Hundreds of local businesses and community organizations were honored Tuesday night at the Times News 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards at the Orioles Community Center in Lehighton.

Shannon Blocker of Blocker Enterprises, a motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle dealer in Lehighton, said, “I think it’s great that they do this to support the community.”

Her business won for best ATV, motorcycle accessory shop and motorcycle dealer.

“It’s nice to recognize local businesses and the men and women who serve the community,” said Lisa Shellhammer, who works in administration at Lehigh Gastroenterology Associates in Lehighton. “It’s nice that the community appreciates the small businesses in our area.”

Lehigh Gastroenterology Associates was voted best gastroenterologist by area readers. The office is led by Dr. Ahmed Hasan and includes Dr. Mahreema Jawairia and Dr. Andrew Schwartz. The practice helps patients with celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as colon cancer screening.

This was the fifth year that readers were given the opportunity to spotlight their favorite businesses.

Advertising director Jen Benninger, for the Times News Media Group, said there were 248 different categories of awards.

The awards fell into groups that included: Auto, Entertainment and Sports, Financial, Food and Drink, For the Home, Health, Professional and Specialty Services, Shopping, and Miscellaneous.

The Miscellaneous categories and winners included Best Place to Work, Home Comfort Solutions LLC; Best Producer of a Local Product, Zimmerman’s Dairy Inc.; Nonprofit, Palmerton Cat Project; and Best Times News Paper Carrier, Lori Gibson.

From Zimmerman’s Dairy, Thomas Zimmerman IV said he believes in giving back whenever he can - donating drinks to local events just about every weekend in the summer.

“My grandmother said, ‘There are people who make money and there are people who have friends. You’re going to have a lot of friends,’” he said.

The Times News received 93,102 nominations of businesses from 5,366 people, Benninger said. Once the contenders were narrowed down, there were 143,321 votes on who should receive the awards.

One of the big winners of the night was Papa Al’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Palmerton. They received 17 awards.

“I feel very proud,” said Manny Alvarado, co-owner of the restaurant, about receiving the awards.

Alvarado and his wife, Sam, said they strive each day to do even better than the day before.

“Every day, we give it our all,” she said.

The couple co-owns the restaurant with her father, Al Caban. He wasn’t at the dinner Tuesday night, but the restaurant’s manager Mario Santiago and his wife, Amanda, helped to hold the numerous awards for pictures.

Sam Alvarado said they also like to support the community by giving back.

“We cheerfully donate,” she said.

Another business and award winner that gives back to its community is Giant food stores in Lehighton. The manager, Michelle Rex, said the store supports the community in many ways, and “The community gives back to us.”

Giant was voted Best Grocery Store-National/Regional by its patrons.

“This means a lot,” Rex said. She credits the store’s customer base for recognizing their work.

Opening in 2001, the Lehighton store has ranked first out of 198 similar businesses in customer surveys, and is number 1 in the region out of 17.

Rex said her service team members are dedicated to their customers.

A special section will be in the newspaper on Thursday with a list of all the award winning businesses.

Marta Gouger contributed to this report.