By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist

  Hey friends of Uptown! Just in time for this brand new year, we’ve got a brand new mission for everyone. If you peruse our blog even occasionally, you know we love to pipe up whenever there’s an opportunity to cast a vote for an Uptown business. And thanks to one of West Michigan’s most recognized publications, Grand Rapids Magazine, another such opportunity is here!     Each year the magazine hosts its ‘Best of Grand Rapids’ competition, with two rounds of voting that allow the full West Michigan community to chime in on who they think the area’s absolute Bests are across a multitude of categories in industries such as Food and Beverage, Services, Arts and Entertainment, and more. The initial round of voting happens near the end of the previous year. Then the top 3-5 finalists are tallied and we’re asked to narrow the list down to the numero uno champion, per category.   That time, is NOW.   This year, SIXTY-SIX of our district businesses have garnered a total of EIGHTY-SEVEN finalist nominations, across FIFTY-NINE different categories. That, in itself, is worth a round of applause, eh? Especially when you consider that every single one of these finalists is an independently-owned small business. Makes us all pretty proud to think about.  

  We’d be honored if you’d take just a few moments to cast your final votes in the hopes of helping as many of our Uptown business pals nab that top spot. Winners really do see a positive impact from your votes of confidence – both in business performance and company morale. And who among us couldn’t use an ‘attaboy’ now and again, right?   Regional competitions like this one provide a wonderful way to spark district engagement and, they allow participants a really fun way to support the local business community. Plus, it’s always fun to see where the pulse of the community is at! Thank you to GR Magazine for creating this tradition for us all.   Now, let’s get voting! The deadline draws near, and final votes must be cast by next Friday, January 31. To help you zero in on Uptown – here is the complete list of our Uptown finalists. AND, HERE IS YOUR BALLOT:    

Bar – Pursuit of Happiness Bloody Mary – The Winchester Craft Cocktails – Buffalo Trader’s Lounge Craft Cocktails – Eastern Kille/EK Wealthy Craft Cocktails – Long Road Distillers/Less Traveled Coffeehouse – Madcap Coffee Coffeehouse – Scorpion Hearts Club Coffeehouse – Squib Distillery – Eastern Kille/EK Wealthy Distillery – Long Road Distillers/Less Traveled Distillery – Mammoth Distillery Margarita – Donkey Taqueria Margarita – El Cerrito

 

 

Local Alcohol/Spirits Brand – Eastern Kille/EK Wealthy Local Alcohol/Spirits Brand – Long Road Distillers/Less Traveled Whiskey Bar – Buffalo Trader’s Lounge Whiskey Bar – Mammoth Distillery Wine Bar (locally owned) – Chateau Grand Rapids Wine Bar (locally owned) – Pursuit of Happiness Bakery – Wealthy St. Bakery Bartender/Mixologist – Cassie (Pursuit of Happiness) Breakfast – Wolfgang’s Restaurant Burger – Black Napkin Butcher Shop – Louise Earl Butcher Cake – The Cakabakery Chicken Sandwich – Black Napkin Chicken Sandwich – Hancock Chili Dog – Yesterdog Chinese Food – Red Bowl Cupcakes – The Cakabakery Deli – Schnitz Deli Desserts – Chartreuse Sisters Diner – Matchbox Diner Fries – Black Napkin Fries – Vivant Brewery + Spirits Hangover Food – The Pita House Hangover Food – Wolfgang’s Restaurant Ice Cream – Furniture City Creamery Late Night Dining + Drinks – The Winchester Mac ‘n’ Cheese – Electric Cheetah Mac ‘n’ Cheese – Greenwell Mac ‘n’ Cheese – Hancock Mediterranean – The Pita House Mediterranean – Zivio Nachos – Vivant Brewery + Spirits Pasta – Testa Rosa Pizza – Harmony Brewing Co. Pizza – Quarantino’s Poutine – Vivant Brewery + Spirits Sandwich – The Pita House Mexican Food Restaurant – Donkey Taqueria Tacos – Donkey Taqueria Thai Food – Thai Table Vegan/Vegetarian Menu – Greenwell Veggie Burger – Black Napkin Veggie Burger – Greenwell Annual Festival – Art Prize Annual Festival – Grand Rapids Pride Festival

 

 

Place to go Dancing – Billy’s Lounge Movie Theater – Wealthy Theatre Park – Wilcox Parks Dermatology Clinic – Urban You Tattoo Parlor – Sparrow’s Nest Yoga Studio – Funky Buddha Yoga Yoga Studio – Kula Yoga Antiques Dealer – Bluedoor Studio Inc. Book Store (locally owned) – Argo’s Book and Comics Book Store (locally owned) – Books & Mortar Bridal Shop – Jenna in White Comic Book Store – Argo’s Book and Comics Consignment Shop – Rock Paper Scissors Consignment Shop – Urban Exchange Gift Shop – Commune Gift Shop – Rebel Home Décor Boutique – Commune Home Décor Boutique – The Counting House Home Décor Boutique – Stoffer Home Jewelry Store – Dime and Regal Jewelry Store – Metal Art Studio Men’s Clothing (locally owned) – Better Aged Vintage Place to Buy Local Artwork – Grey Rabbit Place to Buy Local Artwork – Lafontsee Gallery Place to Buy Local Artwork – Woosah Specialty Grocer – Art of the Table Women’s Clothing (locally owned) – Lee & Birch Interior Designer – Jean Stoffer Design Real Estate Agency – Kyle Visser – Reside

 

    To learn more about these or any of the nearly 400 business located across our four business districts (Eastown, East Hills, Wealthy Street, and East Fulton), head on over to our business directory page.