Best of Harrison County (West Virginia) winners recognized at awards ceremony

“This is the largest crowd we’ve had — it’s grown year over year. During the past five years, we’ve had more than 1.1 million votes by 152,000 voters,” WV News President Brian Jarvis said. “They have so many local customers around this area. As they see that engagement they have with their customers, with people voting for them, it really drives home how strong their business is.”

A trio of finalists was announced in each category before the Best of Harrison County winner was announced.

Sudsberry owner Leah Michael, a handful of employees and 7-year-old daughter Catherine accepted the award for Best Natural Product Distributors and Cannabis Dispensaries. The business operates as a storefront in Meadowbrook Mall.

“I’ve been open six years now, and this is the third year I was nominated,” Michael said. “It’s exciting to know that we have community backing and support. It means a lot — it’s encouraging.”

Michael, who formulated all the recipes of bath and body products she sells, started the business because her children have eczema.

SunDown Entertainment, owned by Denise and William Trader, was recognized as Best DJ for Hire.

“It’s a huge honor,” Denise Trader said. “It shows that our friends and clientele truly believe in us.”

The Stonewood business has operated for 12 years.

“It’s really fun, something we get to do together,” Denise Trader said. “We started it because he enjoyed playing music. There’s hardly anything we haven’t done.”

While she did not win an individual award and 2 Badazz Blondez Salon did not win Best Hair Salon in Harrison County, Randi White was glad to applaud fellow owner/stylist Shey Correro. Correro, who also worked with White at the former Hair Inc., won for Best Kids Haircuts.

“Just being nominated by my customers means a lot,” White said. “It means they appreciate me and the work that I do. Our customers feel like when they walk in, they’ve known us for years. It’s a very friendly atmosphere.”

Correro, who also won for Best Kids Cuts in 2021 and was runner-up in 2022, brought boyfriend Jacob Nagelski, six-year-old daughter Madalina, father Tony Correro and grandmother Virginia Baker to the ceremony.

About two dozen businesses and individuals who received Best of Harrison County awards the past five years in their respective categories also were honored Sunday.

Melissa Rose and Natasha Metz, who attended to represent Nardelli Audiology, received plaques for the fifth year in a row as Best Hearing Aid Provider/Audiologist.

“It’s super exciting,” said Rose, the owner of the business’s three locations and a certified audiologist. “We have easels for all of our plaques so we can talk about them with patients as they come in.”

Winners were congratulated by Jarvis, WV News Publisher Andy Kniceley and eight local dignitaries, including Harrison County Commissioners Susan Thomas, Patsy Trecost and David Hinkle, Harrison Sheriff Robert Matheny, Harrison Schools Superintendent Dora Stutler, Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, Nutter Fort Mayor Sam Maxson and Stonewood Mayor Jim Terango.

“I like to be involved in the community,” Thomas said. “This is a very good thing for the businesses. I’m a patron or know a lot of these businesses. I like to support local any chance I get.”

WV News also celebrates top-notch business owners in other markets, according to Jarvis, such as in Lewis County, Preston County and Garrett County, Maryland.

WV News’ newest publications will also join in on the recognitions in the future.