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.
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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: Chelsea Coffee House, Donut Joe’s, Kai’s Koffee, The Neighborhood Brew, Ground Up Coffee
Best Barbecue
Jim ‘N Nick’s
295 Alabaster Boulevard, Alabaster
jimnnicks.com
205-605-0170
Finalists: Jim ‘N Nick’s (Greystone), Lazy Boy BBQ, Dreamland Bar-B-Que, Tin Top BBQ 2, Full Moon (Alabaster), Good Ole Boys BBQ
Best Local Pizza
Area 41 Pizza Co.
30 Manning Place, Birmingham
41pizza.com
205-995-4141
Finalists: Joe’s Italian, Sanpeggio’s, Nino’s, Pizza Star, All Original Pizzeria, Buck Creek Pizza
Best Patio Dining
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham
themargaritagrill.com
205-982-7281
Finalists: Taco Mama, Pablo’s, Beef O’Brady’s, Superior Grill, The Depot, Little Donkey
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, Lil Bits 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, Steel City Pops, Tee’s Cakes and Pastries, Frios Gourmet Pops, Pastry Art Bake Shoppe, Davis Drug Snack Bar
Best Bar/Cocktails
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham
themargaritagrill.com
205-982-7281
Finalists: Main Street Tavern, Taco Mama, Bellinis, Grey Bar 280, On Tap (Highway 280), Little Donkey
Best Ethnic Cuisine
Kobe Japanese Steak House and Sushi
340 Inverness Corners, Birmingham
ekobe.com
205-326-7996
Finalists: The Pita Hut, Eli’s Jerusalem Grill, Sushi Village, Golden City, Pinto Thai, Ginza
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 Bar-B-Que (Highway 280), Catering by Bellinis, Bare Naked Noodles
Best Margarita
Superior Grill
4701 U.S. 280, Birmingham
birmingham.superiorgrill.com
205-991-5112
Finalists: Margarita Grill, Zapopan, Cozumel Grill, Pablo’s (Lee Branch), La Paz, El Patron
Best Lunch Spot
Taziki’s (Alabaster)
630 1st St. N., No. 200, Alabaster
tazikiscafe.com
205-216-3465
Finalists: The Pita Hut, Lil Bits Tavern, The Depot, Chicken Salad Chick, Ashley Mac’s, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods
Best Kid Friendly Dining
Chick-fil-A (Alabaster)
125 Colonial Promenade Parkway, Alabaster
chick-fil-a.com
205-685-1190
Finalists: The Pita Hut, The Depot, Taco Mama, Lazy Boy BBQ, Zapopan
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: Birmingham Internal Medicine Associates, Cahaba Family Medicine, Columbiana Clinic, UAB Inverness, Helena Family Medicine, Montevallo Family Medicine
Best Dermatology Practice
Inverness Dermatology & Laser
250 Inverness Center Dr., Hoover
invernessderm.com
205-995-5575
Finalists: Shelby Dermatology, Skin Wellness Center of Alabama, Cahaba Dermatology, Village Dermatology, True Dermatology
Best Dental Practice
Montevallo Family Dentistry
711 Wadsworth St., Montevallo
montevallofamdentistry.com
205-665-2224
Finalists: Columbiana Family Dentistry, Calera Dental Center, Shelby Pediatric Dentistry, Elite Dentistry, Inverness Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Honea 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, Moore Orthodontics
Best Eye Care Practice
Pelham Eye Care
2617 U.S. 31, Pelham
pelhameyecare.com
205-664-1575
Finalists: Chelsea Eye Care, Hayes Eye Center, Jill K. Meyer, Alabaster Eye Care, Inverness Eye Care, Vision First
Best Chiropractic Care Practice
Chelsea Chiropractic
398 Chesser Road, Chelsea
chelseafamilychiro.com
205-678-1000
Finalists: Montevallo Chiropractic Center, Shelby Family Chiropractic, Greystone Chiropractic, Pelham Family Chiropractic, Precision Chiropractic, Columbiana Chiropractic Clinic
Best Local Pharmacy
Snider’s Pharmacy
15582 U.S. 280, Chelsea
facebook.com/SnidersPharmacy
205-678-3899
Finalists: Davis Drug, Montevallo Drug, Brooklere Pharmacy, Chelsea Apothecary, Double Oak Mountain Pharmacy, Neil’s Pharmacy
Best Local Hair Salon
Seventh Heaven Salon
301 W. College St., Columbiana
facebook.com/seventhheavenfullservicesalon
205-669-4092
Finalists: Salon 5, Morgan Ashley Salon, Spa One80, Studio V Salon, Uptown Salon, Oh Hair
Best Nail Salon
Foxy Nails & Spa
270 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham
facebook.com/Foxy-Nails-Spa-Birmingham
205-437-0808
Finalists: Nail Star, St. Vincent’s Spa One Nineteen, Seventh Heaven, Nail Oasis, Diva Nails, Sun n’ Nails
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 22, Spa One80, Azia Med Spa, Cahaba Dermatology
Best Fitness Center
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham
onenineteen.com/fitness
205-408-6510
Finalists: Alabaster YMCA, Greystone YMCA, Helena Health Club, Pelham YMCA, Anytime Fitness (Chelsea), 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, Countryside Animal Hospital, North Shelby Animal Clinic, Cahaba Valley Animal Clinic
Best Florist
Main Street Florist
114 N. Main St., Columbiana
msflorist.com
205-669-3331
Finalists: Bloom and Petal, Sarah’s Flowers, Pelham Flowers by Desiree, Linda’s Florist, The Petal Cart, 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, SuperiorScape, Inc., Doug’s Lawn Care, American Tree Maintenance, Grounds Guys
Best Customer Service
Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic
5196 Caldwell Mill Road, Birmingham
cmacvet.com
205-991-7986
Finalists: Publix, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods, Chick-fil-A, 3D Air Services, 280 Animal Medical Center
PLACES
Best Event/Wedding Venue
Douglas Manor
545 Chelsea Springs Dr., Columbiana
douglasmanorevents.com
205-369-8714
Finalists: Helena Hollow, American Village, Old Baker Farm, Corbin Farms Winery, The Sterling Castle, Alabama 4-H Center
Best Farmers Market
Mt Laurel Farmers Market
Manning Place, Mt Laurel Town Center
mtlaurel.com/blog/farmers-market-june-2018
205-408-8696
Finalists: Burnette Farms Market, Helena Market Days, Montevallo Farmers Market, Marketplace at Lee Branch, Alabaster Farmers Market, Columbiana Farmers Market
Best Home Improvement Store
Lowe’s (Alabaster)
235 Colonial Promenade Parkway, Alabaster
lowes.com
205-685-4060
Finalists: Lowe’s (Highway 280), The Home Depot (Pelham), Brown Lumber, The Home Depot (Highway 280), Tractor Supply (Chelsea), Lowe’s (Valleydale Road)
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), Lowe’s (Highway 280), Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens, Helena Landscape Supply
Best Dance/Gymnastics Studio
Joy’s Dance Company
325 Shady Acres Road, Alabaster
joysdancecompany.com
205-835-8483
Finalists: Dance South, Corky Bell, NXS Gymnastics, Dance Et Cetera, Legacy Gymnastics, Head Over Heels Gymnastics
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, Montevallo Senior 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), Parnell Memorial Library (Montevallo), Columbiana Public Library, Jane B. Holmes Public Library (Helena)
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, Buck Creek 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: Old Baker Farm, American Village, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Cahaba River, Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, Alabama Wildlife Center
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
TreeTop Family Adventure
1012 Dunnavant Valley Road, Birmingham
treetop280.com
205-637-3780
Finalists: Helena Hollow, Let’s Play, Pump It Up, Oak Mountain Lanes, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Party Art
Best Golf Course
Ballantrae Golf Club
1300 Ballantrae Club Drive, Pelham
ballantraegolf.com
205-620-4653
Finalists: Timberline Golf Course, Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, Inverness Country Club, Montevallo Golf Club, Oak Mountain State Park Golf Course, 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, Lakeview Estates, Maplewood Assisted Living, Gardens of Pelham
Best Place to Worship
Church of the Highlands, Riverchase Campus
9013 Helena Road, Pelham
churchofthehighlands.com
205-980-5577
Finalists: Double Oak Community Church, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Kingwood Church, Westwood Baptist Church, Wilsonville Baptist Church, Liberty Baptist 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, Plain Jane Gifts, The Farm Company
Best Jewelry Store
Southeastern Jewelers, Inc., Inverness
5299 Valleydale Road, Birmingham
southeasternjewelers.net
205-980-9030
Finalists: Paul’s Diamond Center, Kay Jewelers (Alabaster), Kristalize Jewelry, 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), Encore Resales, Urban Home Market, Brass Bear Antiques, The Mercantile
Best Consignment Store
Encore Resales
2831 Highway 31, Pelham
encorehome.com
205-358-7690
Finalists: Consigned Design, Me & Mom Consignments, Faith Consignment, The Cat’s Meow, WeePeat
Best Store for Kids
2 Girls & a Dog
16161 Old Highway 280, Chelsea
2girlsandadog.com
205-677-2225
Finalists: Sew Precious, Gifted, Tween Queens, Taylor Bug’s Kids Boutique, WeePeat
Best Local Clothing Store
The Ditsy Daisy
16383 U.S. 280, Chelsea
facebook.com/TheDitsyDaisy
205-678-6166
Finalists: Frou Four, Oh My Sole, LJ’s Retail Therapy, Southern Roots, High Cotton Boutique, The Sassy Shopper Boutique
EDUCATION
Best Teacher
Angie Harris
Chelsea Park Elementary School
Finalists: Rebecca Burnett, Karen Pruitt, Brian Copes, Sarah Beck
Best Public School
Thompson High School
1921 Warrior Parkway, Alabaster
acsboe.org
205-685-6700
Finalists: Chelsea Park Elementary, Forest Oaks Elementary, Helena High, Helena Elementary, Chelsea High School
Best Private School
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School
5510 Double Oak Lane, Birmingham
olvbirmingham.com
205-991-5963
Finalists: Kingwood Christian School, Briarwood Christian School, Evangel Classical Christian School, Indian Springs School, Cornerstone Christian School, Westminster School at Oak Mountain
Best Childcare
Covenant Classical School and Daycare Pelham
450 Huntley Parkway, Pelham
covenantclassical.com/locations/pelham-daycare
205-620-2626
Finalists: Kingwood Christian Child Development Center, CASA at Asbury United Methodist Church, Vinehouse Nursery, Odyssey Early Childcare at Inverness, Chace Learning Center and Daycare, Cahaba Valley Learning Center
HOME AND FINANCE
Best Local Financial Services
Brittani Morris, State Farm
State Farm Insurance Agent, Alabaster
facebook.com/pg/BrittaniMorrisStateFarm
205-988-4526
Finalists: Regions, Central State Bank, MortgageBanc
Best Local Insurance Agent/Agency
Brittani Morris, State Farm
State Farm Insurance Agent, Alabaster
facebook.com/pg/BrittaniMorrisStateFarm
205-988-4526
Finalists: Bob Butterworth State Farm, The Rinehart Agency, State Farm
Best Local Real Estate Agent
Andrea Hunter
RE/MAX Southern Homes
110 Inverness Corners, Birmingham
remax.com/realestateagentoffice/birmingham-al-35242-andreahunter
205-440-6398
Finalists: Brandi Edwards, Julie Smitherman, Danielle Turner, Eileen Watkins, Judy Loveless, Rachel Dunnaway
Best Real Estate Company
Keller Williams Realty
Metro South Office
224 1st St. N. Suite 225, Alabaster
kw.com
205-605-1000
Finalists: RealtySouth, ARC Realty, RE/MAX, Bradford Real Estate Group, Down South Realty, Joseph 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), Regions Bank (Chelsea), Regions Bank (Highway 280), America’s First Federal Credit Union (Inverness), Bryant Bank (Columbiana)
AUTO
Best Auto Service
Chelsea Tire Pros
347 Chesser Drive, Chelsea
chelseatireandservice.com
205-678-4944
Finalists: Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, The Garage, Alabaster Auto Service, Howard Tire & Automotive Services, Brown Auto & Alignment, Windham Tire and Auto
Best New Car Dealer
Ernest McCarty Ford
1471 1st St. N., Alabaster
emccartyford.com
205-663-3831
Finalists: Edwards Chevrolet, Med Center Mazda, Hoover Toyota, Tameron Honda, Riverchase Kia
Best Used Car Dealer
Donohoo Auto
8122 Helena Road, Pelham
donohooauto.com
877-872-6171
Finalists: Driver’s Way, Montevallo Imports, Susan Schein Automotive, Mundy Motor Co., Limbaugh Chelsea Motors, Southtown Motors
Best Oil Change
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Alabaster
136 1st St. N., Alabaster
expressoil.com
205-663-2073
Finalists: Chelsea Tire Pros, Alabaster Auto Service
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, Montevallo Arts Fest, Liberty Day Festival, Shelby Iron Works Fall Festival, Calera Strawberry Festival
Best Local Museum
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
1919 9th St., Calera
hodrrm.org
205-668-3435
Finalists: Shelby County Museum & Archives, Shelby Iron Works, Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, Kenneth R. Penhale Museum, Aldrich Coal Mine Museum
Best Local Cause
Shelby Humane Society
381 McDow Road, Columbiana
shelbyhumane.org
205-669-3916
Finalists: Backpack Buddies, King’s Home, The ARC of Shelby County, Alabama Wildlife Center, Angel Warriors Foundation, Oak Mountain Missions Ministries
