Best of the Heights

Best of the Heights Awards is an annual public opinion survey and awards ceremony honoring local independent businesses and their contribution to the quality of life in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

Cleveland Heights and University Heights are home to hundreds of independently owned businesses.

We seek to honor the give-back that small businesses in Cleveland Heights and University Heights contribute to the economic stability of the community. It’s also a great way to highlight the best of the best, those merchants and services that go above and beyond to provide excellent service, value to their customers, and are great community partners.

Voting for the 2018 Best of the Heights Awards concluded on Feb. 15, 2018. Winners were announced in the Feb. 27 e-news and March 1 print issue of the Heights Observer.

Best New Business
Winner
Boss Dog Brewing Company
Finalists
Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
Barrio

Best Place to Hang Out In A Snowstorm
Winner
Cedar Lee Theatre
Finalists
Phoenix Coffee
Stone Oven

Best Cleveland Heights Business
Winner
Zagara’s Marketplace
Finalists
The Wine Spot
Marotta’s

Best Place-to Take an Out-of-Towner
Winners
Nighttown
Tommy’s restaurant
Finalists
Marotta’s

Best Bang for Your Buck
Winner
Barrio
Finalists
Aladdin’s
Tommy’s restaurant

Best Interior Decor
Winner
Gigi’s on Fairmount
Finalists
Anatolia Cafe
Marotta’s

Best Place to Find Unique Gifts
Winner
Big Fun
Finalists
Heights Arts
S’Wonderful Gifts

Best Exterior Appearance
Winner
Big Fun
Finalists
Anatolia Cafe
Luna Bakery Café
The BottleHouse Brewery

Best Place to Work
Winner
Marotta’s
Finalists
Heights Libraries
Phoenix Coffee

Best Heights Vibe
Winner
Tommy’s restaurant
Finalists
CLE Urban Winery
Marotta’s
Nighttown

Best Place to Take the Kids
Winner
Tommy’s restaurant
Finalists
Big Fun
Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park
Heights Libraries

Best University Heights Business
Winner
Whole Foods
Finalists
Bialy’s Bagels
Geraci’s Restaurant

Shop Local

Shop Local brings public awareness to the economic and livability benefits of spending a dollar at a local independent business v. a chain store.Locally owned businesses are good for community. They create jobs, promote economic stability, offer diverse goods and services, and retain our community’s identity. Over 90% of  businesses in Cleveland Heights are locally owned.  FutureHeights provides educational workshops to small business owners.  Additionally, local advertising opportunities and business spotlights in the Heights Observer newspaper offer local businesses an important way to reach their customer base.

Keep the Heights independent. Help FutureHeights promote the shop local message. Support this program.