Business owners and patrons from across the Island came together on Friday night to celebrate the annual Best of the Vineyard awards from Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. The crowd packed into the Loft at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs to eat, drink, and celebrate the awards announced by emcee Chelsea McCarthy.
“We’re so happy to be doing this tonight, and on the 30th anniversary of the magazine,” said Martha’s Vineyard Magazine editor Paul Schneider in his opening remarks.
The winners of the Best in the Vineyard awards were chosen through an online poll that had close to 3,000 participants. Ultimately, 168 businesses took home either a first place award or were a runner-up in 84 different categories ranging from best contractor to best breakfast sandwich.
This year, more than 400 people turned out for the event, according to Skip Finley, director of sales and marketing for the Vineyard Gazette Media Group. About 400 people participated last year.
Atria swept the burger and fries categories, winning first place in both, while the Net Result won three awards in seafood categories, including best seafood restaurant.
Giordano’s took home four first place plaques for best family dinning, best fried clams, best pizza and best takeout.
In lodging, the Harbor View Hotel took home the award for best hotel, general excellence, and came in second in all three other categories.
The Green Room took home awards for best men’s clothing, best women’s clothing, and best shoes.
Granary Gallery was named best art gallery, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair took home the prize for best summer event, and Bink’s Auto was named best auto repair shop. South Beach was named best beach.
Humphrey’s Bakery was named best sandwich.
“It feels great to win again!” said Donna Diaz, one of the owners of Humphrey’s, proudly clutching her award.
In between award announcements, gift cards from stores and restaurants including Vineyard Vines, Offshore Ale and Your Market were raffled off to attendees. Most of the prizes had a value of around $50, but a grand-prize raffle award included several gift cards and a roundtrip flight to New York city, adding a greater sense of fun and excitement to the evening.
The Best in the Vineyard awards were begun by the Vineyard Gazette in 1996, and have been sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard Magazine since 2001. While the magazine is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the awards in turn are still relatively young. But that did not matter to the throngs of business owners who smiled wide as they presented their awards to the camera.
The night eventually wound down around 10 p.m. as dozens of the Vineyard’s most talented and savvy service providers began to shuffle out of the Loft, many clad in coats and ties. The talk already drifted towards the following year’s awards.
“We’re coming for you next year!” said an attendee to an award winner, who only smiled back at him in turn, furnishing his Best of the Vineyard plaque.
The full list of winners and runners-up is available in the July issue of Martha’s Vineyard Magazine and at mvmagazine.com.
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