Red Hot Best 2021: Charlevoix & Chain of Lakes

by Rachel Souillere | Jun 14, 2021 | Counties, Food & Drink, Red Hot Best, Towns

Searching for the best restaurants, businesses and activities in Charlevoix & the Chain of Lakes? Explore all 47 Red Hot Best categories ranging from best events, like Elk Rapids Harbor Days, to the best vineyards, including Boyne Valley Vineyards, to see who won first, second and third place in each category.

A record-breaking 16,000 people voted in MyNorth’s 2021 Red Hot Best Awards. Red Hot Best recognizes winners across seven Northern Michigan regions in 47 unique categories. These categories include restaurants, wineries, front line workers, home healthcare, golf courses, trails and so much more. Through Red Hot Best we recognize Northern Michigan’s top businesses, entrepreneurs, events and places.

Read on to see who took home first, second and third place in all of the 47 Charlevoix & Chain of Lakes 2021 Red Hot Best categories.

Searching for the full winner’s list? From Benzie and Leelanau to across the bridge in the Upper Peninsula, here are the Red Hot Best Winners 2021: The Best of Northern Michigan.

Attorney

  1. Christopher T. Turkelson, Turkelson Law Firm PLLC, Charlevoix
  2. Barron & Engstrom PLC, Charlevoix
  3. Jim Boardman, Real Estate Lawyers PLC, Elk Rapids

Auto Dealer

  1. Charlevoix Motors, Charlevoix
  2. Matt LaFontaine Ford, Charlevoix
  3. Subaru By the Bay, Bay Shore

Auto Repair

  1. Bellaire Auto Repair, Bellaire
  2. Ric’s Auto, Elk Rapids
  3. Lakeshore Tire & Auto, Charlevoix

Bank/Financial Institution

  1. Alden State Bank, Elk Rapids
  2. 4Front Credit Union, Boyne City
  3. Charlevoix State Bank, Main Office, Charlevoix

Beach

  1. Michigan Beach Park, Charlevoix
  2. Young State Park, Boyne City
  3. Old Bathing Beach, Elk Rapids

Brewery

  1. Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire
  2. Bier’s Inwood Brewery, Charlevoix
  3. Stiggs Brewery, Boyne City

Dentist

  1. Brian Rathke DDS, Bellaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
  2. Scott R. Perron DDS, All Smiles Family Dentistry, Elk Rapids
  3. Bert DesJardins & John Kenzie, Maple Ridge Dentistry, East Jordan

Event

  1. Elk Rapids Harbor Days
  2. Charlevoix Venetian Festival
  3. Charlevoix Apple Festival

Facebook/Instagram

  1. Facebook: Downtown Charlevoix
  2. Facebook: Billie’s Floral & Boutique
  3. Instagram: @mammoth_distilling

Family Physician

  1. Jennifer Shockley MD, Elk Rapids Primary Care
  2. Anna Young MD, Charlevoix Primary Care
  3. Steven Pray DO, Elk Rapids Primary Care

Financial Service Advisor

 
  1. Rob Joyce, Edward Jones, Bellaire
  2. Tom Shelder, Edward Jones, Elk Rapids
  3. Greg McGeorge, 4Front Credit Union, East Jordan

Fishing Charter

  1. True North Trout, Boyne City
  2. Whitecap Charters, Charlevoix
  3. Ward Brothers Boats, Charlevoix

Floor Covering

  1. Harbor Flooring, Elk Rapids
  2. Whitley’s Floor Covering, Charlevoix
  3. Affordable Flooring and More, Charlevoix

Food Truck

  1. Pigs Eatin’ Ribs, Charlevoix
  2. Old Mission Eats, Elk Rapids
  3. Barrel Back Restaurant Food Truck, Walloon Lake

Front Line Worker

  1. Andy LaPointe, Traverse Bay Farms, Elk Rapids
  2. Wendy Roberts, GM, The Argonne House, Charlevoix
  3. Stephanie Holbel, Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery, Bellaire

Golf Course

  1. A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort, Kewadin
  2. Elk Rapids Golf Club
  3. Antrim Dells Golf Course, Ellsworth

Happy Hour

  1. Dockside, Bellaire
  2. Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen, Elk Rapids
  3. Tie: Barrel Back Restaurant, Walloon Lake & Hello Vino, Bellaire

Heating & Cooling Business

  1. K&K Heating and Cooling, Elk Rapids
  2. Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Geothermal, Mancelona
  3. Haggard’s Plumbing & Heating, Charlevoix

Hiking Trail or Area

  1. Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire
  2. Fisherman’s Island State Park, Charlevoix
  3. Glacial Hills Pathway & Natural Area, Bellaire

Home Health Care

  1. Clearwater Home Health Services, Elk Rapids
  2. AdvisaCare Home Care, Charlevoix
  3. 1Senior Home Care Inc., East Jordan

Facebook – Charlevoix & Chain of Lakes: Downtown Charlevoix

Photo by Michael Murphy

Hotel, Inn or Resort

  1. Bellaire Bed & Breakfast
  2. Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bellaire
  3. Hotel Earl, Charlevoix

Local Artist/Maker

  1. Christine Leader, Michigan Metalsmith, Charlevoix
  2. Zach Gosnell, Torch Lake Concepts
  3. Tie: Bentley Hill Bakehouse, Charlevoix & Ruthann Dexter, Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery, Bellaire

Locally Made Cider or Seltzer

  1. The Conservancy, Bee Well Mead & Cider, Bellaire
  2. Pink Bikini, Royal Farms Farm Market & Winery, Ellsworth
  3. Pulsar, Starcut Ciders, Bellaire

Local TV Person

  1. Joe Charlevoix, WPBN
  2. Michael Stevens 9&10 News

Optometrist

  1. Tie: Dr. Hufford, Hufford Vision & Eye Care, Elk Rapids & Jon Vanwagnen OD, Charlevoix Eye Center, Charlevoix
  2. Peter Oppermann OD, Eyes on Main, Boyne City
  3. Steven Voci OD, Charlevoix

Outdoor Dining

  1. Dockside Torch Lake, Bellaire
  2. Stafford’s Weathervane, Charlevoix
  3. Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire

Pet/Wildlife Nonprofit

  1. Help From My Friends’ Pet Crisis Center, Bellaire
  2. Charlevoix Area Humane Society, Boyne City
  3. Last Dance Rescue Ranch, Charlevoix

Place for a Wedding

  1. Castle Farms, Charlevoix
  2. Tie: Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bellaire & Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City
  3. The Boathouse on Lake Charlevoix, East Jordan

Place to Buy a Book

  1. Round Lake Bookstore, Charlevoix
  2. Adams Madams, Central Lake
  3. Word Love Goods, Elk Rapids

Place to Buy a Gift

  1. The Lake House, Charlevoix
  2. Nifty Things! Alden & Elk Rapids
  3. The Flying Pig, Bellaire

Place to Buy Jewelry

  1. Uniquely North, Bellaire
  2. Nifty Things! Elk Rapids & Alden
  3. Adams Madams, Central Lake

Place to Buy Pet Items

  1. Family Farm & Home, Charlevoix
  2. Tractor Supply, Boyne City
  3. Pawfect Purrfections Gourmet Pet Confections, Charlevoix

Place to Buy Windows

  1. Mike’s Glass, Charlevoix

Place to Get Active/Outdoor Wear & Gear

  1. Paddles & Pedals, Bellaire
  2. The Clothing Company, Charlevoix
  3. Alden Outfitters

Place to Get Global Food

  1. Cafe Santé, Boyne City
  2. Lynda’s Tacos, Charlevoix
  3. That French Place, Charlevoix

Place to Get Takeout

  1. Harbor Cafe, Elk Rapids
  2. Lake Street Market, Boyne City
  3. Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire

Plumber

  1. E. H. Niepoth & Sons Plumbing & Heating Co., Bellaire
  2. Gmoser’s Septic Service, Elk Rapids

Radio Personality

  1. Terri Ray, KLT 97.5/93.5/96.7
  2. Ron Jolly, WTCM 103.5
  3. Cynthia Hector Johnson, WVBI 100.1

Real Estate Agent

  1. Steve Parafin, Real Estate One, Charlevoix
  2. Sandra Ehlers, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, Elk Rapids
  3. Tie: Jennifer Burr, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, Boyne City & Scott Moore, Exit Northern Shores Realty, Elk Rapids

Residential Cleaning

  1. Brady’s Carpet Cleaning, Charlevoix
  2. Northern Lakes Cleaning and Home Services, Kewadin
  3. White Pine Carpet Cleaning, Charlevoix

Restaurant

  1. Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen, Elk Rapids
  2. Harbor Cafe, Elk Rapids
  3. Corner Bistro, Bellaire

Salon

  1. Hair Works Plus, Bellaire
  2. En Vogue Salon, Boyne City
  3. Tie: Hairport Salon & Spa, Elk Rapids & The Last Tangle, Charlevoix

Tattoo Artist

  1. Will Kaufmann, WAM Ink, Charlevoix
  2. Shaun, Torch Lake Ink, Rapid City
  3. Brent Bartel, Bellaire Tattoo

Tax Prep Service

  1. All Seasons Tax & Accounting Services, Elk Rapids
  2. Tie: Bob Hoffman, Hoffman McLane CPA Firm, PLC, Charlevoix & Shelly Fay Accounting Services, Bellaire
  3. Larry Wilson CPA, Elk Rapids

Teacher

  1. Jennifer Hall, Lakeland Elementary, Elk Rapids
  2. Annemarie Conway, Charlevoix High School
  3. Kwin Morris, Cherryland Middle School, Elk Rapids

Veterinarian Practice

  1. Charlevoix Veterinary Hospital
  2. Bellaire Animal Hospital
  3. Elk Rapids Animal Hospital

Winery

  1. Boyne Valley Vineyards, Petoskey
  2. Torch Lake Cellars, Bellaire
  3. Cellar 1914, Central Lake

Find this article and more in the June 2021 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine; or subscribe and get Traverse delivered to your door each month.

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