The 7th Annual Top of the Town Awards crosses the finish line. A trained runner can crush a marathon — 26.2 miles — in around two hours. Ironman Triathlon athletes undergo about half a day of punishing perpetual motion to complete a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycling course followed by a marathon run. But in the seventh annual Top of the Town Contest, hosted by City Pulse, MLive.com and News 6, contestants endured a grueling nine-week, two-round race of ceaseless campaigning through tweets, Facebook posts and good old-fashioned glad-handing to make the grab for the medal. Or in the case of the business that racked up the most overall votes this time out, 55 years of dedicated customer service and quality goods. But we’ll come back to that.
The 2014 Top of the Town Awards continued its goal of recognizing everything that defines the best in local culture, from the top plumbers and car dealers to the creators of the finest local Asian cuisine, hairstyles and jokes.
The starter pistol fired for the two-round contest on March 19. The first heat consisted of a nomination round, for which any individual, business or location could be entered on the City Pulse website or mobile app and then voted on. We took the top five finishers from that leg and put them into competition for Round 2.
And finally, after 55 days of heated rivalry, the winners have been declared. Over the next 10 pages, you can see who can lay claim to being the Top of the Town: 88 categories of what gives Lansing its distinct personality. And hoo boy, are there some personalities.
After his previous win in 2010, WILX-TV’s Jason Colthorp usurped the crown of Best TV Personality from three-year reigning champ Evan Pinsonnault, morning anchor at WLNS-TV. (Pinsonnault’s consolation prize is taking top honors as Best Local Comedian, probably due in part to his hosting the locally produced variety show, “The Evan Michael Show.”) And after ruling the roost for most of the contest’s existence, Tim Barron (92.9-FM) didn’t even make the top three; he was dethroned this year by Alabama (97.5-FM).
Sometimes the story of the runners-up is just as compelling. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero came in second place in three separate races: Best Politician, Worst Politician and Best Marijuana Strain. We’re pretty sure it has nothing to do with Lansing’s decriminalization of pot last year.
Some categories were added to accommodate shifting tastes (Best Farm-to-Table, Best Craft Beer Selection) and trends (Best Marijuana Strain, Best Indoor Grow Store), resulting in a clearer view of the average Lansing-area resident. Some notable local features defied category but needed to be included anyway — Best Local Clusterfuck, Best Place to Enter an Altered State — so we included them as staff picks.
Last year, the top three vote getters were, in order, Soup Spoon Café, Golden Harvest and Horrocks Market. This year, Soup Spoon fell to third, Golden Harvest held strong at second and Horrocks made the leap to No. 1 with nearly 10,000 total votes across six categories — Butcher, Farm-to-Table, Local Grocery Store, Produce/Farmer’s Market, Wine Shop and Florist. Not bad for a business whose roots go back to the McKinley administration.
“My grandfather started his first fruit stand in Ionia County sometime in the 1890s, and my father opened this store until 1955,” owner/operator Kim Horrocks said, hanging out by the potted grape trees in Horrocks Market’s massive greenhouse. “Of course, it was much smaller then. I’m just keeping things going.”
Horrocks’ father, Jerald Horrocks, opened the business as a fruit-and-vegetable stand at 4820 W. Saginaw Highway on Lansing’s west side. Jerald Horrocks, who died last month at 91, watched his business that started as few hundred square feet grow into an 8-acre multifaceted commercial operation with three locations spread across the region and dozens of full- and part-time employees.
“Everything we sell here is part of 55 years of evolution,” Horrocks said. “My father was very proud of this place. He genuinely connected with people. He loved making people happy.”
Walking from the greenhouse stocked with flowers and vegetable plants through the store’s maze of fruit bins, meat coolers and metal racks loaded with specialty sauces, you’ll see people from all walks of life. Little kids dart past old-timers pushing shopping carts loaded with tomato plants. Young professionals have hand baskets stocked with Michigan craft beer and imported cheeses. The florist wraps a bouquet for an eager young man.
“Our rule is if we’re going to be in business, we want to be either number one or number two in that business,” Horrocks said. “And if we’re number two, then we’re going to be working to be number one.”
BEST DINING
Asian Cuisine
1. Ukai Japanese Steak, Sushi & Seafood
2. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
3. SanSu Sushi & Cocktails
Bakery
1. Roma Bakery
2. Bake ‘N Cakes
3. Great Harvest Bread Co.
BBQ
1. Meat. Southern BBQ & Carnivore Cuisine
2. Famous Dave’s
3. Smokey Bones
Breakfast
1. Golden Harvest
2. Soup Spoon Café
3. Fleetwood Diner
Burger
1. Crunchy’s
2. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3. Dagwood’s Tavern & Grill
Chili
1. Wendy’s
2. Soup Spoon Café
3. Meat. Southern BBQ & Carnivore Cuisine
Cocktails
1. Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern
2. The Exchange
3. Soup Spoon Café
Craft Beer Selection
1. HopCat
2. Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern
3. Crunchy’s
Dessert
1. MSU Dairy Store
2. Grand Traverse Pie Co.
3. Bake ‘N Cakes
Diner
1. Fleetwood Diner
2. Golden Harvest
3. Fork in the Road
Farm to Table (Local Products)
1. Horrock’s Farm Market
2. Fork in the Road
3. Red Haven
Fries
1. Hopcat
2. Five Guys Burgers & Fries
3. Dagwood’s Tavern & Grill
Gourmet Restaurant
1. Dusty’s Cellar
2. Soup Spoon Café
3. English Inn
Indian
1. Sindhu Indian Cuisine
2. Swagath IndianCuisine
3. Jerusalem Bakery
Italian
1. Deluca’s Restaurant
2. Bravo!
3. Cugino’s Italian Restaurant
Lansing-area Brewery
1. EagleMonk Pub and Brewery
2. Midtown Brewing Co.
3. BAD Brewing Co.
Mediterranean
1. Woody’s Oasis
2. Aladdin’s
3. Sultan’s Place
Mexican
1. El Azteco
2. Cancun Mexican Grill
3. Los Tres Amigos
New Restaurant
1. HopCat
2. Capital Prime Steak and Seafood
3. Famous Dave’s
Pizza
1. Deluca’s Restaurant
2. Art’s Bar and Grill
3. Jet’s Pizza
Restaurant Wait Staff
1. Soup Spoon Café
2. Golden Harvest
3. Texas Roadhouse
Sandwich/Deli
1. Jersey Giant
2. Soup Spoon Café
3. Jimmy John’s
Seafood
1. Mitchell’s Fish Market
2. Red Lobster
3. Maru Sushi & Grill
Steak
1. Texas Roadhouse
2. Capital Prime Steak and Seafood
3. Knight Cap
Sushi
1. SanSu
2. Ukai Japanese Steak, Sushi & Seafood
3. AI Fusion Sushi & Grill
Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free
1. Fork in the Road
2. LEAF
3. Soup Spoon Café
BEST HANGOUTS
Best Spartan Sports Hangout
1. Crunchy’s
2. Spartan Hall of Fame Café
3. Buffalo Wild Wings – East Lansing
Church
1. Riverview Church – Holt
2. St. John Student Parish
3. Trinity Church
Coffee Shop
1. Biggby – Okemos
2. Grand River Coffee Café
3. Biggby – Holt
Dance Bar
1. The Green Door
2. Spiral Dance Bar
3. Whiskey Barrel
Gay/Lesbian Bar
1. Spiral Dance Bar
2. Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern
3. Esquire Bar
Karaoke 1. Crunchy’s
2. Sir Pizza Grand Café
3. Buddie’s Pub & Grill – Okemos
Movie Theatre
1. NCG Cinemas
2. Celebration Cinema!
3. Studio C!
Music Venue
1. The Loft
2. The Green Door
3. Breslin Center
Open-Mic Night
1. Connxtions Comedy Club (Closed)
2. Dagwood’s Tavern & Grill
3. Sir Pizza Grand Cafe
Patio
1. Peanut Barrel
2. El Azteco – East Lansing
3. Waterfront Bar & Grill
Pub/Tavern
1. Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern
2. Dagwood’s Tavern & Grill
3. Claddagh Irish Pub
Sports Bar 1. Reno’s East
2. Buffalo Wild Wings – East Lansing
3. Champps
BEST LOCAL MUSIC
Cover Band
1. Starfarm
2. Soulstice
3. Kathy Ford Band
Solo Artist
1. Jen Sygit
2. Taylor Taylor
3. Phil Denny
Original Band
1. Root Doctor
2. Frog & the Beeftones
3. Steppin’ in It
Club DJ
1. DJ Donnie D
2. Craig Doepker
3. Skitzo
Radio Station
1. 94.1 The Edge
2. 97.5 NOW FM
3. 88.9 The Impact
BEST PEOPLE
Bartender
1. Craig Doepker – Mac’s Bar
2. Kevin Angell – Soup Spoon Café
3. Sami Hutting – Watershed Bar & Grill
Best Local Politican
1. Gretchen Whitmer
2. Virg Bernero
3. Barbara Byrum
Car Salesperson
1. Dorene Fuller – Grand Ledge Ford
2. Dennis Lemon – Shaheen Chevrolet
3. Brent Wesley – Shaheen Chevrolet
Environmentalist
1. Dennis Laidler –Potter Park Zoo
2. Nature Conservatory of Michigan
3. Julie Powers
Local Comedian
1. Evan Pinsonnault
2. Melik Brown
3. Dwayne Gill
Local FM/AM Radio Personality
1. Alabama – 97.5 NOW FM
2. Banana Don & Stephanie – 100.7 WITL
3. Josh Strickland – 97.5 NOWFM
Local TV News Personality
1. Jason Colthorp - WILX
2. Evan Pinsonnault - WLNS
3. Andy Provenzano – WILX
Worst Local Politican
1. Rick Snyder
2. Virg Bernero
3. Carol Wood
BEST SERVICES
Alternative Health
1. Creative Wellness
2. Just B Yoga
3. East Lansing Hot Yoga
Auto Repair
1. Frankie D’s Auto & Truck Repair
2. Brogan’s Tire & Auto Service
3. Shaheen Chevrolet
Bank/Credit Union
1. MSU Federal Credit Union
2. Lake Trust Credit Union
3. LAFCU
Bicycle Shop
1. Velocipede Peddler
2. Riverfront Cycle
3. SPIN Bicycle Shop
Car Wash/Detailing
1. Kwik Car Wash
2. Showroom Shine – East Lansing
3. Soapy Joes
Electrical
1. Bohnet Electrical Co.
2. Consumers Energy
3. Lansing Board of Water & Light
Hotel/Bed & Breakfast
1. English Inn
2. Wild Goose Inn
3. Kellogg Center
Laundromat/ Dry Cleaners
1. Baryames Cleaners
2. Sunshine Laundromat – Frandor
3. Maurer’s
Lawyer
1. Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.
2. Andrew Abood
3. Sinas Dramis Law Firm
Maid Service
1. Molly Maid
2. Merry Maids
3. Aunt JoJo’s Cleaning Service
Movers
1. Two Men and a Truck
2. U-Haul
3. EJ & Sons Moving Services
Pet Care/Services
1. Wag ’N Tails Pet Resort
2. Patterson Veterinary Hospital
3. Miller Animal Clinic
Photographer
1. Jena McShane Photography
2. Autumn Luciano Photography
3. Jessica Cowles
Plumber
1. Michigan Plumbing
2. Meridian Plumbing
3. Hedlund Plumbing
Salon/Spa/Barbershop
1. Douglas J. Aveda Institute
2. Douglas J. – Okemos
3. Matthew Ryan Salon
Tanning Salon
1. J2 Tanning
2. Tanzmania
3. Pacific Tan
Tattoo Parlor
1. Fish Ladder Tattoo
2. Splash of Color
3. Vivid Ink
BEST SHOPPING
Antique Shop
1. Mason Antique District
2. Mega Mall
3. Love, Betti
Art Gallery
1. Broad Museum
2. Creole Gallery
3. Lansing Art Gallery
Bookstore 1. Schuler Books & Music – Eastwood
2. Barnes & Noble – Lansing Mall
3. Curious Book Shop
Butcher
1. Merindorf Meats – Mason
2. Horrock’s Farm Market
3. Merindorf Meats – Williamston
Clothing Store
1. Kohl’s
2. Grace Boutique
3. Younker’s
Consignment Shop
1. Kellie’s Consignments
2. Second Time Around
3. Plato’s Closet
Convenience/ Liquor Store
1. Quality Dairy
2. Oades Big Ten Party Store – Clippert
3. Tom’s Party Store
Florist
1. Horrock’s Farm Market
2. Smith Floral
3. BA Florist
Indoor Grow Shop
1. H20 Hydroponics – Okemos
2. Capital City Growers Supply
3. Hydroworld
Jewelry Store
1. Becky Beauchine Kulka
2. H&H Jewelry Design
3. Kay Jewelers
Local Grocery Store
1. Horrock’s Farm Market
2. Goodrich’s Shop Rite
3. Foods for Living
Musical Instruments Store
1. Elderly Instruments
2. Marshall Music
3. Music Manor
Pet Store
1. Preuss Pets
2. Soldan’s Feeds & Pets Supplies
3. PetSmart
Produce/ Farmers Market
1. Horrock’s Farm Market
2. Lansing City Market
3. Meridian Township Farmers Market
Vinyl Record Store
1. Flat, Black and Circular (FBC)
2. Record Lounge
3. Schuler Books & Music - Eastwood
Wine Shop
1. Dusty’s Cellar
2. Horrock’s Farm Market
3. Goodrich’s Shop Rite
BEST WHATEVER
Annual Event/ Festival
1. Common Ground Music Festival
2. East Lansing Art Festival
3. (TIE) Be A Tourist in Your Own Town 3. (TIE) Old Town BluesFest
Best Night Out
1. Downtown Lansing
2. Lansing Lugnuts Game
3. Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern
Local Theatre Group
1. Riverwalk Theatre
2. MSU Theatre Department
3. Williamston Theatre
Marijuana Strain
1. Blueberry Kush
2. Virg Bernero
3. Blue Cheese
Place to take Out-of-Towners
1. Old Town Lansing
2. Golden Harvest
3. MSU Campus
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here