/Business
Breeze readers choice award draws record number of votes
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Business owners and community leaders gathered for lunch Tuesday at Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill in Cape Coral as The Breeze recognized its 2026 Best of Cape Coral winners.
The readers choice awards honored industry standouts in approximately 375 categories.
From the Cape Coral Run Group to Trebing Tile & Carpet, the industry standouts were determined by local voters.
Among them was Ralf Trebing, voted Best Tile Contractor for the 15th consecutive year, who said he loves the program.
“I really appreciate receiving so much support over all these decades,” he said.
Trebing’s daughter, Julia Trebing-Miller, now manages her parents’ office. Their son, Dennis Trebing, manages their installation department.
“We have been around so long that dad tiled the Cape Coral toll plaza before it was torn down,” Julia Trebing-Miller said.
“Anywhere you can put tile, I put tile,” Ralf Trebing said with a smile.
From iconic local winners like Trebing and Rich Dantona with Academy Home, Kitchen & Bath, to newcomers like second time-winner Lizzie Marrero — who won Best Smoothie in both 2025 and 2026 — Cape Coral business owners and professionals were grateful to be recognized by their community.
Dantona, who won seven Best Of awards in various categories, thanked his staff.
“We are committed to serving our customers, and I couldn’t win this award without a staff who are committed to my same standard of excellence,” he said.
Being honored among one’s peers also makes the recognition special.
“Being honored along with other local businesses, who are also committed to excellent customer service, makes winning Best Of really important,” Dantona said.
Comparably newer to entrepreneurship, Marrero said, “I never set out to win Best Smoothie, but as The Zone Nutrition started to grow, winning seemed more likely.”
She said 2026 is her second year winning Best of the Cape. Her business is 3 years old.
“I am extremely grateful,” Marrero added.
“I think it’s a highlight for businesses to come and network with other winners,” said Laurie Ragle, advertising director for the Breeze Newspapers.
Back-to-back winner Dan Rams, who started the Cape Coral Run Group in 2014, brought fellow running enthusiast Susan Hedges to the celebration.
Hedges said she is genuinely happy to be part of Rams’ running club.
“We build camaraderie and accountability with other members,” she said, adding, “I really love the social aspect of meeting other runners in Cape Coral.”
Camaraderie was also a highlight of the event.
As conversations flowed throughout the lively gathering, the attending winners played carnival-style games like ring toss and partook in a tacos and sliders buffet prepared by Rusty’s.
The e-edition of the winners book may be found online here at www.capecoralbreeze.com/e-editions/2026/10/14/the-best-of-cape-coral-winners-2026/.