The 2019 Reader's Choice

2019

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For newcomers to Gwinnett, the Reader’s Choice awards are a nice way to get an idea of what the locals like, from their favorite place to get a hamburger to the place they most prefer golf. But the awards — voted on by the readers during a nearly twomonth period — are also informative for longtime residents of Gwinnett, bringing to light a Thai restaurant you might not be familiar with or an auto mechanic that gets good marks from its customers. Reader’s Choice includes seven categories — food and fun, cars, home, family fun, feel good, pets and Gwinnett life — and there are winners and runners-up mentioned in every category. Enjoy perusing the lists and seeing the winners — your winners — in each category.

County’s best food, services, festivals and more chosen by YOU

2 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

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• Ballroom Dance Clubs of Duluth HONORABLE MENTION • Ms Kari Beth at Gwinnett School of Dance • Karate Atlanta Dacula • Momentum Arts

THEATRES

Arts & Entertainment ARTS ITP WINNER • Fox Theater RUNNER UP • High Art Museum HONORABLE MENTION • Cobb Energy Performing Arts • Alliance Theatre • Atlanta Ballet

ARTS OTP WINNER • The Bowl at Sugar Hill RUNNER UP • Aurora theater HONORABLE MENTION

• Duluth Town Green/Festival Center HONORABLE MENTION • Infinite Energy Center • Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry • Tabernacle

FAMILY FUN CENTERS WINNER • Infinite Energy Center RUNNER UP • Main Event Entertainment HONORABLE MENTION • Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center • Dave & Buster’s • Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park

FESTIVALS/FAIRS WINNER • Duluth Fall Festival

• Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

RUNNER UP

• Hudgens Center for the Arts @ Infinite Energy

HONORABLE MENTION

• Sylvia Beard Theater at Buford Community Center

BEST CITY WINNER • Sugar Hill RUNNER UP • Duluth HONORABLE MENTION • Suwanee • Lawrenceville • Buford

CONCERT VENUES WINNER • The Bowl at Sugar Hill RUNNER UP

• Suwanee Beer Fest • Gwinnett County Fair • Rock’n Rib Fest • Peachtree Corners Festival

MUSEUMS WINNER • Southeastern Railway Museum RUNNER UP • Fernbank Museum of Natural History HONORABLE MENTION • High Museum of Art • World of Coca Cola • Children’s Museum

STUDIOS & INSTRUCTORS WINNER • Miss Cindy’s Dance Studio RUNNER UP

WINNER

• Gwinnett Place Honda • Atlanta Classic Cars Mercedes-Benz

AUTO MECHANIC WINNER • Integrity Automotive RUNNER UP • Joey Watkins Tire & Automotive

• The Eagle @ Sugar Hill RUNNER UP • Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry HONORABLE MENTION • Aurora Theatre • AMC Colonial 18 • Regal Cinemas Medlock Crossing 18

Automotive & Transportation AUTO ACCESSORIES WINNER • Flat-Out Auto Accessories RUNNER UP • AutoZone Auto Parts HONORABLE MENTION • Fenski Automotive Center • NAPA Auto Parts - Genuine Parts Company • The Tint Machine

AUTO BODY & PAINT SHOPS

HONORABLE MENTION • Nobodys Auto Service and Repair • Prestige Automotive of Loganville, LLC • Royalty Performance CAR RENTALS WINNER • Enterprise Rent-A-Car RUNNER UP • Hertz HONORABLE MENTION • CarMax • Nations Best Auto Brokers

CAR WASHES & DETAILING SERVICES WINNER • Fairway Carwash RUNNER UP • Squeaky’s Car Wash and Service Center HONORABLE MENTION • Mister Car Wash • Ultra Car Wash - Lawrenceville • Autobell Car Wash

WINNER • Taylor’s Collision RUNNER UP • Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth HONORABLE MENTION • Georgia Paint & Body, Inc. • Integrity Auto & Bodyworks • Lee’s Collision Center

AUTO DEALERSHIP

OIL & LUBE WINNER • Grand Tires LLC RUNNER UP • Christian Brothers Automotive Grayson HONORABLE MENTION • Tires Plus • Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers • Jiffy Lube

WINNER • Kia Mall of Georgia RUNNER UP • Subaru of Gwinnett HONORABLE MENTION • Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Lawrenceville

TIRE & RIM WINNER • Costco Tire Center RUNNER UP • Discount Tire

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HONORABLE MENTION • Tire Deluxe. Used/New tires-llantas • Tires Plus • Prestige Automotive of Loganville, LLC

Community BEST EMPLOYER WINNER • City of Duluth RUNNER UP • Veugeler Design Group HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett County Public Schools • Gwinnett Medical Center

• Wages & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematories • Tim Stewart Funeral Home

LAW FIRMS WINNER • Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C. RUNNER UP • The Ward Law Firm, PA HONORABLE MENTION • Morgan & Morgan - Atlanta • Morgan and DiSalvo, P.C. • Emert Law Firm, LLC

ROADWAY (MOST CONGESTED GWINNETT COMMUTE)

• Eastside Medical Center

WINNER

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS/ FOUNDATIONS

RUNNER UP

WINNER • Rainbow Village Inc RUNNER UP • StreetWise Georgia HONORABLE MENTION • Wellspring Living • St. Vincent de Paul Society • Free Love Campaign Community Outreach Inc.

CHURCHES & RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS WINNER • Duluth First United Methodist Church RUNNER UP • 12Stone Church HONORABLE MENTION • Christ the King Lutheran Church (ELCA) • St Monica’s Catholic Church • Mount Pisgah

FUNERAL HOMES WINNER • Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory RUNNER UP • Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory HONORABLE MENTION • Tom M. Wages Funeral Service Lawrenceville Chapel

• Interstate 85 • 120 Duluth Highway HONORABLE MENTION • Scenic Highway South • Hwy 316 • Buford Highway

SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WINNER • Rainbow Village Inc RUNNER UP • The Salvation Army HONORABLE MENTION • St. Vincent de Paul Society • Stand up For Kids • View Point Health

Education & Childcare COLLEGE WINNER • Georgia Gwinnett College RUNNER UP • University of Georgia HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett Technical College • Georgia State University • University of North Georgia - Gainesville Campus

4 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

DAYCARE WINNER • The Sunshine House Duluth RUNNER UP • Primrose School of Buford HONORABLE MENTION • Mill Creek Academy Inc • Primrose School of Lawrenceville North • Kids Harbor of Grayson

LEARNING CENTER WINNER • Code Ninjas RUNNER UP • Kumon Math and Reading of Suwanee HONORABLE MENTION • Primrose School of Lawrenceville North • Sylvan Learning of Snellville • WhizLearning Kids

PRE- K WINNER • Christian Beginnings Preschool RUNNER UP • Sugarloaf United Methodist Church Preschool HONORABLE MENTION • Pleasant Hill Preschool • Snellville United Methodist Church • Prospect Christian Preschool

PRIVATE SCHOOL WINNER • Greater Atlanta Christian School RUNNER UP • Hebron Christian Academy HONORABLE MENTION • Notre Dame Academy • Sugar Hill Christian Academy • Providence Christian Academy

PUBLIC SCHOOL WINNER • Duluth High School RUNNER UP • Coleman Middle School HONORABLE MENTION

• Gwinnett County Public Schools ISC • Discovery High School • Gwinnett Online Campus

SUMMER/DAY CAMP WINNER • Bunten Road Park RUNNER UP • Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation HONORABLE MENTION • Code Ninjas • Atlanta Workshop Players Summer Workshops • WhizLearning Kids

Food & Drink ASIAN CUISINE WINNER • Emerald China Restaurant RUNNER UP • Fumi Hibachi Sushi HONORABLE MENTION • Chow King Grill & Buffet • Thai Diner & Sushi • Masterpiece

BARBEQUE WINNER • Dreamland BBQ Duluth RUNNER UP • Praise the Lard BBQ HONORABLE MENTION • Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q • Foggy Bottom BBQ Lawrenceville • Edee’s Place BBQ

BARS/LOUNGES WINNER • Truck & Tap Duluth RUNNER UP • Good Word Brewing & Public House HONORABLE MENTION • Rushing Trading Co. • Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar • Uncle Jack’s Meat House

DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 2019 WINNER – Best Festival

By Jon Gallo

What started as a $300 fundraiser for downtown Duluth in has certainly grown up.

The Duluth Fall Festival has become the city’s marquee event, in which more than 300 volunteers fuel a two-day party that has generated more than $3 million for downtown. This year’s event, which is set for Sept. 28-29, will feature a fun-filled schedule for an expected crowd of close to 100,000. Admission is free.

“The Duluth Fall Festival is much more than just a festival,” Kathryn Willis, one of the festival’s founders, said. “It is a way of life for many of us. We accomplish a lot to help Duluth, and in the process

help each other and enrich our own lives in numerous ways.”

The 37th Annual Duluth Fall Festival will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 on Main Street with a parade featuring students, Boy and Girl Scouts, dignitaries, fire trucks, antique cars and clowns. The parade will continue south and east to Highway 120 before heading south to Buford Highway and concluding at Hardy Industrial Boulevard.

On Sept. 29 at 8 a.m., the festival will hold its 5K Race, which is certified by USA Track & Field and a qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race. The race costs between $30-$45, depending on when you register at duluthdonutdash5k. org.

Runners – and anyone else - who has an appetite will have plenty of culinary options. The Fall Festival boasts more than 50 booths offering a variety of food and refreshments for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While carnival staples such as hotdogs, corndogs and hamburgers will be available, there will be plenty of ethnic cuisine, in addition to alligator and enough sweets to give anyone a sugar

rush.

The festival is known for its unique shopping experience. More than 250 vendors will sell paintings and photographs, wood crafts, pottery and glassware, furniture, floral arrangements and decorative accessories, baskets, adult and children’s clothing, doll clothes and toys, jewelry, candles, soap and more.

But there’s just one rule: every item must be handmade or decorated by hand, as no commercial items can be sold.

The festival also has made two changes this year. The “Duluth Depot” will sell only branded festival and Duluthspecific items such as clothing. There will also be raffles for themed baskets.

Sunday will also feature the auctioning of festival decorations by auctioneer Brooks Coleman, as the festival won’t hold a silent auction as it did in previous years.

For those not into shopping, the festival offers a kid’s area and a “Man’s Corner,” which is located between the stage – where more than 20 acts will perform live throughout the festival – and City Hall. The space will feature televisions showing live football games.

The Georgia Bulldogs, however, don’t have a game that weekend, while Georgia Tech plays at Temple.

Youngsters are urged to visit the “Kid’s Korner,” where tickets will be sold for time in inflatables, slides, and bounce houses.

Older attendees can purchase tickets to enjoy bigger rides at the carnival, which runs from Sept. 26 – 29. An unlimited ride, daylong pass is $20.

The Fall Festival has become the city’s unofficial homecoming event. Due to the event’s popularity, attendees are urged to park for free at Chattahoochee Elementary School, Duluth Middle School and Peachtree Ridge High School and ride complimentary shuttles that will drop passengers off at Coleman Middle School on Main Street.

“The Festival serves as homecoming for most who are off at college and many who have moved away,” Willis, who was recently named the Gwinnett Chamber’s Citizen of the Year, said. “We always have numerous people who return every year to celebrate their hometown and their festival.”

Thank you 640 Athens Hwy, Loganville, GA 30052 Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 5:30 https://leescollisioncenter.com connect with us

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for your Votes in this years Reader’s Choice Awards!

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6 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

GWINNETT STRIPERS

2019 WINNER – Best Gwinnett Sports Team

By Jon Gallo

Adam English, the Gwinnett Stripers’ first-year vice president and general manager, pays attention to the scoreboard, but it’s not his sole focus at Coolray Field, where the Triple A baseball team has emerged from mediocrity to become one of the International League’s best squads.

“Winning is important and it never hurts attendance,” he said. “But what drives Minor League Baseball is fan experience and promotions. We are taking a fan-centric approach. Wins and losses are important, but just as important to us is if a family has a great time at the ballpark and their kids get to take a picture with Chopper.”

“Chopper,” of course, is the Stripers’ lovable groundhog mascot who is as much a staple at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville as the team’s commitment to providing the most family-fun environment in all of baseball.

English has overseen a huge influx of promotions added to the schedule and the team’s unwavering commitment to bolstering its ties with community.

“We don’t just see ourselves Gwinnett’s team,” he said. “There are so many cities in Gwinnett that we go into Buford, into Suwannee and into Norcross to make people in every city feel connected to this team. We have a million people in Gwinnett and we want to be their team.”

The Stripers have a strong partnership with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is one of the reasons for a few games this year the team becomes the “Xolos de Gwinnett,” who will take the field on Aug. 1 and Aug. 15. The Stripers are one of 72 teams participating in Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversion,” which celebrates the local Hispanic community.

The Stripers’ promotional schedule is loaded for the remainder of the summer. While the team has postgame firework shows every Friday, we well as on July 4-6, the team has added food trucks for Thursday, Friday and Saturday games. It is also in the process of rolling out more “Georgia-centric” food options, including a halfpound “Southern Burger,” which is topped with pulled pork, mango coleslaw and a peach-infused barbeque sauce that will be incorporated into other menu items.

The team’s giveaways have also improved in

quality. While many teams, including those on the Major League level, tend to hand fans rather generic complimentary t-shirts and hats, the Stripers have thought outside the box with their Grey Retro Cap (June 29) and Latitude and Longitude shirt (July 20).

The Stripers are also continuing their strong track record of giving away bobbleheads of past Stipers/GBraves, including a the “Swanberson” - one that’s half Dansby Swanson and half Charlie Culberson (July 6) – and another featuring Ozzie Albies sliding into a base (Aug. 3).

Fans can also bring their dogs to the park for free during Wednesday games, as part of the team’s “Wet Nose Wednesday.” “Peppa the Pig” and “George” from the well-known cartoon will be in attendance on Aug. 17 for picture opportunities.

The team also starts the majority of its home games at 6:05 p.m. – an hour earlier than many professional teams – so families can bring their kids during the week. Families can also enjoy live music on Thursdays,

Fridays and Saturdays.

“If you have a young one, they can get tired early,” English said. “We want families to bring their kids here and not have to leave after a few innings because their kids are tired.”

The promotional schedule’s upgrade couldn’t have happened at a better time. A year after the team finished 70-69 and nine games out of first place, the Stripers entered third week in June with a record of 37-31 and were just 4.5 games behind the Durham Bulls (42-27), who are just one of three teams in the league with more wins, along with the Columbus Clippers (4028) and Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (39-28).

“It’s been an exciting season so far, with the way the team has won and to see a guy like Austin Riley get called up to Atlanta and carry on what he did for us with the Braves,” English said. “Fans are leaving with smiles.”

gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 7

their lives.

“I remember walking through the same doors that my parents did 50 years before and looking up at the Fox Theatre’s grand ornate lobby and feeling like everyone here was special,” Kinney said. “To me, that’s what makes the Fox Theatre Institute so remarkable. Theaters hold our memories and stories in the walls, where people have laughed, cried and come together.

The Fox Theatre Institute helps preserve the fond recollections of a simpler time and represents what community means, and it is an honor for me to support those efforts.”

FOX THEATER

2019 WINNER – Best Arts Venue ITP

By Jon Gallo

While the Fox Theatre is the state’s most notable venue of its kind, the historic midtown Atlanta building isn’t forgetting about the dozens of lesser-known arts spaces throughout Georgia.

The Fox Theatre will house a starstudded concert to benefit preserving and supporting Georgia’s most significant historic resources on Sept. 13. The concert, which is being hosted by the Fox Theatre (FTI), will feature performances by DriveBy Truckers, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Drivin N Cryin and Dodd & The Councilmen, with more acts to be named closer to the concert’s date.

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“This concert shines a light on the Fix, but also all of the historic theatres in the state,” Adina Erwin, the Fox Theatre’s vice president and chief operating officer, said.

“We’ve seen how a theatre can revitalize local economies. Since the Fox was saved in the 1970s, it has risen to emergence. Its story is not far-fetched from other theaters.

We’ve seen what a vibrant theatre can do for a community and the local economy.”

8 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

The concert will be hosted by Kevn Kinney, leader singer of Atlanta rock band Drivin N Cryin. He’ll serve as the narrator, giving performers and special guests the opportunity to share stories about how performance arts centers have impacted

The event will also include a silent auction where attendees can bid on an array of unique rock memorabilia items.

However, the benefit concert is far from the only time big-time acts will take the stage in the coming months.

Broadway shows “Come From Away” and “Cats” will perform on June 25-30 and Aug. 6-11. “‘Cats’ has been redesigned and has a fan-friendly approach in which it has been modernized in terms of costumes,” Erwin said. “But the storyline is the same and they’ve stayed true to the production.”

The String Cheese Incident will perform on July 5-6, George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Galactic, Fishbone, Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf on July 25 and Tedeschi Trucks Band on Aug. 2-3.

Champions of Magic, who have more than 20 million online views among them, are scheduled for July 20, while comedian Jill Scott will visit on Aug. 12 and the dance battle “Bring it Live” is set for July 28. Paw Patrol Live! is scheduled for Aug. 17-18.

The Fox Theatre will also continue showing movies. Kid-friendly sign-a-long versions of “The Little Mermaid” and “Mary Poppins” will be shown on July 14 and 21.

For more traditional cinema, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “The Princess Bride” and “The Wizard of Oz” will be shown on the big screen on July 14, July 27 and Aug. 25, respectively.

“Sing-a-long versions have become very popular because the movie in interactive because you are doing more than just watching it,” Erwin said. “The summer is a good time to focus on kid-friendly events because families are in town and they are looking for things that are constructive and fun to do.”

SPORTS MEDICINE SOUTH 2019 WINNER – Best Sports Medicine

By Jon Gallo

For Sports Medicine South’s physicians, just getting patients back to the field, track or pool after they’ve been injured isn’t the goal.

“Our philosophy is for them to be “Beyond Better,” said Kaylee Rosenberger, the company’s office manager, said. “Our goal is to get someone who has been injured to just not return to the level in their life they had before, but to make them better.”

Sports Medicine South has been treating patients since it opened in Lawrenceville in 2008. But its leader, orthopedic surgeon Gary Levengood, has been serving the community since 1996,

when he first started manning the sideline at Brookwood football games, home and away, making sure he was there in case of injuries. The school honored him for working his 250th straight game in November 2017.

“Dr. Levengood has been a pioneer for not only our schools, but for the entire county since he changed the structure in which we care for student-athletes by making sure we have certified athletic trainers at every school.”

Sports Medicine South, which works closely with the Gwinnett Medical Center, combines its staff ’s expertise with state-ofthe-art equipment to walk patients through how they are going to become even better.

The staff uses a 3D printer to replicate an individual’s knee so they can show the patient exactly what they are going to do.

“We are an all-inclusive practice,” Rosenberger said. “We are by patients’ side from the time they are hurt and with them throughout their rehabilitation.”

field. In fact, student-athletes represent about half the patients the practice sees.

Teenagers, adults, moms, dads and geriatrics are all given the same comprehensive care, since sports, like age, have no boundaries.

Rosenberger said she wants the community to understand that Sports “Sports are applicable to any age,” Medicine South doesn’t just tend to teenagers who suffer injuries on the playing Rosenberger said. “We did a total knee

replacement to a 74-year-old man who is running marathons today just like he did when he was a teenager. He never stopped being an athlete. Whether you are involved in activities or sports, whether you are 16, 50 or 80, we want to get them back to being better than they were. Regardless of age, we see everyone as an athlete.”

Gary Levengood, MD | Clay Guynn, DO Harris Patel, PA, ATC | Diana Dean, PA Curt Bazemore, PT | Mike Polascik, PT

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1900 Riverside Pkwy—Lawrenceville, GA www.sportsmedsouth.com 770-237-3475

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BEER GROWLER WINNER • Good Word Brewing & Public House RUNNER UP • Rushing Trading Co. HONORABLE MENTION • Exhibit A(le) • Maple Street Biscuit Company - Parsons Alley • Lincoln Fill Station

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH WINNER • Maple Street Biscuit Company - Parsons Alley RUNNER UP • Egg Harbor Cafe HONORABLE MENTION • Rushing Trading Co. • J. Christopher’s • Eagle’s Landing Cafe & Grill

BURGER WINNER • Local on North - Duluth RUNNER UP • Universal Joint HONORABLE MENTION • Five Guys • Uncle Jack’s Meat House • Ted’s

COFFEE SHOP WINNER • Simply Done Donuts RUNNER UP • Rushing Trading Co. HONORABLE MENTION • The Bean Tap Coffee House • TradeWind Coffee Co. • Zoom Coffee Roasters

DESSERT/BAKERY WINNER • Crave Pie Studio RUNNER UP • Simply Done Donuts

HONORABLE MENTION • The Baking Grounds Bakery Cafe • Daddy O’Brien’s Irish Ice Cream Pub • Ray’s Donuts

FAMILY FRIENDLY WINNER • Duluth Diner RUNNER UP • Friends American Grill HONORABLE MENTION • Rushing Trading Co. • Sugar Hill Subs • Sam’s on Main

HAPPY HOUR WINNER • Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar RUNNER UP • Good Word Brewing & Public House HONORABLE MENTION • PURE Taqueria - Duluth • Local Republic • Rushing Trading Co.

ITALIAN WINNER • Ippolito’s RUNNER UP • Roma Italiano Ristorante HONORABLE MENTION • Fratelli’s NY Style pizza & Restaurant • Provino’s Italian Restaurant • Antoneta Biba’s Pizza & Pasta

ITP RESTAURANT WINNER • 1910 Public House RUNNER UP • Bones Restaurant HONORABLE MENTION • The Capital Grille • The Colonnade • The Lawrence

MEXICAN WINNER

10 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

• Nacho Daddy - Duluth RUNNER UP • PURE Taqueria - Duluth HONORABLE MENTION • El Porton Mexican Restaurant • Frida’s Mexican Restaurant • Austin’s Burritos

PIZZA WINNER • Vinny’s N.Y. Pizza & Grill - Duluth RUNNER UP • Your Pie HONORABLE MENTION • Rudy’s New York Pizza • Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet • Uncle Maddio’s Pizza

SEAFOOD WINNER • Kurt’s Euro Bistro RUNNER UP • Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen HONORABLE MENTION • Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar • Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe • Uncle Jack’s Meat House

SOUTHERN COOKING WINNER • Tam’s Tupelo Restaurant RUNNER UP • The Brunch Apothecary HONORABLE MENTION • Sister’s Family Restaurant • The Southern Kitchen at Avalon • Amy La Faye’s

STEAK WINNER • Kurt’s Euro Bistro RUNNER UP • Bare Bones Steakhouse HONORABLE MENTION • Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill • Uncle Jack’s Meat House • Fumi Hibachi Sushi

SUSHI WINNER • Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar RUNNER UP • Fumi Hibachi Sushi • Sushi Niko Niko HONORABLE MENTION • Samurai Blue • Sushi Avenue

WINE/SPIRITS WINNER • Duluth Fine Wine & Package Store RUNNER UP • Beverage SuperStore of Suwanee HONORABLE MENTION • Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar • World Beverage • Legacy Beverage Center

Health & Wellness CHIROPRACTOR WINNER • The Joint Chiropractic RUNNER UP • Sugar Hill Spine & Wellness HONORABLE MENTION • True Source Family Chiropractic Max Living Health Center • Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Georgia • Wilber Chiropractic Clinic

DENTIST FOR ADULTS WINNER • Dr. Randy Moore RUNNER UP • Dr. Slade W. Lail, DDS HONORABLE MENTION • Suwanee Family Dentistry • Dr. James T. Hall, DMD • Gwinnett Dental Images

DENTIST FOR KIDS WINNER • Dr. Slade W. Lail, DDS

Bowl at Sugar Hill 2019 Winner – Winner of Arts OTP and Concert Venue

The Bowl at Sugar Hill rocks!

WINNER

Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. Duluth Chapel 3088 Highway 120 Duluth, GA 30096 770-476-2535

Thank You We would love for your family to be a part of our church family.

Sunday Services

Lilburn/Tucker 6101 Hwy 29 Tucker, GA 30084 770-564-2726

www.billheadfuneralhome.com

Depend On Us

8:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary | 11:00 am Contemporary Worship in Hinton Hall 11:00 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary Childcare is available during all worship services.

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2019

Celebrating Lives and Legacies Since 1990

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Thank you to our loyal families!

Duluth First United Methodist Church and Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten

Being Part of a Community Means Caring for its People

Duluth First United Methodist Church 3208 Duluth Highway 120, Duluth, GA |

duluthumc.org

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The City of Duluth and Duluth Fall Festival Celebrate and Recognize Our Winners of Reader’s Choice.

Best Festival - Duluth Fall Festival Best City - Duluth - Runner Up Best Employer - City of Duluth Best Museum - Southeastern Railway Museum - Duluth Best Public School - Duluth High School Coleman Middle School - Duluth - Runner Up Best Concert Venue - Duluth Town Green - Runner Up Best Summer Day Camp - Bunten Road Park - Duluth Best Studio & Instructors - Miss Cindy’s Dance Studio - Duluth Best Church - Duluth First United Methodist Church Best Pre-K - Christian Beginnings - Duluth First United Methodist Church Best Theatre - Eddie Owen’s Red Clay Music Foundry - Duluth Runner Up Best Urgent Health Care - Gwinnett Medical Center Best Body/Paint Shop - Taylor’s Collision - Duluth Best Auto Dealership - Subaru of Gwinnett - Duluth Runner Up Best Car Wash - Fairway Carwash - Duluth Best Charitable Organization - Rainbow Village - Duluth Best Funeral Home - Bill Head Funeral Home & Crematory - Duluth Best Law Firm - Andersen, Tate & Carr. P.C. - Duluth Best Social Service Agency - Rainbow Village - Duluth Best Barbeque Restaurant - Dreamland BBQ - Parsons Alley Duluth Best Bar/Lounge - Truck & Tap - Duluth Good Word Brewing & Public House - Parsons Alley Duluth - Runner Up Best Beer Growler - Good Word Brewing & Public House - Parsons Alley Duluth Best Breakfast/Brunch - Maple Street Biscuit - Parsons Alley Duluth Best Burger - Local on North - Parsons Alley Duluth Best Coffee Shop - Simply Done Donuts - Parsons Alley Duluth Best Dessert/Bakery - Crave Pie Studio - Duluth Simply Done Donuts - Parsons Alley Duluth - Runner Up Best Happy Hour - Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar - Parsons Alley Duluth Good Word Brewing & Public House - Parsons Alley Duluth Runner Up Best Italian Restaurant - Roma Italiano - Duluth Best Mexican - Nacho Daddy - Parsons Alley Duluth PURE Taqueria - Duluth - Runner Up Best Seafood - Kurt’s Euro Bistro - Duluth Best Steak - Kurt’s Euro Bistro - Duluth Best Sushi - Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar - Parsons Alley Duluth FUMI Hibachi Sushi - Duluth - Runner Up Best Family Friendly Restaurant - Duluth Diner Best Wine/Spirits - Duluth Fine Wine & Package Store Best Dentist for Adults - Slade Lail - Duluth - Runner Up Best Dentist for Kids - Slade Lail - Duluth

12 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

Best Orthodontist - Dan Dunwody, III PC - Duluth Best Home Builder - Wayne Herman - Duluth Best HVAC - Lane Heating & Air Conditioning - Duluth Best Landscaping Firm - Imagescapes Best Pest Control - Allgood Pest Solutions Best Plumber - Tom Ward - Duluth Best Remodeling - The Trusted Toolbox - Duluth Best Web Site Design Firm - Heck Design Group - Duluth Runner Up Rock, Paper, Scissors 2nd Runner Up Best Rescue/Shelter - Planned PEThood of Georgia - Dututh Best Boarder/Kennel - Tiger Tails Animal Hospital - Duluth Best Grooming - Tiger Tails Animal Hospital - Duluth Best Veterinarian - Tiger Tails Animal Hospital - Duluth Runner Up Duluth Animal Hospital - 2nd Runner Up Best Floral Shop - Duluth Flower Shop Best Senior Community - Parc at Duluth Best Apartment Community - District at Duluth Best Neighborhood - Duluth Town Green Norman Downes Duluth Runner Up Best Senior Living - Parc at Duluth Best Boutique - Parsons Gifts & Cards - Suwanee Best Antique Store - Church Ladies Consignment Store - Duluth Best Consignment Store - Church Ladies Consignment - Duluth Runner Up Best Chiropractor - The Joint Chiropractic - Duluth - Runner Up Best Home Improvement Store - Howard Brothers True Value Hardware - Duluth Best Nursery - Woody’s Nursery - Duluth Best Caterer - Payne-Corley House - Duluth Proof of the Pudding by MGR - Duluth Runner Up Best Event Planners - Payne-Corley House - Duluth Proof of the Pudding by MGR - Dututh Runner Up Best Meeting & Event Facility - Payne-Corley House - Dututh Best Wedding Venue - Payne-Corley House - Duluth Duluth Festival Center - Runner Up Best Recreational & Leisure Dance - Miss Cindy’s Dance Studio - Duluth Best Golf Club - Sugarloaf Country Club - Duluth Best Music Lessons - Eddie Owen’s Red Clay Music Foundry - Duluth Best Sports Leagues - Bunten Road Park - Duluth - Runner Up Best Gwinnett Destination - Downtown Duluth & the Town Green

gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 13

CHOICEONE URGENT CARE

emergency, then the staff will focus on the emergency, as they should.”

By Jon Gallo

ChoiceOne locations feature a triage area featuring state-of-the-art equipment, including an x-ray area. On-site medical personnel can diagnose and treat nonlife-threatening illnesses and injuries, including colds, flu, broken bones, infections and sprains. Patients are welcome to walk-in for visits or make appointments online at ChoiceOneUC. com.

2019 WINNER – Best Urgent Care Rodney White, the regional director for ChoiceOne Urgent Care, said picking a third city in Georgia for the site of the chain’s newest location was easy.

“Grayson,” he said, “was the perfect choice.”

The facility, which will be located at 2745 Loganville Highway, is scheduled to open on July 15, as it will join existing ChoiceOne Urgent Care locations in Hamilton Mill and Sugar Hill. Grayson is the fastest-growing city in the Atlanta area, as it experienced a 72 percent increase in population from 2010 – 2018, making it home to a little over 4,400 residents.

“Right now, residents of Grayson are driving to Hamilton Mill and Sugar Hill to receive care, so there is a need for us to open a ChoiceOne Urgent Care in Grayson,” White said.

ChoiceOne Urgent Care, which is partnered with the Gwinnett Medical Center, is fully integrated into the health care community, as it provides a costeffective option compared to costly Emergency Room visits. It also provides after-hours care and easier access to medical care in the event of illness or injury.

ChoiceOne Urgent Care differs greatly from an Emergency Room, according to Dr. Scott Burger, the co-founder and chief medical officer at ChoiceOne Urgent Care.

“When it is a manner of life and limb, like you are having a heart attack or a stroke, than you should go to the Emergency Room,” Burger said. “But we want to educate people about getting the right care at the right place. When you go to the Emergency Room for something like a sore throat, not only is the cost exponentially higher, but the time it is going to take for you to be seen could be hours. If a person needs immediate assistance because they are considered an

ChoiceOne Urgent Care, which is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week and on many holidays, complements a patient’s primary care physician and provides an option for those who don’t have one.

ChoiceOne, which also provides care for injured athletes and includes sports physicals among its services, accepts most insurance and government plans.

“If you fracture your ankle and you have to have surgery but need to do a pre-operation assessment but you don’t have a primary care physician, we can provide it for you and send your records to the hospital,” Burger said. “Since we are a partner of the Gwinnett Medical Center, we can also get a patient an appointment with a specialist and have their records sent over before they walk out the door.”

The exemplary service provided by ChoiceOne Urgent Care, which also has a dozen locations in Maryland, hasn’t gone unnoticed. ChoiceOne Urgent Care was recently nominated for an IMPACT Regional Business Award by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. The award is given to outstanding organizations in top industries that are driving economic development and job creation, while enhancing quality of life.

“It is an honor to be nominated as a healthcare industry leader by Gwinnett Chamber’s Impact Regional Business Award,” ChoiceOne President and CEO Butch Marino said. “We are fortunate to partner with Gwinnett Medical Center in our efforts to deliver a superior patient experience that is accessible and convenient to the community in Gwinnett County.”

14 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

Apalachee River Animal Hospital 2019 Winner – Best Veterinarian

L-R: Dr. Jennifer Coval, Dr. Destiny Prezzano, Dr. Randy Prezzano, Dr. Jessica Bremer

Excellent Care for Exceptional Pets.

Great veterinary care is available right here in your backyard! From individualized preventative care recommendations to diagnosis and management of complex medical, surgical and dermatology problems - you can feel confident your pet is receiving the best veterinary care! Whether we are celebrating a new puppy or kitten with you or helping you navigate a difficult diagnosis, we are here for you. Want to get to know us better? Check our website, like us on Facebook, stop by for a tour or schedule an appointment.

• In-House Diagnostic Lab • On-site Ultrasound

• Laser Surgery • Climate Controlled Boarding

Apalachee River Animal Hospital 822 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA Located next to Sonic, across from Hebron High School

678-376-0503 www.ApalacheeRiverAnimalHospital.com facebook.com/ApalacheeRiverVet

RUNNER UP • Rhonda C. Hogan, DMD, PC HONORABLE MENTION • North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry • Mazzawi Family Dentistry • VIP Family Dentistry

FAMILY PRACTICE WINNER • Iora Primary Care RUNNER UP • Maxa Internal Medicine Associates HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett Center Medical Associates: Crooker Christopher MD • Lawrenceville Family Practice & Primary Care • Tri County Internal Medicine

HEARING SERVICES WINNER • Dennison Hearing Solutions RUNNER UP • Suwanee Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Matthew T. Gill, MD HONORABLE MENTION • Georgia Hearing Aid Outlet • Audiology Associates of Georgia • Miracle-Ear

HOLLISTIC WINNER • Your CBD Store - Lawreceville RUNNER UP • Body of Health HONORABLE MENTION • Conscious Integrative Family Medicine • Sun Wellness Holistic Healthcare • ThermaLife

ORTHODONTIST WINNER • Dan D Dunwody III PC RUNNER UP • Salyer Orthodontics HONORABLE MENTION • Kenneth E. Starling Jr, DDS, PC. Starling Orthodontics

• Koch Orthodontics • Smile Doctors Braces

PEDIATRICIAN WINNER • Gwinnett Pediatrics And Adolescent Medicine RUNNER UP • Pediatric Associates of Lawrenceville - PAL HONORABLE MENTION • Lawrenceville Pediatrics • The Longstreet Clinic, P.C. • Snellville Pediatrics

PERSONAL CARE / SENIOR CARE WINNER • Right at Home RUNNER UP • Iora Primary Care HONORABLE MENTION • The Parc at Duluth • Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett • Heartis Senior Living PHYSICAL THERAPIST WINNER • Sports Medicine South RUNNER UP • Resurgens Orthopaedics HONORABLE MENTION • Advance Rehabilitation • OrthoAtlanta • Therapy Works, PC: Monica Mangram SPORTS MEDICINE WINNER • Sports Medicine South LLC RUNNER UP • Resurgens Orthopaedics HONORABLE MENTION • OrthoAtlanta: David A. Stokes MD • ChoiceOne Urgent Care • Eastside Medical Center

URGENT CARE WINNER

• Gwinnett Medical Center - ChoiceOne Urgent Care RUNNER UP • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Urgent Care Center - Satellite Boulevard HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett Urgent Care • Eastside Urgent Care

WOMEN’S HEALTH WINNER • Maternal Gynerations RUNNER UP • In Due Time 3D Ultrasound HONORABLE MENTION • Dacula Fit Body Boot Camp • Progressive Healthcare for Women: Fountain, Gregory • Women’s Imaging Specialists Lawrenceville

WORKOUT WINNER • Buford Family Fitness RUNNER UP • Burn Boot Camp Lawrenceville HONORABLE MENTION • Dacula Fit Body Boot Camp • JM Tull Gwinnett Family YMCA • Curves International

Home Services CLEANING SERVICES WINNER • Revive Carpet Cleaning and Repair RUNNER UP • Personal Touch house Cleaning Services HONORABLE MENTION • Vicki Stirb • Olga Alvarez Snellville, GA • Peach Cleaning

ELECTRICIAN WINNER • Wise Electric, Inc RUNNER UP • Summit Electric, Buford, GA

HONORABLE MENTION • Browning Electrical Services • Meehan Electrical Services

HOME BUILDER WINNER • Wayne Herman RUNNER UP • R&H Custom Homes, LLC HONORABLE MENTION • Universal Roofing & Construction

HVAC WINNER • Lane Heating & Air Conditioning RUNNER UP • Spencer Heating & Air Conditioning Co HONORABLE MENTION • Reliable Plumbing • Peachtree Comfort Gallery • Triad Mechanical

LANDSCAPING FIRM WINNER • Imagescapes RUNNER UP • Top Turf Lawn Care and Pest Management - Georgia HONORABLE MENTION • Nantz Landscaping Inc • Elite Lawn & Landscape • The Olive Tree Landscaping

PEST CONTROL WINNER • Allgood Pest Solutions HONORABLE MENTION • Prime Pest Solutions • Northwest Exterminating • Terminix • Team Pest USA

PLUMBER WINNER • Tom Ward RUNNER UP • Keever Dalton Johnson Plumbing

gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 15

HONORABLE MENTION • Allgood Plumbing, Electric, Heating, Cooling • Cornerstone plumbing & mechanical llc

REMODELING WINNER • The Trusted Toolbox RUNNER UP • Accent Roofing Service HONORABLE MENTION • Price Construction, Blair Price, Cumming, GA • TrueWay Renovations

TREE SERVICES WINNER • North Star Tree Service RUNNER UP • Squirrel Tree Services, Inc.

Marketing & Creative Services B2B

WINNER - TIED • Techpro Printing • TeleNet Marketing Solutions MARKETING FIRMS WINNER • Accent Creative Group RUNNER UP • Veugeler Design Group HONORABLE MENTION • Rock Paper Scissors, LLC • Reformation Productions • The Savvy Peach

PHOTOGRAPHERS WINNER • Lightscapes Portrait Studio RUNNER UP • Peter T’gel HONORABLE MENTION • Civil Creations

WEB SITE DESIGN FIRMS

WINNER • Veugeler Design Group RUNNER UP • Heck Design Group HONORABLE MENTION • Rock Paper Scissors, LLC • Simple Websites Fast • Reformation Productions

Personal Care HAIR SALON WINNER • Salon Disegno RUNNER UP • Trendy Hair & Spa HONORABLE MENTION • Great Clips • Van Michael Salon • VaNicci Salon

MASSAGE THERAPY WINNER • Massage Empress RUNNER UP • Body of Health HONORABLE MENTION • One Stop Wellness Shop • Campbell Chiropractic

SALON/SPA WINNER • Lash Fantasy RUNNER UP • Nail Salon First And Spa HONORABLE MENTION • Muze Salon Suites • Jade Vie Salon Llc • Xscape Massage & Spa

TANNING WINNER • Lash Fantasy RUNNER UP • Sun City Tanning HONORABLE MENTION • Matt’© Nails & Tan

16 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

• Radiance To Go Airbrush Makeup & Tan

TATTOOS WINNER • Killer Ink RUNNER UP • Magick Dragon Tattoo HONORABLE MENTION • JP Alfonso Studios • Millennial Tattoo Studio

Pet Friendly Services BOARDER/KENNEL WINNER • Tiger Tails Animal Hospital RUNNER UP • Apalachee River Animal Hospital HONORABLE MENTION • Paws Resort • Shampooch Palace Llc • Indian Shoals Pet Resort

GROOMING WINNER • Tiger Tails Animal Hospital RUNNER UP • Apalachee River Animal Hospital HONORABLE MENTION • TLC Pet Spa • Groomer Girls Pet salon • Shampooch Palace Llc

PET SITTING WINNER • Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville GA RUNNER UP • Gwinnett Pet Watchers HONORABLE MENTION • Diane Hamlyn, Suwanee • 2 Paws Up Inc Pet Sitting & Dog Walking

RESCUE / SHELTER WINNER • Planned PEThood of Georgia RUNNER UP

• Angels Among Us Pet Rescue HONORABLE MENTION • Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters Cat Shelter • Cat Rangers at La Maison du Chat • Southern Animal Volunteer Effort

TRAINING WINNER • Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville GA RUNNER UP • PetSmart HONORABLE MENTION • Canine Country Academy - Lawrenceville • Best In Breed Dog Training • U.S. Canine

VETERINARIAN WINNER • Apalachee River Animal Hospital RUNNER UP • Tiger Tails Animal Hospital HONORABLE MENTION • Duluth Animal Hospital • Snellville Animal Hospital • Summit Chase Animal Hospital

Residential & Real Estate APARTMENT COMMUNITY WINNER • Parc at Duluth RUNNER UP • District at Duluth HONORABLE MENTION • Preserve at Legacy Park • 1760 Apartment Homes • HearthSide Sugarloaf

MOVERS WINNER • Two Men & A Truck RUNNER UP • Maya Van Lines, Inc.

Gwinnett Chamber Awards Winton Machine Company 2018 Pinnacle Overall Small Business of the Year Award & the Small Business of the Year: 25+ Employees Lisa Winton, Winton Machine Company’s CEO, has sung “Happy Birthday” countless times, but she’ll never forget the last time she did it.

Winton has been to the White House on a couple of occasions, but in June when she was invited to attend a presidential announcement about healthcare, she got to take part in singing “Happy Birthday” to President Trump. Lisa also recently participated in a roundtable discussion with Vice President, Mike Pence along with other business leaders during a recent visit to the nation’s capital advocating for the passage of the USMCA trade agreement. This is the proposed replacement for the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In July 2018, she and her husband George Winton, as co-owners of Winton Machine Company, made another trip to Washington, D.C. to represent the State of Georgia during the “Made in America Product Showcase.” The event celebrates each state’s effort and commitment to American-made goods. Government officials received nominations from across the country and selected a representative from each state to display their products. Lisa and George Winton, Lawrenceville residents, shook hands with Vice President Mike Pence and numerous cabinet members including Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue while they showed off their company’s semi rigid coax bending machine, one of the many pieces of equipment made

by Winton Machine Company at their

one machine in the basement of their home to delivering more than 100 different types of tube and coax fabricating machines throughout the world. “As a manufacturer, you make a deep economic impact because we purchase raw materials, components, supplies, and a variety of services from a multitude of vendors,” Lisa said.

On May 8, the Chamber awarded Winton Machine Company the 2018 Pinnacle Overall Gwinnett Small Business of the Year Award and the Small Business of the Year: 25+ Employees.

our Gwinnett County Public Schools. It should not be the sole responsibility of our teachers and principals to educate our children. The business community must be proactive in educating them if you want to have great employees – and great employees make great companies,” said Lisa. She added that students from local and state schools have been hired as interns and apprentices to afford them firsthand experience.

On a closing note, in May 2019, Lisa was sworn in by an Executive Winton Machine didn’t go from Order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp as being created in the Winton’s basement George Winton, President of Winton the Seventh Congressional District in 1997 to White House visits overnight. Machine expressed, “We feel strongly Representative for the Technical Lisa and George along with the about being a local manufacturer and College System of Georgia (TCSG).

Winton team spent more than two bringing jobs to Georgia. Our company She will serve a four-year term on the decades growing their business into the is built on integrity, doing what is State Board, which is responsible for manufacturing success it is today. And best for the customer and providing establishing standards, regulations and they didn’t do it without help. Lisa is complete solutions.” policies for the operation of the TCSG. grateful for the invaluable guidance she’s While Lisa said she and George are received from the Gwinnett Chamber of Her district is comprised of portions honored to be recognized, she wants Commerce from the beginning. of the northeast Atlanta metropolitan them to be known as employee-first The Gwinnett Chamber, which has owners. Providing outstanding benefits area of Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties more than 2,500 members statewide, to their employees is a priority, which is encompassing the cities of Peachtree “provides opportunities for like-minded why they provide healthcare Insurance Corners, Norcross, Cumming, businesspeople to connect with one to full-time employees, as well as offer Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville, another, expand their business network a safe harbor 401(k), of which the Suwanee and Buford. and increase exposure of their business,” company deposits three percent of “I look forward to working with according to the Chamber’s website. an employee’s salary per year after 12 these highly-qualified individuals The Chamber’s economic development months of employment. “When you’re team, known as “Partnership Gwinnett,” trying to put food on the table and take from across our state as we continue to works with entrepreneurs “to attract and care of necessities for your family it’s reform state government and put people retain jobs, cultivate capital investment, difficult to save for retirement,” Lisa ahead of politics,” Governor Kemp said. support educational institutions, foster said.

“Together, we will ensure Georgia’s best workforce development, and contribute “We are also working closely with days are always ahead.” to the exceptional quality of life found in Gwinnett and the Atlanta region.”

13,000 square-foot facility in Suwanee.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today as a company without the Chamber.

They’re a tremendous resource because they can put you in touch with the right people for your business, depending on what type of business you have. It’s all about what you put into it. You can’t just say you’re a member, not attend meetings or events and then say the Chamber didn’t help you.” Lisa stated.

George and Lisa have taken Winton Machine Company from making

Thank you

to the Duluth Community for choosing us as your favorite Specialty Food/Drink store.

2019

We are proud to be part of the community 3131 Main St., Duluth | 770-299-1765 vonfassduluth.com

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gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 17

ACCENT CREATIVE GROUP 2019 WINNER – Best Marketing Firms

By Jon Gallo The success story behind Pam Ledbetter’s Accent Creative Group is inspiring.

Accent Creative Group began as the popular and award-winning magazine, Accent Gwinnett, which flourished until the country’s economic downturn in 2008 drained Ledbetter’s revenue stream, shaking her company to its core.

But if you know Ledbetter, you know she would do anything for the people under her wing.

“To the detriment of my bank account,” the lady jokes.

Instead of going out of business – a fate suffered by many small companies, Ledbetter persevered.

She downsized office space, took on a second home mortgage, and even didn’t take a paycheck for more than two years as she set upon a strategy to diversify the company.

“I have no fear of failure,” Ledbetter said, “because I’ve had to go through what I’ve had to go through. It wasn’t easy, but I could see the potential and that’s what I was aiming for.”

18 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

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A decade later, Accent Creative Group has emerged as one of the county’s best full-service marketing and creative firms – and has the international Davey Awards and numerous national awards to prove it.

“What we went through were stressful times,” she said. “We had to make some hard decisions. But I can’t tell you how many people have helped me along the way, and I believe now we’re better for it.”

Today, Accent Creative Group has a large array of clients, including cities such as Suwanee, Brookhaven, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Johns Creek and Duluth, as well as Lanier Islands and numerous companies, who count on Ledbetter and her team to spread their brand message. They are even the coordinators behind the incredible Gwinnett Bicentennial finale event hosted by the county.

“Our approach is what sets us apart: I’m all about relationships and we want to make sure the clients we bring in are the right fit for us in that we can truly help give them tangible results,” said Ledbetter. “Our customers know that we genuinely take time to understand their needs, so they tend to stay with us for years.”

And that speaks true for the staff as well.

Ledbetter has a team of 13, including company partner and graphic artist Ashleigh James and Paula Hastings, the head of community relations, who have both been by Ledbetter’s side for over 12 years.

Part of that loyalty stems from Ledbetter’s commitment to the culture in the office. In their new office located in one of Lawrenceville’s 1907 homes on the square, you’ll find arcade machines, a ping pong table, a ball pit and even lawn games in the outdoor garden. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Fridays off, and positions include such fun titles as “digital divas” and “visual linguists.”

“We’ve created a creative company where our employees can do award-winning work and have an excellent quality of life,” Ledbetter said.

“I wanted a company where people say that they want to work here, and I think we’ve been successful in that goal.”

Lig h t H o use k e e p in g

B a t hin g A ssist a n c e

T ra ns p o rt a tio n / E rra n d s

D aily M e d ic a tio n R e m in d e rs

678.712.6 636 w w w .ra h e ast a tl.c o m

Dirs: M ark R oss & D r. N ic ole R oss

Accent Creative Ribbon Cutting – Lawrenceville, GA Accent Creative Ribbon Cutting – Lawrenceville, GA

gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 19

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BEST COLLEGE 20 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

HONORABLE MENTION • Big League Movers • Move My Nest

NEIGHBORHOOD WINNER • Town Green Duluth, Ga RUNNER UP • Norman Downes HONORABLE MENTION • Sugarloaf Country Club • The Preserve Subdivision, Buford Road, Lawrenceville • Saddlebrook Farm Subdivision

REALTORS WINNER • Winfield Realty Group Inc RUNNER UP • Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners HONORABLE MENTION • Ursula Lowther • Peggy Slappey Properties Inc • Justin Hanchey

SENIOR LIVING WINNER • Parc at Duluth RUNNER UP • Laurel Grove HONORABLE MENTION • The Mansions at Gwinnett Park - Senior Independent Living • Linwood Estates Gracious Retirement Living • The Bridge At Lawrenceville

Retail Shopping & Services ANTIQUE STORE WINNER • Church Ladies Furniture Consignment RUNNER UP • Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors HONORABLE MENTION • Ally’s Attic

• Peddler’s Emporium • O’ My Junk

BOOKSTORE WINNER • Barnes & Noble RUNNER UP • 2nd & Charles HONORABLE MENTION • Books By The Pound • Galactic Quest

BOUTIQUES WINNER • Parsons Gifts & Cards RUNNER UP • Mint Juleps Shop HONORABLE MENTION • Duck Duck Goose • Further Down the Rabbit Hole • Formally Yours, Inc.

CONSIGNMENT STORE WINNER • Serendipity Consignment RUNNER UP • Church Ladies Furniture Consignment HONORABLE MENTION • Wellspring Living • Upscale Resale Consignment Boutique • Value Village

CRAFT & HOBBY STORES WINNER • Hobby Lobby RUNNER UP • JOANN Fabrics and Crafts HONORABLE MENTION • Michaels • B & B Hobby Shop • ARTZY BEADS & PARTIES

DRY CLEANERS WINNER • Pro Care Cleaners RUNNER UP • Jiffy Cleaners

HONORABLE MENTION • Garland’s Cleaners & Laundry • Snow Cleaners • Advanced Cleaners at Snellville

FINANCIAL PLANNING WINNER • Kubiak Financial Group Inc RUNNER UP • Green Financial Resources, LLC HONORABLE MENTION • BB&T • Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Chris Rumble • Hamilton Financial

FLORAL SHOP WINNER • Duluth Flower Shop RUNNER UP • Huff’s Flowers HONORABLE MENTION • Snellville Florist • Lovin Florist • Freesia Floral Design

FURNITURE STORE WINNER • Church Ladies Furniture Consignment RUNNER UP • Brownlee’s Furniture HONORABLE MENTION • Havertys Furniture • Rooms To Go Furniture Store • Ashley HomeStore

GROCERY STORES WINNER • Publix Super Market RUNNER UP • Kroger HONORABLE MENTION • ALDI • The Fresh Market • Ingles Markets

HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE WINNER

• Howard Brothers True Value Hardware and Power Equipment Duluth RUNNER UP • Lowe’s HONORABLE MENTION • The Home Depot • S&S Ace Hdw Mower-Buford • Ace Hardware Shake Rag

NURSERY WINNER • Woodys Nursery Inc RUNNER UP • Randy’s Perennials & Water Gardens HONORABLE MENTION • Pike Nurseries • The Family Tree Garden Center • Lowe’s Garden Center

RETAIL EXPERIENCE WINNER • Mall of Georgia RUNNER UP • Belk HONORABLE MENTION • Shane Co. • Armen & Joseph Jewelers • The Shoppes at Webb Gin

SPECIALTY FOOD / DRINK WINNER • Vom Fass & Violas RUNNER UP • VSOP Taproom HONORABLE MENTION • Nancy’s Candy & Spice • Peterbrooke Chocolate

TAILORS/ALTERATIONS WINNER • Pro Care Cleaners RUNNER UP • A Peachtree Hill Alterations HONORABLE MENTION • Mama Dinosews • Queens Alterations - Snellville

gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 21

Special Events & Weddings BRIDAL/PROM SHOP WINNER • David’s Bridal RUNNER UP • Girli Girl Prom and Pageant HONORABLE MENTION • Charme Bridal & Prom • Natalie’s Bridals By Blue Bloom • So Good Beauty & Bridal

CATERERS WINNER • Payne-Corley House RUNNER UP • Proof of the Pudding By MGR HONORABLE MENTION • Holy Smokes BBQ • Eagle’s Landing Cafe & Grill • Galley Gourmet

EVENT PLANNERS WINNER • Payne-Corley House RUNNER UP • Proof of the Pudding By MGR HONORABLE MENTION • CCP Events • Jordan Makin - Makin Memories Events

MEETING & EVENT FACILITIES WINNER • Payne-Corley House RUNNER UP • Duluth Festival Center HONORABLE MENTION • 550 Trackside • Infinite Energy Forum

PARTY RENTAL COMPANIES WINNER • All Event Rentals RUNNER UP • Action Packed Party Rentals

HONORABLE MENTION • Angel Linens Party Equipment Rental

WEDDING VENUE WINNER • Payne-Corley House RUNNER UP • Duluth Festival Center HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett Historic Courthouse • Ashton Gardens - Atlanta

Sports, Recreational & Leisure AQUATIC CENTER WINNER • Bogan Park Community Recreation and Aquatic Center RUNNER UP • Bethesda Park Aquatic Center HONORABLE MENTION • West Gwinnett Park & Aquatic Center • Swim Atlanta • Pinckneyville Park

DANCE WINNER • Miss Cindy’s Dance Studio RUNNER UP • North Georgia Dance & Music Factory HONORABLE MENTION • Gwinnett school of dance

WINNER • Georgia Gun Club RUNNER UP • Bull’s Eye Indoor Range & Gun Shop HONORABLE MENTION

• Norcross Sports Training Academy • SGAA Dual Deck Hockey Arena & Pro Shop

GWINNETT SPORTS TEAM WINNER • Gwinnett Stripers RUNNER UP • Georgia Swarm HONORABLE MENTION • Atlanta Gladiators • Atlanta Fire United

MARTIAL ARTS WINNER • Shihan Mike Hoffman /Kita Kaze Dojo of Sugar Hill RUNNER UP • The Dojo American Karate Centers HONORABLE MENTION • Charles Minter Karate • Karate Atlanta Dacula

MUSIC LESSONS WINNER • Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry RUNNER UP • Gwinnett School of Music HONORABLE MENTION

• LilburnDance Academy

• Miss Sylvia, Duluth, GA

• Sugarloaf Country Club RUNNER UP • The Chateau Elan Golf Club HONORABLE MENTION • Legacy Golf Course at Lanier Islands

• Kenny Lambert

SPORTS INSTRUCTION FACILITIES WINNER • Atlanta IceForum RUNNER UP • Norcross Sports Training Academy HONORABLE MENTION

• Summit Chase Country Club

• Metro Gymnastics

• Heritage Golf Links

• Elite Sports

GUN SHOP / SHOOTING RANGES

22 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com

• Bunten Road Park HONORABLE MENTION

• Johns Creek Indoor Gun Range

• Huthmaker Violins

WINNER

• Atlanta Fire United RUNNER UP

• Norcross Gun Club & Range

• The Royal Dance Academy

GOLF COURSE

WINNER

• Jack City Sports Center

SPORTS LEAGUES, CAMPS & CLINICS

• Exceptional Kids Athletics Inc

Travel & Tourism DAY TRIP DESTINATION WINNER • Helen, GA RUNNER UP • Gibbs Gardens HONORABLE MENTION • Dahlonega • Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center • Lanier Islands Resort

GWINNETT DESTINATION WINNER • Downtown Duluth and the Town Green RUNNER UP • Lanier Islands Resort HONORABLE MENTION • Stone Mountain Park • Southeastern Railway Museum

HOTEL WINNER • Chateau Elan Winery & Resort RUNNER UP • The Georgian Terrace HONORABLE MENTION • Homewood Suites by Hilton Lawrenceville Duluth • Marriott Hotel

VACATION DESTINATION WINNER • GA Mountains RUNNER UP • Savannah HONORABLE MENTION • Lanier Islands Resort

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gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, June 30, 2019• READER’S CHOICE • 23

Gwinnett Chamber Member Santiago Marquez President & CEO Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Gwinnett Chamber Member Nicole Love Hendrickson Community Outreach Program Director Gwinnett County Government

TOGETHER WE ARE A COMMUNITY. No matter what industry or position you're in, the Gwinnett Chamber supports community development efforts that enrich Gwinnett’s diverse quality of life and quality of place.

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JOIN TODAY. Call 770.232.3000 or visit GwinnettChamber.org

24 • READER’S CHOICE • Sunday, June 30, 2019 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com