Best of the Valley Hall of Fame
Class of 2024
V’s Barbershop
Growing up as a rodeo cowboy in Tucson, Jim Valenzuela learned the importance of quality service and showmanship. His journey through industries such as real estate and medical education led him to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he stumbled upon a classic, old-fashioned barber shop. “It brought back [childhood] memories of going to the barbershop with my dad,” he says. In 1999, Valenzuela founded V’s Barbershop in Arcadia, reviving the classic barbershop traditions – hot lather, straightedge shaves, neck massages – that Phoenix lacked. V’s Barbershop has won Best of the Valley Readers’ Pick: Best Barber an impressive 17 times, a testament to the shop’s timeless design and culture. Valenzuela attributes his success (V’s now has an astounding 60 locations nationwide) to treating partners and patrons with warmth and dignity. “A whole lot of laughter doesn’t hurt either,” he adds. As an inaugural BOV Hall of Fame inductee, Valenzuela reflects that “for others to look up to V’s and consider us worthy is surreal.” Currently on his radar: a V’s product line and a multi-platform shopping experience. vbarbershop.com
Best Upholstery Repair
Roberto’s Sofa Factory
A set of vintage 1950s armchairs with dog-shredded upholstery returned home from a five-week stay at Roberto’s Sofa Factory like new. Nay, better. The work was stunning: crisp seams, taut fabric, care with the delicate caning. Robert Llamas is the real deal, a true craftsman taught by his father, who founded the shop in 1999. 3401 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, 602-278-8742
Best Place to Recycle Cat Food Cans
PHX Cat Cafe
Nonprofit cat rescue and adoption lounge PHX Cat Café recently implemented a program where people can bring in their aluminum items for recycling and donate the proceeds to support the rescue’s mission. “We won’t make a ton of money off of it, but it’s a very passive fundraiser that also helps the environment a tiny bit, too” says café president Carrie Schwartz. You don’t even have to remove the labels! Just make sure your cans are aluminum by testing them with a magnet. If the magnet is attracted to the can, it isn’t aluminum. 147 E. Garfield St., Phoenix, 602-374-3380 phxcatcafe.org
Best Non-Resort Massage
Movement Restoration
For a massage without the frills and cost of a resort spa, this privately owned massage therapy concept puts the emphasis on restoring natural movement. Whether you’re hunched over a computer all day or strained your back playing basketball, Movement Restoration can help you straighten out the kinks without breaking the bank. 6747 E. Thomas Rd., Scottsdale, 480-612-5090, movementrestoration.com
Best Microwave Saviors
Major Appliance Parts
The folks at Major Appliance Parts are heroes, lifesavers on the front lines of the war between homeowners and broken-down dishwashers, ovens, washing machines and refrigerators. Not only do these guys always seem to have the exact part to fix anything, they also have the 40-years-in-business expertise to do it right. 3241 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, 602-953-3008, phoenixscottsdalemajorapplianceparts.com
Best Budget Dog Dental Cleanings
Home Fur Good
The average cost of a teeth-cleaning for your four-legged friend sits around $500-$800 – quite a bite out of your monthly budget. Not so at Home Fur Good. The animal shelter’s Sunday clinics offer $350 canine dental cleanings by professional veterinarians. The procedure includes everything from anesthesia to pain medication and a nail clipping. 10220 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-971-1334, homefurgood.org
Best A/C Company
Clark Heating + Cooling
HVAC companies will say anything when they want your business, but then they’re never around when something goes wrong. Thank goodness for David Clark and his team of straight-shooting specialists. They don’t make promises they can’t keep and always offer a good value, even when the weather gets unbearable. 14050 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, 602-793-2477, clarkheatandcool.com
Best Facial
Celestial Black Diamond Facial
We’re wary of hyperbolic branding, but in the case of this facial at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale Troon North Spa, “celestial” is apropos. The resort is the exclusive Arizona purveyor of 111SKIN products, developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides to help patients recover from cosmetic surgery. The multi-mask treatment utilizes 111SKIN’s most concentrated potions to tighten and brighten everything as much as possible without needles or scalpels. 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr., Scottsdale, 480-515-5700, fourseasons.com/scottsdale/spa
Best Psychic
Guidance by Angalina
Seeking spiritual insights on love, career, health, past, present or future? Angalina provides closure, clarity and healing through her no-nonsense psychic sessions, palm and tarot readings, aura cleansings and chakra balancing services. 4214 N. Seventh Ave., 602-774-6000, guidancebyangalina.com
Best Spirit Space
Casa Medicina
If it nourishes the body and soul, you’ll find it in this top-to-bottom wellness center from owner Merihelen Nunez. With the over-arching theme of fostering personal connections, Nunez offers wellness sessions to support mind, body and spirit with modalities such as sound healing, herbal consultations, hypnosis, mediumship, yoga, wellness coaching and Reiki. It’s also the home of Nunez’s apothecary and tea shop, Tangled Root Botanicals, and the site of special events like full-moon frock swaps, plant sales and sober cocktail hours. 7123 N. 58th Ave., Glendale, 480-299-4189, @casamedicinaaz on Instagram
