It must be summer. That’s when we hibernate to plow through the hundreds of ballots submitted by readers in our Best of Arkansas contest.
It’s a familiar exercise by now. We publish the ballot in two consecutive issues. We give a couple of weeks to mail them in. We discard photocopies and obvious Florida-style election manipulation schemes.
And now, we give you the winners.
You’ll find many familiar places and faces. But you’ll note some changes. And we noted, in the counting, the profound impact that the Internet has had on our lives. We focus on Arkansas for our winners, but in many categories, readers had clear preferences in the electronic ether. Maybe that’s another contest altogether.
Without further preliminaries, here are the winners, all from Little Rock unless noted, with runners-up listed alphabetically:
GOODS AND SERVICES
Shopping Center
Park Plaza
RUNNERS-UP: Lakewood Village and McCain Mall, North Little Rock; Wal-Mart shopping center on Bowman Road.
Grocery Store
Kroger
RUNNERS-UP: Hestand’s, Terry’s Finer Foods, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Wild Oats Market.
ANTIQUE SHOP
David Claibourne Ltd.
RUNNERS-UP: Fabulous Finds, Morris Antiques of Keo, I-40 Antique Center.
FURNITURE
Hank’s Fine Furniture
RUNNERS-UP: Haverty’s, Mertinsdyke, Norwalk.
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Tom Chandler
RUNNERS-UP: Kaki Hockersmith, Gary Mertins, Cortney Singleton.
MUSIC (CDS) STORE
Best Buy
RUNNERS-UP: Barnes and Noble, CD Warehouse, Wal-Mart.
MUSIC EQUIPMENT
Sigler Music Center
RUNNERS-UP: Pickin’ Porch of Pickles Gap, Saied Music Company of North Little Rock.
SHOES
Dillard’s
RUNNERS-UP: Foot Locker, Shoe Carnival, Shoe Connection.
VIDEO STORE
Best Buy
RUNNERS-UP: Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery.
BOOKS
Barnes and Noble
RUNNERS-UP: Books-a-Million, Lorenzen and Co., Wordsworth.
WOMEN’S CLOTHING
Dillard’s
RUNNERS-UP: Barbara Jean, Beyond Cotton, Elle.
MEN’S CLOTHING
Bauman’s
RUNNERS-UP: Greenhaw’s, Greg’s, Mr. Wicks.
HIP CLOTHING
Scarlet
RUNNERS-UP: Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, Tulips.
VINTAGE AND RESALE CLOTHING
Poor Little Rich Girl
RUNNERS-UP: Paddywacks, Private Collections, Savers.
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Toggery
RUNNERS-UP: Gap Kids, Gymboree, Old Navy.
ELECTRONICS
Best Buy
RUNNERS-UP: Circuit City, Radio Shack, Sharper Image.
LINGERIE
Victoria’s Secret
RUNNERS-UP: Barbara Graves, Cupid’s, J.C. Penney’s.
SPORTING GOODS
Academy
RUNNERS-UP: Gene Lockwood, Sports Authority, Wal-Mart.
TOYS
Toys R Us
RUNNERS-UP: Heights Toy Center, Wal-Mart.
FLORIST
Tipton and Hurst
RUNNERS-UP: About Vase, Friday’s, Millefleur.
GIFT SHOP
Crown Shop
RUNNERS-UP: Design Center, Full Moon, Kirkland’s.
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Office Depot
RUNNERS-UP: Pettus Office Products, Staples.
VETERINARIAN
Dr. Tim Paladino
RUNNERS-UP: Hartford Hamilton, Hillcrest Animal Clinic, Maumelle Animal Clinic.
CLEANERS
Comet
RUNNERS-UP: Cuffs, Moose, Schickel’s.
BANK
Metropolitan National Bank
RUNNERS-UP: Arvest, Pulaski Bank, Regions.
BARBER
Supercuts
RUNNERS-UP: Jerry’s, Sport Clips, Sullivan’s.
SALON
Salon Nouveau
RUNNERS-UP: By Design Salon, Joel’s, Serenity Salon.
JEWELER
Mary Healey
RUNNERS-UP: Cecil’s, Kay Jewelers, Sissy’s Log Cabin.
PHARMACY
Walgreen
RUNNERS-UP: Kroger, Tanglewood Pharmacy, USA Drugs.
CAR WASH
Splash
RUNNERS-UP: Best, Gyst Detail.
MATTRESS
Denver Mattress
RUNNERS-UP: Bedding Mart, Sears, Wal-Mart.
AUTO DEALER
Landers
RUNNERS-UP: Bale Honda, Parker Lexus, Riverside Acura.
AUTO SERVICE
Parker
RUNNERS-UP: Bale Honda, Firestone Tire and Service Centers, Moore-Robinson.
AUTO STEREO
Best Buy
RUNNERS-UP: Altamere, Auto Audio, Wal-Mart.
TRAVEL AGENCY
Poe Travel
RUNNERS-UP: Dillard’s, Goodwin Travel, Sue Smith.
HOTEL
Peabody
RUNNERS-UP: Capital Hotel, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn Select.
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Pulaski Academy
RUNNERS-UP: Central Arkansas Christian, Catholic High School, Episcopal Collegiate School.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Central High School
RUNNERS-UP:Dunbar Middle, Jefferson Primary, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet.
APARTMENT COMPLEX
Park at Riverdale
RUNNERS-UP: Arbors of Pleasant Valley, Forest Place, Highland Pointe in Maumelle.
SPA
Caracalla
RUNNERS-UP: Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Quy’s Day Spa, Rejuvenation Clinic and Day Spa.
GARDEN STORE
Good Earth
RUNNERS-UP: Hocott’s, Horticare, Lowe’s.
HARDWARE
Fuller and Son
RUNNERS-UP: Home Depot, Kraftco, Lowe’s.
COMPUTER
Best Buy
RUNNERS-UP: Comp USA, Gateway.
EYEWEAR
LensCrafters
RUNNERS-UP: Burrow-Mr. Frank’s, Success Vision Express, Wal-Mart.
VEGETABLES
River Market Farmers Market
RUNNERS-UP:Jerry’s Produce, Terry’s Finer Foods, Wild Oats.
OUTDOOR GEAR
Ozark Outdoor Supply
RUNNERS-UP:Academy, Gene Lockwood’s, Take a Hike.
BIKES
Chainwheel
RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Cycling and Fitness, J&P Bike Shop in Sherwood.
GUNS
Fort Thompson
RUNNERS-UP: Easy Cash Pawn, Gunhill Gunsmithing, Southern Trading and Loan.
COMMERCIAL ART GALLERY
Heights Gallery
RUNNERS-UP: Cantrell Gallery, Oval Gallery, Red Door Gallery.
CELL PHONE PROVIDER
Cingular
RUNNERS-UP: Alltel, Cricket, Sprint.
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER
SBC Internet Services
RUNNERS-UP: AOL, Aristotle, Comcast.
REALTOR
Janet Jones
RUNNERS-UP: Crye-Leike, McKay and Company, Rector Phillips Morse.
PAWN SHOP
Southern Trading and Loan
RUNNERS-UP: Easy Cash, Pawnderosa, USA Loans.
RECREATION
PARK
Burns Park, North Little Rock
RUNNERS-UP: Allsopp Park, Pinnacle State Park, Riverfront Park.
SWIMMING POOL
War Memorial Pool
RUNNERS-UP: Little Rock Athletic Club, Maumelle Aquatic Center, Wild River Country in North Little Rock.
WEEKEND GETAWAY
Hot Springs
RUNNERS-UP: Eureka Springs, Memphis, Red Apple Inn.
RESORT
Red Apple Inn, Eden Isle
RUNNERS-UP:Gaston’s on the White River, Hot Springs, Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita.
MARINA
Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita
RUNNERS-UP: Brady Mountain Resort on Lake Ouachita, Jolly Roger.
GOLF COURSE
Rebsamen Golf Course (public)
Chenal Country Club (private)
RUNNERS-UP: Country Club of Arkansas in Maumelle, Diamante in Hot Springs Village, First Tee.
ATHLETIC CLUB
Little Rock Athletic Club
RUNNERS-UP: JP Fitness, Powerhouse Gym, War Memorial Fitness Center.
TENNIS COURTS
Burns Park
RUNNERS-UP: Little Rock Athletic Club, Racquet Club, Walker Tennis Center.
ENTERTAINMENT
BAND
Rockets
RUNNERS-UP: Afrodesia, Big John Miller Band, Ferris Wheel Junkies.
PLACE TO DANCE
Cajun’s Wharf
RUNNERS-UP: Discovery, Electric Cowboy, Sticky Fingerz.
LIVE MUSIC
Juanita’s
RUNNERS-UP: Cajun’s Wharf, Riverfest Amphitheatre, Sticky Fingerz.
PICKUP BAR
Cajun’s Wharf
RUNNERS-UP: Bobbisox, Electric Cowboy, Grumpy’s.
GAY BAR
Discovery
RUNNERS-UP: Back Street, Factory.
SPORTS BAR
Legends
RUNNERS-UP: Grumpy’s, West End Smokehouse and Tavern, Zack’s.
LATE NIGHT HANGOUT
Midtown Billiards
RUNNERS-UP: Discovery, Legends, Willy D’s.
SHOOT POOL
West End Smokehouse and Tavern
RUNNERS-UP: Fox and Hound in North Little Rock, Midtown Billiards, Zack’s.
MOVIE
Rave Col. Glenn
RUNNERS-UP: Regal Breckenridge Village, Market Street Cinema, Riverdale 10.
MUSEUM
Museum of Discovery
RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Arts Center, Clinton Library, Historic Arkansas Museum.
PERFORMING ARTS GROUP
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, River City Men’s Chorus, Weekend Theater.
PLACE TO GAMBLE
Oaklawn Park (overall)
Grand in Tunica (casino)
RUNNERS-UP: Gold Strike, Isle of Capri, Sam’s Town.
PLACE TO SPOT SOMEONE FAMOUS
Clinton Library
RUNNERS-UP: Doe’s Eat Place, River Market neighborhood, Peabody lobby.
PEOPLE PLACES and THINGS
ARTIST
Barry Thomas
RUNNERS-UP: Jane Hankins, Jim Johnson, Ashley Saer.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Dixie Knight
RUNNERS-UP: Jim Cunningham, Nancy Nolan, Dero Sanford.
POLITICIAN
U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder
RUNNERS-UP: Sen. Jim Argue, former President Bill Clinton, Gov. Mike Huckabee.
ATHLETE
Matt Jones
RUNNERS-UP:Derek Fisher, Jermain Taylor.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Heights
RUNNERS-UP:Chenal Valley, Hillcrest, Maumelle.
BEST LOOKING
Joan Early
RUNNERS-UP:David Bazzel, Jason Harper, Win Noble.
CHARITY
Susan Komen Race for the Cure
RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Heifer International, Arkansas chapter of the Red Cross.
MEDIA
RADIO STATION
KUAR
RUNNERS-UP: Alice 107.7 (KLAL), Power 92.3 (KIPR), The Buzz 103.7 (KABZ).
TV STATION
KATV, Channel 7
RUNNERS-UP: KARK, KTHV, Fox 16.
RADIO PERSONALITY
Tommy Smith
RUNNERS-UP: Broadway Joe, Heather and DC, Bob Robbins.
TV NEWS
Kate Sullivan
RUNNERS-UP: Scott Inman, Andy Pearson, Pamela Smith.
TV WEATHER
Ed Buckner
RUNNERS-UP:Barry Brandt, Tom Brannon, Ned Perme.
TV SPORTS
Craig O’Neill
RUNNERS-UP: Paul Eells, Steve Sullivan.
NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST
John Brummett
RUNNERS-UP: Helaine Freeman, Wally Hall, Jim Harris.
CUISINE
FRIES
McDonald’s
RUNNERS-UP: Backyard Burgers, Cheers in the Heights, Rally’s.
ONION RINGS
Sonic
RUNNERS-UP:Burger King, Cotham’s in the City, Outback Steakhouse.
CHEESE DIP
Juanita’s
RUNNERS-UP: Chili’s, Loca Luna, Mexico Chiquito.
BBQ RIBS
Sims
RUNNERS-UP: Chili’s, Corky’s, Whole Hog.
RESTAURANT BEER
Flying Saucer
RUNNERS-UP:Boscos, Pizza Cafe, Vino’s.
WINE LIST
Acadia
RUNNERS-UP: Ashley’s, Sonny Williams, Vermillion Water Grille.
LIQUOR STORE
Colonial Bottle Shop
RUNNERS-UP: Grapevine, Heights Wine and Spirits, Popatop.
COCKTAILS
Nu Cuisine and Lounge
RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Graffiti’s.
BUSINESS LUNCH
Vermillion Water Grille
RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Cheers on Broadway, Faded Rose.
MILKSHAKE
Purple Cow
RUNNERS-UP: Hop, McDonald’s, Sonic.
PLACE TO
EAT VEGETARIAN
Wild Oats
RUNNERS-UP: Dixie Cafe, Franke’s, Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some.
BREAD
Boulevard Bread Company
RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, Old Mill, Wild Oats.
CATERER
Catering to You
RUNNERS-UP: RSVP, Simply the Best, Trio’s.
OUTDOOR DINING
Cheers in the Heights
RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Pizza Cafe, US Pizza.
GOURMET TO GO
Diane’s
RUNNERS-UP: Bennett’s Market, Boule-vard Bread Company, Catering to You.
WEEKEND BRUNCH
Capital Hotel
RUNNERS-UP: Boscos, Loca Luna, Peabody Hotel.
SALAD
US Pizza
RUNNERS-UP:Jason’s Deli, McAlister’s, Trio’s.
DOUGHNUT
Shipley
RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, Daylight Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme.
SUSHI
Sekisui
RUNNERS-UP:Benihana, Igibon, Mount Fuji.
Winner
Debbie Knight of Maumelle won $100 in the drawing among ballots in the Best of Arkansas contest.

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