DULUTH — The 2026 Northland Best of the Best awards were officially presented on Thursday.
Winners and runners-up of the annual community contest convened at Bent Paddle Brewing to receive their award certificates. In addition to being photographed with their honors, attendees received custom award bags provided by Footprint Promotional along with bouquets from Engwall Flowers.
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Each award winner and runner-up was greeted and congratulated by Duluth News Tribune Publisher Neal Ronquist over the course of the event.
“It's just really fun to see all the great small businesses we have and how much they mean to this community,” Ronquist said. “This is just a small way for us to help recognize them.”
The first phase of the contest began in June when community members nominated their favorites in 136 categories ranging from "Best Bank" to "Best Bakery" and "Best Bicycle Shop."
Winners from each category ranged from first-timers to seasoned veterans, including discoverpc.NET Computer Solutions Center of Superior, which this year won its 10th consecutive award for Best Computer Repair Service in the Businesses and Services category.
Co-owners Tylor and Travos Elm pointed to th...