The Freckled Frog took two top honors in the voting for the 2010
People＊s Choice Awards sponsored by the Frankfort Area Chamber of
Commerce.
Owner Susan Payton was all smiles Thursday night at the Frankfort
Convention Center after earning Best New Business to open in 2009 and Best
Consignment Shop.
※I am thrilled,§ she said after collecting her second award. The
Freckled Frog, a children＊s consignment shop in the Brighton Shops off
Brighton Park Boulevard.
Applebee＊s restaurant also garnered two top category awards for
Best Place for a Mixed Drink and Best Place for Appetizers.
The celebration, sponsored by Community Trust Bank, drew around
200 who were treated to food, entertainment and door prizes provided by
local merchants.
Area businesses were prominent with booths promoting services and
products and offering free samples and discounts tickets.
However, absent were many of the owners or representatives of the
businesses that received top awards. Of the 25 businesses receiving awards
only 15 were on hand to collect their plaques.
According to Carmen Inman, executive director of the Frankfort
Chamber, various issues prevented many from attending.
※Since the ballots are not completely tallied until the evening
of the awards, we never know what business is going to win and so we can＊t
directly contact them,§ she said.
Employees from Community Trust Bank were busy tallying the
last-minute ballots. Attendees were each given one ballot with their $5
paid admission.
Over the past month, the community could vote for their favorites
online at the Chamber website, on a ballot published in The State Journal
or at the actual event at the convention center.
From the latest breakfast wrap being created at Waffle House to
steaming pans of seafood paella and chicken Gorgonzola, patrons feasted on
sample local menus. Sumptuous covered mega strawberries were offered by
Personal Touch Catering.
※I like supporting our Frankfort businesses,§ said first-time
attendee Susan Cunningham.
※There are quality services in Frankfort, and I like the fact
that buying here recirculates our dollars.§
Cunningham is a full-time employee of the Legislative Research
Commission, but she was on hand to root for the Capital Plaza Hotel where
she works part-time in the catering department.
※When you have a child getting ready to go to college in the
fall, it takes two jobs as a single parent.§
Sarah Spillman, who works for Frankfort Animal Clinic, also does
double duty in the hotel catering department.
※But I am also here supporting Bradford Square as Best Senior
Living Community. My mother received excellent care there,§ Spillman
said.
The two friends and co-workers clapped loudly when the award went
to the hotel for Best Special Events Caterer.
According to Inman, the Best of Frankfort contest has been
recognizing local merchants since 1999.
※Every year, the board chooses to make some changes in
categories, but the contest has turned out to be very popular in the
community,§ Inman said.
The Frankfort Chamber of Commerce will sponsor A Time for All
Seasons Showcase in October to highlight business offerings that will be
available for various events coming in the winter and spring.
﹛
Frankfort businesses and individuals earning
awards:
>Gibby＊s 每 Best Restaurant Home-Cooked Meal
>Starbucks 每 Best Place for a Cup of Coffee
>McDonald＊s 每 Best Place for Lunch on the Run
>LaFiesta Grande 每 Best Mexican Restaurant
>Applebee＊s 每 Best Place for Appetizers
>Frisch＊s 每 Best Place for Breakfast
>China Wok 每 Best Chinese/Asian Restaurant
>Applebee＊s - Best Place for a Mixed Drink
>The Capitol 每 Best Local Landmark
>Julie＊s 每 Best Florist
>Red Cross 每 Best Charitable Organization
>Wilson＊s Nurseries 每 Best Landscaping Business
>Freckled Frog 每 Best New Business opened in 2009
>H20 Salon & Day Spa 每 Best Hair Salon
>John Michaels 每 Best Barber Shop
>Freckled Frog 每 Best Consignment Shop
>Capital Plaza Hotel 每 Best Special Events Caterer
>Serafini 每 Best Date Place
>King＊s Daughters Apartments 每 Best Senior Living
Community
>Fit Time for Women 每 Best Place to Exercise
>Pier 1 每 Great Stuff for Your Home
>Annette Hayden at Peaks Mill 每 Best Teacher
>Pat Badgett 每 Best Real Estate Agent
>Jerri Katherine Howell 每 Best Musician/Vocalist
>Capital Family Physicians 每 Best Physician/Medical
Practice
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China Wok 每 Best Chinese/Asian Restaurant
