Brian ChilsonMaybe you asked. If you did, our readers answered. Where do I go to get rid of waterbugs? Bug Masters killed it, and we scratched out a note here on its advertising. Looking for a place to dance? Sway. Want a cute outfit from yore? Weep no more: Crying Weasel is here. Who takes the best photographs? Our readers say Matt White, and you’ll find the evidence in a photo spread. (Our writer Rebekah Hall focuses on photographer Amber Lane, too, whose boudoir shots tell intimate stories.) We also offer a tribute to best poet Karen Hayes, who receives her award posthumously with a story by Bryan Borland. Our annual issue names the best Arkansas has to offer in the way of filmmaking, music-making, teeth-cleaning, dry cleaning, politicking. The Times also makes a few suggestions of its own. Read on.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Artist
V.L. Cox
Runner-up: Emily Wood
Author
Charles Portis
Runner-up: Mark Barr
Comedian
Adam Hogg
Runner-up: Jay Jackson
Country band or artist
Bonnie Montgomery
Runner-up: The Salty Dogs
Dance club
Club Sway
Runner-up: Discovery
DJ
DJ Porterhouse
Runner-up: G-force
Filmmaker
Daniel Campbell
Runner-up: Graham Gordy
Gay bar
Club Sway
Runner-up: Triniti
Lukas DeenHip-hop artist or group
Big Piph
Runner-up: 607
Jazz band or artist
Rodney Block
Runner-up: Ted Ludwig Trio
Late-night spot
Midtown Billiards
Runner-up: Four Quarter Bar
Live music festival
Hillberry (near Eureka Springs)
Runner-up: King Biscuit Blues Festival (Helena-West Helena)
Live music venue
Stickyz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack
Runner-up: White Water Tavern
Local actor or actress
Mary Steenburgen
Runner-up: Roger Scott
Local theater
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Runner-up: The Studio Theatre
Movie theater
Riverdale 10 Cinema
Runner-up: Movie Tavern
Museum
Museum of Discovery
Runner-up: Arkansas Arts Center
Neighborhood festival
HarvestFest in Hillcrest
Runner-up: Arkansas Cornbread Festival
Performing arts group
Arkansas Circus Arts
Runner-up: Ballet Arkansas
Photographer
Matt White
Runner-up: Katie Childs
Place for karaoke
Town Pump
Runner-up: Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge
Place for trivia
Flyway Brewing Co.
Runner-up: Flying Saucer
Place to gamble
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)
Runner-up: Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis)
Poet
Karen Hayes
Runner-up: Crystal Mercer
Rock band or artist
Amasa Hines
Runner-up: Knox Hamilton
Sports bar
Twin Peaks
Runner-up: Prospect Sports Bar
FOOD AND DRINK
Arkansas-brewed beer
Lost Forty Brewing
Runner-up: Flyway Brewing Co.
Baked goods
Community Bakery
Runner-up: Boulevard Bread Co.
Bread
Boulevard Bread Co.
Runner-up: Old Mill Bread
Brian ChilsonBrunch
Cathead’s Diner
Runner-up: Lost Forty Brewing
Business lunch
Samantha’s Taproom & Wood Grill
Runner-up: Raduno
Caterer
Catering to You
Runner-up: Trio’s Restaurant
Cheese dip
Heights Taco & Tamale Co.
Runner-up: Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro
Cocktail
South on Main
Runner-up: Petit & Keet
Food festival
International Greek Food Festival
Runner-up: Main Street Food Truck Festival
French fries
Big Orange
Runner-up: David’s Burgers
Happy hour
The Pantry Crest
Runner-up: JJ’s Grill
Liquor store
Colonial Wines and Spirits
Runner-up: Legacy Wine and Spirits
Milkshake
Big Orange
Runner-up: Purple Cow
Onion rings
Purple Cow
Runner-up: Sonic Drive-In
Outdoor dining
U.S. Pizza (Hillcrest)
Runner-up: The Fold Botanas & Bar
Ribs
Whole Hog Cafe
Runner-up: Sims Bar-B-Que
Salad
ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Runner-up: U.S. Pizza
Sushi
Kemuri
Runner-up: Sushi Cafe
Vegetarian
The Root Cafe
Runner-up: Star of India
Wine list
Petit & Keet
Runner-up: Zin Wine Lounge
GOODS AND SERVICES
Antiques
Midtown Vintage Market
Runner-up: Fabulous Finds
Apartment complex
The Pointe Brodie Creek
Runner-up: Fountaine Bleau North Apartments (North Little Rock)
Artisan
Bang-Up Betty (jeweler)
Runner-up: AR-Ts (T-shirts)
Auto dealer
Everett Buick GMC
Runner-up: Landers Toyota
Auto service
Austin Brothers Tire & Service
Runner-up: Discount Tire & Brake
Bank
Arvest Bank
Runner-up: First Security Bank
Barbershop
Jerry’s Barber Shop
Runner-up: Morrison’s Capitol Barbershop
Bicycle shop
The Meteor
Runner-up: Chainwheel
Brian ChilsonBookstore
WordsWorth Books
Runner-up: Barnes and Noble
Car
Subaru Outback
Runner-up: Honda Accord
Children’s clothing
The Toggery
Runner-up: Caroline’s Children’s Consignment Boutique
Chiropractor
Brady DeClerk (Omnis Rehab)
Runner-up: Ben Pittman (Back to Life Chiropractic)
Commercial art gallery
M2 Gallery
Runner-up: Gallery 26
Commercial insurance agency
Meadors, Adams & Lee
Runner-up: The Hatcher Agency
Commercial real estate agency
Newmark Moses Tucker Partners
Runner-up: Hathaway Group
Company to work for
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Runner-up: Middleton Heat and Air
Cosmetic dentist
DJ Dailey
Runner-up: Bryan Austin
Family dentist
Reid and Rhea Dentistry
Runner-up: Arkansas Family Dental
Designer/decorator
Garry Mertins
Runner-up: Larry West
Diet/weight loss center
Arkansas Health and Nutrition
Runner-up: Curves
Dry cleaners
Hangers
Runner-up: Schickel’s Cleaners
Eyewear
Kavanaugh Eye Care
Runner-up: Burrow’s and Mr. Franks Optical
Farmers Market
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Runner-up: Little Rock Farmers Market
Florist
Frances Flower Shop
Runner-up: Tipton & Hurst
Funeral home
Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home
Runner-up: Ruebel Funeral Home
Furniture
Hank’s Fine Furniture
Runner-up: Furniture Row
Garden store or nursery
The Good Earth Garden Center
Runner-up: Plantopia
Gift shop
Box Turtle
Runner-up: Moxy Modern Mercantile
Grocery store
Kroger
Local winner: Edwards Food Giant
Runner-up: Whole Foods Market
Hair salon
Red Beauty Lounge
Runner-up: Suite.102.Salon
Hardware/home improvement
Fuller & Son Hardware
Runner-up: Kraftco Hardware and Building Supply
Hip clothing
Fringe Clothing
Runner-up: Scarlet Clothing
Hobby shop
The Water Buffalo
Runner-up: Argenta Bead Co.
Home entertainment store
Walmart
Local winner: Arkansas Record & CD Exchange
Runner-up: Best Buy
Home, life, car insurance salespeople
Chad Millard (Shelter Insurance, Little Rock)
Runner-up: Matt Black (Allstate Insurance, Maumelle)
Hospital
UAMS
Runner-up: Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Brian ChilsonHotel
Capital Hotel
Runner-up: The Waters (Hot Springs)
HVAC repair
Middleton Heat and Air
Runner-up: Bob & Ed’s Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
Internet service provider
AT&T
Runner-up: Hyperleap
Investment adviser
Aptus Financial
Runner-up: Scott Daniel (WealthPath Investment Advisors)
Jeweler
Sissy’s Log Cabin
Runner-up: Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry
Landscaper/landscape design
Chris Olsen
Runner-up: Van Hoose Lawn Services (Benton)
Lawyer
Erin Cassinelli
Runner-up: Jenny Teeter
Lingerie
Cupids Lingerie
Runner-up: Seductions
Massage therapist
Massage Arkansas
Runner-up: One Thai Spa
Med spa (non-surgical cosmetic treatments)
Doctors MedSpa
Runner-up: SkinStar Laser Med Spa
Men’s clothing
Baumans
Runner-up: Greenhaw’s Men’s Wear
Mental health facility
The BridgeWay
Runner-up: Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
Mobile phone
AT&T
Runner-up: Verizon
Motorcycle dealer
Rock City Harley-Davidson
Runner-up: Riggs Outdoor
Mover
Brandon Moving & Storage
Runner-up: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Music equipment
Guitar Center
Local winner: Jacksonville Guitar Center
Runner-up: Sunrise Guitars (Fayetteville)
Nail salon
Best Nails
Runner-up: Chic Nails
Outdoor store
Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runner-up: Gene Lockwood’s
Pawn shop
Braswell & Son Pawnbrokers
Runner-up: iPawn
Pest control and termite service
Bug Masters
Runner-up: Curry’s Pest Control
Brian ChilsonPharmacy
The Pharmacy at Wellington
Runner-up: Rhea Drug
Physical therapist
Charles Healy
Runner-up: Exceptional Physical Therapy (Benton)
Plumber
Russell & LeMay
Runner-up: Ray Lusk Plumbing
Private school
The Anthony School
Runner-up: Pulaski Academy
Public school
Central High School
Runner-up: Baker Elementary School
Residential real estate agency
The Janet Jones Co.
Runner-up: The Property Group
Retirement community
Woodland Heights
Runner-up: Good Shepherd
RV/camper dealer
Moix RV Supercenter (Conway)
Runner-up: Razorback Camper Sales (Hot Springs)
Shoes
Warren’s Shoes
Local winner: Rock City Kicks
Runner-up: Dillard’s Department Stores
Spa
Red Beauty Lounge
Runner-up: One Thai Spa
Sporting goods
Ozark Outdoor Supply
Runner-up: Academy Sports + Outdoors
Tattoos
Black Cobra Tattoos
Runner-up: 7th Street Tattoos & Piercing
Toys
The Toggery
Runner-up: The Knowledge Tree
Travel agency
Poe Travel
Runner-up: Sue Smith Vacations
Vape shop
Vapor World
Runner-up: Rogue Vapors
Veterinarian
Hillcrest Animal Hospital
Runner-up: Shackleford Road Veterinary
Vintage clothing
Crying Weasel Vintage
Runner-up: Grey Dog Boutique (Fayetteville)
Women’s clothing
Cupids Lingerie
Runner-up: Fringe Clothing
Yoga studio
Blue Yoga Nyla
Runner-up: Barefoot Studio
LOCAL MEDIA
Blog
Arkansas Blog
Runner-up: The Mighty Rib
TV meteorologist
Todd Yakoubian
Runner-up: Kristen Kennedy
Newspaper writer
Max Brantley
Runner-up: John Brummett
Radio personality
Heather and Poolboy
Runner-up: Broadway Joe
Radio station
KUAR-FM, 89.1
Runner-up: KABF-FM, 88.3
TV personality
Craig O’Neill
Runner-up: Dawn Scott
TV sports person
Steve Sullivan
Runner-up: DJ Williams
TV station
KATV, Channel 7
Runner-up: KARK, Channel 4
Website
arktimes.com
Runner-up: bluehogreport.com
PEOPLE AND POLITICS
Athlete
Daniel Gafford
Runner-up: Hunter Henry
Best Arkansan
State Sen. Joyce Elliott
Runner-up: Aaron Reddin of The Van
Best Little Rock City Board member
Kathy Webb
Runner-up: Capi Peck
Best Little Rocker
Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
Runner-up: City Director Kathy Webb
Celebrity
Mary Steenburgen
Runner-up: David Bazzel
Charity
Immerse Arkansas
Runner-up: The Van
Charity event
Chocolate Fantasy Ball (Ronald McDonald House)
Runner-up: Wild Wines (Little Rock Zoo)
Conservative
Governor Hutchinson
Runner-up: Bill Vickery
Liberal
State Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock)
Runner-up: State Sen. Will Bond (D-Little Rock)
Brian ChilsonMisuse of taxpayer funds/property
Arkansas Department of Transportation’s 30 Crossing project
Runner-up: 10 Commandments monument at the Capitol
Philanthropist
Rick Fleetwood
Runner-up: The Frueauff Foundation
Politician
State Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock)
Runner-up: Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
Worst Arkansan
State Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway)
Runner-up: U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton
Worst Little Rock City Board member
Erma Hendrix
Runner-up: Lance Hines
Worst Little Rocker
Governor Hutchinson
Runner-up: Warren Stephens
RECREATION
Cheap date
Two Rivers Park
Runner-up: Stone’s Throw Brewing
Golf course
Rebsamen Golf Course
Runner-up: Pleasant Valley Country Club
Gym/place to work out
10 Fitness
Runner-up: Orange Theory
Hiking trail
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Runner-up: Two Rivers Park
Marina
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa (Mount Ida)
Runner-up: Iron Mountain (DeGray Lake)
Park
Burns Park
Runner-up: Two Rivers Park
Place to canoe/kayak/tube
Buffalo River
Runner-up: Little Maumelle River
Place to mountain bike
Northwoods (Hot Springs)
Runner-up: Burns Park (North Little Rock)
Place to swim
Little Rock Racquet Club
Runner-up: Greers Ferry Lake
Resort
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa, Mount Ida
Runner-up: Eureka Springs Treehouses
Weekend getaway
Eureka Springs
Runner-up: Hot Springs