Readers’ Choice 2021 winners announced
Published 1:26 pm Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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The Andalusia Star-News is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Readers’ Choice contest.
The contest began in June with a new digital format that greatly increased public involvement. The first phase of the contest provided readers to nominate their favorites in a variety of categories. The top nominees were then entered into a digital ballot where the public voted between the nominees to determine winners in each category. The voting phase began August 2 and concluded on August 21.
The new digital format led to 2,042 nominations and a total of 36,590 votes, which are huge increases from the previous print version of the contest.
“All of us at the Star-News are excited about the level of participation in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The digital format opened the door to greater involvement and input from the community. There was a learning curve for our staff as we worked through the process and we already have ideas to improve next year’s contest. We want to thank everyone who participated and congratulate this year’s winners,” said Star-News Publisher Robert Blankenship
This year’s winners are:
Dining
All Around Restaurant
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Big Mike’s Steakhouse
Bakery
Winner: Cakes by Butta
Runner-Up: Dean’s Cake House
BBQ
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Crow’s Nest
Biscuits
Winner: Hardee’s
Runner-Up: Hart’s Country Store
Breakfast
Winner: Huddle House
Runner-Up: Hall’s Country Store
Buffet
Winner: Tabby D’s
Runner-Up: Happy Kitchen
Burger
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Big Mike’s Steakhouse
Carry Out/Take Out
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Firehouse Subs
Caterer
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Wing Queen Palace
Chicken Wings
Winner: Wing Queen Palace
Runner-Up: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Coffee
Winner: Bluebird Coffee Co.
Runner-Up: Java Time
Country Cooking
Winner: Tabby D’s
Runner-Up: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Dessert
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Tabby D’s
Ethnic Dining
Winner: Samurai Japanese Steakhouse
Runner-Up: Ophelia’s Italian Restaurant
Ice Cream
Winner: Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
Runner-Up: Sonic Drive-In
Iced Tea
Winner: David’s Catfish (tie)
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill (tie)
Runner-Up: Tabby D’s
Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Rancho Grande Grill
Runner-Up: Amor & Tacos
Pizza
Winner: Little Caesars
Runner-Up: Pizza Hut
Ribs
Winner: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Runner-Up: Crow’s Nest
Sandwich Shop
Winner: Steamboat
Runner-Up: Firehouse Subs
Seafood
Winner: Hilltop
Runner-Up: David’s Catfish House
Steaks
Winner: Big Mike’s Steakhouse
Runner-Up: Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
Health & Wellness
Audiologist
Winner: Beltone Hearing Care
Runner-Up: Miracle Ear
Barber Shop
Winner: Wiggins Barber Shop
Runner-Up: Utopia Salon & Boutique
Chiropractor
Winner: Three Notch Chiropractic
Runner-Up: Covington Spine Center
Dentist
Winner: Andalusia Dental Group
Runner-Up: Dr. Jon D. Ward
Esthetician Services
Winner: Oasis Fitness Spa & Salon
Runner-Up: Utopia Salon & Boutique
General/Family Physician
Winner: Dr. Jill Elmore
Runner-Up: Dr. J.F. Maddox
Hair Salon
Winner: Posh Salon Studio
Runner-Up: Utopia Salon & Boutique
Health Club/Gym
Winner: Andalusia Health & Fitness
Runner-Up: USA Gym
Health Food & Drink
Winner: The Nutrition Shack
Runner-Up: Tropical Smoothie Café
Hearing Aid Center
Winner: Miracle Ear
Runner-Up: Belton Hearing Care
Manicure
Winner: Magnolia Jane Nails
Runner-Up: Mary’s Nails
Medical Supply
Winner: Darby’s Medical Center
Pharmacy
Runner-Up: Bailey’s Pharmacy
Optometrist
Winner: Ensight Eyecare
Runner-Up: Tillman Family Eye Care
Orthodontist
Winner: TW Orthodontics
Runner-Up: Three Notch Orthodontics
Orthopedic/Sports Medicine
Winner: Dr. Gil Holland
Runner-Up: Southern Bone & Joint
Specialists
Pediatric Dentist
Winner: Dr. Parrish King
Runner-Up: Dr. Jon Ward
Pediatrician
Winner: Dr. Bhagwan Bang
Runner-Up: Dr. Charles Eldridge
Pharmacist
Winner: David Darby
Runner-Up: Jeff Bailey
Pharmacy
Winner: Darby’s Village Pharmacy
Runner-Up: Bailey’s Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Winner: Physical Therapy
of Andalusia
Runner-Up: Encore Rehabilitation
Spa
Winner: Oasis Fitness Spa & Salon
Runner-Up: Andalusia Massage
& Bodywork
Therapaeutic Massage
Winner: Andalusia Massage & Bodywork
Runner-Up: Oasis Fitness Spa
Walk-in Clinic
Winner: Andalusia Walk-In Clinic
Runner-Up: MainStreet Family Care
People, Places & Entertainment
Birthday Party Venue
Winner: Opp Skating Rink
Runner-Up: Cypress Landing RV Park
Church
Winner: Bethany Baptist Church
Runner-Up: Andalusia Full Gospel Tabernacle
Family Activity
Winner: July Jamz
Runner-Up: Space Walk of Andalusia
Golf Course
Winner: Andalusia Country Club
Runner-Up: Evans Barnes Golf Course-LBW
Hotel
Winner: Holiday Inn Express
Runner-Up: Best Western Andalusia
Local Event/Festival/Fair
Winner: Christmas in Candyland
Runner-Up: Kiwanis Covington
County Fair
Local Tourist Attraction
Winner: Christmas in Candyland
Runner-Up: Gantt Lake
Non Profit Organization
Winner: Full Tummy
Runner-Up: Meredith’s Miracles
Place to Work (over 200)
Winner: PowerSouth Energy Coop
Runner-Up: Andalusia Health
Place to Work (51-200)
Winner: Covington Electric Coop
Runner-Up: CCB Community Bank
Place to Work (2-50)
Winner: Outlaw Realty
Runner-Up: Comfort Care Hospice
Special Event Venue
Winner: Five Runs Farm
Runner-Up: Springdale
Wedding Venue
Winner: Springdale
Runner-Up: Spicer Farm
Kids & Education
After-School Program
Winner: Te Amo
Runner-Up: Apple
Dance School
Winner: Andalusia Dance & Tumbling
Runner-Up: Andalusia Ballet
Day Care
Winner: Guardian Angel
Runner-Up: Dimples Day Care
Elementary School
Winner: Andalusia Elementary
Runner-Up: Straughn Elementary
High School
Winner: Andalusia High
Runner-Up: Straughn High
Learning/Tutoring Services
Winner: Guardian Angel
Runner-Up: Shirley’s Kindercare
Middle School/Junior High
Winner: Andalusia Junior High
Runner-Up: Straughn Middle School
Preschool
Winner: Guardian Angle
Runner-Up: Dimples Day Care
School Administrator
Winner: Dr. Daniel Shakespeare
Runner-Up: Matt Cobb
Teacher
Winner: Anna Caldwell
Runner-Up: Kristan Etheridge
Local Shopping
Antique Store
Winner: Three Notch Emporium
Runner-Up: Picket Fence Antiques
Appliances
Winner: Harold’s Home
Runner-Up: Appliance One
Backyard Furnishings
Winner: Walmart Supercenter
Runner-Up: Farmers Home Furnishings
Boutique
Winner: Lena Ellen Boutique
Runner-Up: Town & Country Boutique
Bridal Store
Winner: Elan Formal Wear
Runner-Up: P&J Formal Country
Children’s Clothing
Winner: White Willow Boutique
Runner-Up: Blush Kids Clothing
Consignment
Winner: Three Notch Emporium
Runner-Up: Picket Fence Antiques
Farm & Seed Store
Winner: Andalusia Farmers Co-op
Runner-Up: Stewart Bros. Farm Supply
Florist
Winner: Alan Cotton’s Florist
Runner-Up: Andalusia Flower & Gift
Furniture
Winner: Harold’s Home
Runner-Up: Barrow Fine Furniture
Garden Center
Winner: Blue Goose Garden Shop
Runner-Up: Andalusia Farmers Co-op
Gift Store
Winner: Pink Peppers
Runner-Up: Lena Ellen Boutique
Grocery
Winner: Piggly Wiggly
Runner-Up: Pic-N-Sav
Hardware Store
Winner: Andalusia Cash & Carry
Runner-Up: Marvin’s
Jewelry Store
Winner: Chrisopher’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry
Runner-Up: Sanders’ Fine Jewelry
Mattress Store
Winner: Mr. Mattress Bedding Outlet
Runner-Up: Badcock Home Furniture
Men’s Clothing & Accessories
Winner: Ward & Co.
Runner-Up: The IELK Beautique
Outdoor/Sporting Goods
Winner: Fletcher’s Outdoors
Runner-Up: Marvin’s
Pawn Shop
Winner: Three Notch Pawn & Gun
Runner-Up: Covington Pawn
Produce
Winner: Wingard’s Farm Market
Runner-Up: Sweet South Market
Shoe Store
Winner: Brooks Shoe Shop
Runner-Up: Ward & Co.
Thrift Store
Winner: Meredith’s Miracles
Runner-Up: Three Notch Emporium
Women’s Clothing & Accessories
Winner: Town & Country Boutique
Runner-Up: The IELK Beautique
Services
Attorney
Winner: Corey D. Bryan
Runner-Up: William Alverson
Customer Service
Winner: J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop
Runner-Up: Walker Business Machines
Funeral Home
Winner: Foreman-Brown Funeral Home
Runner-Up: Keahey Funeral Home
Pet Groomer
Winner: Andalusia Animal Clinic
Runner-Up: Mae’s Mutts
Photographer
Winner: Sincerely Shawna Photography
Runner-Up: Vicki Popwell Fine Portraits
Self Storage Company
Winner: Bass Mini Storage
Runner-Up: O’Neal Agency Storage
Sign Company
Winner: Pirate Graphics
Runner-Up: SignMan
Stationary, Invitations & Engraving
Winner: DigiPrint
Runner-Up: Walker Business Machines
Veterinarian
Winner: Covington Veterinary Care
Runner-Up: Andalusia Animal Clinic
Home Services & Finance
Accountant
Winner: White & McClung
Runner-Up: Rabren, Odom, Pierce & Hayes
Assisted Living Facility
Winner: Savannah Terrace
Runner-Up: Florala Health & Rehab
Bank
Winner: CCB Community Bank
Runner-Up: Southern Independent
Carpet Cleaning
Winner: Steampro Carpet Cleaning
Runner-Up: S&J Carpet Cleaning
Credit Union
Winner: All In Credit Union
Runner-Up: Covington Schools
Federal Credit Union
Electrician
Winner: Roger’s Refrigeration & Electrical
Runner-Up: Walker Electric
Floor Coverings
Winner: Bob Taylor’s Carpet One
Runner-Up: The Floor Store
Heating & Air Conditioning
Winner: Roger’s Refrigeration & Electrical
Runner-Up: Walker Electric
Contractor/Repair/Remodel
Winner: Abram Homes
Runner-Up: Jimmy Fowler
Home Healthcare
Winner: Comfort Care Hospice
Runner-Up: Kindred at Home
Home Improvement Supply
Winner: Marvin’s
Runner-Up: Breedlove Building Supply
Home Security
Winner: Harris Security Systems
Runner-Up: Homestead Security
Systems
Hospice
Winner: Comfort Care Hospice
Runner-Up: Dayspring Hospice
Insurance Agency
Winner: Sharyn Smith-State Farm
Runner-Up: Alfa Insurance
Insurance Agent
Winner: Sharyn Smith-State Farm
Runner-Up: Lori Taylor-AllState
Interior Designer
Winner: Allen Walker
Runner-Up: South House Interiors
Investment Firm
Winner: Ed Jones-Ronnie Sansom
Runner-Up: Raymond James
Law Firm
Winner: Corey D. Bryan
Runner-Up: Alverson & Alverson
Lawn & Garden Power Tools
Winner: J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop
Runner-Up: Southern Equipment
Mortgage Lender
Winner: Southern Independent Bank
Runner-Up: First South Farm Credit
Moving Services
Winner: AAA Moving & Storage
Runner-Up: The Moving Doctor
Nursing Home
Winner: Andalusia Manor
Runner-Up: Florala Health & Rehab
Pest Control
Winner: Aggressive Termite & Pest
Runner-Up: Andalusia Termite
Plumbing Company
Winner: Jordan Electric & Plumbing
Runner-Up: C&I Plumbing & Electric
Residential Real Estate Agent
Winner: Maryalyce Outlaw
Runner-Up: Jill Prevett
Residential Real Estate Co.
Winner: Outlaw Realty
Runner-Up: Draftstone Properties & Real Estate
Roofing/Siding/Windows
Winner: Parker Metal Construction
Runner-Up: Bedsole Roofing
Tree Service
Winner: Tolbert Tree Service
Runner-Up: Pettie Tree Experts
Vehicles, Dealers & Auto Services
Auto Body & Collision
Winner: Palmer & Sons Collision
Runner-Up: Andalusia Body Shop
Auto Detailing/After Market
Winner: TruckWorks
Runner-Up: River Falls Wash & Go
Auto Mechanic
Winner: Helms Automotive & Key
Runner-Up: Walt Massey Automotive
Auto Parts & Supplies
Winner: Advance Auto Parts
Runner-Up: AutoZone Auto Parts
Auto Repair Shop
Winner: Walt Massey Nissan
Runner-Up: Andalusia Ford
Auto Window Tinting
Winner: TruckWorks
Runner-Up: Complete Auto Window Tinting
Car Salesperson
Winner: Johnny Duggan
Runner-Up: Patrick Broder
Car Wash
Winner: Splash Hopper Express
Runner-Up: Ronny’s Car Wash
New Car Dealer
Winner: J.M. Jackson
Chevrolet-Buick
Runner-Up: Walt Massey Nissan
Oil Change/Brake/Muffler
Winner: Performance Kwik Change
Runner-Up: J.M. Jackson Chevrolet
Tire Center
Winner: Andalusia Tire Company
Runner-Up: Moore & Moore Tires
Used Car Dealer
Winner: J.M. Jackson
Chevrolet-Buick
Runner-Up: Walt Massey Automotive