger brick-and-mortar chains, but Flyer readers still swear by Davis-Kidd.

Best Bookstore (Used)

1. Burke’s Book Store

2. Tiger Book Store

3. Book Traders — tie —

The Book Depot

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but can you judge a bookstore that way? If so, Burke’s is now sitting pretty in a new location in the heart of Cooper-Young.

Best Bank

1. First Tennessee Bank

2. Bank of America — tie —

Regions Bank

3. SunTrust

Is it state loyalty? Parent company First Horizon’s reputation for being one of the nation’s best employers? Maybe the commercials with the people dressed up like big, walking dollar bills? (Who doesn’t want to see big money coming their way?)

Whatever the case, Flyer readers bank on First Tennessee.

Best Local Place for Women’s Clothing

Alex Harrison

This Midtown institution celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, marking a tenure during which Shangri-La hasnt just sold music but shaped local culture as an incubator for local musicians, artists, and writers and as a catalyst for homegrown creativity. Now thats what you call giving back to the community. Oh, and, of course, it remains a world-renowned record store too one of the first places youd want to send out-of-town audiophiles.

1. Crazy Beautiful

2. Muse

3. Oak Hall — tie —Ella

If this category were a horse race, Crazy Beautiful would be the dark-horse candidate, coming out of the blue to sweep the title.

Started as Blues City Clothes four years ago, the U of M area boutique was revamped in 2005 to offer all the latest styles at a great price.

Best Local Place for Men’s Clothing

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis

3. Shelton Clothiers

Oak Hall caters the classics: suits, blazers, beautiful ties. Add in the clean lines of Brioni, Ermenegildo Zegna, made-to-measure suits, and impeccable service, and Oak Hall is tailor-made perfection.

Best Place for Vintage Clothing

by Justin Fox Burks

Crazy Beautiful, 1st place: Best Local Place for Women’s Clothing

1. Flashback

2. Goodwill

3. Salvation Army

Whether you want something vintage because you’re a collector or you want something vintage just for fun, Flashback is a portal to another time.

And you can never underestimate the power of a really amazing window display. Flashback’s mannequins go to the pool, host barbecues, dress up for Halloween, and basically live more glamorous lives than most Memphians.

Best Local Men’s Shoe Store

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis

3. R.sole

It just, ahem, stands to reason that the best place to buy men’s clothing (see above) would also be the best place for men’s shoes. With footwear from Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, and Ecco, Oak Hall’s selection is quite a feat.

Best Local Women’s Shoe Store

1. Joseph

2. Peria

3. Shoe-Nami

Joseph is the place where local women can get “Carried” away. Carrie being Bradshaw, the shoe-loving protagonist of Sex and the City. With new Prada, Chloé, and Michael Kors coming in for fall, it’s the store for the well-heeled woman.

Best Home
Furnishings

1. Pottery Barn

2. Ashley Furniture Homestore

3. Target — tie —

Samuel’s Furniture & Interiors

It’s pretty hard not to find something stylish for your home at Pottery Barn. Plus, there’s the Pottery Barn Furniture Outlet on Spottswood. Yes, the furniture at the outlet might have some irregularities — a scratch here, a ding there — but with a keen eye and a keener wallet, you need to take a look.

Best Pet Store

1. Petco

2. Hollywood Pet Star

3. PetSmart

Not sure what your dog wants for Christmas? Then bring her to Petco, where four-legged friends are as welcome as their humans. Petco may be a superstore (with seven locations in the Mid-South), but big is better, right? Self-service grooming, vaccinations, pet photography, and an unbelievable assortment of merchandise make pets and people feel special.

Best Hair Salon

1. Gould’s Styling Salon

2. Dabbles Hair Company

3. Hi Gorgeous

Gould’s Styling Salon wins top honors again this year for its coifs, cuts, and color. For more than 70 years, the family-owned business has specialized in fashion-forward stylists who understand customer service. Today, a dozen locations are spread from downtown to the suburbs, including a more affordable family salon in Cordova called Gould’s Exchange.

Best Day Spa

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Germantown Day Spa

3. Natural Body Spa & Shoppe — tie —

Serenity Day Spa

Who needs sea, sand, and expensive travel for a “Paradise Island Retreat”? At Gould’s Day Spa, it’s Pure Fiji in four hours, thanks to the spa’s heated massage tables and body-care products that combine coconut oil and flower extracts. Did we mention there’s lunch in a quiet room too?

Best Place To Get
a Facial

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Mona Spa & Laser Center

3. Natural Body Spa & Shoppe — tie —

Serenity Day Spa

A regular customer at Gould’s describes her “stress solution” facial this way: “I’m a better person because of it.” She looks pretty darn good too, thanks to the aromatherapy, steam inhalation, and customized mask. If stress isn’t a problem, other specialized facials can tackle aging, acne, or sun damage.

Best Place To Get a Manicure/Pedicure

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Natural Body Spa & Shoppe

3. Nail Bar

You’ve had a haircut, massage, and facial, so why skip your hands and feet? It’s a grooming grand slam for Gould’s, where the manicures and pedicures are as fabulous as everything else. Even better, pedicure rooms are private with fabric-draped thrones for soaking your feet.

Best Place To Get Waxed

BOM 1. Gould’s

2. Hi Gorgeous

3. Natural Body Spa & Shoppe

Let’s be honest: Hair removal can be painful and a little embarrassing. But not so much at Gould’s, where aestheticians are discreet and good-natured about waxing, well, anything you want.

Best Health/Fitness Club

1. YMCA Downtown

2. 24 Hour Fitness

3. YMCA

Simply put, the YMCA downtown sets a higher standard: running track, indoor pool, racquetball courts, and a rooftop deck for watching the Redbirds. If all that’s too exhausting, try dance classes (waltz, mambo, tango, swing) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You could be dancing with the stars. Or not. But at least you’ll be smiling.

Best Yoga Studio

by Justin Fox Burks

Flashback, 1st place: Best Place for Vintage Clothing

1. Midtown Yoga by Justin Fox Burks

Midtown Yoga, 1st place: Best Yoga Studio

2. Bikram Yoga

3. Evergreen Yoga Center — tie —

Better Bodies Yoga

Are you ready to “Create Calm from Chaos” or to try “Elegant, Efficient Inversions”? Flyer readers are, recognizing the hip-and-happening Midtown Yoga for its skilled teachers, accommodating class schedule, and fixed-price rate for unlimited yoga classes.

Best Local Fine
Jewelry Store

1. Mednikow Jewelers

2. Las Savell Jewelry

3. Peter D. Poole Fine Jewelers

If diamonds are forever, shouldn’t the store selling the stones be a longtime retailer too? Longevity (since 1891) and expertise make Mednikow a perennial favorite. Still not convinced? Check out Jay Mednikow’s website on why women love diamonds. Hint: It’s in their eyes.

Best Tattoo Parlor

1. No Regrets Tattoo Emporium

2. Underground Art

3. Trilogy

Here’s an inspired idea: Tattoo parlors don’t have to be sketchy. No Regrets feels more like a hair salon: clean, spacious, friendly, and comfortable (even for middle-age moms on hand to sign consent forms). No Regrets also has an experienced staff knowledgeable about tattoo art, piercings, and after-care.

Best Antique Store

1. Flashback

2. Toad Hall Antiques

3. Bojo’s Antique Mall

Sometimes our readers are a little off. Flashback is not an antique store. It is a vintage department store specializing in mid-century modern furniture, housewares, clothes, and accessories. But who cares? We are just happy Bob Dylan shops at Flashback, and the store is open on Sundays.

Best Smoke Shop

1. Tobacco Corner

2. Wizard’s

3. Whatever

Six months ago, Tobacco Corner stopped selling newspapers and magazines. The downsizing didn’t dismay customers, who voted Tobacco Corner number one for its comfortable (and smoky) ambience and impressive selection of cigars, tobacco, pipes, and accessories.

Best Dry Cleaner

1. Bensinger’s Fine Cleaners

2. Dryve Cleaners

3. Happy Day Laundry and Cleaners

Founded by Arthur Bensinger more than half a century ago, our first-place cleaner still is locally owned and operated. That single location in 1954 has expanded to 11 branches throughout the county, and our readers no doubt gave extra points for Bensinger’s free pickup and delivery service. Plus, you can’t beat a website that explains “The Mysteries of Moths.”

Best Florist

1. Pugh’s Flowers

2. Holliday Flowers

3. Gestures

It’s certainly not the most fragrant name for a flower shop, and most florists would probably have changed it. But thanks to clever advertising, Memphians have been introduced to the Pugh family and their memorable skunk mascot. A combination of terrific customer service, a wide selection of fresh flowers, and a comprehensive website helped Pugh’s Flowers come out smelling like a rose in our readers’ poll.

Best Garden Center

1. Dan West Garden Center

2. Stringer’s Garden Center

3. Digger O’Dell Nursery

All you really need from a garden center is a lot of plants, right? Not if you expect them to thrive, and Dan West — located in a former gas station on Poplar, with a second location in Eads — not only offers just about every flower, bush, shrub, and tree that will grow in this area, but their expert staff can give you tips on proper planting and can even help you diagnose problems with bugs, sunlight, or soil.

Best Local Athletic Goods Store

1. Outdoors Inc.

2. Breakaway Athletics

3. Dowdle Sports

It’s ironic that a business called Outdoors is one of the most claustrophobic places you could visit. But that’s because two of its locations — a former residence on Poplar; a tiny storefront on Union — are jam-packed floor to ceiling with anything and everything you might need if you want to hike, camp, bike, kayak, canoe, bird-watch, and more.

Best Bicycle Shop

1. Midtown Bicycle

2. The Peddler

3. Outdoors Inc.

Tucked away in Overton Square, Midtown Bicycle looks small on the outside, but venture inside and you’ll be astonished by the selection of merchandise — from high-end mountain and road-racing bikes to every possible accessory a two-wheeling person might need. Throw in a complete repair shop and some of the most skilled technicians in town, and you’ve got a winner.

Best Local Video Store

1. Black Lodge Video

2. Midtown Video

3. Videos Movies & More

In this era of Netflix and cable PPV, Black Lodge Video is a movie-lover’s oasis — a place of spiritual renewal. Where else can you investigate special sections dedicated to Japanese auteur Kenji Mizoguchi, ’70s revenge flicks, drive-in classics, and “cult & assorted madness,” while also picking up any new release worth a damn? To be sure, nobody in the video/DVD rental biz knows their turf like Black Lodge proprietors Matt and Bryan, who aren’t just storeowners but film archivists.

Best Record Store (New)

1. Spin Street

2. Best Buy

3. Cat’s Music & DVDs

With brick-and-mortar music stores on the wane, this mammoth exception at the corner of Highland and Poplar keeps on trucking — offering perhaps the largest CD selection in the city along with used discs, DVDs, and a special section devoted to the return of vinyl.

Best Music Equipment Store

1. Amro Music Stores

2. Memphis Drum Shop

3. Guitar Center

In a city with a reputation for rock-and-roll, it may seem strange that the best music store in town doesn’t sell a single guitar. But Amro offers plenty of other instruments — pianos, saxophones, clarinets, you name it — and is the largest provider of school-band instruments in the area. Founded in 1921, the store was also the first to offer instrument rentals for all those aspiring musicians who can’t quite decide between a trumpet and trombone.

Best New Car Dealer

READERS’ CHOICE

Gossett

Lexus of Memphis

Roadshow BMW/Mini

Wolfchase Honda

In a way, it’s reassuring that no single dealer stood out from the pack here; they’re all good places to buy a new car, whether you’re looking for a Beemer, a Rabbit, a Mini, or an Accord.

Best Used Car Dealer

1. CarMax

2. City Auto Sales

3. Gossett

All the best car dealers offer superb customer service, a wide selection of models, and complete maintenance facilities. That’s a given. Our readers probably voted CarMax number one because of its well-known website, which not only lets you do complete online shopping but will help you locate the exact vehicle you want, even if it’s in Alaska. The days of trudging from car lot to car lot may be over.

Best Place To Buy a
Motorcycle

BOM 1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson

2. Al’s Honda

3. Kawasaki of Memphis

The 2005 Wonders exhibition “The Art of the Motorcycle” wasn’t that different from a typical day at one of the three Bumpus dealerships in the region. These stores are more than motorcycle shops, with some bikes on sale and a parts counter. With eye-catching displays (including dozens of vintage Harleys), a complete array of clothing, boots, and helmets, and plenty of other Harley-related merchandise for people — and pets! — Bumpus is a true motorcycling experience.

Best of Food & Drink

Best of Nightlife

Best of Arts & Entertainment

Best of Media

& The Rest

Staff Picks