Best Architectural Office
Mills Group
The creative team at Mills Group brings timeless design to buildings all over Morgantown and across West Virginia. The firm’s residential, commercial, public, and interior designs emphasize traditional design principles, vernacular influences, and sustainability. Mills Group is also the state’s go-to firm for historic preservation, restoration, and adaptive re-use, with the West Virginia Veterans’ Memorial at the state Capitol complex and Davis & Elkins College’s Graceland Inn and Halliehurst Mansion in Elkins among its credits. Morgantown projects include the Metropolitan Theatre, Tin 202, and, most recently, the Courthouse Square, completed in 2018. Mills Group moves to High Street downtown in 2019. 63 Wharf Street, 304.296.1010, millsgrouponline.com, @millsgrouponline
Best Day Spa
Tuscan Sun Spa & Salon
Step into the three-story building Tuscan Sun Spa and Salon built in Star City in 2017 and feel your stress start to melt away.
Tuscan is a full-service spa, offering massages in a wide range of techniques as well as facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and waxing services. And check out the long list of medical spa services, including chemical facial peels, permanent make-up, CoolSculpting, and much more—all overseen by a nurse practitioner and registered nurse on staff. Tuscan’s professionals receive regular training on the latest techniques and trends in the industry. Thinking of a treat for your teen or tween? Try a Spa Piccola appointment or party. And stop at the boutique on your way out for salon and spa products, fashions, jewelry, and gifts you won’t find elsewhere in town. 401 Boyers Avenue, Star City, 304.296.1325, plus locations in Fairmont and Clarksburg; tuscanspaandsalon.com, @tuscansunspa
Best Real Estate Agency
Howard Hanna Premier Properties by Barbara Alexander
When Barbara Alexander decided to up her independent firm’s real estate game in the late 1990s, she liked the feel of Howard Hanna—the largest family-owned real estate network in the country and third largest overall. Howard Hanna Premier Properties by Barbara Alexander is a full-service agency; its 50-plus agents consistently maintain the highest number of residential, commercial, and land listings in this market. Alexander attributes that to the monthly publication her office distributes marketing all of their properties; to the nationally recognized Howard Hanna identity and its ethic of community service; and to her own commitment to training and mentoring agents. Alexander and Premier Properties agents uphold the Howard Hanna tradition by being active in local causes and serving on the boards of community organizations and the West Virginia Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. 2800 Cranberry Square, 304.594.0115, morgantownrealestate.com, @hhmorgantown
Best Law Office
Angotti & Straface
Established in 1952, the law firm of Angotti & Straface provides legal representation primarily in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, home and property damage, and family law. Their phones are answered around the clock. 274 Spruce Street, 304.292.4381, angottistrafacelaw.com
Close runners-up
Bowles Rice
125 Granville Square, 304.285.2500, bowlesrice.com
Steptoe & Johnson
1085 Van Voorhis Road, 304.598.8000, steptoe-johnson.com
Best Interior Designer
Greyhouse Design
Raised by a contractor and a designer, Ashley Davis went on to study interior design and architecture. She got experience in settings ranging from high-rise apartments to rural estates then came home to Morgantown and established Greyhouse Design in 2013, where she is lead designer. Residential and commercial clients like Greyhouse’s clean, contemporary aesthetic and bright, open layouts. greyhouse-designs.com
Best Bank
Clear Mountain Bank
Headquartered in Preston County, Clear Mountain Bank has been helping businesses in northern West Virginia open and grow for well over a century—and now in western Maryland, too. The bank’s deep commitment to the communities it serves extends to giving each employee a paid day off work every year to do community service. clearmountainbank.com
Best Accounting Office
Premier Tax Consulting
Most accountants and tax advisers can put the correct numbers in the correct boxes on the tax return, says Premier Tax Consulting owner Danny Fink. But, he says, they offer little in the way of planning that reduces taxes or ongoing support to help a business grow. Premier offers proactive tax advice that minimizes taxes before a return is ever filed. It does both individual and business tax preparation, offering each business client the option of monitoring key performance indicators that point to ways to increase profits and grow the business. 1101 About Town Place, 304.992.7416, premiertaxwv.com
Best Construction Contractor
March-Westin Company
This Morgantown-headquartered firm has completed thousands of projects in six states since it was established in 1984. Among its many awards, March-Westin has received the Associated Builders and Contractors Safety Training Evaluation Process award every year since 1997. The firm plays a major role in Morgantown’s growth: recent high-profile projects include the UClub Sunnyside, The Crossings senior living community north of town, and the new Aquatic and Track Center at Mylan Park. 360 Frontier Street, 304.599.4880, marchwestin.com, @marchwestinco
Best Landscaper
Affordable Landscaping Supplies
Before plants ever go in the ground, all of the yard features need to be in place. That hardscaping is what Affordable Landscaping Supplies does. Carl and Mary Beth Sickles started the company in 2003 to sell flagstone, veneer, and other landscaping materials in bulk and have gradually added other services to meet their market’s needs. Today they employ 16 at the store, in residential landscaping, and in commercial landscape management. Their residential installations—“outdoor living oases,” in Carl Sickle’s words—include everything from patios and paths to outdoor kitchens and their specialty, custom swimming pools. “That’s what separates us from anybody else,” Sickles says. “Pools with waterfalls, aquariums—there’s no one in this area that does what we do as far as water features.” BOM voters agree. 273 Point Marion Road, 304.291.3400, aflswv.com, @aflswv
Best Florist
Coombs Flowers
Even gray, rainy days can’t dampen a bright floral arrangement from Coombs Flowers. Florists at this family-owned High Street shop handcraft each bouquet and gift basket for anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, formals, and those “just because” occasions, and they’re happy to accommodate special requests that make arrangements personal. Local and nationwide delivery options mean Coombs’ fresh blossoms can be enjoyed across the greater Morgantown area and beyond. 401 High Street, 304.292.1571, coombsflowerscom, @coombsflowers
Close runner-up
Zaccagnini Morgantown Florist
735 Chestnut Ridge Road, 304.599.2996, morgantownflorist.com, “Zaccagnini Morgantown Florist” on Facebook
Best Hotel
Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place
When Marriott finished its gradual renovation of the former Waterfront Place Hotel in 2017, it had already become the go-to venue in town for everyone from college parents in for the weekend to organizers of major, multi-day conferences. Its location, convenient to the highways and a short walk or drive to dining and events, has long made it popular. Now, luxurious rooms with up-to-date amenities, a bar and steakhouse that are stylish yet comfortable, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and spa services make this hotel a true landmark in Morgantown hospitality. 2 Waterfront Place, 304.296.1700, marriott.com/mgwmc
Best Caterer
The Lakehouse Restaurant
You probably know The Lakehouse as that place with the big deck at Sunset Beach Marina, the perfect spot for a meal and a cold drink after a hot day on the lake. What you may not know—this is our first year with the Best Catering category—is that The Lakehouse is also a popular caterer for tailgates, company picnics, and other events. The Lakehouse’s extensive catering menu includes a wide range of cold and hot hors d’oeuvres and entrees like lasagna and other family recipe specialties. 165 Sunset Beach Road, 304.594.0088, lakehousewv.com, “The Lakehouse” on Facebook
Contender to watch
Two Fat Cousins
A portion of sales of Two Fat Cousins’ popular BBQ sauces goes to a scholarship for a student in Monongalia County. This kitchen also caters special events and tailgates. 304.290.0360, twofatcousins.com, @twofatcousins
Best Dry Cleaner
Massullo’s Cleaners & Tailors
Dominick Massullo opened a tailor shop on Pleasant Street in 1925. A half-century later, granddaughter Linda Cerone and her generation took the business over at its iconic location on High Street and, much later, opened the drop-off and pick-up location at Suncrest Towne Centre. A family commitment to knowing regulars and to quality service pays off: Massullo’s has been BOM voters’ favorite place for dry cleaning eight years running. Cerone plans to continue running the business at least through its hundredth anniversary, in 2025. 447 High Street, 1068 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, 304.296.5210
Best Graphic Design Services
The Stick Co.
The creative team at The Stick Co. can turn out everything from a memorable logo to an eye-popping vehicle or wall wrap—and all of the content and website services to make your images work for you and your brand. 939 Canyon Road, 304.413.0100, thestickco.com
Best Photographer – TIE
Amberlee Christey
In her decade-plus as a professional photographer, Amberlee Christey’s portrait and lifestyle photography has appeared in more than 25 magazines. She’s a sought-after wedding photographer with hundreds of weddings to her name and also offers newborn, engagement, boudoir, and other lifestyle sessions. 304.216.5903, amberleechristeyphotography.com
Lauren Webster
Lauren Webster has a passion for family documentary photography—preserving the messy, unpredictable day-to-day happenings that, as a mother herself, she knows will slip away too soon and be missed. Clients appreciate her ability to capture family moments that are both mundane and priceless. 304.680.5190, laurenwebsterphotography.com
Best Barber Shop
Classic Cutz
Bilal “Al” Adams opened Classic Cutz on Wall Street in 2011. The hip-hop shop was a hit: He’s since expanded next door and opened another location as well. Not sure? Try it out on $10 Wednesday. 217 and 219 Wall Street; 2001 University Avenue; 304.241.1790, classiccutzwv.com, @classiccutzwv
Contender to watch
John’s Barber Shop & Stylists
John McClead started cutting hair half a century ago. His shop has longtime customers plus a younger clientele who like no-nonsense cuts and shaves from experienced locals with a dab of good-natured banter. 3473 University Avenue, Star City, 304.599.3352
Best Martial Arts Studio
Ground Zero Fighting Systems
Decades of coaching experience and proven training methods make GZFS BOM voters’ favorite for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and more. Men, women, and children, recreation to combat and law enforcement—GZFS welcomes all in a supportive environment. Give it a chance: A two-week trial period is free. 5000 Green Bag Road, 304.290.0615, teamgzfs.com, “Ground Zero Fighting Systems” on Facebook
Best Insurance Agency
Bob Burdette, State Farm Agent
Career insurance man Bob Burdette goes the extra mile with clients, giving them his cell phone number. They use it, too, and he’s happy when they do because it means he’s helping someone who’s truly in distress. He takes particular pride in educating young drivers about road risks before awarding an insurance discount. 1189 Pineview Drive, 304.598.0707, bobburdette.com
Best Personal Trainer
Micki Pauley
Take a look at the Facebook page of health coach Micki Pauley to see the fun mix of exercise, nutrition, and positivity she brings to fitness. Then sign up for her eight-week Warrior Body fitness sessions to see what her clients rave about. 304.549.5648, warriorbody.pro, @warriorbodytraining
Contender to watch
Nancy Bond
Personal trainer Nancy Bond’s Complete Physique online fitness program for women offers group and customized workouts, practical nutrition, and the accountability and support to make it a way of life. completephysique.fitness, @completephysiqueusa
Best Veterinary Clinic
Cheat Lake Animal Hospital
No matter the species or breed, Cheat Lake Animal Hospital cares 24/7 for your beloved pet. This full-service veterinary clinic offers everything from routine check-ups and diagnostic ultrasounds to emergency surgeries and canine rehabilitation. Cheat Lake Animal Hospital also provides grooming and acupuncture to keep Fluffy or Fido in tip-top shape. 286 Fairchance Road, 304.594.1124, cheatlakevets.com, @cheatlakevets
Best Car Dealership
John Howard Motors
Going to a trusty, dependable dealership is just as important as having a trusty, dependable car. With two lots full of new or pre-owned Subarus and Nissans, John Howard Motors tops BOM voters’ list once again. 1730 Mileground Road, 888.377.9734, johnhowardmotors.com
Best House Cleaning Service
Merry Maids
Merry Maids offers one-time, recurringly scheduled, and move-in / move-out house cleaning tailored to each client’s specific needs. Every cleaner receives a weeklong training that’s to the standards of the franchise parent company, and each of them is bonded and insured. 304.212.0523, merrymaidsmorgantown.com
Contender to watch
Green Girl Cleaning
WVU alumna Logan Smith grew up on an organic farm, so her Green Girl Cleaning uses natural cleaning products. Clients appreciate a professional clean and prompt, clear communication. 304.991.1806, greengirlcleaningllc.com, “Green Girl Cleaning LLC” on Facebook
Best Laundromat
Miller’s Laundry
Lots of washers and dryers on two levels, a hand-crank wringer, plenty of carts and clothes-folding table space, food and drink vending machines, and video games—Pac Man, Double Dragon, and Strikers 1945 this winter. The location is central to everything, and there’s more free parking out back. 2753 University Avenue
Best Childcare Center
Morgantown Early Learning Facility
Serving Morgantown for 35 years, Morgantown Early Learning Facility has grown over time to meet the needs of families. Its original site, on Scott Avenue, cares for toddlers up through pre-K. Its more recent second site, off of Green Bag Road, offers before- and after-school, no-school day, and summer care to elementary students through age 12, with transportation to and from Cheat Lake, Eastwood, Mountainview, and Ridgedale elementary schools, Morgantown Learning Academy, and St. Francis Central Catholic School.
Days at Morgantown ELF include structured play and curricula that keep kids’ minds working. Meals are prepared in-house from fresh ingredients and tailored to special dietary needs, and a low child-to-staff ratio allows for individualized attention. 302 Scott Avenue, 304.291.5845; 72 Distributor Drive, 304.241.4632; morgantownelf.com, @morgantownelf
Best Hair Salon
Nico Spalon
Many-time BOM winner Nico Spalon offers the full range of salon services—from cut, color, and style to keratin smoothing and hair extensions. Additional services include bridal hair and makeup and body waxing, and the salon also offers its own line of Nico Spalon hair care products. Owner Nicholas Romanoli places a high priority on mentoring up-and-coming stylists and on continuing education. 80 South Pierpont Road, 304.594.1550, nicospalon.com, @nicospalon
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