Best Of: Local business
1. Seniors & Co.
Some adults need a little extra help during the day, but not in the form of a nursing home. That's where Seniors & Company comes in. The adult daycare service keeps elderly and disabled adults from entering a nursing facility prematurely. State licensed and Medicaid-certified, Seniors & Company serves an average of 50 adults per day, ages 18 and older. For more information, visit www.seniorsandco.com or call 636-926-2121.2. Nurses & Co.
3. St. Peters Adult Day Care
Best antiques
1. Oma's Barn Home & Garden
Oma's Barn Home & Garden at 1057 Highway 79, less than two miles north of Interstate 70, offers seasonal shopping in a renovated, 100-year-old barn from March 1 to Dec. 24. For more information, log on to www.omasbarn.com or call 636-278-4445.
2. St. Charles Antique Mall
3. French Connection
Best appliances
1. Maytag
The repairman in the famous commercial may be lonely, but Maytag is popular among Journal readers. The Maytag Store at 331 Costco Way in St. Peters sells the brand-name appliances. Customers are able to test the products before buying them. Maytag stores also are known for their children's play areas at each of their locations.
2. Sears
3. American
Best audiologist
1. Hearing Center of St. Charles County
Dr. Kelly Gessert takes great pride in being recognized throughout the county for work in audiology. The Hearing Center, once again voted No. 1 in this category by Journal readers, is located at 318 M Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters. For more information, call 636-397-6966.
2. Midwest ENT
3. John Bonacorsi
Best auto body shop
1. Don's Auto Body
Now in its third generation in the collision repair industry, Don's Auto Body, 1420 N. Second St. in St. Charles, continues to be our readers' choice in this category. Don's boasts a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. For more information, log on to www.donscollisionrepair.com or call 636-946-8949.
2. Mudd Auto Body
3. I-70 Auto Body
Best auto repair
1. (tie) Royce Woods, Dan's
Journal readers were equally impressed with two automotive repair facilities. Royce Woods Automotive tied for first place in this category with Dan's Foreign Auto Repair. Providing all general repairs and services since 1977, Royce Woods is located at 7325 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Peters. Call 636-397-2722 for more information. Specializing in foreign auto parts, Dan's Foreign Auto Repair is located at 700 W. Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville. The shop's phone number is 636-332-8120.
2. (tie) Country Club, Don's
3. Safeway
Best bakery
1. Mid-Towne IGA
Mid-Towne IGA, 317 Hawthorne in St. Charles, has prided itself on its friendly customer service since 1984. But this friendly neighborhood grocer offers more than your typical grocery fare. Journal readers again voted the store's bakery as the best in St. Charles County. For more information, call 636-946-3898.
2. Heaven Scent
3. French Gourmet
Best bank
1. Commerce Bank
Whether saving, borrowing or investing, Commerce Bank covers everything money. This bank has been voted the best in St. Charles County by Journal readers, and it has seven banking centers in the county. The bank's Web site - commercebank.com - lets members use online banking services, locate a branch or ATM or find out more about the history of Commerce Bank, which traces its roots to 1865 Kansas City. The legacy seems to be continuing.
2. First State Bank
3. US Bank
Best barbershop
1. Harvester Barber Shop
This shop at 515 Jungermann Road is popular among local residents, as indicated by its repeat as the No. 1 choice in its category. You can call 636-447-9887 for an appointment.
2. Custom Cuts
3. Hawthorne Hills Barber Shop
Best bookstore
1. Barnes & Noble
Bookworms in St. Charles County delight in the selection at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Located at 320 Mid Rivers Center Drive in St. Peters, the bookstore sells books, DVDs, music, textbooks, office accessories and more. The location occasionally hosts book-related events, and the company coordinates several book clubs. Its Web site - www.bn.com - offers online ordering and more information about Barnes & Noble. Call the St. Peters location at 636-278-1118.
2. Borders
3. Main Street Books
Best bowling alley
1. Plaza Lanes
When Journal readers go bowling, they like to do it at Plaza Lanes, voted the best bowling alley in St. Charles County. Plaza Lanes, 506 Droste Road in St. Charles, offers everything you would want out of the bowling experience - automatic scoring, open play on weekends and bumper bowling. Call 636-724-1350 or 636-946-3230 for more information.
2. St. Charles Lanes
3. Harvester Lanes
Best bridal shop
1. David's Bridal
David's Bridal is the nation's leading bridal retailer with more than 240 stores nationwide, including our readers' local favorite at 5858 Suemandy in St. Peters. David's features wedding gowns, dresses and accessories for the entire wedding party. Visit www.davidsbridal.com or call 636-279-9055 for more information.
2. (tie) Priscilla's, Wedding Gallery
3. Elite Bridal
Best carpet cleaning
1. Sam's Carpet Cleaning
For commercial or residential carpet cleaning needs, you can contact Sam's Carpet Cleaning, located at 226 Howard St. in St. Charles; or call 636-949-8229. In addition to carpets, they also clean furniture, area rugs and air ducts. They also are available for emergency water-damage restoration.
2. Stanley Steamer
3. Corgans Carpet Cleaner
Best chiropractor
1. Dr. Patricia Rothermich
This is the ninth consecutive year our readers have voted Dr. Rothermich as best chiropractor. The office is at 1027 S. Duchesne Drive in St. Charles and can be reached at 636-723-4554.
2. Terrigno Family Chiropractic
3. Health First
Best coffee shop
1. Starbucks
It wasn't long ago there wasn't a Starbucks to be found in St. Charles County. Now there are several, and the chain of stores is a repeat winner in this category. Visit www.starbucks.com for more information.
2. Chocolate Cafe
3. Crooked Tree
Best day care
1. Elm Point Early Childhood Center
The nationally accredited Elm Point Early Childhood Center has been voted the No. 1 child day care service. Recognized by Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, Elm Point aims to understand and meet the needs of children. Its mission is to provide comprehensive early education and school-age programs in which children are encouraged to explore, question and discover. Located at 3601 Mueller Road, in the Elm Point Industrial Park. Call 636-916-4041.
2. Little Guppy
3. KinderCare
Best day spa
1. Salon De Christe
The ultimate salon and day spa, Salon De Christe, received the most votes for not only day spa, but also for the best hair salon in St. Charles County. Its facilities feature private spa rooms, an expansive hair color center, a nail area and semi-private pedicure spas. Sit back and relax at one of the salon's two centers - 3901 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters or 2880 W. Clay in St. Charles, which also has a private function room. Go to www.salondechriste.com for more information.
2. Reflections
3. Spa WingHaven
Best deck company
1. St. Charles Fence & Deck
St. Charles Fence & Deck Co. is located at 8485 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O'Fallon. For more information, call 636-240-4935. Journal readers also voted St. Charles Fence & Deck as the No. 1 fence company in St. Charles County.
2. Custom Design Fence
3. Rustique
Best dry cleaner
1. Band Box Cleaners
It's no surprise that a company that has stayed in business for 79 years expanded to include six locations, developed a strong base of loyal customers, and retained its No. 1 ranking. Owner Dan Honerkamp's grandfather, Alfred "Pret" Honerkamp, opened the business on St. Charles' Main Street in 1928. That store later relocated to its current home at 200 N. Kingshighway (636-724-6100). Other locations include: 1013 S. Duchesne Drive in St. Charles (636-724-3095), 1036 Country Club Road in St. Charles (636-724-0399), 394 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters (636-278-3063), 935 Highway K in O'Fallon (636-980-1201) and 1403 Lake Saint Louis Blvd. (636-625-3924).
2. American Cleaners
3. Personal Care Cleaner
Best electrician
1. Loveland Home Services
Loveland, 450 St. Peters Road, offers 60-minute emergency service every day of the year. In business for more than 30 years, the company also boasts rates determined by the job, not the hour. For more information, visit www.lovelandelectric.com or call 636-926-7677.
2. Bell
3. Pfaff
Best fence company
1. St. Charles Fence & Deck Co.
2. Custom Design Fence
3. Fence Depot
Best fitness/weight loss
1. Curves for Women
Curves likes to say it is helping women throughout St. Charles County reach their fitness goals 30 minutes at a time. The women-only workout facilities provide standard circuit-training routines that alternate strength training and aerobic activity. Log on to www.curves.com for more information.
2. Club Fitness
3. Weight Watchers
Best florist
1. Buse's Flower & Gift Shop
A family owned business since 1966 and spanning three generations, Buse's Flower & Gift Shop Inc. prides itself on being one of the largest shops of its kind in the metropolitan area. This is the fifth year our readers have voted for Buse's, located at 333 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. For more information, visit www.busesflowershop.com or call 636-724-0148.
2. Parkview Gardens
3. Dierberg's
Best frame shop
1. Michael's
Michael's has a broad assortment of products, knowledgeable and friendly associates, in-store events, classrooms and instructional displays. Visit Michaels.com for the location near you.
2. Framer's Gallery
3. Hobby Lobby
Best funeral home
1. Baue Funeral Homes
Since 1935, and for three generations of family ownership, Baue Funeral Homes has been honoring life. Arthur C. Baue established the business, now under the direction of Lisa Baue, owner and president. The company operates Baue Funeral and Memorial Center, 3950 W. Clay St. in St. Charles, and Baue Funeral Homes at 620 Jefferson St. in St. Charles and 311 Wood St. in O'Fallon. The West Clay location includes a crematory, a flower and gift shop and St. Charles Memorial Gardens. Each year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, Baue and local veterans organizations host a special service at the cemetery in honor of St. Charles County veterans. Visit www.baue.com or call 636-946-7811 or 636-940-1000.
2. Paul
3. Stygar
Best furniture store
1. Rothman
In addition to its location at 2101 E. Terra Lane in O'Fallon, Rothman has six other stores in the St. Louis area. Rothman has operated in the region since 1927 and is now run by third- and fourth-generation family members Dale and Jay Steinback.
2. Ashley
3. Weekends Only
Best hardware/lumber store
1. Hackmann Lumber and Home Centers
Doing business in the St. Charles area since 1945, Hackmann is a full-service operation with 14 delivery trucks to serve counties in Missouri and Illinois. Locally, Hackmann centers are at 3030 S. Highway 94 in St. Peters (636-441-0100), 2601 Highway K in O'Fallon (636-240-8360) and 390 E. Wood St. in Troy (636-528-8480). You'll even find a remodeled showroom at its Highway 94 location.
2. Lowe's
3. Jehling Hardware & Paint Co.
Best hair salon
1. Salon De Christe
2. Custom Cuts
3. Beauty World
Best heating and cooling
1. Jerry Kelly
Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., 800 N. Second St. in the historic Frenchtown neighborhood of St. Charles, remains the most popular choice of Journal readers in this category. This family owned and operated business has been providing service and installation work for its customers since Jerry Kelly started the company in 1977. Visit www.JerryKelly.com or call 636-946-4313 for more information.
2. Loveland
3. Faszold
Best hobby shop
1. Mark Twain Hobby Center
Considering its longstanding place in the community, it comes as no surprise that Mark Twain Hobby Center, 2793 W. Clay St. in St. Charles, remains the popular choice in this category. For more than 30 years, Mark Twain Hobby Center has stocked radio-controlled aircraft and vehicles, electric trains and model railroading supplies and plastic and wood models and supplies. If you can't find it in the store, Mark Twain Hobby Center has more than 70,000 items available from its Web site, www.hobby1.com. For more information, call 636-946-2816.
2. Hobby Lobby
3. Michael's
Best health food
1. Nutrition Stop
The Nutrition Stop, 4101 Mexico Road in St. Peters, has been doing business in St. Charles County for more than 20 years. The store has tripled in size since opening in January 1986. Visit www.nutritionstop.com for more information.
2. GNC
3. O'Fallon Nutrition
Best homebuilder
1. T.R. Hughes
T.R. Hughes Inc., voted best homebuilder in St. Charles County for the eighth consecutive year, continues to be one of the fastest growing builders in the area. Tom Hughes, president of T.R. Hughes Inc., recently was elected the 74th president of the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri. Hughes' company is headquartered at 239 Fox Hill Road in St. Charles. Call 636-940-9300 or visit wwwtrhughes.com for more information.
2. Griffey Homes
3. Tom Johnson
Best home decor
1. The White Hare
The White Hare, 3070 WingHaven Blvd. at the Lakeside Shoppes at WingHaven, boasts accessories and gift items you likely won't find in big-box or department stores, and employees are ready to help you make the right selection for your home. For more information, visit www.thewhitehare.com or call 636-561-4611.
2. Gordman's
3. Rose Roberts Interiors
Best home health care
1. BJC
BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and its organization was voted No. 1 for home health care in St. Charles County. Its local affiliate is Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, located at 10 Hospital Drive. The hospital is home to a Siteman Cancer Center, Surgery Center, Breast Health and Women's Center, Vascular Interventional Center and Cardiology Center, plus is expanding to add 64 patient beds by 2014. The hospital also offers a range of classes, home care and other services and volunteer opportunities. Visit the hospital's Web site at www.bjsph.org or call 636-916-9000 for more information.
2. Nurses & Co.
3. Angels on Duty
Best hospital
1. SSM St. Joseph
In recent years, SSM St. Joseph Health Care expanded its presence in St. Charles County with construction of SSM St. Joseph Medical Park in St. Peters and acquisition of the former Crossroads Regional Hospital (now called SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville), to go along with SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis. St. Joseph Health Center is one of St. Charles' largest employers. The health care alliance Premier recognized the hospital this year for its heart attack care. SSM's campuses in St. Charles, St. Peters and Lake Saint Louis were joint recipients of the 2005 Missouri Quality Award from Excellence in Missouri Foundation.
2. BJC
3. St. Luke's
Best hotel
1. Hilton Garden Inn
The Hilton Garden Inn, 2310 Technology Drive in O'Fallon, is located next to WingHaven Country Club in the rapidly growing Highway 40 corridor and minutes from the National Equestrian Center. For more information, call 636-625-2700.
2. Embassy Suites
3. Holiday Inn
Best insurance agent
1. Ben Fischer Insurance
Ben Fischer with Allstate Insurance is located at 326-A Sonderen in O'Fallon, and can be reached by calling 636-240-5099.
2. Aubuchon
3. Holly Stiffler-Wilson
Best jewelry store
1. Randy's Jewelry Inc.
This repeat winner has long been a fixture in the O'Fallon business community and a popular choice among area residents looking for the ring or other item that best fits their needs. Located at 309 Main St., the store also can be reached at (636) 978-1953.
2. Walters
3. Paul Stuart
Best landscaper
1. Daniel's Farm & Greenhouse
Daniel's is located at 352 Jungermann Road in St. Peters. For more information, call 636-441-5048. Journal readers also selected Daniel's as the No. 1 nursery.
2. Bob & Paul's
3. (tie) American, Picture Perfect
Best marketing company
1. (tie) EB Tide, SEO Gateway
St. Charles County residents decided EB Tide Marketing, located on First Capitol Drive in St. Charles, and SEO Gateway tied for this distinction.
SEO Gateway, 1137 N. Main St. in O'Fallon, is a search engine optimization firm focusing on ensuring clients' Web sites show up first when potential customers conduct a Google search.
2. Anchor Communications
3. Synergy
Best martial arts
1. Kuk Sool Won
Kuk Sool Won, located at 1 E. Sutters Mill Road in St. Peters, has featured traditional Korean martial arts since 1974. Kuk Sool Won is licensed and certified by the World Kuk Sool Association. For more information and special rates for families, visit www.kswstlouis.com or call 636-928-0035.
2. Hapkido-Wentzville
3. World Martial Arts Academy
Best meat market
1. Mannino's Market
Mannino's Market, 5205 Highway N in Cottleville, is once gain the most popular choice in this category among Journal readers. Mannino's offers cuts of meat and much more, including the pies that local residents rave about. For more information, call 636-441-7775.
2. Valenti's
3. IGA
Best mortgage company
1. Premier Mortgage
In a difficult period for the housing market, a good mortgage company is an important find. St. Charles County residents decided this was their preferred location. Premier Mortgage Solutions, 4135 Mexico Road in St. Peters, rose above the competition in this category. You can reach Premier Mortgage by calling 636-442-5088.
2. Countrywide
3. Wells Fargo
Best mufflers
1. Midas
With more than 45 years of muffler experience, Midas offers same-day service with no appointments necessary. Check their Web site at www.midas.com for a St. Charles County location near you.
2. Fred's
3. Meineke Car Care Center
Best neighborhood bar
1. Duchesne Bar & Grill
For a place to kick back after work, grab a good cheap meal or partake in some karaoke, visit Duchesne Bar & Grill, 1001 S. Duchesne Drive in St. Charles. Readers voted the establishment as the best neighborhood bar. For burgers, brats, chicken, pork or shrimp at extremely reasonable prices, plus inexpensive drinks, the bar and grill has become a favorite. Karaoke is offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 636-947-0920 for more information.
2. Corner Bar
3. B. Hall's
Best nursery
1. Daniel's Farm & Greenhouse
2. Hackmann
3. Hansen's Tree Service
Best optical store
1. St. Charles Optical
Clearly a longtime favorite of local residents, St. Charles Optical Co. opened on North Main Street in St. Charles in 1948. Now located at 1001 Fairgrounds Road, just off Boone's Lick Road, St. Charles Optical features fast and friendly service in addition to thousands of frames. It also has its own lab to do repairs and fill prescriptions. For more information, call 636-724-2570.
2. Crown Optical
3. Clarkson Eyecare
Best pawn shop
1. St. Charles Pawn Shop
Looking to trade in some old jewelry or browse a selection of secondhand items? Located in a bustling part of St. Charles, St. Charles Pawn Shop has been voted the best pawn shop in the county by Journal readers. Its address is 1015 S. Fifth St. in St. Charles and the phone number is 636-946-6618.
2. Zander's
3. Extreme Pawn
Best pet grooming
1. The Dog Spa
Dog owners like to pamper their pet at The Dog Spa, which offers grooming, daycare and a pet boutique. Try one of two locations: 500 Jungermann Road in St. Peters (636-936-0909) or 18 Hawks Nest Plaza in St. Charles (636-723-3647).
2. PetsMart
3. Dogs We Do Kittys Too Grooming
Best pet shop
1. PetsMart
PetsMart Inc. is the largest specialty retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. Visit www.petsmart.com for store information in St. Charles County.
2. Petco
3. Pets Plus
Best pottery studio
1. The Painted Pot
The Painted Pot wants families to express their creativity through ceramics, pottery, mosaics and paint. And families must be answering the call, as The Painted Pot has opened a second location. With studios at 3812 Monticello Plaza and on Highway K in O'Fallon one mile from Highway 40, residents voted the business as the best place to create. Go to thepaintedpotstl.com for more information.
2. The Painted Zebra
3. Plank Road
Best preschool
1. Little Guppy
Little Guppy, in St. Charles, has programs for children from infancy to 5 years old. Its Angelfish program, for children up to 18 months, is perhaps unique in that it teaches sign language in tandem with verbal skills. According to the school, such a program enhances verbal skills. The school's programs for children ages 24 to 40 months also add Spanish-language instruction. The school also offers programs for school-aged children and programs before and after school.
2. (tie) Elm Point, Happy Time
3. Faith United
Best printing company
1. Goellner Printing
This longtime fixture at 301 S. Main St. in St. Charles is family owned and operated. The general commercial printer specializes in printing newsletters and menus. For more information, call 636-946-7088.
2. Kinko's
3. Office Max
Best quilt shop
1. Patches, etc.
Selected as one of the top 10 quilt shops in the country by Better Homes & Garden magazine, Patches, etc offers more than quilts. The shop at 337 S. Main St. in St. Charles boasts quilts, fabric and patterns. Visit www.patches3.com for more information or call 636-946-6004.
2. Design Quilt
3. Blessings
Best retirement home
1. Delmar Gardens
This 95,000-square-foot retirement community on a 25-acre site at 7068 Highway N in O'Fallon has 100 assisted-living units and is noted for its luxury. Delmar Gardens includes a day care center, courtyard playground, activity center, spa, fitness center, beauty shop and ice cream parlor. The facility is the former Ellisville Health Care Center and was a $12 million project by Delmar Gardens Enterprises of Chesterfield. When acquired in 2000, the facility became the company's first St. Charles County location.
2. Parkside Meadows
3. St. Peters Manor
Best roofing
1. Arrowhead
Arrowhead, located at 13 Guenther Blvd. in St. Peters, offers full-service roofing, doors and siding, and is open on Saturdays. For more information, call 636-970-1976.
2. American Restoration Contractors
3. Contractors Roofing
Best sealant company
1. SealMaxx
SealMaxx, 723 Woodlawn Ave. in O'Fallon, provides wood, concrete and masonry sealant services. The company has done pavement work for the Casino Queen. Other projects include the Wentzville Veterinary Clinic and Innsbrook Chalets. The company does work across the St. Louis metropolitan area in both Missouri and Illinois. The company can be reached at 636-696-2922.
2. CJ Sealing
3. Metro Paving
Best shoe store
1. Gene's Shoes
Journal readers voted this longstanding fixture of North Main Street in St. Charles as the best shoe store in St. Charles County. Gene's Shoes, 126 N. Main St., wants to be your shoe connection, offering a variety of shoe styles and accessories for men and women, with an emphasis on comfort and service. Call 636-946-1652 or go to genesshoes.com for more information.
2. Payless Shoes
3. Heart & Sole
Best tire company
1. Plaza Tire
This St. Louis metropolitan area tire service has multiple St. Charles County locations, from St. Charles to O'Fallon. Plaza's services include alignment and tire changes. Visit www.plazatireservice.com for more information.
2. Safeway
3. Dobbs
Best tobacco store
1. Dirt Cheap Cigarettes, Beer & Liquor
When it comes to shopping for tobacco, St. Charles County residents like it cheap, Dirt Cheap. They voted Dirt Cheap Cigarettes, Beer & Liquor as the best tobacco shop in the county. With four locations - 13902 N. Highway 67 in West Alton (63386), 1495 Kisker Road in St. Peters, 3840 W. Clay in St. Charles and 708 Highway K in O'Fallon - the Dirt Cheap name has a local presence.
2. John Dengler
3. Welcome Smokers
Best transmission
1. AAMCO Transmissions
AAMCO Transmissions has been voted No. 1 for the 10th consecutive year. In business for more than 40 years, AAMCO offers the promise of thoroughly explaining their service before they start doing the work. Visit www.aamco.com for locations and store hours.
2. Cottman
3. (tie) Shepherds, Frenchtown
Best travel agent
1. Just Cruises
Also known as the cruise nuts, Just Cruises sells vacations by land or by sea. The company's locations cover everything from the horn of Africa to the Caribbean to a colder choice, Alaska. Just Cruises is an official cruise dealer for Cruise Line International Association. Located at 521 Salt Lick Road in St. Peters, Just Cruises also can be reached on its Web site - www.cruisenut.com - or by calling 636-970-2581.
2. Gulliver's
3. AAA
Best upholsterer
1. Mark's Upholstery
Mark's Upholstery, 2048 Old Highway 79 in O'Fallon, continues to be the most popular choice among our readers in this category. For more information, call 636-281-4959.
2. Riverside
3. Dr. Vinyl
Best vacuum shop
1. AAA Vacuum
Located at 120 W. Terra Lane in O'Fallon, AAA Vacuum sells new and used vacuums and accepts trade-ins. The shop also offers one-day service for repairs. For a free estimate, call 636-240-1559.
2. Kirby
3. Oreck
Best welding supplies
1. CeeKay Supply
CeeKay is an independent supplier of industrial gases, welding equipment and supplies with seven retail locations, including one at 927 W. Terra Lane in O'Fallon. For more information, visit www.ceekay.com or call 636-272-3400.
2. Praxair
3. Dyer
Best wig shop
1. A Plus Wigs and Cuts
A Plus Wigs and Cuts, 63 Charleston Square in St. Peters, offers more than just wigs and hairpieces. For more information, call 636-441-4748.
2. Ivie's Hair Replacement
3. A's Hairpiece and Wigs
