VOTING IS BACK UP!
DEADLINE TO VOTE EXTENDED:
VOTING CLOSES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 AT 12:00 PM
When you click a voting link, it creates a page that is unique to you. Once you submit your ballot, that link is no longer valid and cannot be reused or shared.
To invite friends to vote, please share this link only:
https://secure.electionbuddy.com/m/HBCC120/n5uuspnylp
If you have questions about voting or the link, please email admin@hbchamber.net.
Best of Hermosa 2026: Awards & Board Installation
Monday, February 9, 2026
5:00 PM
The Lighthouse Café
Join us for a truly Hermosa night of schmoozing and awarding phenomenal local businesses and people.
Come dressed to impressed in Hermosa fashion and stay afterwards for live jazz by The Lighthouse All Stars with Jacque Lesure!
The Best of Hermosa program includes:
5pm Cocktail Hour w/ live music
6pm Program
- State of the Chamber Address
- Recognition of 2025 Chamber supporters
- Induction of newly elected Board of Directors
- Best of Hermosa Awards Ceremony:
- Artist
- Best Bite
- D.I.G. Standout
- Five Star Service
- Legacy
- Nonprofit
- Retail Renegade
- Rising Star
- Chamber Member of the Year
- Best of Hermosa
- Person of the Year
8pm Live music continues
Please note that tickets are limited due to capacity. There are NO REFUNDS on ticket purchases. Online registration closes February 9 at 12 pm. Tickets available at-the-door until capacity is reached.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact president@hbchamber.net. We appreciate your support!
BEST OF HERMOSA 2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
Person of the Year
A long standing Hermosa tradition, the Chamber has been recognizing extraordinary citizens in Hermosa for many decades. This award goes to civic members who go above and beyond for their community. Someone who volunteers their time and talent to make the Hermosa Beach community an outstanding place to live. The following are the criteria:
- Contributed significant time, energy and spirit in fields outside his or her professional life, without regard to personal gain.
- A person whose civic and community service goes beyond “normal” responsibilities, creating a lasting and beneficial impact for all residents.
- Actively participated in service, community, church or other organizations.
- Any job-related task or duty for which nominees are paid a salary will not be considered.
- All nominees must be living, reside or have a business in the Hermosa Beach Area and possess excellent personal character.
- Previous recipients are not eligible.
Note: Person of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, and Best of Hermosa winners are scored by a nominations committee. Voting is not open to the public for these three categories.
2025 WINNER: Liz Tyndorf
Chamber Member of the Year
Special recognition to honor a Chamber member who went above and beyond in 2025 to help support the Chamber of Commerce, its events and/or its projects. Support comes in all shapes and sizes and can include financial contributions, volunteer time, or advocacy. Can be a business owner, manager or individual member. Must be a member of the Hermosa Chamber.
Note: Person of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, and Best of Hermosa winners are scored by a nominations committee. Voting is not open to the public for these three categories.
2025 WINNER: Kaci McCrossen (Flip Your Energy)
Best of Hermosa
The Best of Hermosa award distinguishes the very best of business in Hermosa Beach. It is presented to a business that has a major presence in the city, excels in quality customer/client service, is favored by locals, and respected by its employees. The recipient also exemplifies excellent Hermosa citizenship in giving back to the community in which it operates, and has a culture that enhances the lives of its employees and neighbors.
Note: Person of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, and Best of Hermosa winners are scored by a nominations committee. Voting is not open to the public for these three categories.
2025 WINNER: Creamy Boys Ice Cream
artist
(musician or fine artist)
An individual or group in music or fine arts who has enriched Hermosa Beach through their talent, creativity, and dedication to the arts. They inspire and connect our community and continue the legacy of our city's rich creative history.
*Not a Hermosa Chamber Member
2026 ARTIST NOMINEES:
GB Young
Mikey Jerome
Natasha Remi*
Olivia Pucci
2025 WINNER: Zeal Levin
Best Bite
(restaurants & cafes)
Recognition to a local restaurant that is a Hermosa Beach fan favorite. Serving delicious food day in and day out, and at the top of everyone’s “favorite” list. No limits to size or type of restaurant.
2026 BEST BITE NOMINEES:
AttaGirl
Hermosa Brewing Company
Radici
Vin Folk
2025 WINNER: Martha’s
D.I.G. Standout
(diversity, inclusion & gender)
Recognizes diverse, inclusive, and gender-equal businesses for rising to the challenge and operating outside the norm. Their ethical business practices, community involvement, contributions to growth and diversity, and the special flair bring great value to the City. Business can either be DIG-owned OR exemplify practices that encourage and support diverse, inclusive, and gender-equal hiring and employee practices.
2026 D.I.G. STANDOUT NOMINEES:
BOLT
Gitana Cafe
Proudly Serving
Yellow Jersey Patisserie
2025 WINNER: Curious…
Five Star Service
(salons, CPAs, legal, marketing, etc)
This award is for the service industry businesses who deliver quality service to the Hermosa community. Can include anyone from real estate agents to salons. If you provide a service, this category is for you. Top notch service in true Hermosa style.
*Not a Hermosa Chamber Member
2026 FIVE STAR SERVICE NOMINEES:
Beach Beauty Aveda Salon*
Ryan Nowicki
SoHo Yoga
The Wellness Collective*
2025 WINNER: @Mike’s Guitar Parlor
Legacy
(in existence for 10+ years)
A Hermosa Beach business or organization that has been in existence for 10 years or more and has consistently made an impact on the greater Hermosa Beach community. Business nominees can be any type of business but must be physically located in Hermosa Beach.
2026 LEGACY NOMINEES:
@Mike's Guitar Parlor
Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library
SoHo Yoga
Spyder Surf
2025 WINNER: Granny’s Grocery & Deli
Nonprofit
A local nonprofit organization that has greatly contributed to the culture of Hermosa Beach. The nonprofit nominees should have demonstrated contributions to both residents and businesses and be a true partner in the community. Any nonprofit located in Hermosa or serving the Hermosa Beach community is eligible. Must have 501(c)3 status or application pending.
2026 NONPROFIT NOMINEES:
Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library
Hermosa Beach Pride
South Bay Music Connection
The Woman's Club of Hermosa Beach
2025 WINNER: Indivisible Arts
retail renegade
(retailers)
Everyone's favorite shop! This award goes to the business that really embodies the shopping experience you want in Hermosa. They are a treasured local spot that stands out from others. They engage in the community and appreciate their customers. They are successful at product as well as successful at customer service.
2026 RETAIL RENEGADE NOMINEES:
Hamilton Butler Jewels
Handmade in CA
Sol Baby
The Bungalow
2025 WINNER: Gum Tree
RISING STAR
(new business within past 2 years)
Recognition of a new business that has quickly made a positive impact in Hermosa Beach, demonstrating exceptional creativity, community engagement, and potential for lasting success. Honors a business that has opened within the past 2 years who has brought fresh energy and innovation to our local economy, embodying the vibrant spirit of our community.
2026 RISING STAR NOMINEES:
Gallery of Hermosa
The Studio
Vin Folk
Yellow Jersey Patisserie
2025 WINNER: Creamy Boys Ice Cream
VOTING IS BACK UP!
DEADLINE TO VOTE EXTENDED:
VOTING CLOSES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 AT 12:00 PM
When you click a voting link, it creates a page that is unique to you. Once you submit your ballot, that link is no longer valid and cannot be reused or shared.
To invite friends to vote, please share this link only:
https://secure.electionbuddy.com/m/HBCC120/n5uuspnylp
If you have questions about voting or the link, please email admin@hbchamber.net.
AWARD RULES & PROCESS
Eligibility
All Hermosa Beach–based businesses and community leaders are eligible for nomination and selection. Hermosa Beach Chamber members receive additional recognition and benefits throughout the Best of Hermosa Awards process in appreciation of their ongoing support of the local business community. Businesses and individuals may self-nominate.
Nominations closed Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM (PST). Voting is now open! Voting closes January 27 at 11:45 PM.
Nominations
Nominations are open to the public for all award categories except the overall Best of Hermosa Award.
- A separate form must be submitted for each nomination
- Quantity of nominations does not impact scoring; quality matters more than volume
- Anyone may nominate - Chamber membership is not required
- Self-nominations are encouraged
- Please do not encourage mass nominations for the same business or individual
- Nominator identity is confidential and shared only with Chamber staff
Nominations closed Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM (PST). Voting is now open! Voting closes January 27 at 11:45 PM.
Scoring of Nominations (Business Awards)
After nominations close, a committee of engaged civic and community members will independently review and score all submissions (your words matter).
The top three scoring nominees in each business category will be announced on January 19, 2026 and placed on a ballot for voting by Chamber members and community members.
There are no direct nominations for the overall Best of Hermosa Award; finalists are determined based on total committee scores across business categories.
Scoring of Nominations (Person of the Year & Chamber Member of the Year)
These awards are reviewed, scored, and selected solely by a nomination committee of highly engaged community members and will not appear on the ballot.
Chamber membership is not required for Person of the Year.
Voting for Finalists (Business Categories)
In mid January, a digital ballot will be published via ElectionBuddy for Chamber members and community members to vote.
Nominations closed Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM (PST). Voting will open Monday, January 19, 2026 - stay tuned!
Announcement of Winners
All award recipients will be announced at the Best of Hermosa Awards Gala on Monday, February 9, 2026 at The Lighthouse Café.
Individual award winners will be notified privately in advance so they may invite guests.
Additional Rules
-
A business may not win the same category two years in a row
-
Businesses scoring in the top three for multiple categories (excluding overall Best of Hermosa) may select one category to appear on the ballot
-
Nominations that do not meet category qualifications may be removed