Best of Augusta 2012 - Best Shopping

Men’s Clothes
Some people pronounce the winner “Joe-Zay Bank.” Looking at the spelling, we can understand, but it’s actually pronounced “Joseph A. Bank.” But as Dr. Azziz says, a name is a little thing. The Boardroom is a well-appointed silver medalist and Dillard’s completes the top three.

Women’s Clothes
Clothes, as the old saying goes, make the woman. Just ask Eve. Or the purveyors of fine feminine fashions known as Summerville Rags. In sort of a reverse psychology thing, they sell anything but. Ladies, you voted Steinmart into second place and, in third, you say Soho is not so ho-hum.

Women’s Shoes
Readers even threw in driving directions on this winner: Shoes at Surrey. First runner-up—we are amazed at our own cleverness sometimes—is Shoe Studio. Goody Two Shoes, as the name implies, has a policy that you have to buy two. It’s some kind of control thing. Yet they still won third.

Handbags
You can never have too many handbags, right girls? You’ve got the everyday model, but it’s always good to have at least one in every shade of the visible color spectrum. Where to buy? Handbag World? No. Shoe Studio. Second: the Swank Company. Third: Cudos! Flowers and Gifts.

Supermarket
We asked readers to break it down for us and they obliged. They say Publix is not just a supermarket, it is the super market. (Note the definitive article.) Kroger gets the silver buggy. Remember those? Fresh Market rules Aisle 3.

Organic Food
In this category we’re looking for the very best in foods produced strictly by nature. Like bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Well, the ballots say Earth Fare reigns supreme. Fresh Market and New Life Natural Foods win second and third.

Seafood Market
Technically, an island is land. Take a close look and you’ll note that’s even how it’s spelled. By definition, not a source of seafood. Yet Island Seafood still scores the upset victory at sea. Very impressive. Another second-place win for Fresh Market. Publix hooks third.

Fresh Produce
We still remember the old days, when people would shop for fresh duce. Then Fresh Market came to town and they put the pro in produce. Now hardly anyone says duce anymore. On a related note, Good Earth wins the deuce; Augusta Market at the River takes third. Every Saturday.

Nursery/Garden Center
Bedfirst Greenhouse takes top honors. Oops. Make that Bedford. Green Thumb West will cater to yours. Greenbrier Nursery will also take good care of your gardening needs.

Bookstore
Barnes & Noble, or as we sometimes say, Barnes & Noble’s, wins the Nobel’s Prize in Literature. Go to GoodBooks Bookstore & Café and you support two worthy causes: your mind and Goodwill. The Book Tavern wins third because of their awesome customer service. Want your books without ice? Sure thing. In a tall glass? You can ask.

Gifts
The winner is not simply Cudos. That doesn’t do it justice. Let’s try again. Cudos! See the difference? Second place Swank Company would probably have added an exclamation point if they had won. Alas, maybe next year. Mish Mash is given third, wrapped up with a bow.

Christmas Decorations
If a toy soldier or a string of colored lights doesn’t honor the baby Jesus, we don’t know what does. Your peers suggest you obtain all your decorations at Cudos! Flowers and Gifts. Meanwhile, Southern Landscape and Gifts and Sacred Heart Gift Shop would also like to add their exclamation points.

Place To Shop for Husband/Boyfriend
“John, I bought you these lovely diamond earrings at Windsor Jewelers. What? Your ears aren’t even pierced? Oh my. I guess I’ll have to keep them myself.” That old trick? Again? Readers also suggest manly gifts and appointments may be obtained from Rivers & Glen Trading Company. Dapper & Company Men’s Grooming Lounge takes third for all the Dapper Dans out there.

Place To Shop for Wife/Girlfriend
In a major upset victory, Windsor Fine Jewelers wins handily even without an exclamation point. Right on their heels, Cudos! Flowers and Gifts earns second place. The Swank Company takes third. And now let the giving begin.

Home Furnishings
One sentence you will never hear at Weinberger’s Furniture (and Mattress Showcase) is “Do not try this at home.” But you might hear “some assembly required. Andrews Furniture Gallery says their slogan is, “We can too,” Mish Mash adds, “Hey, so can we!”

Costume Jewelry
You say you loaned all your good stuff to Angelina for last week’s Hollywood premiere? Not to worry. The Swank Company will fix you right up. Cudos! Flowers and Gifts wins the silver medal; Vintage Ooolee pledges to have all the ooolees you will ever need, new or vintage.

Best New Store
Mish Mash scores number one in the voting. Vignettes gets a near-victory in second place and the big box called Costco arrives with enough of a splash to score third.

Antiques
Like wine and sometimes people, furniture can actually get better with age. Witness the vintage offerings at Merry’s Trash & Treasures. They have stood the test of time and have been pronounced worthy of your home. Other vendors of vintage goods anointed by readers include Trends & Traditions and Antique Market in second and third.

Children’s Clothes
Take your little taters to Posh Tots and that is what they will magically become. Hold the ketchup. Kid to Kid is second grade all the way. Third grade: Sweetbrier Fair.

Fine Jewelry
If we gave a gold medal to the winner, we would probably buy it at Windsor Fine Jewelers. If they won (and they did), would they charge us? Interesting question. The Estate Jewelry Center will gladly add to your collection of family jewels. Pandora wins third.