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Jane Dodd’s favorite way to eat tomatoes:Spread mayonnaise on two slices of bread, add tomato slices sprinkled with salt and pepper, “and go at it.” Steve Hedberg photo
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Ukrop’s on eBayIf you want something to remember the hometown grocer by, a few items can be found, such as a black Ukrop’s T-shirt available for $11 and a Ukrop’s Race Fest T-shirt wrapped in the shape of a car for $9.99. V. Lee Aulick photo
Best Local Product
Hanover Tomato Tradition has it that Hanover County's sandy loam soil built this plant's reputation. The Virginia Farm Bureau estimates 38 tomato farm growers in the county. One of those, Dodd's Acres Farm, raises close to 100,000 tomato plants in 10 to 12 varieties, says co-owner Jane Dodd. Her farm's tomatoes can be found at Martin's Food Markets, among other groceries and farmers markets around Virginia, from late June through mid-October. 2. Legend's beer 3. Bun Bun bags
Most Civic-Minded Business
Ukrop's
Former Ukrop's customers applaud the grocery chain's charitable giving, refusal to sell alcohol and its practice of closing on Sundays. "I think what people may be responding to is our history of … trying to make Richmond a better place to live, work and play," says Robert S. "Bobby" Ukrop, now president and chief executive of Ukrop's Homestyle Foods (a supplier to Martin's Food Markets, which bought the Ukrop's stores). He points out that Martin's supports many of the same organizations Ukrop's did. 2. Midas of Richmond
3. (Tie) Dominion Auto Group; Ellwood Thompson's; Puritan Cleaners
Best RVA Souvenir
Ukrop's bag, baked goods or other gear The sale of Ukrop's Super Markets was a blow to longtime customers such as Debbie Simmons, a Roanoke resident who grew up in Richmond. She still takes her Ukrop's reusable bags to the store where she has shopped since the Ukrop's in her city closed. She also has a Ukrop's magnet on her fridge, cups in her cabinet, and a key ring and a pen. 2. Flying Squirrels gear 3. Virginia Is for Lovers gear
Best Established and/or Historic Neighborhood
The Fan This 85-block Victorian neighborhood underwent a renaissance starting in the 1960s, when many of its homes were extensively renovated, says Fan District Association president Barbara Hartung. Hartung's home on Hanover Avenue was built in 1903 in the Queen Anne style, one of at least a dozen building styles in the neighborhood. 2. Church Hill 3. Museum District
New Boomer Community
Short Pump Besides lush landscaping, recreational clubs and the option of maintenance-free living, Short Pump planned communities such as Twin Hickory, Grey Oaks, Wyndham and Wellesley are prized for their easy access to good schools, interstates, shopping, restaurants and cultural activities, says Janice Taylor, an associate broker with Re/Max Commonwealth's Taylor Team. "For the people who live and work in the Short Pump area, myself included, everything is at our fingertips." 2. Cross Ridge 3. Rocketts Landing
Best Dog-Centric Event
Easter on Parade With bonnet contests for pets as well as for people, this springtime rite on Monument Avenue brings to mind the children's book Go, Dog. Go! in which one dog repeatedly asks another, "Do you like my hat?" Except instead of "I do not," the answer would always be, "Yes, I do like your party hat!" 2. SPCA Dog Jog 3. Woofstock
Best New Neighborhood/ Community
Rocketts Landing Although the first residents moved into Rocketts Landing three years ago, the development won't be completed until 2015 or later, with a total of 1,500 residences. Sales and marketing director Marti Cooke says the three blocks north of The Boathouse restaurant will become the retail "Main Street," with residences and offices above the shops. 2. Hallsley 3. Charter Colony
Coolest New Apartment/Condo Community
Rocketts Landing Even though his job as an account executive with RaceIt.com is in Glen Allen, when 24-year-old Ryan Conrad moved from Virginia Beach to Richmond two months ago, he chose to live in a one-bedroom loft at Cedar Works, a former ice-cream-freezer plant at Rocketts Landing. "I like running along the river and down into the city as well," he says. "What appealed to me is just the great vibe and how up and coming it was." 2. West Broad Village 3. River Lofts
Favorite Street to Drive (Other than Monument Avenue)
Cary Street
When you want to cruise a happening area of Richmond, Carytown is a good bet. Between Thompson Street and the Boulevard, you can glimpse tattooed hipsters, families with pets and moony-eyed couples; see who's sipping wine on the outdoor patios; find out what's playing at the Byrd Theatre; or check out the latest window display at Bygones. 2. River Road/Cary Street Road
3. Riverside Drive
