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