FutureHeights Will Honor Local Businesses Tuesday Night

The Cleveland Heights and University Heights community has voted, and now it’s time to find out who’s the best.

Since 2005, has honored businesses in the Heights with the Best of the Heights Awards.

This year, more than 700 for their favorite restaurants, hardware stores, clothing shops and more, and about 300 were nominated, said Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of FutureHeights.

FutureHeights will announce the winners in the 22 categories at at , and all are welcome to attend. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the event, and include wine or beer and appetizers from the restaurant, . Journalist and Heights resident Eric Wellman will emcee the event.

“FutureHeights recognizes the contributions that local, independently owned businesses make to our community character,” Fisher said. “Most of the business owners live in the community. They buy local services, they provide unique services to the community, so this contest was envisioned to really recognize the unique contributions that they make to our community.”

Categories are modified slightly each year, she said, and this year's included best ethnic eats, best Realtor, best auto service and best-looking storefront.

Yearly favorites include , and , Fisher said. Hardware store Seitz-Agin was nominated this year though .

Winners receive a framed certificate and an electronic logo they can use on emails or their company websites to indicate they received the honor, she said.

Though non-locally owned businesses like have won in the past, Fisher said it’s uncommon.

“It’s pretty rare that the chains win. Most of the time the favorites turn out to be locally owned businesses. Businesses where people know that the owners provide a service and give back to the community.”

Tickets can be purchased online at http://bestoftheheights2011.eventbrite.com/.