The Orange County Voice is devoted to celebrating local excellence in our community. We’ve done that through telling stories. Now, for the first time, we’ve asked you – our readeres – to nominate and vote for members of our community who are doing great things. From local businesses to local leaders and heroes, musicians and locations around the county – here are the Citizens’ Choice 1st Place Gold winners for The Best of Orange 2025. For a list of all winners and finalists, go to https://bestof.orangevirginia.com.

Automotive

Best Auto Dealer: Reynolds Subaru
Best Auto Repair Shop: Orange Tire Inc
Best Auto Shop: Orange Tire Inc
Best Hauling/Towing: Route 20 Towing
Best Mechanic: A&M Repair and Towing

Business

Best Accountant or Bookkeeping Company:
Main Street Accounting Services
Best Bank for Businesses: Atlantic Union
Best Business in Barboursville/Somerset:
The Market at Grelen
Best Business in Locust Grove/Unionville:
Licata Group Real Estate
Best Business in Orange County: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Business in Town of Gordonsville: Patch Brewing Co
Best Business in Town of Orange:
Orange School of Performing Arts
Best Business Person: Steve Speelman
Best Charitable Business: Coopers Cookin and Catering
Best Employee: Megan at East of Maui Kiosk
Best Innovator: Jill Wong
Best Local Agri-Business: Deep Roots
Best Minority Owned Business:
The Orange School of Performing Arts
Best New Business (open for 1 year or less): Orange Diner
Best Photographer: Jackie Lewis Photography
Best Place to Work: Licata Group Real Estate
Best Screen Printing or Embroidery: Onward Customs
Best Tractor Dealership: Virginia Tractor Orange
Best Veteran Owned Business:
Unionville Brewing Company
Best Woman Owned Business: The Hairitage Co

Community

Best Artist: Jessica Thompson (Paint it Orange)
Best Charity Event: Town of Orange Music in the Park
Best Farmer: Wesley Roberts
Best Historical Place: James Madison’s Montpelier
Best Hotel or Motel: The Inn at Willow Grove
Best Local Art Experience: Four County Players
Best Local Cause, Charity or Nonprofit: LOVE Outreach
Best Local Hero: County of Orange Fire & EMS
Best Local Humanitarian: Valencia Bailey
Best Local Inn or Bed & Breakfast Experience:
The Inn at Willow Grove
Best Performing Arts School:
Orange School of Performing Arts
Best Photo Location: James Madison’s Montpelier
Best Place of Worship: Orange Baptist Church
Best Preschool: Orange Presbyterian Weekday School
Best Senior Living or In Home Care: Dogwood Village
Best Summer Camp for Kids: Rounton Farm Summer Camp
Best Teacher: Jennifer Conley

Entertainment

Best Game or Craft Night Host: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Indoor Entertainment: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Karaoke Venue: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Local Band: Cheap Whiskey
Best Local DJ: JD Slade
Best Local Music Venue: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Local Musician: James Tamelcoff
Best Locals Hangout: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Place to Hang with Your Pet: Patch Brewing Company
Best Place to Make New Friends:
Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Place to See Local Music: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard

Food & Drinks

Best Asian: Great Wall Restaurant
Best Bakery: Krecek Cakes
Best Bar Staff: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Barbecue: BBQ Exchange
Best Bartender: Austin Speelman
Best Beer Selection on Tap: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Breakfast: Spoon & Spindle
Best Burger: Innwood Restaurant
Best Cocktails: Main Street Tavern
Best Coffee: East of Maui Kiosk
Best Convenience Store Food: Sheetz Orange
Best Dessert: Spoon & Spindle
Best Fast Casual Dining: La Naranja
Best Food Truck: Patch Brewing Company
Best Fried Chicken: Coopers Cookin’ and Catering
Best Fries: Patch Brewing Company
Best Ice Cream: Moo Thru
Best Local Brewery: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Mexican: La Naranja
Best Mocktail: Forked on Main
Best Outdoor Dining: Patch Brewing Company
Best Pizza: Iron Pipe Alewerks
Best Restaurant Hospitality: El Vaquero West
Best Restaurant in Barboursville/Somerset: Exchange Cafe
Best Restaurant in Locust Grove/Unionville:
Unionville Brewing Company
Best Restaurant in Orange County: Spoon & Spindle
Best Restaurant in Town of Gordonsville: BBQ Exchange
Best Restaurant in Town of Orange: Spoon & Spindle
Best Restaurant for Cleanliness: Spoon & Spindle
Best Romantic Restaurant: Vintage at Willow Grove
Best Salad: Spoon & Spindle
Best Sandwich: Spoon & Spindle
Best Steak: Innwood Restaurant
Best Steak & Cheese: Mamas Pizza
Best Tacos: La Naranja
Best Wings: Main Street Tavern
Best Wine Selection: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Winery: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard

Health & Beauty

Best Dentist: Hale Family Dentistry
Best Fitness Program or Gym: Nxt Move Crossfit
Best Hair Stylist: Brooke Foster
Best Massage Therapy Provider: Beverly B. Thomas
Best Nail Salon: Honey Nails and Spa Locust Grove
Best Physician: Dr. Thomas Wolanski
Best Spa Services: The Hairitage Co
Best Tan or Spray Tan Provider: The Hairitage Co

Home Services

Best Banker: Samantha Alvarado – Truist
Best Bank: UVA CCU
Best Carpenter: Andrew Carpenter
Best Cleaning Service: Squeaky Clean Services
Best Construction Company: Tolbert Contracting Inc
Best Electricians: Inspired Electrical Solutions
Best Exterior Cleaning: Orange County Wash Pros
Best Financial Advisor: Jeff Earnhardt – Edward Jones
Best Flooring Services: JK Carpets
Best General Contractor: Wayner Construction Company
Best Handyman: Tom Sawyer
Best Heating & Air Company: Nixon Heating and Air
Best Home Builder: Casazza Construction
Best Insurance Agent: Todd Feagans
Best Land Surveyor: James Luther Surveying
Best Landscaper: Grelen Nursery
Best Lawn Care: Chiles Landscaping
Best Outdoor Living & Exteriors Contractor:
Heritage Landscape Company
Best Painter: Calvin Williams
Best Patio, Walkways & Stoneworks:
American Custom Concrete, Inc.
Best Pest Control Service: Dodson Pest Control
Best Plumber: Hoffman Plumbing
Best Propane Provider: Tiger Fuel in Orange
Best Roofing Company: Mills Roofing
Best Small Engine Repair: EZ Performance Center, LLC
Best Trash Services: Piedmont Disposal
Best Tree Service: Hoffman Tree Worx LLC
Best Tree Services: Tree Junky Tree Services

Outdoor Recreation

Best Historical Experience: James Madison’s Montpelier
Best Outdoor Recreation Site: Woodberry Forrest
Best Tourist Attraction: James Madison’s Montpelier

Pet Services

Best Non-Vet Pet Services: Beacon Hill Boarding
Best Veterinarian (Person):
Dr. Roberts, Paradocs Animal Hospital
Best Veterinarian Office: Tucker Veterinary

Real Estate

Best Mortgage Agent: Crystal Dudley
Best Mortgage Company: The Dudley Team of ALCOVA Mortgage
Best Real Estate Agent: Dana Amos
Best Real Estate Company: Licata Group Real Estate
Best Real Estate Team: Licata Group Real Estate
Best Title & Closing: Lakeside Title & Escrow LLC

Retail

Best Farm Stand / Local Produce: Darnell’s Garden Patch
Best Farm Supply: Tractor Supply – Orange
Best Gas Station or Mini Market: Edward’s Store
Best Hardware Supply: Sedwicks
Best Nursery / Garden Supply: Deep Roots Home & Garden
Best Place to Browse: The Country Gathering
Best Place to Find a Gift: The Country Gathering
Best Retail Store: The Country Gathering
Most Unique Shopping Experience: Junktiques

Weddings & Events

Best Bachelor / Bachelorette Party Vendor:
Central Virginia Wine Tours & Transportation
Best Cakes: Cakes by Alexis
Best Caterer: Coopers Cookin’ and Catering
Best Festival Venue: Madison at the Mill
Best Florist: Unionville Florist
Best Indoor Event Venue: Madison at the Mill
Best Outdoor Event Venue: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
Best Overall Wedding Venue: The Inn at Willow Grove

To see all results, including silver and bronze place, go to https://bestof.orangevirginia.com

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here