Sass Magazine Celebrates 6th Annual Reader's Choice Awards with Celebration at Tenth Ward Distilling

FREDERICK, Md., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sass Magazine is proud to announce the winners of its 5th Annual Reader's Choice Awards, recognizing over 125 exceptional businesses, professionals, and organizations across the Frederick region.

This year's awards drew over 2,000 business nominations and nearly 50,000 votes from readers, making it the magazine's biggest Reader's Choice Awards to date.

The winners, officially announced to the public on September 4th, will be celebrated in style at the Choice Awards Celebration held on Friday, October 9th at Tenth Ward Distilling Company in downtown Frederick.

About the Reader's Choice Awards

Launched in 2021, Sass Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards celebrate the businesses, professionals, and community leaders who make Frederick thrive. Each year, readers nominate and vote for their favorites across dozens of categories, creating a grassroots celebration of local excellence. The annual Choice Awards Celebration offers an opportunity for winners to connect, celebrate, and be recognized.

About Sass Magazine

Sass Magazine is a women's lifestyle publication based in Frederick, Maryland, highlighting bold stories, career inspiration, and real-life community connections. Since its founding, Sass has elevated women's voices across business, beauty, wellness, and life — with a strong local focus and an unapologetically confident tone.

2026 Sass Choice Awards Winners

Sass Choice 2026 Business List

Beauty Services

Brows / Lashes
Lash Out Loud with Erin
Threaded. By Melissa

Hair Salon
Criswell Hair Company
Head Rush Studio

Med Spa / Day Spa
Beauty Studio by Brittney
The Witching Hour Spa

Nail Salon / Nail Care
Lili's Beauty Stop
Spilt Polish Nail & Skin Spa

Skincare / Makeup Services
Bug and Jane - Self Care Sanctuary
Serpent & Sage Beauty

Specialty Beauty Services
Bug and Jane - Self Care Sanctuary
House of Colour - East Frederick

Events & Experiences

Adventure / Entertainment Experience
Tree Trekkers
Warehouse Cinemas

Art Gallery / Museums
Delaplaine Arts Center
Sky Stage

Event / Wedding Planner
A Tid Bit Bridal
Sleeping Bee Designs

Event / Wedding Venue
Ceresville Mansion
Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue

Event Services / Vendors
Premier Pics Maryland
The Frederick Floral Bar

Local Festival / Event
Frederick Pride
The Great Frederick Fair

Outdoor Experiences
Black Rock Farm
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

Food & Beverage

Bakery / Baked Goods
Sage Cakery
Taralicious Treats

Best Overall Restaurant
Fratelli's
Madrones
Up on Market Bistro & Inn

Breakfast / Brunch Location
Beans & Dreams - Nektario's Place
Tom & Ray's Family Restaurant

Brewery
RAK Brewing
Stone Silo Brewery

Caterer / Catering Company
Sara Kep's Kitchen
The Box Theory

Coffee / Tea Shop
Dublin Roasters
Whistle Stop Coffee

Dinner Location
Hornet's Nest Grille
Lazy Fish
Manalú Italian Restaurant
Oscar's Alehouse

Distillery
McClintock Distilling
True Standard Distilling

Food Truck
B-Dub's Island Soul
Blendabowl Frederick Food Truck

Happy Hour
61 Vineyard
Frederick Social

Ice Cream Shop
Jimmy Cone Damascus
Sweet Babes Creamery

Lunch Spot
Cafe Nola
Wag's Restaurant

Winery
61 Vineyard
Big Cork

Health & Wellness

Chiropractor / Physical Therapy
Amber Meadows Chiropractic - Dr. Patricia Bisset
Rehab 2 Perform

Dentist / Orthodontist
Terrace Dental Group
Thurmont Smiles

Dermatology / Skincare Services
Bug and Jane - Self Care Sanctuary
Frederick Dermatology Associates

Dietician/Nutritionist
Brandi Wynne Nutrition
Encompass Integrative Wellness - Tina Brocket

Family Medicine Practice
Frederick Health
Frederick Health Primary Care

Gym / Fitness Center
Reb3l Groove and Strength with Susan Tate
Straight Shot Training

Holistic / Alternative Heath
Indigo Fox Acupuncture & Wellness
Lifted Wellness

Mental Health Services
Anchor Counseling Centers - Frederick
Kindred Tree Healing Center

Women's Health Services
The Midlife Space
Two Rabbits Physiotherapy

Yoga / Pilates Studio
Mountain Spirit Yoga
Sage Yoga Damascus

Home Services

Cleaning / Home Organization Company
LVCD Cleaning Services
Maggie's Cleaning Services

Home Building and Maintenance
A&S Construction
M&J Exteriors

Interior Designer / Decorator
Beyond the Box Interiors
The Scantique Home

Landscaping / Lawn Care / Nursery
Hawkins Landscaping, Inc
Thanksgiving Farms Unique Garden

Realtor / Property Management
Morgan McAuliffe - Compass Real Estate 
Stacy Delisle - Impact Maryland Real Estate

Personal & Professional Services

Auto Services / Mechanic Shop
East Side Auto Services
Zach's Auto Shop

Computer / Tech Services
Connect U
ITNeedsHelp

Financial Planning / Accounting & Bookkeeping / Banking
Edward Jones - Brianna Ryland & Rebecca Cathcart
Hummingbird Wealth Management

Florist / Flowers
Blossom & Basket Boutique
Ory Florals

Legal Services
Key Title Company
Tehrani Law, LLC

Marketing Services
Manning Media, Inc.
Red Pin Creative

Personal Development / Life Coaching
Claire Kirby, MSW, Coach & Consultant
Neely Coaching & Training

Pet Services
Kingsbrook Animal Hospital
Pet and Home Care

Photography / Videography
AK's Grafix & Photo
Happy Sohi Photography

Veterinary Clinic / Pet Hospital
Glade Valley Animal Hospital
Jefferson Veterinary Hospital

Shopping & Retail

Grocery / Food Market
The Common Market
Wegmans

Home Goods / Home Decor
Lily & Birch Market
The Find Consignment

Jewelry / Accessories
InBloom Jewelery
Style Me Sue Consignments

Specialty Shop
Dancing Bear Toys and Games
Frederick MADE

Thrift / Consignment / Antique
Fetch Thrift Shop
Style Me Sue Consignments

Women's Clothing Boutique
Molly's Meanderings
Style Me Sue Consignments

Specialty Categories

Blog / Podcast / Other Media
Spiritual Signs and Metaphysical Minds
The Frederick Mom

Local Author
Katie Shugars - Living My Better Life: Finding Freedom in Healing
Natalie McCurry - Adventures With Cadie

Local Makers & Artists
Fig & Fire
Venus & Vine

Local Non-Profit Organization
Amplified Change
Frederick Rescue Mission

Local Social Media / Influencer
Marley Jo Blogs
The Frederick Mom

Woman Owned: Business Services
Curved Theory
The Frederick Mom

Woman Owned: Hospitality & Wellness
Reb3l Groove and Strength with Susan Tate
Sage Yoga Damascus

Woman Owned: Personal Services
Criswell Hair Company
Head Rush Studio

Woman Owned: Retail/Product-Based Business
Fig & Fire
Style Me Sue Consignments

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SOURCE Sass Magazine