Subscribe to The Reader Newsletter

Our awesome email newsletter briefing tells you everything you need to know about what’s going on in Omaha. Delivered to your inbox every day at 11:00am.

Become a Supporting Member

Subscribe to thereader.com and become a supporting member to keep locally owned news alive. We need to pay writers, so you can read even more. We won’t waste your time, our news will focus, as it always has, on the stories other media miss and a cultural community — from arts to foods to local independent business — that defines us. Please support your locally-owned news media by becoming a member today.
Knowing where to look helps one become the best shopper. That’s why Readers Choice gathers the best intel directly for you and from you, the reader, to help the community save time and score the best finds.

Nominations and final voting: Based entirely on community participation, Omaha businesses are nominated as the best in their category for about eight weeks at TheReader.com beginning in January and running through the end of February. Tens of thousands of nominations inform the top nominees in each category who will appear on the final ballot. Final voting runs March 5 through April 30. Stringent procedures help insure one-person, one-vote and minimize vote-buying. An independent accounting firm Hancock & Dana, one of Omaha’s oldest, counts final votes to tabulate the awards.

Winners: This list represents what Omaha locals and Reader readers love — businesses that are the best at what they do. With deep thanks to everyone in the community who participated, we congratulate these amazing awardees!

Best Barbershop

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scissors & Scotch

Readers’ Choice: Lady Jane’s Haircuts for Men

Readers’ Recommend: Arlan’s Barber Shop, The Beard & Mane

Best Beauty Salon

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bombshell Beauty

Readers’ Choice: The Copper Pin Salon & Spa, Fringes Salon, The Salty Blonde Salon Old Market

Readers’ Recommend: Bella & Co, Hank & Ax A Salon

Readers’ Refer: A Shear Thing

Best Bookstore

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Bookworm

Readers’ Choice: Barnes & Noble, Hearthside Candles & Curios

Readers’ Recommend: The Next Chapter

Best Cell Phone Provider/Carrier

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Verizon Wireless

Readers’ Choice: T-Mobile, AT&T, U.S. Cellular

Best Church

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: First United Methodist Church

Readers’ Choice: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Lifegate Church, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Lincoln Atheists

Best College or University

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Creighton University

Readers’ Choice: Metropolitan Community College, University of Nebraska at Omaha, UNMC College of Medicine

Best Day Spa

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Faces Day Spa

Readers’ Choice: LovelySkin Spa

Best Dry Cleaner

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Max I. Walker

Readers’ Choice: Camelot Cleaners, Fashion Cleaners, Nu Trend Dry Cleaners

Readers’ Recommend: Tide Dry Cleaners

Best Fitness Center

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Planet Fitness

Readers’ Choice: Genesis Health Clubs, Life Time Fitness

Readers’ Recommend: SuperSlow Zone Pacific Springs

Best Florist

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: A Flower Basket

Readers’ Choice: Piccolo’s Florist, Purple Orchid Flowers

Readers’ Refer: Loess Hills Floral, Mag Pooja & Flowers

Best Grocery Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee

Readers’ Choice: Trader Joe’s, Fareway Grocery

Readers’ Recommend: Whole Foods Market

Best Jewelry Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheims Luxury Jewelry

Readers’ Choice: Kay Jewelers, Goldsmith Silversmith Inc

Readers’ Recommend: JR’s Jewelry & Gifts

Readers’ Refer: Riddle’s Jewelry, Express Jewelry Repair

Best Martial Arts Studio

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Heartland Family Karate Omaha

Readers’ Choice: Omaha Blue Waves, Mick Doyle’s Kickboxing and Fitness Center, CKO Kickboxing Omaha

Best Men’s Clothing Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lindley Clothing

Readers’ Choice: Jerry Ryan Clothing & Sportswear, Men’s Wearhouse, PacSun

Best Nail Salon

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Martini Nails & Spa

Readers’ Choice: Minabella Beauty Resort, Vibe Salon and Day Spa, Legacy Nails & Spa

Readers’ Recommend: Artisan Nails Spa

Best Organic Grocery Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Trader Joe’s

Readers’ Choice: Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers, ALDI, Hy-Vee

Best Pawn Shop

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Sol’s Jewelry & Loan

Readers’ Choice: Mid-City Jewelry & Loan

Readers’ Recommend: E-Z Money Pawn Shop

Readers’ Refer: AAA Ultimate Pawn

Best Pet Grooming

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ashley’s Pet Spa

Readers’ Choice: The Paw Spa Pet Resort, Dogtopia of Omaha-West, That Dog Wash

Readers’ Recommend: Pucci’s, Wag

Best Pet Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Green Spot

Readers’ Choice: Long Dog Fat Cat, Woof & Whiskers, Pet Supplies Plus, Pets Earth

Readers’ Refer: Ruff Haus Pets

Best Best Phone Repair

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: iFixOmaha Cass Court

Readers’ Choice: UBreakiFix, We Fix It Phone Repair

Readers’ Recommend: CPR Cell Phone Repair

Best Shoe Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Von Maur

Readers’ Choice: DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, Haney Shoes, Famous Footwear

Best Sporting Goods

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: SCHEELS

Readers’ Choice: DICK’S Sporting Goods, Play It Again Sports

Readers’ Refer: Select Sail & Sports, LLC

Best Store for Engagement Rings

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheims Fine Jewelry

Readers’ Choice: Goldsmith Silversmith Inc, Zales, Kay Jewelers

Readers’ Recommend: Perspective Jewelry

Best Store for Unique Gifts

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Made in Omaha

Readers’ Choice: City Limits, Dusk Goods & Gifts, The Afternoon, Tannenbaum Christmas Shop

Readers’ Recommend: Hearthside Candles & Curios, Wilma & Rose

Readers’ Refer: Spencer’s, Earl & Gray in Bennington

Best Tattoo Shop

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Liquid Courage Tattoos

Readers’ Choice: Big Brain West, Black Squirrel Tattoo, Eye Candy Tattoo, Viking Tattoo Inc.

Readers’ Recommend: Strategic Tattoo

Readers’ Refer: Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Piercing

Best Thrift Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Goodwill

Readers’ Choice: Thrift World, Scout Dry Goods & Trade, The Humble Lily

Readers’ Refer: Plato’s Closet, Thrift America

Best Women’s Clothing Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Von Maur

Readers’ Choice: Scout Dry Goods & Trade, Dress Barn, Altar’d State, beyourself boutique

Best Yoga Studio

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lotus House of Yoga

Readers’ Choice: High Vibe Cafe, Legacy Pilates

Readers’ Recommend: Lighthouse Yoga, YOGA NOW


Subscribe to The Reader Newsletter

Our awesome email newsletter briefing tells you everything you need to know about what’s going on in Omaha. Delivered to your inbox every day at 11:00am.

Become a Supporting Member

Subscribe to thereader.com and become a supporting member to keep locally owned news alive. We need to pay writers, so you can read even more. We won’t waste your time, our news will focus, as it always has, on the stories other media miss and a cultural community — from arts to foods to local independent business — that defines us. Please support your locally-owned news media by becoming a member today.

Leave a comment