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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

[email protected] · 706-714-2381

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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

[email protected] · 706-202-2296

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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

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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

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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

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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

[email protected] · 706-296-2941

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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