Seven Daysies shine a spotlight on Waterbury businesses

Business
Written By Waterbury Roundabout
August 14, 2026  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Seven Days newspaper Aug. 5 cover.

After weeks of voting for nominees and then another round to narrow down the finalists, Seven Days newspaper announced the 2026 Seven Daysies awards, celebrating “the best of Vermont.”

Each spring, Seven Days newspaper reveals that year’s award categories. This year, the six groups are: culture, recreation, services, shopping, drink and food.

For two weeks, readers nominate Vermont businesses, people and places for each award, ranging from “best day hike” to “best household general contractor,” a new category this year.

After the votes are tallied, the top 3-6 finalists in each category are revealed in early June for the final round of voting. When necessary, certain categories are divided into “inside Chittenden County” and “outside Chittenden County,” with winners announced for each area. Round two voting takes place in June to choose a winner for each award.

Seven Days revealed the 2026 Seven Daysies winners in the August 5 issue, dedicated entirely to the Daysies competition.

Why is this noteworthy in Waterbury? We thought readers would like to know that Waterbury and Duxbury are well-represented on the lists of winners and finalists. Twelve Waterbury and Duxbury businesses and places won 13 Daysies and another 18 were finalists in two dozen categories.

Congratulations to all of the winners. It’s nice to see familiar names and places in the spotlight and the recognition could bring some new attention and business their way.

Local winners

  • Zenbarn, best small live music hot spot outside Chittenden County

  • Jeremy Ayers Pottery, best craft artisan

  • Camel’s Hump, best day hike

  • Waterbury Reservoir, best place to kayak/canoe

  • SunCommon, best solar company

  • Hen of the Wood, best restaurant service

  • McGillicuddy’s, best sports bar

  • Prohibition Pig, best barbecue

  • Lake Champlain Chocolates, best chocolate brand

  • Ursa Major, best beauty product purveyor

  • Cabot, best VT cheese brand (with a retail store in Waterbury)

  • EastRise, best bank/credit union and best mortgage provider (has a Waterbury branch)

Local finalists

  • Little River State Park, best state park and best place to camp

  • Waterbury Reservoir, best public place to swim

  • Ben & Jerry’s factory, best place to take an out-of-towner

  • BHAV Spa, best place to get a facial

  • VASTA, best PT practice and best boutique fitness studio

  • OPEN Community Acupuncture, best acupuncture practice

  • Zenbarn Farms, best cannabis dispensary outside Chittenden County

  • Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity ReStore, best secondhand housewares store

  • Bicycle Express, best bike shop outside Chittenden County

  • Blackback Pub, best bar outside Chittenden County

  • Black Cap, best coffee shop outside Chittenden County

  • VT Artisan, best coffee shop outside Chittenden County FF best coffee roaster

  • Maxi’s, best breakfast/lunch outside Chittenden County

  • KC’s, best bagels outside Chittenden County

  • Zachary’s, best pizza (delivery)

  • North Country Donuts, best doughnuts

  • Northfield Savings Bank, best bank/credit union and best mortgage provider (has a Waterbury branch)

  • Hen of the Wood, based in Waterbury, was a finalist for best wine list and best restaurant inside Chittenden County for its Burlington restaurant.

Waterbury Roundabout
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