Best Fitness Center/Gym: Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club (Credit: Meghan Ralston)

Best Tattoo Parlor: Evolved (Credit: Chris Casella)

Best Hospital: Riverside Methodist Hospital

Best Apartment Complex

Kenyon Square
43.84 % of 2,655 votes

9220 Worthington Rd., Westerville
www.atthesquare.com

Once you move into Kenyon Square, there are few reasons to leave. With amenities ranging from a heated pool, personal fitness training, and an in-house Starbucks, all located conveniently in the Polaris Parkway area, this community offers the perfect lifestyle for up-and-coming Columbusites. Residents of Kenyon Square can choose from one of 10 floor plans, featuring lush upgrades and contemporary designs. Starting at under $900 a month, Kenyon Square meshes youthful professional living with a functional lifestyle.

2) The Quarry … 11.49%
3) The Farms/The Charleston/The Orleans … 9.76%

Best Fitness Center/Gym

Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club
37.43% of 3,086 votes

3111 Hayden Rd.
www.premieratsawmill.com

We like the way Premier at Sawmill thinks. A lot of us don’t really want to go to the gym, so Premier does everything they can to sweeten the deal. Featuring five swimming pools, a massive movie screen, and a café where you can actually buy yourself a beer post-workout, Premier also offers numerous class options and top-notch personal trainers. Not to mention that their massive split-level facility looks like the compound where Drago trained to fight Rocky. We all know who won that one … but who wouldn’t want to be that ripped?

2) Urban Active … 16.66%
3) Lifetime Fitness … 8.59%

Best Tattoo Parlor

Evolved
34.28% of 1,657 votes

Multiple Locations
www.evolvedbodyart.com

Claiming three separate locations in Columbus, one run entirely by a female staff, Evolved has become the most frequently mentioned tattoo parlor in the city. These talented artists participate in both local and national events, ranging from trade conventions to charity benefits. Beyond the world of ink, Evolved also employs an army of skilled piercers and offers a wide selection of body jewelry, from the professionally scintillating to the outright adventurous. And they roll up to events in a pink Cadillac limousine, something we in no way discourage.

2) Stained Skin … 12.61%
3) Short North Tattoo … 11.83 %

Best Hospital

Riverside Methodist Hospital
31.33% of 2,266 votes

Multiple locations
www.ohiohealth.com/riverside

There’s plenty to worry about in this world, but when it comes to your health, peace of mind is priceless. That’s why in central Ohio people turn to the health professionals that have been in the business for more than a century. Since 1892, Riverside Methodist has been recognized as one of the best facilities in the U.S. including most recently landing in the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals list created by Thomson Reuters. (Side note: Editor-in-Chief Travis Hoewischer’s niece Kendall was born there. Cute kid).

2) The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center … 29.92%
3) Nationwide Children’s Hospital … 17.03%

Best Driving Range

Ohio State University Golf Club
24.6% of 1,256 votes

3605 Tremont Rd.
www.ohiostategolfclub.com

Recently remodeled, The Ohio State University Golf Course is Columbus’ favorite place to get the shanks out of your system before going out for 18 holes. It includes a private lesson tee, two large putting greens, and a short game area with a practice bunker. Before you play the Ohio State courses that the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus designed, stop nearby and get a few not-so-golden shots out of the way first.

2) Westerville Golf Center … 21.82%
3) Ables Golf on Avery … 14.89%

Best Wireless

Verizon Wireless
61% of 2,451 votes

Multiple Locations
www.verizonwireless.com

There’s no point in owning a phone with a million capabilities if your wireless provider isn’t up to snuff. Verizon Wireless is Columbus’ favorite way to stay connected, and for good reason. Top-notch customer service and cutting-edge technology keep them a step above the rest. Whether you’re checking in on Facebook or catching up with Mom, Verizon is the wireless provider that can carry you through.

2) AT&T Mobility … 19.67%
3) Sprint … 11.91%

Best Columbus Employer

The Ohio State University
31.02% of 2,637 votes

www.osu.edu

With 150 staff members in the human resources department serving the needs of the vast army of employees, and boasting its own zip code, the OSU campus has hundreds of interesting work environments employing thousands of talented individuals, and the University takes pride in keeping its employees excited to go to work each day. University prez and public face E. Gordon Gee does what he can to keep the Best Damn Workforce in the Land happy, healthy, and paid.

2) Nationwide … 29.69%
3) Huntington Bank … 8.54%

Best Hotel/Bed and Breakfast for Locals

German Village Guest House
19.2% of 1,786 votes

748 Jaeger St.
www.gvguesthouse.com

If you go by the impeccable online reviews, guests of the German Village Guest House never wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Whether it be a romantic staycation for two, or a nice alternative to putting up out-of-town family, friends, or clients, this historic jewel is the ideal home away from home.

2) The Lofts … 17.58%
3) Hilton-Easton … 17.41%

Best Grocery Store

Giant Eagle
20.18% of 3,587 votes

Multiple Locations
www.gianteagle.com

In some parts of the country, grocery stores are identified with names that range from Piggly-Wiggly to Winn Dixie. In Ohio, we skip the whimsical and go right for the throat: Nothing says great produce and reasonable prices like “Giant Eagle.”

Terrifying nomenclature set aside, the store has earned first place again, perhaps in part due to the massive and exotic Market District location in Upper Arlington. Offering an extensive prepared foods section and some of the most exotic grocery finds around (rattlesnake, anyone?), Giant Eagle is an all-around winner.

2) Kroger … 18.96%
3) Whole Foods Market … 14.41%

Best Place to Buy Produce

Whole Foods Market
21.09% of 2,925 words

Multiple Locations
www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Walking into the produce section at Whole Foods is like being able to go to a farmers market any day of the week. From the exotic to the common-but local-and-farm-fresh regulars, the foreign legume and the local fungi, veritable mountains of organic fare line the aisles of the store’s locations in Dublin and Upper Arlington. The world’s largest organically oriented retailer, Whole Foods sticks to its high standards and goes beyond many regulatory requirements, finding that the extra mile in agricultural purity is full of lush fruits and toothsome vegetables.

2) The North Market … 20.85%
3) Giant Eagle … 11.18%

Best Meat Market/Butcher

Carfagna’s
27.99% of 2,440 votes

1405 E Dublin-Granville Rd.
www.carfagnas.com

Vegans be damned. Meat is good, and Central Ohioans are starting to realize it is best when procured from the pros. The Carfagna family has been at it since 1937, and people travel from all over central Ohio to buy quality wares from this little store on East Dublin-Granville Road. This is an old-school butcher shop where you can call in a specialty order or simply take a number and wait for a skilled butcher to assist you. In the age of the Internet and app-speed lifestyles, it’s good to take a step back now and again, and do something the old fashioned way. Like buying a piece of beast at Carfagna’s.

(And we’re just kidding, vegans. We love you, too … almost as much as we love bacon.)

2) The Andersons … 16.23%
3) North Market Poultry & Game … 14.47%

Best Florist

Fifth Avenue Floral Co.
19.84% of 1,593 votes

1877 Kenny Rd.
www.5thavefloral.com

Getting a rose means someone loves you, right? Not always. In Victorian times, a rose delivered upside-down was the ultimate rejection message. In fact, the subtlest cues could speak volumes of the sentiment intended by the bouquet, even down to which side of the arrangement the ribbon was tied. The art of communication with floral arrangements is an old one, and its intricacies are not lost on the design wizards at Fifth Ave. Floral, a family owned florist and member of FTD. The Grandview-area shop even has its own on-site greenhouse, so flowers are not only fresh, but also fewer are imported from the third-world countries where child labor is often used to produce the flowers you buy in domestic shops. With daily delivery to the city and many of its suburbs, Fifth Ave. Floral is growing your sweetheart’s next satisfied sigh right now.

2) Connell’s Maple Lee… 17.95%
3) Market Blooms … 15.25%

Best Wine Retail Store

The Andersons
18.87% of 2,506 votes

Multiple locations
www.andersonsstore.com

The selection of bottles at The Andersons borders on jaw dropping. If you’ve merely heard of a wine, they likely not only have it, but probably cases of it. With a friendly and surprisingly knowledgeable staff, you get one of the biggest selections in the city and, due to the retailer’s size, often one of the best deals. The store also offers wine tastings, but be prepared: it’s hard to leave without a case or two.

2) The Wine Guy … 9.02%
3) Gentile’s, The Wine Sellers … 8.18%

Best Dry Cleaners

Swan Cleaners
24.09% of 1,561 votes

Multiple Locations
www.swancleaners.com

Tough stains and wrinkled threads are no match for Swan Cleaners, who take pride in exceptional customer service. Swan Cleaners offers one-hour dry cleaning and while-you-wait pressing services for Central Ohioans on the go. For further ease and convenience, some locations even offer drive-through pick up and on-site seamstresses. Feel confident leaving your favorite garments behind, as Swan’s well-trained staff will return them looking better than new.

2) $1.99 Cleaners … 14.8%
3) Caskey Cleaning Co. … 11.66%

Best Clothing Thrift Store

Rag-O-Rama
23.26% of 2,291 votes

3301 N High St.
www.ragorama.com

Vintage is in, and Rag-O-Rama has it in bulk. Each trip to the North Campus thrift and consignment shop is an opportunity to discover hidden treasures from all the fly eras. Explore vintage and designer merchandise hiding between gently used brand name fashions. With no shortage of shoes, handbags and accessories, you’re sure to find some unique conversation pieces to accent any look. Plus, you can recycle your wardrobe by trading in what’s hanging in your closet for cash or new-to-you duds. At Rag-O-Rama, you can literally go from rags to riches without spending a fortune.

2) Goodwill … 14.67%
3) Ohio Thrift … 13.53%

Best Shoe Store

DSW
56.57% of 2,199 votes

Multiple Locations
www.dsw.com

Even if you are already well-heeled, you can still wear a hole in your sole just perusing the vast inventory at DSW. Described by many as “shoe heaven,” DSW’s addictive shopping experience allows you to take home the latest styles of shoes and handbags for a bargain. A veritable sea of shoes in an endless array of colors, styles and sizes beg to make your closet their new home. DSW’s stylish inventory and guilt-free prices keep fashion-conscious Columbusites coming back for more.

2) Nordstrom … 18.83%
3) Aldo … 8.28%

Best Spa/Salon

Charles Penzone Grand Salons
19.90% of 2,467 votes

Multiple Locations
www.charlespenzone.com

A visit to a Charles Penzone salon promises to provide a tranquil journey toward ultimate relaxation. Enjoy world-class spa treatments or hair and nail services surrounded by the serenity of crackling fireplaces and gurgling waterfalls. Whether you’re seeking a root touch-up, an invigorating massage, or bridal services for your big day, Charles Penzone is your one-stop shop for well-deserved pampering and mane maintenance.

2) Salon Lofts… 17.92%
3) Kenneth’s Hair Salons and Day Spa … 13.78%

Best Tanning Salon

Tan Pro USA
34.45% of 1,048 votes

Multiple locations
www.tanprousa.com

With more than 20 locations in central Ohio, Tan Pro USA has got your back – and everywhere else – when it comes to giving you the bronze glow of a vacationer in the dead of winter. For those who want to shine all year-round, Tan Pro offers VIP memberships as well as weekly, monthly and yearly packages starting at $20. That’s browner, for fewer bucks.

2) L.A. Tan … 26.34
3) Bronze Tan Studios … 9.83%

Best Place to Get a Massage

Massage Envy
34.01% of 1,664 votes

Multiple Locations
www.massageenvy.com

Now and then we all need a little help working out the kinks. And after a long workweek, seeking a professional to assist you with the de-stressing is the smart choice. After all, you’d rather go to a chiropractor than let the neighborhood kids stomp on your back, right? Plus, with five Central Ohio locations, you’re only ever a few miles away from nirvana.

2) Charles Penzone Grand Salons … 17.97%
3) Kenneth’s Hair Salons and Day Spa … 12.32%

Best Women's Fashion Boutique

Anthropologie
29.39% of 1,742 votes

4235 The Strand, Easton
www.anthropologie.com

Affordable high-end threads are not all you will find in this mecca of hip. Whether you’re in search of the perfect journal, wall hanging, scarf, or tea set, Anthropologie has an eclectic selection of gifts that will please even the most discerning tastes. This bohemian-bourgeois store offers everything from European bath salts to charming country-chic place settings. Even if you’re in need of some inspiration, you’re sure to find a gift as distinctive as the recipient nestled among Anthropologie’s treasures.

2) Rowe Boutique … 12.34%
3) Tigertree … 11.02%

Anthropologie Also Won: Best Gift Boutique
20.23% of 1,735 votes

2) Things Remembered … 16.37%
3) Tigertree … 13.14%

Best Jewelry Store

Diamond Cellar
25.39% of 1,800 votes

Multiple locations
www.diamondcellar.com

From world-renowned designer pieces to Buckeye-inspired bling, the Diamond Cellar has been adding sparkle to the capital city for nearly 65 years. With expert craftsmanship and technology, the staff of the Diamond Cellar can repair your heirlooms or custom design a one-of-a-kind piece for any occasion. This family business has created a lasting legacy with a commitment to quality that shines through in all their services.

2) Tiffany & Co. … 23.78%
3) Meyers Jewelers … 15.67%

Best Department Store

Macy’s
31.51% of 2,653 votes

Multiple Locations
www.macys.com

Associated with New York living and elaborate winter decorations, it’s the all-in-one, one-stop shopping department store. Deals, steals, and well, everything in between really. It’s the complete package. Plus, there’s a Starbucks located by the shoe section at the Easton location – what more could you ask for?

2) Nordstrom … 25.14 %
3) Kohl’s … 23.6%

Best Shopping Center

Easton Town Center
60.09% of 3,019 votes

www.eastontowncenter.com

Ah, yes, the city within the city. This popular destination is lined with brick streetscapes and twinkling lights, providing a romantic retro-European ambiance. The numerous dining establishments and entertainment facilities are just a few of the lures, but the star of the show is a unique, open-air shopping experience unlike any other in the Central Ohio area. This go-to plaza is bursting with an ever-expanding list of diverse retailers, making visits enjoyable for the young and young-at-heart alike.

2) Polaris Fashion Place … 21.89%
3) The Mall at Tuttle Crossing … 9.11%

Best ‘Big Box’ Retailer

Target
56.87% of 2,634 votes

Multiple locations
www.target.com

We’d all go to Target more often if there was a real-life version of Kristen Wiig’s SNL character behind every counter, but we’re guessing it’s the abundance of urban and suburban locations and reasonable prices that make Target the retailer of choice in Columbus for everything under the sun. The marketing can’t hurt either; after all, what says prime location better in one word than “Target?”

2) CostCo … 17.05%
3) Sam’s Club … 11.01%

Best Furniture Store

Grandview Mercantile
19.12% of 1,893 votes

873 N High St.
www.grandviewmercantile.com

One of the most high-traffic Gallery Hop hotspots, the sprawling antique mini-mall showcases more than 80 of central Ohio’s most discerning dealers. From rare furniture pieces to chic jewelry and other coveted bric-à-brac, Grandview Mercantile is a great match for the style and sensibility of its Short North neighborhood.

2) Crate & Barrel … 15.9%
3) Value City Furniture … 13.05%

Best Pet Store

PetSmart
29.54% of 2,072 votes

Multiple Locations
www.petsmart.com

It’s no secret that Columbus loves to pamper its pets. From doggy day-care to gourmet treats, locals spare no expense to ensure that our four-legged friends are happy and healthy. PetSmart’s knowledgeable staff of fellow pet-lovers, along with reasonable prices and quality products, have made it Columbus’ favorite place to stock up on kibble kitty litter, and doggy T-shirts. Nothing says “dog park culture” like dressing your dog up like yourself.

2) PetPeople … 19.98%
3) Three Dog Bakery … 15.69%

Best Dog Park

Alum Creek Dog Park
40.99% of 1,637 votes

3993 Hollenback Rd.
www.alumcreekdogpark.com

After hours of volunteer work, the brainchild of Alum Creek State Park employee, Denis Buehler came to fruition, to the delight of many doggies. Columbus’ favorite dog park often holds special events such as the annual “Pup-a-ween” which consists of costume contests, a trick-or-treat trail, and even bobbing for hot dogs. If Fido is dying to flaunt his sexy sailor costume this year, you know exactly where to take him.

2) Scioto Audubon Dog Park … 24.98%
3) Wheeler Memorial Dog Park … 13.93%

Best New Car Dealer

Germain
23.97% of 1,556 votes

Multiple Locations
www.germain.com

The auto industry is recovering, new cars are being purchased and sold, new wheels covered in new rubber are on the road again, and Ohio is no exception! Aren’t you glad? People are Tokyo-drifting everywhere, and if you bought a new car this year, you may well have snagged it from Germain. The associates at Germain make forking over tens of thousands of dollars as painless as possible. Whether you’re out to impress the ladies with a sporty coupe, shuttling your brats to the game in a mini-van, or saving the world in your new hybrid, Germain is the place to go.

2) Roush Honda … 14.97%
3) Midwestern Auto Group … 14.4%

Best Used Car Dealer

CarMax
26.35% of 1,241 votes

Multiple locations www.carmax.com

Used car shopping can be a real drag. You want to get some wheels at a reasonable price that will last more than six months, but with pushy salesmen trying to meet monthly quotas, it’s easy to get intimidated by the sales pitch. CarMax sees it differently. With a policy of full disclosure and a no-pressure sales approach, they make buying a used car straightforward and simple. As Columbus’ best used car dealer, they’ve proven that honesty really is the best policy.

2) Germain … 22.64 %
3) Byers Auto Group … 15.15%

Best Bicycle Store

Roll
24.78% of 1,671 votes

Multiple Locations
www.roll-online.com

Since Pelotonia started rolling in (and out) of town the past few summers, the number of capital city residents strapping in for long-mile treks has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Who better to become Columbus’ gearhead guide to the two-wheel revolution than expanding local bike empire Roll:? This isn’t a place where you walk in and just grab a bike off the top rack and pedal away – Roll: will have none of that. Their goal isn’t just to get more people on bikes; it’s to get them on the perfect cycle. A complete body geometry scan using cameras and lasers, coupled with a comprehensive ride and lifestyle assessment beats the hell out of buying a rusty Huffy knock-off on Craigslist.

2) Paradise Garage … 20.23%
3) Trek Bicycle … 16.88%

Best Cab Company

Yellow Cab
37.5% of 1,496 votes

1989 Camaro Dr.
www.yellowcabofcolumbus.com

Whether you know them by the easy-to-remember numbers (444-4444) or the eponymous hue of their massive fleet, Yellow Cab has a squadron of 128 canary-colored chariots to haul around cap city residents who can’t – or shouldn’t – get behind the wheel. In addition to their ubiquitous presence on the roads, Yellow Cab also takes online orders and cab requests via text. Now that’s service.

2) German Village Taxi & Shuttle … 22.26 %
3) ECT Pedicab … 14.84 %