The people have voted, and have chosen the following as the winners of the second Best of West Hartford contest sponsored by We-Ha.com and West Hartford Magazine.

By Joy Taylor

Best of West Hartford contest finalists, town officials, business leaders, and residents anxiously awaited the revealing of the results of West Hartford’s second annual people’s choice contest Thursday night as they enjoyed cocktails, mingling and great food as well as a magician, chair massages, and more at the awards show at Town Hall.

Mayor Shari Cantor, who is traveling in Bavaria, prepared some pre-recorded remarks and, thanks to David Chmielewski of Direct Line Media, was able to kick off the evening on the video screen.

The winners were kept secret, under lock and key in the office of Filomeno & Company by Kathryn Plourde. Kathryn was the only one who knew the winners prior to Thursday evening.

The winners were chosen from among 277 finalists in 49 categories. The businesses were nominated this spring and from June  through Aug. 31, votes were cast for the winners. The people nominated (one vote per email address) and the people voted (one vote per email address). It was a true people’s choice contest.

Thank you to all who voted. Thank you to the businesses that promoted this event. Thank you to the committee members who orchestrated the event.

Thank you to NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen for serving as the emcee for the awards ceremony. Brad was assisted by the title sponsors, including:  Lux Bond & Green, The Mercy Community, JPCarroll Construction, William Raveis. Other title sponsors include: Sanditz Travel/Spa Soli and Saint Francis Hospital.

Watch Monday’s Business Buzz for photos and more from this community event.

And now, the winners are …

Camp 2016 Camp Shalom

Park 2016 Elizabeth Park

Preschool/Daycare 2016 Mandell JCC

Recreation 2016 Elizabeth Park

Bakery 2016 Hartford Baking Company

Breakfast Restaurant 2016 Effie’s Place

Burger Restaurant 2016 Max Burger

Coffee/Tea 2016 J. René Coffee Roasters

Ethnic Restaurant 2016 Arugula

Family Restaurant 2016 A.C. Petersen Farms

Fine Dining 2016 Restaurant Bricco

Grocery Store 2016 Whole Foods, Raymond Road

Dessert 2016 The Cheesecake Factory

Ice Cream Shop 2016 A.C. Petersen Farms

Pizza 2016 Harrys Bishops Corner

Business Lunch 2016 Restaurant Bricco

Wine Shop 2016 The Wise Old Dog

Liquor Store 2016 Maximum Beverage

Exercise/Fitness2016 Mandell JCC Greater Hartford

Personal Trainer2016 D’Mario Sowa from Akua Ba Fitness

Hair Salon2016 Salon Medusa

Barber Shop2016 Degras Barber Shop

Manicure/Pedicure2016 Silk Nails

Spas2016 Massage Envy

Satellite Medical Facility2016 AFC Urgent Care

Home Health Care2016 Jewish Family Services

Bank/Financial Institution2016 Bank of America

Garden/Florist2016 Moscarillo\’s Garden Shoppe

Home Improvement Contractor2016 Bartlett Brainard

Lawn/Landscaping Contractor2016 EcoTurf

Law Firm/Lawyer2016 Owen Eagan/Eagan,Donohue, Van Dyke & Falsey

Pet Services2016 Veterinary Specialists of CT

Real Estate Company/Realtor2016 William Raveis Real Estate

Wealth Management/Financial Planning2016 Fidelity Investments

Entertainment2016 Blue Back Square

Happy Hour2016 Barcelona West Hartford

Tavern2016 Corner Pug

Late Night Spot2016 bartaco

Mens National2016 JoS A. Banks

Womens National2016 Nordstrom

Eye Wear2016 Central Optica

Womens Accessories2016 Charming Charlies

Gift Shop2016 Ten Thousand Villages

Specialty Retail2016 Toy Chest

Home Improvement2016 Larsen’s ACE Hardware

Jewelry Store2016 Lux Bond & Green

Sports Retail2016 Fleet Feet

Mens Fashion Local2016 Daswani Clothiers

Womens Fashion Local2016 BK & Co