The Kent Reporter asked, and readers responded.
More than 2,000 participated in our 2010 Best of Kent contest in March, naming their favorites in the Kent community, ranking everyone from their favorite firefighters to their most well-regarded businesses.
“This was our best reader response yet,” said Kent Reporter Publisher Polly Shepherd. “The community definitely embraced Best of Kent 2010, more so than in previous years.”
The contest ran both in our print and online editions, from March 19 to April 16.
Read below to see your top community members, businesses and services in 46 categories.
View the complete publication for Best of Kent.
View the complete publication for Best of Renton.
Community Volunteer
Winner: Suzanne Cameron
Finalists:
Jim Berrios
Michelle McDowell
Lee Anderson
Dentist
Winner: Award Dental
Finalists:
Dr. Susan Hollinsworth
Dr. Neal Wanner
Dr. Hayashi
Firefighter
Winner: Terry McCartin
Finalists:
John Robbins
Don Barberie
Steve Galassi
Insurance Agent
Winner: Doug Jones – State Farm Insurance
Finalists:
Rob Cannon – New York Life
Greg Lewis – Greg Lewis Insurance Agency
Michael Martinez – Farmer’s Insurance
Pet Groomer
Winner: The Soggy Doggy
Finalists:
Kent Grooming
Michelle at McMonigle Veterinary Hospital
K-9 Designs
Physician
Winner: Dr. Sui Twe
Finalists:
Robert Smithing, MSN, ARNP – Family Care of Kent
Maddy Wiley, MSN, ARNP – Family Care of Kent
Dr. Lucy Nyguen – Southlake Clinic of Kent
Police Officer
Winner: Chief Strachan
Finalists:
Ron Price
Jeff Cobb
Paul Peterson
Public Official
Winner: Mayor Suzette Cooke
Finalists:
Les Thomas
Jamie Perry
Tim Clark
Realtor
Winner: Marti Reeder – John L. Scott
Finalists:
Tray Svendson – John L. Scott
Todd Reitan – John L. Scott
Vicki Dalisky – Windermere Real Estate
Teacher/School
Sara Palmer – Mattson Middle School
Finalists:
Bob Johnson – Emerald Park Elementary School
Susan Behrens – Grass Lake Elementary School
Daniel Weeks – Kentwood High School
Veterinarian
Winner: Dr. Rob McMonigle
Finalists:
Animal Health Care of Kent
Mission Vet
Dr. Miller – Value Pet Clinic
Waiter/Location
Winner: Michelle at Maggies on Meeker
Finalists:
Dave at Shindig Martini Bar
Marta at The Velvet Goose
Toni Murray at Pat’s Bar & Grill
Automotive
Winner: East Hill Tire Factory
Finalists:
Bowen Scarff Ford Lincoln Mercury Kent
Central Avenue Automotive
Firestone Complete Auto Care – Store #028800
Bank/Credit Union
Winner: BECU
Finalists:
Bank of America
Chase (Kent Station)
Valley Bank
Fitness Center
Winner: LA Fitness
Finalists:
24 Hour Fitness
Curves
Vision Quest
Green Business
Winner: Allied Waste Services
Finalists:
ShoWare Center
REI
Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage
Nail Salon
Winner: Nails by Design Salon and Spa
Finalists:
Peridot Nail Salon
Panther Lake Nails
Nail Spa
Hair Salon/Barber Shop
Winner: Salon Ivoni
Finalists:
Chatter’s Salon & Beauty Supply
Humanity Salon
Victoria Robert’s Salon & Spa
Plant Nursery
Winner: Carpinito Brothers
Finalists:
McLendon Hardware
East Hill Nursery
Furney’s Nursery
Senior Living Facility
Winner: Stafford Suites at Kent
Finalists:
Aegis of Kent
The Weatherly Inn at Lake Meridian
Farrington Court
Spa Services
Winner:
Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage
Finalists:
Elle – A Clincial Day Spa
Bethany Massage Center
Sweet Escape Day Spa
Winery/Wine Shop
Winner:
Castle Bridge Winery
Finalists:
Grape Adventure
QFC
Fred Meyer
Pet Store
Winner: Mud Bay
Finalists:
Reber Ranch Tack & Feed Store
Pet Country
Petco
Asian Cuisine
Winner: China Star Restaurant & Lounge
Finalists:
Thai Chili
Archa Thai Bistro
D-Jung Thai
BBQ
Winner: Caveman Kitchens
Finalists:
BBQ Pete’s
HD Hotspurs BBQ Classics
Longhorn Barbeque Outpost
Breakfast
Winner: Wild Wheat Bakery Café
Finalists:
Maggie’s on Meeker
The Golden Steer
Mary’s Fine Foods
Coffee Shop
Winner: Kona Kai Coffee Company
Finalists:
Starbucks – Meeker
Bri’s Beans
Dilettante Espresso & Mocha Café
Family Restaurant
Winner: The Golden Steer
Finalists:
Ram Bighorn Brewery
Spiro’s Greek Island
Bittersweet Restaurant
Fine Dining
Winner: Paolo’s Italian Restaurant
Finalists:
Mama Stortini’s Restaurant & Bar
Duke’s Chowderhouse
Ram Bighorn Brewery
Italian Cuisine
Winner: Paolo’s Italian Restaurant
Finalists:
Mama Stortini’s Restaurant & Bar
Pizzaria Fondi
Amante Pizza & Pasta
Lunch
Winner: Panera Bread
Finalists:
Bittersweet Restaurant
Wild Wheat Bakery Café
Pat’s Bar & Grill
Mexican Cuisine
Winner: Mexico Lindo Restaurant
Finalists:
El Charro Mexican Restaurant
Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant & Catering
Casa Poblana
Pizza
Winner: Pizzeria Fondi
Finalists:
Papa Murphy’s
Amante Pizza & Pasta
Papa John’s
Antique Shop
Winner: Mad Hatter Antiques
Finalists: Titusville Trading Company
Treasure’s
American Cancer Society: Discovery Shops
Bookstore
Winner: Children’s Bookshop & Teaching Supply
Finalists:
Browser’s Books
Christian Supply Bookstore
New Women Books
Clothing/Shoe Store
Winner: Coldwater Creek
Finalists:
Chicos – Kent Station
Ross – East Hill
Ann Taylor Loft – Kent Station
Consignment/Thrift Store
Winner: St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Finalists:
Value Village
Kent Goodwill – East Hill
American Cancer Society: Discovery Shops
Flower Shop
Winner: Bella Home & Garden
Finalists:
Kent Floral
East Hill Floral
Safeway Floral
Furniture/Home Décor
Winner: Bella Home & Garden
Finalists:
Fig & Feather
Forbes Furniture
Gallery Furniture & Design Center
Gift Store
Winner: Marie Haggin Accessories
Finalists:
Kelly’s Gift Boutique
A&H Hallmark
Bella Home & Garden
Grocery/Convenience Store/Location
Winner: Top Food & Drug
Finalists:
Safeway (Kent – 132nd & Kent Kangley)
QFC (240th & 132nd)
Fred Meyer (James St.)
Jewelry Store
Winner: Bonaci Fine Jewelers
Finalists:
Earthworks Gem Design Studio
Marie Haggin Accessories
Best View of Kent
Winner: East Hill
Finalists:
Grandview Dog Park
Scenic Hill
Lake Meridian
Favorite Family Destination
Winner: Kent Station
Finalists:
ShoWare Center
Lake Meridian
Kent Commons
Most Romantic Spot
Winner: Paolo’s Italian Restaurant
Finalists:
Shindig Martini Bar
Kent Station Fireplace
Lake Meridian
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