Here are the winners of The Fayetteville Observer's 2023 Community Choice Awards
The Fayetteville Observer honored the best in restaurants, businesses, organizations and other professionals across nearly 150 categories during the 29th annual Community's Choice Awards gala on Thursday at the Crown Complex.
The event was emceed by Miss North Carolina 2023 Taylor Lloyd.
Below is a list of the 147 winners for 2023.
Beauty & Health
Barbershop
Winner: Sinister Cuts
Finalists: Kraken-Skulls and Pinky's Chop Shop
Chiropractic Clinic
Winner: Fayetteville Family Chiropractic
Finalists: Gray's Creek Chiropractic & Wellness Center and Walker Chiropractic
Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Center
Winner: Cape Fear Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & MedSpa
Finalists: Dr. Celia Mendes Aesthetics & Gynecology and Fayetteville Otolaryngology
Dental Clinic
Winner: Village Family Dental
Finalists: Hedgecoe Dentistry and Lewis Family Dentistry
Eye Care Clinic
Winner: Cape Fear Eye Associates
Finalists: Better Vision Optometric Center and Professional Eye Care Optometry, PA
Hair Salon
Winner: Blown Away Hair Studio
Finalists: Fusion Salon, Sinister Cuts and The Venetian European Spa & Salon
Hearing Aid/Hearing Specialist Center
Winner: Fayetteville Otolaryngology
Finalist: VA Hearing Care
Hospital/Medical Center
Winner: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
Finalists: FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke and UNC Hospitals
Medical Spa
Winner: SkinSavvy Aesthetics
Finalists: Allure Aesthetics & Medical Spa and Cape Fear Aesthetics
Nail Salon - Manicure/Pedicure
Winner: The Venetian European Spa & Salon
Finalists: Candle Nail Bar and Ethereal Sage Nail Lounge
Orthodontic Clinic
Winner: Olsen Orthodontics
Finalists: H. Zack Smith, DDS, MS and Prewitt & Prewitt Orthodontics
Pharmacy/Drug Store
Winner: Cape Fear Discount Drug
Finalists: CVS and Walgreens
Spa
Winner: The Camille Spa and Wax Studio
Finalists: Renaissance Day Spa and Alternative Wellness and The Venetian European Spa & Salon
Speech Therapy/Pathology Center
Winner: Affinity Therapy Services
Finalists: A New Leaf Therapeutic Services and Village Pediatric Speech Associates
Tanning Salon
Winner: GloBody by Liz
Finalists: Palm Beach Tan and Sunshine Beauty & Bliss
Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic
Winner: NextCare Urgent Care
Finalists: FastMed Urgent Care and FirstHealth Convenient Care
Weight Loss Center
Winner: All-American Weight Loss and Wellness
Finalists: Cape Fear Valley Bariatric Weight Loss Program and The Renaissance Day Spa and Alternative Wellness
Beauty & Health - People
Audiologist
Winner: Heather Honeycutt, AuD - Cape Fear Otolaryngology
Finalist: Mieko Tanaka, AuD - Family Hearing Care
Family/General Practice Physician
Winner: Solomon T. Ghebregziabiher, MD - Hope Medical Clinic
Finalists: George C. Pantelakos, MD and Shireesha Sangineni, MD - Cape Fear Family Medical Care
Hair Stylist
Winner: Katlynn McKenzie - Hair by Kate The Great
Finalists: Lisa Joas - Blown Away Hair Studio and Madison Nichelson - Mads Hair Candy
Nurse/Nurse Practitioner
Winner: Stephanie Novak - Rainbow Pediatrics
Finalists: Allison Holden - Novant Health Employee Wellness Clinic and Jamie Dickerhoff - FirstHealth Primary Care
OB/GYN
Winner: Anessa J. Lewis, MD - Women's Wellness Center of NC
Finalists: Alan “Shay” Davis, MD - Fayetteville Woman's Care and Christine D. Booth, MD - Fayetteville Woman's Care
Pediatrician
Winner: Andrea Lanao, DO - Rainbow Pediatrics
Finalists: Ana C. Hodges, MD - Legacy Pediatrics and Horace Long, MD - Fayetteville Children's Clinic
Dining
All-Around Restaurant
Winner: Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar
Finalists: Circa 1800 and Zorba's Gyro
Asian Food
Winner: Nona Sushi
Finalists: Asian Express, Kwons Kitchen Korean Fusion and Thai Pepper
Bakery
Winner: Superior Bakery
Finalists: Burney's Sweets & More and Sweet Tooth Shop
BBQ
Winner: Mission BBQ
Finalists: Bar-B-Que Hut and Fowler's Barbecue
Brats/Hot Dogs/Sausages
Winner: Hot Diggity Dog
Finalists: Archway Burgers, Dogs, And Beer and R Burger & R Kitchen
Breakfast
Winner: Metro Diner
Finalists: First Watch and MaryBill’s Cafe
Buffet
Winner: Grandsons
Finalists: Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ and Thai Pepper
Burger
Winner: R Burger & R Kitchen
Finalists: Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and Napkins
Caterer/Catering Company
Winner: Peaden's Seafood & Catering
Finalists: Barbara Ann's Southern Fried Chicken and Two Brothers Catering
Country Cooking
Winner: Kinlaw's Welcome Grill
Finalists: Barbara Ann's Southern Fried Chicken and Grandsons
Dessert
Winner: Superior Bakery
Finalists: Suga Mama's Confections and Sunset Slush of Fayetteville
Doughnut Shop
Winner: Superior Bakery
Finalists: Burney's Sweets & More and Krispy Kreme
Fine Dining
Winner: Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar
Finalists: Antonella's Italian Ristorante and Chris's Steak & Seafood House
Food Truck
Winner: Blasian Asian
Finalists: R Burger & R Kitchen and Vicious Pig BBQ
Fried Chicken
Winner: Barbara Ann's Southern Fried Chicken
Finalists: Bar-B-Que Hut and Metro Diner
Greek Food
Winner: Zorba's Gyro
Finalists: Olea Mediterranean Kitchen and Pharaoh's Legacy
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
Winner: Coldstone Creamery – Hope Mills
Finalists: Cool Beans Coffee and Icecream and Sweet Frog
Italian Food
Winner: Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar
Finalists: Antonella's Italian Ristorante and Elizabeth's Pizza And Italian Restaurant
Local Coffee Shop
Winner: Miller's Brew Coffee Shop
Finalists: Rude Awakening Coffee House and The Coffee Scene
Lunch
Winner: Blue Moon Cafe
Finalists: Metro Diner and Parkton Grill on Main
Mexican Food
Winner: Mi Casita
Finalists: El Cazador and La Cocina Mexican Restaurant
New Restaurant
Winner: The Salad Box
Finalists: Country Boys Grill and Pan
Outdoor/Patio/Rooftop Dining
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: Blue Moon and Napkins
Pizza
Winner: Elizabeth's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Finalists: Brooklyn Pizzeria and Gusto Napoletano
Ribs
Winner: Mission BBQ
Finalists: Texas Roadhouse and Vicious Pig BBQ
Seafood Restaurant
Winner: 316 Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill
Finalists: Hudson Bay Seafood and Peaden's Seafood & Catering
Steakhouse
Winner: Texas Roadhouse
Finalists: Chris's Steak & Seafood House and Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar
Sub/Deli/Sandwich Shop
Winner: The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop
Finalists: Jersey Mike's Subs and Pan Sandwich Shop
Sushi
Winner: Nona Sushi
Finalists: Sakura and SunFish
Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-Free Food
Winner: Blue Moon Cafe
Finalists: Prima Elements and Vibe Gastropub
Wings
Winner: The Wing Company
Finalists: 301 Wingz and Napkins
Entertainment & Leisure
Birthday Party Venue
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: Round-A-Bout Skating Center and DEFY Fayetteville
Event - Local
Winner: Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
Finalists: The All American Tattoo Convention and Dirtbag Ales German Christmas Market
Event Venue
Winner: Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Finalists: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom and Segra Stadium
Family Amusement
Winner: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Finalists: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom and Stop Button Bar
Festival/Fair
Winner: Dogwood Festival
Finalists: Dirtbag Ales German Christmas Market and The All American Tattoo Convention
Place of Worship
Winner: Manna Church
Finalists: Saint Patrick Catholic Church and Snyder Memorial Baptist Church
Sports Team - Local
Winner: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Finalists: Fayetteville Guard Youth Sports and Fayetteville Marksmen
Tourist/Seasonal Attraction - Local
Winner: U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Finalists: Cape Fear Botanical Garden and Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
Entertainment & Leisure - People
DJ - Event/Wedding
Winner: PB Productions
Finalists: Kellie White, and Mark Pezzella - Five Star Entertainment
Finance
Accounting firm
Winner: TRP Sumner
Finalists: Harris Accounting & Tax Services and Utley & Knowles CPAs
Bank
Winner: Truist
Finalists: First Citizens Bank and Wells Fargo
Financial Planning Services
Winner: Navy Federal Credit Union
Finalists: Edward Jones and State Employees’ Credit Union
Mortgage Lending Company
Winner: Union Home Mortgage
Finalists: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation and Veterans United Home Loans of Fayetteville
Home & Home Services
Apartment Complex
Winner: Parcstone Apartments
Finalists: Addison Ridge and Stone Ridge Apartments
Assisted/Senior Living
Winner: Heritage Place
Finalists: Harmony at Hope Mills and The Carolina Inn
Home Builder
Winner: Blankenship Construction
Finalists: Ben Stout Construction and Myers Custom Homes & Construction
Home Repair/Remodeling Company
Winner: Paul Blankenship Vinyl Siding & Construction
Finalists: Accurate Interior Trim and Myers Custom Homes & Construction
Moving Company
Winner: Two Men and a Truck
Finalists: Big Guy’s Moving and Moving Made Easy
Real Estate Company
Winner: Coldwell Banker Advantage
Finalists: Keller Williams - Fayetteville and Townsend Real Estate
Swimming Pool/Spa
Winner: Parnell Pool & Spa
Finalists: Crystal Clear Pools and Spas and Hallmark Spas, Pools & Billiards
Home & Home Services - People
Real Estate Agent
Winner: Chasity Poole, Smith Douglas New Homes Specialist
Finalists: Aileen Rogers - Fathom Realty NC and Mitzie Newman - Century 21 Liberty
Kids & Education
College/University
Winner: Fayetteville State University
Finalists: Fayetteville Technical Community College and Methodist University
Dance Studio/School
Winner: Elite Dance Center
Finalists: Alpha and Omega Dance Academy and DreamVille Dance Company
Gymnastics Studio
Winner: Countryside Gymnastics
Finalists: Omega School of Gymnastics & Cheer and The Little Gym of Fayetteville
Karate/Martial Arts School
Winner: Team Tiger Karate Club
Finalists: Family Martial Arts Academy and Ryu's Taekwondo NC
Learning/Tutoring Center
Winner: Sylvan Learning Center
Finalists: Huntington Learning Center and The Highland Learning Center
Pre-School
Winner: Fayetteville Christian School
Finalists: Genesis Learning Academy Childcare & Development Center and The Village Baptist Preschool
School - Private
Winner: Fayetteville Christian School
Finalists: Northwood Temple Academy and Village Christian Academy
School - Public
Winner: William H. Owen Elementary School
Finalists: Cumberland Mills Elementary and E.E. Miller Elementary School
Youth Sports Facility/Complex
Winner: John D. Fuller, Sr. Recreational/Athletic Complex
Finalists: Freedom Courts Sportsplex and Jordan Soccer Complex
Pets
Pet Grooming Company
Winner: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Fayetteville
Finalists: Cumberland Poodle Parlor and Muddy Paws Pet Grooming and Spa
Pet Kennel/Boarding/Day Care
Winner: Bed and Biscuits
Finalists: Blessed Oasis Pet Resort and Riverbark Veterinary Hospital
Pet Store
Winner: Naturally Unleashed Pet Nutrition Center
Finalists: PetSmart and Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Pet Training
Winner: Patriot K-Nine Training and Behavior
Finalists: HardKnocks K9 and Positive Bully Breed Training
Veterinary Clinic
Winner: Riverbark Veterinary Hospital
Finalists: Highland Animal Hospital and Southern Oaks Animal Hospital
Services
Bail Bonds Company
Winner: A1 Bail Bonds
Finalists: Alpha & Omega Bail Bonds and Bad Boyz Bail Bonds
Carpet/Rug Cleaning Company
Winner: Stanley Steemer
Finalists: Pristine Clean and Williams Carpet Care
Computer/Cell Phone Repair
Winner: iFixandRepair
Finalists: NOAH - Computer Services, Inc. and Quack Quack Phone Repair
Customer Service
Winner: New Addiction Tattoo
Finalists: American Tattoo Society and Bullard Furniture
Dry Cleaning Company
Winner: Smitty's Cleaners
Finalists: Monarch Cleaners and Parker Cleaners
Electrician/Electrical Service Company
Winner: Air Pro Heating, Air & Electric
Finalists: Blanton's Air, Plumbing, & Electric and Lonnie Smith Electrical
Employment/Staffing Agency
Winner: Maxim Staffing
Finalists: Kelly Services and Manpower Staffing Solutions
Flooring Installation
Winner: Cape Fear Flooring & Restoration Inc.
Finalists: BGE Bell Groves Enterprises and French Family Construction
Funeral Home/Crematory
Winner: Rogers & Breece Funeral Home
Finalists: Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home and Pinecrest Funeral & Cremation Services
Heating/AC Service Company
Winner: Air Pro Heating, Air & Electric
Finalists: Blanton's Air, Plumbing, & Electric, Nathan's Heating & AC and Scott Service Company
Insurance Agency
Winner: State Farm
Finalists: Callahan & Rice Insurance Group Inc. and NC Farm Bureau Insurance
Lawn Care/Landscaping Company
Winner: Cardinal Landscaping, Inc.
Finalists: Fairfax Cleaning and Lawn Care and NC Design Concepts
Non-Profit/Charity Organization
Winner: Partnership for Children of Cumberland County
Finalists: Cape Beard and Let's Walk It Out
Painting Company
Winner: French Family Construction
Finalists: Garner's Painting Service and K & S Painting LLC
Pest Control Company
Winner: Canady's Termite & Pest Control
Finalists: AAA Exterminating Co. and Eco Advantage Termite and Pest Solutions
Plumbing Company
Winner: Blanton's Air, Plumbing, & Electric
Finalists: All Trades Construction and Woods Plumbing Service
Power Washing Company: NC Window Cleaning
Winner: NC Window Cleaning
Finalists: BGE Bell Groves Enterprise and Carolina Pressure Pros
Roofing Company
Winner: SH Barnes East Coast Roofing
Finalists: Advanced Roofing Solutions and French Family Construction
Security Company
Winner: Holmes Security Systems
Finalists: Gill Security Systems, Inc. and Jarrett Security Systems
Siding Company
Winner: Paul Blankenship's Vinyl Siding and Construction
Finalists: Bramble Home Improvement and French Family Construction
Tattoo Studio
Winner: American Tattoo Society
Finalists: Bill Claydon's Tattoo World, New Addiction Tattoo, Sin Parlor and Sovereign Tattoo Studio
Window Company
Winner: Paul Blankenship Vinyl Siding & Construction
Finalists: French Family Construction and Window World
Services-People
Attorney
Winner: Sarah D. Miranda - Miranda Law Firm
Finalists: Deno T. Frangakis - Williford, Crenshaw, Boliek & Frangakis Law Firm and Drew Dempster - Smith Dickey and Dempster
Shopping
Antique/Coins & Collectibles Store
Winner: The Pickin Coop Antique Mall
Finalists: Dragon's Lair Comics and The Coop DeVille Mercantil Antiques and Gifts
Boutique
Winner: Style Studio of Fayetteville
Finalists: 2313 Glitter Ave Boutique and Fabulous Finds Boutique
Bridal/Formalwear Boutique
Winner: An Affair to Remember - Prom, Pageant, and Formal Wear
Finalists: David's Bridal and Together As One Bridal
Consignment Store
Winner: High Cotton Consignment
Finalists: Lily Kat's Consignment Boutique and Once Upon a Child
Florist Shop
Winner: Hope Mills Plaza Florist
Finalists: Ann's Flower Shop and Owen's Florist
Furniture Store
Winner: Bullard Furniture
Finalists: Fayetteville Furniture Gallery and The Pickin Coop Antique Mall
Garden Center/Nursery
Winner: Bell's Seed Store
Finalists: Ladybug Greenhouse and Pate's Farm Market
Gift Shop
Winner: A Bit of Carolina
Finalists: PRESSED - A Creative Space, Reverie Goods and Gifts and The Pilgrim Gift Shop
Grocery Store
Winner: Harris Teeter
Finalists: ALDI and Food Lion
Jewelry Store
Winner: Rhudy's Jewelry Showroom
Finalists: Bopie’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry and Hinkamp Jewelers
Lawn Equipment Store
Winner: Bell's Seed Store
Finalists: Eastover Trading and Hope Mills Saw & Mower
Mattress Store
Winner: Bullard Furniture
Finalists: ABC Mattress Discounters and J&J Mattress Factory Direct Outlet
Meat Market/Seafood Shop
Winner: Kinlaw's Supermarket
Finalists: Pate's Farm Market and The Fresh Market
Men’s Clothing Store
Winner: Men's Wearhouse
Finalists: Old South Apparel and Sugar's Menswear Studio
Pawn Shop
Winner: Jim's Guns, Pawn, Jewelry, and Range
Finalists: Parker Pawn & Jewelry and Rhudy's Pawn Shop
Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: 2313 Glitter Ave Boutique
Finalists: Belk and Style Studio of Fayetteville
Spirits
Brewpub/Brewery
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: Gaston Brewing Company and Heckler Brewing Company
Craft Beer Store
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: District House of Taps and Grapes & Hops
Sports Bar
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: Bubba's 33 and Charlie Mike's Pub
Sports & Fitness
Fitness Center/Gym
Winner: Fit4Life Health Clubs
Finalists: Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp and Healthplex
Golf Course
Winner: Gates Four Golf & Country Club
Finalists: Cypress Lakes Golf Course and King's Grant Golf & Country Club
Yoga/Pilates Studio
Winner: Pure Barre
Finalists: Club Pilates, HealthPlex and Living Balance Studios
Top Employers
Military Family Owned Business
Winner: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Finalists: Bed and Biscuits and Sinister Cuts
Place to Work
Winner: American Tattoo Society
Finalists: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom and Fayetteville Christian School
Top Employers-People
Boss
Winner: Tammi Peters - Fayetteville Christian School
Finalists: Michelle Fitzgerald - Bed and Biscuits and Ryan Harrell - American Tattoo Society
Vehicles, Dealers & Services
ATV Dealer
Winner: Baker American Cycles
Finalists: Baker Motorsports and Flip My Cycle
Auto Accessories Store
Winner: Down East Auto Accents
Finalists: AutoZone Auto Parts and Rhudy's
Auto Body/Collision Center
Winner: Cape Fear Collision and Body Repair
Finalists: Caliber Collision and Grizzly Customs Paint and Auto Body Repair
Auto Glass Repair Company
Winner: Safelite AutoGlass
Finalists: Hope Mills Glass Company and Metz Auto Glass & Auto Storage Inc
Auto Repair Shop
Winner: Grizzly Customs Paint and Autobody Repair
Finalists: Gene's Truck Services Inc. and HH Auto Repair & Electrical Diagnostics LLC
Car Wash/Detail Shop
Winner: Hurricane Express Wash
Finalists: Chris Detailing & Tint NC and Royalty Auto Spa
Motorcycle Dealer
Winner: Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson
Finalists: Baker American Cycles and Baker Motorsports
New Car Dealership
Winner: Rick Hendrick Toyota of Fayetteville
Finalists: Powers-Swain Chevrolet and Valley Auto World
Tire Center
Winner: Black's Tire & Auto Service
Finalists: Discount Tire and Ed's Tire & Auto Service
Used Car Dealership
Winner: I-95 Muscle
Finalists: Rick Hendrick Toyota of Fayetteville and Valley Auto World, Inc
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Winners of the 2023 Fayetteville Community Choice Awards
