Businesses show off at Best of South Jersey party

When Mike Geden made his grand entrance to the Courier-Post's Best of South Jersey party, there was no question why Maple Shade was voted South Jersey's most spirited town for the 10th year.

Geden, whose alter ego is a clown named Rainbow Man, strutted into the Mansion on Main Street plaza wearing a sequined vest and clutching a dog puppet named Shaggy.

"Maple Shade Town Spirit" was handwritten in marker on his homemade hat.

"I'm an example of the spirit," Geden said. "Clowning is my business."

More than 60 of South Jersey's top businesses set up shop Monday night at the 2014 Best of South Jersey Reader's Choice Awards to show the 700 people in attendance what makes their companies shine.

South Jersey businesses from Wegman's supermarkets to Champion windows were represented.

Cousins Paul Gross, 16, and Joe Richards, 17, came for the food.

"We're very hungry. We just know about the food," Paul laughed, fresh from filling up on Tony Luke's cheesesteaks.

"I'm always looking for different places to eat," the Washington Township teen said, calling the event "food research."

The yearly gala gives businesses a chance to brag.

It's also a way to get the word out, according to Mara Muse of the Maple Shade Business Association.

"We really want to see Maple Shade be a destination town," said Muse, owner of Maple Shade Wellness, a four-time Best of South Jersey winner.

"We really just want people to say, 'Let's go over to Maple Shade.' "

Maple Shade has the most businesses represented at the event — enough to take up one full ballroom.

"We have the whole package," said Maple Hill Restaurant owner Lisa Tsamutalos as she dished out homemade rice pudding and penne with homemade gravy.

Tsamutalos believes her customers nominated the 70-table restaurant in the reader contest for its food and service.

A business's quality and personality are evident in events that put business owners face-to-face with consumers, according to Doris Steinhagen of Mount Laurel.

"If they're going to treat you nice here, you know they'll treat you nice when you go there," she said.

Reach Carly Q. Romalino at (856) 486-2476 or cromalino@cpsj.com