Hotel
Winner: Hotel Indigo
500 College Ave. · 706-546-0430
Hotel Indigo picked up on the Athens vibe from the beginning and has made itself into an integral part of the downtown scene through comfort, convenience and conviviality.
Runner Up: Graduate Athens
295 E. Dougherty St. · 706-623-0296
Photography Studio
Winner: Zoomworks
585 White Circle · 706-227-3777
Zoomworks makes things stand out, and everybody looks better through their lenses, whether in an individual portrait or at a wedding party.
Runner Up: Thrasher Photo and Design
www.thrasherdesign.com · 706-380-7778
Florist
Winner: Always Always Flowers
1091 Baxter St. · 706-227-0805
It’s always Always Always when you want to decorate or show affection with a fragrant, colorful display.
Runner Up: Flowerland
823 Prince Ave. · 706-549-1884
Hair Salon
Winner: Republic Salon
312 E. Broad St. · 706-208-5222
From the decor and professionalism of this downtown upstairs space, you could be in New York City, but by the time they’re through, you know for sure that that only Athens could be this friendly and comfortable.
Runner Up: Model Citizen
497 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3656
Stylist
Winner (3 Way Tie):
Lyric Bellotte at Republic Salon
312 E. Broad St. · 706-208-5222
Lyric is no stranger to winning. She and her salon, Republic, have been chosen as Athens Favorites several times before. She earns her votes one style at a time.
Matt Wheeler at Emporium Hair and Color Salon
187 Lumpkin St. · 706-546-7598
A previous Favorites winner, Matt is credited for styling Kishi Bashi’s fauxhawk when he’s in town.
Shayne McBride at Model Citizen
497 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3656
Co-Owner of Model Citizen, Shayne is new to the winner’s circle but not to the local hair scene. She’s been styling for over 10 years!
Massage Therapist
Winner: Kimberly Anderson
270 Hawthorne Ave. Suite C · 706-612-4121
Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral, Prenatal and Geriatric: Kimberly does it all, and you feel better.
Runner Up: Amy Bramblett at Advanced Massage Therapies
1363 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-369-7595
Tattoo Studio
Winner: Pain and Wonder Tattoo Studio
285 W. Washington St. · 706-208-9588
Artists working under the strictest conditions of professionalism—that explains why Pain and Wonder is a consistent winner.
Runner Up: Walk the Line Tattoo Co.
364 E. Broad St. · 706-369-9424
Spa
Winner: Urban Sanctuary Spa
810 N. Chase St. · 706-613-3947
Truly a sanctuary for men and women, as well as couples, the space is tranquil and serene restoring the spirit as well as the body.
Runner Up: The Spa at Graduate Athens
295 E. Dougherty St. · 706-623-0296
Fitness Instructor
Winner: Tania Yelton, Zumba Instructor at Chase St. Yoga
750 N. Chase St. · 706-206-0026
Tania, goddess of Zumba, will have you shake your money maker until you feel the burn! And you’ll thank her for it.
Runner Up: Connie Popwell at Pure Barre Athens
191 Alps Rd. · 706-850-4000
Place to Get Fit
Winner: Pure Barre Athens
191 Alps Rd. · 706-850-4000
Where exercise is fun, and everybody is capable of rocking the classes because it’s natural, and though it can be challenging, it is always enjoyable.
Runner Up: YMCA Athens
915 Hawthorne Ave. · 706-543-6596
Adult Classes: Movement
Winner: Canopy Studio
160-6 Tracy St. · 706-549-8501
Definitely something different that not only makes movement fun but also gives a great sense of accomplishment while gently building strength. Positively addictive!
Runner Up: Pure Barre Athens
191 Alps Rd. · 706-850-4000
Adult Classes: Creative
Winner: Good Dirt
485 Macon Hwy. · 706-355-3161
Good Dirt offers that rare experience of a non-competitive but totally absorbing pursuit that builds skills and leads to useful results. Reconnect with the earth!
Runner Up: Double Dutch Press
1377 Prince Ave. · 706-546-0994
Car Repair Shop
Winner: Auto Tech of Athens
170 Coile Dr. · 706-549-3316
An automobile repair shop you can trust on quality and price is one of those necessities of modern life, and through those attributes, Auto Tech of Athens has built a loyal following.
Runner Up: Five Star Automotive
530 Macon Hwy. · 706-353-0059
Car Dealership
Winner: Phil Hughes Honda
3200 Atlanta Hwy. · 706-549-3530
These guys—there is something different about them. They’re on your side. Sure, they make money selling cars, but it’s like they realize that if they’re watching out for you, they’re going to come out on top, too. And they did.
Runner Up: Heyward Allen Toyota
2910 Atlanta Hwy. · 706-549-7002
Plumber
Winner: Carson Plumbing
259 Wynburn Ave. · 706-548-3397
Leaking pipes? Brown water bubbling up in your yard? You see the big, tan, work trucks all over town, and there’s a reason. They’ve been helping out Athens homeowners since 1982.
Runner Up: Big Brown Plumbing
bigbrownplumbing@gmail.com · 706-714-2381
Electrician
Winner: Blue Moon Electric
bluemoonelectricathens.com · 678-907-5945
If it carries current, Blue Moon can install it and service it, whether you’re remodeling, adding on, replacing fuse panels or have a problem and need a troubleshooting expert.
Runner Up: Atomic Electric
hotelescobar@gmail.com · 706-202-2296
HVAC
Winner: Stiles Heating and Cooling
140 Ben Burton Rd. · 706-410-1031
Even the day after an ice storm, when the phone lines are burning up, they’ll come fix your furnace so you don’t freeze to death. Now that’s customer service!
Runner Up: Superior Air Management
230 Floyd Dr. · 706-543-2141
Lawyer to Get You Out of a Jam
Winner: Jeff Rothman
150 E. Washington St., Ste. B · 706-621-5166
A lawyer is by definition somebody to get you out of a jam, so if Jeff comes to mind most often, he must be really good at it.
Runner Up: Colin Moriarty
525 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-850-4550
Bank
Winner: Athens First Bank and Trust
150 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-357-7000
Friendly service from local folks always makes you feel that your needs come first; that’s something you come to appreciate when you walk into your bank.
Runner Up: First American
300 College Ave. · 706-354-5000
Realtor
Winner: Cord Sibilsky
2405 W. Broad St. · 706-543-4000
Whether the real estate market is down or up, Cord knows how to get the best deal for his customers, and you can tell he enjoys doing it.
Runner Up: Daniel Peiken
dpeiken@hotmail.com · 706-296-2941
Local Business
Winner: Avid Bookshop
493 Prince Ave. · 706-352-2060
For those of us old-fashioned types who still like to read on paper, there’s only one game in town. Avid is locally owned with a friendly staff and regular book-signings. If they don’t have it, they can get it.
Runner Up: Daily Groceries Co-op
523 Prince Ave. · 706-548-1732
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