Hometown Choice 2022

Drum roll please!

In May readers began nominating their favorite shops, restaurants, service providers, entertain ment venues, favorite pastor and more for the annual Home town Choice Awards. In July readers visited Tidewater News for their favorites. This is where the exciting part comes in – after careful tabulation and calculations we are excited to announce we have winners, lots and lots of winners!

Keep in mind that this is not a scientific study but rather these results reflect the people’s opinions expressed by online voting this summer. Within these pages we’ll share with you the overall winner and the top two finalists

in each category. You might disagree with some of the results, you will probably agree with others and will even be surprised by some of the results.

The best way to show your favorite business your support is to continue giving them your business. Have your friends, family and neighbors support

We hope you will have a good time perusing these pages, seeing who got top marks in the 2022 Hometown Choice Awards. Enjoy the surprises and recognize the customer engagement that it took to come out on top in

We hope the results remind you to visit your favorites, and while you are there be sure to congratulate them. Who knows — you just mind find some new favorites within these pages

BEST FARMER

Winner Arcel Dullas & Paula (PandA Homestead)

Finalist Roger (Bubba) Gray, Newsoms

Finalist The Babb Family (Babb Farms Produce)

BEST LOCAL CAUSE

Winner Franklin Cooperative Ministry

Finalist Speaklife

Finalist Trooper Hill Toy Drive

BEST LOCAL HERO

Winner Darnell Lee Jr.

Finalist Dick Holland

BEST LOCAL SPORTS TEAM

Winner Indians (Southampton High School Football)

Finalist Raiders (Southampton Academy)

Finalist Broncos (Franklin High School Football)

BEST LOCAL WEBSITE

Winner The Children’s Center

Finalist Retro Flex

Finalist Bronco Federal Credit Union

BEST LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANT

Winner Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist El Ranchero Grill and Bar

Finalist Serve

BEST PASTOR

Winner Matt Kidd (Kingdom

Impact - Southampton)

Finalist Charles Qualls (Franklin Baptist Church)

Finalist Evelyn Square (Scott’s Revival)

BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED

Winner Cypress Cove Country Club

Finalist Bronco Rod and Gun

Finalist Harleys Haven

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT OF TOWN GUEST

Winner Serve

We offer an excellent variety of gas logs and heaters. Parker Oil Company is your hometown propane expert and leading provider of heating oil and related services!

Finalist Southampton Heritage Village / Agriculture and Forestry Museum

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Winner International Paper

Finalist Franklin Cooperative Ministry

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST PRESCHOOL/CHILD CARE CENTER

Winner The Children’s Center

Finalist The Gingerbread House

Finalist Grace’s Little Angels

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

Winner Best Private School

Southampton Academy

Finalist Rock Church School

Finalist Isle of Wight Academy

BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL

Winner Riverdale Elementary School

Finalist Meherrin Elementary School

Finalist Franklin High School

BEST SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Winner Tamee Railey (Riverdale Elementary School)

Finalist Ellen Couch (Windsor Elementary School)

Finalist Travis Felts (Franklin High School)

BEST SCHOOL TEACHER

Winner Mrs. Linda Drake (Meherrin Elementary School)

Finalist Braxton Cooper (J.P King Jr. Middle School)

Finalist Sarah Graham (Meherrin Elementary School)

BEST VOLUNTEER

Winner Kashif Carter

Finalist Brittney Vandiford

Finalist Brad Bradshaw

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

Winner The Hubs Vine

Finalist Main Event

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Winner Franklin Southampton County Fair

Finalist Southampton Heritage Village / Agriculture and Forestry Museum

Finalist Franklin Bowling Center

BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT

Winner Relay For Life - American Cancer Society

Finalist Hunterdale Ruritan Beef BBQ

Finalist Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Winner Barrett’s Landing

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist The Hubs Vine

BEST LOCAL BAND

Winner Silver Street

Finalist Hog Bear

Finalist Kasey Square Live

BEST LOCAL EVENT

Winner Franklin - Southampton County Fair

Finalist Fall Festival

Finalist Heritage Day

BEST TOURIST SPOT

Winner Southampton Heritage Village / Agriculture and Forestry Museum

Finalist PandA Homestead

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST OVERALL

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION

Winner Franklin Cooperative Ministry

Finalist Camp25 Finalist

Finalist Down the Middle Foundation

BEST CURB APPEAL

Winner Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist The Cat’s Meow

BEST EMPLOYEES

Winner Franklin Hometown Pharmacy

Finalist Meherrin Elementary School

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST EMPLOYER

Winner StoreHouse

Finalist International Paper Company

Finalist Virginia Outdoors

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Serve

BEST WAIT STAFF

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Serve

EATING & DRINKING

BEST BAKERY

Winner Tiers To You

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist The Graceful Baker LLC

BEST BEER SELECTION

Winner Serve

Finalist Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Virginia Peanut Company & Gourmet Market

BEST BREAKFAST

Winner Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist Virginia Peanut Company & Gourmet Market

BEST CATERING

Winner Nothin’ Butt Fun

Finalis Cypress Cove Country Club

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST CHEAP MEAL

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill and Bar

Finalist Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Grayson & Emma’s Garden Spot

Winner Joe Gardner (Serve)

Finalist

Finalist Rueben (Don Pancho’s Cantina)

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

Winner Great Wall

Finalist China (Courtland)

Finalist China Express Restaurant

BEST COCKTAILS

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill and Bar

Finalist Don Pancho’s Cantina

Finalist Serve

BEST COFFEEHOUSE

Winner StoreHouse

Finalist Daily Dose at Franklin

Hometown Pharmacy

Finalist The Hubs Vine

BEST DESSERTS

Winner Tiers To You

Finalist Serve

Finalist StoreHouse

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist Serve

Finalist The Hubs Vine

BEST FRENCH FRIES

Winner McDonald’s

Finalist Serve

Finalist The Hubs Vine

BEST FRIED CHICKEN

Winner Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Duck Thru

Finalist Sunoco

BEST HAMBURGER

Winner Serve

Finalist Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

Finalist The Hubs Vine

BEST ICE CREAM

Winner Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

Finalist Belmont Peanuts-Southampton

Finalist Southern Charm Garden Center

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Winner Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Palace

Finalist Pino’s Pizza

Finalist Three Guys Italian Restaurant

BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist The Hubs Vine

Gather Around...It’s Pizza Time!

WINNER!

BEST PIZZA

Anna’s Italian Restaurant

Pizzeria Too 15 E. Windsor • Windsor • 757-242-3866

BEST MARGARITA

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist Don Pancho’s Cantina

Finalist Serve

Finalist El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant-Windsor

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Winner El Ranchero Mexican Grill And Bar

Finalist Don Pancho’s Cantina Finalist

Finalist El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant Windsor

BEST MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

Winner Serve

Finalist Cypress Cove Country Club

Finalist El Ranchero Mexican Grill and Bar

BEST OUTDOOR PATIO

Winner Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Don Pancho’s Cantina

Finalist Serve

BEST PEANUTS

Winner Hubbard Peanuts

Finalist Belmont Peanuts

Finalist Newsoms Peanut Shop

BEST PIZZA

Winner Annas Pizza (Windsor)

Finalist Pino’s Pizza

Finalist Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Palace

BEST SALAD

Winner Belmont Peanuts-Southampton

Finalist Grayson & Emma’s Garden Spot

Finalist Serve

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Winner Grayson & Emma’s Garden Spot

Finalist Cypress Cove Country Club

Finalist Wydia’s Bistro

BEST STEAK

Winner Serve

Finalist Wydia’s Bistro

Finalist Belmont Peanuts

BEST SUB/SANDWICH

Winner Fred’s Restaurant

Finalist Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Palace

Finalist Hardee’s

BEST SWEET TEA

Winner El Rancheros Mexican Grill and Bar

Finalist Fred’s Restaurant

BEST TAKE-OUT

Winner Belmont Peanuts

Finalist Great Wall

Finalist Kiki’s Grill

BEST WINE SELECTION

Winner Virginia Peanut Company & Gourmet Market

Finalist Serve

Finalist The Hubs Vine

HEALTH & FITNESS

BEST ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Winner The Village at Woods Edge

Finalist Bon Secours - Southampton Skilled

Nursing and Assisted Living

BEST AUDIOLOGIST

Winner Courtland Hearing & Balance

Finalist HearingLife (Avada)

BEST DENTIST

Winner Harry Spalding, DDS

Finalist Gregory N. Koontz, DDS

Finalist Harper A. Thompson, DDS

BEST EYE CLINIC

Winner Eye Care 108, Dylan B. Belt, O.D.

Finalist Frank R Romano, MD

Finalist Gatten Eye Care

BEST HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB

Winner James L. Camp Jr. Family YMCA

Finalist Retro Flex LLC

Finalist TaylorMade Fitness VA

BEST IN-HOME ELDER CARE SERVICES

Winner We Are All One Home Health Care

Finalist Comfort Keepers of Western Tidewater

Finalist Elite Home Health Care

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

Winner Holly Dawson (Katharas Spa)

Finalist Donna Karr (Trifecta Holistic

Wellness, LLC)

Finalist Erica Arrington (Katharas Spa)

BEST MEDICAL GROUP

Winner Best Medical Group Bayview Physicians Group

Finalist Bon Secours - Southampton Medical Center

BEST OB/GYN

Winner Tobi W. Byrd, RN, MS, WHMP-BC, CNM

Finalist Ghias Rana, MD

Finalist Sharon Sheffield, MD, FACOG

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

Winner Sarah Anrae Applewhite, MD

Finalist Maria Ona, MD, PC

BEST PHARMACY

Winner Franklin Hometown Pharmacy

Finalist Walgreens

Finalist Walmart

BEST PHYSICIAN

Winner Mary Rebecca Babb, CNP

Finalist Michael S. Abu-Absi, MD

Finalist Ricky Brockington, CNP

BEST RHAB CENTER

Winner Pivot PT- Franklin

Finalist Children’s Therapy Concepts

Finalist Southampton Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

(Manish A. Patel, MD)

SERVICES

BEST ACCOUNT FIRM

Winner Burgess & Co., PLC CPAs

Finalist Britt & Peak, PC

BEST AGRI-BUSINESS

Winner Gurganus Peanut Outlet

Finalist Meherrin Chemical

Finalist PandA Homestead

BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY

Winner Meadowridge Apartments

Finalist Jimger Properties

BEST ATTORNEY

Winner Dan Crumpler (Parker, Clark and Crumpler)

Finalist Jack Randall, Esq. (Randall, Page and Bruch, PC)

Finalist William Holt (Kaufman & Canoles)

BEST AUTO LOAN PROVIDER

Winner Bronco Federal Credit Union

Finalist Farmers Bank

BEST AUTO SERVICE/REPAIR

Winner Southampton Towing and Recovery

Finalist Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care

Finalist Bubba’s Place

BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION

Winner Bronco Federal Credit Union

Finalist Farmers Bank

Finalist Primis Bank and ATM

BEST BARBER

Winner Kurtz Kutz

Finalist Melvin’s Barbershop

Finalist Mizelle’s Barbershop

BEST BOOKKEEPING/TAX SERVICE

Winner Burgess & Company, PLC CPAs

Finalist Adeline H. Tillett

BEST CAR WASH

Winner KB’s Car Wash & Pressure Washing

Finalist Justin’s Detailing and Polishing

Finalist Wright’s Detailing & Polishing LLC

BEST CONTRACTOR

Winner Aaron Morgan (Morgan Construction Partners, General Contracting

Finalist Laura Gray (R.E.D.S MECHANICAL, LLC)

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Winner Franklin Hometown Pharmacy

Finalist StoreHouse

Finalist The Cat’s Meow

BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY

Winner Morgan Construction

Partners, General Contracting

Finalist Richard Sumblin Plumbing

Finalist Wilbur R Drewry Electrical & Plumbing Contractor, Inc

BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING

Winner Bronco Federal Credit Union

Finalist Edward Jones - Financial Advisor:

Kyle H Black

Finalist Jason Rebbe - Nottoway Financial

BEST FIREARMS DEALER

Winner Doxey Firearms, LLC

Finalist Jim’s Pawn Shop Franklin, LLC

Finalist Virginia Outdoors

BEST FUNERAL HOME

Winner Wright Funeral Home & Crematory

Finalist Vaughan-Temple Funeral Home

Finalist William M Johnson & Sons Inc.

BEST HAIR SALON

Winner Kelci Roggers Licensed Cosmetologist

Finalist Aesthetics By Naomi

Finalist Image Salon

BEST HAIR STYLIST

Winner Kelci Rogers (Kelci Rogers

Licensed Cosmetologist)

Finalist Naomi Koontz (Aesthetics By Naomi)

Finalist Rachel Parker (Image Salon)

BEST HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY

Winner Air Mechanix, LLC

Finalist R.E.D.S MECHANICAL, LLC

Finalist Rawlings Mechanical Corp.

BEST INSURANCE AGENCY

Winner Manry Rawls, LLC

Finalist Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Company

Finalist Patty Rhodes - State Farm Insurance Agency

BEST INSURANCE AGENT

Winner Bryan Fenters (State Farm Insurance)

Winner Patty Rhodes (State Farm Insurance)

Finalist Jim Jervey (VA Farm Bureau Insurance Company)

BEST LANDSCAPER

Winner Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist Davis Landscaping

Finalist Justin’s Lawn & Landscaping, LLC

BEST LAW FIRM

Winner Parker, Clark and Crumpler

Finalist Railey and Railey, PC

Finalist Randall, Page & Bruch, PC

BEST LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Winner Gray and Son’s Construction, Inc.

Finalist Morgan Construction Partners, General Contracting

Finalist Turner Flooring

BEST MASSAGE

Winner Kathara Spa

Finalist Trifecta Holistic Wellness, LLC

BEST MECHANIC

Winner Adam Olson (Jack Jr. Towing &

Finalist Jonathan Gibbs (Southampton

Towing and Recovery)

Finalist Jason Altstat (Jenkins Garage)

BEST MORTGAGE BROKER

Winner West Bryant (Bronco Federal Credit Union)

Finalist Drew Edwards (Old Point Mortgage)

Finalist Sion Carr (Farmers Bank)

BEST NAIL SALON

Winner Texas Nails & Spa

Finalist Kathara Spa

Finalist KV Nails III

BEST OFFICE SUPPLIES

Winner Mackans

Finalist Richwood Graphics

BEST OIL CHANGE

Winner Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care

Finalist Southampton Towing and Recovery

Finalist Bubba’s Place

BEST PET BOARDING

Winner Southampton Veterinary Clinic

Finalist The Pampered Pooch Salon & Boutique

Finalist Dunlows Doghouse

BEST PET GROOMING

Winner It’s a Dog’s Life, LLC

Finalist Southampton Veterinary Clinic

Finalist The Pampered Pooch Salon & Boutique

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Winner Studio SoCo (Brittney Vaniford)

Finalist Story Time Photography (Nikki Story)

BEST PLUMBING COMPANY

Winner Patterson Plumbing, LLC

Finalist Jenkins Plumbing & Repair Services

Finalist Wilbur R Drewry Electrical & Plumbing Contractor, Inc.

BEST PROPANE COMPANY

Winner Parker Oil Company

Finalist Southside Gas Service Inc.

BEST PROPERTY COMPANY

Winner Century 21 Gold Market Realty, Inc.

Finalist Coldwell Banker Now

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Winner Kelsey Derby (ReMax Country to Coast)

Finalist Darlene Smithwick (Hometown Realty, LLC)

Finalist Michelle Buchanan (Rose & Womble)

BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

Winner RE/MAX Country to Coast

Finalist Hometown Realty LLC

Finalist Summit Realty Group, LLC

BEST REAL ESTATE LAWYER

Winner Dan Crumpler (Parker, Clark & Crumpler)

Finalist William Holt (Kaufman & Canoles)

BEST RETIREMENT FACILITY / INDEPENDENT LIVING

Winner Village At Woods Edge

Finalist Hayden Village Center

BEST ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Winner Widmeyer Roofing

Finalist Morgan Construction Partners

General Contracting

Finalist One Roof At A Time

BEST SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

Winner Southampton Towing and Recovery

Finalist Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care

Finalist Walters Outdoor Power Equipment

BEST STORAGE FACILITY

Winner Courtland Self Storage

Finlist Storage Solutions

Finalist AAAA Self Storage & Moving

BEST TIRE SHOP

Winner Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care

Finalist Southampton Towing and Recovery

Finalist Bubba’s Place

BEST TOWING SERVICE

Winner Southampton Towing and Recovery

Finalist Jack Jr. Towing & Auto Repair

BEST TRAVEL AGENT

Winner The Travel Girl Company

Finalist Solutions Travel

Finalist Travel Dreams

WINNER: BEST MASSAGE

FINALIST: BEST NAIL SALON WINNER: Best

To our clients and friends who nominated and voted for us in the Hometown Choice Awards:

We

For over 36 years, our goal has always been to provide excellent service at reasonable prices in a friendly and timely manner.

That will remain our goal for so long as I practice law.

After all, our clients are our friends.

God Bless each of you. Dan,

BEST TREE REMOVAL

Winner Old Oak Land & Tree

Finalist Black Creek Landscaping

Finalist Pinky’s Tree Service

BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP

Winner Blake Ford

Finalist E-Z Ride Auto Sales & Service LLC

Finalist Franklin Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, LLC

BEST VETERINARIAN CLINIC

Winner Southampton Veterinary Clinic

Finalist Ivor Veterinary Clinic

Finalist Windsor Pet Hospital

SHOPPING

BEST ACCESSORIES STORE

Winner Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist The Cat’s Meow

Finalist Small Town Boutique

BEST ANTIQUE STORE

Winner Faded Cottage

Finalist The Busy Bee

Finalist The Sassy Sisters

BEST APPLIANCE STORE

Winner Lowe’s Home Improvement

Finalist Ivor Furniture Company

BEST BOUTIQUE STORE

Winner Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist The Cat’s Meow

Finalist Small Town Boutique

BEST COUNTRY STORE

Winner Grayson & Emma’s Garden Spot

Finalist Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist Virginia Outdoors

BEST FLOORING/CARPET STORE

Winner Ivor Furniture Company

Finalist Lowe’s Home Improvement

BEST FLORIST

Winner Williams Florist

Finalist Kilby’s Flower Shop Inc.

BEST FURNITURE STORE

Winner Ivor Furniture Company

Finalist Nottoway House, Inc.

Finalist Schewels Home

BEST GARDEN STORE / NURSERY

Winner Grayson & Emma’s Garden Spot

Finalist Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist Windsor Hardware

True Value

BEST GENERATOR SALES & SERVICE

Winner Community Electric Cooperative

Finalist Morgan Construction Partners

General Contracting

Finalist Walters Outdoor Power Equipment

BEST GIFT STORE

Winner Southern Charm Garden Center

Finalist The Cat’s Meow

Finalist Virginia Outdoors

BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE

Winner Lowe’s Home Improvement

Finalist Farmers Produce - Ace Hardware

Finalist Ivor Furniture Company

BEST LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT

Winner Walters Outdoor Power Equipment

Finalist Lowe’s Home Improvement

Finalist NAPA Auto Parts - Beamon & Johnson Inc.

BEST MATTRESS STORE

Winner Ivor Furniture Company

Finalist Schewels Home

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP

Winner Blake Ford

Finalist Franklin Chevrolet, Buick & GMC, LLC

BEST PAWN / RESALE SHOP / THRIFT SHOP

Winner Franklin/Southampton Habitat

For Humanity Restore

Finalist CHKD Thrift Store

Finalist Picker’s Paradise