Best of Business Kansas City

BEST AUTO DEALER (DOMESTIC)
There are, it seems, two types of Ingram’s readers: Those who drive luxury imports—and those who drive American by driving Fords. For the second straight year, dealerships flying the flag of Ford Motor Co. sweep the medal count, led by Thoroughbred Ford in the Gold position with its array of new and used vehicles, parts and vehicle service from locations in the Northland and Platte City. Dick Smith Ford in Raytown, putting a premium on customer service during sales, rentals, financing or servicing, grabs the Silver. And another Northland operation, Gary Crossley Ford, brings in the Bronze.

BEST AUTO DEALER (FOREIGN)
Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche, Maserati—you’ll find all of them and more at Gold-winning Aristocrat Motors in Merriam, where sales, service and parts for high-performance vehicles answer the eternal question: Why Not? Not far away, in Overland Park, O’Neill Honda draws Silver support from readers who value a combination of affordability and practicality in their wheels. And back to Merriam we go for Bronze honors, accorded to Hendrix Lexus.

BEST AUTO/TRUCK REPAIR
Many a business owner knows that his livelihood depends on cars and trucks—sometimes fleets of them—that get the job done. And many a commuter is equally dependent on that daily ride to work. That’s where Raytown-based Dick Smith Ford excels, readers say, with Gold-level maintenance and repair work on everything from major malfunctions to routine oil changes. The Silver goes to Olathe Ford Lincoln, offering service, parts and accessories. And making its first appearance in Best of Business Kansas City, Autoworld of Kansas City, based in Kansas City, Kan., earns Bronze.

BEST CORPORATE GIFTS
For corporate gifts that transcend the business relationship and strike a personal note with employees, clients and associates, Hallmark answers the call with a Gold-level array of products. They can help celebrate memorable occasions (staff birthdays, upcoming weddings, baby showers and more), interactive storytelling options, decorations, books, confections and more. Silver winner Topsy’s sells its popcorn-based treats throughout the year, of course, but the ubiquitous three-flavor drum is an office-noshing staple throughout the region over the holidays. And whether you’re shipping the barbecue via express delivery, or creating access with gift cards, Bronze-winning Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue always hits the spot for recipients.

BEST ELECTRONICS STORE/CHAIN
It’s a Chinese-curse level of “interesting” in the interesting times experienced by the retail electronics sector, but that’s not stopping our readers from bestowing Gold honors on Best Buy, offering smart phones, computers and mobile devices and all manner of consumer electronics and products at five area locations. The Apple Store, on the Plaza, draws “oohs,” “ahhs” and Silver from our readers, for its range of devices that make work more efficient and play more affordable, while Overland Park’s Micro Center, our Bronze winner, is a treasure trove of data storage devices, computers, accessories and more.

BEST FLORIST
Each year, it seems, these two top-rated companies duel for Best Florist honors. Trapp & Company defends its Gold status this year, its 45th since Bob Trapp launched the boutique that specializes in flowers, floral bouquets, candles and scents, gift baskets and more. Almost neck-and-neck in the balloting, and finishing with Silver status, is The Fiddly Fig, that long-time anchor in Brookside selling flowers for all occasions. Bringing in the Bronze is Studio Dan Meiners, doing double duty not just as a master of floral arrnagements, but with its catering prowess, as well.

BEST JEWELER
If there’s a special someone out there whose support makes your career success possible, a key member of the staff who’s deserving of special commemoration, a valued client or a trusted adviser, nothing says “thank you” quite like the array of diamonds, jewelry, watches and other goodies from Meierotto Midwest Jewelers, our Gold honoree this year. For more than a century, Plaza-based Tivol has been meeting the jewelry needs of Kansas Citians, a remarkable run that wins Silver recognition. And Helzberg Diamonds, founded here but now part of the Warren Buffet empire, earns Bronze.

BEST LIQUOR STORE/WINE SELLER
Raise a glass, if you will, to all things excellent about business and businesspeople in Kansas City, and you won’t go wrong if it’s filled with one of the libations from Gold-winning Gomer’s, stocking fine spirits, wines and beers at its four area locations. Lukas Liquor Superstore, with locations in Kansas City and Overland Park, taps the Silver spigot with a broad selection of beverages, plus tastings and guidance that will turn any curious drinker into a certified oenophile. The Bronze goes to Rimann Liquors, with outlets in Lenexa and Prairie Village, including a party shop that will meet all your big-bash needs.

BEST MEN’S APPAREL
Matt Baldwin showed that vertical integration still works in the world of fashion—if the fashion and the value complement one another. He designs denim and casual ware sold not only in the flagship stores in Kansas City, including Gold-winning Baldwin Men’s Shop, but at retail outlets nationwide. A tradition in itself, Halls Kansas City is always a favorite of Ingram’s readers in this category, and they size the retailer up for Silver recognition this year, as it consolidates its operations at Crown Center and vacates its longstanding position on the Plaza. And with 14 locations filling the span from eastern Independence to Topeka, Kohl’s has the region covered in men’s wear and accessories, in numbers and quality sufficient to earn Bronze honors.

BEST WOMEN’S APPAREL
Yes, the designer clothing, accessories, shoes and cosmetics make shopping at Halls Kansas City a highlight for women of style. But the experience of it—the selections, the service, the setting—combine to give this Gold standard of retailing a special prominence, our readers say. Nordstrom, both from the mother ship at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, and the Nordstrom Rack just across Quivira Road, oozes style in Silver quantities. A locally-grown company with a growing reputation, Standard Style, dazzles with a Bronze galaxy of designer brands offered at its locations on the Country Club Plaza and at Town Center in Leawood.

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