BEST BEST OF THE The Results Are In!
We asked the Northland to help us find the Best of the Best for 2024. After 108,023 votes... We have the winners inside!
Best of The Best
By Rick Lubbers Executive Director
It’s the eighth year of the News Tribune’s Best of the Best contest, and reader participation keeps growing.
I’m a stats geek, so this year’s participation numbers jumped out at me: 45,894 nominations from 3,836 people (there were 42,530 nominations last year) and 108,023 votes from 5,796 people (there were 89,135 votes in 2023).
It’s fun for us at the DNT to watch so many community members nominate and vote for the best of what the Northland has to offer.
Thanks, again, to all who nominated and voted!
We’re proud to award first-place winners with an engraved acrylic plaque from sponsor Footprint Promotional Advertising, along with a printed certificate for framing. Second-place winners will receive a printed certificate.
We’re looking forward to celebrating with you! The Best of the Best Celebration will be held Friday, Sept. 13 from 3-6 p.m. at the Bent Paddle’s Outdoor Plaza. That event will be held rain or shine. The 95 KQDS “Afternoon Train Wreck” will broadcast live from the event, too.
We’d love to see all of the Best of the Best nominees attend the celebration. It’s being held in your honor, after all.
Thanks, again, to all who participated in the 2024 Best of the Best contest, and congrats to all of the winners and those who received votes.
— Rick Lubbers
Awards Pick-up at bent paddle SEPTEMBER 13 3-6 pm
Duluth News Tribune executive editor
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
BEST ART GALLERY
Winner: Lake Superior Art Glass
2nd Place: Joe Polecheck Photography
BEST CASINO
Winner: Black Bear Casino Resort
2nd Place: Fortune Bay Resort Casino
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Skyline Social & Games
2nd Place: Duluth Playhouse
BEST GOLF COURSE
Winner: Nemadji Golf Course
2nd Place: Lakeview National Golf Course
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Winner: Bayfront Festival Park
2nd Place: Powerhouse Bar
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
Winner: The Northwood’s Band
2nd Place: Ricky Carl Music
BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
Winner: Allie Tibbetts
2nd Place: Jennifer Walters
BEST LOCAL BAND
Winner: The Northwood’s Band
2nd Place: Booty & The Hoefish
BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY
Winner: Hunter McCullough
2nd Place: Joe Polecheck Photography
BEST LOCAL SPORTS TEAM
Winner: UMD Bulldog Mens Hockey Team
2nd Place: Superior Spartans
BEST LOCAL TOURNAMENT
Winner: Grandma’s Marathon
2nd Place: Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament
BEST MUSEUM
Winner: Glensheen Mansion
2nd Place: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
BEST RADIO DJ
Winner: Jason Manning
2nd Place: Jeanne Ryan
BEST RADIO STATION
Winner: 95 KQDS Midwest Communications
2nd Place: Life 97.3
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats
2nd Place: Keyport Liquor
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
BEST TV ANCHOR
Winner: Dan Hanger - Fox 21 News
2nd Place: Dan Wolfe - Northern News
Now NBC 6/CBS 3
BEST TV STATION
Winner: Northern News
Now NBC 6/CBS 3
2nd Place: WDIO - 10/13
ABC Now NBC 6/CBS 3
BEST ASIAN FOOD
Winner: Golden Inn Restaurant
2nd Place: PhởHolic Taste of Vietnam
BEST BAKERY
Winner: Johnson’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
2nd Place: Duluth’s Best Bread
BEST BAR
Winner: The Tipsy Mosquito Wine & Spirit Room
2nd Place: Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats
BEST BARTENDER / SERVER
Winner: Mary Mena at Pedro’s Grill & Cantina
2nd Place: Kaley Towers at Va Bene
BEST BBQ FOOD
Winner: Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ
2nd Place: OMC Smokehouse
BEST BEER SELECTION / BREW PUB / TAPROOM
Winner: Castle Danger Brewery
2nd Place: 7 West Tap House
BEST BLOODY MARY
Winner: Doc’s Sports Bar & Grill
2nd Place: Boat Club Restaurant
BEST BREAKFAST
Winner: The Social House
2nd Place: Bridgeman’s
BEST BURGER
Winner: Anchor Bar & Grill
2nd Place: Gordy’s Hi-Hat
BEST CATERER
Winner: Kurtz Catering
2nd Place: Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
Winner: Central Pub
2nd Place: Wide World of Wings
BEST COFFEE / COFFEE SHOP
Winner: Empire Coffee
2nd Place -Tie: Miigwitches Brew
2nd Place -Tie: Yellow Bike Coffee
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Pedro’s Grill & Cantina
2nd Place: Central Pub
BEST DESSERTS
Winner: The Cupcake Lady-218
2nd Place: Rustic Inn Cafe
BEST DIVE BAR
Winner: Anchor Bar & Grill
2nd Place: Alborn Tavern
BEST FAST FOOD
Winner: Gordy’s Hi-Hat
2nd Place: Culver’s
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ
2nd Place: Superior Cubans
BEST FRIES
Winner: Anchor Bar
2nd Place: Gordy’s Hi-Hat
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Winner: The Other Place Bar & Grill
2nd Place: Mama T’s Smokin Eats
BEST HOT DOG
Winner: Coney Island Deluxe
2nd Place: A&W Restaurant
EATS & DRINKS GROUP
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Winner: Va Bene
2nd Place: Valentini’s
BEST MARGARITA
Winner: Pedro’s Grill & Cantina
2nd Place: Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Winner: Pedro’s Grill & Cantina
2nd Place: Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Winner: Boat Club Restaurant
2nd Place: Tavern on the Hill
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Sammy’s Pizza
2nd Place: Shamrock Pizza
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Pedro’s Grill & Cantina
2nd Place: Dreamland Supper Club
We are honored to win Best of the Best and look forward to serving you soon!
BEST BAR
EATS & DRINKS GROUP
BEST SANDWICH
Winner: Corktown Deli & Brews
2nd Place: Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake
BEST SEAFOOD
Winner: Dreamland Supper Club
2nd Place: Boat Club Restaurant & Bar
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Central Pub
2nd Place: Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ
BEST SPORTS BAR
Winner: Aces On 29th
2nd Place: The Other Place Bar & Grill
BEST
STEAK
Winner: Texas Roadhouse
2nd Place: Hammond Steak House
BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD
Winner: Duluth Grill
2nd Place: Juice Pharm
BEST WINE SELECTION (DINING)
Winner: Boat Club Restaurant
2nd Place: Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
BEST ATTRACTION
Winner: Bentleyville USA
2nd Place: Lake Superior
BEST CAMP FOR KIDS
Winner: Animal Allies Humane Society Kids Camps
2nd Place: YMCA Camp Miller
BEST CHILD CARE FACILITY
Winner: Lake Superior Zoo School
2nd Place: Auntys Child Care - Lakeside
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Arrowhead Orthodontics
2nd Place: Lake Superior Zoo
BEST FAMILY ACTIVITY PLACE
Winner: Lake Superior Zoo
2nd Place: Skyline Social & Games
BEST HOTEL
Winner: Pier B Resort Hotel
2nd Place: Black Bear Casino Resort
BEST LARGE COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Cirrus Aircraft
2nd Place: Kwik Trip
BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Winner: Animal Allies Humane Society
2nd Place: Liberty K9 Rescue Ranch
BEST PARK
Winner: Jay Cooke State Park
2nd Place: Amnicon Falls State Park
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP
Winner: Lake Superior
2nd Place: Cathedral of Christ the King
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Keyport Liquors - Duluth & Superior
2nd Place: Carlson Orthodontics
BEST WEDDING PARTY VENUE
Winner: Buffalo House
2nd Place: Ivy Black Weddings & Events
BEST
CBD
SHOP / VAPE STORE
Winner: Sutherland CBD
2nd Place: Super Smoke & Vape Shop
BEST CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE
Winner: Wilderness Wellness Chiropractic
2nd Place -Tie: Jeffrey Leno, DC
2nd Place -Tie: Twin Ports Health Solutions
BEST COSMETIC / ESTHETIC CLINIC
Winner: Beauty By Joy
2nd Place: Serene Beauty
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Essentia Health
2nd Place: Relf Optical
BEST DENTAL OFFICE
Winner: Lake Superior Dental
2nd Place: Carlson Orthodontics
BEST HOTEL
Winner: Pier B Resort Hotel
2nd Place: Black Bear Casino Resort
BEST EXERCISE FACILITY
Winner: IST CrossFit
2nd Place: Zenith Athletics
BEST EYE DOCTOR
Winner: Jason Stowe, OD - Essentia Health
2nd Place: Michael Fuchs, OD - Essentia Health
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Serenity Spa & Salon
2nd Place: Hustle + Heart Salon
BEST HAIR SERVICE - BARBER
Winner: Sophie Kaster at Sport Clips Haircuts of Duluth - Miller Hill Mall
2nd Place: Sequoia at Serenity Salon
BEST HAIR SERVICE - STYLIST
Winner: Kaytlin Williams at Serenity Salon
2nd Place: Faustina Timmers at Studio Faus
BEST MASSAGE / SPA / ALTERNATIVE HEALING
Winner: Infinity Massage & Wellness
2nd Place: Ambient Glow Massage Studio
BEST MEDICAL FACILITY
Winner: Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center
2nd Place: Relf EyeCare Specialists
BEST MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Winner: Krisa Keute, MD - Essentia Health
2nd Place: Alex Loch, DPT - motivPT
BEST NAIL SALON
Winner: Q Nails
2nd Place: Pearl Nails & Spa
BEST OPTICAL STORE
Winner: Relf Optical
2nd Place: Vision Pro Optical - Superior
BEST PHARMACY
Winner: Essentia Health - Hermantown
2nd Place: Essentia Health - Superior East
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Relf EyeCare Specialists
2nd Place: Serenity Spa & Salon
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BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Winner: Carlton Lofts
2nd Place: Central Flats
BEST CLEANING SERVICE
Winner: Courtney Cleans LLC
2nd Place: Twin Ports Trailer Trash
BEST CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Winner: Heyday Home Solutions
2nd Place: Miller Creek Lawn & Landscape
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Miller Creek Lawn & Landscape
2nd Place: Superior Fuel Company
BEST ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR
Winner: Benson Electric Company
2nd Place: Belknap Electric, Inc
BEST FLOORING / CARPET STORE
Winner: Johnson Carpet One
2nd Place: Cloquet Interiors
HOME & GARDEN GROUP
BEST FLORIST
Winner: Engwall Flowers
2nd Place: Artistic Florals by Leslie
BEST FUEL OIL / PROPANE SERVICE
Winner: Superior Fuel Company
2nd Place: Fond du Lac Propane Co.
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Schneiderman’s Furniture
2nd Place: Slumberland Furniture
BEST GARAGE DOOR INSTALLER
Winner: Overhead Door Company of Duluth
2nd Place: Phil’s Garage Door Service
BEST GARDEN CENTER / NURSERY
Winner: Gordy’s Gift & Garden
2nd Place: The Fig Tree
BEST HARDWARE STORE
Winner: L&M Fleet Supply
2nd Place: Marshall Hardware
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HOME & GARDEN GROUP
HVAC SERVICE
Winner: A.G. O’Brien Plumbing & Heating
2nd Place: Superior Fuel Company
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY
Winner: Tidy Details
2nd Place: Bradley Interiors
BEST PLUMBING CONTRACTOR
Winner: A.G. O’Brien Plumbing & Heating
2nd Place: Guthrie Plumbing & Heating
BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Winner: Heirloom Property Management
2nd Place: Greg Follmer at Commercial
Real Estate
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
Winner: Jordan DeCaro Real Estate Team
2nd Place: Jamie Sathers Day at Sathers JS Realty
BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY
Winner: RE/MAX Results
2nd Place: Jordan DeCaro Real Estate Team
BEST RETIREMENT / ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Winner: Edgewood Hermantown
2nd Place: Fond du Lac Assisted Living Residence
BEST ROOFING / SIDING / GUTTER COMPANY
Winner: Perrault Construction
2nd Place: CMC Construction Inc.
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Miller Creek Lawn & Landscape
2nd Place: Dryco Restoration Services
BEST WINDOW COMPANY
Winner: Perrault Construction
2nd Place: Heritage Window & Door
PROFESSIONALS & SERVICES GROUP
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
Winner: Scott Wallin, CPA SC
2nd Place: Serenity Tax & Bookkeeping Services, LLC
BEST BANK / CREDIT UNION
Winner: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
2nd Place: Members Cooperative Credit Union
BEST COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICE
Winner: discoverpc.NET Computer Solutions Center
2nd Place: Boxtronics
BEST BANK / CREDIT UNION
Winner: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
2nd Place: Members Cooperative Credit Union
BEST CONSULTING FIRM
Winner: Metamorphosis CCT (Coaching, Consulting & Training)
2nd Place: Pearson & von Elbe Advertising
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Duluthian Networks
2nd Place: Footprint Promotional Advertising
BEST FINANCIAL / WEALTH ADVISOR
Winner: Signature Wealth Management
2nd Place: Jake Erickson - Northwestern Mutual
Winner: Bonnie J. Jacobson - Farmers Insurance
2nd Place: J3 Insurance
LAW FIRM
Winner: Dryer & Peterson
2nd Place: Gondik Law Office
Winner: Footprint Promotional Advertising
2nd Place: The Cultural North
PROFESSIONALS & SERVICES GROUP
BEST PET BOARDING / DAYCARE
Winner: Liberty K9
2nd Place: WillowCreek Kennel LLC
BEST PET GROOMING
Winner: Liberty K9
2nd Place: WillowCreek Kennel LLC
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEO PRODUCTION
Winner: Sunshine Soul Lifestyle by Nina Brooke
2nd Place: Stacy Anderson Photography
BEST PIERCING
STUDIO
Winner: Black Label Tattoo & Piercing
2nd Place: Zenith City Piercing & Tattoo
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: J3 Insurance
2nd Place: Footprint Promotional Advertising
BEST TATTOO STUDIO
Winner: Black Label Tattoo & Piercing
2nd Place: Gitchee Gumee Tattoo
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
Winner: Stroede Travel
2nd Place: JayBee Travel
BEST TRUCKING COMPANY
Winner: Upper Lakes Foods, Inc.
2nd Place: Jeff Foster Trucking Inc
BEST VETERINARY OFFICE
Winner: Superior Animal Hospital & Boarding Suites
2nd Place: Crow Goebel Veterinary Clinic
BEST ANTIQUE / COLLECTIBLES STORE
Winner: The Vintage Hideaway Marketplace
2nd Place: Duluth Antique Marketplace
BEST BAIT / FISHING SHOP
Winner: Fredenberg Minno-ette
2nd Place: Marine General
BEST BOOKSTORE
Winner: Zenith Bookstore
2nd Place: Barnes & Noble
BEST BOUTIQUE
Winner: Hucklebeary
2nd Place: The Loft in Duluth
BEST CONSIGNMENT / THRIFT STORE
Winner: The Loft in Duluth
2nd Place: emFATic plus
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Duluth Kitchen Co.
2nd Place: The Loft in Duluth
BEST GIFT STORE
Winner: Hucklebeary
2nd Place: The Fig Tree
BEST GROCERY STORE
Winner: ALDI - Superior
2nd Place: Mount Royal Market
BEST JEWELER
Winner: The Jewelers Bench
2nd Place: Genereau & Co.
BEST LIQUOR STORE
Winner: Keyport Liquor Store
2nd Place: Super One Liquor - Central Avenue
BEST MEAT MARKET
Winner: B & B Market
2nd Place: Superior Meats
BEST SMALL COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Winner: Duluth Kitchen Co.
2nd Place: The Loft in Duluth
BEST SPORTING GOODS / OUTDOOR STORE
Winner: Northwest Outlet
2nd Place: Fredenberg Minno-ette
BEST WINE SELECTION (LIQUOR STORE)
Winner: Super One Liquor - Central Avenue
2nd Place: Keyport Liquor Store
WHEELS & MOTORS GROUP
BEST AUTO CARE
Winner: Tim’s Auto Care Center
2nd Place: Kolar Toyota
BEST AUTO GLASS
Winner: Zenith Auto Glass
2nd Place: City Auto Glass
BEST BICYCLE SHOP
Winner: Twin Ports Cyclery
2nd Place: Ski Hut
BEST CAR SALESMAN
Winner: Erik Yanda at Kolar Hyundai
2nd Place: Parker Cicmil at Kolar Toyota
BEST CAR
WASH
Winner: Miller Hill Car Wash
2nd Place: Tommy’s Express Car Wash
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Kolar Toyota
2nd Place: Krenzen
BEST NEW / USED CAR DEALERSHIP
Winner: Kolar Toyota
2nd Place: Krenzen
BEST OIL CHANGE
Winner: Auto Ace Express Lube
2nd Place: Kolar Toyota
BEST RECREATION DEALER
Winner: Mac Sport & Marine Inc
2nd Place: R.J. Sport & Cycle
Winner: Kolar Toyota
2nd Place: Detail & Dash
Kolar Hyundai would like to give a well deserved congratulations to Erik Yanda on being named Best Car Salesman in the Northland for 4 years in a row! And congratulations to Parker Cicmil at Kolar Toyota on winning second place in Best Car Salesman this year! You Are Awesome!
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A look back at the 2023
Please refer to page 3 for this year’s event details.
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