Best of the Best 2022

The Results are in!

OF THE BEST BEST

2022

Awards Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

We asked the Northland to help us find the Best of the Best for 2022. After 141,270 votes... we have our WINNERS inside.

Dwight Swanstrom Company was recently awarded “2022 Minnesota Independent Insurance Agency of the Year” by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Association at their annual Expo in Prior Lake on May 16, 2022.

The winner of this award is nominated and selected by the various insurance companies who partner with the Association.

Our service has set us apart since 1889 — find out why. Reach out to our experienced, local team for a free and convenient quote on your home, auto, business, or life insurance.

The Northland’s Finest

Located in the Lincoln Park Craft District in Duluth and the Billings Park neighborhood of Superior - representing over 20 different insurance companies.

Andrew Bauer, Matt Bauer, Greg Brisky

2022 Agency of the Year

6th Annual

Best of the Best

MEGAN KELLER

Advertising Director

Hello, Northlanders:

The time has come for us to present to you the Duluth News Tribune’s sixth annual “Best of the Best” top two finishers. I know many of you had hoped for an in-person celebration this year. I certainly hoped for one as well; however, we chose to stay virtual this year as we just don’t have the manpower to produce an event that large again. I hope you enjoyed the virtual awards celebration. If you missed it, please watch the video at dntbest.com.

One of my favorite parts of this contest is producing the awards celebration video. This year, Ali Carlson, multimedia marketing executive with the Duluth News Tribune, co-hosted with me, and Alex Comstock, owner of Comstock Creative, was our ever-so-talented videographer. Once the voting concludes, I take a moment to review those who stood out during the contest and we schedule a time to visit them for an on-camera interview. It’s really wonderful to have opportunities to visit with these businesses who take much pride in their community and are humbled by the amazing support they receive from their loyal fans.

Now, I want to talk to you about how incredibly huge the contest was this year. This year, we moderated 44,484 nominations, with 141,270 votes all made by 9,707 people. This year, the most popular participating location was Superior, Wisconsin. We saw an incredible number of businesses coming from the 54880 zip code.

I would like to give a special thanks to our supporting sponsors. Dwight Swanstrom Company who was our platinum sponsor this year. Their support for this contest makes it reality for our community. Dwight Swanstrom is a licensed insurance company who has been serving the community since 1889. They are located in Superior and Duluth.

Additionally, Footprint Promotional Advertising was our awards sponsor

again this year. The partnership we have with owner/manager Briana Manning is a valued and appreciated partnership. Footprint Promotional Advertising provides all the awards to the 264 firstplace winners.

Briana has also generously donated her location for our awards celebration. This is a private, invitation-only event for our first- and second-place winners. The event is scheduled for Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Footprint Promotional Advertising, 1427 London Road, Duluth. When you arrive, please park on the street and walk behind the building. The event is being hosted in the parking lot behind Footprint. Each winner will receive a free gift bag from Briana and her team in addition to the awards. And plan to come hungry as Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ food truck will be parked in front of Footprint from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Each year, we do our best to positively grow this contest. I appreciate those of you who kindly reached out to provide me with suggestions and recommendations for next year. I hear you, and have made note for next year’s planning discussions.

Now, without further adieu, I proudly present you with the Duluth News Tribune’s “2022 Best of the Best” winners!

Megan Keller Group Advertising Director Duluth News Tribune

Megan Keller, advertising director (left), and Ali Carlson, sales representative of the Duluth News Tribune, along with Comstock Creative videographer Alex Comstock, produce the Best of the Best awards celebration video in Enger Park.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Best Local Sports Team

WINNER UMD MEN’S HOCKEY

2ND PLACE DULUTH HUSKIES

Best Local Tournament

WINNER GRANDMA’S MARATHON

2ND PLACE RYAN MCCARTHY SUPERDRAFT

Best Museum

WINNER GLENSHEEN MANSION

2ND PLACE NORTH SHORE SCENIC RAILROAD

Best Park

WINNER JAY COOKE STATE PARK

2ND PLACE LESTER PARK TRAILS

Best Place for Kids to Play

WINNER PLAYFRONT PARK

2ND PLACE ADVENTURE ZONE

Best Radio DJ

WINNER JASON MANNING - KQDS

2ND PLACE CHRIS ALLEN - KOOL 101.7

Best Radio Station

WINNER LIFE 97.3

2ND PLACE 95 KQDS

Best TV Station

WINNER KBJR 6 / CBS 3 DULUTH

2ND PLACE WDIO

DINING AND DRINKING GROUP

Best Asian Restaurant

WINNER GOLDEN INN

2ND PLACE PHOHOLIC

Best Bakery

WINNER JOHNSON’S BAKERY

2ND PLACE DULUTH’S BEST BREAD

Best Bar

WINNER SIR BENEDICT’S TAVERN ON THE LAKE

2ND PLACE THE BOREAL HOUSE

Best Bartender / Server

WINNER JACE LEGARDE - THE BOREAL HOUSE

2ND PLACE STEVEN MURAT - DULUTH GRILL

Best BBQ Restaurant

WINNER OMC SMOKEHOUSE

2ND PLACE FAMOUS DAVE’S

Best Beer Selection

WINNER URSA MINOR BREWING

2ND PLACE 7 WEST TAPHOUSE - SUPERIOR

Best Bloody Mary

WINNER DOC’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

2ND PLACE THE BOAT CLUB RESTAURANT & BAR

Best Breakfast

WINNER DULUTH GRILL

2ND PLACE THE SOCIAL HOUSE

Best Brew Pub / Taproom

WINNER URSA MINOR BREWING

2ND PLACE BENT PADDLE BREWING

Best Burger

WINNER ANCHOR BAR & GRILL

2ND PLACE THE BREEZE INN

Best Caterer

WINNER KURTZ CATERING

2ND PLACE OMC SMOKEHOUSE

Best Chicken Wings

WINNER THE OTHER PLACE BAR & GRILL

2ND PLACE WIDE WORLD OF WINGS

Best Coffee

WINNER DULUTH COFFEE COMPANY

2ND PLACE YELLOW BIKE COFFEE

Best Coffee Shop

WINNER YELLOW BIKE COFFEE

2ND PLACE WUSSOW’S CONCERT CAFE

Best County Bar

WINNER THE BREEZE INN

2ND PLACE THE OTHER PLACE BAR & GRILL

Best Desserts

WINNER LOVE CREAMERY

2ND PLACE THE CUPCAKE LADY

Best Dive Bar

WINNER ANCHOR BAR & GRILL

2ND PLACE THE REEF

DINING AND DRINKING GROUP

Best Sports Bar

WINNER THE OTHER PLACE BAR & GRILL

2ND PLACE GRONK’S GRILL & BAR

Best Steakhouse

WINNER HAMMOND STEAK HOUSE

2ND PLACE TEXAS ROADHOUSE

Best Sushi

WINNER HANABI JAPANESE CUISINE

2ND PLACE WASABI SUPERIOR

Best Vegetarian Food

WINNER AT SARA’S TABLE CHESTER CREEK CAFE

2ND PLACE DULUTH GRILL

Best Wine Selection

WINNER BELLISIO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2ND PLACE THE BOAT CLUB RESTAURANT & BAR

Best Flooring/Carpet Store

WINNER JOHNSON CARPET ONE

2ND PLACE BRADLEY INTERIORS

Best Florist

WINNER SAFFRON & GREY

2ND PLACE FLORA NORTH

Best Furniture Store

WINNER HOM FURNITURE

2ND PLACE AMISH FURNITURE HAUS

Best Garden Center/Nursery

WINNER GORDY’S GIFT & GARDEN CENTER

2ND PLACE DAN’S FEED BIN

Best Gift Store

WINNER HUCKLEBEARY

2ND PLACE WEEPING WILLOW HEARTFELT GIFTS

Best Grocery Store

WINNER ALDI - SUPERIOR

2ND PLACE MOUNT ROYAL MARKET

Best Hardware Store

WINNER MARSHALL HARDWARE

2ND PLACE MENARDS - SUPERIOR

Best Hotel

WINNER PIER B RESORT HOTEL

2ND PLACE FITGER’S INN

Best Large Company to Work for (50+)

WINNER CIRRUS AIRCRAFT

2ND PLACE ESSENTIA HEALTH

Best Place of Worship

WINNER THE VINEYARD CHURCHARROWHEAD ROAD

2ND PLACE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Best Property Management Company

WINNER BACHAND GROUP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

2ND PLACE SHIPROCK MANAGEMENT

Best Real Estate Company

WINNER RE/MAX RESULTS

2ND PLACE GREG FOLLMER COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Best Retirement/Assisted Living

WINNER EDGEWOOD HERMANTOWN

2ND PLACE ECUMEN HOME CARELAKESHORE

Best Small Company to Work for (Under 50)

WINNER CARLSON ORTHODONTICS

2ND PLACE RELF EYECARE SPECIALISTS

Best Sporting Goods Store

WINNER NORTHWEST OUTLET

2ND PLACE MARINE GENERAL

Enjoying our 33rd year of serving this beautiful community. We look forward to seeing you soon!

I’ve been grateful to be nominated the last couple years with so many other amazing stylists! To be voted first place for best stylist this year is truly an honor. I can’t say thank you enough!

~Katie Zosel

kzhairco218@gmail.com

Voted Best Massage Spa 5 years in a row

Best Toy Store

WINNER LEGACY TOYS

2ND PLACE J SKYLARK

Best Used Car Dealership

WINNER BENNA FORD

2ND PLACE KARI TOYOTA

LOCAL BUSINESSES GROUP

Best Wine Selection

WINNER KEYPORT LIQUOR

2ND PLACE CASH WISE LIQUOR

Best Workplace Culture

WINNER CARLSON ORTHODONTICS

2ND PLACE PLANNED PARENTHOOD - DULUTH

Best Apartment Community

WINNER BLUESTONE FLATS

2ND PLACE 320 NORTH

Best Auto Care

WINNER DETAIL & DASH

2ND PLACE EAST END AUTO SERVICES

Best Auto Glass

WINNER CITY AUTO GLASS

2ND PLACE ZENITH AUTO GLASS

Best Cleaning Service

WINNER TWIN PORTS TRAILER TRASH

2ND PLACE RADIANT WINDOW CLEANING

Best Consulting Firm

WINNER METAMORPHOSIS CCT (COACHING, CONSULTING, & TRAINING)

2ND PLACE PEARSON & VON ELBE ADVERTISING

Best Cosmetic/Esthetic Clinic

WINNER TWIN PORTS DERMATOLOGY

2ND PLACE SERENITY SPA AND SALON FEATURING POSH AFFAIR BOUTIQUE

Best Customer Service

WINNER CARLSON ORTHODONTICS

2ND PLACE OUT OF THE CLOUDS

Best Dental Office

WINNER CARLSON ORTHODONTICS

2ND PLACE LAKE SUPERIOR DENTAL

Best Eye Care Practice

WINNER DR. JASON STOWE - ESSENTIA

2ND PLACE DR. JOHN S. YOON - ST. LUKE’S

Best Financial Advisor

WINNER SIGNATURE WEALTH MANAGEMENT

2ND PLACE EDWARD JONES - JASON W. ROLFE

I am so grateful to my clients who voted Fox and the Hare “Best Hair Salon” three years in a row!

-Kali Moll

2020, 2021, 2022 Best Hair Salon

2019, 2020, 2021 Best Stylist

THISISWHERE

YO UB ELONG

EssentiaHealthhasbeenvotedBestMedicalFacility.

Webelieveinprovidingthekindofhealthcareyoucan’tgetanywhereelse. That’swhywedothingsdifferentlyhere.Together,withcommunityandcommitment, wecanbuildsomethingbetter.Livehealthierlives.Takecareofeachother.

It’sourhonortoserveyou.

Joinourteam: EssentiaCareers.org

Best Pet Grooming

WINNER MIRANDA’S SMOOCH A POOCH

2ND PLACE RILEY RUE PET SPAW

Best Pharmacy

WINNER WALGREEN’S - KENWOOD

2ND PLACE ESSENTIA HEALTHHERMANTOWN PHARMACY

Best Piercing Studio

WINNER ANCHORS END TATTOO

2ND PLACE ZENITH CITY PIERCING AND TATTOO

Best Place to buy an RV

WINNER BULLYAN RV

2ND PLACE LINK RV

Best Plumbing Contractor

WINNER A.G. O’BRIAN PLUMBING & HEATING

2ND PLACE BELKNAP PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING

Best Real Estate Agent

WINNER KEVIN O’BRIAN - REAL LIVING, MESSINA & ASSOCIATES

2ND PLACE CHAD WATCZAK - EDINA REALTY

LauraGlaus, PA-C

St.Luke’sOrthopedics&SportsMedicine

Dr.John Yoon

St.Luke’sEyeCare–MarinerMedicalClinic

P.S.RudieMedicalClinic

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