SANDPOINT — It’s time to decide Bonner County’s best businesses in 2019.

Once again, the Bonner County Daily Bee is sponsoring the Best of Bonner County competition, a people’s choice contest in which citizens vote for their favorite restaurants, real estate agents, physical therapists, coffee joints, hair stylists and more.

This is our annual community popularity contest,” said Terry Rollman, general manager and advertising director, “It’s partly to recognize local businesses and a whole lot of fun,” said Rollman. It’s an honor for a business to win, as evidenced by all the marquees and window clings past winners post in their businesses.”

The competition will take place in two phases, much like a primary election and a general election.

The first phase is nominating businesses. That begins today, May 15, when anyone can go to bonnercountydailybee.com/bestof and nominate businesses in any of the categories.

The nomination process will be open three weeks, from May 15-31. According to Rollman, Bonner County Daily Bee staff will then take one week to “vet” the nominees. By that, she said, staff will ensure that businesses provide the services they’re being nominated for, and that the contest accurately reflects what consumers think.

Once the vetting is completed, the five leading nominees in each category advance to the next phase. That’s when the real voting begins: June 10-16.

Rollman said all winners will be notified June 6-16, and the public announcement will be made July 27. First place and runner-up will be awarded in each category.

Brinkmeyer encouraged residents to visit the website and begin nominating excellent local businesses starting Monday.

“Best of Bonner County is an opportunity for the newspaper to shine a light on the community’s outstanding businesses,” said Rollman. “The contest not only supports local business, but connects our audience with the finest products and services in town.”

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.