We asked, you answered — and the result is the 2010 Best of Gwinnett issue. From the best hangouts, hot spots, shops, businesses and places to eat, ten of thousands of Gwinnettians and our editors weighed in on the must-haves or must-dos Gwinnett has to offer. So don’t waste any time — let this issue be your go-to guide for anything and everything Gwinnett all year long.

Welcome Home
Best Homebuilder
Best Realtor
Best Interior Decorator/Design Firm
Best Furniture Store
Best Landscaping Firm
Best Home Services and Maintenance
Best Neighborhood
Best Apartment Community
Best Retirement Community
Best General Contractor

‎Working Hard for the Money
Best Employer
Best Business Address
Best Office Park
Best Accounting Firm
Best Bank
Best Law Firm
Best Staffing Agency
Best Customer Service
Best Place for a Business Meeting or Retreat
Best Power Lunch
Best Facilities Maintenance and Service
Best IT Service
Best Hotel

Chow Time!
Best Barbecue
Best Pizza
Best Seafood
Best Sushi
Best Chinese Food
Best Mexican Food
Best Cup of Coffee
Best Supermarket

Chillin’ with the Gang
Best Happy Hour
Best Sports Bar
Best Concert Venue
Best Local Entertainer
Best Movie Theater
Best Golf Course

Relax and Rejuvenate
Best Salon
Best Dry Cleaner
Best Tanning Salon
Best Spa

Shop Til’ You Drop
Best Mall
Best Place to Buy a Computer
Best Clothing Store for Women
Best Clothing Store for Men

Lucky in Love
Best Restaurant for Romance
Best Jeweler
Best Place to Buy Flowers
Best Place for a Wedding
Best Photographer

Rev Your Engines
Best Auto Dealer/Best Place to Buy A Car
Best Auto Mechanic
Best Car Wash

Immerse Yourself in Gwinnett’s Culture
Best Place for People Watching
Best Artistic/Cultural Scene
Best Social or Charity Event

Spending Time with Those You Love
Best Child-Friendly Restaurant
Best Place to Take the Kids
Best Local Festival
Best Park
Best Summer Activity
Best Clothing Store for Children
Best School Field Trip
Best Childcare
Best Family Activity

Man’s Best Friend
Best Veterinarian
Best Place to Board a Pet

Getting Involved
Best Downtown
Best Local Charity
Favorite Elected Official

Healthy Lifestyle
Best Place to Workout
Best Pediatrician
Best Physician/Practice
Best Dental Practice
Best Orthodontist
Best Chiropractor

Wildcard Winners

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Bright Water

A home is defined differently to each person. It can be called an investment, treasured sanctuary, center of the family or a place to get the best cooking around – mom’s.

So, when it comes time to make your biggest investment — your home — you want to make sure you’re working with the best, even with a tight budget. From custom-built houses to furnishing your home, finding the best realtor or best landscaper, trust our readers’ recommendations on the go-to services for your future home.

Our readers voted Bowen Family Homes as one of the best homebuilders in Gwinnett. Unfortunately, because of these challenging economic times, Bowen Family Homes had to close their doors on October 29. We honor them for their commitment to serving the community for 40-plus years.

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Lake Lanier Islands Resort's Legacy Lodge & Convention Center

Gwinnett ranks high among international and domestic businesses as an excellent environment for growth, innovation, knowledge and sustainability. Within this past year, two companies – NCR and Asbury Automotive – relocated their businesses to Gwinnett, which makes us the only county in this country to get two Fortune 500 companies in one year, according to the Gwinnett Chamber. For the people living in Gwinnett, this translates to more jobs, which equals greater employment and opportunity. The following include our readers’ choices on the companies where they enjoy going to work.

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Shane's Rib Shack

Gwinnettians love food! But after a long day of work and play, the last thing you want to come home to is the chore of cooking dinner. Today, going out to eat is common for the modern American family’s busy lifestyle.  A current restaurant association survey indicated diners increasingly view restaurants as extensions of their own homes.

Luckily, with everything from Chinese to Mexican food, barbecue to sushi and pizza to seafood, Gwinnett’s restaurants can satisfy anybody’s palate, even those with the most exquisite taste buds. Eating out in our community gives the American family a break from the dirty dishes and the opportunity to enjoy quality time together.

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McCray's Tavern on the Square

In challenging times, it’s important to have fun with your family and friends. Gwinnett has everything from places to get your favorite cocktail to convenient local venues to enjoy live music with the family. Our readers tell us their favorite ways to stay entertained right here in Gwinnett.

❯❯  Best Happy Hour

Looking for a great place to have after work drinks or maybe a spot to chill on the weekends? Whether you’re a wine or beer lover, these spots are the best places for the 21 and over crowd: Bahama Breeze, Marlow’s Tavern, McCray’s Tavern on the Square, Olde Towne Tavern & Grill and Taco Mac.

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Miracles of Massage

You don’t need an excuse to indulge. With the increase stresses of today’s world, it is important to take the time out to pamper yourself. Spas and salons are places where individuals can get a wide range of health and beauty treatments that are meant to relax and relieve the person from stress and strain. Studies have shown these benefits can translate into your day-to-day lives by providing better physical and mental health, including quality sleep and fewer sick days. Our readers have discovered Gwinnett’s best places to treat themselves.

❯❯  Best Salon

Need a new do and your current hair salon is not cutting it? Try these local salons that will create a new you in no time: Anazao Salon, Bella Fiore´ Hair Salon, Kathy Adams Salon, Salon 124 and Studio 93 Salon.

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Are you diagnosed shopaholic? Do you search the Sunday paper for the great weekly deals? Well, no need to travel to Atlanta, get your fix at the top boutiques and malls are located right here in Gwinnett.

❯❯  Best Mall

Gwinnett malls are shoppers’ top destination from everything to chocolate to shoes, candles to outdoor equipment and music to designer brands. Do a mall crawl at Discover Mills, Gwinnett Place Mall, Mall of Georgia, The Avenue Webb Gin and The Forum.

❯❯  Best Place to Buy a Computer

Get connected with this year’s top technology! Check out the iPad or learn about Windows 7 at Apple Store, Best Buy and Fry’s Electronics.

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Carl House

We’re all intrigued by love. Being in love, falling in love and staying in love. Here are few facts about love you may not have known. Couples’ personalities converge over time to make partners more and more similar. The oldest known love song was written 4,000 years ago. Men who kiss their wives in the morning live five years longer than those who don’t. (Hint, Hint!) Finally, having a romantic relationship with someone makes both genders happier – the stronger the commitment, the greater the happiness! With love in the air, the following are our readers’ favorite­­­ places for romance or companies that will help you plan the big day!

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Do cars boggle your mind? Does just thinking about buying a new car get you confused? There are so many choices: new or used; diesel, gas or hybrid; standard or automatic; four-wheel or all-wheel drive and the list goes on. Then, you have to find a reliable mechanic. Forget the hassle and make your decision an easy one, pick from our reader choices for the best in Gwinnett’s auto industry.

❯❯  Best Auto Dealer/Best Place to Buy a Car

If you’re in the market to buy a new vehicle, you want to visit a trustworthy dealership. Our readers did the legwork for you.  Check out their suggestions including Atlanta Classic Cars, Gwinnett Place Honda, Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Infiniti of Gwinnett and Nash Chevrolet.

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Downtown Duluth

The best way to understand a community is to get involved socially in its culture. Research shows that pursuing worthy causes makes you a well-rounded individual, is a fantastic stress reliever and provides a sense of self worth. Clear your schedule today and take a look at these top picks that contribute to Gwinnett’s community culture.

❯❯  Best Place for People Watching

Are you a self-proclaimed people watcher? See the most interesting characters at Gwinnett Braves Games, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, Mall of Georgia and Suwanee Town Center Park.

❯❯  Best Artistic/Cultural Scene

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