September 2021 HUTCH READERS’ CHOICE | 3
Hutchinson Leader
Presenting the 2021 winners... Fans have chosen their favorites in more than 65 categories BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com
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hen it comes to a favorite restaurant, bartender or accountant, everyone has an opinion. It’s those opinions that were sought in the Hutchinson’s fourth annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The people have spoken and their favorites are highlighted in this special edition. Like you, we want to know about the best people and the best places to go. A total of 23,700 votes were cast this year. The winners in more than 65 categories were culled from submitted online and paper ballots. Categories that drew the most votes —pizza, frozen treat and convenience store. The process started in August, when readers were asked to vote for their favorites in more than 65 categories ranging from bartender and bank teller to car wash, church dinner and convenience store. With that announcement, more than 23,700 votes were cast. Voting was conducted online at hutchinsonleader. com, as well as in print in the Leader Shopper. The top two finishers — winner and runner-up — are listed in each category on following pages. Several businesses earned top finishes in more than one category. Culver’s earned winner status for Fastest Drive-Thru, Favorite Hamburger and runner-up for Favorite Frozen Treat, Favorite French Fries and Favorite Fast Food Restaurant. Cash Wise Foods earned winner status for Favorite Bakery and Favorite Place to Buy Groceries. It also earned runner-up in the categories of Favorite Florist and Favorite Meat Department. Brittany Stoufer, a hairstylist at Venus Salon, was voted Favorite Hairstylist for the third year in a row. Jimmy’s Pizza earned kudos from voters in three categories: Best Customer Service, Favorite Pizza and Favorite Salad. McCormick’s Restaurant was recognized for Favorite Bowl of Soup, Favorite Breakfast and Favorite Pie. First-time winner Flank Steakhouse opened for business earlier this year. It’s not often a new business earns bragging rights so quickly, but that’s what happened with voters selecting the downtown restaurant as their Favorite Date Place. Another first-time winner was the Women’s Candlelight Dinner at CrossPoint Church. The holiday event is one not-to-be missed. It’s an evening where women are feted to the best with beautiful table decorations, seasonal music, wonderful food and a guest speaker. Listing to 5
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Kiley Kruggel of Much Kneaded Massage was voted the winner in the category of Favorite Massage Therapist. “To me the award means that my clients value and appreciate my work and trust my therapeutic abilities,” she said. “A huge thank you to all of you that voted! I am so honored to receive this award 3 years in a row! Kruggel said the best part of being a massage therapist is that she is able to physically, mentally and emotionally help her clients feel better. “It’s very rewarding and encouraging to see such great results in tension, pain relief and mobility with each session/treatment,” she said.