Nominations Are Now Closed for Idaho’s Best 2026

Here’s What Happens Next

The nomination period for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards is now closed. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received as Idaho residents nominated their favorite local companies and helped kick off another exciting awards season.

What Happens Behind the Scenes

With nominations complete, our team is now focused on reviewing each submission to determine which businesses will move forward in the 2026 program. Because only a limited number of companies can advance, not every nominated business will become an official nominee.

During this stage, we carefully review each business to ensure:

• It aligns with the appropriate category
• Business information and locations are accurate
• Google reviews from the past 12 months reflect consistent customer experience

This step takes time, but it’s essential to keeping Idaho’s Best competitive, fair, and meaningful.

What’s Next?

Once the review process is complete, we’ll announce the official 2026 Idaho’s Best nominees, and the program will move into the next stage.

Thank you for being part of Idaho’s Best. We’re excited to share what’s next.

The nomination period for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards is coming to a close. If there’s a local business you believe deserves recognition this year, now is the time to make sure they’re on our radar. Nominate your favorite candidate here!

🗓 Nominations close January 6

We’re grateful for the continued support from Idaho residents who take the time to nominate their favorite companies. These early submissions help shape a strong, competitive awards season.

What Happens After Nominations Close?

Once nominations close, our team begins the review process to determine which businesses move forward in the 2026 awards program. Because we can only advance a limited number of companies, not every nominated business will become an official nominee.

Any businesses nominated after January 6 will automatically be considered for the 2027 Idaho’s Best Awards.

What’s Ahead in the 2026 Season

After official nominees are announced, the program moves into the voting stage, which will take place February 10–26. During this time, Idaho residents will have the opportunity to support the businesses they believe truly stand out.

The season will wrap up with the Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony, taking place April 7–8 in Boise. Hosting the event across two nights allows us to welcome more guests and recognize more outstanding businesses from across the state.

Final Reminder

If you’ve been meaning to submit a nomination, this is your reminder to do so before the January 6 deadline. Nominations are the first step in a months-long program designed to recognize the businesses Idaho residents trust and support.

Thank you for being part of Idaho’s Best. We’re excited for the season ahead.

Grief filled the room as the Jergens family sat around the kitchen table, now quiet and heavy with absence. Just hours before, Sarah had been there too, weighing in on dinner (tacos or pizza) with her usual warmth and humor. No one had expected that a routine trip to the store would end in heartbreak. But when Cody’s phone rang, it brought unimaginable news: Sarah had passed away from a sudden heart attack.

In the days that followed, Cody moved through a fog of shock and heartache. Sarah had always been the healthier one, the steady center of their family. Now, with their children looking to him for answers, he found himself juggling his deep grief with a growing list of legal responsibilities. Amid the chaos, he remembered how Sarah had insisted they set up wills and a living trust, just after their first child was born. It had felt like a precaution back then, something they might never need. But now, grateful for Sarah’s foresight, Cody called Pinnacle Estate Planning

Jason Gray knows this story all too well. Before founding Pinnacle, he spent years locating next of kin and navigating asset distribution for families with no estate plans in place. Time and again, he found himself explaining legal procedures to heartbroken spouses and overwhelmed children.

These weren’t just legal cases to him, they were real families in crisis. And Jason knew it didn’t have to be that way. That’s why he started Pinnacle Estate Planning: to help people prepare ahead of time, giving them peace of mind for the future and relief when it mattered most.

Even with his legal experience, Jason wanted his business to have something more. He believed that true service meant showing up for people as humans first. To bring this deeper care into the business, he invited his wife, Dani, to join the firm. She’s the kind of person who remembers birthdays, checks in on clients, and brings a calming presence to every interaction. Together, they’ve shaped Pinnacle into a family-run practice built on empathy and clarity.

Clients like the Jergens family are the reason Pinnacle exists. From the first conversation to the final paperwork, every step is designed to be understandable, personal, and stress-free, especially in moments when families need it most.

Cody remembers how surprisingly simple the process was when he and Sarah first made their estate plan. At the time, it felt almost too easy to be important. But when tragedy struck, that simplicity became everything. When he called Pinnacle, he wasn’t just met with legal advice, he was met with kindness and understanding. Someone asked how he was doing before any of the paperwork started. That stuck with him.

Knowing everything was already in place—no court dates, no legal guesswork—lifted a huge weight off Cody’s shoulders. He could be present for his kids. He could grieve without added confusion. And thanks to Pinnacle, he could begin healing with one less burden to carry.
Pinnacle Estate Planning isn’t just about preparing documents. It’s about protecting what matters most: your people, your values, your legacy.

There’s nothing easy about losing someone you love, but with the right plan in place, it doesn’t have to be harder than it already is. Pinnacle makes estate planning approachable and understandable, encouraging families to take action before crisis hits.

They’re not just attorneys. They’re a support system when it matters most, a trusted guide through life’s most difficult moments.

The sun had just started to slip through the curtains when Emily woke to the soft sounds of her baby stirring beside her. She rolled over, meeting the wide brown eyes of her daughter. As the fussing turned into impatient cries, Emily climbed out of bed, went to the kitchen, and started her morning routine, flipping on the light, grabbing a bottle, mixing formula, and setting it in the warmer.

Just as she pressed the button, the lights flickered. Then everything shut off. Only the faint glow of early morning remained as her appliances and lights powered down. Her daughter’s cries became urgent. Emily tried offering the lukewarm bottle, but her baby refused it. With rising panic, she grabbed the list of emergency repair contacts taped inside a drawer and called the first number she saw: Mountain Valley Electric.

Zach Giles picked up the phone, his first call of the day. “Mountain Valley Electric, this is Zach,” he said. He was met with a panicked voice and a crying baby in the background. After hearing the situation, he calmly assured Emily that someone would be there within the hour.

As soon as his first electrician arrived, Zach sent them straight to Emily’s house, stressing the urgency and making sure his team handled the situation with their usual care and compassion. It’s this kind of personal attention and follow-through that has defined Mountain Valley Electric since it opened ten years ago. Built on values like integrity, loyalty, and transparency, the company has built a reputation for standing by its work and showing up when it matters most.

When the electrician arrived, he introduced himself to Emily. After assessing the situation, he discovered that an old outlet had caused the breaker to trip when the bottle warmer was plugged in. He explained the issue and gave Emily a quick overview of what to expect.

He worked quickly and efficiently, and within the hour, Emily’s lights were back on and her daughter was finally able to eat. As her baby’s cries turned to sleepy coos, Emily felt the stress melt away. She thanked the electrician several times, grateful for the calm and swift response.

Wanting to express her appreciation further, Emily called the office again once things had settled. Zach answered again, and she was surprised to learn he was the owner. They talked about the visit, and he brought up a note in the electrician’s report about the outdated wiring. Now that Emily was no longer in crisis, Zach gently explained that this issue was likely not isolated to that one outlet. He recommended a full inspection to prevent it from happening again.

Understanding how chaotic life with a newborn can be, Zach offered to work around Emily’s schedule to find a convenient time. It was clear he wasn’t just checking a box, he genuinely wanted to make sure her home was safe and functioning.

That personal touch is one of the reasons Mountain Valley Electric continues to grow. What started as a local electrical company has expanded into a broader service provider. They recently added a plumbing division and plan to launch HVAC services by the end of the year, offering a comprehensive range of home solutions all under one roof. With a new building under construction to support their growing team and operations, Mountain Valley Electric is preparing to serve their community better than ever.

As Emily hung up the phone and settled onto the couch, she felt a deep sense of relief. She hadn’t realized how much peace of mind comes from knowing someone reliable is just a call away. What could have been a day full of chaos turned into a reminder that there are still businesses that lead with care and commitment.

Mountain Valley Electric didn’t just restore Emily’s power. They brought reassurance, solutions, and a promise to keep showing up whenever needed. For Emily, they’re not just an emergency contact. They’re the team she’ll count on for years to come.

On the corner of Lemp and State Streets in Boise sits a small restaurant that tells a big story—a story of determination, warmth, and devotion to community. Alyonka Russian Cuisine is more than a place to enjoy honey cake or hand-folded dumplings. It’s the life’s work of Elena DeYoung, a charming woman whose journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Idaho is as rich and layered as the royal chocolate ganache she bakes nightly.

Elena was born in Kazakhstan, the third of six children. Her father passed away when she was 7, so Elena stepped into the kitchen early, doing her best to helping feed her siblings while her mother worked full time.

Soon after her father’s death, she spent four years living with her grandparents. This is where her passion for food truly began. Resources were limited, especially in winter, so she and her grandmother preserved seasonal ingredients, making every bit count. Those were her first lessons in cooking and baking, learned by watching and helping in her grandmother’s kitchen.

When she was 11, Elena returned to the family home and discovered an old cookbook filled with handwritten recipes and notes. She still keeps it today. That book became her connection to the past and the spark that lit her lifelong love of cooking.

In 1993, Elena moved to the U.S., landing in Brooklyn. She didn’t speak English but quickly learned through community college. Her nickname, Alyonka—a Russian term of endearment—would later become the name of her restaurant, a tribute to the roots she never left behind.

In 2004, she moved to Boise. The following year, her mother passed away, and in the midst of deep grief, Elena found comfort in the Russian Orthodox Church. The priest and congregation became her chosen family. She began selling dumplings for church and community fundraisers, supporting causes i like rebuilding the St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church. More and more people tasted her food and said the same thing: “Why just once a year? You need to open a restaurant.”

In November 2019, Elena opened Alyonka Russian Cuisine. Just months later, the pandemic hit. She had to let her employees go and began working 16- to 18-hour days—prepping, cooking, cleaning, baking—just to keep the doors open. She pivoted to to-go orders, and the community rallied behind her.

“People I didn’t even know dropped off envelopes with money. Some support came anonymously. I was overwhelmed by kindness,” she says, still emotional.

Inside the restaurant, every dish feels personal. The honey cake, with delicate layers of honey sponge and cream, is the most popular. The royal chocolate ganache and airy pavlova are baked with equal care. Her intricate dumplings require time, space, and precision. Because of the small kitchen, dumplings can only be prepared on Mondays, when the restaurant is closed. On those days, a group of Russian and Ukrainian women, ages 60 to 78, come in to knead, roll, and shape the restaurant’s famous dumplings by hand.

Elena’s dedication caught national attention when Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featured Alyonka’s, shining a spotlight on what Boise locals already knew: something special is happening here.

Before opening the restaurant, Elena worked as a schoolteacher. Now, her classroom is the kitchen, and her lessons are served on a plate. Her children helped renovate the building when she signed the lease, even though she briefly doubted herself two days later. But the landlord, sensing something genuine, chose her over other interested parties.

In Elena’s world, the doors are always open. I experienced this firsthand.

“If someone knocks,” she says, “you let them in. You don’t start talking until after you’ve fed them.”

That spirit shines in every corner of Alyonka’s—a place built not just from flour and spice, but from a lifetime of feeding others with love.

At 34 years old, Rod Kinney felt a bit out of place when he decided to become a certified ear piercer. He had been managing his family business, a pawnshop, and was determined to keep the family legacy alive. In 1991, Rod took a bold step and expanded the company by opening a tattoo parlor. Almost immediately, customers began asking if the company offered piercings in addition to tattoos. The tattoo artist on staff wasn’t interested, so Rod decided to take matters into his own hands.

From these humble beginnings, WarmArt Tattoo & BodyPiercing was born. Rod knew that improperly done tattoos or piercings could lead to infections, scarring, allergic reactions, and other complications. So over the years, he continued to hone his craft. As WarmArt became more popular, his team grew alongside its reputation.

The team at WarmArt Tattoo & BodyPiercing is truly outstanding. Tattoo artists Joshua Martinez and Kenny Thompson, with over 55 years of combined experience, ensure every client receives exceptional artistry and care. As piercings grew in popularity, Rod introduced an apprentice program to foster new talent, which has been highly successful—many of WarmArt’s skilled piercers are graduates of it. Co-owner Laurie Kinney manages the business, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Together, the team exemplifies dedication and artistry, making WarmArt a trusted name in the Twin Falls community.

Rod’s piercings weren’t just cosmetic; they had health benefits too. One day, while working in the parlor, Rod met a young customer who had been suffering from migraines her entire life. She hoped a daith piercing would help alleviate the pain. A daith piercing passes through the ear’s innermost cartilage fold and is believed to target a pressure point that can help with migraines. After discussing her issues and showing her jewelry options, she decided to have Rod pierce both daiths.

As Rod was cleaning up post-procedure, the girl started crying. Concerned, Rod quickly asked, “Are you okay?” Through tears, she responded, “This is the first time that I haven’t had a migraine in years.” Rod’s heart swelled with joy, knowing he had made such a positive impact on her life.

Another emotional experience happened when a patient with Parkinson’s disease came in. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance problems. Because the body moves uncontrollably, piercings can be difficult. Understanding that piercing can be a form of expression, Rod was determined to help. He found a way for the patient to get the piercing they longed for, allowing them to feel more beautiful, cool, and even badass.

On another occasion, someone called asking if Rod was willing to make a house call. An elderly woman wanted her ears pierced before she died. Rod didn’t hesitate;he brought his supplies to the retirement center. The staff informed him that it made her day, knowing he was so willing to come and provide the service.

Rod has never turned anyone away. He has welcomed clients with physical disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, and people for whom piercing is an extremely emotional event. For him, it’s not just about poking holes; it’s about changing lives, even if just temporarily.

WarmArt Tattoo & BodyPiercing has been a part of the Twin Falls community for over 30 years. They support many local and national charities, such as Toys for Tots, QRU, Twin Falls Zoological Center, Family Health Services Foundation, Twin Falls Tonight, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and many other clubs and organizations in need. Rod Kinney’s dedication to his craft and his community has made him a beloved figure in Idaho, a true testament to the power of compassion and commitment.

Pete Watson, a real estate agent in his early forties, drives through Nampa, Idaho, on a bright summer afternoon. With an hour to spare before his next appointment, he spots a sign for “Retro World,” a video game store nestled on a quiet shopping strip. Intrigued and nostalgic, Pete pulls into the parking lot and steps inside.

As he walks through the door, Pete realizes he’s stepped into a time machine. The store is filled with shelves upon shelves of gaming consoles and cartridges from decades past. His eyes drift over a few PlayStations, a limited edition Xbox, and a collection of old games that stir fond memories. Suddenly, a flash of yellow catches his eye. He looks up to see a familiar controller hanging on the wall.

“Is this a DK64 Banana Yellow N64 controller?!” Pete exclaims softly. A smile spreads across his face as he remembers the countless hours he and his younger brother spent fighting over that very controller. Now, as he stands in Retro World, a wave of emotion washes over him. He’s overwhelmed by the nostalgia of those precious, carefree days spent with his brother, bonded by the magic of their shared adventures in gaming.

As Pete continues to browse Retro World, he marvels at the variety of gaming systems they have available. He smiles as he checks out other memorable gaming systems. The store is a treasure trove of gaming history, each console a milestone in the evolution of video games. Pete’s smile broadens as he spotsMortal Kombat, GoldenEye 007, and Doom among the N64 games on display. 

As memories come flooding back, Pete strikes up a conversation with the store owner, Steve Griffin II, curious to learn how a store like this got its start. Steve shares his story, explaining that he started Retro World in 2014 in Twin Falls under the name Retro Games & Entertainment. During this time, he was serving in the US Army National Guard from 2012 to 2020, and running the store part-time was a passion project.

Steve’s love for gaming was nurtured by his father, who owned Gamer’s World & Sports. Steve learned the ins and outs of the gaming business while working alongside him. Listening to Steve, Pete feels a connection, realizing that the store is a labor of love. Steve tells Pete that people like him, who cherish and remember the magic of these games, are why he loves his job.

Steve’s team works tirelessly to provide a stellar experience for every customer, pouring their hearts into making Retro World the greatest place to shop for games and fun. They are committed to excellence, striving to ensure that each visit is memorable and enjoyable. As they chat, Pete realizes that Steve isn’t just a store owner; he’s a fellow gamer who knows these games inside and out. Steve shares stories about introducing classic games to kids who have never heard of them, marveling at how some children don’t recognize an original Gameboy or even know what an Atari is. Steve takes pride in offering lower prices than the mainstream market, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the magic of retro gaming.

Forty-five minutes later, Pete leaves the store with a yellow N64 controller, an N64 console, four new games, and a newfound friendship with Steve. Excited, he immediately texts his little brother to plan a trip back to the store together. Retro World has reignited a spark, reminding Pete of the joy and simplicity of his youth. He can’t wait to relive those moments and create new memories with his brother, just like old times.