best of slo!

Do you guys vote for your favorite local businesses in the Best of Slo poll every year?  

This is the 26th year that the New Times has put on the event.  I have mixed feelings about it, but I do vote.    I feel like anything that increases awareness and traffic for local businesses is a huge plus.  The poll itself is a little daunting- I think they could really edit down the bazillion categories, and perhaps add some new, updated ones.  

Best cloth napkin store?

Best Comic Book Store?

Best blog? Hmmm...

Thankfully, you only need to fill out 30% of the poll in order for your vote to count.  That's 45 quick, easy, fill-in-the-blanks.  Even I have time for that!  I have to leave some categories blank, because... well, I can't pick a favorite mechanic because I don't drive.  And I still can't tell Oceano, Pismo, and Shell Beach apart.  I know.  I'm not proud of it- but that's the truth.  So I can't really pick a favorite restaurant in any of those towns.  Actually... I don't really get out of my downtown bubble very often, so a lot of those surrounding town categories are lost on me.  

But I kick all kinds of ass at the Best of (downtown) SLO!  Anyway, here's a shortlist of the businesses getting my vote:  

Best Vegetarian Fare

LINNAEA'S!  Their lunchtime soup is a staple in my life.

Best Thai Restaurant

THAI CLASSIC!  I know the others are fancier, but this is our go-to for a yummy Thai fix.

Best Breakfast

KREUZBERG!  Best breakfast burrito in town.  

Best SLO Restaurant

NOVO!  I experiment with others, but always go back to them.  My favorite.

Best Theatre

PALM!  Nothing makes me happier than an Indie movie & a huge apple juice.  :)

Best Local Artist-Visual

JEFF CLAASSEN!  Mostly because he's super sexy.

Best Local Bookstore (used)

PHOENIX!  I love finding old children's books for the kiddos, that I had when I was little.

Best Women's Clothing Store

AMBIANCE!

Best Antique Shop

RUBY ROSE!  It's a huge weakness- and I don't even feel a little bit guilty about it.  Pure love.

Best Flower Shop

FLUID BLOOM!

Best Jewelry Store

BAXTER MOERMAN!  The Matts!

Best Local Bank/Credit Union

FOUNDERS COMMUNITY BANK!  They've been good to me for 6 years!

Best Home Remodel Company

IMC BUILDING!

Best Place To Take The Kids

MITCHELL PARK!  

I hope this list helps you, and gets you in the mood to VOTE!  

Polls close at 5pm on March 19th.