Best of La Crosse County 2016: Home & Community

Best of La Crosse County 2016: Home & Community

The Home & Community section continues to expand as we add more and more categories in an attempt to cover all the businesses and services you might need. From auto repair to tattoo artists, we hope this section is the heart of a truly useful resource for you, the residents and visitors of La Crosse County. Let’s hear it for all our winners, and the fine work they do.

Clothing Store: Men

  1. Duluth Trading Co. – 32.7%
  2. Kohl’s – 24.5%
  3. Dale’s Clothing – 17.3%

Clothing Store: Women

  1. Kohl’s – 28.7%
  2. T.J. Maxx & Homegoods – 24.0%
  3. Dale’s Clothing – 16.1%

Shoe Store

  1. Rogan’s Shoes – 40.8%
  2. Famous Footwear – 18.4%
  3. Tradehome Shoes – 13.9%

Antique Store

  1. Antique Center of La Crosse – 37.3%
  2. Painted Porch – 27.3%
  3. Treasures on Main – 19.5%

Consignment Store

  1. Savvy Home Consignments – 30.4%
  2. Once Upon a Child – 20.5%
  3. Style Encore – 19.1%

Thrift Store

  1. Goodwill – 31.5%
  2. Good Steward Resale Store – 16.4%
  3. Style Encore – 15.9%

Bookstore

  1. Barnes & Noble – 63.2%
  2. Pearl Street Books – 25.2%
  3. Good Steward Resale Store – 3.1%

Hardware Store

  1. Menards – 40.4%
  2. Kroner’s True Value Hardware – 19.0%
  3. Walsh’s Ace Hardware (South La Crosse) – 16.2%

Home Furnishings / Appliance Store

  1. Wettstein’s – 40.2%
  2. HOM Furniture – 19.9%
  3. Midwest TV & Appliance – 14.6%

Gift Shop / Specialty Store

  1. Treehouse Gift & Home – 48.0%
  2. The Cheddarhead Store & TJ’s La Crosse Shoppe – 17.4%
  3. Painted Porch – 14.4%

Quilt / Craft Shop

  1. Olive Juice Quilts – 38.8%
  2. Hobby Lobby – 37.2%
  3. River Road Quilt Shop – 7.9%

Jeweler

  1. Rose Jewelers – 30.4%
  2. Mark Jewelers – 23.7%
  3. Howes Diamond Jewelers – 20.7%

Local Product

  1. Pearl Street Beer – 43.0%
  2. Pleasoning – 25.7%
  3. Trane Air Conditioning – 14.9%

Farmers Market

  1. Cameron Park Farmers Market – 61.4%
  2. Onalaska Farmers Market – 19.6%
  3. La Crosse City Hall Farmers Market – 10.4%

Farmers Market Stand

  1. Old Oak Family Farm – 21.6%
  2. Hoch Orchard & Gardens – 19.8%
  3. The Great American Pancake Co. – 19.1%

CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture)

  1. Old Oak Family Farm – 29.5%
  2. Small Family CSA Farm – 22.0%
  3. Harmony Valley Farm – 21.4%

Barber Shop

  1. Orange Pearl Salon – 29.9%
  2. Ken’s Appointment Barber Shop – 23.2%
  3. New Beginnings Hair Studio – 16.0%

Hair Salon

  1. Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa – 22.4%
  2. Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 20.5%
  3. The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 17.8%

Hair Stylist

  1. Alison Wegner Bright, Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 20.5%
  2. Connie Peter, The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 20.0%
  3. Denny Rae Arauz, Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa – 18.2%

Aesthetician / Skin Care Services

  1. Julie Moreno, Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa – 26.6%
  2. Chelsie Moore, The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 19.9%
  3. Maggie Jo Ascher, The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 18.0%

Nail Salon

  1. La Bella Nails & Spa – 28.8%
  2. Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa – 23.4%
  3. Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 19.1%

Spa

  1. Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa – 32.1%
  2. Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 25.8%
  3. The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 23.3%

Tattoo Parlor

  1. Mind Altering Tattoos – 29.9%
  2. Blue Line Tattoo & Body Piercing – 20.7%
  3. Twisted Skull Studios – 20.5%

Tattoo Artist

  1. Jake “Knuckles” Phillips, Twisted Skull Studios – 20.9%
  2. Josh Woods, BackWoods Art Studio – 17.8%
  3. Mike Paglini, Black Lotus Custom Tattoos – 16.5%

Piercing Establishment

  1. Mind Altering Tattoos – 30.9%
  2. Blue Line Tattoo & Body Piercing – 22.6%
  3. Proper Pokes – 20.1%

Apartments

  1. Gund Brewery Loft Apartments – 36.6%
  2. Grand River Station – 25.6%
  3. River’s Edge Apartments – 14.3%

Bed & Breakfast

  1. Rainbow Ridge Farms Bed & Breakfast – 28.7%
  2. Lumber Baron Inn – 22.6%
  3. Four Gables Bed & Breakfast – 21.1%

Hotel

  1. The Charmant Hotel – 55.9%
  2. Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center – 22.8%
  3. Radisson Hotel – 9.5%

Motel

  1. Holiday Inn Express – 43.4%
  2. Prairie Inn & Suites – 16.3%
  3. AmericInn – 15.4%

Law Firm

  1. Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik – 26.2%
  2. Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC – 19.9%
  3. Badger Lawyer – 19.3%

Realtor

  1. Cindy Gerke-Edwards, Cindy Gerke & Associates – 23.3%
  2. Nancy Gerrard, Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors – 19.7%
  3. Bill Favre, RE/Max – 14.8%

Financial Establishment

  1. Altra Credit Union – 58.3%
  2. Coulee Bank – 12.2%
  3. Governmental Employees Credit Union – 7.3%

Tax Preparation Services

  1. Becker Tax & Bookkeeping – 32.6%
  2. Morrison & Associates – 18.9%
  3. Tostrud & Temp, S.C. – 11.9%

Insurance Agent

  1. Kyle Visker, State Farm – 22.6%
  2. Rita Sanger, American Family Insurance – 19.2%
  3. Steve Fleis, Fleis Insurance Agency – 18.4%

Advertising Agency

  1. Mid-West Digital Marketing (Mid-West Family Broadcasting) – 50.0%
  2. The BLU Group – 15.4%
  3. Vendi Advertising Agency – 12.7%

IT / Computer Repair

  1. The Mac Guys – 32.1%
  2. Best Buy / Geek Squad – 23.6%
  3. Orange Computer Solutions – 21.8%

Motorcycle / Power Sports Dealer

  1. La Crosse Area Harley-Davidson – 41.2%
  2. 2Brothers Powersports – 31.8%
  3. Rod’s Ride On Powersports – 26.4%

Auto Dealer

  1. Brenengen Auto – 33.0%
  2. Dahl Automotive – 28.2%
  3. Toyota of La Crosse – 13.2%

Car Wash

  1. Kwik Trip – 44.7%
  2. Ship Shape Car Wash – 32.5%
  3. Dahl Superior Detail Center – 8.2%

Auto Repair

  1. Dahl Automotive – 31.4%
  2. Luke’s Auto Repair – 14.6%
  3. John’s Omni Auto Service – 14.1%

Mechanic

  1. Luke Korish, Luke’s Auto Repair – 23.9%
  2. Randy Bion, Bion’s Full Service Auto Care – 19.9%
  3. Pete Conway, Conway Auto Services – 18.3%

Appliance Repair

  1. Wettstein’s – 37.7%
  2. Midwest TV & Appliance – 31.4%
  3. A/C Doc’s West Salem Appliance – 12.6%

Plumber

  1. Maxwell White Plumbing – 30.6%
  2. Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating – 25.9%
  3. Every Plumbing & Heating – 22.3%

Heating & Air Conditioning

  1. Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning – 39.9%
  2. Ron Hammes Refrigeration – 15.7%
  3. Paul’s Heating & Cooling – 14.1%

Electrician

  1. Kish & Sons Electric – 35.6%
  2. Wettstein Brothers Electric – 16.3%
  3. Poellinger Electric – 12.6%

General Contractor

  1. Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc. – 35.9%
  2. Fowler & Hammer – 24.7%
  3. Market & Johnson – 11.2%

Movers

  1. La Crosse Movers – 29.4%
  2. Jake’s Moving & Storage – 198%
  3. Jacobson’s Moving & Storage – 18.6%

Dry Cleaner

  1. Hangers to Hems – 46.3%
  2. Blue Ribbon Dry Cleaning – 15.8%
  3. Sew Clean – 14.6%

Lawncare, Gardening, & Landscaping

  1. River City Lawnscape, Inc. – 33.6%
  2. Christen Farm Nursery – 19.1%
  3. Outdoor Services, Inc. (OSI) – 17.4%

Pest Control

  1. DeBoer Pest Control – 43.2%
  2. Orkin – 23.8%
  3. Ant’s Complete Pest Control – 14.8%

Garden Center

  1. Christen Farm Nursery – 24.5%
  2. La Crosse Floral – 23.8%
  3. Trees Today Nursery – 22.8%

Florist

  1. La Crosse Floral – 29.0%
  2. Bittersweet Flower Market – 21.1%
  3. Monet Floral – 18.2%

Tailoring / Alterations

  1. Hangers to Hems – 33.1%
  2. Lee’s Alterations – 24.4%
  3. The Wedding Tree – 21.1%

Photographer

  1. Sarah Schultz Photography – 27.8%
  2. Bob Good Photography – 18.5%
  3. Mueller Photography – 16.3%

Wedding Photographer

  1. Sarah Schultz Photography – 41.2%
  2. Mueller Photography – 18.0%
  3. Jordana Snyder Photography – 11.9%

Wedding Venue

  1. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern (Cargill Room) – 38.7%
  2. Pettibone Resort – 20.1%
  3. The Court Above Main – 14.6%

Wedding Planner

  1. Nancy Flottmeyer, Weddings by Nancy – 41.0%
  2. Summer Snyder, Weddings by Nancy – 17.0%
  3. Ben Skemp, Monet Floral – 14.2%

Bridal Store

  1. Charlotte’s Bridal & Formal Wear – 47.2%
  2. The Wedding Tree – 41.9%
  3. Guardian Angel Gown Rental – 5.3%

Pet Store

  1. Petsmart – 31.8%
  2. Pet Me Scratch Me – 21.2%
  3. Wags & Whiskers – 21.1%

Dog Park

  1. Myrick Park – 33.0%
  2. Houska Park – 27.6%
  3. Fun Fur Pets – 22.0%

Dog Training

  1. Pet Me Scratch Me – 32.0%
  2. Coulee Region Humane Society – 26.3%
  3. Fun Fur Pets – 16.8%

Dog Boarding & Pampering

  1. Pet Me Scratch Me – 27.9%
  2. Diggity Dog Daycare – 25.0%
  3. Fun Fur Pets – 19.7%

Veterinarians

  1. La Crosse Veterinary Clinic – 29.5%
  2. Thompson Animal Medical Center – 20.3%
  3. Hillside Animal Hospital – 19.6%

AM Radio Station

  1. 1410 WIZM: La Crosse News – 48.0%
  2. 580 WKTY: Sports – 33.2%
  3. 1490 WLFN: Today’s Talk – 13.0%

FM Radio Station

  1. Z93 93.3 (WIZM-FM) – 29.6%
  2. 95.7 the Rock (WRQT) – 19.7%
  3. Classic Rock 100.1 (WKBH) – 17.3%

Radio Personality

  1. Brittany Styles, Z93 – 35.8%
  2. Brian Simpson, 95.7 the Rock – 19.8%
  3. Kelly Wilde, Classic Rock 100.1 – 17.5%

Morning DJ

  1. Brittany Styles, Z93 – 33.4%
  2. Brian Simpson, 95.7 the Rock – 21.0%
  3. Kelly Wilde, Classic Rock 100.1 – 15.9%

Drive-Time DJ

  1. Phish, 95.7 the Rock – 30.1%
  2. Jesse, Z93 – 27.0%
  3. Gary Michaels, Kicks 106.3 – 19.2%

Late Night DJ

  1. JJ, Z93 – 24.2%
  2. Bags, 95.7 the Rock – 20.8%
  3. Corey Kane, Z93 – 15.1%

Wedding / Event DJ

  1. Brittany Styles, Mid-West Family Entertainment – 46.5%
  2. Kelly Wilde, Music Mix of La Crosse – 21.9%
  3. Music in Motion – 13.4%

Local News Anchor / Duo

  1. Jennifer Livingston & Bill Graul, WKBT-TV Channel 8 – 57.2%
  2. Scott Hackworth & Heather Armstrong, WXOW News 19 – 16.0%
  3. Martha Koloski & Mike Thompson, WKBT-TV Channel 8 – 13.0%

Weather Anchor

  1. Bill Graul, WKBT-TV Channel 8 – 30.0%
  2. Dan Breeden, WXOW News 19 – 23.1%
  3. Cory Malles, WKBT-TV Channel 8 – 21.3%

Sports Anchor

  1. Scott Emerich, WXOW News 19 – 39.3%
  2. Gregg Wavrunek, WKBT-TV Channel 8 – 29.9%
  3. Nick Tabbert, WXOW News 19 – 11.0%

Local Publication

  1. La Crosse Tribune – 30.5%
  2. Coulee Region Women – 23.7%
  3. SEVEN Magazine – 18.6%

Medical Center

  1. Gundersen Health System – 52.9%
  2. Mayo Clinic Health System – 30.9%
  3. La Crosse Area Neighborhood Family Clinics – 8.1%

Dentists

  1. Moore Smiles – 18.5%
  2. Main Street Dental – 16.8%
  3. Yahnke Dental – 14.9%

Doctor

  1. Dr. Ted Thompson, Family Medicine, La Crosse Area Neighborhood Family Clinics – 20.5%
  2. Dr. Kelley Bahr, Family Medicine, Gundersen Health System, Onalaska – 18.4%
  3. Dr. Lori Devine, Women’s Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse – 13.7%

Eye Doctor

  1. Dr. Holly Fisher, Optical Fashions – 28.1%
  2. Dr. John Purdue, Gundersen Health System, Onalaska – 17.0%
  3. Dr. John Sterling, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse – 16.3%

Optical Center

  1. Gundersen Health System – 31.2%
  2. Optical Fashions – 28.0%
  3. Family Vision Center – 16.8%

Pharmacy

  1. Walgreens – 47.8%
  2. Shopko – 15.4%
  3. Gundersen Health System – 13.0%

Healthcare Professional

  1. Dr. Ted Thompson, Family Medicine, La Crosse Area Neighborhood Family Clinics – 34.1%
  2. Dr. Cheng Her, Family Medicine, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse – 24.9%
  3. Dr. Martha Binn, Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Holmen – 17.6%

Massage Therapist

  1. Cynthia “Sam” Licht, Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 21.1%
  2. Erin Rice, Metropolitan Salon & Spa – 21.0%
  3. Gena Allen, Bronston Chiropractic / The Ultimate Salon & Spa – 19.7%

Physical Therapist

  1. Dr. Kristen Brinks, Gundersen Health System, Onalaska – 47.1%
  2. Myra Burkhardt, Burkhardt Physical Therapy Center – 17.5%
  3. Matt Haberl, Dynamic Physiotherapy – 11.4%

Counseling Services

  1. Gundersen Health System – 37.6%
  2. Mayo Clinic Health System – 21.5%
  3. Driftless Recovery Services – 15.4%

Chiropractor

  1. Breidenbach Family & Sports Chiropractic – 22.4%
  2. Bronston Chiropractic – 14.1%
  3. Live Well Chiropractic & Wellness – 11.5%

Homeopath

  1. Dr. Jacqueline Van Manen, Mayo Clinic Health System, Onalaska – 19.3%
  2. Sr. Eileen McKenzie, Integrative Therapies of La Crosse – 16.2%
  3. Carolyn Knapp, Feils Knapp Chiropractic & Wellness Center – 13.5%

Teacher (K-12)

  1. Michael Esser, Central High – 15.6%
  2. Kevin Bonnar, Eagle Bluff Elementary – 15.0%
  3. Abby Ryan, Emerson Elementary – 14.1%

University Instructor / Professor

  1. Thomas Thibodeau, Religious Studies & Philosophy, Viterbo University – 32.1%
  2. Dave Solie, Communications, UW-La Crosse – 16.4%
  3. Tom Volk, Biology, UW-La Crosse – 9.8%

University

  1. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse – 56.5%
  2. Viterbo University – 23.0%
  3. Western Technical College – 16.8%

Public Servant

  1. Don Weber, CEO, Logistics Health, Inc. – 35.1%
  2. Thomas Thibodeau, Religious Studies & Philosophy, Viterbo University – 25.6%
  3. Tim Kabat, Mayor, City of La Crosse – 18.1%

Local Non-Profit Organization

  1. Coulee Region Humane Society – 29.3%
  2. Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse – 28.0%
  3. La Crosse Area YMCA – 16.6%

Place to Volunteer

  1. Coulee Region Humane Society – 37.7%
  2. Gundersen Health System – 18.6%
  3. WAFER Food Pantry – 14.0%

Senior Services

  1. Aging & Disability Resource Center of Western Wisconsin – 22.6%
  2. Bethany Lutheran Homes – 21.1%
  3. Coulee Region Adult Day Center – 18.2%

LGBT Services

  1. The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection – 51.5%
  2. UW-La Crosse Pride Center – 34.4%
  3. Common Ground Campus Ministry – 12.0%

Downtown La Crosse Business

  1. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor & Coffee House – 41.2%
  2. People’s Food Co-op – 33.2%
  3. Wettstein’s – 10.3%

Northside La Crosse Business

  1. The Sweet Shop – 45.2%
  2. Root Down Yoga Studio – 16.1%
  3. Pogreba Restaurant – 14.9%

Southside La Crosse Business

  1. Hungry Peddler – 29.0%
  2. JavaVino – 26.0%
  3. Festival Foods – 25.6%

Holmen Business

  1. Holmen Meat Locker – 42.3%
  2. Pizza Corral – 25.2%
  3. Features Sports Bar & Grill – 20.7%

Onalaska Business

  1. Blue Moon – 35.1%
  2. Festival Foods – 32.8%
  3. Sue Kolve’s Salon & Day Spa – 11.9%

West Salem Business

  1. Linda’s Bakery – 55.7%
  2. Big Boar Barbecue – 21.8%
  3. Features Sports Bar & Grill – 10.9%

Travel-Related Business

  1. The Charmant Hotel – 33.6%
  2. AAA Onalaska – 23.3%
  3. Travel Leaders of La Crosse – 22.8%

Small Business

  1. Addiecakes – 41.7%
  2. Wettstein’s – 18.7%
  3. Pet Me Scratch Me – 15.8%

Free Activity

  1. Boating, fishing, & enjoying our rivers – 27.9%
  2. Moon Tunes & other free concerts at Riverside Park – 24.8%
  3. Hiking & Biking Hixon Forest and the La Crosse Marsh Trails – 23.9%

Fireworks Display

  1. Riverfest 4th of July Fireworks Show, Riverside Park – 48.6%
  2. La Crosse Skyrockers New Year’s Fireworks Show, Grandad Bluff – 25.0%
  3. Festival Foods Salute to the 4th Fireworks Show, Onalaska – 17.4%

Festival

  1. Oktoberfest – 57.2%
  2. Riverfest – 12.5%
  3. Holmen Kornfest – 10.8%