Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in Shelby Living Magazine’s annual Best of the Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorites in Shelby County.
• • •
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
Best Local Coffee
Edgar’s Bakery
499 Southgate Drive, Pelham
205-987-0790 //
6801 Cahaba Valley Road No. 128, Birmingham
205-408-0897
edgarsbakery.com
Finalists: Donut Joe’s, Chelsea Coffee House, Bullet Coffee, C’s Cakes and Coffee House, The Neighborhood Brew
Best Barbecue
Jim ‘N Nick’s
295 Alabaster Boulevard, Alabaster
jimnnicks.com
205-605-0170
Finalists: Jim ‘N Nick’s (Greystone), Tin Top BBQ 2, Full Moon (Alabaster), Dreamland Barbecue (Highway 280), Full Moon Bar-B-Que (Inverness)
Best Local Pizza
Joe’s Italian
21 Weatherly Club Drive, Alabaster
joesitalianonline.com
205-663-4111
Finalists: Area 41, Sanpeggio’s, Bertolone’s Italian, All Original Pizzeria, Newk’s Eatery
Best Patio Dining
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham
themargaritagrill.com
205-982-7281
Finalists: Station 31 Kitchen, Taco Mama, Beef O’Brady’s, Pablo’s, The Depot
Best Date Night
Joe’s Italian
21 Weatherly Club Drive, Alabaster
joesitalianonline.com
205-663-4111
Finalists: Bellinis, Chuck’s Fish, Amore, The Fish Market, Main Street Tavern
Best Sweet Treats
K&J’s Elegant Pastries and Creamery
236 1st St. S, Alabaster
kjselegantpastries.com
205-663-4827
Finalists: Edgar’s Bakery, Tee’s Cakes and Pastries, Steel City Pops, Pastry Art Bake Shoppe, Frios Gourmet Pops
Best Bar/Cocktails
Main Street Tavern
710 N Boundary St., Montevallo
Facebook: Main Street Tavern
205-665-0336
Finalists: Taco Mama, Margarita Grill, Bellinis, Siluria Brewing Co., Rio’s Bar and Grill
Best Ethnic Cuisine
Kobe Japanese Steak House and Sushi
340 Inverness Corners, Birmingham
ekobe.com
205-326-7996
Finalists: Eli’s Jerusalem Grill, Joseph’s Table, Golden City, Sushi Village, Pinto Thai
Best Caterer
Ashley Mac’s
5299 Valleydale Road, Birmingham
ashleymacs.com
205-346-6186
Finalists: Home Plate Cooking, Taziki’s (Alabaster), Taziki’s (Lee Branch Shopping Center), Dreamland Barbecue (Highway 280), Catering by Bellinis
Best Margarita
Zapopan
45 Beverly Drive, Calera
205-668-4008 //
4551 Alabama 25, Montevallo
205-665-7404
Facebook: Zapopan Mexican Restaurant
Finalists: Margarita Grill, Superior Grill, Cozumel Grill, Pablo’s (Lee Branch), La Paz
Best Lunch Spot
Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods
214 Huntley Parkway, Pelham
smileybrothersfoods.com
205-406-8421
Finalists: Taziki’s, Ashley Mac’s, Station 31 Kitchen, Chicken Salad Chick, The Depot
Best Kid-Friendly Dining
Chick-fil-A, Alabaster
125 Colonial Promenade Parkway
chick-fil-a.com
205-685-1190
Finalists: Station 31 Kitchen, Taco Mama, Zapopan, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Champy’s
HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Best Family Medicine Practice
Greenvale Pediatrics
1022 1st Ave. NE Suite 102, Alabaster
205-663-9550 //
101 Eagle Ridge Dr., Birmingham
205-995-1004
childrensal.org/greenvale-pediatrics
Finalists: Cahaba Family Medicine, Birmingham Internal Medicine Associates, Columbiana Clinic, UAB Inverness, Helena Family Medicine
Best Dermatology Practice
Inverness Dermatology & Laser
250 Inverness Center Dr., Hoover
invernessderm.com
205-995-5575
Finalists: Shelby Dermatology, Cahaba Dermatology, Skin Wellness Center of Alabama, Village Dermatology, True Dermatology
Best Dental Practice
Chelsea Comprehensive Dental
407 Chelsea Crossroads, Chelsea
chelseacomprehensivedental.com
205-678-7930
Finalists: Columbiana Family Dentistry, Shelby Pediatric Dentistry, Calera Dental Center, Gooch Family Dental, Montevallo Family Dentistry
Best Orthodontics Practice
Chelsea Orthodontics
300 Jade Park, Chelsea
chelseabraces.com
205-678-2770
Finalists: Calera Orthodontics, Birmingham Orthodontics, Edwards Orthodontics, Orthodontics South, Oak Mountain Orthodontics
Best Eye Care Practice
Pelham Eye Care
2617 U.S. 31, Pelham
pelhameyecare.com
205-664-1575
Finalists: Chelsea Eye Care, Calera Family Eye Care, Inverness Eye Care, Hayes Eye Center, Jill K. Meyer
Best Chiropractic Care Practice
Chelsea Chiropractic
398 Chesser Road, Chelsea
chelseafamilychiro.com
205-678-1000
Finalists: Montevallo Chiropractic Center, Greystone Chiropractic, Shelby Family Chiropractic, Pelham Family Chiropractic, Precision Chiropractic
Best Local Pharmacy
Snider’s Pharmacy
15582 U.S. 280, Chelsea
facebook.com/SnidersPharmacy
205-678-3899
Finalists: Davis Drug, Brooklere Pharmacy, Neil’s Pharmacy, Double Oak Mountain Pharmacy, Blair Pharmacy
Best Local Hair Salon
Seventh Heaven Salon
301 W. College St., Columbiana
facebook.com/seventhheavenfullservicesalon
205-669-4092
Finalists: Spa One80, Salon 5, Morgan Ashley Salon, D&K & Company Salon, Uptown Salon
Best Nail Salon
Foxy Nails & Spa
270 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham
facebook.com/Foxy-Nails-Spa-Birmingham
205-437-0808
Finalists: Nail Star, Seventh Heaven, Sun n’ Nails, Diva Nails, St. Vincent’s Spa One Nineteen
Best Spa
Santa Fe Day Spa
611 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham
santafedayspa.net
205-408-7221
Finalists: St. Vincent’s Spa One Nineteen, Spa Greystone, Spa One80, Spa 22, Azia Med Spa
Best Fitness Center
Alabaster YMCA
117 Plaza Circle, Alabaster
ymcabham.org
205-663-7240
Finalists: St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, Body by Brii, Greystone YMCA, Helena Health Club, Planet Fitness (Inverness)
SERVICES
Best Animal Clinic
Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic
5196 Caldwell Mill Road, Birmingham
cmacvet.com
205-991-7986
Finalists: Chelsea Animal Hospital, Montevallo Animal Clinic, 280 Animal Medical Center, North Shelby Animal Clinic, Countryside Animal Hospital
Best Florist
Bloom and Petal
5511 U.S. 280, Birmingham
flowers280.com
205-994-2434
Finalists: Main Street Florist, Sarah’s Flowers, The Petal Cart, The Flower Shop, Le Fleur LLC
Best Landscaping Company
Helena Lawn & Landscape
1724 Native Dancer Circle, Helena
205-620-9738
Finalists: Alabama Turf Works, Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens, Horticulture Solutions, Dreamscape/Secret Garden, American Tree Maintenance
Best Customer Service
Chick-fil-A, Greystone
5375 U.S. 280
chick-fil-a.com
205-995-8333
Finalists: Publix, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods, 3D Air Services, The Rinehart Agency, Birmingham Orthodontics
PLACES
Best Event/Wedding Venue
Douglas Manor
545 Chelsea Springs Dr., Columbiana
douglasmanorevents.com
205-369-8714
Finalists: Helena Hollow, American Village, Cat-n-Bird Winery, Corbin Farms Winery, Old Baker Farm
Best Farmers Market
Helena Market Days
Helena Amphitheater, 4151 Helena Road
Facebook.com/The.Helena.Market.Days/
helenamarketday@gmail.com
Finalists: Burnette Farms Market, Mt Laurel Farmers Market, Montevallo Farmers Market, The Marketplace at Lee Branch, Chelsea Farmers Market
Best Home Improvement Store
Lowe’s, Alabaster
235 Colonial Promenade Parkway, Alabaster
lowes.com
205-685-4060
Finalists: The Home Depot (Pelham), Lowe’s (Highway 280), Brown Lumber, The Home Depot (Highway 280), Tractor Supply (Chelsea)
Best Garden Center
Cedar Creek Nursery
2979 Highway 119, Montevallo
cedarcreeknursery.com
205-665-5237
Finalists: Myer’s Plants and Pottery, Hanna’s Garden Shop, Lowe’s (Alabaster), Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens, Lowe’s (Highway 280)
Best Dance/Gymnastics Studio
Joy’s Dance Company
325 Shady Acres Road, Alabaster
joysdancecompany.com
205-835-8483
Finalists: Dance South, Dance Et Cetera, Corky Bell, NXS Gymnastics, Birmingham Academy of Dance
Best Community Center
Chelsea Community Center
11101 Chelsea Road, Chelsea
cityofchelsea.com
205-677-2052
Finalists: Alabaster Senior Center, Pelham Civic Complex, Columbiana Senior Center, Helena Community Center, Heardmont Park Senior Center
Best Public Library
North Shelby Library
5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
northshelbylibrary.org
205-439-5500
Finalists: Chelsea Public Library, Pelham Public Library, Albert L. Scott Library (Alabaster), Columbiana Public Library, Parnell Memorial Library (Montevallo)
Best City Park
Veterans Park Alabaster
7305 Highway 119, Alabaster
cityofalabaster.com
205-664-6840
Finalists: Oak Mountain State Park, Orr Park, Veterans Park on Valleydale, Heardmont Park, Chelsea Recreational Park
Best Place for a Family Outing
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Drive, Pelham
alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park
205-620-2520
Finalists: Helena Hollow, Old Baker Farm, American Village, Cahaba River, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
Helena Hollow
6027 Highway 17, Helena
helenahollow.com
205-541-8150
Finalists: Treetop Family Adventure, Let’s Play, Oak Mountain Lanes, Pump It Up, Chuck E. Cheese’s
Best Golf Course
Ballantrae Golf Club
1300 Ballantrae Club Drive, Pelham
ballantraegolf.com
205-620-4653
Finalists: Timberline Golf Course, Oak Mountain State Park Golf Course, Inverness Golf Club, Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, Greystone Golf and Country Club (Legacy)
Best Senior Living Facility
Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
200 119 Boulevard, Birmingham
somerbyseniorliving.com
205-745-4600
Finalists: Danberry at Inverness, Columbiana Health & Rehab, Shelby Ridge, Gardens of Pelham, Lakeview Estates
Best Place to Worship
Church of the Highlands, Greystone Campus
1700 Lee Branch Lane, Birmingham
churchofthehighlands.com
205-980-5577
Finalists: Westwood Baptist Church, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Double Oak Community Church, Asbury United Methodist Church, Kingwood Christian Church
SHOPPING
Best Gift Store
Magnolias
48 Chesser Crane Road, Chelsea
magnoliasgiftshop.com
205-618-9800
Finalists: Gifted, Cedar Creek Nursery, Davis Drug Gift Gallery, Skull Girl Soaps, The Mercantile
Best Jewelry Store
Southeastern Jewelers, Inc., Inverness
5299 Valleydale Road, Birmingham
southeasternjewelers.net
205-980-9030
Finalists: Paul’s Diamond Center, Kay Jewelers (Alabaster), Anthony & Co. Jewelers, M&M Jewelers
Best Home Store
Alabama Furniture Market
10 Commercial Park Drive, Calera
alabamafurnituremarket.com
206-668-9995
Finalists: Farmhouse + Family, Kirkland’s (Alabaster), Brass Bear Antiques, Encore Resales, Urban Home Market
Best Consignment Store
Encore Resales
2831 Highway 31, Pelham
encorehome.com
205-358-7690
Finalists: Consigned Design, Me & Mom Consignments, Vintage Interiors, Faith Consignment, The Cat’s Meow
Best Store for Kids
2 Girls & a Dog
16161 Old Highway 280, Chelsea
2girlsandadog.com
205-677-2225
Finalists: Sew Precious, Gifted, Tween Queens, Weepeats, Cahaba Lily South
Best Local Clothing Store
The Ditsy Daisy
16383 U.S. 280, Chelsea
facebook.com/TheDitsyDaisy
205-678-6166
Finalists: High Cotton Boutique, Oh My Sole, LJ’s Retail Therapy, Southern Roots, Annabelle’s Southern Boutique
EDUCATION
Best Teacher
Lorrie Steele
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School
Finalists: April Price, Ann Stevens, Andrea Tatum, Amy Thames, Jennifer Elliott, Kay Goolsby
Best Public School
Thompson High School
1921 Warrior Parkway, Alabaster
acsboe.org
205-685-6700
Finalists: Chelsea Park Elementary School, Oak Mountain High School, Meadow View Elementary School, Chelsea High School, Mt Laurel Elementary School
Best Private School
Briarwood Christian School
6255 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
briarwoodchristianschool.org
205-776-5900
Finalists: Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, Evangel Classical Christian School, Cornerstone Christian School, Westminster School at Oak Mountain, Indian Springs School
Best Childcare
Ardent Preschool and Daycare
6801 Tattersall Way, Hoover (Greystone Campus)
205-396-1250 //
25 Southlake Lane, Birmingham (Valleydale Campus)
205-444-5437
ardentpreschool.com
Finalists: Kingwood Christian Child Development Center, Cahaba Valley Learning Center, CASA at Asbury United Methodist Church, Vineyard Nursery, Primrose School of Meadowbrook
HOME AND FINANCE
Best Local Financial Services
MortgageBanc (Amber Brittain)
2007 Eagle Ridge Drive, Birmingham
mortgagebancllc.com
205-986-4220
Finalists: State Farm (Brittani Morris), Central State Bank, Edward Jones (Kyle Mims), Regions Bank, America’s First Federal Credit Union
Best Local Insurance Agent/Agency
Torie Rinehart Nix – The Rinehart Insurance Agency
113 West College St., Columbiana
therinehartagency.com
205-671-5555
Finalists: Brittani Morris – State Farm, Bob Butterworth – State Farm, Rux Carter Insurance, Weygand Insurance Agency
Best Real Estate Agent
Danielle Turner – Keller Williams
kw.com
205-605-1000
Finalists: Cindy Edmunds, Brandi Edwards, Andrea Hunter, Stephanie Millard
Best Real Estate Company
Keller Williams Realty
Metro South Office
224 1st St. N. Suite 225, Alabaster
kw.com
205-605-1000
Finalists: ARC Realty, RealtySouth, RE/MAX, Bradford Real Estate Group, Down South Realty
Best Bank
Central State Bank
11025 Highway 25, Calera
205-668-0711 //
57 County Road 87, Calera
205-621-1000 //
71 Limestone Parkway, Calera
205-668-7878
centralstatebank.com
Finalists: Regions Bank (Alabaster), America’s First Federal Credit Union (Pelham), America’s First Federal Credit Union (Inverness), Regions Bank (Highway 280), Regions Bank (Chelsea)
AUTO
Best Auto Service
Chelsea Tire Pros
347 Chesser Drive, Chelsea
chelseatireandservice.com
205-678-4944
Finalists: The Garage, Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Brown Auto & Alignment, Alabaster Auto Service, A To Z Auto Repair
Best New Car Dealer
Ernest McCarty Ford
1471 1st St. N., Alabaster
emccartyford.com
205-663-3831
Finalists: Edwards Chevrolet, Med Center Mazda
Best Used Car Dealer
Donohoo Auto
8122 Helena Road, Pelham
donohooauto.com
877-872-6171
Finalists: Driver’s Way, Exclusive Auto Wholesale, Southtown Motors, Limbaugh Chelsea Motors, Susan Schein Automotive
Best Oil Change
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers (Chelsea)
16971 U.S. 280, Chelsea
expressoil.com
205-678-7750
Finalists: Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers (Alabaster), Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers (Helena), Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers (Highway 280), Chelsea Tire Pros
ARTS AND CULTURE
Best Local Festival
Alabaster CityFest
P.O. Box 2069, Alabaster
alabastercityfest.com
cityfest@alabastercityfest.com
Finalists: Mt Laurel Spring Festival, Buck Creek Festival, The Big Kaboom, Tinglewood Festival, Liberty Day Festival
Best Local Museum
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
1919 9th St., Calera
hodrrm.org
205-668-3435
Finalists: Shelby Iron Works, Shelby County Museum and Archives, Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, Aldrich Coal Mine Museum, Kenneth R. Penhale Museum
Best Local Cause
Shelby Humane Society
381 McDow Road, Columbiana
shelbyhumane.org
205-669-3916
Finalists: Backpack Buddies, Hatching Hope, Oak Mountain Missions Ministries, Alabama Wildlife Center, The Arc of Shelby County
