2015 Best of the Best
Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in Shelby Living’s fifth annual Best of the Best content. Read on to find out our readers’ favorite businesses, restaurants and festivals Shelby County.
Dining and Nightlife
Best Coffee
Kai’s Koffee Shop
2953 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
Acupofkai.weekly.com
205-352-2290
Finalists: Alabaster Starbucks, Ground Up Coffee, Eclipse Coffee, Chelsea Coffee House
Best Bakery
Edgar’s Bakery
499 Southgate Drive, Pelham
6801 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 128, Birmingham
Edgarsbakery.com
Finalists: Delicious Bakery, K&J’s Elegant Pastries
Best Donut Shop
Donut Joe’s
3199 Lee Street, Pelham
205-663-6006
Finalists: Krispy Kreme on U.S. 280, Daylight Donuts, Dunkin Donuts
Best Barbecue
Jim N’ Nick’s
2831 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Birmingham
295 Alabaster Blvd., Alabaster
Jimnnicks.com
Finalists: Full Moon, Johnny Ray’s, Buddy’s
Best Burger
Chubb’s Grub Station
410 1st Street SW, Alabaster
Chubbsgrubstation.com
205-664-8696
Finalists: The Depot, Five Guys, Davis Drug
Best Milkshake
Steak N’Shake
390 South Colonial Drive, Alabaster
Steaknshake.com
205-620-5233
Finalists: Chick-fil-A, Davis Drug
Best Margarita
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham
Themargaritagrill.com
205-982-7281
Finalists: Zapopan, Cozumel Grill
Best Bar
Rio’s Bar and Grill
2693 County Road 58, Helena
Rioshelena.com
205-664-0366
Finalists: The Coal Yard, Papa Saia’s, Grey Bar
Best Pizza
Buck’s Pizza
251 Buck Creek Plaza, Alabaster
Buckspizzaalabaster.com
205-358-3391
Finalists: Area 41, Marco’s, Tortugas
Best Patio Dining
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham
Themargaritagrill.com
205-982-7281
Finalists: Papa Saia’s, Pablo’s
Best Italian Food
Joe’s Italian
21 Weatherly Club, Alabaster
Joesitalianonline.com
205-663-4111
Finalists: Bellinis, Nino’s, Amore
Best Mexican Food
Cozumel Grill
2754 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
205-621-8886
Finalists: Zapopan, Habeneros, Del Toro
Best Asian Food
Mizu
750 Colonial Promenade Parkway, Alabaster
Mizuusa.com
205-621-8388
Finalists: Pando House, Zou’s Kitchen, Hunan Garden
Best Date Night
The Coal Yard
4085 Helena Road, Helena
205-624-3614
Finalists: Fox Valley, Bellinis, Joe’s Italian
Best Caterer
Home Plate Cooking
1915 County Road 58, Helena
Homeplatecooking.com
205-621-6502
Finalists: Jim N’ Nick’s, Southern Sweets, Ashley Mac’s
Health and Beauty
Best Nail Salon
Nail Star
9200 AL 119, Suite 900
Alabaster
205-664-5373
Finalists: Salon 5, Seventh Heaven, Foxy Nails
Best Family Doctor
Cahaba Family Medicine
2508 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
205-664-0880
Finalists: Dr. Rhonda Carter, Dr. David Aizenman
Best Dentist
Dr. Tim Nettles
Columbiana Family Dentistry
21591 Alabama 25, Columbiana
Columbiana Family Dentistry
205-669-6778
Finalists: Cahaba Dental Arts, Andrews Family Dental
Best Hair Salon
T. Fox Salon
2080 Valleydale Road, Hoover
Tfoxsalon.com
205-403-8369
Finalists: Salon 5, Seventh Heaven, Hairway to Heaven
Best Spa
Spa One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
Onenineteen.com
205-408-6600
Finalists: Salon 5, Santa Fe Day Spa, Spa Greystone
Best Fitness Center
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
Onenineteen.com
205-408-6600
Finalists: Alabaster YMCA, Snap Fitness, Planet Fitness
Best Pharmacy
Davis Drug
111 South Main Street, Columbiana
205-669-6713
Finalists: Snider’s Pharmacy, Calera Publix, Wood Family Pharmacy
Best Orthodontist
Orthodontics South
2705 Pelham Parkway #200, Pelham
Orthosouth.com
205-664-4140
Finalists: Edwards Orthodontics, Birmingham Orthodontics, Canales Orthodontics
Best Dermatologist
Inverness Dermatology
250 Inverness Center, Birmingham
Invernessderm.com
205-995-5575
Finalists: Shelby Dermatology, Cahaba Dermatology, Skin Wellness Center of Alabama
Best Boutique
Gifted
2643 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
205-624-3400
Finalists: Sassy Sisters, LJ’s Boutique, Helena Mercantile
Best Facial
Spa One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
Onenineteen.com
205-408-6600
Finalists: Spa Greystone, Salon 5, T. Fox Salon
Best Crossfit
Riverchase Crossfit
2048 Valleydale Terrace, Birmingham
Crossfitriverchase.com
205-994-0721
Finalists: Crossfit SkySoldiers, Crossfit Alabaster, Iron Tribe Fitness 280
Best Yoga
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Hoover
Onenineteen.com
205-408-6600
Finalists: Greystone YMCA, Lemontree Yoga, Lifetime Fitness
Best Massage
Spa One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
Onenineteen.com
205-408-6600
Finalists: Salon 5, Massage Envy, Spa Greystone
Services
Best Veterinarian
Oak View Animal Hospital
2127 Old Montgomery Highway, Pelham
Oakviewah.com
205-988-3559
Finalists: Valleydale Animal Clinic, Montevallo Animal Clinic, Chelsea Animal Clinic, North Shelby Animal Clinic
Best Dry Cleaners
Champion Cleaners, Calera
4204 U.S. 31, Calera
Championcleaners.com
205-668-4727
Finalists: Legacy Cleaners, Ken’s Cleaners, Plaza Cleaners
Best Pet Supply Store
PetSmart
100 South Colonial Drive, Alabaster
205-663-2389
Pestmart.com
Finalists: Alabama Pet Foods, Hollywood Feed, Pet Supplies Plus
Best Florist
Main Street Flosirt
114 North Main Street, Columbiana
28 Manning Place, Mt Laurel
Msflorist.com
Finalists: Helena Florist, Gail’s Florist, Flowers N’More
Best Plumber
The Neighborhood Plumber
608 6th Avenue SW, Alabaster
Theneighborhoodplumber.com
205-663-0612
Finalists: Plumb Pro, Total Plumbing Services
Best Photographer
Britney Moore Photography, LLC
Based in Montevallo
Britneymoorephoto.com
Finalists: Stephanie Fisher, Fotowerks, Heather Mishea Photography
Best Interior Design Services
Rosegate Design
5361 U.S. 280, Suite 105A
205-980-5014
Therosegate.com
205-980-5014
Finalists: Urban Home Market, Summer Classics
Best Moving Services
Motivated Movers
1969 Chandalar Drive, Pelham
Motivatedmoversbham.com
205-995-7585
Finalists: Changing Spaces, Secure Moving, , Armstrong Relocation, Move Daddy
Best Pest Control
FarmerGuard Pest Control
5292 Highway 17, Helena
Farmeguard.com
205-358-3200
Finalists: Mr. Bugg’s, Vulcan Pest Control, Wayne’s Environmental Services
Best Landscaping Company
Helena Landscape Supply
82 Coalmont Road, Helena
Helenalandscapesupply.com
205-621-5255
Finalists: Alabama Turf Works, Stevens Wack and Sack, Doug’s Lawncare
Best Tech Repair
Networx Computers
3183 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
Networxinc.net
205-588-5860
Finalists: Best Buy Geek Squad, Cahaba Valley Computer Services
Places
Best City Park
Veterans Park
7305 Highway 119, Alabaster
Cityofalabaster.com
Finalists: Orr Park in Montevallo, Veterans Park in Hoover, Joe Tucker Park in Helena
Best Winery
Vizzini Farms Winery
800 County Road 87, Calera
Vizzinifarmswinery.com
205-685-06555
Finalists: Morgan Creek Winery, Lewis Lakes Vineyards
Best Bed and Breakfast
Columbiana Inn
306 East College Street, Columbiana
Columbianainn.com
205-669-1450
Finalists: Fox and Pheasant Inn
Best Golf Course
Ballantrae Golf Club
1300 Ballantrae Club Drive, Pelham
Ballantraegolf.com
205-620-4653
Finalists: Timberline Golf Club, Inverness Country Club
Best Wedding Venue
American Village
3727 Alabama 119, Montevallo
Americanvillage.org
205-665-3535
Finalists: Douglas Manor, Oak Island, Alabama 4-H Center
Best Local Famers Market
Helena Market Days
4151 Helena Road, Helena
Helenamarket.blogspot.com
Finalists: Mt Laurel Farmers Market, Alabaster Farmers Market, Montevallo Farmers Market
Best Place for a Family Outing
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Drive, Pelham
Alapark.com/oakmountain
205-620-2524
Finalists: Veterans Park in Alabaster, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Joe Tucker Park in Helena
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
Pump It Up
2724 Chandalar Place Drive, Pelham
Pumpitupparty.com
205-663-4646
Finalists: Griffin Farms, Party Art, Treetop Family Adventure
Best Place to Worship
Westwood Baptist Church
1155 Alabaster Boulevard, Alabaster
Ewestwood.org
205-664-0122
Finalists: Kingwood Church, Church of the Highlands – Alabaster, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Best Hotel
Candlewood Suites
1004 Balmoral Drive, Alabaster
Candlewoodsuites.com
205-620-0188
Finalists: Hampton Inn – Eagle Pint, Hilton 280
Best Private School (K-12)
Kingwood Christian School
1351 Royalty Drive, Alabaster
Kingwoodchristianschool.com
205-663-3973
Finalists: Cornerstone Christian School, Briarwood Christian School
Best Daycare
Covenant Classical School
450 Huntley Parkway, Pelham
Convenantclassical.com
205-620-2626
Finalists: Kingwood Christian Child Development Center, Chase Learning Center, Odyssey Early School
Best Community Center
Helena Community Center
816 Highway 52 East, Helena
Helenaparkandrec.org
205-620-2877
Finalists: Chelsea Community Center, Pelham Civic Center
Best Library
North Shelby Library
5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
Northshelbylibrary.org
205-439-5500
Finalists: Pelham Public Library, Jane B. Holmes Public Library, Albert L. Scott Public Library
Shopping
Best Gift Shop
Gifted
2643 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
205-624-3400
Finalists: Busy Hands, Chelsea Lane, Plain Jane’s
Best Jewelry Store
Paul’s Diamond Center
300 Colonial Parkway #300, Alabaster
Paulsdiamondcenter.com
205-664-4400
Finalists: Southeastern Jewelers, Isbell Jewelers
Best Sporting Goods Store
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Multiple locations
Dickssportinggoods.com
Finalists: Academy Sports, Nichols Outfitters
Best Furniture Store
Alabama Furniture Market
100 Commercial Park Drive, Calera
Alabamafurnituremarket.com
205-668-9995
Finalists: Encore Resales, Urban Home Market, Greystone Marketplace and Antiques
Best Consignment Store
Consigned Design
72 Fulton Springs Road, Alabaster
205-664-7540
Finalists: Renaissance Consignment, Encore Resales
Best Children’s Clothing Store
Sew Precious
16161 U.S. 280, Chelsea
205-678-6633
Finalists: Beka’s Boutique, Gifted, Favorite Laundry
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Helena Mercantile
4093 Helena Road, Helena
205-663-0060
Finalists: Gifted, Ditsy Daisy, Ivory Orchid, Sassy Sisters
Best Garden Center
Myers Plants and Pottery
2935 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
Myersplantsandpottery.com
205-663-6597
Finalists: Cedar Creek Nursery, Hanna’s Garden Shop
Best Grocery Store
Helena Publix
4730 Highway 17, Helena
205-620-0199
Publix.com
Finalists: Alabaster Publix, Columbiana Piggly Wiggly, Sprouts
Best Hardware Store
Brown Lumber and Building Supply
21891 Alabama 25, Columbiana
Brownlumber.com
205-669-6715
Finalists: True Value, Home Depot, Lowe’s
Home and Finance
Best Insurance Agent
Craig Dorris
State Farm
407 West College Street, Columbiana
205-669-6706
Finalists: Casey Bentley of Rux Carter Insurance, Rux Bentley of Rux Carter Insurance, Karen Miller of All-State, Jarrod Gibson of State Farm
Best Real Estate Agent
Kevin Jones
Keller Williams
750 Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
Kw.com
205-368-5014
Finalists: Melanie Siow of RealtySouth, Danielle Turner of Keller Williams
Best Real Estate Company
Keller Williams
750 Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
Kw.com
205-605-1000
Finalists: RealtySouth, ReMax, DownSouth Realty
Best Bank
Bryan Bank, Columbiana branch
21290 AL 25
Bryantbank.com
205-670-9720
Finalists: Central State Bank, Regions Bank in Helena
Auto
Best Auto Service
The Garage
2174 Pelham Parkway, Pelham
Thegarageinpelham.com
205-982-1984
Finalists: Victory Automotive, Ernest McCarty Quick Lane
Best New Car Dealer
Ernest McCarty Ford
1471 1st Street North, Alabaster
Emccartyford.com
205-663-3831
Finalists: Med Center Mazda, Edwards Chevrolet
Best Used Car Dealer
Donohoo Auto
8122 Helena Road, Pelham
Donohooauto.com
205-444-9333
Finalists: Driver’s Way, Ernest McCarty Ford
Best Car Wash
Blue Rain
100 Little Mountain Circle, Pelham
Blueraincarwash.com
205-874-6460
Finalists: Marc One, Wash It Off Car Wash
Best Oil Change
Express Oil Change
5046 Highway 17, Helena
Expressoil.com
205-620-3175
Finalists: Victory Automotive, Alabaster Express Oil Change, Pelham Express Oil Change
Arts and Culture
Best Annual Festival
Buck Creek Festival
Helena
Buckcreekfestival.com
Finalists: Alabaster CityFest, Liberty Day, Montevallo Art Walk
Best Local Artist
Bruce Andrews
Alabaster
2Blumusic.com/art
205-835-8489
Finalists: Lynn Dodson, David Schleuter, Stephanie Dikis
Best Museum
Shelby County Museum and Archives
1854 North Main Street, Columbiana
205-669-3912
Finalists: Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Kenneth R. Penhale City of Helena Museum, Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington
Best Local Musicians
2Blu and the Lucky Stiffs
Alabaster
2Blumusic.com
205-835-8489
Finalists: Deputy 5, Hunter Lawley Band
Best Local Fundraiser
Buck Creek Duck Race
Part of Buck Creek Festival
Helena
Buckcreekfestival.com
Finalists: Relay for Life, Shelby County Shindig