Leader Publications is kicking off its inaugural Best of Jefferson County contest today, April 10, and is accepting nominations for your favorite locally owned and operated businesses, organizations and attractions.
During the nomination period, which ends April 24, Leader readers are encouraged to nominate businesses and organizations in more than 100 categories. Each reader may submit as many nominations as he or she likes. For the list of categories, see below this story.
The Jefferson County Growth Association is the title sponsor of the contest.
Those who wish to nominate businesses or organizations may visit myleaderpaper.com/bestof, which is also where participants will go to vote when the voting portion of the contest begins next month.
The thought behind the friendly competition is to promote small business in the county and to give people suggestions for places to dine, shop, use reliable services and more in Jefferson County, said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, the Leader’s digital marketing manager.
“We’ve had this idea for many, many years,” Skaggs said. “We just thought it was a great time to bring it to life and shine a light on our small business community.
“We are looking at this as a fun program to highlight all of the awesome businesses in our county. It is also an opportunity for people to tell us who their favorite businesses are.”
While the contest focuses on local businesses and organizations, national and regional chains will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Skaggs stressed the significance of the nomination period.
“The most important thing is that nominations open April 10 and businesses must be nominated to get into the voting round,” Skaggs said. “It only takes one nomination to get into the voting round when we’ll have Leader readers pick their favorites.”
In addition to the nomination period for the contest, there are a few other important dates to keep in mind. After the nomination period closes, voting will start on May 15 and end on May 29; and winners will be announced in the June 26 edition of the Leader.
Skaggs noted that voters have 119 categories in which to cast votes. All voting will be done online, and participants are limited to one vote per category per day, according to contest rules.
“Some examples of the categories include Best Place to Work, Best Winery, Best Hair Salon, Best Golf Course, Best Bank. We even have a Best Taxidermy category, which was a suggestion of a Leader staffer.”
If someone wants to see another category added to the mix, Skaggs would like to hear about it.
“We’ve tried to think of categories for all of the different businesses in the county,” she said. “If you think of a new one, let us know for next year’s Best of Jefferson County contest.”
Categories are segmented by groups and they are: Arts & Entertainment; Automotive; Beer, Wine & Liquor; Body and Soul; Destinations; Dining Out; Finance; Food; Health; Home; Kids and Education; Pets; Services; and Shopping.
Each group offers multiple categories. For instance, one of the Dining Out categories is Best Barbecue Restaurant, and one of the Food categories is Best Burger. The Body and Soul group includes Best Hair Salon, Best Health & Fitness Club, Best Makeup/Skincare Shop, Best Manicure/Pedicure, Best Place for a Massage, Best Tattoo Shop.
Highest vote totals determine winners and finalists. Those receiving the most votes in a category will be the winners, while those receiving the second- and third-most votes in a category will be named as finalists.
“All winners and finalists will receive a certificate,” Skaggs said.
In addition to the Jefferson County Growth Association, numerous other organizations are sponsoring the Best of Jefferson County program.
“We have many, many sponsors who are making this project happen and are appreciative of their partnering with us, including three of our proud sponsors – The Mill feed, seed and pet store in Imperial, Fairway Automotive in Arnold and Big Nasty Motorsports in Hillsboro.”
For more information, call Leader Publications at 636-931-7560 or send emails to news@myleaderpaper.com.
Arts & Entertainment
- Best Event Venue
- Best Family Friendly Attraction
- Best Local Band/Artist
- Best Local Festival/Carnival
- Best Movie Theater
Automotive
Sponsored by Pettus Automotive
- Best Auto Body Shop
- Best Auto Dealer (New)
- Best Auto Dealer (Used)
- Best Auto Mechanic Shop
- Best Motorcycle Shop
- Best Glass Shop
- Sponsored by Anytime AutoGlass
- Best Tire Center
- Best Towing Company
Beer, Wine, Liquor
Sponsored by Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill
- Best Bar/Happy Hour
- Best Craft Brewery/Distillery/
- Cidery/Meadery
- Best Liquor Store
- Best Sports Bar
- Best Winery
Body & Soul
- Best Hair Salon
- Best Health & Fitness Club
- Best Makeup/Skincare Shop
- Best Manicure/Pedicure
- Best Place for a Massage
- Best Tattoo Shop
Destinations
Sponsored by Brookdale Farms
- Best Farmers Market
- Sponsored by Arnold Farmers Market
- Best Golf Course
- Best Hotel
- Best Wedding Venue
Dining Out
Sponsored by La Pachanga Mexican Restaurant
- Best Barbecue Restaurant
- Best Breakfast/Brunch
- Best Chinese Restaurant
- Best Coffee House
- Best Fine Dining
- Best Food Truck
- Best Italian Restaurant
- Sponsored by Trattoria Giuseppe
- Best Lunch Spot
- Best Mexican Restaurant Sponsored by La Pachanga Mexican Restaurant
- Best Overall Restaurant
- Best Place for Dessert
- Best Restaurant Service
Finance
- Best Bank
- Sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank
- Best Credit Union
- Best Financial Planner
- Best Mortgage Lender
- Best Tax Preparation Company
Food
- Best Bakery
- Best Burger
- Best Catering Company
- Best Donut Shop
- Best Frozen Treat
- Best Pizza
- Best Wings
Health
Sponsored by Evolve Wellness
- Best Chiropractic Practice
- Best Dental Practice
- Best Independent Pharmacy
- Best Mental Health Provider
- Best Optometrist
- Sponsored by Lazarus Eye Care
- Best Orthodontic Practice
- Best Pediatrician
- Best Physical Therapist
- Best Podiatrist
- Best Primary Care Physician
- Best Weight Loss Clinic
- Best Wellness Clinic
Home
Sponsored by B.F. Mahn & Sons Inc.
- Best Apartment Complex
- Sponsored by Debrecht Properties
- Best Deck Company
- Sponsored by Mark Hicks Everything Decks
- Best Electrical Company
- Best Flooring Company
- Best Heating and Air Company
- Best Home Décor/Furnishings
- Best Landscape Company
- Best Moving Company
- Sponsored by Get It Moved
- Best Nursery/Garden Center
- Sponsored by Stuckmeyer’s Farm Market
- Best Pest Control Company
- Best Plumbing Company
- Best Pool or Spa Company
- Best Real Estate Agency
- Best Real Estate Agent
- Best Restoration/Repair Company
- Best Roofing Company
- Sponsored by Stark Roofing LLC
- Best Tree Service Company
- Sponsored by Timberline Professional Tree Care
Kids and Education
- Best Child Care Center
- Best Dance Studio
- Best Gymnastics Club
- Best Martial Arts Studio
- Best Preschool
Pets
- Best Boarding/Daycare
- Best Dog Park
- Best Dog-Friendly Business
- Best Pet Grooming Place
- Best Pet Store
- Best Veterinary Clinic
Services
- Best Assisted Living Community
- Sponsored by Pine Valley Assisted Living
- Best Community-Oriented Company
- Best Construction Company
- Best Dispensary
- Best Funeral Home
- Sponsored by Chapel Hill Mortuary
- Best Insurance Company/Agent
- Best Law Firm
- Best Lumber Company
- Best Nonprofit
- Best Photographer
- Best Place to Work
- Best Senior Living Community
- Sponsored by Autumn Ridge Residences
- Best Taxidermy
- Best Transportation Company
- Best Travel and Tour Services
Shopping
Sponsored by Kimmswick Merchants Association
- Best Antique Store
- Best Book Store
- Best Boutique
- Best Bridal/Formal Wear Store
- Best Consignment/Thrift Store
- Best Floral Shop
- Best Furniture Store
- Sponsored by Mueller’s Furniture & Mattress
- Best Gift Shop
- Sponsored by Mississippi Mud Gallery & Gifts
- Best Hardware Store
- Best Mattress Store
- Sponsored by Sleep Eazy
- Best Specialty Retail Shop
- Best Sporting Goods Store
Proud sponsors
- Big Nasty Motorsports
- Drew’s Donut Stop
- Fairway Automotive - Arnold
- The Mill