Best Auto Dealer (Domestic)
It’s a Triple Play for Cable Dahmer Chevrolet, bagging Gold for the third straight year. The long-time formidable fixture on Independence’s Miracle Mile lays claim to being Kansas City’s No. 1 dealer in both new and used Chevys. Meanwhile, a pair of Ford Motor Co.’s finest slugged it out for runner-up honors. Taking the Silver was Raytown’s Dick Smith Ford. Hauling in the Bronze was Shawnee Mission Ford.
Best Auto Dealer (Foreign)
Whether you’re into pure performance with a Jaguar or Mercedes, or looking for something more practical like a Smart Car, the readers-choice Gold-winning team at Aristocrat Motors in Merriam can meet your needs. Ditto Merriam’s Baron BMW, our Silver winner, with its range of autos from the Mini Cooper up to the six-figure BMW M6 series. Molle Toyota, a staple in south Kansas City, racks up the Bronze.
Best Corporate Gifts
The Gold in this category has become synonymous with Hall’s Kansas City, and this year is no exception. But Ingram’s traded for a new Silver medalist with Tiffany & Co., and they followed that up by drawing Christopher Elbow’s Artisanal Chocolates into the top tier of Best of Kansas City by awarding it the Bronze.
Best Florist
The Fiddly Fig puts its petals to the metal yet again, and the metal is solid Gold. That marks four years straight years for the Brookside floral shop in our top slot, the past two solo years coming after sharing those honors in 2006 and 2007. Trapp and Co., the staple of floral sales and home furnishings, is a repeat honoree at Silver. And snagging this year’s Bronze honors is Studio Dan Meiners, a downtown favorite doing its thing since 1993.
Best Jeweler
On the cusp of starting its 100th year in business, Kansas City’s own Tivol continues its long run as Gold winner in this category. Founded in 1910, Tivol reaches readers through its long-standing Country Club Plaza location, in Johnson County, and in the Northland. Silver honors go to another name synonymous with fine jewelry, Tiffany & Co. Splitting the Bronze were two hometown favorites, Helzberg Diamonds and Meierotto Midwest Jewelers.
Best Liquor Store/Wine Seller
Once again, the service and selection at Gomer’s four Kansas City locations proves irresistible for readers penciling in their Gold winners. Storming into the rankings in the Silver position is Lukas Liquors Superstore, whose stores off 119 Street in Johnson County and 135th Street in Kansas City are anchors of the wine trade in the southern metropolitan area. Rimann Liquors finished with the Bronze.
Best Men’s Apparel
When it comes to clothing, Ingram’s readers know upscale: National retailer Nordstrom, a leading lure at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, gets its hands on the Gold medal after a three-year run in the top spot by Hall’s Kansas City, which finishes with Silver. Brooks Brothers, another national name, can add the Bronze to its lineup of menswear at its store on the Country Club Plaza.
Best Women’s Apparel
Make that a double double-play: Nordstrom also walks off with the Gold medal in women’s clothing, in large part because of the refined offerings, and in part for its well-known bent for customer service. Bringing home the Silver, as it did with the men’s clothing category, is Hall’s Kansas City. Even the Bronze ranking featured a double: Dillard’s and Coldwater Creek tied for those honors.
Best Office Equipment Dealer
The bare-knuckles world of big-box world office equipment suppliers claimed one prominent name from last year’s honor roll, but not the No. 1: Our Gold medal again goes to Office Max, which provides a whole lot more than paper clips and pencils from multiple Kansas City locations. Another big national name, Staples, is the final award winner in the Best of Business Kansas City’s 2009 honor roll, bagging the Silver. No Bronze was awarded.