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The people have spoken!
You, the readers, have spoken. And we have for the 2014 Best of Washtenaw County Readers Choice Awards. a blend of new and perennial winners, highlighting how this ever-changing community holds strong on a foundation of strong
businesses and artists of all varieties.
New Business: The Lunch Room
New Business: The Lunch Room 407 N. 5th Ave.
734-224-8859
thelunchrooma2.tumblr.com
One-time food cart, now brick-and-mortar, The Lunch Room plays host to some highend vegan comestibles, charming A2 foodies since last August when the place opened. From their veganized Bhan Mi to their TLT (tempeh, lettuce and tomato), the cooks at The Lunch Room have fun reinventing old standards. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Lunch Room crew aims to “bring you the most interesting, fresh, delicious and diverse food that vegan imaginations can cook up at prices you can afford.”
Runner Up: Literati
Local non profit: Huron Valley Humane Society
3100 Cherry Hill Rd.
734-662-5585
hshv.org
Runner Up: Food Gatherers
Best Charity: Food Gatherers
1 Carrot Way
734-761-2796
foodgatherers.org
Runner Up: Neutral Zone
Suburban downtown: Chelsea
Runner Up: Saline
College Course: Dinosaurs and Other Failures
Runner Up: Philosophy 359
Green Business: Bgreen, Inc.
2111 Packard St.
734-214-3000
bgreentoday.com
Runner Up: People’s Food Co-op
Used Furniture/Consignment: Treasure Mart
529 Detroit St.
734-662-1363
treasuremart.com
Runner Up: Ann Arbor Kiwanis
Music Store: Wazoo Records
Music Store: Wazoo Records 336 S. State St.
734-761-8686
After the dust settled, after Borders and the other big-name record stores shuttered due to the rise of digital music, Wazoo Records remains, still selling new-release CDs and vinyl, and of course old and used tunes, too. The staff is knowledgeable (they probably have Top 5 lists for every conceivable occasion), but not snobbish or inaccessible.
Runner Up: Encore
Greenhouse: Lodi Farms
2880 S. Wagner Rd.
734-665-5651
lodifarms.com
Runner Up: English Gardens
Home Boutique: Downtown Home & Garden
210 S. Ashley St.
734-662-8122
downtownhomeandgarden.com
Runner Up: La Belle Maison
Local Women’s Boutique: Vintage to Vogue
415 N. 5th Ave.
734-665-9110
shopv2v.com
Runner Up: Heavenly Metal
Local Men’s Clothing: Van Boven’s
326 S State St
734-665-7228
vanboven.com
Runner Up: Renaissance
Shoes: Mast Shoes
2517 Jackson Ave.
734-662-8118
mastshoes.com
Runner Up (no pun intended): Footprints
Thrift: PTO Thrift
2280 S. Industrial Hwy.
734-996-9155
a2ptothriftshop.org
Runner Up: Salvation Army
Natural Food: People’s Food
Co-op
216 N. 4th Ave.
734-994-9174
peoplesfood.coop
Runner Up: Whole Foods
Farmer’s Market: A2 Farmers Market
315 Detroit St.
734-794-6255
aaband.org
Runner Up: Saline Farmers Market
Caterer: Zingerman’s
422 Detroit St.
734-663-3400
zingermanscatering.com
Runner Up: Juicy Kitchen
Place to throw a party: Weber’s Inn
3050 Jackson Rd
734-769-2500
webersinn.com
Runner Up: Habana
Hotel: Campus Inn
615 E Huron St
734-769-2200
campusinn.com
Runner Up: Weber’s Inn
DJ/Electronica: Jared Van Eck
Runner Up: Nick Ayers
Folk/Country: The Ragbirds
Runner Up: Breathe Owl Breathe
Hip-Hop: Duke Newcomb
Runner Up: Man in Charge
Jazz /Blues: Bugs Beddow
Runner Up: Ian Stewart
Rock: Blue Snaggletooth
Runner Up: Ben Daniels Band
Open mic: The Ark
316 S. Main St.
734-761-1451
theark.org
Runner Up: The Arena
Live music: Blind Pig
208 S. 1st St.
734-996-8555
blindpigmusic.com
Runner Up: The Ark
Dance Club: Necto
516 E. Liberty St.
734-994-5436
necto.com
Runner Up: Habana
Pick-up Bar: Habana
226 S. Main St.
734-994-2774
cafehabanas.com
Runner Up: Necto
Print Journalist: Andrew Nixon
Runner Up: Pete Cunningham
Radio Station: 91.7 WUOM
535 W William St., Ste. 110
734-764-9210
michiganradio.org
Runner Up: 107.1
Blog: mgoblog.com
Runner Up: Peggy Lampman’s
Theater Troupe: Spontaneous Art
Runner Up: Wild Swan
Dance Company: Ann Arbor Dance Works
1310 N. University Ct., Room 3529
734-647-2289
annarbordanceworks.com
Runner Up: Randazzo Dance Company
Film Maker: Davy Rothbart
Runner Up: Danny Mooney
Movie Theater: Michigan Theater
603 E. Liberty St.
734-668-8463
michtheater.org
Runner Up: Quality 16
Artist: David Zinn
Runner Up: Lynda Cole
Fine Art Gifts: Washington St. Gallery
306 S. Main St.
734-761-2287
wsg-art.com
Runner Up: 16 Hands
Place to Hear Spoken Word: Circus Bar
210 S. 1st St.
734-913-8890
circusannarbor.com
Runner Up: Ugly Mug Cafe
Sculptor: Frances Burgos
Runner Up: Norma Penchansky-Glasser
Current Writer: Jeff Milo
Runner Up: Molly Schoen
Florist: Tom Thompson
504 S. Main St.
734-665-4222
tomthompsonflowers.com
Runner Up: Chelsea Flower Shop
Auto Dealer: Varsity Ford
3480 Jackson Rd.
734-996-2300
varsityford.com
Runner Up: Toyota
Auto Repair: Main Street Motors
906 N. Main St.
734-769-3232
mainstreetmotors.net
Runner Up: 1st Stop Auto Care
Bicycle Shop: Wheels in Motion
3400 Washtenaw Ave.
734-971-2121
wheelsinmotion.us
Runner Up: Two Wheel Tango
Fine Art Photography: Nina Hauser
Recently featured at WSG Gallery, Nina Hauser's exhibit with my iPhone and Eye displays her fascinations with symmetry and architecture, using various filters and post-processing apps to tinker with light and color, casting a moody atmosphere over her subjects. Hauser lives in Ann Arbor with her dog Theo and has been taking pictures since childhood.
ninaehauser.com
Party/Wine Store: Morgan & York
1928 Packard St.
734-662-0798
morganandyork.com
Beyond the wide-reaching wine varietals and local-to-international selection of liquors, Morgan & York’s deli cases are stocked full of artisanal meats, cheeses, pastries, and breads. After cutting their teeth on specialty food sales at Zingerman’s, Matt Morgan and Tommy York paired up to opened their eponymous shop selling specialty food and spirits and wine.
Runner Up: A & J Wine Castle
Motorcycle Shop: Nicholson’s
4405 Jackson Rd.
734-769-9815
nicholsonfun.com
Runner Up: Cafe Racer
Independent Books: Nicola’s Books
2513 Jackson Ave.
734-662-0600
nicolasbooks.com
Runner Up: Literati
Used Books: Dawn Treader
514 E. Liberty
734-995-1008
dawntreaderbooks.com
Runner Up: West Side Book Shop
Comic Store: Vault of Midnight
219 S. Main St.
734-998-1413
aultofmidnight.com
Runner Up: Stadium Comics
Golf Course: Leslie Park
2120 Traver Rd.
734-794-6245
a2gov.org
Runner Up: University of Michigan Golf Course
Outdoor Store: REI
970 W. Eisenhower Pkwy.
734-827-1938
rei.com/Ann-Arbor
Runner Up: Bivouac
Doggy Day Care: BreedAbove
2281 W. Liberty St
734-214-3900
breedabove.com
Runner Up: Arbor Dog Day Care
Real Estate Agent: Linda Lombardini
Trillium Real Estate
Braun Ct.
N. 4th Ave.
734-302-3011
trilliumrealtors.com
Runner Up: Andrew Goddard
Bank/Credit Union: U of M Credit Union
333 E. William St.
734-662-8200
umcu.org
Runner Up: Bank of Ann Arbor
Ad Agency/Design Firm: Perich Advertising
117 N. 1st St., Ste. 100
734-769-2215
perich.com
Runner Up: Fluency Media
Professor: John Rubadeau
UM English Dept.
Runner Up: Joseph Zellemeir
Lawyer: John Shea
120 N. 4th Ave.
734-995-4646
johnashea.com
Runner Up: James Fink
Optometrist: Dr. Steven Bennett
117 S. Main St.
734-665-5306
bennettoptometry.com
Runner Up: Dr. Christine Curricone
Dentist: Meredith Hall
Progressive Dental
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr. Lobby A
734-930-4022
pdadentists.com
Runner Up: Don Wurtzel
Doctor: Dr. Tendai Thomas
IHA Internal Medicine
2090 Commonwealth Blvd.
734-995-0303
ihacares.com
Runner Up: Dr. Arthur Tai
Plastic Surgeon: Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery
2300 Washtenaw Ave., Ste. 100
734913-5100
annarborplasticsurgery.com
Runner Up: Dr. Richard Beil
Veterinarian: Ann Arbor Animal Hospital
2150 W Liberty St
734-662-4474
annarboranimalhospital.com
Runner Up: Ann Arbor Cat Clinic
Alternative Health Care: White Wolf Healing
2311 Shelby, Ste. 105b
734-277-7347
whitewolfhealing.com
Runner Up: Huron Valley Naturopathic Clinic
Yoga/Pilates: A2 Yoga Works
Yoga/Pilates: A2 Yoga Works 2030 Commerce Blvd.
734-216-4006
a2yoga.net
Since 2004, with a variety of classes available 7 days a week, spa services, teacher training, private instruction, and event rentals, A2 Yoga Works has flexed its muscle in the Ann Arbor health scene.
Runner Up: The Yoga Room
Chiropractor: Michael Meath
Ann Arbor Chiropractic
2730 Carpenter Rd, Ste 3.
734-663-0600
annarborchiropractic.com
Runner Up: Kim Jackson
Pet Salon: Quality Grooming
2163 W. Stadium Blvd.
734-665-4699
qualitygrooming.net
Runner Up: Roxy’s Ruff Cuts
Haircut: Salon Vox
115 W. Liberty St.
734-623-4869
salonvox.com
Runner Up: Douglas J. Aveda Institute
Massage Therapist: Prema Lindsay Smith
Inner Balance Therapy
180 Jackson Plaza, Ste. 224
734-649-6157
innerbalancetherapy.com
Runner Up: Felicia Cammon at Relax Station
Day Spa: Bellanina
201 N. 4th Ave.
734-327-1000
bellaninadayspa.com
Runner Up: Fran Coy
Facial/Skincare: Jessica’s Apothecary
301 N. 5th Ave
734-545-4303
jessicasapothecary.com
Runner Up: Skin Bar
Best Trainer: Desmond Johnson
A2 Fitness Professionals
250 W. Eisenhower Pkwy.
734-222-5080
a2fitnesspro.com
Runner Up: Hosea Walker
Cool Eyewear: SEE Eyewear
308 S. State St.
734-622-8056
seeeyewear.com
Runner Up: Bennet Optometry
Tattoo: Lucky Monkey
308 S. Ashley St.
734-623-8200
luckymonkeytattoo.com
Runner Up: Pangea
Tanning: Arbor Fit Club
2723 Oak Valley Dr.
Pittsfield Charter Twp.
734-214-6426
arborfitclub.com
Runner Up: Brown & DeLine Salon
New Restaurant: Aventura
216 E. Washington St.
734-369-3153
aventuraannarbor.com
Runner Up: The Lunch Room
Chinese: Evergreen Restaurant
2771 Plymouth Rd.
734-769-2899
evergreen-restaurant.com
Runner Up: Chai Shaing
Japanese: Miki Japanese Restaurant
106 S. 1st St.
734-665-8226
Runner Up: Yotsuba
Korean: Kang’s Korean Restaurant
1327 S. University Ave.
734-761-1327
kangsrestaurant.com
Runner Up: Arirang
Thai: No Thai
226 N. 4th Ave.
734-213-0808
nothai.com
Runner Up: Marnee
Greek: Ahmo’s Gyros & Deli
341 East Huron Street
734-352-2007
ahmosdeli.com
Runner Up: Achille’s
Italian: Gratzi
326 S Main St
888-456-3463
gratzirestaurant.com
Runner Up: Paseano
Middle Eastern: Jerusalem Garden
307 S. 5th Ave.
734-995-5060
jerusalemgarden.net
Runner Up: Haifa Falafel
Mexican: Tios Mexican Cafe
401 E. Liberty St., Ste. 2
734-761-6650
tiosmexicancafe.com
Runner Up: La Fiesta Mexicana
Local Farm: Tantre
2510 Hayes Rd.
Chelsea, MI
734-475-4323
tantrefarm.com
Runner Up: Frog Holler
Deli: Zingerman’s
422 Detroit St.
734- 663-3354
zingermansdeli.com
Runner Up: Sparrow Market
Fine Dining: The Earle
121 W. Washington St.
734-994-0211
theearle.com
Runner Up: Logan
Coffee House: Sweetwaters
407 N. 5th Ave. & 123 W. Washington
734-622-0084
sweetwaterscafe.com
Runner Up: Mighty Good Coffee
Breakfast Place: Northside Grill
1015 Broadway St.
734-995-0965
northsidegrill.com
Runner Up: The Broken Egg
Diner: Fleetwood
300 S. Ashley St.
734-995-5502
thefleetwooddiner.com
Runner Up: Bell’s
Brewpub: Jolly Pumpkin
311 S. Main St.
734-913-2730
jollypumpkin.com/annarbor
Runner Up: Arbor Brewing Company
Jewelry Store: Abracadabra Jewelry / Gem Gallery
Jewelry Store: Abracadabra Jewelry / Gem Gallery 205 E. Liberty St.
734-994-4848
abragem.com
Since 1974 Steven and Katherine Lesse have purchased conflict free diamonds and ethically mined colored gemstones, selling their made-from-recycled-eco-metals jewelry to lovers and friends in Washtenaw County and beyond. Specializing in custom jewelry, engagement, wedding, and commitment rings, the Abra crew matches their quality products with their quality service–friendly, informed, and guiding.
Runner Up: Lewis
Food Cart: Hut-K Chaats
Mark’s Carts
211 W. Washington St.
markscartsannarbor.com
Runner Up: Beet Box
Food Blog
Peggy Lampman’s dinnerFeed
dinnerfeed.com
Runner Up: damnarbor.com
After Hours Delivery: Insomnia Cookies
1229 S. University Ave.
877-632-6654
insomniacookies.com
Runner Up: Pizza House
Best Dessert: La Dolce Vita
322 S. Main St.
888-456-3463
thechophouseannarbor.com/la-dolce-vita
Runner Up: Amadeus
Burger: Grizzly Peak
120 W. Washington St.
734-741-7325
grizzlypeak.net
Runner Up: Casey’s Tavern
Annual Event: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair
721 E. Huron St., Ste. 200
734-994-5260
artfair.org
Runner Up: Top of the Park
Karaoke: Blue Karaoke
404 W. Liberty St.
734- 302-3673
bluekaraoke.com
Runner Up: Circus
Pre Game: Fraser’s Pub
2045 Packard St.
734-665-1955
fraserspubaa.com
Runner Up: Buffalo Wild Wings
Sports Bar: The Arena
203 E. Washington St.
734-222-9999
thearena-a2.com
Runner Up: Cubs’ AC
LGBT Bar: aut BAR
315 Braun Ct.
734-994-3677
autbar.com
Runner Up: Necto
Bowling Alley: Colonial Lanes
1950 S. Industrial Hwy.
734-665-4474
coloniallanescubsac.com
Runner Up: Belmark
Best place to celebrate your 21st Bday: Rick’s
611 Church St.
734-996-2747
ricksamericancafe.com
Runner Up: Necto
Street Musician: Violin Monster
Runner Up: Mr. B
New musical Artist/Band: Wild Savages
Runner Up: Better Beeves
Don't forget about the Awards Ceremony! June 26th – Party at:
