Heights businesses earn accolades from customers

With the final tally of votes from more than 700 ballots, FutureHeights crowned the captains of local industry at the 2011 Best of Heights Awards held Oct. 4 at Rockefeller’s Restaurant, 3099 Mayfield Road.

The awards program is in its seventh year. Votes are collected throughout the summer for each of 22 categories through the Heights Observer and at futureheights.org.

View video and photos of the awards ceremony.

Top honors went to The Tavern Company, 2260 Lee Road, for Favorite Cleveland Heights business, Whole Foods Market, 13998 Cedar Road for Favorite University Heights Business and Luna Bakery Café, 2482 Fairmount Boulevard, for Best New Business.

Voters took a liking to companies that emphasized a personal or local touch.

Chris Armington bought The Tavern Company, nearly two years ago, pooling together savings from family and friends to buy his restaurant after spending 12 years at Lee Road neighbor, The Colony.

“Our customers are our friends,” said Sarah Brewer, manager at The Tavern Company.

While Whole Foods Market is a national grocery chain with 300 stores and more than 200 employees in University Heights, Sarah Schoenberger, associate team leader for prepared foods, said she credited her store’s award to a customer service culture that is instilled in each team member.

“We cater to our customer’s needs, even dietary conditions,” she said.

Local support has been so strong for Luna, opened in June, that the restaurant in the Cedar-Fairmount district is already considering expanding, exploring basement space currently used as storage below the café.

“The response in the neighborhood has been phenomenal, even better than we expected,” said chef and manager Bridget Thibeault.

She said customers want fresh, local ingredients. “Everything is made in house. Our baked goods are made from scratch.”

Emcee Eric Wellman, best known for his time on the airwaves at WCPN-90.3 FM, declared to the audience of more than 100 nominees and guests that the Heights area is the best place he has ever lived.

“So much of it comes to independent businesses and business owners,” he said.

The Best of the Heights are:

Best New Business

Winner: Luna Bakery Café

Finalists:

Wool and Willow Needlepoint

Ten Thousand Villages

Rockefeller’s Restaurant

Best Customer Service

Winner: Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa

Finalists:

The Tavern Company

Wool and Willow Needlepoint

Best Realtor

Winner: Ernie Cahoon

Finalists:

Chris Jurcisin

Jamie Bevins

Best Auto Service

Winner: Washington & Lee Service, Inc.

Finalists:

Alternative Solution Car Care

The Lusty Wrench

Bryan’s Marathon

Best Looking Store Front

Winner: Big Fun

Finalists:

Anatolia Café

Wool and Willow Needlepoint

Best Breakfast or Brunch

Winner: Inn on Coventry

Finalists:

Tommy’s

The Tavern Company

Best Casual Meal

Winner: Tommy’s

Finalists:

The Tavern Company

Brennan’s Colony

Best Ethnic Eats

Winner: Anatolia Café

Finalists:

Café Tandoor

Aladdin’s Eatery

Best Place for Vegetarian Cuisine

Winner:  Tommy’s

Finalists:

Aladdin’s Eatery

Café Tandoor

Best Place for Sweet Treats

Winner:  On the Rise

Finalists:

The Stone Oven

Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates

La Gelateria

Best Carryout

Winner:  Hunan Coventry

Finalists:

Aladdin’s Eatery

The Stone Oven

Best Place for Kosher Options

Winner: Jack’s Deli

Finalists:

Mr. Brisket

Unger’s Kosher Market & Bakery

Best Dining Ambiance

Winner: Nighttown

Finalists:

Taste

Lopez on Lee

Best Boutique or Specialty Shop

Winner: Revive Fair Trade

Finalists:

Sunbeam- A Shop for Children

Big Fun

Best Place to Get Healthy

Winner: Jazzercise

Finalists:

Cleveland Heights Community Center

Whole Foods Market

Best Place for Pets

Winner: Coventry Cats

Finalists:

Mandel Veterinary Hospital

Rainbow Veterinary Clinic

Dogtopia

Best Live Entertainment

Winner: Nighttown

Finalists:

The Grog Shop

Cain Park

Best Place to Take the Kids

Winner: Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park

Finalists:

Big Fun

Heights Libraries

Best Salon or Spa

Winner: Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa

Finalists:

Restore Hair Studio

Abstract-A Hair Salon

Best Grocery Store

Winner: Zagara’s Marketplace

Finalists:

Whole Foods Market

Heinen’s Fine Foods

Dave’s Market

Favorite University Heights Business

Winner: Whole Foods Market

Finalists:

Geraci’s Restaurant

Bialy’s Bagels

Favorite Cleveland Heights Business

Winner: The Tavern Company

Finalists:

Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa

Wool and Willow Needlepoint

On the Rise