Best Bank
Capitol Federal Savings Bank
capfed.com
For more than 120 years, CapFed has helped scores of people achieve their dream of homeownership. Along with residential lending, the financial institution backs construction and other consumer loans and offers accounts to help save for future goals. Giving back is part of the bank’s mission, with employees choosing to raise money for or volunteer at local charities.
First runner-up: CoreFirst Bank & Trust
Second runner-up: Silver Lake Bank
Best Car Wash
Eagle Auto Wash & Detailing Salon
eagleautowash.com
You won’t be singing the carwash blues as you watch your grimy ride being cleaned, detailed, waxed and polished by the Eagle’s hard-working crew. Special packages at the open-every-day business include cleaning the windows, wiping down the dash, vacuuming seats and brightening the wheels. Once done, hit the road and watch heads turn.
First runner-up: Squeaky Clean Car Wash/Dog Wash
Second runner-up: Otto Car Wash
Best Cell Service Provider
AT&T;
att.com/local/kansas/topeka
With roots reaching back 140 years to legendary inventor Alexander Graham Bell and the Bell Telephone Company, this globe-spanning telecommunications company continues to loom large in the fast-paced mobile and fixed phone services industry while pushing open the door to the future with its smart home security, high-speed Internet, tablet and wearable technology devices.
First runner-up: Verizon
Second runner-up: Sprint
Best Church or Synagogue
Christ the King Catholic Church
ctktopeka.org
For 40 years, the Catholic parish — now numbering 1,927 households — has adhered to its sacred purpose of expressing its devotion to God. But parishioners also reach beyond the church walls to give their time and talent to the Topeka community through food drives, serving meals at Let’s Help and visiting nursing homes.
First runner-up: Town & Country Christian Church
Second runner-up: Fellowship Bible Church
Best Credit Union
Envista Credit Union
envistacu.com
Save? Spend? Borrow? Three questions Envista can help you explore and answer. Founded in 1957, the credit union’s advisers can assist in choosing the right retirement, investment and insurance options to meet your long-range needs, set up checking accounts and credit/debit cards, and guide you through the process of getting a car or mortgage loan.
First runner-up: Azura Credit Union
Second runner-up: Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Credit Union
Best Electrician
Best Heating/Air Company
Best Plumbing Company
A-1 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical
bettercleanerfaster.com
A-1 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical promises its customers that they’ll do the job better, cleaner and faster regardless if it’s fixing a running toilet, installing a new water heater, replacing a sewer line or remodeling a kitchen or bath. Sticker shock isn’t a problem, because A-1 lets you know the job’s price before work begins. The company’s technicians even wear special booties and use red rugs to protect your home’s floors while they work.
Best Electrician
First runner-up: McElroy’s Inc.
Second runner-up: Torgeson Electric Co.
Best Heating/Air Company
First runner-up: McElroy’s Inc.
Second runner-up: Blue Dot Services of Kansas
Best Plumbing Company
First runner-up: McElroy’s Inc.
Second runner-up: Blue Dot Services of Kansas
Best Equipment Rental Company
Kansas Rental Inc.
kansas-rental.com
Need a refrigerator dolly? How about a bounce house, plumbing snake or generator? For more than half a century, Kansas Rental has been loaning supplies to those who need them. With two stores in Topeka, it’s easy to make your way to this one-stop shop where you’ll find everything you need to do a job or plan a party.
First runner-up: Sunflower Rental
Second runner-up: Menards
Best Internet Service Provider
Cox Communications cabletv.com/cox/ks/topeka
Rapid-speed Internet for gaming and downloading high-definition movies, more than 220 TV channels, unlimited local phone calls and security assurances are some of the options that makes this communications company a favorite. Bundle its services for a package sure to tickle your inner nerd.
First runner-up: AT&T; U-verse
Second runner-up: Giant Communications
Best Laundry/Dry Cleaner
Scotch Fabric Care Services
scotchcleaners.com
Styles of clothing and the techniques used to clean them have changed during the 136-year history of this drop-off, same-day-service dry-cleaning business. Shirt cleaning and pressing still reign, but environmentally friendly equipment and cleaning agents score big points with consumers, too. Specialty services include alternations and button replacement.
First runner-up: Village Cleaners
Second runner-up: Hygienic Dry Cleaners
Best Lawn Care
Schendel Lawn and Landscape
mycreativelawn.com
More than a mowing service, Schendel’s offers a groundswell of lawn and landscape services. For the lawn: fertilization, overseeding, aeration and irrigation. For the landscape: leaf cleanup, weed removal, color planting and mulching. For the hardscape: fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, patios, pergolas and retaining walls. The result: a more beautiful and valuable property.
First runner-up: Topeka Landscape
Second runner-up: Lawns by Bryce
Best Pest Control Company
Schendel Pest Services
schendelpest.com
When creepy crawlers and annoying gnawers take possession of your home and yard, Schendel will come in and kick the varmints to the curb. Mice, bed bugs, termites, moles, mosquitoes — all goners. Plus, the company’s service technicians are happy to answer your questions about the pesky home invaders.
First runner-up: Ozark Integrated Pest Services Inc.
Second runner-up: Orkin
Best Place to Get a Haircut
Great Clips
greatclips.com/salons/9728
Hair driving you crazy? Ends getting frayed or length too long? Ready for a boost of color or maybe a makeover? This fashion-forward salon offers a variety of hair treatments for men and women, adults and children, and all hair types. Pick up a few professional styling products before you go home to keep your new ‘do looking good.
First runner-up: Salon Down Under
Second runner-up: Shear Heaven
Best Roofing Company
Gardner Roofing Inc.
gardnerroofing.net
When you need to put a roof over your head, this second-generation firm is ready with a skilled crew and quality materials to place the crown on your residential or commercial property. Licensed and fully insured, the nearly two-decade-old company also can be trusted with roof repairs, maintenance and inspections.
First runner-up: Appelhanz Roofing Inc.
Second runner-up: Dovetail Roofing
