Dr. Bekelis is a board certified fellowship trained neurosur geon with subspecialty training in minimally invasive endovascular neurosurgery. As one of the most prominent, widely published stroke researchers in the country, with several national and international awards, Dr. Bekelis is the Chairman of Neurointerventional Services for Catholic Health, the Director of the state-of-the-art Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, and the Co-Director of the Neuro ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.
The Stroke and Brain Center of Long Island is the only comprehensive stroke center on the south shore of Long Island. Our expert team of clinicians are dedicated to all types of endovascular neurological disease and treatments. Our state-of-the-art outpatient center offers noninvasive neurovascular imaging that can aide in the early detection and treatment of carotid artery and neurovascular disease. Our monthly support group is open to all patients and family members who have been affected by neurovascular disease.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call 631-983-7072 or visit: strokecarelongisland.com
Dr. Kimon Bekelis
THE HERALD LONG ISLAND
CHOICE AWARDS PRESENTED BY PSEG LONG ISLAND IS BACK!
Stuart Richner CEO & Publisher Long Island Herald
Dear Neighbors,
The Herald Long Island Choice Awards are back for a fifth year, and we're inviting you to be part of this exciting celebration of excellence.
Since its inception, the Herald Long Island Choice Awards, presented by PSEG Long Island, have become a sought-after honor, recognizing the businesses and organizations that make Long Island truly special--from appetizing restaurants to zen day spas, and everything in between.
Last year, your enthusiasm was overwhelming. With 250,000+ votes cast for over 5,300 businesses and organizations, you showed just how much you care about supporting and celebrating local excellence. Then in
May, we celebrated the top-three finalists in over 260 categories and announced the winners at a spectacular red-carpet gala held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
As we embark on the 2025 awards season, we continue to appreciate the partnership of PSEG Long Island, whose grants, programs, and services support our Long Island communities.
This year's Herald Long Island Choice Awards will once again shine a spotlight on exceptional local businesses and organizations across Nassau and Suffolk counties in 12 divisions, comprising 263 categories.
So whether it's your favorite restaurant, home service provider, shopping destination, family attraction, entertainment venue, or health and beauty establishment— your vote is your voice... Make it count!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
ROUND 1: NOMINATIONS
(October 11 - November 10)
Nominate your favorite local businesses at LIChoiceAwards.com— and you can nominate them every day! The more nominations a business receives, the stronger their chance of moving forward. As a thank-you, after submitting 25 nominations, you’ll be entered to win a $500 gift card!
ROUND 2: VOTING
(January 2 - January 31)
The top five nominees from each category will move to the voting round. Cast your votes at LIChoiceAwards. com, once a day, every day, across as many categories as you’d like. Every vote counts, so vote often!
ROUND 3: WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT GALA
(May 13, 2025)
The results are in! After all the votes are independently audited, we’ll reveal the winners at the Herald Long Island Choice Awards Gala. The top three in each category will be honored as finalists, with the highest vote-getter crowned the winner. All finalists and winners will also be featured in the Herald Long Island Choice Awards Magazine and showcased year-round on LIHerald.com.
Ready to get started? For full details, visit LIChoiceAwards.com and start nominating today!
Stuart Richner CEO & Publisher
Richner Communications Herald Community Media
For additional information, complete rules and more, visit www.LIChoiceAwards.com and start nominating today!
Long Island Choice Awards is a division of the Herald Community Newspapers. Copyright @ 2024 Richner Communications, Inc. Published by Richner Communications, Inc. 2 Endo Blvde., Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 569-4000 www.liherald.com www.lichoiceawards.com
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS FOR THE LONG ISLAND CHOICE AWARDS
Small businesses help make our communities the vibrant, unique places they are. We encourage you, the readers of the Herald Community Newspapers, to contribute to their success by nominating or voting for your favorite local business in the annual Long Island Choice Awards.
PSEG Long Island is proud to partner with Richner Communications, Inc. and Herald Community Newspapers to sponsor these awards, which celebrate businesses for their resilience, strength, innovation, excellence, flexibility and an unwavering dedication to their communities.
PSEG Long Island is celebrating a decade of service this year, and we are proud to have spent that time helping small businesses thrive.
David C. Lyons Interim President and Chief Operating Officer
We have committed more than $2.8 million to economic development grants and incentives across Long
Island and the Rockaways. We are also ready to help businesses save with an array of energy efficiency programs and rebates. To learn more, please visit psegliny.com/business.
We know that family-owned establishments, storefront businesses, startups and other local firms and enterprises are the mainstays of Long Island’s economy – if they thrive, we all thrive. We are proud to offer grants that encourage development in downtown districts and grants that support local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts in their efforts to beautify the commercial areas that so many local businesses call home.
We are equally proud to support the Long Island Choice Awards, which are one more way that we
get to celebrate the businesses that have continued to flourish. They are a way for you to participate, too. Please consider nominating your favorite places — the ones that provide the best goods and services in your community. It will make their excellence known throughout western Long Island.
Thank you,
David C.
2025 CONTEST CATEGORIES NOMINATIONS COMING SOON
BEAUTY, HEALTH & WELLNESS
Addiction Rehabilitation Center
Allergist
Assisted Living Facility
Audiologist
Barber Shop
Botox Practice
Brain Center
Cardiologist
CBD Store
Chiropractor
Cosmetic Surgeon
Cosmetic Surgery Group
Dental Practice
Dentist
Dermatologist
Diagnostic/MRI & Radiology
Imaging Center
Facial
General Practice Doctor
Hair Salon
Hearing Aid Center
Home Health Healthcare
In Vitro Fertilization Facility
Laser Treatment Center
Local Pharmacy Drug Store
Manicure
Massage
Medical Spa
Medical Supply
Mental Health Services/
Organization
Neurologist
Neurosurgeon
Nursing Home
OB/GYN
Occupational Therapy
Oncologist
Oncology Specialist Facility
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Orthodontist
Orthopedic Group
Orthopedist
Pain Management
Pediatric Dentist
Pediatrician
Pedicure
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy
Podiatrist
Rehabilitation Center
Spa
Speech Therapy
Spine Center
Urgent Care Center
Waxing
Weight Loss Center
DINING
All-Around Restaurant
Asian Fusion
Bagel Store
Bakery
BBQ
Breakfast
Brunch
Buffet
Burger
Business Lunch
Butcher Shop
Carribean Food
Catering Company
Chili
Chili Cheese Dog
Chinese Food
Cocktails
Deli/Sandwich Shop
Dessert
Diner
Dining Experience
Doughnuts
Farm Stand
Fine Dining
Fish Market
French Fries
Fried Chicken
Gelato
German Food
Greek Food
Happy Hour
Ice Cream
Indian Food
Italian Food
Japanese Food
Japanese Food
Latin Food
Local Coffee Shop
Meal Prep
Mediterranean Food
Mexican Food
New Restaurant
Organic/Natural Food
Outdoor Dining
Pizza
Pretzel
Ramen
Romantic Restaurant
Seafood
Shakes
Smoothie
Specialty Pizza
Steakhouse
Sushi
Thai Food
Vegetarian/Vegan
Wings
Yogurt
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE
Art Gallery
Bowling
Concert Venue
Escape Room
Family Amusement
Mini Golf
Night Club
Party Company
Performing Arts Venue
Photo Booth
FINANCE
Accountant
Accounting Firm
Bank
Credit Union
Financial Advisor
Insurance Agent
Insurance Company
Wealth Management Firm
HOME & HOME SERVICES
55+ Community
Air Conditioning/HVAC & Heating Company
Awning Company
Basement Services
Chimney Cleaning
Services Company
Cleaning Service
Egress Company
Electrical Company
Electrician
Fireplace Company
Flooring
Heating Oil Company
Home Builder Developer
Home Contractor/Repair/ Remodeling Company
Home Security
Interior Design
Kitchen & Bath
Landscaper & Design
Company
Mortgage Lending
Company
Moving Services
Pest Control Company
Plumber
Professional Home
Organizers
Roofing Company
Siding Company
Solar Company
Stone/Masonry
Stone/Masonry
Swimming Pool Builder
Title Company
Tree Service Company
Upholstery
Windows Company
KIDS & EDUCATION
Adult Education-
Continuing Education
Art School
Beauty School
Charter/Parochial/ Private School
College Prep Services/ Advisors
College/University
College/University President
Dance School
Day Camp
Day Care
Driving School
Gymnastics Center
High School Principal
Kids Birthday Parties
Learning Center/Tutor
Martial Arts
Music Schools/Classes
Nursery School
Sports Camp
PEOPLE & PLACES
Event Venue
Hotel
Local Tourist Attraction
Museum
Place to Have a Party
Place to Worship
Wedding Venue
SERVICES
Advertising Agency
Animal Adoption/ Rescue Services
Appliance Repair Store
Arbitration &
Mediation Firm
Architect
Car Wash
Car/Limo Service
Cemeteries
Corporate Law Firm
Divorce Attorney
Dry Cleaner
Elder Law Attorney
Estate Planning Attorney
Family Law Firm
Female Mentoring Group
Funeral Home
Green Business
Health Care Law Firm
Labor Law Firm
Laundromat
Law Firm (Overall) over 35 employees
Law Firm (Overall) under 35 employees
Litigation/Business
Litigation Law Firm
Matrimonial Law Firm
Nonprofit Organization
Personal Injury
Attorney - Firm
Pet Groomer
Photographer
Property Tax
Reduction Services
Public Relations Company
Real Estate Law Attorney
Real Estate Law Firm
Self-Storage Company
Tax Law Firm
Travel Agency
Veterinarian
Waste Management
Company SHOPPING
Antique Store
Appliance/Home
Electronics Store
Boutique
Bridal Store
Carpet Store
Coin Store
Collectibles Store
Consignment/Thrift Store
Eyewear Store
Farmers Market
Florist
Furniture Store
Gift Shop
Gourmet Market
Grocery/Supermarket
Healthy Market
Local Children’s Clothing
Local Hardware Store
Local Jewelry Store
Local Men’s Clothing
Local Women’s Clothing
Nursery & Garden Center
Pawn Shop
Window Treatment Store
SPORTS
Bicycle Store
Boxing Center
CrossFit Gym
Gym & Fitness Center
Ice Skating Rink
Kids’ Sports League
Personal Trainer
Personal Training Facility
Pilates
Place to Play Pool
Yoga
VEHICLES, DEALERS & SERVICES
Auto Body/Collision
Auto Dealer Service
Department
Auto Glass Repair
Auto Repair - Independent
Boat/Marine Dealer & Rental
Domestic Auto Dealer
Foreign Auto Dealership
Luxury Auto Dealership
Oil Change
Preowned Car Dealer
Tire Center
WINE & SPIRITS
Bar/Pub
Brewery
Liquor Store
Place to Buy Beer/ Beverage Center
Sports Bar
Wine Shop
Winery
PSEG LONG ISLAND:
Proud to sponsor the LI Choice Awards, proud to support local businesses
PSEG Long Island is pleased to once again sponsor the Herald’s Long Island Choice Awards. We encourage you to nominate your favorite local business so they get some added publicity and keep our downtown areas thriving.
Why does PSEG Long Island care about local businesses?
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, they account for about 44% of our national economic activity.
Locally, on Long Island, they are our economic backbone.
According to the Long Island Association, roughly 90% of the businesses here are small or medium-sized. Supporting small businesses means keeping our local commercial districts thriving, which optimizes electric usage in our communities.
ASSISTING THE CORNERSTONES OF LONG ISLAND
PSEG Long Island supports small businesses primarily through a program called Business First, which offers resources and incentives to help businesses manage their costs and achieve their goals.
Business First offers a variety of options, including energy efficiency programs that can help lower monthly costs, and grants and incentives for expanding or starting a business. Lisa Basini, who owns Baking Coach in Bellport, took advantage of Business First to help transform Baking Coach from a home-based business to a brick-and-mortar store.
Basini, who found success teaching children how to bake and selling prepackaged baking kits, discovered the Vacant Space Revival Program under Business First. It provides businesses that occupy previously vacant storefronts with bill discounts for their first year of operation. It enabled Basini to take her passion to the next level, providing more than $1,800 in on-bill energy credits during her first year.
“The bill credits continue to pay off,” she said. “And I feel
such a part of my community as we have grown and been so well supported. What a blessing to have found this space!”
RESTORING OUR DOWNTOWNS
There are few places that reflect the strength and vibrancy of Long Island communities more than its downtowns. PSEG Long Island’s Business First program also provides Main Street Revitalization grants to projects in a local business district that are likely to improve the economic stability and growth of the community. Eligible projects may include interior renovations, storefront or façade improvements, streetscape improvements, and engaging design elements that contribute to a robust “Main Street” that, in turn, encourages commerce. Another Business First program offers grants for beautification initiatives in our local downtowns, working with chambers of commerce, business improvements
districts and civic associations that share PSEG Long Island’s vision in strengthening our local business districts.
PERSONALIZED SERVICE
To make sure local businesses know about these and other important opportunities, PSEG Long Island deploys a team of business customer advocates (BCAs) to meet with them personally. The advocates provide a personal touch and concierge service to help the roughly 100,000 smalland medium-sized business customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways.
BCAs go door to door, each visiting on average 100 local businesses each week. Along with becoming a liaison and a personal connection to PSEG Long Island, BCAs provide solutions to support businesses in several ways, including providing information on PSEG Long Island free energy assessments, grants and rebates, energy-saving upgrades, and time-saving
account services.
The PSEG Long Island Business First incentives and grants offer an array of economic development grants to help small businesses and commercial districts thrive. Business owners can browse the commercial rebates we offer, schedule the free energy assessment mentioned, find a list of approved contractors who can help businesses apply for available rebates and install the products, and even review their business’ energy usage for potential efficiency insights. Learn more by visiting our website psegliny.com/ BusinessFirst.
PSEG Long Island is proud to continue our role in celebrating the small businesses that make Long Island great. You have a role, too! Vote now. Tell the Herald why your favorite business deserves a place on the podium and we can all benefit from the best goods and services western Long Island has to offer.
Del Vino Vineyards, located on the rolling hills of Northport, Long Island’s Gold Coast, offers a memorable wine and culinary experience that combines Italianinspired wines with elegant food, warm hospitality, and beautiful views.
The vineyard is family-owned and operated, with a commitment to quality that extends to the relationships they build with their guests.
Del Vino Vineyards is open year-round. For additional details, please visit their website.
“I’m
saving about $1,800 a year in energy costs with LED lighting.”*
—Guy Brogna, All Music Inc, Plainview
Meet Guy. He’s a local small business owner, rock bassist, and fan of LEDs. It didn’t hurt that he got $5,900 in rebates to replace his store’s old lighting with energy-efficient fixtures.* He says his store and his guitars look great in the new LED glow. And, with the monthly energy cost savings, he couldn’t be happier.
psegliny.com/businessfirst
*Rebates and savings will differ with every energy efficiency project.
Proud sponsors of the 2024-25 Herald Long Island Choice awards. Vote for your favorites at lichoiceawards.com
