Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. High around 90F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Localized flooding is possible in washes..
Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
1. Christie’s Appliance & Mattress Co.
7250 N. La Cholla Blvd. (multiple locations) (520) 742-0801 christiesappliancetucson.com
Christie’s Appliance continues their streak as the Northwest’s
favorite appliance store, and it’s no surprise why: since 1956, they’ve delivered, installed and repaired appliances for the people of Tucson. In an industry where experience and expertise is key, Christie’s rises above, whether it’s a dishwasher, mattress, laundry machine or anything else to make your home more complete. And they’re locally owned and operated! What’s not to like?
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
6300 N Swan Road (520) 299-9191 degrazia.org
You might think it’s difficult to make 10 acres of desert feel sprawling and lush, but famed Southwestern artist Ted DeGrazia was ready for the challenge. While his impressionistic paintings are his most famous work,
the gallery grounds themselves are their own artpiece, bursting with natural sculptures, bejeweled archways, hidden murals, and even the work of other artists. DeGrazia Gallery In The Sun is
a perfect example of what limitless imagination can produce.
1745 E. River Road, suite 101 (520) 622-0400 elder-law.com
It’s not easy securing such a website address, but that just goes to show how on top of things Fleming & Curti are. Since 1984, Fleming & Curti have helped locals with estate planning, trust administration, wills, probate and Medicaid planning. With such personal and long-lasting decisions, you’ll need professionals with a great track record, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more established elder law firm in Tucson.
12945 N. Oracle Road (520) 975-1005 oorooauto.com
OOROO again takes the top spot for local auto repair shops thanks to the three words they base their business on: convenient, transparent and guaranteed. We know it’s rarely a good day when you need your car worked on, so you might as well head over to a beloved local shop that will make the process as easy as possible. And even better, when your car doesn’t work, it’s always good to have the service come to you.
In a town as cy- cling-centric as Oro Valley, your shop must be pretty special to win in this category. There’s a reason they’re named THE Oro Valley Bicycle. While their shop sells a wide variety of bikes, that’s only the beginning. They also offer repair, sell individual parts, host community rides, and work with “Body Geometry” to get bike and rider moving in perfect harmony.
Oh Bookmans, what more is there to say about thee? If you’ve been to one of their multiple locations throughout town, you know why they’re a Best of the Northwest perennial. Even if they only sold books, their breadth of genres would be enough to win this spot (classics, fantasy, children’s, Arizona history, mythology, independent publications, horror, vintage editions and more), but that’s only the beginning. Book- mans is a celebration of all media: movies, music, video games, instruments, comic books, board games— and it’s a resale shop as well!
If you’re like us, going to the car wash is actually a fun experience — especially when you’ve been trapped at home. So you’ll want to go to a location that shares in the joy of cleaning, and it’s hard to beat the smiling faces at Mister Car Wash. With locations all over town, a strong employee culture, and more options than you even knew could be at a car wash, Mister Car Wash wins the Northwest’s love yet again.
15970 N. Oracle Road (520) 825-9101 goldengooseaz.com
Thrift stores can often be overwhelming, and even worse, uninviting. Golden Goose Thrift Shop fixes these issues by making community and customer service the foundation of their business, a method that has won them praise from the public and press alike. And it’s about more than satisfied customers, Golden Goose walks the walk by ensuring their profits benefit local charities like SaddleBrooke Community Outreach and Impact of Southern Arizona. Golden Goose won us over, and according to our voters, we’re not alone.
Leman Academy Marana Daycare/Preschool
7720 N. Silverbell Road, (520) 639-8080, lemanacademy.com
Leman Academy’s Marana location offers multiple daycare options where your kids can play and learn at the same time. Whether you’re looking for preschool, full day kindergarten or after-school programs, Leman welcomes children to improve with their variety of intellectually stimulating, creative and athletic options for kiddos.
3. Sandbox Early Childhood Learning Center (tie)
3. Light the Way Preschool (tie)
1. Oro Valley Lighting and Electric
12995 N. Oracle Road, suite 151 (520) 282-1288 orovalleyelectric.com
Electricity and wiring certainly isn’t some- thing you want mess with if you don’t know what you’re doing, so leave it up to the professionals who’ve been serving Oro Valley for more than 15 years. Licensed to perform residential electrical contracting, Oro Valley Lighting and Electric is proud to have performed hundreds of projects and countless repairs for locals. And their free estimates and consultations mean you can be sure before you spend any money
Investing can be a wild world, especially during such an unprecedented year. Luckily, Fidelity Investments has a local connection to a national network of support. Whether you need retirement planning, estate strategies, tax advice or general investment solutions, Fidelity aims to be your one-stop-shop. Local branch leader Kevin Rupprecht has experience helping customers from retirees to college students and everyone in between.
3. Jason Turetzky Baird LLC (tie)
7181 Tanque Verde Road (multiple locations) (520) 202-9410 mayfieldflorist.com
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy flowers? And this year’s Best of the Northwest shows locals enjoy Mayfield Florists’ flowers more than any other. Per- haps it’s their variety of desert and traditional bouquets, their designs ranging from simple to extravagant, their same-day delivery all throughout the region or their “reaction guaranteed” motto. And if buying flowers isn’t your specialty, they even have a bestsellers category for easy selection. Come to think of it, it’s all these things that make Mayfield Florist a local favorite.
Sparkle Cleaners has freshened up the Northwest for years, and locals have noticed, consistently ranking them first in Best of the Northwest. Their simple mission to make their customers smile sure is strengthened by their free pickup and delivery, tailoring, and their “100% Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning.” Cleanliness is best!
9155 N. Shadow Mountain Dr. (520) 297-8724 ronnieshandyman.com
Boasting rave reviews on nearly every site you can find, it’s no wonder Ronnie’s Handyman & Home Service is this year’s Best Handyman of the Northwest. And it’s not just that people are happy with the work they do; it’s the variety of work as well. Say your house is in dire straits and needs irrigation, drywall, plumbing, electrical, a custom porch and countertops, new furniture assembled, and a fresh coat of paint to top it all off. Ronnie’s can do all that and plenty more.
Though you might not be familiar with the name Robson, you’ve certainly heard of their local communities like SaddleBrooke Ranch and Quail Creek. Our readers named Robson as the best home builder in the northwest due to their commitment to complete communities. These are more than houses—they also include pools, arts centers, professional golf courses, nature trails, fitness clubs, grills, dog parks and more. Robson explains it best themselves with their goal of “providing active adults a resort lifestyle.”
3. Meritage Homes (tie) 3. DR Horton (tie)
Urias continues their streak atop Best of the Northwest thanks to their efforts to help local homeowners achieve their dream houses. Since 1995, Urias has remodeled kitchens, bathrooms and designed custom home additions all throughout northwest Tucson, Oro Valley, Catalina Foothills and SaddleBrooke. But don’t just take our words for it; listen to the scores of clients raving about their gorgeous handiwork.
1. El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
10000 N. Oracle Road (520) 544-5000 hiltonelconquistador.com
With the variety of luxury hotels and resorts we’re lucky enough to live near, it’s no easy feat rising to the top. But Hilton’s El Conquistador in the Catalina Mountains secured first place this year with the fusion of their modern amenities, Sonoran flavor and killer views of the landscape. Whether you want to relax at the spa, enjoy multiple outdoor pools or taste some exquisite dishes, “El Con” ensures you don’t have to choose.
1. Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4551 S. Alvernon Way (520) 745-0660 ritewayac.com
Arizona knows the importance of air conditioning more than any other state, and living in Tucson with the occasional snow- fall, reliable heating can be critical as well. That’s why Northwest readers chose the local company with more than 60 years of HVAC experience as their favorite. Rite Way was founded right here in Tucson, but their combination of quality work and customer service has seen them successfully spread to Vail, Sahuarita, Green Valley and more.
3. Fairway Cooling & Heating LLC
12112 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., suite 1, (520) 818-1818, brentkoenig.com
Insurance can be a complex subject, so it certainly speaks well of the insurance agent who rises to the top of Best of the Northwest. Our readers chose Brent Koenig as the best local agent thanks to his expertise in auto, health, home, life, property and business insurance. Whether you live in Oro Valley, Tucson, Marana, or SaddleBrooke, this State Farm agent can get you protected.
3. Jim Miller, State Farm (tie) 3. Stratton Everything Insurance (tie)
230 E. Wetmore Road (520) 622-7532 mcguiresjewelers.com
Southern Arizona is a gem- and mineral-rich place, and McGuire’s once again rises as its crown jewel thanks to their offerings of everything jewelry-related. Whether you’re looking for a classic ring for a loved one, a custom design, appraisals, repairs or engravings, McGuire’s has you covered. In the business for more than 70 years, McGuire’s knows the value of a happy customer just as much as they know the value of a precious stone.
5461 W. Cortaro Farms Road (520) 579-1800 cutlerlandscaping.com
Being in the desert, sometimes landscaping isn’t just about as green as you can make things. While Cutler Land- scaping handles plenty of plants, they also specialize in sustainable arid landscapes, provide paving and outdoor lighting, barbecues, artificial grass and fire pits. Their work with Carondelet Health Network, the Sheraton Hotel, and plenty of local homes speaks for itself.
13005 N. Oracle Road, suite 165 (520) 529-1000 gaslightmusichall.com
Even before COVID hit, Gaslight Music Hall was a mainstay for Northwest entertainment. But their transformation to outdoor and drive-in concerts shows just how passionate they are about continuing to deliver music to the community. If you’ve never been to one of their shows, here’s what to expect: great tunes, dazzling costumes, hilarious (and cheesy) banter, and great food. Oro Valley is lucky to house a place as engaging as the Gaslight Music Hall—and extra lucky they’ve found ways to still get the audience roaring.
2960 W. Ina Road (520) 297-5452 grumpysgrill.com
A familiar face on Best of the Northwest, Grumpy’s Grill continues to win over the hearts and stomachs of Oro Valley thanks to their variety of American classics: bacon cheeseburgers, buffalo chicken sandwiches, reubens, chicken strips, prime rib—and don’t forget their signature Black & Bleu burger. And you can make any one of their awesome burgers a veggie burger. If you’ve ever stopped by for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it should be no surprise to see Grumpy’s win again.
5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive (520) 230-4730 harkins.com
In an era when so many movies are available from home, it takes a special theater to get folks out of the house. And that’s exactly what Harkins is. While they show the newest blockbusters like any other theater, they separate themselves from the pack thanks to their special screenings of classic films, arthouse and in- dependent films, special community events and sensory-friendly screenings. The movie-going experience is at the core of Harkins principle, and they’re ready to prove it.
3. Century at the Oro Valley Marketplace
3235 E. Allen Road (520) 299-9471 greenthingsaz.com
Family-owned and operated since 1970, Green Things Nursery continues to be beloved by the com- munity thanks to their extensive collection of desert flora, herbs and veggies, house plants, citrus trees and that’s only the beginning! Beyond the plants, they also offer pottery, lawn art, wholesale plants, and their Zócalo Village of Southwestern art has even more. Thirteen acres is a lot of room, but you can bet Green Things manages to pack it full.
10645 N. Oracle Road (520) 780-4122 stonecanyonpainting.com
The desert is a vibrant place to begin with, so an outdoor painting service really has to wow clients in order to stand out. Family-run, Stone Canyon Painting has painted hundreds of homes and projects around the SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch area since 2004 and offers roofing services as well.
7350 N. La Cholla Blvd., suite 112 (520) 229-9898 facebook.com/Sissys-Pet- Grooming-Salon
When the desert heat starts to hit and your pet is shedding like wild, you’d do just about anything to get your pet groomed. Luckily, Sissy’s offers a variety of services to pets including nail trimmings, ear cleanings, coat grooming and more. Just take a look at all the prim and proper pets on their social media and tell us you wouldn’t want to take your dog there.
8770 N. Thornydale Road, suite 100 (multiple locations) (520) 742-7107 proactivept.com
There are few ways to spend your money that are better than improving yourself. ProActive Physical Therapy offers plenty of ways to do this, including injury rehab, pre- and post-surgery improvement, chronic pain help, injury prevention and geriatric rehab. And with multiple locations throughout Tucson, you won’t have to go far to get help. ProActive Physical Therapy is a place you can quite literally feel good about stopping by.
2. Movement for Life Physical Therapy (formerly Athlon)
2021 N. Kinney Road (520) 883-2702 desertmuseum.org
Frankly, we think the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum does themselves a bit of a disservice only calling themselves a museum, because they are so much more than that. It’s no wonder our readers selected the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as the best place for family fun, because they’ve got something for every- one: gardens, a zoo, an aviary, galleries, nature trails, a science center and more. And this isn’t even touching all the diverse animal and hiking events they host throughout the year. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum wins because they are as multifaceted as the desert we call home.
2. Gadsden Pacific Division Toy Train Museum
PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
1. Board & Brush Creative Studio
7352 N. Oracle Road (520) 638-8062 boardandbrush.com/orovalley
Children are creative just as much as they are messy, so why not indulge their artistic side without having to worry about the clean- up? Board & Brush’s Oro Valley location is a do-it-yourself sign workshop, where you and friends can create a variety of projects worthy of showing off. They offer group workshops on a variety of subjects, and provide all the paint, stain, sand, wood and other supplies to make your or your kids’ projects shine.
2. Heart & Soul Kids Activity Center
3. Gadsden Pacific Division Toy Train Museum
Bayer’s new greenhouse in Marana (originally announced under the Monsanto title) utilizes a variety of cutting-edge technologies in their agricultural production. The high-paying jobs at the greenhouse are part of Bayer’s international network of science, technology and medicine. The facility is expected to create a $284 million economic impact by 2025, and contribute $1.5 million in taxes annually.
2. Heart & Soul Kids Activity Center
There’s rarely a time when you want to call a plumber, so you might as well choose a service that will make the process hassle-free and affordable. (See what we did there?) Affordable Plumbing helps with drain cleaning, water heaters, leaky faucets, water softeners, filtration systems and emergency service—and they boast they typically charge about half what the large companies charge. That’s something we can all get behind.
7918 N. Oracle Road (multiple locations) (520) 797-2299 patiopoolsaz.com
There are few items as coveted in the desert as a swimming pool—a true oasis during those months when the temperature rarely dips beneath triple digits! Patio Pools & Spas offer full backyard design services, complete pool and spa service, as well as pool and spa repair, renovations and they also operate multiple retail locations for spa and pool supplies. Patio Pools has been cooling the Tucson area off for more than 50 years, so it’s safe to say they’ve earned their spot as Best of the Northwest.
2. Omni Pool Builders and Design
3630 W. Tangerine Road, suite 112, (520) 250-1919, sparkleandsplash.com
What’s the point of having a pool if it’s in no condition to hop into? Sparkle and Splash Pools has quickly won over swimmers in the Tucson area thanks to their variety of services, including equipment installation, repair, cleaning and automation. But they truly pride themselves on their innovative reverse osmosis process, which preserves and recycles water, all while ridding the pool of unwanted minerals and contaminants. Thanks for preserving the desert’s water, guys.
1. Brittany Palma, Broker-Owner, 1st Heritage Realty
5501 N. Swan Road, suite 231, (520) 270-7958, thea2bteam.com
If you haven’t heard, Tucson’s real estate market is hotter than Phoenix in July, despite (or maybe because of) the pandemic. So you’ll want someone with plenty of experience and passion to help you maneuver the market. Brittany Palma won over our readers thanks to her commitment to the community and her clients. In her words, “everyone deserves to be treated with professionalism, respect, dignity and loving care.”
2550 W. Poppy Ave. (520) 887-3384 ralphhays.com
Since 1958, Ralph Hays Roofing has been repairing and protecting Tucson homes from the powerful sun over- head. Fully licensed, bonded and insured, and offering free estimates for their full range of service, it’s no wonder Northwest folks have voted them as the best. Beyond roofing maintenance and repair, they also offer roofing in metal, wood shakes, clay tile, concrete tile and more.
La Encantada is Spanish for “the enchanted,” and if you’ve been to this northside luxury mall, you know it’s earned its title. La Encantada is home to shops from clothing to technology to food and more. And while it houses plenty of high- end retailers, what really sets La Encantada apart is its wonderful atmosphere and layout that makes it as pleas- ant to stroll around as to shop in.
12110 N. Dove Mountain Blvd. (520) 448-9690 dovemountainvet.com
These days, it seems people view their pets as members of their family more than ever — and you want the best for your loved ones. Dove Mountain Veterinary offers the full package of pet care, from surgery to dental to microchip- ping to preventative wellness. They also offer some specialty services like boarding, rattlesnake awareness training and laser therapy as well. Your pet will be the envy of the neighborhood!
2980 N. Swan Road, suite 144 (520) 325-5677 lacontessaboutique.com
Family owned and operated since 1985, La Contessa boutique has won over northside shoppers with their emphasis on relation- ship-oriented service, honesty with customers, and high-quality clothing. Located in Plaza Palomino, La Contessa offers casual and formal clothing, accessories, wedding gowns and more. Newly remodeled, they’re more ready to show off their wares than ever before.
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