Over twenty years ago, Seven Days initiated the 'best-of' Vermont highlights awards. Today, with over 240 categories and two rounds of voting, the Daysies’ mission continues to illuminate the excellence of our state. Randolph stands out with its energetic entrepreneurial spirit, making significant contributions to Vermont's greatness.
To make it easier for those looking to support our local businesses, below is a list of all the categories in which a Randolph business is up for a Daysie with "category direct voting links" to make voting easy peasy. This will enable you to vote directly without having to search the entire Seven Daysies list, which would take a long time. The finalist with the most votes in each category wins the award.
A quick look at the demographics reveals that Burlington, being the most populous city in Vermont, naturally attracts more votes in this contest. However, this doesn’t mean that the rest of the state is lacking in noteworthy enterprises. In fact, Randolph-based businesses are making their mark, vying for recognition against stiff competition from Burlington in 14 of our nominated categories - 4 more than last year.
In addition to the statewide competition, Seven Days categorizes finalists into two other groups: those “within Chittenden County” (where Burlington is located) and those “outside Chittenden County [OCC].” This division is crucial when there is a significant number of top contenders both within and outside the Burlington area. There are 13 Randolph business nominations in OCC categories (5 more than last year), bringing the total Daysie nominations to 27.
Let’s rally behind our Randolph businesses! Remember, it’s a numbers game! The more people who vote, the better the chances of winning. So, spread the word and help our excellent nominees bring home the Daysies!
Randolph's Finalists
Bowling Alley: Valley Bowl
(pictured from left: Wayne Warner and Karen Morris, Owners)
Randolph's Valley Bowl is also home to Prince St. Cafe and Karen's Pro Shop. Valley Bowl offers excellent bowling and birthday celebrations. Oh, and let's not forget that Randolph Union High School's varsity bowling team regularly plays here and recently took home the Vermont State Champs trophy! That's a partnership worthy of a Daysie in my book. Other finalists: Spare Time Entertainment, Stowebowl, and Twin City Family Fun Center. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Bank/Credit Union: Northfield Savings Bank (all in-state)
(Pictured from left: Kaitlyn Sargent, Community Banker, Michele D. Crochiere, Community Banking Officer, and Kirstin Rogers, Sr. Community Banker)
Randolph's Northfield Savings Bank branch is one of two banks serving our community. They provide full-service banking to individuals, families, and businesses. Other finalists: EastRise CU, Mascoma Bank, North Country Federal CU, and Vermont Federal CU. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Locally Owned Craft Store: Brainstorm Art Supply
(Pictured: Jeannie Catmull, Owner)
Randolph's Brainstorm Art Supply has a rapidly growing following within our arts community. They offer classes and various instruction and partner with other galleries, like Chandler Center for the Arts, to showcase the work of hundreds of artists. Jeannie's craft store is full of everything the artist needs to create! They are a true collaborator worthy of a Daysie! Other finalists: Notion Fabric & Craft, Studio Store, and Yankee Pride Quilts. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Cannabis Dispensary - OCC: Polestar
(Pictured from left: Cody Schellong, Jonathan Erdman, Dena Harris, and Adam Blanchard)
Randolph's Polestar Cannabis carefully crafts and curates the finest selection of flowers, edibles, tinctures, and tonics to share with our community and visitors. Other finalists: Capital Cannabis Co., Zenbarn Farms, Juana's Garden Cannabis, and Forbin's Reserve. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Bike Shop - OCC: Gear House
(Pictured: Rob Leeson, Owner)
Randolph's The Gear House is central Vermont's newest full-service bike shop and outdoor gear store and the epicenter of active, healthy living in our town. Their picturesque, hemlock-lined, rebuilt VT-style building is also home to Ridgeline Outdoor Collective's trail hub. A partnership that merits a Daysie! Other finalists: Bicycle Express, Bootlegger Bikes, Onion River Outdoors, and Vermont Bicycle Shop. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Published Author- Courtney and Clarke Collins
(Pictured from left: Courtney and Clarke Collins, Authors)
Courtney and Clarke Collins are 16+ year residents of Randolph. Earlier this year, their first book in a planned trilogy, IN THE NAME OF HONOR, was published (January 2025, Shadow Spark Publishing). Their adult fantasy book has already obtained two BookFest top awards and a 5-star trade review from Reader's Favorite. Other Finalists: Chris Bohjalian, Gina Tron, and Thea Lewis. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Small Live Music Hotspot - OCC: The Underground
(Pictured: Vincent Freeman, Owner)
Randolph's The Underground is a listening-room-style venue where the performers really do come first. Located next to The Underground Recording Studio, it hosts live concerts and other performance arts almost every weekend. From folk to jazz to funk, all musicians and fans can find their place here. Other finalists: Bent Nails Bistro, Afterthoughts, Charlie-O's, and Zenbarn. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Trivia Night: wit & grit
(Pictured from left: Cassidy Dezan , Chef, and Hannah Arias, Owner)
Randolph's wit & grit serves breakfast and lunch classics with unique style. They are deeply committed to giving back to the community, and TRIVIA is their game! Here's one: How many nominations did they get this year? More than any other Randolph business! Six Daysie Awards would be the coolest. Other finalists: Alfie's Wild Ride, Charlie-O's, Four Quarters Brewing, Vermont Comedy Club, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Performing Arts Venue - OCC: Chandler Center for the Arts
(Pictured: Chloe Powell, Executive Director)
Randolph's Chandler Center for the Arts' mission is to strengthen and energize our community, and they do a great job bringing us together. Let's not take central Vermont's important cultural center for granted. Let's get them a Daysie! Other finalists: Barre Opera House, Paramount Theatre, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, and Town Hall Theater. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Art Gallery - OCC: ART, etc.
(Pictured: Andrea Melville, Owner)
Randolph's Art, etc., is a friend to every emerging artist in our community. The gallery curations are thoughtful and always a breath of fresh air. You'll need to wait in a long line to secure a spot in her shop to show your work, but it's worth it! Andrea welcomes everyone and makes us all feel special. She's definitely Daysie-worthy! Other finalists: Bryan Memorial Gallery, The Current, Edgewater Gallery, and Northwood Gallery. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Pembroke Bakery
(Pictured: Courtney G., CEO & Founder)
Randolph’s Pembroke Bakery has been serving up treats that are not just gluten-free but also incredibly delicious. The duo behind Pembroke, Courtney and Tyler, have poured their heart and soul into every bake. From the head baker to the delivery driver, from the marketing officer to the cheerleader, they’ve worn many hats, all with one goal—to ensure you can have your cookie and eat it too! That’s why she’s spent countless hours perfecting her recipes so you won’t miss the gluten. Other finalists: Aromas of India, ecobean, Jules on the Green, and West Meadow Farm. Go vote! Category direct voting link
Best Maple Syrup: Silloway Maple
(Pictured from left: Marilyn Lambert, and Paul Lambert)
Randolph's Silloway Maple has been sugaring since 1940. Their award-winning maple syrup is known far and wide due to its outstanding quality and innovative approaches to production. Paul manages the sugarwoods, and Marilyn does all the boiling and manages the creemee business. You two totally rock! Other finalists: Baird Farm, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, Palmer Lane Maple, Palmer's Sugarhouse. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Breakfast/Brunch - OCC: wit & grit
(Pictured: Hannah Arias, Owner)
Randolph's wit & grit serves breakfast and lunch classics with unique style. They are deeply committed to giving back to the community. Try their ruth bader gins-burger - it's a Daysie winner! Other finalists: 158 Main, 3 Squares Cafe, Maxi's, and Wayside Restaurant. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Locally Owned Grocery - OCC: Chef’s Market
(Pictured: Tammy & Scott Aronson, Owners)
Randolph's Chef's Market offers fresh produce and provisions, most of which are organic, local, and ethically sourced. They also serve breakfast and lunch, takeout, or dining upstairs or outside. Their Eggs Romanoff is perfect! Let's help them best the competition and bring home a Daysie! Other finalists: Hunger Mountain Co-op, Mehuron's Supermarket, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, and The Roots Farm Market. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Sweets Bakery - OCC: Windy Lane
(Pictured: Kelsey Wolfe, Owner)
Randolph's Windy Lane Bakehouse is the hit of our town on Saturday mornings. You can smell their brioche cinnamon rolls from Main Street! Rich dough, spiced brown sugar filling, and cream cheese glaze—they literally melt in your mouth. Their sweet & savory hand pies are amazing, and, oh, the cakes! Other finalists: Birchgrove Baking, Bohemian Bakery, Red Hen Baking Co., and Red House Sweets. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Fare: Bent Hill
(Pictured from left: Ethan Bernier, Chef, Erin Czok, Prep Cook, Nathan Bacon, Bartender, Jordan Taylor, Brewer, and Michael Czok, Owner)
Bent Hill Brewery serves the best vegetarian food in Central Vermont, in my humble opinion. The Pulled “Pork” Sliders made with 1000 Stone Farm lion's mane mushrooms are out of this world, and their Kale Caesar Salad with shredded parm and croutons is scrumptious. As a matter of fact, everything on their menu is chock-full of flavor, and there's no shortage of craft beer to pair with. Other finalists: Aromas of India, ecobean, Fancy's, Pingala Cafe, and Zabby & Elf's Stone Soup. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Breakfast Sandwich: wit & grit
Randolph's wit & grit serves breakfast and lunch classics with unique style. They are deeply committed to giving back to the community and make the best breakfast sandwich ever, known as 'the breakwich!' The breakwich comes with an egg, Vermont cheddar, taters, choice of bacon or sausage, and choice of spicy or garlic aioli, served on a rustic roll. It's spicy for me! Other finalists: August First, Burlington Bagel Bakery, the Cafe HOT, and Kountry Kart Deli. Go vote! Category direct link.
Best Bagel - OCC: Wee Bird Bagel Cafe
(Pictured from left: Amanda Ukasick, Barista, Dana Winters, Cook and Barista, Sydney Deitrick, Barista, and Chelsea Brown, Owner/Baker)
Randolph's Wee Bird Cafe has perfected its house-made bagels. Hand-rolled, boiled, and baked fresh daily, they are absolutely out of this world. Most days, they sell them all, so you better get there before noon, or you might miss their most popular ones. Their cheddar jalapeno bagel with veggie shmear is one of many combinations worthy of a Daysie! Other finalists: K.C. Bagel Cafe, Maria's Bagels, Middlebury Bagel & Deli, and Wally's Place. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Craft Brewing - OCC: Bent Hill
(Pictured from left: Ethan Bernier, Chef, Erin Czok, Prep Cook, Nathan Bacon, Bartender, Jordan Taylor, Brewer, and Michael Czok, Owner)
Our friends at Bent Hill Brewery know beer! They're the smallest craft brewer in the running against a few seasoned behemoths. Everybody loves an underdog! My favorites are Hops Rule Everything Around Me - Double IPA, their lager 'Dialed in by Daylight,' or their intense stout 'Chili Coconut Cinnamon with Jalapenos.' My wife loves their sour ale 'Ethereal,' aged on black currants, vanilla, and thyme. Good luck - you deserve the Daysie! Other finalists: 14th Star Brewing Co., The Alchemist, Hill Farmstead Brewery, and Lawson's Finest Liquids. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Family Restaurant: wit & grit
(Pictured from left: Cassidy Dezan, Chef, and Hannah Arias, Owner)
Happily serving locals, travelers, and passers-by, from their mini donuts to intoxicating beverages, there really is something for every member of your family to enjoy. Other finalists: American Flatbread, Jericho Cafe & Tavern, Piecasso family Pizzeria, and Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Chef: Cassidy Dezan wit & grit
(Pictured from left: Cassidy Dezan, Chef, and Hannah Arias, Owner)
Congrats Cassidy! What a great list of finalists. Wow. Randolph's wit & grit serves breakfast and lunch classics with unique style. They are deeply committed to giving back to the community. Cassidy makes sure all their fun dishes are consistently delicious. Other finalists: Avery Buck (May Day), Jordan Ware (Frankie's), Phoebe Bright (Blue Paddle Bistro), and Robert Smith III (Stary Night Cafe). Go vote! Category direct link.
Best Thai Restaurant: Saap
(Pictured from left: Nisachon (Rung) Morgan and Steve Morgan, Chef-Owners)
Randolph's Saap is a chef-owned, family-run 80-seat restaurant serving Northern Thai-inspired cuisine in the historic Kimball House. Rung Morgan is a 2022 James Beard Best Chef winner! They are committed to fostering relationships on many levels with the community and are strong supporters of local businesses. Other finalists: Thai House, Thai Smile, Tiny Thai, and Wilaiwans. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Coffee Shop - OCC: Wee Bird Bagel Cafe
(Pictured from left: Amanda Ukasick, Barista, Dana Winters, Cook and Barista, Sydney Deitrick, Barista, and Chelsea Brown, Owner/Baker)
Randolph's Wee Bird Cafe knows how to make a cup of coffee or Chai if that's your cup of tea. Other finalists: Capital Grounds, Catalyst Coffee Bar, Royal Oak Coffee, Stowe Street Cafe, and Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Recording Studio: The Underground
(Pictured: Vincent Freeman, Owner)
Randolph's The Underground Recording Studio is hugely popular with aspiring artists. Musicians from around the state and beyond come to Randolph to collaborate with Vincent because he's that good! Other finalists: Guilford, Jer&Co., Tank Recording Studio, and West Street Digital Recording. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Creemee - OCC: Silloway Maple
(Pictured from left: Marilyn Lambert, and Paul Lambert)
Randolph's Silloway Maple has been sugaring since 1940. Their award-winning maple syrup is known far and wide due to its outstanding quality and innovative approaches to production. Paul manages the sugarwoods and Marilyn does all the boiling and manages the creemee business - the most important Seven Daysies category by far! You can easily taste the win for Silloway. Other finalists: Baird Farm, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, Palmer Lane Maple, Palmer's Sugarhouse. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
*Best Record Store - Speaking Volumes
(Pictured: Norbert Ender, Owner)
Randolph's newest local business is Speaking Volumes. Norbert Ender is already active in our community and is turning the old grain mill building into an eccentric place to shop and hang out. His book, record, and ephemera store is open, and folks love it! Thanks for coming to Randolph Norbert! *It's his Burlington store that's a finalist, but, hey, we should still support him. Other finalists: Automn Records, Buch Spieler Records, Burlington Records and Pure Pop Records. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
Best Restaurant - OCC: wit & grit
(Pictured: Hannah Arias, Owner)
Wit & Grit is amazing. What else can we say? To be a finalist in the category of "Best Restaurant" is an honor and well deserved! Hannah works exceptionally hard, and her staff are friendly and professional. The food is everything you could imagine. You should try the "pile o' taters" - it's gluten-free. Other finalists: Blue Paddle Bistro, Sarducci's, Stary Night Cafe, and The Tillerman. Go vote! Category direct voting link.
You can only vote once, but forward this blogpost link to your family and friends to boost everyone’s chances! Voting begins May 27 and runs through June 10.
