Very best honored at Long Island Choice Awards

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

They were met with whistles, cheers and applause. And then they received a beautiful plaque — all a part of winning a Herald Long Island Choice award.

More than 12,000 people cast 200,000 votes for hundreds of small businesses across Long Island, all to determine who would be honored at the main gala event April 18 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The night was hosted by RichnerLive and sponsored by PSEG Long Island, and served as a way to celebrate small businesses for their vital role in supporting the Long Island community.

“We honor the businesses that make Long Island a great place to work, live and play,” said Stuart Richner, chief executive of Richner Communications, which operates RichnerLive. “Looking at the crowd tonight, I’m reminded of the critical role you and your businesses play in making our community so special.”

The 11 categories and 264 subcategories recognized businesses from cardiologists to pet groomers and everything in between. The competition itself was broken down into two voting rounds — a nominating round, and then the actual voting. The top three finalists were then honored at the awards gala, where firstplace winners were announced.

“It’s one thing to see the names on the voting,” said David Lyons, interim president and chief operation officer of PSEG, a Long Island Choice Awards presenting sponsor. “It’s another thing to see the faces of small business owners, your teams, and their families here together. Your faces are a powerful reminder that what we are celebrating here is more than great services and products. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities.”

The gala — also sponsored by TenantBase and Easy Tax Credits — kicked off with a cocktail hour that kept more than 600 guests coming back for more. Floral arrangements and an ice sculpture centerpiece adorned tables of fresh fruit, cheese, dip, and other hors d’oeuvres. Two open bars provided refreshment.

The Elegance String Quartet was a particular hit, with many guests stopping to record the musicians as they jammed to everything from Bruno Mars to Frankie Valli.

Hundreds of winners were announced over dinner by Miss New York 2022 Taryn Smith, with some businesses taking home multiple awards. Frank’s Steaks, for one, took home all five awards they were nominated for.

“It’s beyond exciting,” said Christopher Meyer, co-owner and general manager of the restaurant. “It’s a very humbling experience. It’s a token to how wonderful my staff is and how hard we work, and also our amazing clientele. And the friends and family that voted for us.”

Winning such an esteemed award is particularly impactful to newer small businesses. East Coast Hair Studio of

Oceanside only opened 18 months ago, and its team was full of anticipation — and cautious hopefulness — before the winners were announced.’

“We’re one of three of the best,” said Irene Castello, the receptionist at East Coast. “We’re a young organization to be in that position, and I think we’re going to get it.”

When their young studio was announced as the winner of the best hair salon award, the table erupted in cheers.

“I feel very blessed,” said Marianna Lombardo, East Coast’s owner and chief executive. “I feel that we can accomplish anything.”

Danielle Barbaro, who took over The Art Studio in Rockville Centre with her husband Mark only a year ago, received the award for best art school. To her, the award was a sign she’s doing what she is meant to do.

“I’ve always wanted to have a studio, so essentially my dream came true,” Barbaro said. “To be the winner, oh man. It’s like this was supposed to happen. Serendipity.”

To some business owners, the most important part of taking home the award isn’t the plaque or the coveted title — it’s showing the young people of Long Island what is possible.

“I hope it’s a good role model to future girls,” said Shobie Lamba, owner and founder of LeSelfie. “It’s so exciting as a female, an entrepreneur, a mom. It’s such a great feeling.”

To view this year’s winners, visit LIChoiceAwards.com.