News
May 15, 2024More than 130 Members Celebrated as Best of the Capital Region
Results of the Times Union’s 2024 Best of the Capital Region are in, and across the 100 categories, community members have voted more than 130 Capital Region Chamber members as the best in their chosen fields. Congratulations to these well-deserving businesses that encompass everything from colleges and entertainment venues to dining and professional services.
Among this year’s honorees are Chamber Sustaining Investors Albany Med Health System, Broadview Federal Credit Union, and KeyBank; Diamond Investors Ellis Medicine (Bellevue Women’s Hospital), Pioneer, Price Chopper/Market43, St. Peter’s Health Partners, Sunmark Credit Union, and University at Albany; Platinum Investors Community Care Physicians, PLLC, Hudson Valley Community College, and Proctors Collaborative; Gold Investors Town of Colonie, City of Albany, The College of Saint Rose, Siena College, and Stewart’s Shops Corp.; Silver Investors Albany Broadcasting Company (Fly 92.3 and 100.9 The Cat), Mazzone Hospitality, New York Racing Association (Saratoga Race Course), WNYT (Subrina Dhammi, Mark Mulholland), Druthers Brewing Company, JO Restaurant Group (677 Prime), WTEN (Steve Caporizzo, John Gray), and CBS6-WRGB (Julia Dunn).
Not yet a member and interested in the benefits of membership? Click here for more information.
Interested in becoming a Leadership Investor? Click here for more information.
For more information on the businesses below, go to Member Directory
Best City:
Winner: Saratoga Springs, Second place: Troy, Second place: Albany, Runner-up: Schenectady
Best College:
Winner: Hudson Valley Community College, Second place: Siena College, Third place: University at Albany
Runner-up: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Runner-up: The College of Saint Rose
Best Library:
Winner: William K. Sanford Library, Third place: Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Runner-up: Guilderland Public Library
Best Local Broadcast Personality:
Winner: Steve Caporizzo, Second place: John Gray, Third Place: Subrina Dhammi, Runner-up: Julia Dunn
Runner-up: Mark Mulholland, Runner-up: Ray Graf
Best School District:
Second place: North Colonie Central Schol District
Best Suburb:
Second place: Bethlehem, Runner-up: Colonie, Runner-up: Brunswick
Best Barbecue Restaurant (Single Location):
Third place: Rollin’ Smoke
Best Breakfast Sandwich (Single Location):
Runner-up: West End Bagels
Best Chain Restaurant:
Third place: Uncommon Grounds
Best Coffee Shop (Single Location):
Winner: Uncommon Grounds, Western Avenue
Best Diner (Single Location):
Runner-up: Halfmoon Diner
Best Family Restaurant (Single Location):
Runner-up: Ravenswood Pub
Best Indian or Pakistani Restaurant (Single Location):
Winner: Karavalli
Best Local Craft Beer:
Winner: Druthers Brewing Co., Second place: Brown’s Brewing, Third place: Fidens Brewing
Runner-up: Frog Alley Brewing Co., Runner-up: Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.
Best Local Doughnuts (Single Location):
Winner: Bella Napoli, Latham, Second place: Indian Ladder Farms
Best Mexican, Central of Social American Restaurant (Single Location):
Third place: El Loco Mexican Cafe
Best Place for a Frozen Treat:
Winner: Stewart’s Shops
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining (Single Location):
Runner-up: The Shaker & Vine
Best Restaurant to Open in the Last Year (Single Location):
Runner-up: Fidens Brewing Taproom, Runner-up: The Delaware
Best Sandwich Shop (Single Location):
Second place: Gershon’s Deli
Best Seafood Restaurant (Single Location):
Winner: Ted’s Fish Fry, Runner-up: Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill, Runner-up: Eddie F’s New England Seafood Restaurant
Best Southern Restaurant (Single Location):
Winner: Hattie’s Restaurants, Runner-up: Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen
Best Steakhouse (Single Location):
Third place: 677 Prime
Best Tacos (Single Location):
Second place: El Loco Mexican Cafe
Best Vegan or Vegetarian (Single Location):
Runner-up: Unbeetable
Best Art Gallery:
Second place: Albany Institute of History & Art, Third place: New York State Museum, Runner-up: Albany Center Gallery
Best Bar for Trivia:
Runner-up: Nine Pin Cider Works
Best Capital Region-Centric Activity:
Winner: Saratoga Race Course, Second place: Albany Tulip Fest, Runner-up: Alive at Five
Best Concert Venue:
Winner place: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Second place: Proctors Theatre
Third place: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Runner-up: MVP Arena
Best Festival:
Winner: Albany Tulip Festival, Second place: Troy Victorian Stroll, Third place: Saratoga Chowderfest
Runner-up: Capital Pride
Best Local Comedian/Comedy Group:
Third place: Mopco Improv Theatre
Best Locally-Based Radio Station:
Winner: WAMC, Second place: Fly 92.3, Third place: 100.9 The Cat
Best Museum:
Winner: New York State Museum, Second place: Albany Institute of History & Art
Third place: Museum of Innovation & Science, Runner-up: Children’s Museum at Saratoga
Runner-up: Saratoga Automobile Museum
Best Outing with Your Kids:
Winner: Indian Ladder Farms, Runner-up: New York State Museum, Runner-up: Children’s Museum at Saratoga
Best Regional Ski Resort:
Winner: Jiminy Peak, Third place: West Mountain, Runner-up: Maple Ski Ridge
Best Theatre Company:
Winner: Capital Repertory Theatre, Runner-up: Hudson Valley Community College
Best Venue for Theater:
Winner: Proctors Theatre, Second place: Palace Theatre, Third place: Capital Repertory Theatre
Runner-up: Maureen Stapleton Theatre
Best Bank or Credit Union:
Winner: Broadview Federal Credit Union, Third place: Pioneer, Runner-up: Sunmark Credit Union, Runner-up: KeyBank
Best Car Mechanic:
Winner: Gil’s Garage, Second place: Warren Tire
Best Chiropractor:
Winner: Upstate Chiropractic and Wellness
Best Funeral Home:
Winner: McVeigh Funeral Home
Best Home Improvement Business:
Winner: Bennett Contracting
Best Hospital:
Winner: St. Peter’s Hospital, Second place: Albany Medical Center, Third place: Bellevue Women’s Hospital
Runner-up: Samaritan Hospital
Best HVAC Maintenance Company:
Winner: Crisafulli Bros. Home Services, Second place: Family Danz Heating & Cooling
Third place: Adams Heating & Cooling Co.
Best Landscaper:
Runner-up: Brad Rose Landscaping
Best Law Firm:
Second place: E. Stewart Jones, Hacker, Murphy, LLP, Runner-up: O’Connell & Aronowitz
Runner-up: LaMarche Safranko Law, PLLC
Best Local Caterer:
Third place: Mazzone Hospitality, Runner-up: Nicole’s Catering
Best Orthodontist:
Winner: Adirondack Orthodontics
Best Pest Control Company:
Winner: Thomas Pest Services
Best Place to Get a Workout:
Third place: Vent Fitness (Latham), Runner-up: CDPHP Fitness Connect at the Ciccotti Center
Best Plumber:
Winner: Crisafulli Bros. Home Services, Second: Family Danz Heating & Cooling
Best Real Estate Individual (Individual):
Runner-up: Ali Khan, Runner-up: Hassan Khan
Best Senior Living Facility (Single Location):
Winner: Avila Retirement Community, Second place: Eddy Village Green Cohoes, Runner-up: Kingsway Community
Best Urgent Care (Single Location):
Second place: Urgent Care of Community Care Physicians, Runner-up: Albany Med EmUrgentCare, Latham
Runner-up: Albany Med EmUrgentCare, Brunswick
Best Wedding or Event Venue:
Third place: Glen Sanders Mansion
Best Apple Orchard:
Winner: Indian Ladder Farms
Best Bakery (Single Location):
Second place: Villa Italia Pasticceria
Best Beer Store:
Second place: Price Chopper/Market32
Best Bookstore:
Runner-up: Open Door Bookstore
Best CBD Store:
Winner: Upstate Canna Co.
Best Farmers Market:
Second place: The Crossings of Colonie Farmers Market, Third place: Schenectady Greenmarket
Best Florist:
Winner: Price Chopper/Market32, Third place: Felthousen’s Florist & Greenhouse
Best Furniture Store:
Winner: Old Brick Furniture, Runner-up: Huck Finn Home
Best Health Food Store or Co-op:
Second place: Honest Weight Food Co-op, Runner-up: Niskayuna Co-op
Best Local Grocery Store:
Second: Price Chopper/Market32, Runner-up: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Best Locally-based Jewelry Store:
Winner: Hannoush Jewelers, Second place: Northeastern Fine Jewelry, Third place: Frank Adams Jewelers
Runner-up: Harold Finkle Your Jeweler
