Area Businesses Win "Best Of Virginia" Awards

Martinsville-Henry County Residents have always
had plenty to be proud of, and now Virginia Living magazine has highlighted forty-two of those local treasures for the nation to see.

In January 2012 the publication announced a new contest to highlight the Best of Virginia and invited all readers and the public to participate. Approximately 10,000 people voted for their favorite businesses across the state in nearly 400 categories ranging from restaurants and bars to boutiques and dermatologists.

The May issue, on newsstands this week, lists 177 winners in various categories. Nineteen of our area businesses made the print version and ten of those listed are first place winners. Local businesses featured in the print publication are:

1st Place:
Barbeque Restaurant- Checkered Pig 
Seafood Restaurant- Captain Tom's
Private School- Carlisle School
Retirement Community- King's Grant
Tennis Club- Chatmoss Country Club
Kid's Museum- Virginia Museum of Natural History
Nature & Outdoor Museum- Virginia Museum of Natural History
Place for Karaoke- Wild Magnolia
Dentist- Dr. Mark Crabtree
Fine Stationery and Invitations- Janice Cain Stationery

2nd Place:
Coffee Shop- Binding Time Cafe'
Antique Store- Debra's Antiques & Collectibles
Dermatologist- Dr. Judith Szulecki

3rd Place:
Bed & Breakfast- The Virginia Home Inn
Art Museum- Piedmont Arts
Place for Karaoke- Flying Dutchman Lounge
Interior Designer- Tim Martin, Martin Plaza Furniture Outlet
Men's Clothing- Draper and Ferrell Clothiers
Local Sports Team- Martinsville Mustangs
TV Personality- Debra Buchannan, WGSR-47

According to Jennifer Doss, Director of Tourism for Martinsville-Henry County, "This is an incredible honor for our community to have so many winners in this prestigious publication. When a business gives the best quality product and excellent customer service, it is nice for them to be recognized for that."

"For the past 28 years, customer service has been our number one priority," said Janice Cain, winner of the "Best Fine Stationery & Invitations" and "Best Gift Shop" categories. "We are honored that our customers have recognized us as the top gift retailer and we look forward to serving them going forward."

Virginia Living magazine sent each award winning business a Best of Virginia 2012 award certificate to display at their business, and a Best of Virginia 2012 award seal to display on their website, social media and print collateral. According to the magazine's publisher, John-Lawrence Smith, "All of these awards are a fantastic reflection on these businesses, and I hope it will give them a great sense of accomplishment."

"We are very excited that the Virginia Museum of Natural History was chosen as one of Virginia Living magazine's Best of Virginia in both the ‘Best Kid's Museum' and ‘Best Nature & Outdoor Museum' categories," said Ryan Barber, Director of Marketing and External Affairs at VMNH. "As the state museum of natural history for the Commonwealth, we encourage visitors to not only discover the museum, but also the many other top-notch destinations Martinsville and Henry County have to offer."

Twenty-three other local businesses are listed on the magazine's website, www.VirginiaLiving.com. The businesses listed online are Bargain Fair, Beggars & Chewsers, Carson Anglin, Classy Consignments, Collinsville Bistro, Dr. David Jones, Dr. Edward Snyder, Fenderz Drive-In, Holiday Crafter's Market, Hugo's, Infinity Acres, JC's 5 Star Outlet, Nationwide Custom Homes, Phil Gardner, Pro Automotive, Rack Room Shoes, Rania's, Ratatouille Catering, Rives S. Brown Realtor, Susan Critz Catering, The Sewing Studio, Tim Norman, Unique Bridal Boutique and Yamato Japanese Restaurant.

Doss added, "We hope that our local residents and visitors to the area will check out these featured businesses to Shop Local and see first-hand why they are the best in Southwestern Virginia." The magazine is available on newsstands locally at Food Lion. They may also be ordered by calling 804.343.7539 or online at www.VirginiaLiving.com.

The mission of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is to create new job opportunities and expand the tax base for the area. The organization strives to support and develop local industry, as well as market Martinsville-Henry County globally as an exceptional place to live, work and play.

The EDC is a public-private partnership between the City of Martinsville, Henry County, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber's Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) and the Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont.