TIFTON, Ga. — More than 100 local businesses were celebrated by the Tifton Gazette’s Best of Tifton banquet held at Spring Hill Country Club, Tuesday July, 24.

Every year, the Gazette takes nominations for the best businesses in town ranging from retail and restaurant to healthcare and automotive services.

The community nominates and then votes on their favorites. Once the votes are tallied, the Gazette presents winning businesses with a commemorative plaque.

Dan Sutton, publisher for The Tifton Gazette, told the crowd that they “simply are the best of the best because our readers and the citizens of Tifton and Tift County voted for ya’ll.”

Winners were called up one by one to receive their plaques, some more lively than others. B.J. Smith of B.J. Smith Events and Catering danced to “Uptown Funk” on her way to receiving her plaque and continued her own personal dance line back to her seat, encouraging the crowd to join her along the way. Her catering services also provided the meal for the evening.

Kym Clark and Avari Turner of Embody Art won for best tattoo and piercing shop. The shop opened last September. Turner was excited to receive the award.

“It’s great,” she said. “We’re happy to be here.” Later, they wrote on Facebook that they couldn’t have done it without the support of their community. “You guys really make all of it possible,” stated the post, “And we can’t thank you all enough.”

Marque Reese, also known as The Milla, won best photographer for the second year in a row. He humbly accepted the award.

“I appreciate it,” he said, “I’m just being me, so I guess that’s the good part about it. Hopefully that support stays.”

This year’s banquet attendants also entered a raffle with prizes provided by businesses.

Raffle donations came from a number of area businesses, including The Spearman Agency, Red Letter Gems, Hog-N-Bones, Southern Pickers, Plantation 59, Central Jewelers, Pit Stop Barbecue, Surcheros, Belle’s Flower Truck, Annie’s Place, Bob’s Flowers, Babcock Furniture & More, Luxury Nails, K+B Flooring, Walls of Books, Fig Leaves, Asahi Xpress, 41 & Main and ESG Operations.

A full list of the first place winners follows.

Business & Shopping

• New Automotive Dealer: Prince Automotive Group.

• Used Automotive Dealer: Prince Automotive Group.

• Computer Store: Staples.

• Auto Body Shop: Michael Moore’s Auto Paint & Body.

• Drug Store: Moon’s Pharmacy.

• Grocery Store: Publix.

• Men’s Store: The Big Store.

• Women’s Store: The Big Store.

• Department Store: Belk.

• General Contractor: Jones Construction Co.

• Rental Store: A & S Rentals of Tifton.

• Car Wash: Goo Goo Car Wash.

• Children’s Store: Alphabet Soup.

• Bridal Store: Uniquely Yours.

• Uniform Store: Uniform Works.

• Gift Shop: Annie’s Place Gift Shop.

• Hardware Store: Citizen’s Hardware.

• Flooring/Carpet Store: The Floor Shoppe.

• Furniture Store: Badcock Home Furniture & More.

• Appliance Store: Brady’s Best Buys.

• Pawn Shop: Action Pawn.

• Insurance Company: State Farm.

• Quick Oil Change: Oilmasters.

• Tire Store: Southside Tire.

• Eye Wear: Tift Eye Care.

• Pool Company: Clearwater Pools & Spa.

• Florist: Murray’s Flower Gallery.

• Plant Nursery: Bob’s Flowers.

• Hair Styling Salon: Tina’s Hair Care.

• Day Care Center: Mother’s Love Child Care & Learning Center.

• Feed Store: Southland Grain LLC.

• Real Estate Agency: Advantage Realty Partners.

• Heating and Air Conditioning: Belk’s Heating & Air.

• Jewelry Store: Central Jewelers.

• Home Improvement: KB Flooring & Design.

• Shoe Store: The Big Store.

• Music Store: The Music Store.

• Antique Shop: Southern Pickers.

• Bargain Store: The Thrift Shop.

• Meat Store: Curtis Packing.

• Farm Equipment: Lasseter Tractor Company.

• Pet Grooming: Quailwood Animal Hospital

• Boutique: Plantation 59 Apparel Co.

• Tattoo Parlor: Embody Art.

• Home Décor: Red Letter Gems

• Book Store: Walls of Books.

Food, Drink &

Entertainment

• Place for Lunch: Dave’s Bread & Coffee House.

• Deli: Mi-Lady Bakery.

• Family Restaurant: Golden Corral.

• Seafood Restaurant: Charles Seafood.

• Chinese Restaurant: King Buffet.

• Steakhouse: Pit Stop BBQ.

• Mexican Restaurant: Surcheros.

• Ice Cream: Shady Lane Drive Inn.

• Country Cooking: Ole Times Country Buffet.

• Bakery: Mi-Lady Bakery.

• Pizza Place: Chicago Pizza & Pasta.

• BBQ: Pit Stop BBQ.

• Cup of Coffee: Espresso 41.

• Breakfast: Hog-N-Bones.

• Burger: Espresso 41.

• Hot Dog: Shady Lane.Drive Inn.

• Pub/Bar: The Pub.

• Fried Chicken: Ole Times County Buffet.

• Buffet: Golden Corral.

• Milk Shake: Dairy Queen.

• Sandwich: Checkers.

• Catering Service: B.J. Smith’s Events & Catering.

• Produce: Southern Pride Produce.

• Japanese Restaurant: Asahi Express Japanese Steak House & Seafood.

• Chicken Sandwich: Chick-fil-A.

• Breakfast Biscuit: Hog-N-Bones.

• Fast Food: Checkers.

• Package Store: Frosty’s.

People, Places, &

Services

• Senior Living Facility: Maple Court.

• Financial Advisor: 31 North Wealth Management.

• Drycleaner: Kelly’s Fashion Dry Cleaner.

• Walk in Clinic: Quick

Care, LLC.

• Dance Studio: Carolyn Ellis School of Dance.

• Lawnmower Repair: Chris’ Mower Clinic.

• Apartment: Huntington Apartments.

• Pest Control: Astro Exterminating.

• Dentist: Dr. Buddy Cawley.

• Pediatrician: Dixie Griffin.

• Pharmacist: Dr. William I. Posey (Tifton Drugs).

• Realtor: Randy Clements.

• Insurance Agent: Darrell Spikes.

• Attorney: John S. “Sandy” Sims, Jr.

• Nail Salon: Luxury Nails & Spa.

• Bank: Colony Bank.

• Health Club/Gym: Tiftarea YMCA.

• Doctor: Dr. Brent A. Savelli.

• Plumber: Central Plumbing.

• Car Repair Shop: Grimes Auto Service, Inc.

• Accountant: Joe Manning.

• Veterinarian: Dr. J. Curtis Branch, III.

• Appliance Repair: Ford Appliance Care Service.

• Chiropractor: Robert S.

Reid, DC.

• Optometrist: Carlos Ortiz.

• College/University/Technical School: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

• Orthodontist: Smile Doctors.

• Landscaping: The Yard Masters

• Vinyl Siding: Tifton Vinyl Siding & Supply.

• House Painter: David

Gibbs Painting.

• Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites.

• Phone Repair: Plant Telecommunications.

• Photographer: Milla Creationsz Photography.

• Spa/Massage: Therapeutic Massage.

• Monument Company: Tifton Monument Company.