Frequently Asked Questions

People often wonder how Top of the Town really works. Here, we answer some of your most common questions.

Q: How does 5280 choose the Top of the Town winners?

Generally, each of the categories (cocktail, salon, dog groomer, and so on) has two winners: the readers' and editors' choices. The editors pick winners based on months and months of research. During this process we do our research anonymously, and we pay for all meals and services. Readers' choice winners are picked democratically—whichever receives the most votes from our online ballot wins.

Q: Don't your advertisers automatically win?

Absolutely not. Top of the Town results are entirely based on your ballots and our research; there is no connection between advertisers and winners. Period. The fact that some winners happen to be advertisers, or later choose to advertise in the magazine, does not influence our selections. Sure, we could make a few folks happy by "selling" winners, but in the long run we'd lose a lot more than we'd gain—like our integrity and credibility with you, the reader.

Q: How do I get my business on the ballot?

Our ballot is a write-in format, which means we do not provide predetermined, multiple-choice options on which to vote. Voters are free to suggest whatever business, service, shop, or person they deem worthy under each category.

Q: I have a business that deserves an award. How can I win?

Tell your customers to vote for you next year. (Remember: The ballot goes online in February every year.) And to help you spread the word to your customers, we'll post a Top of the Town "tool kit" on our website during that time, with downloadable marketing materials and links to our site and ballot.

Q: How can I vote?

Visit www.5280.com (the ballot is online in February and March), create an account, and cast your ballot. Stay tuned next year for specific voting dates.