Best Convenience Store
Casey’s General Store
caseys.com
The first Casey’s General Store was a converted three-bay garage that opened in July 1968 in Boone, Iowa, to sell gasoline, coffee and a few grocery items. Since then, the company has spread across the nation, with three locations in Topeka. Along with gasoline and convenience items, today’s stores cash in on hot pizza and bakery goods.
First runner-up: Kwik Shop
Second runner-up: Nation Station at Prairie Band Casino & Resort
Best Flooring Store
Carpet One Floor & Home
carpetonefloornhometopeka.com/?storeid=C744&utm;_flooring=FlooringCarpetone_Directo&utm;_campaign=&utm;_medium=dynamic_search&utm;_source=flooringcarpetone&utm;_content=C744
A cooperative with about 1,000 stores around the globe, Carpet One can tap into all the major brands and manufacturers to find exactly what a customer wants in floor coverings, whether it’s carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl or area rugs. Online tools provide design tips and help customers visualize their upgraded spaces.
First runner-up: Capital City Flooring
Second runner-up: Absolute Hardwood Floors
Best Florist
Porterfield’s Flowers and Gifts
porterfieldsflowers.com
Founded in 1965, this Westboro Mart florist shop is a budding example of what happens when classic floral design meets original flair. Its fresh-flower and blooming plant creations have taken center stage at inaugurals, presidential visits, weddings and other special events. Start your weekend out right by picking up some 5-Buck Friday Flowers.
First runner-up: University Flowers
Second runner-up: Dillons
Best Furniture Store
Furniture Mall of Kansas
furnituremallofkansas.com
Since its founding in 1933, this family-owned business has grown from a single store in Emporia to a mall-concept retailer in Topeka that’s home to Mattress Headquarters, Flooring Headquarters and three furniture stores — Discovery Furniture, RoomMakers and Marling’s. A big-store selection can be found, while its legacy of small-store customer service remains.
First runner-up: Nebraska Furniture Mart
Second runner-up: Feldkamp’s Furniture
Best Grocery Store
Dillons
dillons.com
Considered “neighborhood” stores because of their size and short driving distance from shoppers’ homes, the combo food-and-drug supermarket offers the essentials of life — bread, milk, apples, frozen pizza, toilet paper — and specialty items like fresh shrimp, organic bananas, pet supplies and flower bouquets. The grocery store’s hours — 6 a.m. to midnight —cater to early birds and night owls alike.
First runner-up: Topeka Hy-Vee
Second runner-up: Aldi
Best Hobby Store
Hobby Lobby
hobbylobby.com
What began as a $600 start-up in 1970 has evolved into the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer in the world. Walk the store’s wide aisles and you’ll find picture frames, baskets, silk flowers, wedding supplies, fabrics, home decor items, hobby necessities, holiday decorations and other fly-into-the-shopping-cart items. And what’s really spectacular is the prices are family budget-friendly.
First runner-up: Michaels
Second runner-up: Dee & Mee Hobbies
Best Jewelry Store
Calhoun’s Jewelers
calhounsjewelers.com
If you’re looking for something pretty and shiny for a loved one, take a look at the diamond rings, wedding bands, vintage estate jewelry and watches in the display cases at this family-owned and -operated jewelry store. Calhoun’s also makes repairs and uses its CAD software, 3-D printer and casting equipment to custom-make jewelry.
First runner-up: Briman’s Leading Jewelers
Second runner-up: Diamonds by Design
Best Liquor Store
Devlin’s Wine & Spirits
facebook.com/Devlins-Wine-and-Spirits-366371973443521
With two locations, Devlin’s uncorks and pop-tops the city’s largest selection of beers, wine and spirits. The stores have everything you’ll need for your next wedding toast or favorite martini. Customers can attend free “wine of the week” tastings or join the beer and wine clubs to receive information about the store’s latest offerings.
First runner-up: Vern’s Retail Liquor
Second runner-up: Jacs Liquor
Best Motorcycle & RV Dealer
Historic Harley-Davidson
historicharley.com
You’ll want to “hog” the road once you tour the showroom of new and used motorcycles at this nearly 70-year-old Topeka dealership. Street, Sportsters, Dyna, V-Rod, touring and trikes are among its vast inventory. While you’re there, mosey on over to the brand-new Evel Knievel Museum, where the legendary daredevil’s bikes, helmets, clothing and “Big Red” Mack truck-trailer are on display.
First runner-up: Topeka Powersports
Second runner-up: Heritage Tractor
Best New Auto Dealer
Best Tire Store
Best Used Auto Dealer
Best Auto Body and Paint Shop
Best Auto Repair Shop
Best Place for an Oil Change
Ed Bozarth Chevrolet Buick GMC
edbozarthoftopeka.com
Those looking for a new ride — or at least new to them — will find American-built cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles at Ed Bozarth Chevrolet Buick GMC. The longtime Topeka dealership’s lot is packed with quality new and used vehicles — the carrot that entices customers back for repeat purchases. Plus, its tire, body shop and parts/service departments will keep your vehicle on the roadway for years to come.
Best New Auto Dealer
First runner-up: Laird Noller Topeka Ford
Second runner-up (tie): Capital City Nissan of Topeka
Second runner-up (tie): Sharp Honda
Best Tire Store
First runner-up: Performance Tire & Wheel
Second runner-up: Harold’s Tire
Best Used Auto Dealer
First runner-up: Laird Noller Topeka Ford
Second runner-up: Briggs Dodge Ram Fiat
Best Auto Body and Paint Shop
First runner-up: CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts
Second runner-up: College Body Shop
Best Auto Repair Shop
First runner-up: College Body Shop
Second runner-up: Yingling’s Auto Service
Best Place for an Oil Change
First runner-up: Jiffy Lube
Second runner-up: Big O Tires
Best Organic/Health Food Store
Natural Grocers
naturalgrocers.com/store-location/topeka
“Organic” is on all the fresh produce labels at this community grocery store, also known for its dietary vitamins and supplements and promise to keep prices down. Shoppers can reap the benefits of the grocer’s free food demonstrations, healthy-living presentations and one-on-one coaching sessions to learn how to eat better.
First runner-up: Downtown Topeka Farmers Market
Second runner-up: Akin’s Natural Foods
Best Place to Buy Photo Equipment
Wolfe’s Camera Shop
wolfes.com
For 93 years, the downtown bulwark has focused on photos — creating commercial images for 20-plus years before entering the retail sphere with a camera shop and then evolving into today’s electronic specialty store featuring all aspects of photography, video, computer technology and digital imagery.
First runner-up: Best Buy
Second runner-up: Topeka Sam’s Club
Best Place to Buy Sports Apparel
Best Sporting Goods Store
Academy Sports+Outdoors
academy.com/shop/storelocator/kansas/topeka/store-0225
If its goal is to make it easier to enjoy sports and the outdoors, then this retailer hits it out of the ballpark with its wide range of fishing, camping and hunting gear, fitness and golfing equipment, patio sets and barbecue grills. Check out its apparel section for shirts, jackets and other merchandise bearing your favorite sports teams’ logos.
Best Place to Buy Sports Apparel
First runner-up: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Second runner-up: Rally House/Kansas Sampler Topeka
Best Sporting Goods Store
First runner-up: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Second runner-up: Capps Bike Shop & Fitness
Best Tattoo Shop
Fine Line Tattoo & Body Piercing
finelinetopeka.com
Walk in or make an appointment to up your “tat” and body-piercing tally at one of the oldest and most experienced studios in Kansas. Fine Line has a large selection of tattoo designs from which to choose and specializes in custom work, cover-ups, repair and permanent cosmetic tattoos, including eyeliner and eyebrows.
First runner-up: Matryoshka Tattoo
Second runner-up: Looking Glass Tattoo & Gallery
