By Best Place to Buy an Antique
More than 500 booths are tucked into 73,000 square feet at the Midway Antique Mall and Flea Market, making it the readers’ favorite place to buy an antique. Just off exit 122 on Interstate 70, this antiques and collectibles mecca is home to both the rustic and refined. From dishware to furniture, toys to tools, there’s a find for even the most particular treasure hunter. Midway Antique Mall and Flea Market, 6401 U.S. Highway 40, 573-445-0042
SILVER: Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall
1781 Lindberg Drive, 573- 474-2056, artichokeannies.com/artichoke
BRONZE: McAdams’ Ltd.
1501 Old 63 S., 573- 442-3151, mcadamsltd.com
Best Place to Buy a Piece of Art
From ceramics and paintings, to fiber and glass, to wood and sculpture, the Columbia Art League’s Art in the Park, held at Stephens Lake Park (June 2-3 this year) is the best place to find an eclectic variety of art for purchase. This two-day event, while time-constrained, is the go-to destination for our readers who want to add to their art collections. Food vendors, entertainment and children’s activities round out the free event’s offerings. Art in the Park, Stephen’s Lake Park, columbiaartleague.org
SILVER: Poppy
920 E. Broadway #1, 573-442-3223, poppymadebyhand.com
BRONZE: Bluestem Missouri Crafts
13 S. Ninth St., 573-442-0211, bluestemcrafts.com
Best Gym or Fitness Center
Getting fit feels like a chore sometimes. The motivation to get up, get ready and get to the gym can be challenging. Wilson’s Fitness Center meets that challenge and raises you two leg lifts. For more than 30 years, Wilson’s Fitness Center has provided a place for Columbians to get physical. Wilson’s offers a variety of ways to get fit, from pumping it up in a BodyPump class, to stretching it out in a yoga class, and everything in between. Wilson’s Fitness Center, 2902 Forum Blvd., 2601 Range Line St. and 111 Orr St., 573- 446-3232, wilsonsfitness.com
SILVER: The ARC
1701 W. Ash St., 573- 874-7700, como.gov/parksandrec
BRONZE: Planet Fitness
2101 W. Broadway, 573- 355-5858, planetfitness.com
Best Nail Salon
Among dozens of nail salons in Columbia, Lucky Nails polished off the win with readers as the best nail salon. Manicures and pedicures are top notch and its nail techs have built a loyal following. They nailed it. Hands down. Lucky Nails, 2001 W. Worley St.,
Suite C, 573- 442-3464
SILVER: Varsity Nails
308 S. Ninth St., Suite 103, 573-449-3334, varsitynails.com
BRONZE: Polished
1400 Forum Blvd. #10, 573-446-6245, polishedincomo.com
Best Place to Buy Furniture
Ashley Furniture HomeStore captured the majority vote of our readers for the best place to buy furniture. A brand as well as a brick and mortar retailer, all of the pieces in the 46,000-square-foot showroom are designed and manufactured by Ashley Furniture HomeStore. They have all the latest design trends for every room in the house. Ashley Furniture HomeStore, 5710 Bull Run Drive, 573-777-1234, ashleyfurniturehomestore.com
SILVER: Lifestyles Furniture
63 E. Broadway, 573- 874-1550, lifestylescomo.com
BRONZE: Furniture Row
1802 Lake Ridgeway Road, 573- 474-0009, furniturerow.com
Best Place to Buy Jewelry
Buchroeders Jewelers shines as the best place to buy jewelry, and it’s more than the sparkle of the diamonds they sell.
Buchroeders has been a leading jeweler in mid-Missouri for more than a century. Their jewelers focus on helping customers find the perfect rock for that perfect day, but they’re also adept at finding that statement piece for 50 years down the road. They can outfit your fingers, wrists and neckline in an array of everyday and special day bling. Buchroeders Jewelers, 1021 E. Broadway, 573- 443-1457, brdiamonds.com
SILVER: L.C. Betz Associates Jewelers
601 E. Broadway #303, 573-449-1070, betzjewelers.com
BRONZE: Poppy
920 E. Broadway #1, 573-442-3223, poppymadebyhand.com
Best Place to Buy Mens Apparel
A long-standing Columbia Mall anchor store, Dillard’s gets the vote this year for men’s apparel. With large collections for every menswear need, this store is a one-stop shop. A variety of brands and price points means you’re bound to find something to fit your taste and pocketbook. Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573- 876-8600, dillards.com
SILVER: Binghams
827 E. Broadway, 573-442-6397, binghamsclothing.com
BRONZE: Men’s Wearhouse
303 N. Stadium Blvd., Suite 107, 573-234-2300, menswearhouse.com
Best Place to Buy Wine Spirits
One of the newest places to buy wine and spirits has captured the attention of Inside Columbia readers. Whether you’re planning a party for a crowd or picking up a six-pack for a quiet Friday night, Macadoodles has what you need. Wall to wall, the selection of wine, spirits and beer is hard to beat. Who knows, you might walk out with your next favorite drink. Macadoodles, 455 E. Green
Meadows Road, 573-443-1825, macadoodles.com
SILVER: Lucky’s Market
111 S. Providence Road, 573-442-2128, luckysmarket.com
BRONZE: Les Bourgeois Vineyards
14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, Missouri, 800-690-1830, missouriwine.com
Best Hair Salon
Sitting atop the best hair salon category, The Clip Joint is no stranger to the Best of Columbia list. Many of the stylists have been cutting locks there for 10 years or more, and three have earned Best of Columbia individual awards. Year after year, readers rank it as one of the best resources to deter bad hair days. The Clip Joint, 1001 Cherry St. #101 and 1608 Chapel Hill Road, 573-443-8711, 573-445-3176, theclipjointsalon.com
SILVER: Salon Nefisa
825 E. Walnut St., 573-256-1220, salonnefisa.com
BRONZE: The Beach Salon
110 Orr St., 573-875-0060, thebeachsalon.com
Best Place to Buy Womens Apparel
New to the Best of Columbia list, Altar’d State takes gold as Best Place to Buy Women’s Apparel. The store’s romantic and bohemian themes convey a feminine flair in everything from shoes to shirts. As a bonus, the company has corporate giving threaded through its mission statement and donates 1 percent of store sales to building schools and churches in Peru; on Mondays, 10 percent of net proceeds from the Columbia store go to a charity partner in Boone County. Altar’d State, 2300 Bernadette Drive #330, 573-445-8950, altardstate.com
SILVER: My Sister’s Circus
1110 E. Broadway #A, 573-443-5618
BRONZE: Fringe Boutique
914 E. Broadway, 573-777-3978
Best Place to Buy Shoes
One of the oldest businesses in downtown Columbia, Dryer’s Shoe Store has called its Ninth Street storefront home since 1956. Opened by R. Newton Riley, the business is now in the hands of the third generation and holds true to the values of finding the perfect fit for its customers. The owners pride themselves on stocking the shelves with the latest fashions and makers without compromising comfort. Dryer’s Shoe Store, 7 N. Ninth St., 573-442-7984, dryersshoestore.com
SILVER: Dillard’s
2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600, dillards.com
BRONZE: American Shoe
816 E. Broadway B, 573-442-6811, americanshoeinc.com
Best Place to Hear Live Music
The Blue Note has set the gold standard for Columbia’s music scene and has evolved over the years into a destination for anyone living in or visiting our city. The venue has introduced up-and-coming musicians, welcomed back big stars and opened the stage to rock legends like Chuck Berry. Anyone wanting to be in the music know is bound to be a Blue Note fan. The Blue Note, 17 N. Ninth St., 573-874-1944, thebluenote.com
SILVER: Rose Music Hall
1013 Park Ave., 573-875-0588, rosemusichall.com
BRONZE: Murry’s
3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969, murrysrestaurant.net
Best Place to Get Married
The bluff along the Missouri River at sunset is about as picturesque as it gets, and a popular backdrop for saying, “I do.” As warm summer breezes come off the Missouri River and dance over the grounds at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, the environment practically oozes romance. Wedding pictures among the vines and a readily available reception area steps away make Les Bourgeois an all-inclusive destination for nuptials. Les Bourgeois Vineyards, 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, Missouri, 800-690-1830, missouriwine.com
SILVER: Blue Bell Farm
3030 MO-240, Fayette, Missouri, 660-888-6011, bluebellfarm.org
BRONZE: Shelter Gardens
1817 W. Broadway, 573-445-8441, shelterinsurance.com/aboutshelter/sheltergardens
Best Place to Take a Visitor
Whether you’re taking in the Summer Music at the A-frame series, dining at the Blufftop Bistro, or simply enjoying a glass of wine on the blufftop overlooking the Missouri River, Les Bourgeois Vineyards will surely impress your out-of-town guests. The vineyards on the hillside rival anything you’d find in Napa, and the tasting room makes sure your guests will find a wine they’ll enjoy. Les Bourgeois Vineyards, 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, Missouri, 800-690-1830, missouriwine.com
SILVER: Devil’s Ice Box
5901 S. Highway 163, mostateparks.com
BRONZE: Logboat Brewing Co.
504 Fay St., 573-397-6786, logboatbrewing.com
Best Kept Secret in Columbia
For more than 60 years, Mugs Up Drive-In has been serving freshly made root beer — in a frosty mug, of course — burgers and chili, along with other classic drive-in fare, including its popular loose-meat Zip Burger. One of two Mugs Up restaurants left (the other is in Independence, Missouri) from a once-thriving Midwest chain, this best-kept secret in Columbia sits just off Business Loop 70 W, which when the drive-in was built was Highway 40 on the edge of town. Given its longevity, it’s a little surprising that readers consider it a secret, but … shhh! … we won’t tell if you won’t. Mugs Up Drive-In, 603 Orange St., 573-443-7238, mugsup.com
SILVER: Just Jeff’s Street Food
701 Business Loop 70 W, 573-673-8741
BRONZE: Café Poland
807 Locust St., 573-874-8929
Best Place to Play Golf
The bentgrass tees, graceful fairways and rolling greens of The Club at Old Hawthorne have quickly become the readers’ choice for golf in Columbia. Strategically designed with options to vary your game, it’s one of the youngest courses in Columbia. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself playing through the Mizzou golf team, as Old Hawthorne is also its home course. The Club at Old Hawthorne, 6221 E. Highway WW, 573-442-5281, oldhawthorne.com
SILVER: Eagle Knoll
5757 E. Eagle Knoll Drive, Hartsburg, Missouri, 573-761-4653, eagleknoll.com
BRONZE: Columbia Country Club
2210 N. Country Club Drive, 573-449-4115, columbiacc.net
Get your Best of Columbia 2018 Checklist here: 2018Checklist.pdf
