Readers’ Choice 2018 49

Best Cosmetic Surgeon

Asheville Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

10A Yorkshire Street, Suite D, Asheville

828.277.5400 | DrDraper.com

Dr. Draper has been in private practice since 1992 and specializes in cosmetic surgery.  She is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She believes that the field of cosmetic surgery allows the blending of art and medicine, and she is sensitive to the role of plastic surgery and how a healthy look is part of the total well-being of men and women of all ages. She moved from Dallas, Texas and opened Asheville Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2011. “I love everything about Asheville. It is such a beautiful place and has such wonderful people. Such a great place to raise myfamily,” she says.

Best Dentist

Zöe Dental

10A Yorkshire Street Suite 110, Asheville

828.274.1616 | ZoeDental.com

Dr. Stamatiades, an Asheville native, has deep roots in the Asheville community; his grandparents helped shape the city through contributions to the Greek community; his mother, a retired school teacher, and father, a former pharmacist, dedicate their lives to helping others. Perry learned the importance of caring and compassion from them, and continues to give back through his practice and community activities. After earning his DDS from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2002, he completed a one year residency at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC. His MAGD  title demonstrates an extremely high level of competency, as less than 1% of dentists in the US and Canada achieve this designation. When starting Zöe Dental, Dr. Stamatiades wanted to change the often negative perception of dentistry. By providing a comfort menu of free amenities, hiring team members that truly care about the people they are helping, and delivering exceptional customer service, patients look forward to their dental visits at Zöe Dental.

Best Dermatologist

Biltmore Dermatology

80 Peachtree Road, Suite 106, Asheville

828.232.5222 | BiltmoreDermatology.com

At Biltmore Dermatology, they diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail conditions in patients of all ages. They diagnose and treat a variety of conditions including rashes, psoriasis, skin cancers, lesions, and melanoma. Founded in 2001, Biltmore Dermatology’s expert staff has been helping the patients in the Asheville community address these various conditions for nearly two decades.

Best Optometrist

Asheville Eye Associates

8 Medical Park Drive, Asheville

800.531.3937 | AshevilleEye.com

As one of the leading eye care centers in North Carolina, Asheville Eye Associates has provided expert eye care to the region of Western North Carolina for over 50 years. The surgeons at Asheville Eye Associates are highly experienced and extensively trained, and many are Fellowship trained in specialty areas of ophthalmology. They offer a complete range of surgical eye services, from retinal services to cataract surgery to LASIK surgery.

Best Orthodontist

Blue Ridge Orthodontics

1915 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

828.585.6045 | BlueRidgeOrthodontics.com

Blue Ridge Orthodontics is dedicated to advanced, quality care. Start with a complimentary consultation, where they’ll provide a complete oral exam with x-rays and create a customized plan for you. From comfortable, discreet Invisalign® treatment to conventional braces, their friendly, professional team is there every step of the way. Their extended hours, flexible payment plans and convenient locations make it easy to get started and stay on track with your treatment.

Best Chiropractor

WNC Chiropractic

1998 Hendersonville Road, Suite 12, Asheville

828.687.7779 | WNCChiropractic.com

WNC Chiropractic is a true family chiropractic practice, treating patients of all ages. Their doctors have special training in prenatal and pediatric care, sports medicine, and working with the arms and legs. They also offer a wide variety of supplemental products and services, from spinal decompression and cold laser to herbal supplements and essential oils. At WNC Chiropractic, they strive to provide the best service possible in a friendly and warm environment.

Best Home Builder

Milestone Contracting

7 Ledgestone Drive, Fairview

828.342.8211 | MilestoneContracting.net

Dustin Penland, owner of Milestone Contracting, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration from Western Carolina University (WCU). During his time at WCU, he met his wife, Shawna Penland, who received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Communications with a Concentration in Public Relations. Over the course of ten years, this husband and wife team have used skills gained through their degrees and experience in the building and design industry to expand Milestone Contracting to the reputable, Energy Star Certified custom home business it is today. Their hands-on approach throughout the building process and positive relationships created with each client have proven to be an essential part of their success. “We understand that building a home is a big deal. It takes so much time and there are so many factors involved with each project that it can often be overwhelming,” says Dustin. “Our goal is to make the process enjoyable from start to finish and leave each client with the home of their dreams.”

Best Home Decor AND
Best Interior Design

ID.ology

1056 Haywood Rd, Asheville

828.252.4403 | IDologyAsheville.com

We all want a home we can be proud of, that speaks to us, and beautifully represents who we are. But let’s be real—it’s a big job! Laura K. Sullivan leads her team at ID.ology Interiors & Design in offering a different approach to design than most industry professionals. They take pride in providing the best service and most comprehensive experience in the region, while offering an exceptional value. A holistic passion for one’s life in their home is the foundational drive of ID.ology. Through the selection, design and furnishing processes, clients reap the benefits of their assistance in creating an enjoyable, smooth, fun experience. Designs are customized to speak to the style and personality of each client with timeless sensibility, appealing to a sophisticated aesthetic. Refined yet livable, stylish without sacrificing comfort or health, and expressive of your distinct individuality.

Best Landscaper

Gardens for Living

15 Mary Jane Lane, Swannanoa

828.274.7225 | GardensForLiving.com

Gardens For Living is a landscape design, installation and maintenance company based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Gardens For Living was founded by John Phillips in 1983, fueled by the desire to collaborate with clients to create landscapes that are exceptional in form, function, and beauty. Thirty years later, they continue to design and install landscapes that enhance the lives of clients all over Western North Carolina. They are known for their intuitive design (uniquely created to fit each individual space), creativity throughout the process, and steadfast attention to detail. Your lawn and garden are an extension of your home, and they pour the same skill, creativity, and experience to the outside of your living space as you do inside.

Best Realtor

Town and Mountain Realty

261 Asheland Avenue, Suite 103, Asheville

828.232.2879 | TownAndMountain.com

Town and Mountain Realty is an independent, family-owned real estate company that strives to be a resource to the local community. Their real estate agents and staff pride themselves in service for the good of Asheville and Western North Carolina. This relaxed, people-first approach to real estate sets the tone in Town and Mountain‘s downtown Asheville office, where you probably won’t see anyone in a suit and tie. However, you are likely to meet an agent’s kid or a client’s dog at the office, as it is a family and dog friendly office. By sharing knowledge, adapting to trends and providing quality service, Town and Mountain Realty has successfully guided buyers and sellers in thousands of transactions. A commitment to “The Golden Rule” is at the heart of this company. Town and Mountain Realty is not about the next sale; it’s about doing the right thing and protecting their clients. Ultimately, this business approach has cultivated a company-wide environment of love and support among the agents and staff, the clients they serve and the community as a whole.

Best Heating/Cooling

Gentry Heating and Cooling

100 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa

828.274.2520 | GentryHeatingInc.com

Established in 1963 by Charles Gentry, Jr., Gentry Heating and Cooling began as a family owned and operated business. With Western North Carolina in mind, their focus was to meet the unique home comfort needs of every customer. The company employs 90 people and operates in Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee with a focus on maintenance, repair and new installation for residential homes and commercial buildings. At Gentry, they understand that time is something that everyone values, so it’s their goal to serve each customer with respect for his or her time. With upfront pricing and a multi-tiered sales experience, they honor each customer by allowing them to make decisions. From their humble beginnings to the business that they’ve become, there is one thing that hasn’t changed: the importance of every customer.

Best Architect

John Petri

P.O. Box 550, Arden

828.699.2449 | PetriArchitecture.com

Petri Architecture, PA is a full service architectural firm dedicated to serving its clients the highest degree of design excellence coupled in a friendly yet professional manner. Their mission is to provide their clients with exceptional design, quality service and accurate construction documents in a timely and efficient manner. “I am blessed to be able assist others in the creation of their dream home. I have never sought to create a distinct design style; rather I would like the designs to be perceived as having style. Each and every client regardless of their budget deserves a bit of luxury, and it is our job to provide that for them,” says John O. Petri, AIA.

Best Maid Service

Merry Maids

541 Long Shoals Road, Arden

828.398.0824 | MerryMaids.com

If your busy schedule has left you without the time to clean, don’t fret. Merry Maids of Arden is a trustworthy maid service that can whip your home into shape. Merry Maids home cleaning services are available weekly, every other week, monthly or one-time. On every visit, your Merry Maids team dusts, vacuums, washes and sanitizes each room. Their cleaning services are thorough, consistent and customized.

Best Home Maintenance

Handyman Matters of WNC

4900 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville

828.698.5541 | HandymanMatters.com

Handyman Matters of Western North Carolina has been proudly serving both commercial and residential customers in WNC since 2004. They provide exceptional quality work, performed by experienced, skilled, insured and bonded, mature craftsmen—just ask any one of over 1500 of their past customers! Their commitment is to making sure you can reach them when you need them. Whether it’s during business hours, evenings, nights or weekends, you can depend on reaching Handyman Matters when the need arises. With skills assessments, background and reference checks, they do it all to make sure you will have a craftsman assigned to your project who has the skills to do your job right the first time. Since they do all work on a time + materials basis, you have the option to purchase your own materials if you like.  Whether you are a business owner or homeowner who is looking for quality work at a reasonable price, performed by experienced, courteous and trustworthy professionals, look no further than Handyman Matters of Western North Carolina.

Best Luxury 
Automotive

Jaguar Land Rover Asheville

496 Cardinal Road, Mills River

(888) 694-0581 | LandRoverAsheville.com

Land Rover Asheville in Mills River is your pick for luxury vehicles. They have a strong and committed sales staff with many years of experience satisfying their customers’ needs.

Best Day Spa

Sensibilities Downtown

59 Haywood Street, Asheville

828.253.3222 | Sensibilities-Spa.com

Sensibilities Day Spa was established in 1999 and is Asheville’s oldest spa establishment dedicated to relaxation and wellness. They believe beauty and wellness go hand-in-hand, and therefore provide the finest organic facial treatments featuring Eminence Organic Skincare, natural manicures and pedicures, rejuvenating body treatments and a wide array of therapeutic massage. Their experienced and talented staff members skillfully design and customize your sessions to address your specific needs. In addition to their many spa services, they offer a selection of retail spa products so you can continue your Sensibilities experience at home, including organic skin care, bath and body care and home fragrance. What’s good for our environment is good for you, so all of their products are environmentally friendly and free of harmful chemicals.

Best Financial Wealth Management

Parsec Financial

6 Wall Street, Asheville

828.255.0271 | ParsecFinancial.com

Parsec has a simple, defining mission: To help guide their clients to financial security. They help their clients navigate important financial decisions without ever forgetting the focus of their relationship: the client’s financial future. Their offerings include investment management and financial planning, business retirement plans, trust services and tax services. They’ve been a fee-only registered investment advisor since 1980. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, with offices in Charlotte, Southern Pines, Tryon and Winston-Salem, they serve clients across the nation. Parsec has a significant commitment to charitable giving and supports regional non-profits by dedicating a portion of revenues annually through the Parsec Prize grant program.

Best Fitness Center

YMCA of Western 
North Carolina

3 Town Square Boulevard, Asheville

828.651.9622 | YMCAWNC.org

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is one of the area’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Y serves Buncombe, Henderson, and McDowell counties, engaging more than 37,000 households through membership, programs, and child care. Regardless of age, income, or background, they nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the area’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. Deeply anchored in Western North Carolina, the YMCA has been developing lasting personal and social change in the community for more than 125 years.

Best Hair Salon

ananda

22 Broadway, Asheville

828.232.1017

37 Payne’s Way, Asheville

828.237.2444 | AnandaHair.com

Ananda hair studio opened in 1995 to create a space in Asheville for artists to harness their strengths, to do great hair, and to give back to the community. It was important to them to be around other artists and to feed off all the creative energy in this region, so when the ananda family grew in April of 2013, they chose a spot in the heart of the River Arts District for a second location—ananda west. For 22 years, it has been ananda’s mission to grow along with our vibrant community, through education-based styling with sustainable product lines, meaningful service, and partnerships with local organizations and non-profits. They want to be part of the conscious community that they serve. Their goal is always to create a great experience, to serve, to educate, to inspire, and to help people feel amazing.

Best Jeweler

Jewels That Dance

63 Haywood Street, Asheville

828.254.5088 | JewelsThatDance.com

The first of its kind in downtown Asheville, Jewels That Dance opened in April 1983 as a tiny studio space and retail shop that exclusively sold jewelry by designer goldsmith Paula Dawkins. Paula soon welcomed a partner, Carol Schniedewind, and with Paula and Carol’s vision for growth and commitment to community, Jewels That Dance was soon established as an Asheville landmark with a name synonymous with quality craftsmanship. Many locals consider Jewels That Dance to be their “neighborhood store” with a prestigious reputation and comfortable ambiance. While a lot has changed at Jewels That Dance over the past few decades, the heart and soul of the business has stayed the same.

Best Private School

Asheville Christian Academy

74 Riverwood Road, Swannanoa

828.581.2200 | AshevilleChristian.org

ACA, the largest independent school in Western North Carolina, is a private Christian school serving over 700 students from preschool through 12th grade on a 53 acre campus and is accredited by the Advanc-ED and the Association of Christian Schools International. Asheville Christian Academy, in committed partnership with Christian parents, provides a Gospel-centered education to shepherd and inspire Christ-oriented lives within a community of grace. The upper school offers 13 AP classes, 40 honors courses, and 6 dual enrollment. A Winterim experience is also offered each year where students grade 9-12 may choose between a special course offering, an internship, or a trip. 100% of 2017 high school graduates went on to collegiate studies.

Best Insurance

AssuredPartners

1200 Ridgefield Boulevard, Suite 254, Asheville
828.258.2663 | AssuredPartners.com

AssuredPartners, formerly Webb Insurance, has been a part of the Asheville community for close to 100 years. As the fastest-growing independent insurance agency in the U.S, AssuredPartners offers clients localized solutions and support with the resources of a national company. Offering property and casualty, employee benefits, and personal insurance, AssuredPartners also has many industry specialties that include writing insurance for breweries and restaurants, non-profits, as well as public entities.

Best Retirement

Givens Estates

2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville

828.274.4800 | GivensEstates.org

Givens Estates is a Life Plan Community located on a spectacular 215 acre campus in South Asheville. The community features many amenities and conveniences such as five miles of hiking trails, a 2100-square-foot woodworking shop, gardens, art studios, flexible dining options, and so much more. Opportunities are abundant for residents to volunteer and focus on spending time doing the things they love.

Best Dessert/Bakery

Well-Bred Bakery & Café

26 North Main Street, Weaverville

828.645.9300

6 Boston Way, Asheville

828.774.5307 | WellBredBakery.com

Well-Bred is an award-winning bakery and café enjoyed daily by locals and tourists alike. Founded in 2002, Well-Bred offers two locations: the original Weaverville store located 20 minutes north of Asheville, and South Asheville’s Biltmore Village shopping location, just minutes from the historic Biltmore Estate. Both locations offer unexpected delights both sweet and savory. With luscious pastries, gourmet food, fabulous breakfast treats, plus locally roasted coffee, just making a decision is going to be your biggest problem! Vegan and gluten-free options are also available, so there’s something everyone can enjoy.

Best Brewery

Highland Brewing Company

12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville

828.299.3370 | HighlandBrewing.com

Asheville’s oldest and largest brewery, Highland Brewing Company offers a variety of year-round, seasonal and small-batch brews, available at bars and stores across the country and in their South Asheville brewery and tasting room. For more, check out the editorial “Raising the Bar” on page 12.

Best Fine Dining

Posana

1 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville

828.505.3969 | PosanaRestaurant.com

For nearly ten years, Posana has served upscale, contemporary American food in a relaxed setting in historic downtown. For more, check out the editorial “With Great Care” on page 26.

Best Casual Dining

White Duck Taco

12 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville

828.232.9191 | WhiteDuckTacoShop.com

Ben Mixson and Laura Reuss opened up in the White Duck taco shop in 2011 in the River Arts District. “White Duck” is Laura’s nickname that graces their business. She was called “La Pata Blanca,” the white duck, by her coworkers for her excited, animated kitchen chatter and her blonde hair. The team launched their business based on the taco as the canvas for the palette of the world cuisines. Their tacos are both traditional and modern. Threads of authenticity invigorate their creative in-season approach to these tacos. Line up at the counter, read the chalkboard menu, place an order, and enjoy some of the best tacos Asheville delivers.

Best Vet

Animal Hospital of North Asheville

1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville

828.253.3393 | AHNA.net

Animal Hospital of North Asheville is a full service veterinary practice serving the dogs and cats of Asheville, Weaverville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, and all of Western North Carolina since 1977. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics, they provide your pet with the highest quality affordable care while always using love and compassion as a guide. They emphasize wellness care, such as yearly exams and vaccines, along with medical and emergency care. The hospital provides surgical services, two veterinarians devoted entirely to dentistry, 24-hour nursing care for hospitalized patients, and is well-equipped with the latest in equipment and technology. They provide your pet with gentle, loving care using the Fear Free philosophy. Your dog, cat, puppy, or kitten will benefit from their expertise and you can rest easy knowing that your pet is receiving the best care available in WNC from a staff that is devoted to your pet’s well-being.

Best Dog Care/Grooming

The Soapy Dog

270 Depot Street, Asheville

828.350.0333 | TheSoapyDog.com

At The Soapy Dog, they offer overnight boarding, daycare, full service grooming and do-it-yourself dog washing. As a small facility, one of the advantages of a lower-volume kennel is their ability to maximize their individualized interaction with each and every dog in their boarding and daycare programs. Play groups are kept small and are intentionally created to suit the diverse personalities of the four-legged friends. This also creates a low-stress environment where your furry family members can feel at home and allows their staff to truly bond with each and every creature they come in contact with. They also provide one-on-one grooming services where the specific needs of each dog are met with a gentle hand and lots of patience. Whether the visitor is a new puppy coming in for the first time, a shelter dog with trust issues or a senior pup, all are warmly welcomed.