Thanks so much for your votes, which decided who among the finalists win our Gold Daisy Awards for the "most loved local businesses."
Some categories were really close, with the winner coming in with less than one percent more of the vote than the runner up. And some categories were won by a landslide! Some nominations and results were surprising (I, for one, didn't know you could get an ice cream cake from Jimmie Cone!). And some were exactly the same as last year.
At the end of the day, ALL of the finalists are well-loved and deserve to be recognized because they were the top nominees in their categories.
After tallying the results, these are the the places you chose as your Most Loved Local Businesses! If you happen to represent one of these businesses, please send me a quick email at hollyc@macaronikid.com so we can make arrangements to get your Gold Daisy Winner window decal to you.
Enrich Your Kids
Best Art Lessons: Firehouse Pottery & Arts
Best Dance Lessons: Center Stage Performing Arts Academy
Best Drama Lessons: American School of Inspiration
Best Gymnastics Lessons: Skyview Gymnastics
Best Martial Arts Lessons: Kicks Karate
Celebrate Your Kids
Best Place for a Birthday Party: The Arena Indoor Sports Complex
Best Birthday Cakes: Jimmie Cone
Entertain Your Kids
Best Place for Indoor Fun: Adventure Park USA
Best Place for Outdoor Fun: Green Meadows Petting Farm
Best Place for Teens & Tweens: Adventure Park USA
Best Family Festival: Gaver Farm Fall Festival
Take Care of Your Kids
Best Daycare: Bright Eyes Early Learning Center - Urbana
Best Preschool: Mount Airy Christian Academy (Lion's Pride Preschool)
Food, Food, Food
Best Bakery: The Buzz Café
Best Coffee: The Music Café
Best Frozen Dessert: Jimmie Cone
Best Pizza: Laurienzo Brick Oven Café
Best Date Night Restaurant: Bolder
Best Family Restaurant: Hornet's Nest Grille
Self Care
Best Gym: Health Unlimited Family Fitness & Aquatics Center
Best House Cleaning Service: Maryland Gleam Team
Best Hair Salon: A Do or Dye Salon and Day Spa
Best Place of Worship: Damascus Road Community Church
Best Place to get Pampered: Massage Envy
Family Wellness
Best Chiropractor or Physical Therapist: Mount Airy Chiropractic Center
Best Ob/Gyn: Capital Women’s Care
Best Orthodontist: Mt. Airy Children’s Dental Associates
Best Pediatrician: The Pediatric Center of Frederick
Best Dentist: Mt. Airy Children’s Dental Associates
Best Veterinary Practice: Paws & Claws Animal Hospital
Best Vision Care: Mt. Airy Eye Care
Shopping for the Family
Best Specialty Store: Wagner Meats
Best Thrift or Consignment Store: Style Me Sue Consignments
One Last Thing
Best “Hidden Gem”: The Shops at Damascus Electric
Best Professional Service: Misty's Senior Services
Best New Business: Stop Drop & Play Children's Museum
