Best of Jax 2019

Folio Weekly Magazine’s Best of Jax is Northeast Florida’s original reader poll, often imitated but never duplicated. Unless we’re the ones doing the duplicating. You see, this list of 500 winners is so nice, we’re running it twice. We announced the results in last week’s print issue. Now readers have another chance to study these here superlatives. Make no mistake: This is the best of the best. To remind you how extensive this poll is, nominees were hand-selected by our readers of influence from a pool of thousands of candidates across four counties: Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns. A staggering 51,564 nominations were submitted, and 324,362 votes cast across 500 categories. No area of modern life was left untouched. We’re talking everything under the sun, from craft beer to car washes to chiropractors—and everything in between.

There’s a good chance you personally know some of our winners. If you do, give them a pat on the back this week,  and invite them to a celebratory #FindYourFolio Happy Hour, where they can snap a selfie with the prestigious Best of Jax trophy. It all goes down 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Sun-Ray Cinema, 1028 Park St., Five Points, sunraycinema.com.

AUTOMOTIVE

BEST AUTO BODY SHOP

FIRST PLACE Disney Paint & Body Inc

Second Place Tom Bush Collision Center

Third Place Serrano Paint & Body Shop

Fourth Place Expert Automotive Jacksonville

Fifth Place Greg’s Auto Collision Center

BEST AUTO DETAILER

FIRST PLACE The Detailing Pros Jax

Second Place Detailing by George

Third Place Easy Breezy Car Wash & Mobile Detailing

Fourth Place Firehouse Auto Spa

Fifth Place Renewed Reflections Detailing

BEST AUTO LOAN PROVIDER

FIRST PLACE VyStar Credit Union

Second Place Navy Federal Credit Union

Third Place Community First Credit Union

Fourth Place Bank of America

Fifth Place Publix Employees Federal Credit Union

BEST AUTO PARTS STORE

FIRST PLACE AutoZone Auto Parts

Second Place Advance Auto Parts

Third Place O’Reilly Auto Parts

Fourth Place NAPA Auto Parts – Genuine Parts Company

Fifth Place Pep Boys Auto Parts & Service

BEST AUTO SERVICE/REPAIR SHOP

FIRST PLACE JJ’s Auto Care

Second Place Bryan’s Garage

Third Place Aaron’s Car Care, Inc.

Fourth Place Arlington Tire & Service Center

Fifth Place A A Auto Repair of Springfield

BEST AUTO SOUND DEALER

FIRST PLACE Rollin Sound of Jax

Second Place JJ’s Auto Care

Third Place Audio Design & Custom Graphics

Fourth Place Auto Radio Service Inc of Florida

Fifth Place Quality Auto Stereo & CB, Inc

BEST AUTO CAR SALESPERSON

FIRST PLACE Eric Singer at Mazda

Second Place Ben Trotenberg

Third Place Chuck Sale at Lou Sobh’s Honda of the Avenues

Fourth Place Daniel Kane

Fifth Place Karla Wessinger

BEST CAR WASH

FIRST PLACE Beaches Car Wash & Gift Gallery

Second Place Camel Premium Express Car Wash

Third Place Car Spa Car Wash Jacksonville

Fourth Place Scrubbles

Fifth Place Gate Express Carwash

BEST FAST OIL CHANGE SHOP

FIRST PLACE Jiffy Lube

Second Place Take 5 Oil Change

Third Place Tires Plus

Fourth Place Famous Quick Lube (featuring Castrol & Valvoline)

Fifth Place Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers

BEST MECHANIC

FIRST PLACE Bryan McAlister at Bryan’s Garage

Second Place Aaron Nelson at Aaron’s Car Care, Inc.

Third Place Bart Heck at Heck’s Automotive

Fourth Place Steve Beard

Fifth Place John Zinkgraf at Expert Automotive

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP/ASIAN EXPORTS

FIRST PLACE Hodges Mazda at the Avenues

Second Place Lexus of Orange Park

Third Place Coggin Toyota at the Avenues

Fourth Place Subaru of Jacksonville

Fifth Place Tom Bush Mazda

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP/DOMESTIC

FIRST PLACE Beaver Chevrolet

Second Place Nimnicht Chevrolet

Third Place Garber Automall

Fourth Place Autonation Ford Jacksonville

Fifth Place Key Buick GMC

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP/EUROPEAN IMPORTS

FIRST PLACE Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville

Second Place Lexus of Orange Park

Third Place Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park

Fourth Place Audi Orange Park

Fifth Place Driveline

BEST TIRE STORE

FIRST PLACE Discount Tire

Second Place Big Chief Tire

Third Place Tires Plus

Fourth Place Tire Kingdom

Fifth Place Arlington Tire & Service Center

BEST TRUCK ACCESSORIES

FIRST PLACE Extreme Truck Stuff

Second Place Bozard Ford Lincoln

Third Place Orange Park Cap World Truck Accessories

Fourth Place 4WP – Off Road Truck & Jeep 4X4 Parts

Fifth Place Hot Wheelz Inc.

BEST TRUCK LIFT SERVICES

FIRST PLACE All-Starz Tire & Automotive

Second Place Extreme Truck Stuff

Third Place Overbuilt Customs

Fourth Place Bozard Ford Lincoln

Fifth Place 4WP – Off Road Truck & Jeep 4X4 Parts

BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP

FIRST PLACE CarMax Winner

Second Place Autoline Preowned

Third Place Subaru of Jacksonville

Fourth Place Garber Automall

Fifth Place DriveTime Used Cars

BEAUTY

BEST BARBER

FIRST PLACE Justin Riner at Pomade & Toni

Second Place Amanda Richardson at Raw Cuts

Third Place Mike at Sideburns & Stilettos

Fourth Place Gordon Neil at Salon Gordon Neil

Fifth Place Farrell Stephen at Pomade & Tonic Barbershop

BEST DAY SPA

FIRST PLACE Dr. Clayman’s Miracle Spa

Second Place Ponte Vedra Inn & Club

Third Place Frenchy’s Wellness Spa

Fourth Place Hello Smooth

Fifth Place Well Women 360

BEST FACIAL SERVICES

FIRST PLACE Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center & Miracle Spa

Second Place Makeup Craze Beauty

Third Place Alpha School of Massage

Fourth Place Frenchy’s Wellness Spa

Fifth Place Well Women 360

BEST HAIR SALON

FIRST PLACE Rise Hair Salon

Second Place Shampoo Hair Salon

Third Place Salon Euphorya LLC

Fourth Place ABLISS Upscale Styling Studio

Fifth Place Hair Party Eco Salon

BEST HAIR STYLIST

FIRST PLACE Hope Manis at Rise Hair Salon

Second Place Jayme Hawarah at Shampoo Hair Salon

Third Place Leshawndra Butler at Salon Euphorya

Fourth Place Gordon Neil at Salon Gordon Neil

Fifth Place Alisa at Hair Party Eco Salon

BEST LASER HAIR REMOVAL

FIRST PLACE Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center & Miracle Spa

Second Place Hello Smooth Laser Studio

Third Place Ideal Image

Fourth Place Youthful Medical Spa Fourth Place

Fifth Place Brazils Waxing Center Fifth Place

BEST LASH EXTENSION

FIRST PLACE Level Up Lashes

Second Place LASH JAX

Third Place Makeup Craze Beauty

Fourth Place Frenchy’s Wellness Spa

Fifth Place Galaxy Nails & Spa

BEST NAIL SALON

FIRST PLACE Bella Diva

Second Place Galaxy Nails & Spa

Third Place Nail Spa 1

Fourth Place Infinity Beauty Lounge

Fifth Place Ocean Club of Amelia

BEST TANNING SALON

FIRST PLACE Four Seasons Tanning Salon

Second Place Planet Beach

Third Place Tan Like a Celebrity

Fourth Place The Tan Cabana

Fifth Place Elite Look Productions

BEST WAXING STUDIO

FIRST PLACE Brazils Waxing Center

Second Place he Wax Strip

Third Place Waxlab

Fourth Place Makeup Craze Beauty

Fifth Place Frenchy’s Wellness Spa

BUSINESS SERVICES

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

FIRST PLACE Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Second Place DuVal Fields CPA Group, PA

Third Place Hartman Blitch & Gartside Certified Public Accountants

Fourth Place Mark Simpson CPA, Inc.

Fifth Place Dial Accounting

BEST AD AGENCY

FIRST PLACE Brunet-Garcia Advertising

Second Place Dalton Agency

Third Place Mad Men Marketing

Fourth Place Burdette Ketchum

Fifth Place PCR Agency

BEST BUSINESS BROKER

FIRST PLACE Terri Sherman at Florida Business Exchange, Inc.

Second Place Bianca Evans at Transworld Business Brokers

Third Place Fram Pepis

Fourth Place Geneva Henderson at Lat Purser & Assoc.

Fifth Place Ryan Miller

BEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FIRST PLACE JAX Chamber

Second Place Clay County Chamber of Commerce

Third Place Jacksonville Black Chamber of Commerce

Fourth Place North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce

Fifth Place JAX Chamber Beaches Division

BEST COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

FIRST PLACE Vallencourt Construction Co

Second Place Carlton Construction

Third Place Summit Contracting Group, Inc.

Fourth Place Sandifer Design Build

Fifth Place Horn Builders

BEST COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

FIRST PLACE Elle Mitchell

Second Place Ryan Ketterman

Third Place Cory Parker

Fourth Place Mike Liddell

Fifth Place Philip Hess

BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY

FIRST PLACE Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty

Second Place Watson Realty Corp San Marco/San Jose

Third Place Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty

Fourth Place Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty

Fifth Place Kahle Commercial Group

BEST COMPUTER & IT SERVICES

FIRST PLACE Innovias

Second Place TruTechnology

Third Place Total Business Systems

Fourth Place Doctor PC

Fifth Place Adelie Technik

BEST GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE AGENT

FIRST PLACE Tricare

Second Place Daniel Miller Brightway Insurance

Third Place HARDEN

Fourth Place JP Perry Insurance

Fifth Place Miller Health Group

BEST PLACE TO WORK

FIRST PLACE Fort Family Investments

Second Place Vallencourt Construction Co

Third Place PRI Productions

Fourth Place Mad Men Marketing

Fifth Place Narducci Dental Group

BEST PRINTER/SIGN SHOP

FIRST PLACE More Than Ink Printing

Second Place Kessler Creative

Third Place Giglio Signs

Fourth Place Fleming Signs & Graphics

Fifth Place Evolution Signs & Print

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY

FIRST PLACE Fort Family Investments

Second Place WaterMarke Management Group

Third Place Vesta Property Services

Fourth Place Coldwell Banker Vanguard Property Management

Fifth Place Palm Bay Club

BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS LUNCH

FIRST PLACE Bistro Aix

Second Place Cowford Chophouse

Third Place Murray Hillbilly

Fourth Place Two Saints Restaurant & Grill

Fifth Place Eleven South

BEST TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

FIRST PLACE South Beach Tax & Financial Services

Second Place H&R Block

Third Place Bucci Paul CPA

Fourth Place Debbie’s Accounting Service Inc

Fifth Place SJH Tax and Accounting Solutions

BEST WEB PAGE DESIGNER

FIRST PLACE North Florida Web Design

Second Place Station Four

Third Place HeartWired Digital Solutions

Fourth Place Aaron King

Fifth Place Adam Boulware

EDUCATION

BEST CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place River City Science Academy Elementary

Campus at Beach Blvd

Third Place Duval Charter School at Baymeadows

Fourth Place Seaside Charter K-8 San Jose

Fifth Place Duval Charter School at Southside

BEST CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Middle High Campus at Beach Blvd

Second Place Duval Charter School at Baymeadows

Third Place San Jose Academy and Preparatory High School

Fourth Place MYcroSchool Jacksonville Charter High School

Fifth Place SALTech Charter High School

BEST CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place River City Science Academy Innovation

Third Place Duval Charter School at Baymeadows

Fourth Place River City Science Academy Middle High Campus at Beach Blvd

Fifth Place Duval Charter School at Southside

BEST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

FIRST PLACE University of North Florida

Second Place Florida State College at Jacksonville

Third Place Jacksonville University

Fourth Place Flagler College

Fifth Place Edward Waters College

BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place St Patricks Catholic School

Third Place Duval Charter School at Baymeadows

Fourth Place Jacksonville Country Day School

Fifth Place Ocean Palms Elementary School

BEST HIGH SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Second Place Robert E. Lee High School

Third Place Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Fourth Place Ponte Vedra High School

Fifth Place Frank H Peterson Academy

BEST KINDERGARTEN

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place John E. Ford Elementary School

Third Place St Patricks Catholic School

Fourth Place Academie de Montessori

Fifth Place Orange Park Kindergarten

BEST MAGNET SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Second Place Stanton College Preparatory School

Third Place John E. Ford Elementary School

Fourth Place Julia Landon

Fifth Place Frank H. Peterson Academies

BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place Lavilla School of the Arts

Third Place St Patricks Catholic School

Fourth Place Lake Asbury Junior High School

Fifth Place Duval Charter School at Baymeadows

BEST MONTESSORI

FIRST PLACE John E Ford Elementary School

Second Place J Allen Axson Montessori School

Third Place The Discovery School

Fourth Place Montessori Tides School

Fifth Place Amelia Island Montessori School

BEST PRESCHOOL

FIRST PLACE Michele Block Gan Yeladim (JCA)

Second Place Deermeadows Preschool

Third Place St Patricks Catholic School

Fourth Place Stepping Stones Preschool

Fifth Place Learning Ladders Preschool

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

FIRST PLACE Christ the King Catholic School

Second Place The Bolles School

Third Place St Patricks Catholic School

Fourth Place Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Fifth Place San Jose Catholic Grade School

BEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

FIRST PLACE River City Science Academy Mandarin Campus

Second Place Aveda Institute

Third Place J-Tech Institute

Fourth Place ITT Tech Way

Fifth Place All Florida Safety Institute – Driving Lessons

& Traffic School – Ponte Vedra Beach & St. Johns

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ACTOR

FIRST PLACE Dave Alan Thomas

Second Place Jason Woods

Third Place Josh Waller

Fourth Place Jaybier Nino

Fifth Place Chad Light

BEST ACTRESS

FIRST PLACE Kristen Walsh

Second Place Tess Therrien

Third Place Laura Mauldin

Fourth Place Devon Ess

Fifth Place Anne Kraft

BEST ART EXHIBIT

FIRST PLACE French Moderns, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Second Place Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman at the Cummer Museum

Third Place Through Our Eyes, Ritz Theatre & Museum

Fourth Place GAAM

Fifth Place Erin Kendrick at the Yellow House

BEST ART FESTIVAL

FIRST PLACE Riverside Arts Market

Second Place Jax Beach Art Walk

Third Place GAAM

Fourth Place Romanza Festivale

Fifth Place Jax Beach Arts Market

BEST ART GALLERY

FIRST PLACE Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Second Place Yellow House Art Gallery

Third Place Ritz Theatre and Museum

Fourth Place Holly Blanton Art

Fifth Place Southlight Gallery

BEST AUTHOR

FIRST PLACE Bruce Thomason

Second Place Linda Schilling Mitchell

Third Place Gary Williams

Fourth Place Tim Gilmore

Fifth Place Walter Schenck

BEST BAND-COVER BAND

FIRST PLACE Blistur

Second Place Don’t Call Me Shirley

Third Place Atlantic Alibi

Fourth Place The Chris Thomas Band

Fifth Place Lifeline

BEST BAND-ORIGINAL MUSIC

FIRST PLACE Blistur

Second Place Firewater Tent Revival

Third Place Dancing With Ghosts

Fourth Place The Wobbly Toms

Fifth Place LPT

BEST BODY ART PAINTER

FIRST PLACE Hillary Warren

Second Place Brandi Ford

Third Place First Coast Face Painting

Fourth Place Synthia Roy

Fifth Place Kris Joslyn

BEST CLUB DJ

FIRST PLACE Nick Fresh

Second Place DJ DR DOOM

Third Place Rob Moore

Fourth Place DJ EL

Fifth Place David Hanscom

BEST COMEDIAN

FIRST PLACE Katie Johnston

Second Place Jenn Weeks

Third Place Tyrone Thornhill

Fourth Place Mark Alan

Fifth Place Jessie Jpaw Pawlish

BEST COMEDY CLUB

FIRST PLACE Comedy Zone Jacksonville

Second Place Laugh Lounge

Third Place Rain Dogs

Fourth Place A-Train Live WJCT

Fifth Place The Uptown Experience

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER

FIRST PLACE The 5 & Dime, A Theatre Company

Second Place Players by the Sea

Third Place Theatre Jacksonville

Fourth Place Limelight Theatre

Fifth Place ABET | All Beaches Experimental Theatre

BEST COSPLAYER

FIRST PLACE Jenna Esposito

Second Place Toni Philips

Third Place Candy Keane

Fourth Place MsValentine

Fifth Place turnfreebaby

BEST COSPLAYER EVENT

FIRST PLACE SpaceGAAM

Second Place DragonCon

Third Place Collective Con

Fourth Place WasabiCon

Fifth Place Pixelated

BEST COUNTRY WESTERN MUSIC VENUE

FIRST PLACE Crazy Horse Complex

Second Place Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge

Third Place Palms Fish Camp Restaurant

Fourth Place Sadler Ranch

Fifth Place Cheers Park Avenue

BEST COUNTY FAIR

FIRST PLACE Clay County Fair

Second Place Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair

Third Place St. Johns County Fair

Fourth Place Northeast Florida Fair

Fifth Place Green Cove County Fair

BEST DANCE CLUB

FIRST PLACE Eclipse

Second Place The Loft

Third Place Myth Nightclub

Fourth Place Sarbez!

Fifth Place Skate Station Funworks of Orange Park

BEST DANCE STUDIO

FIRST PLACE The World of Dance & Talent LLC

Second Place Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio

Third Place Barbara Thompson School-Dance

Fourth Place Atlantic Coast Dance Studio

Fifth Place All About Ballroom

BEST ESCAPE ROOM

FIRST PLACE Mind Bender Escape Rooms

Second Place The Great Escape Room

Third Place One Way Out Escape Room

Fourth Place Breakout Games

Fifth Place Mastermind Escape Games Jacksonville

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

FIRST PLACE Kelli Maroney

Second Place Katie Dutton

Third Place Mama Blue

Fourth Place Dinah Frilling

Fifth Place Wendy Serrentino

BEST FILM FESTIVAL

FIRST PLACE LOL JAX Film Festival

Second Place Sleeping Giant Fest

Third Place St. Augustine Film Festival

Fourth Place 48 Hour Film Fest

Fifth Place Hispanic Culture Film Festival

BEST FOOD FESTIVAL

FIRST PLACE World of Nations

Second Place St. Augustine Celtic Festival

Third Place VegFest

Fourth Place Taste of St. Augustine

Fifth Place Gastro Fest

BEST GO KART TRACK

FIRST PLACE Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events

Second Place Adventure Landing

Third Place 103rd St Sports Complex

Fourth Place North Florida Kart Club

Fifth Place Radical Racing Engines

BEST HAUNTED HOUSE

FIRST PLACE 13th Floor Haunted House

Second Place Daniels Dungeon

Third Place Warehouse 31 Unleashed

Fourth Place Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach

Fifth Place The Casket Factory

BEST HIP HOP ARTIST

FIRST PLACE Paten Locke

Second Place Mr. Al Pete

Third Place Toran Crush

Fourth Place Jeff Hoff

Fifth Place Dr. Breh

BEST HIP HOP CLUB

FIRST PLACE The Daq Shack

Second Place 1904 Music Hall

Third Place Rain Dogs

Fourth Place The Justice Pub

Fifth Place Spliffs Gastropub

BEST JAZZ BAND

FIRST PLACE The Chris Thomas Band

Second Place Heart of Elaine

Third Place Junco Royals

Fourth Place Eric Bailey Trio

Fifth Place Raisin Cake Orchestra

BEST KARAOKE NIGHT

FIRST PLACE DEE’S MUSIC BAR & GRILL

Second Place Monkey’s Uncle Tavern

Third Place Culhane’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Fourth Place Rain Dogs

Fifth Place Dos Gatos

BEST LISTENING ROOM

FIRST PLACE Florida Theatre

Second Place Blue Jay Listening Room

Third Place MOJO Kitchen, BBQ Pit & Blues Bar

Fourth Place Nighthawks

Fifth Place Sarbez!

BEST MALE VOCALIST

FIRST PLACE Jimmie Cumbie

Second Place Dan Myers

Third Place Chris Thomas

Fourth Place Jeremy Morrison

Fifth Place John Serrentino

BEST MOVIE THEATER

FIRST PLACE Sun Ray Cinema

Second Place Cinemark Tinseltown

Third Place AMC Regency

Fourth Place San Marco Theatre

Fifth Place Corazon Cinema & Cafe

BEST MUSEUM

FIRST PLACE Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Second Place MOSH

Third Place Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

Fourth Place St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Fifth Place Ritz Theatre and Museum

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

FIRST PLACE Welcome To Rockville

Second Place Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Third Place PorchFest

Fourth Place Celtic Music & Heritage Festival

Fifth Place Springing the Blues

BEST MUSICIAN

FIRST PLACE Chris Kellam

Second Place Heather Craig

Third Place Shawn Abrams

Fourth Place Nigel Ledford

Fifth Place Robbie Trice

BEST NIGHTCLUB

FIRST PLACE Tradewinds Lounge

Second Place Dee’s Music Bar & Grill

Third Place Myth Nightclub

Fourth Place Nighthawks

Fifth Place Sarbez!

BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT

FIRST PLACE Dee’s Music Bar & Grill

Second Place The Fly’s Tie

Third Place Nighthawks

Fourth Place Auggie’s Draft Room

Fifth Place Sarbez!

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