KDJ_Readers Choice Awards_022826

THEVOTES AREIN!

2025

and the winners are....

FAMILY DINING

Ryan’s Pier

Runner Up: Tucci’s

Honorable Mention: Candy and Cake

HOMESTYLE COOKING

Ryan’s Pier

Runner Up: Mayberry Junction

Honorable Mention: Momence Cafe

MOM & POP

Ryan’s Pier

Runner Up: Julio’s Family Restaurant

Honorable Mention: Mayberry Junction

JR’S Chicken

Runner Up: Berkot’s Super Foods

Honorable Mention: Jewel

We are grateful for this recognition as Readers’ Choice Place of Worship and for the faithful people who make our church what it is — especially our loyal parishioners, selfless volunteers, and dedicated staff. We also honor the churches throughout our community whose compassion and commitment bring good into the lives of others through community service, pastoral

advocacy for the vulnerable, and a place of belonging.

Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM www.mbvmchurch.org

HOME SERVICE & FINANCE

HOME SERVICE & FINANCE

Kankakee Title & Trust

Runner Up:

Honorable

How online reviews help small businesses and how to write them

(METRO)

Since the dawn of the twenty-first century, much has changed about the way businesses and consumers interact with one another. The Internet has had a lot to do with that shift, and it continues to inform and affect consumer decisions every day.

Online reviews are particularly influential components of modern buying. According to the online review facilitator Trustpilot, two out of every three consumers rank online reviews as the biggest influence on their buying decisions. In fact, reviews outrank search engines and social media in terms of their influence on modern buyers. That’s vital information for business owners, but it’s also important for consumers who want to support the local businesses that call their communities home. Because online reviews are so influential, business owners can encourage customers to write them, and consumers who choose to do so can consider these tips to ensure their assessments are as beneficial to local businesses as possible.

• Emphasize being informative. The more informative a review is, the more likely prospective customers are

to gain a greater understanding of what separates a given business apart from the competition. The search engine optimization (SEO) experts at Sterling Sky note that longer reviews tend to stay at the top of Google Business Profiles (GBP) listings for a longer time. Unfortunately, Sterling Sky researchers found that one-star reviews averaged 244 words, while five-star reviews average 74 words. That suggests even the most positive reviews are unlikely to remain near the top of a firm’s profile if they’re short. An informative review need not be a lengthy screed, but reviewers can try to write as much for a positive review as they would a negative one.

• Be truthful. An authentic rendering of your experience with a company will be recognized as such by savvy consumers, and thus more likely to compel others to patronize a business. Share details of your experience with the company, and emphasize accuracy over all. If part of the experience was negative but the overall encounter was positive, note both aspects. Pulling back and offering an overly glowing review might backfire, as other consumers might question its authenticity and wonder if the business

is really worthy of a positive review.

• Write well. Writing is not everyone’s forte, but it’s still important for online review writers to try to write as well as possible. Poor grammar can be distracting, and that can affect how people perceive a review. Some may be too distracted by poor grammar to recognize the reviewer had a positive experience with a given company. Review writers need not sweat over their grammar as if they were writing a term paper, but the review could be most beneficial to local businesses if the grammar does not draw attention away from their experiences.

• Avoid social or political commentary. Online reviews are not appropriate forums to foster or engage in political or social commentary. Consumers who want to help local businesses should refrain from discussing anything other than their experiences with a company and its products in an online review.

Online reviews play a significant role in modern business. Writing an informative, truthful review can help local business owners in your community.

Thank you for voting Riverside Healthcare the Best Large-Sized Business!

We are honored to serve our community with compassionate care and a commitment to excellence.

Your trust and support inspire us to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

Join our award-winning team with various roles available across all Riverside locations.

Find the right fit by scanning here!

Surprising features of shopping local

A movement to “shop local” gained steam as more communities faced few options outside of big box stores. The shop local approach encourages consumers to patronize local businesses, and even those fully devoted to the cause might not realize how beneficial it can be. The following is a look at how communities and residents win when shopping local.

• Shopping local increases employment opportunities. Small businesses employ more workers in the United States than their larger counterparts, creating two out of every three new jobs, according to the Small Business Administration. In fact, small businesses account for 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the United States. Buying

locally means employment levels are either going to be stable or there will be more opportunities for local residents to work in the community.

• Shopping local does not cost more money. Many people are under the assumption that buying locally is always more expensive. But this isn’t always the case. Local shops may offer a range of products from a particular region, which will reduce shipping costs, and that savings can be passed on to the consumer. Plus, small businesses may offer special discounts and promotions more readily than nationwide chains, so consumers can get more value for their money.

• Shopping local helps to keep money in the community. Patronizing local stores creates a recirculation of money in

the community. Dollars spent in town raise the overall level of economic activity, which helps pay salaries, and builds up the local tax base, says Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development.

• Shopping local can help the planet.

Environmentalists were among the first people to promote local consumption, as buying local can cut down on transportation-related pollution.

• Shopping local stretches beyond seasonal events. Certainly there are a host of local merchants that do mich of their business during key times of the year or specialize in seasonal produce. However, many local businesses also offer products year-round, and these local merchants include artisans, designers, musicians, and clothing retailers.

There are many reasons to increase reliance on local shops and vendors, who benefit communities and residents in myriad ways.

SHOPPING

Vehicles, Dealers, & Services

Best Festival 2025 Tank You