Islanders are never shy about sharing their opinion. And so the Reporter, after a hiatus of many years, set out to find what Islanders’ favorites are for everything here: the places, people and activities that mark Island life. The complete results are listed below.
More than anything else, Islanders celebrate community — the people, events and small-town feel of Mercer Island. Islanders also relish the gatherings of friends and neighbors. Survey respondents listed Summer Celebration!, the Farmers Market, fireworks, Mostly Music in the Park and the Rotary Run as their favorite Island events.
As Northwesterners known for their love of the outdoors, Island residents value the abundance of Island parks and open space.
Luther Burbank Park remains an Island favorite mentioned in each outdoor category. Along with Luther Burbank, Mercerdale Park and the Dragon Park were named as the best places to take the kids. Luther Burbank and Pioneer Park were voted as “Best remote spot.” Islanders selected the Park on the Lid for “Best View.”
Favorite people included Communications Coordinator Joy Johnston and City Clerk Ali Speitz from the city, along with Fire Chief Chris Tubbs and School Resource Officer Art Munoz, officers Joe Morris, Jennifer Franklin and Sergeant Scott Hyderkham, all of the city. Favorite grocery cashiers included Steve, Linda and Minka from QFC, and Cricket and Andy Maloof from Albertsons.
Those nominated as “Island Superheroes” were Phil Flash and Island mail carrier, Debbie Mulholland.
Community and service-minded, Islanders also voted for Friends of the Library, the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, the Mercer Island Visual Arts League, the Mercer Island Women’s Club and the PTA as best organizations.
We wish to thank each and every one who took the time to respond to our survey. We invite you to share comments and ideas.
Favorite Island retail shop
1st: Island Books
2nd: Finders
3rd: What to Wear
Best place to get pampered
1st: Island Sun Tanning Salon
2nd: Cindy’s Nail Salon
2nd: Expressions
Best place to buy wine
1st: QFC
2nd: Cellar 46
3rd: Albertsons
Best bar/restaurant to meet friends
1st: Roanoke Inn
2nd: Bennett’s Bistro
3rd: Cellar 46
3rd: The Islander
Best place for a hair cut
1st: Studio 904
2nd: Great Clips
3rd: Hedman’s Hair Salon
Best happy hour
1st: Cellar 46
1st: The Islander
2nd: Roanoke Inn
Best place for lunch
1st: Alpenland
2nd: Roanoke Inn
2nd: The Islander
2nd: Yuzen Japanese Cuisine
3rd: Qdoba
Best place for dinner
1st: Bennett’s Bistro
2nd: The Islander
3rd: Roanoke Inn
Best delivery/take-out
1st: Sahara Pizza
2nd: Toni Maroni’s
3rd: Han’s Garden
Best place for a date on MI
1st: Roanoke Inn
2nd: Bennett’s Bistro
3rd: Cellar 46
Best place to take your dry-cleaning
1st: Corry’s Dry Cleaners
2nd: Clampitt’s
3rd: A+ Cleaners
3rd: Lake View Cleaners
3rd: Siler’s Cleaners
3rd: Village Cleaners
Best realtor on the Island
1st: Helen Martin
2nd: Jane Potashnick
3rd: Kris Robbs
3rd: Don Samuelson
3rd: Jay Aguado
3rd: Nancy LaVallee
3rd: Peni Schwartz
Best place to buy a gift
1st: Island Books
2nd: Finders
3rd: MIVAL Art Gallery
Best place to buy flowers
1st: Mercer Island Florist
2nd: QFC
Best dentist
1st: Carrie York, DDS
2nd: Dr. Dawn Bova
3rd: Dr. Ken McNabb
Best doctor
1st: Hal Quinn, M.D.
2nd: Dr. James Martin
3rd: Danette Glassy, M.D.
3rd: Dr. John Schreuder
Best organization to be a member of
1st: Friends of the Mercer Island Library
2nd: Chamber of Commerce
2nd: MIVAL
2nd: Mercer Island Women’s Club
3rd: PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
Best ‘natural treasure’ on MI
1st: Luther Burbank Park
2nd: Pioneer Park
3rd: All parks
Best park to take the kids
1st: Luther Burbank Park
2nd: Mercerdale Park
3rd: Dragon Park
Best view of MI
1st: Park on the Lid
2nd: I-90 bridge
3rd: Luther Burbank Park
Best remote spot
1st: Luther Burbank Park
1st: Pioneer Park
2nd: Garfield Landing
3rd: Ellis Pond
3rd: Slater Park
Favorite city employee
1st: Joy Johnston
2nd: Ali Spietz
3rd: Harry Leavitt (Recycle Center)
Favorite Island firefighter
1st: Chris Tubbs
Favorite Island police officer
1st: Art Munoz
2nd: Joe Morris
3rd: Jennifer Franklin
3rd: Scott Hyderkham
Favorite grocery store cashier
1st: Steve (South end QFC)
2nd: Linda (QFC)
3rd: Andy Maloof (Albertsons)
3rd: Cricket (Albertsons)
3rd: Minka (North end QFC)
Favorite Island bartender/server
1st: Any bartender at the Roanoke Inn
2nd: Niehma (Orange Room)
2nd: Roger Rookstool (Bennett’s Bistro)
If Mercer Island had a superhero, it would be
1st: Phil Flash
2nd: Debbie Mulholland (mail carrier)
Best part about being an Islander is
1st: Community
2nd: The people
3rd: Good schools
Best Mercer Island event of the last year
1st: Summer Celebration!
2nd: Farmers Market
3rd: Fireworks
3rd: Music in the Park
3rd: Rotary Run
