When it comes picking the Corridor’s best businesses, organizations and activities, who knows better than you? That’s the reasoning behind our Best of the Corridor competition, now in its 12th year.
Last month, we asked readers to vote for their favorites among 50 categories, ranging from the best professional firms to the Corridor’s best eateries. Almost 1,700 people responded, and we have tallied the results to bring you this year’s list of the best the region has to offer.
As always, our final list is a mix of established favorites and newcomers, with the write-in nature of the competition keeping things interesting from year to year. Accounting firm Honkamp Krueger PC was one of this year’s biggest standouts, picking up not only its fourth win as Best Accounting Firm, but its first for Best Business Consulting and Best Investment Services (under its HK Financial Services subsidiary).
Big congratulations are also due to OPN Architects, CRST International, Nesper Sign Advertising and Hills Bank and Trust Co., all of which notched their 10th wins in their respective categories this year and entered the CBJ’s Best of the Corridor Hall of Fame. That special honor was created last year to honor local companies for their hard work and dedication to customer service, with Hall of Fame honorees receiving a special gold ribbon and yearly recognition.
Of course, it wouldn’t be any fun if we didn’t have some new names, and this year’s list doesn’t disappoint. Caucho, NewBo’s buzzworthy Mexican spot, was named this year’s Best New Restaurant, while Impact Photo / Joe Photo makes its first appearance as Best Photographer after nearly 40 years in the business. Discover Health Chiropractic, Saxton Inc. and Fusionfarm are among the other new names you’ll read about on the (web) pages that follow.
— Adam Moore
Existing Hall of Fame Members
Best Golf Course: Brown Deer Golf Club
Best Website/App Developer: Informatics
Best Engineering Firm: Shive-Hattery
Best Office Furniture Dealer: Tallgrass Business Resources
Part I
Best Accounting Firm: Honkamp Krueger PC
Best Architectural Firm: OPN Architects (HOF entrant)
Best Brewery: Lion Bridge Brewing Co.
Best Business Consulting Firm: Honkamp Krueger PC
Best Caterer: Catering by LJ’s
Best Chiropractor: Discover Health Chiropractic
Best Coffee Shop for a Business Meeting: The Early Bird
Best Commercial Real Estate Firm: Skogman Commercial Group
Best Credit Union: University of Iowa Community Credit Union
Best Farmers Market: Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market
Best Fitness Facility: The Midwest Athletic Club (MAC)
Best Florist: Hy-Vee
Best Hospital: UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital
Best Interior Designer/Firm: Phelan’s Interiors
Best Investment Services Firm: Honkamp Krueger PC
Best Landscaping: Culver’s Lawn & Landscaping
Best Law Firm: Shuttleworth & Ingersoll
Best Local Internet Services Provider: ImOn Communications
Best Luxury Auto Dealership: Carousel Motors
Best New Restaurant: Caucho
Best Office Furniture Dealer: Saxton Inc.
Best Photographer: Impact Photo / Joe Photo
Best Place for a Business Lunch/Dinner: Black Sheep Social Club
Best Place to Buy Wine/Spirits: Hy-Vee
Best Trucking Company: CRST International (HOF entrant)
Best Website/App Developer: Fusionfarm
Part II
Best Auto Service Dealer: McGrath Family of Dealerships
Best Bank: Hills Bank and Trust Company (HOF entrant)
Best Commercial Cleaning/Janitorial Services: Midwest Janitorial Services
Best Real Estate Lender: Hills Bank and Trust Company
Best Commercial Fleet Dealer/Manager: McGrath Family of Dealerships
Best Cultural Attraction: NewBo City Market
Best Engineering Firm: McClure Engineering Co.
Best Golf Course: Finkbine Golf Course
Best Hair Salon: Elevate Salon & Spa
Best Home Furnishings Store: Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design
Best Information Technology Support Company: RSM US LLP
Best Jewelry Store: M.C. Ginsberg
Best Life Insurance Provider: TrueNorth Companies
Best Optometrist/Eye Clinic: Iowa Eye Center
Best Place for a Corporate Event/Party: The Hotel at Kirkwood
Best PR/Advertising Firm: de Novo Marketing
Best Printer: Cedar Graphics
Best Promotional Services Company (TIE): PIP Printing & Marketing Services
Best Promotional Services Company (TIE): Marketing Innovations
Best Property/Casualty Insurance Provider: TrueNorth Companies
Best Real Estate Developer: Ahmann Companies
Best Security Company: Mediacom
Best Sign Company: Nesper Sign Advertising (HOF entrant)
Best Spa: The Sanctuary Spa
Best Walk or Run Event: Especially for You
