For years, the Bellevue Reporter staff conducted an online reader poll on the most favorite businesses, restaurants, non-profits, services, public officials and other categories in Bellevue.
The Best of Bellevue reader poll was one of the more popular annual contests we implemented – and with reason! We engaged local residents to pick their favorite business or person in the contest’s nearly 80 categories. It became a fun showdown among local businesses and movers and shakers for annual bragging-rights. In an ergonomic way, the Best of Bellevue results were and are a quick snapshot of our diverse, vibrant and growing community. It got huge audience engagement. And the business community loved it!
The coveted contest results were also a good way to gauge grass-roots buzz for the best non-profit, the best school, bakery, senior living facility, grocery, bank, the best in healthcare, elected officials, just about every category of cuisine, the best tattoo parlor and more! Public servants and business people with a lot of friends, family and local connections typically get a good showing, but newcomers and surprise entrants can often shine too!
While many businesses are still coping with these challenging COVID times, I took my own poll about renewing the contest. As I connected with more and more local readers and Bellevue retailers, I was inspired by their great feedback and comments to keep the positive event going. So – the people have spoken, and by popular demand, it’s back! We’ll have diverse categories within our groupings of Best Community Service, Health and Fitness, Everything Pets, Professional Services, Restaurants/Food and venues for great Shopping!
Watch for the site to go live on www.bellevuereporter.com on April 1. Make sure you fill out all your favorite candidates on the ballot categories soon!
Voting ends on May 31, and the winners will be announced in June.
Who will be nominated? Who will be picked by Bellevue residents? And who will win? You be the judge!
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William Shaw is General Manager of Sound Publishing’s Eastside Media Group and is a 4th generation Eastsider.
