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BCT puts the spotlight on 'Best of Burlington'

By Lysbeth Bledsone
Special to the BCT

For the past six years, the Burlington County Times' "Best of Burlington" competion has made it easy for county residents to buy the best desserts, retain the best realtor, munch on the best pizza, do business with the best bank and, in short, patronize the enterprises their peers have labeled best.

Tomorrow, though, for the first time, many of the bests will be assembled around and across from the Food Court at Burlington Center, in Burlington Township, where shippers can actually see their products, learn about their services, meet their employees, pick up printed materials and, in the process, receive samples, giveaways and coupon discounts.

"We began sponsoring 'Best of Burlington' as a reader service, that is, when readers have an excellent experience with a product or service they can nominate it as the 'Best of Burlington' and others can take advantage of that information," said Lori Smith, promotion manager for the BCT.

"Specifically," she said, "if you're looking for the county's best seafood dinner, or best place to clean a wedding dress, you can see what others have rated 'best' in those categories, then check out those places for yourself.

Steve Simon displays some of his sweet treats at JB Bakery on High Street in Burlington City. The bakery was name one of the "Best of Burlington" by readers of the Burlington County Times.

"People," the Willingboro resident added, "love this BCT service."

People are also going to love the new service provided by Burlington Center, she said.

"Tomorrow, you can go to the mall, see for yourself what many of the 'Best' operations have to offer and," Smith said, "have company representatives tell you what they do and how they do it, and respond to all your questions."

"Best" ballots, printed in the BCT, were filled out and returned by readers in January-February.

More than 3,700 of those ballots contained votes in 25-45 different categories, with the tip three vote getters in each category listed for geographic reasons.

"That way, readers will learn what the best in a category may be in, say Wrightstown, not just the most populous parts of the county, like Willingboro," Smith said.

"Best" voters spotlighted more than 400 winners in everything from "A" (all-round restaurant) to "Y" (yogurt shop).

And those who named their favorites in a minimum 25 categories are now eligible to compete in a $500 prize drawing.

Among "bests" on had at Burlington Center will be Desserts First, Evesham; Bagel Zone, Westampton; J.B. Bakery, Burlington City; Holly Bowl, Mount Hollly, and Executive Lanes, Palmyra: Miss Nina's Dance Cues, Westampton; Whitebriar Bed and Breakfast Inn, Edgewater Park; and Farmers and Mechanics Bank, with branches throughout the county.

Also Century 21 Alliance, Mounty Laurel; Hairem Hair & Nail Salon, Cinnaminson; Woodedge Stables, Moorestown; Goldy Medical Services, Mount Holly; The Goddard School, Mount Holly; Northgate Village Apartments, Burlington Township; R & H Frames, Burlington City; and Daybreams Gift Shop, Riverside.