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Darke County attractions and activities picked up a whopping nine “Best of Ohio” wins, and Logan County and Miami County also were well-represented, with Miami County snagging “Best Fine Dining” (Coldwater Cafe) and “Best Summer Festival” (Troy Strawberry Festival) awards.
In Dayton and Montgomery County, the 2nd Street Market and Rose Music Center were repeat winners, and Mikesell’s scored the top award for “Best Ohio-made Food.” Butler County has the best college town in the state (Oxford) and the best tourism trail (Butler County Donut Trail), according to the informal survey.
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Ohio Magazine also profiled a select few businesses that are not on the online list of 2020 ballot winners. One of those shout-outs was reserved for St. Anne the Tart in Dayton, which was praised as top “Rustic Bakery.” Here’s a taste of what the magazine said about St. Anne the Tart, which opened in March 2019 at 1500 E. Fifth St., and its neighborhood:
“The St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood near downtown Dayton is a charming historical district full of 19th-century homes, ample shade trees and eclectic eateries. St. Anne the Tart, a bakery and coffee shop, moved into a century-old former violin shop in the neighborhood in 2019, and the rustic-chic, Instagram-worthy spot has already turned into a second living room for many Dayton residents.”
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The bakery’s founder, Megan Smith, told this news outlet, “What an honor for our little spot in our first year, and for St. Anne’s Hill, to get much-deserved limelight!”
In the magazine’s “Food and Drink” categories, Miami Valley destinations snagged more than half of the “Best of Ohio” awards, including:
Farmers Market: 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton
Casual Dining: The Merchant House, 406 S. Broadway St., Greenville
Winery: The Winery at Versailles, 6572 St. Rte. 47, Versailles
Fine Dining: Coldwater Cafe, 19 E. Main St., Tipp City
Landmark Restaurant: The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, 125 N. Broadway St., Greenville
Ohio-Made Food: Mikesells' Potato Chips, Dayton
Outdoor Dining/Patio: Lincoln & Main, 624 N Main St., Urbana
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
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In the “Arts & Culture” and “Shopping” categories, the region brought home the gold in the following contests:
Historic Site: Bear's Mill, 6450 Arcanum-Bears Mill Road, Greenville
Historic Property: Piatt Castles, 10051 Twp. Rd. 47, West Liberty
Music Venue: Rose Music Center, Huber Heights
Independent Shop: PeachTree Boutique, 129 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine
Main Street Shopping: Downtown Greenville
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The Miami Valley — and especially Darke County —also performed well in the “Recreations,” “Attractions/Lodging” and “Fairs, Festivals & Parades” categories. Among the winners:
Bike Trail: Great Miami River Trail, Butler, Miami, Montgomery and Warren counties
Canoeing/Kayaking: Mad River Adventures, 605 Old Lower Valley Pike, Springfield
Winter Destination (Outdoors): Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Road, Zanesfield
Golf Course: Turtle Creek Golf Course, 6545 U.S. Rt. 36 E., Greenville
College Town: Oxford (Miami University), Butler County
Destination Spa: The Natural Path, 324 E. Third St., Greenville
Tourism Trail/Passport Program: Butler County Donut Trail, Butler County
Community Parade: Hometown Holiday Horse Parade, Downtown Greenville
County Fair: The Great Darke County Fair, Greenville
Food and Drink Festival: Minster Oktoberfest, Minster
Summer Festival: Troy Strawberry Festival, Downtown Troy
Ohio Magazine is a Cleveland-based travel and lifestyle publication that is printed monthly.
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