Best Bank
WASHINGTON TRUST BANK
"What's your awesome?" runs Washington Trust's latest advertising tagline. Well, it turns out that a lot of people's awesome is Washington Trust Bank itself. That's why they singled out this longstanding (118 years young!), community-minded and proudly privately owned Northwest financial institution as their No. 1 pick for all things banking. (EJI)
2nd PLACE: Banner Bank; 3rd PLACE: Mountain West Bank
Best Jewelry
JEWELRY DESIGN CENTER
Jewelry has the potential to be about a lot more than glittering gems and precious metals. It can also have tons of sentimental value. Whether you're restoring an heirloom that's been in the family for generations or creating something entirely new, the skilled craftspeople at Jewelry Design Center don't overlook that important emotional component. Maybe that's what makes this family-owned business a repeat favorite in its field. (EJI)
2nd PLACE: Pounder's Jewelry; 3rd PLACE: Veda Lux; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Clark's Diamond Jewelers, Coeur d'Alene
Best Hotel
THE HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL
Let's face it, the Historic Davenport Hotel is going to be awfully hard to beat when you're talking top local hotels. Like the Monroe Street Bridge and the clock tower in Riverfront Park, it's an iconic landmark that's pretty much inextricably linked to Spokane's identity. The clincher is that it's also known for its uncompromising approach to quality — from its signature mattress to its namesake soft peanut brittle. (EJI)
2nd PLACE: The Davenport Grand Hotel; 3rd PLACE: Northern Quest Hotel; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: The Coeur d'Alene Resort
Best Pet Groomer
Best Pet Boutique
THE YUPPY PUPPY
Pet parents trust the Yuppy Puppy for always having their fur kids' best interests at heart, from stocking the best quality, all-natural food, supplies and toys, to hiring the area's best groomers and doggie daycare handlers. The one-stop shop has two Spokane locations, downtown and north side; both have self-service dog wash stations and everything else your beloved pets need (or don't need, but get spoiled with anyway). Make sure to follow the Yuppy Puppy on Instagram (@theyuppypuppy) for photos of the goodest boys and girls around. For the cat people, both locations have resident shop kitties: Princess Gwen (north) and Boinks (downtown). (CS)
BEST PET GROOMER
2nd PLACE: Dapper Dog Pet Parlor; 3rd PLACE: Bark and Snip; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST (tie): Laundramutt, Star's Pet Grooming, both in Coeur d'Alene
BEST PET BOUTIQUE
2nd PLACE: The Urban Canine; 3rd PLACE: Prairie Dog Mercantile; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: GoodDog, Coeur d'Alene
Best Retail Cannabis Shop
CINDER
The inaugural Best Of in this category went to Cinder back in 2015, and the local chain with three locations — downtown, the northside and the Valley — has won it three times since. Professionalism, convenience and familiarity have helped Cinder set the standard for retail cannabis in Spokane since the very start. Their great selection and sleek in-store design doesn't hurt, either. (WM)
2nd PLACE: Lucky Leaf; 3rd PLACE: (tie) Satori, TreeHouse Club
Best Consignment Boutique
FRINGE & FRAY
For a decade this downtown boutique has been an eco- and price-conscious fashion lover's dream, offering a curated mix of vintage and modern brands. Make an appointment to sell your gently worn duds to earn a little extra cash, although chances are high you'll spend it right away on a new-to-you piece fresh off the racks. Along with clothing, shoppers love F&F's inventory of locally made jewelry and a section stocking trendy home-decor pieces. Follow the shop on social media for outfit flat lays and previews of new inventory. (CS)
2nd PLACE: Echo Boutique; 3rd PLACE (tie): Garland Resale Boutique, ZipperZ on Garland; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Beau Monde Clothing Exchange, Hayden
Best Credit Union
STCU
Since beginning as the Spokane Teacher's Credit Union, STCU has become the state's third-largest credit union and a mainstay in our Best Of editions — and for good reason. STCU's growth has continued at a yearly tick, but their commitment to personal touch and service to the community has yet to dissipate. (CG)
2nd PLACE: Numerica; 3rd PLACE: BECU
Best Hair Salon
OASIS HAIR
Getting a new look shouldn't be a day-long commitment, but it also shouldn't be done carelessly either. Oasis Hair touts "VIP treatment and expert services" along with reasonable rates that keep locals coming. Locations on the north side, in the Valley and on the South Hill make getting a trim all the more accessible. (CG)
2nd PLACE: House of POp; 3rd PLACE: Luxe Salon & Spa; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Bling Salon, Hayden
Best Home Decor Shop
THE TIN ROOF
Since 1945, Tin Roof owners the Hanley family have been helping local homeowners stylishly furnish their spaces to look like spreads straight from the pages of Better Homes & Gardens. A visit to the Tin Roof's East Spokane showroom offers clear evidence of why, with thousands of square feet filled with quality furniture brands in a range of contemporary styles. A team of expert interior decorators are always on hand to help customers pick pieces that best fit their home, budget and lifestyle. (CS)
2nd PLACE: Boulevard Mercantile; 3rd PLACE: Lucky Vintage and Pretty Things; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Midtown Market, Coeur d'Alene
Best Furniture Store
WALKER'S FURNITURE
Walker's may be a growing local chain that's been around for four decades now, but don't be mistaken: They don't compromise on customer service or price just for a wide selection. Shopping for furniture should be as comfortable and easy as sitting on it, and Walker's offers the best of both worlds. (CG)
2nd PLACE: The Tin Roof; 3rd PLACE: Dania; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Runge Furniture, Coeur d'Alene
Best Medi Spa
SARAH HAMILTON FACE
If you're trying to get some cosmetic work done, you don't want just anyone messing with your face. Go to Sarah Hamilton FACE, where you can get top quality and personalized care in a state-of-the-art modern facility. Turn back time and get wrinkles relaxed, dermal fillers and redefine your jawline with a kybella treatment. (JK)
2nd PLACE: Crafted Beauty; 3rd PLACE: Odara Medical Spa; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Beyond Beauty, Coeur d'Alene
Best Barbershop
BRICKYARD BARBERSHOP
Brickyard isn't just a clever name — it's a mission statement. The rugged, exposed-brick interior says all you need to know about the group's studious approach to hairdressing. But it's the personal atmosphere that keeps them in the top spot. These are the barbers you trust beyond your own doctors. (JS)
2nd PLACE: The Man Shop; 3rd PLACE: Smoov Cutz; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Bulwark Barber, Coeur d'Alene
Best Spa
LA RIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST
No one is above a spa day. Our voters have made it clear that La Rive is far more serviceable than your average casino spa. The convenient location doesn't hurt, though. What better way to come down from the excitement of gambling than hitting the spa? (JS)
2nd PLACE: Spa Paradiso; 3rd PLACE: Davenport Spa and Salon; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: The Coeur d'Alene Resort Spa
Best Vintage Clothing
VEDA LUX
Get up close and personal with decades worth of fashion trends at Veda Lux, which our voters no doubt heralded for its remarkable eccentricity and one-of-a-kind pieces. Don't let the small size fool you — it's bigger on the inside. (JS)
2nd PLACE: Chosen Vintage; 3rd PLACE: Boulevard Mercantile; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Marmalade Underground, Coeur d'Alene
Best Florist
LIBERTY PARK FLORIST
The neighborhood of Liberty Park was essentially cut up when Interstate 90 came to town. Above it on the basalt cliffs sits the greenhouses of family-owned Liberty Park Florist. The business has been there since 1928, essentially the original Spokane hipster, considering it liked the South Perry neighborhood before it was cool. Now the neighborhood boasts breweries, bike shops and hot real estate prices. All along there's the glass buildings of Liberty Park Florist, where staff will soon crank out seemingly countless bouquets for Mother's Day. (SAL)
2nd PLACE: Appleway Florist; 3rd PLACE: Bloem; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Hansen's Florist & Gifts, Coeur d'Alene
Best Organic/Natural Foods
HUCKLEBERRY'S NATURAL MARKET
Go ahead. Go on your rant about how terms like "natural" and "organic" have become almost meaningless buzzwords marketers deploy to try to get you to pay more. But even you skeptics can't deny the awesome selection and quality of Huckleberry's Natural Market, where you can get everything from locally grown produce, to bulk Spiceologist spices, to more obscure ingredients like molecular gastronomy thickening agent agar agar. And the bistro, which whips up beloved dishes like smoked salmon hash and Sicilian chicken salad, is worthy of a trip in its own right. (DW)
2nd PLACE: My Fresh Basket; 3rd PLACE: Main Market Co-op; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Pilgrim's Market, Coeur d'Alene
Best Gifts
BOO RADLEY'S
If you need a gag gift like a flask disguised as a sunscreen tube, Boo Radley's is your place. If you need a hilarious adult-themed birthday card, it's your place. If you need a sasquatch or "Spokanistan" T-shirt (and who doesn't?), it's your place. Really, any Spokane/Inland Northwest pride item is there, complete with chatty sales staff to make it a worthwhile experience. It's an experience that all out-of-towners need to have when they ask, "What's there to do in Spokane?" The answer: "Check out Boo Radley's." (SAL)
2nd PLACE: Atticus; 3rd PLACE: Simply Northwest; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Mix It Up, Coeur d'Alene
Best New Car Dealership
LARRY H. MILLER
Deciding which new car to buy can be overwhelming, but Larry H. Miller makes it as easy as possible. The family-owned dealership in Spokane has all the Honda, Toyota and Lexus cars you need, and the sales staff there knows they don't always need to push you into one. (WC)
2nd PLACE: Wendle Motors; 3rd PLACE: Dave Smith Motors
Best Boat Dealer
HAGADONE MARINE GROUP
You know you've reached the next level in life when you're out shopping for a boat. And there's no better place to do that than Hagadone Marine Group, the class of boat sales. It features a fully-customized showroom experienced with what they say is the largest boat inventory in the country. (WC)
2nd PLACE: Elephant Boys; 3rd PLACE: Trudeau's Marina
Best Business the Inland NW Needs
IKEA
Ikea, the land of Swedish meatballs and puzzle piece furniture, is a one-stop shop for all things furniture. Yes, Spokane is desperately lacking this Scandanavian home improvement warehouse, with the nearest Ikea five hours away on the west side of the Cascades. (MW)
2nd PLACE: Chick-fil-A; 3rd PLACE: Whole Foods
Best Place to Get Framed
RIVER RIDGE HARDWARE/FRAME IT TODAY
