By Kathy Chouteau
Numerous Richmond businesses are representing in East Bay Express’ “Best of the East Bay Awards” competition after being nominated online as finalists by readers.
These businesses are currently seeking voting support from the local community to help them emerge victorious. Voting started on Monday and goes through June 16, said Tom Lyons of The Factory Bar, which is multi-nominated for the “Best Comedy Night,” “Best Bar,” “Best Bartender,” “Best Cocktails,” “Best Craft Cocktails,” “Best Margarita” and “Best Patio” categories. “We are trying to bring as much attention to Richmond spots as possible.”
Community members can vote once to support their favorite Richmond-based businesses by voting for them in the various categories. Richmond businesses were nominated in all of the major categories; here’s a rundown:
Arts & Culture: Best Art Gallery: Richmond Art Center and NIAD; Best Comedy Night: Comedy Night at The Factory; Best Museum: SS Red Oak Victory; Best Small Music Venue: Baltic Kiss; Best Small/Quirky Museum: Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Point San Pablo Bay Harbor Sculpture Park and SS Red Oak Victory.
Beauty, Health & Wellness: Best Local Hospital: Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center.
Cannabis: Richmond’s 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center is dominating this category, with nominations for the Best Budtenders, Best Cannabis Body Care, Best Cannabis Delivery, Best Cannabis Dispensary, Best Cannabis Event, Best Cannabis Selection, Best CBD Selection, Best Pipe Shop, and Best Selection of Edibles.
Family: Best Animal Rescue Group: The Milo Foundation; Best Doggie Day Care: Metro Dog; Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant: The Backyard and Sailing Goat; Best Place to Board Your Pets: Metro Dog; and Best Wedding Venue: Point San Pablo Harbor.
Food & Drink: Best Bar: The Factory Bar; Best Bartender: Michelle Silva, The Factory Bar; Best BBQ Restaurant: Baltic Kiss and CJ’s BBQ & Fish; Best Beer Label: East Brother Beer Co.; Best Burger: The Backyard; Best Burrito: El Tucan; Best Caterer: Anaviv; Best Cider Selection: Far West Cider Co.; Best Cocktails: The Factory Bar; Best Craft Cocktails: The Factory Bar; Best Donuts: Andy’s Donuts; Best International Food Market: 99 Ranch Market; Best Local Café/Coffeehouse: Catahoula Coffee; Best Local Coffee Roaster: Catahoula Coffee; Best Local Winery: Windchaser Wine Co.; Best Margarita: The Factory Bar; Best Microbrew: Origin Brewer; Best Patio: The Factory Bar; Best Pub: Up & Under Pub and Grill; Best Restaurant View: Sailing Goat; and Best Taqueria: El Tucan.
Goods & Services: Best Fabric Store: Bay Quilts.
Home Improvement: Best Carpeting/Flooring: The Floor Store and Tradeway Flooring.
Recreation: Best Marina: Point San Pablo Harbor; Best Park: Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline; Best Pool: Richmond Plunge.
Remember to get your voting done by 11:59 p.m. June 16.
