We live in a pretty amazing place, don’t we? We can take in beautiful river views, check off some errands, enjoy a delicious meal and be home in time for the evening news. At St. Croix Valley Magazine, we’re about celebrating our neighbors and communities with each and every issue and Instagram post. But each year, we set aside a whole month for celebrating the créme de la créme in our “Best of” issue. You rally your friends to nominate and vote for your favorites, and we tell the world what makes these local businesses so great. Without further ado, here’s your Best of the St. Croix Valley 2019:
FOOD
Best Patio Dining
Pier 500, Hudson
Runners-up: Dock Cafe, Stillwater, and San Pedro Cafe, Hudson
READ MORE: St. Croix Valley's Best Patio Dining Provides an 'Unforgettable Experience'
Best Restaurant
San Pedro Cafe, Hudson
Runners-up: Phil’s Tara Hideaway, Stillwater, and Lolo American Kitchen and Craft Bar, Stillwater
Best Tavern/Bar/Brewery
Agave Kitchen, Hudson
Runners-up: Barker’s Bar & Grill, Hudson, and Lift Bridge Brewing Co.
READ MORE: Stillwater Speakeasy Serves Up Summer Gin Cocktails
Best Breakfast
Oasis Cafe, Stillwater
Runners-up: Not Justa Cafe, Bayport, Minn., and San Pedro Cafe, Hudson
HOMES
Best Builder
Derrick Custom Homes, New Richmond, Wis.
Runners-up: Creative Homes, Heritage Greens, Hudson, and Hartman Homes, Hudson
READ MORE: 'Nothing Less Than Spectacular': Clients Praise St. Croix Valley's Best Builder
Best Remodeler
Derrick Custom Homes, New Richmond, Wis.
Runners-up: Cates Fine Homes, Stillwater, and Bruce Lenzen Design and Build, Hudson
Best Interior Designer
Marianne Buckman (Cocobello Interiors), Hudson
Runners-up: Kelli Kaufer (Kelli Kaufer Designs), Stillwater, and Chris Dillingham (Hello the House), Hudson
Best Landscape Designer
Willow River Co. Landscaping & Tree Farm, Hudson
Runners-up: Abrahamson Landscape Design Nursery, Stillwater, and Sarah’s Cottage Creations, Stillwater
READ MORE: Mulch It Good and Other Advice from One of St. Croix Valley's Best Landscape Designers
Best Senior Living Residence
Boutwells Landing Senior Living, Bayport, Minn.
Runners-up: Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living, Hudson, and Woodland Hill Senior Living Community, Hudson
Best Home Furnishings Store
Simonet’s Furniture
Runners-up: Hirshfield’s, Warners’ Stellian
HEALTH
Best Fitness Studio/Yoga Studio/Gym
YMCA, Hudson
Runners-up: Riverfront Athletic Club, Hudson, and Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping, Stillwater
READ MORE: 3 Ways to Work Out with the Family This Summer
Best Dental Practice
Park Dental St. Croix Valley, Stillwater
Runners-up: Stillwater Family Dental, Stillwater, and St. Croix Kidds Pediatric Dentistry, Hudson
Best Orthodontic Practice
Sletten & Brettin Orthodontics, Hudson
Runners-up: Sletten & Brettin Orthodontics, Stillwater, and Valley Orthodontics, Hudson
Best Chiropractic Practice
McCabe Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Hudson
Runners-up: Croixview Family Chiropractic, Hudson, and Stillwater Family Chiropractic, Stillwater
Best Pediatric Practice
Stillwater Medical Group, Stillwater
Runners-up: Hudson Physicians, Hudson, and Pediatric and Young Adult Medicine, Hudson
Best Eye Practice
Associated Eye Care, Stillwater
Runners-up: Christenson Vision Care, Hudson, and Pearle Vision, Hudson
READ MORE: How to Choose Glasses That Fit Your Look
Best Dermatology Practice
Advanced Dermatology Care, Stillwater
Runners-up: St. Croix Dermatology, Stillwater, and St. Croix Skincare, Hudson
Best Medspa
St. Croix Skincare, Hudson
Runners-up: Stillwater Skin Medical Spa, Stillwater, and Rejuvenate Skin & Laser Clinic, Hudson
READ MORE: A Beginner's Guide to Skin Care from St. Croix Valley's Best MedSpa
Best Salon/Spa
Just for Me “The Spa”, Stillwater
Runners-up: Two Redheads and a Wolf, Hudson, and Viva Voce Salon, Hudson
RETAIL
Best Apparel Boutique
One:Nine Boutique
Runners-up: La Rue Marché, Hudson, and Fun Sisters, Stillwater
Best Gift Shop
The Purple Tree, Hudson
Runners-up: Alfresco Casual Living, Stillwater, and Valley Bookseller, Stillwater
READ MORE: These Host/Hostess Gifts from the Purple Tree Will Surely Get You Invited Back
Best Florist
Hudson Flower Shop, Hudson
Runners-up: Rose Floral, Stillwater, and Forget Me Not, Stillwater
Best Specialty Foods/Kitchen Store
Knoke’s Chocolates & Nuts, Hudson
Runners-up: Brine’s Market & Deli, Stillwater, and Candyland, Stillwater
KIDS & FAMILY
Best Doggy Daycare/Kennel
Paws and Claws Pet Resort, Hudson
Runners-up: Animal Inn Pet Resort & Spa, Lake Elmo, Minn., and Under One Woof, Stillwater
Best Private Preschool/Childcare
Trinity Academy of Hudson, Hudson
Runners-up: Bethel Highlands Lutheran Preschool, Hudson, and Sunny Hill Preschool, First United Methodist, Stillwater
Best Law Firm
Eckberg Lammers, Attorneys at Law, Stillwater
Runners-up: Lommen Abdo Law Firm, Hudson, and Wagner Law, Hudson
Best Veterinary Practice
Stillwater Veterinary Clinic, Stillwater
Runners-up: Croix Valley Veterinary Hospital, Hudson, and Hillcrest Animal Hospital, Hudson
Best Learning/Tutoring Center
Mathnasium of Hudson, Hudson
Runners-up: Huntington Learning Center, Stillwater, and Mathnasium of Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Minn.
Best Place for Kids’ Activities
Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park, St. Croix Falls, Wis.
Runners-up: Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, and YMCA, Hudson
READ MORE: Phipps Center for the Arts Offers Plenty of Summer Fun
Do you wonder who determines what’s best in our communities? You do! Want to know more about how this year's Best of St. Croix Valley came together? Click here.
