Residents choose best Scott County has to offer

BENTON, Mo. -- Commerce Mayor Bill Bailey isn't surprised to learn that Scott County's residents chose his town's unobstructed view of the Mississippi River as the county's most beautiful scenery.

"I think the community and the people here all have known that as long as they've been here," said Bailey. "It's one of the reasons we like it here so much."

The Commerce scenery won the distinction of the best view in the "Best of Scott County" survey.

The survey was posted on the county Web site, www.scottcountymo.com, last fall and asked county residents to vote for the "best" businesses, places and events in the county in several categories. County developer Joel Evans came up with the idea for the nonscientific survey as a way to increase traffic on the county's site. Voting ended Jan. 1.

Initially the results were skewed toward places in the county's southern section, most notably Sikeston. While some Sikeston businesses and events were chosen as the county's best, a late run on northern county businesses and places changed the results greatly before the new year's cutoff. Many of the categories were tight races, said Evans.

The Sportsman's Barbershop in Scott City's Old Illmo section was chosen as the county's best barbershop -- a place that harks back to the old days where gossip flows as free as hair falling to the floor.

Owner Everett Holder is part of a dying breed as barbershops become fewer and fewer. He said that's the reason his establishment was picked for the honor.

"The only way I'd be the best barbershop is because it's the only one," Holder said.

Other survey winners include:

* Best Burger -- Kirby's Sandwich Shop in Sikeston

* Best Place to Take a First Date -- River Ridge Winery in Commerce

* Best Barbeque -- Dexter Barbeque in Sikeston

* Best Fine Dining -- Ray's Place in Kelso

* Most Family Friendly Dining -- Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston

* Best Location to Pick up a Gift -- Personal Expressions in Sikeston

* Best Annual Event -- Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo

* Best Breakfast Location -- Jay's Krispy Fried Chicken in Sikeston

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182