Illustration by Shane Rebenshied
Best Accounting Firm
Raetz and Hawkins, PC
128 S. Randolph St., Lexington, RaetzAndHawkins.com, 540-463-7121
Founded in 1958, the downtown firm is the oldest in the area. The group’s expertise includes auditing, tax compliance, planning and management consulting, while concentrating on serving individuals, small businesses, nonprofits and closely held corporations. CPAs will also meet clients at their homes or businesses for their convenience.
second place: Brown Edwards and Company, Harrisonburg, BECPAS.com, 540-434-6736
third place: Bookkeeping and Management Systems, WaynesboroBookkeeper.com
Best Architecture Firm
Frazier Associates
213 N. Augusta St., Staunton, FrazierAssociates.com, 540-886-6230
Last fall, Frazier Associates received the Virginia Firm Award from the Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects—the highest honor an architecture group can receive from its peers. As historic preservation consultants, the 30-year-old firm specializes in both residential and community sites. Past projects have included work at Maymont in Richmond, as well as conversions of barns, mills and stables.
second place: Mather Architects, PC, Harrisonburg, MatherArchitects.com, 540-442-1400
third place: Gaines Group Architects, Harrisonburg, TheGainesGroup.com, 540-437-0012
Best Concierge Doctor
Kendra Campbell, Free Range Psychiatry
315 W. Main St., Luray, FreeRangePsychiatry.com, 800-264-1856
A “free range” approach means Dr. Kendra Campbell’s services aren’t confined to her office: Sessions can be held at clients’ homes, work, during “walk and talks” (psychotherapy while walking) and over video chat. Issues including depression, substance abuse, PTSD and behavioral problems are treated holistically in young adult to geriatric patients.
Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice
Asfa Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa
1502 Brookhaven Drive, Harrisonburg, AsfaPlasticSurgery.com, 540-432-0303
Dr. Saied Asfa performs a range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including nasal and facial services, as well as body contouring after massive weight loss procedures. For breast reconstruction, Dr. Asfa will work in tandem with surgeons and immediately follow a mastectomy with implants, fat transfers or tissue expanders, resulting in less recovery time and fewer surgical post-op visits.
second place: Hallmark Plastic Surgery, WinchesterRenew-You.net, 540-722-2280
Best Day Care
Bears and Blankets Academy of Early Learning
317 N. Lewis St., Staunton, BearsAndBlanketsInc.com, 540-886-4472
Educating and caring for children ages birth to pre-K, Bears and Blankets has grown from operating out of the director’s home in 1985 to settling in a space licensed to provide care to 67 children. Creative, exploratory and project-based learning is used to teach literary arts, science, math and sensory motor skills.
second place: Generations Crossing, Harrisonburg, GenerationsCrossing.com, 540-434-4901
third place: Pollywog Place, Woodstock, PollywogPlace.com, 540-459-6582
Best Day Spa
Bluestone Bodyworks
70 E. Mosby Road, Harrisonburg, BluestoneBodyworks.com, 540-434-5000
While many clients dub Bluestone Bodyworks’ soft waxing services the “gentlest wax” in the Valley, the Aveda exclusive spa offers other popular treatments as well, including the Tulasara Facial, which uses plant-based products to balance troubled skin, and the Bluestone Special massage, which combines relaxation, deep tissue and aromatherapy. Airbrush tanning, ear candling, exfoliating scrubs and reflexology are also available.
second place: Breezy Hill Day Spa, Staunton, BreezyHillDaySpa.com, 540-886-0887
third place: Cedar Stone Wellness Spa, Harrisonburg, CedarstoneSpa.com, 540-437-0411
Best Dental Practice
Robert C. Hull DDS, PC
650 N. Lee Hwy., Suite 1, Lexington, HullDentistry.com, 540-463-3826
Using Solea Lasers, the first FDA approved computer-aided CO2 laser system, patients experience soundless, painless and faster procedures compared to traditional techniques. Natural colored fillings and same-day crowns are used to fix cavities, fractures and other dental issues. Cosmetic procedures performed include gum surgery, bonding cracks and chips, and teeth whitening.
second place: Elkton Family Dentistry, ElktonFamilyDentistry.com, 540-298-1581
third place: Apple Valley Dental Group, PLC, Front Royal, AVDGPLC.com, 540-635-2493
Best Dermatology Practice
Access Dermatology
563A Neff Ave., Harrisonburg, Access-Dermatology.com, 540-434-1756
Providing photodynamic therapy—a process using photosynthesizing chemicals with light to kill cancerous cells—to target existing skin cancers and precancerous spots, Access Dermatology can provide treatment without having to use chemo medications or creams. Other areas of expertise include treatment for acne, rosacea and psoriasis.
second place: Harrisonburg Dermatology, HarrisonburgDermatology.com, 540-433-8700
third place: Shenandoah Dermatology, Staunton, ShenandoahDermatology.com, 540-885-4500
Best Eye Care
Eye One
1500 Commerce Road, Staunton, EyeOneVA.com, 540-213-7720
The practice now has 10 surgeons serving five locations in the region, including Dr. James E. Gillespie, who specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgery, Dr. James Tiedeman, who specializes in retina disorders, and Dr. Marc D. Shields, a cosmetic specialist in oculoplastic surgery. Optical shops at each location provide eye exams and sell contact lenses and glasses.
second place: Lexington Eye Care, LexEyeCare.com, 540-463-1600
third place: Rockingham Eye Physicians & Associates, PC, Harrisonburg, RockinghamEyePhysicians.com, 540-433-2485
Best Financial Planning Firm
Good Wealth Management
544 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, GoodWM.com, 540-801-8000
Operating independently of banks or other financial institutions, company president Edwin L. Good and his partners have provided a range of services, including asset coaching, retirement and estate planning, as well as specialized consultations for families and widows, since 1983.
second place: Sarah R. Fowler, Edward Jones, Staunton, EdwardJones.com, 540-885-5630
third place: The Henderson Group, Staunton, TheHendersonGroup.com, 540-887-8300
Best Funeral Home
Henry Funeral Home
1030 W. Beverley St., Staunton, HenryFuneralHome.net, 540-885-7211
For more than 70 years, Henry Funeral Home has been independently-owned and -operated. On-site the 14,000-square-foot facility is a chapel that holds up to 250 people, as well as a cremation center. In addition, a fully restored 1884 funeral coach led by two Percheron mares are available for memorial services.
second place: Coffman Funeral Home, Staunton, CoffmanFuneralHome.net, 540-887-8111
third place: Lindsey Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, DignityMemorial.com, 540-434-7318
Best Hair Salon
Urban Hair Co.
241 E. Market St., Suite 100, Harrisonburg, Facebook.com/UrbanExchangeHair, 540-434-2040
With a desire to provide clients with a small salon experience and upscale hair care products, long-time hairstylists Lisa Eye and Amber Puffenbarger opened Urban Hair Co. in 2015. “People love the intimate space,” says Eye, who along with Puffenbarger stays up-to-date on current trends. “And they know they’re going to leave with what they ask us to give them.”
second place: High Tech Salon & Spa Studios, Verona, HighTechSalon.com, 540-248-3333
third place: The Studio Hair Salon & Day Spa, Harrisonburg, TheStudioHairSalon.com, 540-434-8188
Best Home Builder
Herr & Co.
141 W. Bruce St., Suite 202, Harrisonburg, HerrInc.com, 540-208-2874
Since founder Jim Herr built his first farmhouse 30 years ago at the age of 19, he has been developing his craft, and continues to build new homes for clients with a variety of budgets. No two builds are alike, says Herr: “We don’t build identical, cookie-cutter, large suburban complexes, but instead rely on input from the owners to create a truly custom home.”
second place: Zach Payne Construction, Edinburg, Facebook.com/ZachPayneConstruction, 540-335-4004
third place: Sustainable Solutions of Va., Harrisonburg, SustainableSolutionsVa.com, 540-433-8001
Best Hospital
Augusta Health
78 Medical Center Drive, Fishersville, AugustaHealth.com, 540-332-4000
Founded in 1994, the hospital has since grown to include cancer and heart centers, an outpatient therapy facility, four urgent care centers located around the community, and the Shenandoah House, which provides end-of-life care for patients without caretakers.
second place: Sentara RMH Medical Center, Harrisonburg, Sentara.com, 540-689-1000
third place: Valley Health Medical Center, Winchester, ValleyHealthLink.com, 540-536-8000
Best Independent School
Stuart Hall School
235 W. Frederick St., Staunton, StuartHallSchool.org, 540-885-0356
Founded as the Virginia Female Institute in 1844, Stuart Hall School today is a K-12 coed boarding school with a 100 percent college placement record. Its mission is to prepare students for success at universities worldwide. The school’s emphasis is on its strong community, small class sizes and global atmosphere with students hailing from 15 countries.
second place: Redeemer Classical School, Keezletown, RedeemerClassical.org, 540-437-0880
third place: Mountain Laurel Montessori School, Front Royal, MountainLaurelMontessori.org, 540-636-4257
Best Interior Design Firm
PJ Designs
108 N. Main St., Woodstock, PJDesignsVa.com, 540-459-8307
Owners Pat Koch and John Gerold are proud of their firm’s strong “made in America” focus. Whether it’s colorful drapes, windows or furniture, many of their products are crafted by local artists. The company also offers design services, helping homeowners downsize, decorate or find the right style.
second place: Gaines Group Architects, Harrisonburg, TheGainesGroup.com, 540-437-0012
third place: Make Nest Interiors, Winchester, MakeNestInteriors.com, 540-336-3385
Best Kitchen Design Firm
Classic Kitchen and Bath
1930 Deyerle Ave., Harrisonburg, ClassicKitchens.com, 540-437-1990
The 3,000-square-foot showroom doubles as a design center, allowing clients to walk through and look at their options—from cabinetry to countertop and appliance installation—while the three full-time designers work on graphic renderings of their home.
second place: Fashion Floors and Cabinets, Lexington, FashionFloorsAndCabinets.com, 540-464-1422
third place: Gaines Group Architects, Harrisonburg, TheGainesGroup.com, 540-437-0012
Best Landscaping Company
Blue Ribbon Nursery & Landscaping
192 S. Main St., Broadway, BlueRibbonNursery.com, 540-896-6358
Whether it is trimming, mulching, design or full service landscaping, Blue Ribbon Nursery is dedicated to bringing quality plants to its customers—it uses lettuce seeds from the Hart Seed Company in Connecticut, one of the oldest seed companies in the country. Stop by its retail garden center for annuals, perennials and shrubs.
second place: Fine Earth, LLC, Harrisonburg, FineEarthLLC.com, 540-432-7977
third place: Shreckhise Shrubbery Sales & Landscaping, Weyers Cave, ShreckhiseShrubbery.com, 540-234-8500
Best Law Firm
Timberlake, Smith, Thomas & Moses, PC
25 N. Central Ave., Floor 2, Staunton, TimberlakeSmith.com, 540-885-1517
Founded in 1948 by Wayt Timberlake and Dick Smith, the 14 attorneys at this general practice law firm strive to develop long-term relationships with clients and to act with integrity in all phases of the legal process. The company focuses on civil litigation, family law and criminal law, but also does pro-bono work for Blue Ridge Legal Services.
second place: Hoover Penrod, Harrisonburg, HooverPenrod.com, 540-433-2444
third place: Litten & Sipe, LLP, Harrisonburg, LittenSipe.com, 540-434-5353
Best Massage Therapy Group
Becky Bartells Massage Therapy
217 S. Liberty St., Suite 201, Harrisonburg, BeckyBartellsCMT.com, 540-607-0932
Becky Bartells, CMT, learned the art of massage while living in Costa Rica before she started her business in downtown Harrisonburg. Her services include Eastern techniques like Shiatsu, finger and palm pressure that calms the overactive sympathetic nervous system, and Thai massage, which entails stretching and applying gentle pressure while the client lies in various positions.
second place: Healing Therapies, Lexington, Facebook.com/HealingTherapies, 540-464-4325
third place: Restorative Massage Therapy, Harrisonburg, RestorativeMassageTherapy.org, 540-421-1876
Best Med Spa
Access Dermatology
563A Neff Ave., Harrisonburg, Access-Dermatology.com, 540-434-1756
Dr. Mary Mather added the medical spa to her practice in January 2017 to provide non-surgical cosmetic skin care services. Master esthetician Erika Ganoe is overseen by the board-certified dermatologist to lend medical expertise to the facials, waxing, microdermabrasion and chemical peels offered.
second place: Asfa Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, Harrisonburg, AsfaPlasticSurgery.com, 540-432-0303
third place: Body Essence, Staunton, ABodyEssence.com, 540-887-8200
Best Orthodontic Practice
Parrott Orthodontics
17 Gosnell Crossing, Staunton, ParrottOrthodontics.com, 540-949-6600
Bringing his practice to Staunton in 2013, Dr. Quay Parrott offers free initial exams to consult patient records and plan a course of treatment in alignment with patient concerns—from the aesthetic, such as seeking Invisalign therapy, to the financial, including filing for Smiles for Children coverage.
second place: Blue Stone Orthodontics, Harrisonburg, BluestoneOrthodontics.com, 540-433-1060
third place: Ashley Orthodontics, Staunton, AshleyOrtho.com, 540-885-6815
Best Orthopaedic Practice
Hess Orthopaedic Center & Sports Medicine
4165 Quarles Court, Harrisonburg, HessOrtho.com, 540-434-1664
The practice provides comprehensive orthopaedic care “from the neck to the toes” with a specialized podiatric surgeon serving as part of the team. The in-office surgical suite also allows for minimally invasive outpatient procedures to be performed on site in a more intimate and comfortable setting than that of a hospital.
second place: Sentara RMH Orthopedics, Harrisonburg, Sentara.com, 540-689-5500
third place: Winchester Orthopaedic Associates, Ltd., WOALtd.com, 540-667-8975
Best Pediatric Practice
Valley Pediatrics
108 Community Drive, Waynesboro, ValleyPedGroup.com, 540-949-0118
Expectant mothers can receive care, advice and answers to all of their questions as they prepare for delivery through the practice’s free prenatal visits. Parents may select their baby’s pediatrician in advance of the birth, and then newborns have their first appointment within three days of birth.
second place: Bluestone Pediatrics, Harrisonburg, BluestonePediatrics.com, 540-437-4800
third place: Augusta Pediatrics, Fishersville, AugustaHealth.com, 540-932-0980
Best Pet Boarding
All About Paws
1685B Garbers Church Road, Harrisonburg, AllAboutPawsBoarding.com, 540-208-7540
Led by Laurie Damron, the team consists entirely of certified veterinary technicians that are prepared for any medical emergency. The staff’s expertise coupled with the clean feel created by floor-to-ceiling yellow glass-doored kennels creates a welcoming and comfortable environment for boarding pets.
second place: Rainbow Springs Kennels, Staunton, RainbowSpringsKennels.com, 540-885-7846
third place: Home Away From Home Dog Boarding, Waynesboro, HAFH-DogBoarding.com, 540-363-3540
Best Physical Therapy Group
Synergy Rehab and Wellness
1561 Commerce Road, Suite 402, Verona, SynergyStaunton.com, 540-416-0530
Using both manual therapy and mechanical treatments, four physical therapists and a naturopathic physician specialize in vestibular rehabilitation, helping with dizziness and vertigo, neurological dysfunction, including post stroke and amputation rehabilitation, and fall prevention programs, using computerized equilibrium tests to evaluate the balance system.
second place: Barren Ridge Physical Therapy, Fishersville, BarrenRidgePT.com, 540-949-5383
third place: Advantage Physical Therapy & Sports Performance, Harrisonburg, AdvantagePTSP.com, 540-434-1200
Best Pool Company
Valley Pool & Spa
1520 N. Delphine Ave., Waynesboro, ValleyPool.com, 540-942-9762
Operating for more than 50 years, the family-owned business has become Shenandoah’s largest expert in above- and in-ground pool construction. Clients can customize by shape, color and material, as well add features like waterfalls, bubblers and LED lighting to their pool-scape. In store, pool chemicals, replacement parts, and swim toys are available.
second place: Blue Ridge Pools and Spas, Staunton, BlueRidgePoolsAndSpas.com, 540-885-9625
third place: Uncle D’s Pools & Spas, Luray, UncleDsPools.com, 540-843-0715
Best Private Air Service
Dynamic Aviation
1402 Airport Road, Bridgewater, DynamicAviation.com, 540-828-6070
Headquartered in Bridgewater, Dynamic’s fleet of 140 aircraft operates in more than 18 locations around the world. Clientele include national defense, military intelligence, state and local governments, non-profit agencies and private companies. Modified aircraft and flight and maintenance crews are available for special missions like fire management and airborne data acquisition.
Best Real Estate Firm
JF Brown Real Estate
6 E. Washington St., Lexington, JFBrownRealEstate.com, 540-464-1776
Founder Jim Brown has rooted his firm in the preservation of historically and environmentally important sites in the Shenandoah Valley. As experts in residential, farm and historic real estate, recent listings have included a turn-of-the-century home overlooking the Maury River and a 130-acre plot protected by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
second place: Old Dominion Realty, Staunton, OldDominionRealty.com, 540-943-0085
third place: Funkhouser Real Estate Group, Harrisonburg, FunkhouserGroup.com, 540-434-2400
Best Veterinary Hospital
Augusta Valley Animal Hospital
310 Betsy Bell Road, Staunton, AugustaValleyAnimal.com, 540-324-3830
Each of the seven veterinarians at Augusta Valley Animal Hospital has a specialty—from dentistry and cardiology to laser surgery and acupuncture. Together, the team promotes preventative pet care, offering Pet Annual Wellness Plans (PAW Plans), which act as health insurance for furry family members. Vaccinations, screenings, blood tests and check ups are included in the plan.
second place: The WellPet Group, PC, Lexington, TheWellPetGroup.com, 540-464-1516
third place: Harrisonburg Animal Hospital, HAHPets.com, 540-434-6331
Best Wedding Venue
Merry Go Round Farm
3730 Llama Drive, Covington, MerryFarmers.com, 804-339-3434
This former family farm has hosted brides and grooms for nearly a decade. A historic property, architecture dates to 1750, and includes a period bridal log cabin sited in a mature landscape featuring 150-year-old peonies and a skyline filled with mountain views. The versatile outdoor venue can host 10-300 guests.
second place: Cross Keys Barn, Harrisonburg, CrossKeysBarn.com, 540-820-1744
third place: Faithbrooke Barn and Vineyard, Luray, Faithbrooke.com, 540-743-1207
