Black Box Fix and Motorcars are among the Best of the Heights

On Oct. 7, at its 11th annual Best of the Heights Awards, FutureHeights honored outstanding businesses in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. From May to August, readers of the Heights Observer voted for their favorite businesses in 19 categories, and 241 businesses were nominated. Finalists and winners were announced at the event, which was held in Tucker Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Black Box Fix edged out finalists Motorcars Mobility and Momo’s Kebab to win Best New Business. The gourmet sandwich shop, at 2307 Lee Road, occupies the corner storefront previously occupied by Sweetie Fry, and is owned by Eric and LaToya Rogers.

Black Box Fix was also named Best African-American-Owned Business. Naturally Gifted Fitness Center, located in the Heights Masonic Building at 1635 Lee Road, and Mama Joyce’s Soul Food Café, at 2238 Lee Road, were finalists in the category.

"We are honored and blessed to be recognized for these two awards," said Eric Rogers, owner of Black Box Fix. “The Cleveland Heights community and Northeast Ohio have embraced us with tremendous support and love. We love this community and everyone in it, and we will continue to grow, serve and be a great part of the blazing food scene in Cleveland Heights.”

The awards for Best Cleveland Heights Business and Best University Heights Business went to Motorcars and Whole Foods, respectively. Motorcars continued its strong showing by winning Best Automotive Business and Best Longstanding Heights Business.

"We put our money into this community," said Chuck Gile, president of Motorcars. “It's all about grassroots marketing. We're not trying to drive people in from Strongsville or Parma. We want people from the Heights. We love the support of this community, and we're very happy to be here and to have won these awards."

Alex Quintana, who owns Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa with his wife, Dawn, was recognized as Best Barber.

"These awards have always been a big recognition from this community," he said. “It's nice to be part of this fabric of these ‘entrepreneuring’ citizens. And all the while, we are helping to build a better village. I am very happy."

Shawn Paul Gustafson, owner of Shawn Paul Salon, was named Best Hairstylist.

Big Fun, the quirky toy store in Coventry Village, won Best Place to Buy a Gift and Best Interior Decor. "I'm happy and proud to have won two awards," said Steve Presser, Big Fun owner. “It's always nice to be recognized by the wonderful community I live in and work in."

The City of Cleveland Heights was recognized twice, winning awards for Best Place to Enjoy a Family Outing (Cain Park), and Best Place For Health & Fitness (Cleveland Heights Community Center). Nighttown was honored for Best Date Night Venue; Tommy’s for Best Restaurant; Brennan’s Colony for Best Bar, Pub or Tavern; and Tavern Company for Best Burger.

Rounding out the categories, The Lusty Wrench won for Best Customer Service; Verne & Ellsworth Hann won for Best Home Repair or Maintenance Business; and Jamie Bevins, a realtor with Howard Hanna, won for Best Professional Service.

Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of FutureHeights, said, “The Best of the Heights Awards is a fun way that residents can show their appreciation for our local business owners, many of whom are also residents. They invest their money and sweat equity in our community, and provide needed goods and services. Each of their businesses is unique, and it’s the concentration of these diverse businesses in our walkable, neighborhood-serving business districts that enables us to enjoy a high quality of life in the Heights.”

The following is a complete list of winners and finalists in this year’s Best of the Heights Awards. Voters also suggested businesses that they would like to see in the Heights. Click here to see a list.

Best New Business

WINNER:
Black Box Fix

FINALISTS:
Motorcars Mobility
Momo’s Kebab

Best University Heights Business

WINNER:
Whole Foods

FINALISTS:
Pizzazz on the Circle
Geraci’s Restaurant

Best Cleveland Heights Business

WINNER:
Motorcars

FINALISTS:
Tommy’s
The Wine Spot

Best Date Night Venue

WINNER:
Nighttown

FINALISTS:
Cedar Lee Theatre
Gigi’s On Fairmount
The Fairmount

Best Customer Service

WINNER:
The Lusty Wrench

FINALISTS:
Washington & Lee Service
Motorcars

Best Burger

WINNER:
Tavern Company

FINALISTS:
Winking Lizard
Brennan’s Colony

Best Bar, Pub or Tavern

WINNER:
Brennan’s Colony

FINALISTS:
Nighttown
The Tavern Company

Best Automotive Business

WINNER:
Motorcars

FINALISTS:
Washington & Lee Service
The Lusty Wrench

Best Home-Repair/Maintenance Business

WINNER: 
Verne & Ellsworth Hann

FINALISTS:
Home Depot
Skettle Electric

Best Professional Services

WINNER:
Jamie Bevins, Realtor, Howard Hanna

FINALISTS:
Heights Dental Group
Keller National
PC Handyman

Best Hairstylist

WINNER:
Shawn Paul Gustafson, Shawn Paul Salon

FINALISTS:
Ryan Simmons, Abstract - A Hair Salon
Ed Maddox, Eddy’s on Coventry 

Best Barber

WINNER:
Alex Quintana, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa

FINALISTS:
Ed Maddox, Eddy’s on Coventry
Adam DiDomenico, Adam’s Barber Shop
Chuck Falk, Eddy’s on Coventry

Best Interior Decor

WINNER:
Big Fun

FINALISTS:
Gigi’s on Fairmount
Melt Bar & Grilled

Best Place to Purchase a Gift

WINNER:
Big Fun

FINALISTS:
Ten Thousand Villages
Simply Charming

Best Restaurant

WINNER:
Tommy’s

FINALISTS:
Anatolia Cafe
Nighttown

Best African-American-Owned Business

WINNER:
Black Box Fix

FINALISTS:
Mama Joyce’s Soul Food Café
Naturally Gifted Fitness Center

Best Longstanding CH or UH Business (15+ Years)

WINNER:
Motorcars

FINALISTS:
Tommy’s
Big Fun
Brennan’s Colony

Best Place for Health and Fitness

WINNER:
Cleveland Heights Community Center

FINALISTS:
Jazzercise
Yoga Roots

Best Place to Enjoy a Family Outing

WINNER:
Cain Park

FINALISTS:
Dewey’s Pizza
Tommy’s