At long last, the results are in! This fall, we gave our readers an important task: to nominate their favorite businesses in the Bridgewater area. From there, we tallied the top three to five businesses in each category and gave our next call to action: to vote for the best! With thousands of votes cast in our 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards, we were astounded by the community support for Bridgewater-area businesses. Our 41 winners have earned the community’s trust through good business practices, great communication and high-quality results in their respective fields. This month, we celebrate them. Read on to learn more and find a few new businesses to support this year.
Best Realtor
The Michele Klug Team – Keller Williams, 222 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge
“More Than A Real Estate Team, We Are Committed To Your Financial Future!” The Michele Klug Team is dedicated to helping clients fulfill the American Dream of home ownership and building wealth by doing so.
Best Painter
Halo Painting Company, 50 Division St., Ste. 501, Somerville
Halo Painting Company is a family-owned business for over 30 years. They are dedicated to each customer and pride themselves on the best customer service and 100 percent satisfaction upon completion of each project.
Best Speech Therapist
The Bayles Family Speech Center, 191 Church Rd., Bridgewater
The Bayles Family Speech Center is a speech and language therapy practice specializing in the communication needs of children of all ages and adults under 65 located in a homey, warm environment.
Best Hair Salon
Color Me Chic, 18 Maiden Ln., Bound Brook
Color Me Chic is a Boho Luxe salon: boho Cali vibes mixed with New York City luxury. Our artists are masters of their craft who keep up with the latest trends and deliver a one-on-one experience.
Best Tutoring Center
Huntington Learning Center of Bridgewater, 676 Rte. 202-206 North, Bridgewater
Huntington Learning Center accelerates academic results in tutoring students from K-12, for test prep including reading, math, study skills, writing, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, HSEE, homework help, ADHD and state programs.
Best Country Club
Raritan Valley Country Club, 747 Rte. 28, Bridgewater
Raritan Valley Country Club offers a spectacular golf course, plus amenities—including a resort-style pool, tennis, pickleball, squash and exquisite dining options—youth activities and competitive golf, swimming and racquets programs.
Best Lash Studio
The Lash Lounge Chimney Rock, 336 Chimney Rock Rd., Bound Brook
The Lash Lounge uses extensive consultations to deliver customized services that support the integrity of guests’ natural lashes. They educate guests on how to maximize the benefits of its services and products.
Best Home Remodeler
Five Star Home Remodeling, 272 Farmer Rd., Bridgewater
Five Star Home Remodeling is Central New Jersey’s premier kitchen and bathroom remodeling company. It is a nationally recognized remodeling company with more than 30 years of industry experience.
Best Law Firm
Lawrence Law Divorce and Family Lawyers, 776 Mountain Blvd., Ste. 202, Watchung; 55 North Bridge Ave., Ste. 5, Red Bank
The dedicated team of professionals at Lawrence Law provides strategic solutions compassionately and efficiently for their clients with family law issues.
Best Deck Specialist
Deck Barn, 3355 Rte. 22 East, Branchburg
Deck Barn is a full-service decking and railing retailer that services New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its goal is to bring your dream outdoor living space into reality.
Best Physical Therapist
Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation, 399 Campus Dr., Somerset
Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation is a holistic healthcare facility that integrates physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, weight management, hormone optimization, women’s health and functional medicine for better health and a better life.
Best Swim Club
Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, 775 Talamini Rd., Bridgewater
The JCC Bridgewater is a non-sectarian social service agency, offering fitness, sports, aquatics, child care, camp, special needs and cultural arts programs. The JCC Summer Swim Club features an ADA-compliant splash pad.
Best Senior Living Community
Avalon Assisted Living Residence at Bridgewater, 565 Rte. 28, Bridgewater
Avalon at Bridgewater is part of the Bridgeway Senior Healthcare continuum, offering residents the benefits of an independent lifestyle with the safety and security of knowing that nursing services are available when and if they’re needed.
Best Roofer
Alte Exteriors LLC, 3355 Rte. 22, Somerville
Alte Exteriors are top-rated roofing experts, providing roof replacements ranging from copper, slate, flat, cedar, metal and asphalt shingles. They give customers an experience they can recommend to friends and family.
Best Photographer
At Home Studios Photography, 11 Purcell Rd. East, Bridgewater
In business since 1986, At Home Studios Photography specializes in headshots, family portraits, bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings and corporate photography.
Best Summer Camp
Oak Crest Day Camp, 92 Cortelyous Ln., Somerset
Oak Crest Day Camp’s 35-acre facility has acres of field space, an indoor air-conditioned creative studio, full challenge course and four heated pools, including a new 7,000-square-foot aquatic complex.
Best Veterinary Practice
Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, 830 Rte. 202-206 North, Bridgewater
For over 28 years, Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital has been providing state-of-the-art, client-focused and patient-centered care for companion animals in Somerset County and the surrounding areas.
Best Pet Service
Camp Bow Wow, 10 West Chimney Rock Rd., Bound Brook
Camp Bow Wow offers premier dog day care, dog boarding, dog training and in-home pet care.
Best Preschool
The Preschool Place & Kindergarten at Temple Sholom, 594 North Bridge St., Bridgewater
At the Preschool Place & Kindergarten, learning takes place in a child-centered environment. The staff is dedicated to providing a happy and nurturing atmosphere in which children can develop a positive self-image and love of learning.
Best Boutique
Evolve Clothing Gallery, 80 West Main St., Somerville
Evolve Clothing Gallery, an innovative luxury menswear boutique showcasing emerging designers and grounded in a select roster of established brands, brings “Soho to Somerville.”
Best Florist
Gray's Florist, 797 Rte. 202-206 North, Bridgewater
Established in 1908, Gray’s Florist has locations in Bridgewater and Watchung.
Best Dental Practice
Bridgewater Dental Associates, 720 Rte. 202-206 North, Ste. 10/Bldg. 2, Bridgewater
Bridgewater Dental Associates was established in 1994 and has treated families with quality, honesty and caring for over 25 years. Dr. Ryan Scally is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Dr. David Weedon is a General Dentist.
Best Landscaper
High Tech Landscapes, 10 Culnen Dr., Branchburg
High Tech Landscapes is a New Jersey landscape architect and construction company providing residential and commercial services, lawn care and maintenance.
Best Eye Center
Abessi Eye Care & Surgery, 3322 Rte. 22 West, Ste. 503, Branchburg
Dr. Bryan Abessi of Abessi Eye Care & Surgery is a board-certified ophthalmologist and cornea specialist, who also provides top-quality comprehensive eye care to the region.
Best Financial Planner
R.I.C.H. Planning Group, LLC, 50 Division St., Ste. 501, Somerville
Jarrett Dewelde is a Certified Financial Planner who helps individuals and small business owners in the areas of life insurance, retirement, college savings and financial planning.
Best Private School
Immaculate Conception School, 41 Mountain Ave., Somerville
Rooted in Catholic values, Immaculate Conception School integrates academic excellence with the spiritual and moral formation of each of its students, with the support of dedicated teachers and committed parents.
Best Mental Health Facility
Blueprint Mental Health, 73 West End Ave., Somerville
Blueprint Mental Health is New Jersey’s premier provider of outpatient mental health counseling for children, teens and young adults, and their families. They offer “Extraordinary Counseling for an Extra-Ordinary Generation.”
Best Spa
Reflections Center for Skin & Body, 1924 Washington Valley Rd., Martinsville
Reflections Center for Cosmetic Medicine is much more than a medical spa or plastic surgery group. It provides noticeable, but natural-looking, cosmetic results by combining the best in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic treatments.
Best Place to Grab a Drink
22 West Tap and Grill, 1601 Rte. 22 West, Bound Brook
22 West Tap and Grill serves fresh favorites for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Best Plumber
King George Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, 269-B Rte. 22 East, Green Brook
King George has been serving Central New Jersey for more than 25 years.
Best Interior Designer
Bellissima Designs / Maria Pulice, 1869 Ensign Ct., Toms River; 18 S. Cadillac Dr., Somerville
Bellissima Designs has been designing clients’ interiors since 2005. Designing interiors and window coverings are not one-size-fits-all projects. The experts at Bellissima Designs will find what works best to enhance your family’s lifestyle.
Best Restaurant
Chimney Rock Inn, 800 Thompson Ave., Bound Brook
Chimney Rock Inn is a neighborhood American eatery with locations in Bridgewater, Gillette and Flemington. It is Central Jersey’s favorite family restaurant group, having served millions of loyal guests since 1863.
Best Gym
Gold’s Gym, 462 Rte. 28, Bridgewater
At Gold’s Gym Bridgewater, you will find the latest cardio and strength training equipment, plus exercise programs that include Les Mills, yoga, group cycling and muscle-endurance training.
Best Chiropractor
McAdam Chiropractic, 794 Rte. 202-206 North, Bridgewater
McAdam Chiropractic is a state-of-the-art treatment center with a personalized and caring atmosphere.
Best Car Dealership
BMW of Bridgewater, 655 Rte. 202-206, Bridgewater
BMW of Bridgewater is a local and family-owned dealership. The team has years of experience providing its customers with the highest level of service and they’re happy to be a part of the Bridgewater community.
Best Bakery
Blue Sheep Bake Shop, 9 Division St., Somerville
Blue Sheep Bake Shop is a custom cake studio, gourmet cupcake bakery and ice cream shop featuring cupcakes, macarons, small to-go cakes and a full ice cream menu.
Best Electrician
Rhodes & Sons Electrical Contracting Inc., 121 Rock Ln., Middlesex
Rhodes & Sons Electrical Contracting has expertise ranging from installing and servicing Kohler generators to all types of electrical service installations. The company provides swift solutions and cost-effective results.
Best Weight Loss Center
Profile by Sanford, 330 Chimney Rock Rd., Ste. A-100, Bound Brook
Designed by physicians and researchers at Sanford Health, Profile By Sanford uses one-on-one coaching to create an easy-to-follow plan, focusing on nutrition, activity and lifestyle.
Best Flooring Specialist
Sparkle Floors and Carpet, P.O. Box 529, Bernardsville
For 26 years, Sparkle Floors and Carpet has specialized in “quality that you can stand on”: hardwood refinishing, installation, carpet and vinyl for residential and commercial clients.
Best Jeweler
Tropiano & Son Jewelers, 28 West Somerset St., Raritan
Tropiano & Son offers decades of expertise in engagement rings, jewelry selection and custom designs.
Best Architect
Porcello Engineering Inc., 252 Somerville Rd., Bedminster
Porcello Engineering Inc. is a full-service organization with specialty services in architecture, engineering design, construction management, cost estimating, forensic analysis, expert witness and material testing and inspection.