For the Featured Winners Click HERE.
Every July we host our BEST OF competition online, and this year’s voting was another huge success. With well over 100,000 votes cast, EXPLORE’s BEST OF has fast become the area’s premier and most coveted BEST OF contest.
To backtrack and perhaps explain a bit of history, we should admit that the BEST OF contest sort of started out as a bit of a “joke”. We were definitely serious with our intention to create the best voting system in the area, but the whole idea came about in a staff meeting where we reviewed a local newspaper’s BEST OF that had “Best Hamburger” going to Dairy Queen. Nothing against Dairy Queen, but I’m sure we’d all agree that there’s some seriously fine hamburgers being produced locally. So upon a little investigation, we discovered that some local publications that have also done a BEST OF contest have required voters to purchase a copy of the paper, hand-fill out the ballot and drop it off to the paper itself.
Living in 2021, we figured we could do a little better.
So 3 years ago we launched our fully online, IP-tracked (so you could only vote once) BEST OF contest. When we did so, the website crashed in 15 minutes due to the traffic. We beefed up the site, voting resumed and social media exploded with businesses and their customers encouraging one another to vote for their favorites. It was great to see the celebration of local small businesses! Ultimately, we eclipsed over 60,000 votes in year 1 and we considered it a tremendous success.
Each year since, the voting participation has increased and this year we are pleased to report that we were close to 200,000 votes!!As you go through the magazine, we have chosen a collection of these businesses to allow them a little space to tell you a little more about their business and to thank everyone for the support. As we always say here at EXPLORE, please SHOP LOCAL. As you’ll see, these business owners are working tirelessly to make their dreams work, and we are quite proud to provide an opportunity for the local supporting public here in Kendall County show some love to their favorite small businesses and their owners. We thank all of you for the support for this year and can’t wait for next year’s contest!
WINNERS
Best Bar
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.
Best Yard Greeting Company
Card My Yard Boerne
Best Chiropractor
Boerne Wellness Chiropractic
Best Margarita
El Rio Mexican
Best Furniture Store
Boerne Farmhouse
Best Wedding Venue
Kendall Point
Best Family Photographer
Cooley Portraits
Best Roofing Contractor
Vogt’s Hometown Roofing
Best Weight Loss Center
Ideal Health of Boerne
Best Orthodontist
Ferris Orthodontics
Best Italian Food
Bella Sera Pizzeria and Ristorante
Best Optical Provider
Dietz-McLean Optical
Best Auto Care
Ritchie Automotive
Best Landscaping Company
Hill Country Scapes & Design
Best Bakery
Bear Moon Bar & Grill
Best Florist
The Flower Shop
Best Burger
Old No. 9 General Store & Longhorn Cafe
Best Gift Shop
The Dienger Trading Co.
Best Park
Cibolo Center for Conservation
Best Private School
Geneva School Of Boerne
Best Realtor
Tiffany Gill
Best Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Kendall Dental & Implant Center
Best Electrician
NH Electric
Best Sign Company
Signarama San Antonio
Best Breakfast
Little Gretel
Best Pizza
Z’s Wood Fired Pizza
Best Family Practice Physician
Boerne Family Medicine
Best Women’s Clothing
Dang Sassy
Best Full Service Jeweler
Morrell Jewelry
Best Septic Company
Van Delden Wastewater
Best Assisted Living
Menger Springs / Morningside Senior Living
Best Skilled Nursing
Cibolo Creek Nursing
Best Breakfast Tacos
Mary’s Tacos
Best Travel Agency
Boerne Travel
Best Art Gallery
Carriage House Gallery
Best Vet Clinic
Herbst Veterinarian Clinic
Best Golf Course
Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort
Best Pet Groomer
Boerne Grooming
Best Alternative Medicine
Annie’s Apothecary
Best BBQ
Klein’s Smoke Haus
Best Massage Therapy
Massage Matters
Best Home Health Care
Visiting Angels Boerne Kerrville
Best Kid’s Party Place
Arrows Active Play Park
Best DayCare
Mini Texans Christian Learning Center – Boerne
Best Dentist
Gardner Springs Dental
Best Sandwich
Bumdoodlers Lunch Co
Best Concrete Contractor
Bernhard Brothers Concrete Contractors Inc.
Best Place for Craft Beer
Cibolo Brewing Co.
Best Community Event
Dickens on Main
Best Coffee Shop
Black Rifle Coffee – Boerne, Texas
Best Title Company
Kendall County Abstract Company
Best Gym
Planet Fitness
Best Antique Store
Johns Road Antiques
Best Non-Profit
Dance Fairies
Best Gymnastics Center
Boerne Gymnastics Center
Best Salon
Tres Bella Boerne
Best Men’s Clothing
Billy’s Western Wear
Best Yoga Studio
Agave Wellness Studio
Best Investment Company
Prime Capital Investment Adviso
Best Mexican Food
Compadres Hill Country Cocina
Best Ice Cream/Yogurt
Parker’s Ice Creams
Best Asian Food
N’s Thai Food
Best Hotel
The Bevy Hotel
Best Light Lunch
Boerne Epicure Gourmet Market
Best Arbor Care
Arbor Care & Consulting
Best Candles
Candles by Scentaholics
Best RV Service / Sales
Boerne RV
Best Commercial Realtor
Tony Mangus
Best Pie
Bumdoodlers Lunch Co
