Annual Best Of Emerald Coast Celebration

Meet this year’s winners who were voted Best Of by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine at the 2008 Best of the Emerald Coast event on October 18, from 6 – 10:30 p.m. Winners will be on display along the main street of Destin Commons showing everything from best restaurants, to best retailers, appetizer, dessert, businesses, doctors, photographer, art gallery, band, place to be seen and many more categories.

“This is our annual reveal of the much anticipated Best Of winners,” according to Brian Rowland, publisher of Emerald Coast Magazine. “We are proud that this event enables the opportunity to give back to the community. The Destin Family YMCA is the charity beneficiary of funds raised throughout the evening.”

Though Destin Commons has been voted Best Shopping complex since its opening five years ago, that category was not included this year because the center will be rolling out the red carpet as the event venue host for the proud winners to show off their goods and services.

A record fourteen stores and businesses at Destin Commons won individual ‘Best Of’ rankings. The center’s winners are: Aldo, men’s shoes; Bass Pro Shops, sporting goods store; Bluepoint Fish Club, happy hour; Coldstone Creamery, ice cream; Dougherty & Chavez, architect; Eye Gallery, eyeglass store, Hugs and Hissyfits, children’s clothing store, Learning Express, toy store; Private Gallery, women’s accessories; Specialty Building Maintenance, janitorial service; Starbucks, coffee; The Zoo Gallery, gift shop; Victoria’s Secret, intimate apparel; and Zoe’s Kitchen for casual dining.

The Best of the Emerald Coast celebration is open to the public, includes many food samplings, beer and wine from the winning restaurants, a large silent auction, special 50/50 raffle, music and live entertainment by Miles From Cold Train. Admission is $25 per person for advance tickets and $35 day of the event. All proceeds benefit the Destin Family YMCA. Tickets can be purchased at the entry in Destin Commons on the evening of the event, or prior to from the Destin Family YMCA, and online at www.ecymca.org. For more information, contact Carolyn Folley at (850) 837-8440.

Published on Monday, October 6, 2008