Hundreds headed to Howard Beach on Thursday for a night of networking, food and fun to celebrate this year’s businesses voted the best in the “World’s Borough.”
Russo’s on the Bay was the site of the 2018 Bethpage Best of the Boro winners party on Jan. 25, where winning business owners and their friends and families enjoyed a celebratory evening of dinner, dancing and mingling. Now in its sixth year, the Best of the Boro program is a coveted award reserved for Queens’ best businesses as determined by the public.
“You are all the core of the community,” Schneps Communications Co-Publisher Victoria Schneps told attendees. “We love to hear about the great things that you’re doing.”
The program is now sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union — the largest credit union in the northeast — which offers the community a full range of banking products including checking, savings, credit cards, mortgages and loans.
“We have been sponsoring the Best of the Boro the last two years and we have seen the program grow,” said Cania Infante from Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “Every year we see a lot more people in the room, so we’re really proud to be a part of it.”
QNS spoke with some of the winners at the event about the significance of winning “Best of the Boro.”
David Fuggetta, a doctor at Rockwood Park Chiropractor in Howard Beach, said this year’s contest brought the first nomination and win for the business, which won in the Health and Wellness Category.
“We have excellent staff and we treat every patient as if they are a family member,” Fuggeta said. “We hope to serve even more health-conscious people and people seeking alternative medicines and natural solutions.”
Ramona Ciobanu, who serves as the educational director at Soccer Kids NYC, said the business has won “Best Soccer Club” for the second year in a row.
“It’s very rewarding to see the progress of the kids and the program has been doing phenomenally,” she said. “The quality of work we provide sets us apart. The kids love [the program], and the families love it, too.”
Bayside-based Architects Rule, PC won “Best Architect” for the second year in a row, according to business owner Paul Athineos.
“We use a lot of social media and when people visit our page, they see [Best of the Boro] and they recognize that,” he said. “It generates talk and interest.”
Hundreds of Bethpage Best of the Boro awards were issued in categories including Bars & Nightlife, Home & Garden, Shopping and Services. See the full list of winners by visiting the Best of the Boro website.
