The readers have spoken: 2024 Readers Choice ceremony honors area standouts

ALBANY – Nearly 300 area businesses and individuals were recognized on Thursday for excellence, as voted on by their peers in the region, during the 2024 Albany Herald Readers Choice awards ceremony.

The awards covered achievements in categories as varied as Best Desserts, Best Waxing Studio, Best Fundraising Event, Best Restaurant, Best Local Theater Group, Best Nurse and Best Local Hip Hop Artist. The 2024 edition of Readers Choice was held at Pretoria Fields Brewery in downtown Albany.

“The Herald is honored to continue this tradition,” Herald National Account Manager Phil Cody said. “This is our way of honoring the businesses in our community and being involved in our community.”

For Grace Life Marketing, the award recognized the work of six years in business, owner Corey Holman said. Located at 2303 Dawson Road, Grace Life offers a full array of marketing services.

“I’m actually excited,” Holman said. “I didn’t know we were nominated in this particular category. We are grateful for the opportunity.”

The Readers Choice awards have been presented for 15 years, and represents the votes of readers making their voice known in support of their favorites in the community. Some 296 awards were presented on Thursday.

The award for Best Fitness Center for Tribal Fitness could continue the rapid acceleration for the business, said Vince Cruz, who accepted the award for his brother Vern Cruz, who owns the 2510 Archwood Drive facility.

Cruz said his brother’s motto is “Find your tribe,” and that seems to be the case for Tribal Fitness.

“It doubled in size in a year because of the support of the community,” he said. “We’ve been at Archwood Plaza for three years. The first spot, we grew out of in a year.”