Announcing 2016 ‘Best of West Hartford’ Finalists, Including New Categories

Published On: June 10, 2016Categories: Business, Happenings
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The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

More than 275 finalists in nearly 50 categories have been selected in the second annual ‘Best of West Hartford’ contest, and readers can vote for their choices for bestofweha

by Joy Taylor

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

You may have seen the balloons, heard the cheers, or perhaps you’ve already seen the “buzz” starting in social media over the past few days as a record-breaking number of “Best of West Hartford” finalists were notified in person from the Premier Limousine “prize mobile.” (Please see the gallery of photographs below)

Thank you to everyone who nominated their favorite businesses to make this fun, community-driven contest possible. West Hartford residents and fans love many things about this town, and that passion showed when all the tallying was done and we once again had many close and tied races!

We have 277 Finalists in 49 categories, and the online nominating process  – you could call it our “primary” – had exceptional turnout. 

“We would love to exceed the previous ‘voter turnout’ for this next phase of the contest,” said West Hartford Magazine publisher and originator of Best of West Hartford, Tom Hickey. “This is a contest for the whole community and beyond, and while it can get competitive, it is, at its core, meant to be light-hearted and fun! Best of West Hartford brings a feeling of cooperation and pride to our town residents and friends.” 

The finalists were collected via a people’s choice nomination process, and selection of the winners begins on Friday, June 10 at noon. Votes will be automatically verified via email to ensure that each vote is authentic. You can vote now by clicking here. 

Thank you to the Best of West Hartford sponsors:

Title Sponsors: JPCarroll Construction, Lux Bond & Green, The Mercy Community, Sanditz Travel/Spa Soli, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

Gold Sponsor: Stanger & Associates

Silver Sponsors: Edward Connors Insurance Agency/Travelers, Kingwood Oxford, Oscars Tux/Argelias Bridal, Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen

Bronze Sponsors: First Church West Hartford, Jeff Hodges Landscape Contractor, Merchant Solutions, Saint Brigid School, Taylor Rental Party Plus, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Town of West Hartford, Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association, Park Road Association, Elmwood Business Association, West Hartford Center Business Association, Blue Back Square, and Home Design District.

Media Sponsors: NBC Connecticut, West Hartford Magazine, We-Ha.com, Connecticut Jewish Ledger, West Hartford LIFE, and West Hartford Press.

The results of the voting will remain confidential and winners will be revealed, live, at the celebration event on Thursday, September 8, 2016.

“We are happy to have the votes tallied and recorded by the Tom Filomeno, CPA, of Filomeno & Co. again this year. Many may not realize this, but only a few people at Filomeno & Co. know who the winners are before they will be unveiled at the September 8 awards show,” said Tom.

The “Best of West Hartford” awards show will be a unique opportunity for everyone to celebrate favorite businesses, restaurants, bakeries, parks, etc! Guests will enjoy food and drink, and winners will be drawn live. Tickets to the awards show will be available for purchase online, so please watch We-Ha.com for details.

Best of luck to all of the finalists (complete list is at the end of this story, after the photos).

VOTING LINK is here (and you can find it by clicking the ad at the top of we-ha.com) share the good news, and remember to use #bestofweha.

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

The 2016 Best of West Hartford Finalists were notified this week and voting begins on June 10, 2016, via the link on we-ha.com. We-Ha.com Photo

Camp Camp Shalom
Camp Camp KO
Camp Noah Webster House Colonial Child’s Camp
Camp YMCA
Camp Renbrook School Summer Adventure
Camp Summer Place
Park Elizabeth Park
Park Fernridge Park
Park Wolcott Park
Park Westmoor Park
Park Beachland
Park Eisenhower
Preschool/Daycare St. Brigid School & YMCA
Preschool/Daycare Montessori School of Greater Hartford
Preschool/Daycare First Church Academy for Young Children
Preschool/Daycare Lollipop Tree Nursery School
Preschool/Daycare Renbrook
Preschool/Daycare Mandell JCC
Preschool/Daycare St. Joseph School for Young Children
Recreation Reservoir
Recreation Town of WH Parks and Leisure Services
Recreation Elizabeth Park
Recreation Elmwood Senior Center
Recreation YMCA
Bakery Hartford Baking Company
Bakery NoRA Cupcake Company
Bakery La Petite France Bakery
Bakery Elmwood Pastry Shop
Bakery A Little Something Bakery
Breakfast Restaurant A.C. Petersen Farms
Breakfast Restaurant Effie’s Place
Breakfast Restaurant Goldberg’s Bagels
Breakfast Restaurant Quaker Diner
Breakfast Restaurant Sally and Bob’s
Breakfast Restaurant Blue Plate Kitchen
Breakfast Restaurant Brueggers
Burger Restaurant Max Burger
Burger Restaurant Plan B
Burger Restaurant Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Burger Restaurant Mooyah Burgers
Burger Restaurant Rockledge
Burger Restaurant Way Back Burgers
Coffee/Tea Café Sofia
Coffee/Tea J. René Coffee Roasters
Coffee/Tea Hartford Baking Co.
Coffee/Tea Harvest Country Store
Coffee/Tea Tea Break
Coffee/Tea Brueggers
Coffee/Tea Green Teahouse
Ethnic Restaurant Sweet Chilli (Thai Cuisine)
Ethnic Restaurant Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan
Ethnic Restaurant Arugula
Ethnic Restaurant Blue Elephant Trail
Ethnic Restaurant East West Grille
Ethnic Restaurant Hot Basil
Ethnic Restaurant Black Bamboo
Ethnic Restaurant Taste of India
Family Restaurant A.C. Petersen Farms
Family Restaurant The Cheesecake Factory
Family Restaurant Beachland Tavern
Family Restaurant Bertuccis
Family Restaurant Blue Plate Kitchen
Family Restaurant Fernwood Restaurant
Fine Dining Treva
Fine Dining Flemmings
Fine Dining Max’s Oyster Bar
Fine Dining ávert Brasserie
Fine Dining Grants
Fine Dining Restaurant Bricco
Fine Dining Rizzutos
Grocery Store Whole Foods, Raymond Road
Grocery Store Trader Joes
Grocery Store Whole Foods, Bishops Corner
Grocery Store Crown Market
Grocery Store Hall’s Market
Grocery Store Stop & Shop
Grocery Store ShopRite
Dessert Rita’s Ice
Dessert The Cheesecake Factory
Dessert Hall’s Bake Shop
Dessert Trays Place Bakery & Café
Ice Cream Shop Ben & Jerry’s
Ice Cream Shop A.C. Petersen Farms
Ice Cream Shop Sweet Frog West Hartford
Ice Cream Shop Abby Dabby
Pizza Place Harry’s Bishops Corner
Pizza Place Backstage Pizza Café
Pizza Place Harry’s Pizza
Pizza Place Luna Pizza
Pizza Place Jimmie’s Pizza
Pizza Place Joey’s Pizza Pie
Pizza Place Park Lane Pizza
Pizza Place Frank Pepe’s Pizza of West Hartford
Business Lunch Max’s Oyster Bar
Business Lunch Restaurant Bricco
Business Lunch bartaco
Business Lunch Beachland Tavern
Business Lunch Cosi
Business Lunch Besito Mexican Restaurant
Business Lunch Rizzutto’s
Business Lunch Prospect Café
Wine Shop The Wise Old Dog
Wine Shop West Side Wines & Spirits
Wine Shop Harvest Wine & Spirits
Wine Shop Harvey’s Wine & Spirit Shoppe
Wine Shop Toast Wine & Spirits
Liquor Store Maximum Beverage
Liquor Store Crazy Bruce’s Liquors
Liquor Store Parkview Wine & Spirits
Liquor Store Cork’n Bottle Package Store
Liquor Store CT Beverage Mart
Exercise/Fitness BodyRoc Fit Lab
Exercise/Fitness Pilates Defined
Exercise/Fitness Mandell JCC Greater Hartford
Exercise/Fitness Excel Fitness
Exercise/Fitness The Playground
Exercise/Fitness Work in Progress Fitness (WIP)
Exercise/Fitness Akua Ba Fitness
Exercise/Fitness Anytime Fitness
Personal Trainer Shaun Chambers from BodyRoc
Personal Trainer D’Mario Sowa from Akua Ba Fitness
Personal Trainer Jon Camacho New York Sports Club
Hair Salon Matthew Phillips Salon
Hair Salon GW Crane Hair Designs
Hair Salon Salon Medusa
Hair Salon Antonia’s Hair Boutique
Hair Salon Cardon’s Hair Designs Ltd
Hair Salon Off Center Salon & Spa
Hair Salon Sugar
Hair Salon BLO blow dry bar
Barber Shop Bristle & Blade
Barber Shop Final Cuts Sports Barbershop
Barber Shop Tommy Ray’s Barber Shop
Barber Shop Degra’s Barbershop
Barber Shop Kennedy’s Barber Club
Manicure/Pedicure Shiny Nail & Spa
Manicure/Pedicure Silk Nails
Manicure/Pedicure Anna’s Beautiful Nails
Manicure/Pedicure Z Luxury Nails
Manicure/Pedicure Grace Nails
Manicure/Pedicure Thu Lan Nail Retreat
Satellite Medical Facility New England Urgent Care
Satellite Medical Facility AFC Urgent Care
Satellite Medical Facility Hartford Medical Group Walk-In
Spas Massage Envy
Spas Body and Sole Spa Therapies
Spas Bluemercury West Hartford
Spas Victorian Day Spa
Spas Face RX MD
Spas Elizabeth Grady
Home Health Care Companions for Living
Home Health Care Jewish Family Services
Entertainment Playhouse on Park
Entertainment Bow Tie Cinema
Entertainment West Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Entertainment Blue Back Square
Happy Hour Bar Louie
Happy Hour Elbow Room
Happy Hour Treva
Happy Hour Barcelona West Hartford
Happy Hour Park Tavern
Happy Hour Grant’s
Happy Hour Max’s Oyster Bar
Tavern McLadden’s West Hartford
Tavern World of Beer
Tavern Beachland Tavern
Tavern Corner Pug
Tavern The Fernwood
Tavern Slider’s
Late Night Spot bartaco
Late Night Spot Barcelona
Late Night Spot McLadden’s West Hartford’s
Late Night Spot Vinted
Men’s Fashion National JoS. A. Banks
Men’s Fashion National Men’s Wearhouse
Men’s Fashion National Brooks Brothers
Men’s Fashion National Tommy Bahama Westfarms
Men’s Fashion National Banana Republic
Men’s Fashion National Macy’s
Sports Retail REI
Sports Retail Fleet Feet
Sports Retail BodyRoc
Sports Retail Play It Again Sports
Women’s Fashion National Nordstroms
Women’s Fashion National Dress Barn
Women’s Fashion National Lord and Taylor
Women’s Fashion National Marshalls
Eye Wear Harvey and Lewis
Eye Wear Sight
Eye Wear Central Optica
Eye Wear Eyeglasses.com Retail Store
Eye Wear Solinsky
Fashion Accessories Charming Charlie
Fashion Accessories Kimberly GIFTS
Fashion Accessories BK & Co
Fashion Accessories Francesca’s
Fashion Accessories Lux Bond & Green
Fashion Accessories Claire’s Westfarms
Fashion Accessories Silver Dahlia
Fashion Accessories Blue Moon Westfarms
Gift Shop Ten Thousand Villages
Gift Shop Kimberly GIFTS
Gift Shop Gift-ology Blue Back Square
Gift Shop The Silver Dahlia
Gift Shop Blaze and Bloom
Home Improvement Retailer Larsen’s Ace Hardware
Home Improvement Retailer Home Depot
Home Improvement Retailer Kaoud Oriental Rugs
Home Improvement Retailer Budget Blinds of West Hartford
Jewelry Store Lux, Bond & Green
Jewelry Store Becker’s Fine Jewelry
Jewelry Store De Robertis Jewelers
Jewelry Store Armeny
Jewelry Store Philip David
Jewelry Store Charming Charlie
Jewelry Store Gem Jewelry
Men’s Fashion Local Daswani
Men’s Fashion Local Bob DeGemmis Dressed to the Nines
Men’s Fashion Local Oscars Tux
Women’s Fashion Local BK & Co
Women’s Fashion Local Kimberly Boutique
Women’s Fashion Local Ooh La La Boutique
Women’s Fashion Local Hope & Stetson
Specialty Retail Center Framing & Art
Specialty Retail Cookshop Plus
Specialty Retail Toy Chest
Specialty Retail Bella Gusta
Specialty Retail Penzeys Spices
Specialty Retail Modern Tire
Garden/Florist Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe
Garden/Florist Gledhill Nursery
Garden/Florist Lane & Lenge Florist
Home Improvement Contractor JP Carroll Construction
Home Improvement Contractor A.C. Maintenance
Home Improvement Contractor Bartlett Brainard
Home Improvement Contractor Gilley Kitchen & Bath
Home Improvement Contractor McNally’s Modern Maintenance
Home Improvement Contractor Walbridge Design Build
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor EcoTurf
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor TK Property Services
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Begley Landscaping
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Mark’s Landscaping, llc
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Precision Landsaping
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Trout Brook Landscaping
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Chenail
Lawn/Landscaping Contractor Zysk Brothers Landscaping
Law Firm/Lawyer Steier & McCormick
Law Firm/Lawyer Owen Eagan/Eagan, Donohue, Van Dyke & Falsey
Law Firm/Lawyer Bruce Stanger/Stanger & Associates
Law Firm/Lawyer Franklin & Associates
Law Firm/Lawyer Chris Barnes/Reardon, Scanlon, Vodola, Barnes
Law Firm/Lawyer Richard Weinstein/Weinstein & Wisser
Law Firm/Lawyer The Mira Law Firm
Pet Services Veterinary Specialists of CT
Pet Services Cats Limited
Pet Services Uberdog
Pet Services Petcare Veternary Services
Pet Services Pet Supplies Plus
Pet Services Dog Days of West Hartford
Pet Services Honey’s Haven
Pet Services Petals & Paws
Real Estate Company/Realtor William Raveis Real Estate
Real Estate Company/Realtor Keller Williams
Real Estate Company/Realtor Berkshire Hathaway
Real Estate Company/Realtor RE/MAX Premier, Realtors
Real Estate Company/Realtor Coldwell Banker
Real Estate Company/Realtor Hart Real Estate
Real Estate Company/Realtor William Raveis Broder Group
Wealth Management/Financial Planning Charles Schwab
Wealth Management/Financial Planning NorthStar Wealth Partners
Wealth Management/Financial Planning Fidelity Investments
Bank/Financial Institution Webster Bank
Bank/Financial Institution Bank of America
Bank/Financial Institution United Bank
Bank/Financial Institution Santander
Bank/Financial Institution TD Bank
Bank/Financial Institution Farmington Bank

2 Comments

  1. John desimone July 18, 2016 at 5:33 PM - Reply

    Please vote! Great thing.

  2. John desimone July 18, 2016 at 5:35 PM - Reply

    Please vote! Great thing.

    West harffotd center – blue back square–best in ct.

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