Each year for the past eleven years, we’ve been asking our readers to tell us their favorite local stuff—people, businesses, food, art, and everything that makes this little town so great. Every year comes with new surprises, and each winner has earned their spot on the Townies list.
Categories have come and gone over years, but five popular ones have held steady with readers. Ajax and Big Bad Breakfast keep their streaks going as Oxford’s Favorite Soul Food and Breakfast—kudos to the teams there because they work hard to keep everyone’s belly full day after day. Double Decker Arts Festival once again takes the Townie for Favorite Local Event. Bittersweet is the category for Favorite Townie, as this year we bid a sad farewell to Oxford’s beloved Ronzo Shapiro. Many readers have suggested that we honor him by naming the Favorite Townie award “The Ronzo,” or that we should retire the category and name him Favorite Townie in perpetuity. What do you think? Tweet us @TheLocalVoice and tell us your opinion. Finally, Oxford’s Favorite Pianist/Keyboardist gave us a little surprise this year: Bill Perry, Jr. holds strong for the 11th year, but for the first time ever, the category has a tie for first place. Click the link below to download the PDF to find out who is Oxford’s other Favorite Pianist! We couldn’t be more thrilled to have two winners!
A couple of other notable Townies are those who have won 10 out of 11 years: Bottletree Bakery (Favorite Bakery), Blind Pig (Favorite Sandwich), and Star Package (Favorite Liquor Store).
Volta Taverna is this year’s big winner with a whopping SEVEN Townies, including being voted Oxford’s Favorite Restaurant, one of the most contested categories (and it was a close one!). Saint Leo and Blind Pig also stand out with three Townies each.
If you ask me, there aren’t enough women represented here. Still, some impressive ladies won big categories this year, including Oxford’s Favorite Chef, Erika Lipe at Sola, and Brooke Krizbai of Volta and Track 61 taking the most votes for Oxford’s Favorite Boss. Morgan Pennington has a five-year streak as Oxford’s Favorite Barista, Shea Turner Foxx returns as Oxford’s Favorite Realtor, Kate Teague brings some female power to the Favorite Vocalist category, and Beth Ann Fennelly claims her spot as Oxford’s Favorite Writer. Way to go, ladies!
As usual, there’s always next year if your favorite didn’t win. But let’s all congratulate the well-deserved winners of this year’s Local Favorites Awards! Here’s to another year of excellence!
Download The Local Voice #342 PDF to see the list of winners.
