Patch Readers' Choice Winners at the Farmers Market

From the dulcet tones of Kevin Monko and Bill "the raging sensualist" Fergusson to the sweet treats of The Candy Jar, South Jersey's favorite farmers market played host to a sampling of Collingswood's favorite businesses Saturday morning.

An overcast early morning was brightened up by a beautiful floral display from Warner Landscape and Patio and the smiles of children taking home free balloons from The Pop Shop. More than a few women stopped to chat up Morgan Robinson of Frugal Resale (and one couldn't resist the shoes she'd put out with the vintage autumn outfit displayed at her table).

In all, the event was a small but meaningful capstone to the 2012 Readers Choice Awards. Here at Patch, we wanted to provide an event to help introduce the voting public to the Collingswood business owners who earned those accolades. Judging by the reactions of the folks who stopped over to chat, we were successful.

Special thanks must go out to Farmers Market liaison Betsy Cook and Mike DiBartolo for handling the logistics of the day. We are grateful to be of service to a community like Collingswood in which such enthusiastic and energetic people are always willing to offer a hand of support for events like these.

(And business owners: DiBartolo wants you to know that retail space is available *every week* at the Collingswood BID tent at the Farmers Market. Call 609-841-3359 to set up your space.)

About Readers' Choice

If you haven't seen it already, have a look at the complete list of our 2012 Readers' Choice winners. These are the best-of retailers and restaurants in town, as voted on by Patch readership.

The first round of competition consisted of readers submitting their nominations for businesses in several unique categories from "Best First Date Restaurant" to "Best Place to Buy a Gift Under $50".

Then we stacked Collingswood businesses up against those from five other area Patch sites in our region—and Collingswood blew them out of the water. Of 20 categories in which Collingswood businesses were entered, they won 17.

That's a strong endorsement of not only the customer faith in the retailers, performers, and restaurateurs here in town but also of the savvy of our readers in knowing which ones to nominate.

Thanks to everyone who voted this year. Stay tuned for what we hope will be an even bigger celebration in 2013!