2022 Reader's Choice Awards

December 14, 2022

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

Auto Accessories........................................................ 4

Auto Body Shop ......................................................... 4

Auto Dealership Service Department ............ 4

Auto Parts Store 7

Automobile Repair 7 Brake Shop 7 Favorite Brand of Auto 7 New Car Auto Dealership...................................... 7

New Car Salesperson (Name & Dealership)................................................ 7 Place for an Oil Change 7 Tire Store 7

Towing Service 7 Used Auto Dealership/Salesperson................. 7

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Accountant or Accounting Firm ........................ 8 Bank ................................................................................. 8

Barber or Barber Shop 8

Children’s Daycare 8 College/University/Career Training /Tech School 8

Credit Union................................................................. 8

Dance Teacher or Dance Studio ....................... 8

Doggie Daycare/Pet Boarding Kennel ........... 9

Funeral Home 9 Golf Course 10

Insurance Agent/Insurance Agency 10 Investment Broker or Firm /Financial Services or Planner ...........................10

Loan Officer/Mortgage Company .................10 Nail Tech or Nail Salon 10

Non-Profit 10

Pet Groomer or Pet Grooming 11 Photographer 11

Real Estate Agency .................................................11

Real Estate Agent ....................................................11

Stylist or Beauty Salon ..........................................11

Tax Preparer (Name & Location) 11

Veterinarian or Veterinarian Clinic 12

Wills/Trust & Estate Planning Law Firm or Attorney 12

HEALTH & FITNESS

Assisted Living ..........................................................12

Chiropractor or Chiropractic Practice ..........12

Dentist or Dental Practice

/Children’s Dentist or Practice 13 Dermatologist or Dermatologist Practice 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Emergency Care Center /Urgent Care/ER Center 13

Family Doctor or Family Practice .....................13 Gym/Fitness Center................................................13 Hospital ........................................................................13

Nurse Practitioner (Name & Practice) 13 Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facility 13 Ophthalmologist/Optometrist or Optometry Practice .........................................13

Outpatient Medical Facility ................................13 Pharmacist or Pharmacy .....................................13 Physical Therapist /Physical Therapy Practice 13 Physician Assistant (Name & Practice) 14 Podiatrist ......................................................................14

Registered Nurse (Name & Practice) /Nurse (Name & Practice) ...................................14 Surgeon (Name & Practice) /Orthopedic Surgeon (Name & Practice) 14

HOME SERVICES

Asphalt Contractor 14 Boat Services 14 Builder for Remodeling 14 Construction Company........................................14

Deck & Patio Contractor/Garage Door / Fencing Contractor/Siding Contractor .....16 Electrician 16 Excavating Contractor 16 Glass Company 16 Heating and Air Conditioning ..........................16 Home Builder ............................................................16

Kitchen Cabinets/Counter Tops .......................16 Landscaper 16 Lawn Care 16 New Home Builder 16 Pest Control 16 Place for Home Decorating................................16

Plumber........................................................................18

Septic Tank and System Cleaning...................18 Snow Removal 18 Tree Service 18

PEOPLE

Best Person to Follow on Social Media 18 Coach 18

EMT .................................................................................18 Fire Fighter ..................................................................18

Pastor/Priest (Name & Church).........................19 Police Officer 19

Preschool Teacher 19 Teacher (K-12) 19

PLACES

Best Place to Follow on Social Media ............19 Business with Friendly Employees .................19 Date Night...................................................................19 Day Trip 19

Family Fun Night 20 Girl’s or Guys Night Out 20 Locally Owned Business 20 Most Unique Business ..........................................20 New Business.............................................................20

Outdoor Activity/Bike Trail/Playground ......20 Place to Buy a Christmas Tree 20 Place to Celebrate a Birthday /Children’s Menu 20

Place to Take Out of Town Visitors ..................20 Place to take your Kids on a Rainy Day.........20 Place to Volunteer ...................................................20 Place to Work 20 Place to Worship 22 Summer Camp 22 Wedding Venue 22

RESTAURANT FOOD & BEVERAGE

Appetizer Menu .......................................................22 Asian Restaurant/Sushi ........................................22

Bakery/Cake Shop/Cupcakes............................22 Bang for your Buck 22 Bar 23

Bar Menu 23

Barista (Name & Location) ..................................23 Bartender (Name & Location) ...........................23

BBQ/Ribs/Smokehouse........................................23

Breakfast Spot 23 Brew Pub 23 Buffet 23 Burgers 23 Carry Out......................................................................23 Casual Dining ............................................................23 Caterer...........................................................................23

Chicken Wings 24 Chili 24

Coffee Shop (Local) 24

Cook/Chef (Name & Location) 24 Cookie ...........................................................................25

Curbside .......................................................................25

Dessert 25

Dinner for $15 or under 25 Donuts 26 French Fries 26

Happy Hour ................................................................26 Hot Dog ........................................................................26

Ice Cream/Yogurt ....................................................26

Kid-friendly Restaurant 26

Late Night Eats 26

Local Beer ....................................................................26

Lunch Spot..................................................................26

Lunch under $10 .....................................................26

Meat Market 26

Mexican 26

New Restaurant 27

Outdoor Dining/Patio 27

Pizza................................................................................27

Place for Mixed Drinks ..........................................27

Place to Buy Carryout Beer .................................27

Place to Buy Carryout Wine 27

Place to Buy Deli Meat and Cheese 27

Place to buy Meat 27

Place to buy Produce.............................................27

Restaurant ...................................................................27

Restaurant for Friendly Service ........................27

Restaurant for Home Cooking 27

Restaurant for Seafood/Fish 28

Restaurant for Steak 28

Romantic Dinner 28

Salad...............................................................................28

Sandwich .....................................................................28

Soup ...............................................................................28

Sports Bar 28

Waiter/Waitress (Name & Location) 28

Wine Menu 29

SHOPPING

BBQ Grills 29

Boutiques ....................................................................29

Carpet and flooring stores..................................29

Computer Store & Repair

/Cellular Phones & Accessories 29

Convenience Store 29

Feed Store 30

Florist Shop 30

Furniture Store ..........................................................30

Garden Center/Greenhouse/Plants...............30

Gift Shop ......................................................................30

Grocery Store 30

Home Décor/Outdoor Furniture 30

Jewelry Store 30

Liquor Store 30

Local Hardware Store ............................................30

Locally Made Product ...........................................30

Lumber/Building Supplies 30

Paint and Supplies 31

Resale/Thrift Shop 31

Specialty Shops 31

Store for Something for Everyone in the Family ...............................................................31

Tools ...............................................................................31

Just about everyone needs automotive services at some point, particularly in a car-centric community like Benzie County. And our community has no shortage of places to take your vehicle for maintenance or repair, from detailing businesses to oil change specialists to car washes to dealerships.

During the warm summer months, you may have been able to “coast” a little in terms of upkeep on your car. But now that winter and frigid weather are here, it’s probably time to make sure your tires, brakes, engine, etc. are ready for the wear and tear of a Michigan winter.

So, consider the award-winning businesses in this category as destinations for your next car service appointment.

When certain tasks seem to be over your head, it’s great to know that skilled professionals are ready to handle them.

Whether through your business or in your personal life, you may need the services of a real estate agent, an accountant, an attorney, an architect, an insurance agent or any of the other myriad of professional services found in the Benzie area.

These individuals have trained long and hard to become licensed and certified, and now they work hard to win your business in competition with their peers.

So, check out the award winners in the category and keep them in mind the next time you are in

Family Fun in Benzie County

SUSAN DALY DVM

Looking to stay healthy and get fit? Luckily, Benzie County has options to choose from.

Many people in Benzie have made it a career for themselves to be a caring, respected doctor for residents and families. Others specialize in certain fields, such as cardiovascular health.

Dentists are in plentiful supply in the area, with several dental offices to keep your family’s teeth healthy.

People have choices for orthodontists, too.

Perhaps someone needs mental health treatment in the city. Luckily, plenty of therapists operate here to meet that need.

Gyms also exist to help someone keep their fitness goals. Or perhaps you want to try out supplements and other health remedies, something that is also available in Benzie.

HOME SERVICES

Benzie County has homeowners, landlords and renters covered when it comes to home services.

Those looking to build their own dream home have a plethora of award-winning construction companies that serve the area.

Professionals are on hand to provide essential services and supplies for work related to plumbing, electricity, roofing and septic maintenance.

Those looking to improve their home’s interior aesthetics from carpets and windows to kitchen renovations and interior decorating have a

wide range of options available.

If outside work is needed, residents don’t have to go far to get assistance with fencing, lawn care, installing decks and patios, cleaning and maintaining gutters or laying concrete or asphalt for driveways.

Benzie area residents can keep their properties as “safe as houses,” with trustworthy companies that are ready to help with storage, keep entry points secure and perform home inspections. For more information about winners, visit www.recordpatriot.com/readerschoice.

PEOPLE

Benzie County has no shortage of notable people in the community, from public servants and educators to performers and entertainers.

Residents can count on a plethora of first responders who are ready to go above and beyond to help those in need. Firefighters and police officers among the first on the scene, ready to offer aid in difficult situations.

Young Benzie County residents can receive a quality education from preschool to the 12th grade, thanks to Benzie County Central Schools and Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools.

While several teachers go beyond the curriculum to make a positive impact on their students’ education, coaches continue the excellence outside of the classroom, some volunteering their time to coach different schools.

There is no limit to the impact of local organizations who serve the

community at large as well as special focus areas, thanks to volunteers’ hard work. Within the area, religious groups often stretch beyond the confines of their buildings and work to better the community through outreach.

Music groups and individual performers have a wide selection of venues to choose from in the city, including the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, multiple summer concert series and local bars and restaurants. Depending on the occasion, local music lovers can enjoy live performances that span musical genres from jazz and choral arrangements to funk and country.

Benzie keeps connected by using various methods. Individuals, businesses and events use social media platforms to inform residents about what’s going on in the community in entertaining ways. For more information about winners, visit www. recordpatriot.com/readerschoice.

Dr Martin Arkin, MD, PhD of Bay Eye Associates is a board certified Harvard-trained ophthalmologist with an advanced sub-specialty degree in corneal and cataract surgery Dr Arkin has been serving the area for over 25 years and can treat nearly all of your eye care needs including cataract, glaucoma, plastic surgery, treatment for diabetes, macular degeneration, as well as routine eye care. We are accepting new patients and we are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for our patients. We have two locations, Frankfort and Traverse City

Benzie County has an array of dining options to satisfy anyone’s appetites or quell a parched throat.

Reader’s Choice will highlight the local food scene here in Benzie County. Residents could start out with a fish fry or a pizzeria. Or perhaps they could stop by places to grab a local deli.

Benzie County residents don’t have to leave the city to get a taste of global cuisine, such as Mexican, Asian or Italian, and anyone looking to satisfy

their sweet tooth could stop by one of the ice cream parlors.

Finally, those looking for a drink can also find options. Whether someone needs a morning pick-me-up at a coffee shop or an unwinding social gathering at any of the Benzie County bars or breweries, there is something to satisfy their parched throats.

AMBROSE

Retail shops abound in local downtowns.

From Frankfort to Beulah and Benzonia, our region does not come up short when it comes to offering a diverse set of stops and shops.

There are boutiques and storefronts with products from jewelry to outdoor gear.

While online businesses welcomed virtual customers throughout the pandemic, our brick-and-mortar businesses have continuously adapted to various customer’s needs. For more information about winners, visit www.recordpatriot.com/readerschoice.