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The Northshore’s Best

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The Northshore’s Best has become the area’s most trusted source for service providers, businesses and professionals. Being named “The Northshore’s Best” is truly a badge of honor for those who receive it. It’s a sign that the business is endorsed by others who know where to go when they want the best of the best! 


Allstate Insurance:
At Your Service

With the recent rise of big online insurance companies, Allstate agency owner Melissa Penzato wants you to know that personalized service is just a (local) phone call away. “Unlike the 1-800 number insurance companies, we know our customers and can give them advice before they make a claim,” she said. “You can’t make an informed decision without knowing what the result will be.”

Educating customers is something Penzato and her staff take great pride in. Whether clients call the Covington or Hammond office they’ll reach the same agents and support staff, providing a familiar continuity of service that online agencies lack. Penzato strives to keep the business streamlined and customer focused. “My motto is to always do the right thing by our customers. If you do that, good things happen,” she said.

She and her family have lived on the Northshore since 1999 and enjoy the family atmosphere, good schools and friendliness of the community — a community that Penzato herself is quite active in. When she’s not working, she’s often volunteering with special needs groups. She serves on the board of directors for both Active Partnership and STARC and also contributes her time and resources to the Covenant House, Habitat for Humanity and Hammond-based Options. “Giving back is tremendously rewarding” she said. “When we help others, our communities are stronger and healthier.”

Allstate Insurance is located at 330 Falconer Dr.,Suite H in Covington and 2008 Demarco Boulevard, Suite A in Hammond. For more information, please call 985-875-7707 or visit our websites: agents. allstate.com/melissa-penzato-covington-la or agents.allstate.com/melissa-penzato-hammond-la


Christwood:
The Art of Living Well

Karen Hysom is a very positive and energetic person. When injuries forced her to give up tennis and jogging, Karen was determined not to let age stop her. At the Community Center at Christwood, Karen discovered there are many paths to wellness.

“After I stopped the athletic activities I loved from my younger days, I knew it was important to stay active. My neighbor told me about the Community Center,” she said. “I visited and found that I really liked working out with people my own age. Now I work out on the treadmill and lift weights, alternating my upper and lower body. I also attend Water Aerobics and Balance classes. I enjoy being with others when I exercise. I feel so welcome every time I walk in, and if I like where I am working out, I’ll go more often.”

When Christwood introduced Pickleball this year, Hysom made many new friends. She attends Friday Wine Nights and lunch in the Atrium. The Community Center provides many opportunities to meet new people and she especially enjoys massages at The Spa,
as it provides relief for her bad discs. “As you get older, you can lose flexibility, and at the
Community Center I feel inspired to work on that,” she stated. She appreciates the professional and friendly staff, always right there for guidance. She’s inspired by watching others who are older than her take on physical challenges. “My doctor is amazed how strong I am at age 75. I attribute that to my workouts at the Community Center.”

Community Center at Christwood is located at 100 Christwood Boulevard in Covington. For more information, please call 985-292-1234‹ or visit our website: christwoodrc.com.


Blue Harbor Pointe:
11 Years of Being the Best

In today’s busy world, many people try to multi-task whenever possible. And that includes simple things like filling up the gas tank. Why just get fuel at a single service station when you could do that, get your oil changed, car washed, nab a latte and a bagel, pick up your dry cleaning, plus grab a bottle of wine for dinner?

Blue Harbor Pointe has been an all-in-one service station for almost 20 years and the one-stop shop for many Northshore residents.

Located in the heart of Mandeville, Blue Harbor boasts an award-winning carwash, convenience market and a PJ’s coffee shop. Customer service and attention to detail are Blue Harbor’s hallmarks and the reasons why the business has been voted Northshore’s Best for 11 straight years.

Everyday customers enjoy a pastry and a hot cup of joe at PJ’s while their vehicle is meticulously washed and detailed by Blue Harbor’s team. Harbor Market offers fresh food, daily Krispy Kreme doughnuts and complimentary popcorn on the weekends. And the Express Lube Experts are at your service with quick, high-quality oil changes. The technicians also check your vehicle for routine maintenance such as making sure you’ve got enough window washing fluid and your wipers are in good shape.

Blue Harbor Pointe is located at 2963 Highway 190 in Mandeville. For more information, please call 985-727-2629 or visit our website: blueharborpointe.com.


Bella Nails:
More Than Just Nails

When Tia Alves had her first baby at 21, she knew she needed to provide her child with stability. Her creative background and attention to detail led her to start Bella Nails and her services have been sought since she opened its doors.

Now in its seventh year, Bella Nails is known for its relaxing atmosphere, wide range of services and Alves’ artistic touch.“Most of my customers are regulars,” she said. “They’re like family to me.” She believes the salon’s willingness to take time with each customer and not rush through the process is what sets her business apart. Bella Nails offers a one and a half hour pedicure where customers enjoy a blissful head and shoulder massage along with extended spa services.

Alves stays on top of the trends and regularly flies out to Los Angeles to learn new techniques and services. Her intricate nail art is always in demand, as are gel and dip nails. The salon also offers keratin eyelash treatments, an hour-long process that curls lashes for up to three months. In addition, the salon provides eyebrow microblading services, a new beauty craze where eyebrows are tattooed onto the skin by drawing tiny lines that resemble natural brow hairs.

Bella Nails is so popular that Alves has teamed up with partner Vy Nguyen to keep up with the demand. Her Mandeville customers are grateful for the careful and detailed services from every technician at the salon.

Bella Nails is located at 1862 N. Causeway Boulevard in Mandeville. For more information, please call 985-626-8499 or visit us on Facebook.


Times Grill:
Food, Fun, and Friends

When Shearn Lemoine started the first Times Grill in Mandeville, he didn’t intend to open a full-service restaurant. He envisioned a burger joint serving late-night bar food. But when word got out that his burger joint wasn’t serving just ordinary bar food, his business flourished. Now in its 25th year, what started as a 30-seat location morphed into a large family-friendly restaurant and lounge with two locations on the Northshore. Lemoine defines Times Grill as a casual family sports restaurant. “It’s a great environment for fans to watch the games with a multitude of big screen TVs in the bar and dining room,” he said.

Although Lemoine earned a degree in finance at LSU, most of his background is in food service. He started bussing tables when he was 14 and hasn’t looked back. He credits his success to his employees and the culture of the restaurant. “We’re about hospitality plus good food,” he said. “Our guests are our friends. They come to see us as much as to get a meal.”

Naturally, burgers are the big draw here, especially the specialty burgers. Every month he and his staff dream up new ideas for the “T-BOM,” or Times Burger of the Month. Lemoine said they try to keep it fresh and relevant. The restaurant’s skilled cooks create what the team comes up with and everyone gets a vote.

Times Grill has a dedicated staff that is focused on being the best they can be. That’s the secret sauce that’s kept Times Grill a fan favorite for many years.

Times Grill is located at 1896 N. Causeway Boulevard in Mandeville. For more information, please call 985-626-1161 or visit our website:Timesgrill.com


Nonna Randazzo’s:
King Cake Queen

Since 2006, Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery has been a Northshore favorite. After Hurricane Katrina flooded their former bakery’s locations in Violet and Chalmette, Felix and Joel Randazzo Forjet opened a new bakery in Covington and their loyal followers made sure they didn’t miss a beat.

Anyone who’s lived in the New Orleans area during the last 50 years is familiar with the Randazzo family. Since 1965, their pastries and king cakes have enjoyed legendary status, and during Mardi Gras season the line for king cakes often wraps around the building. Home
of the “authentic” Randazzo family king cake recipe, Nonna Randazzo’s brings the same
exacting standards and quality to its two Northshore locations.

The Mandeville shop is open with limited hours year-round and the Covington location is a full-service bakery and cafe. It’s a warm, friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to grab a pastry in the morning or meet friends and colleagues for lunch. The storefront is currently undergoing a facelift with new decor, furniture, chandeliers and tables that will give it a fresh, modern feel yet keep the same welcoming atmosphere.

Keeping with the old world traditional Italian bakery, Nonna’s is committed to baking
with only the finest quality products. It’s a pledge that has served them well, earning the Northshore’s Best Place to Buy King Cakes since 2010, and Best Bakery for six years.

Nonna Randazzo’s is located at 2033 N. Highway 190, Suite F in Covington, 985-893-1488 and 22022 Marshall Road in Mandeville , 985-898-2444. Please visit nonnarandazzo.com


Louisiana Family Eyecare:
The Practice with a Vision

Since 2004, Louisiana Family Eyecare has been serving the Northshore with personalized,
comprehensive eye care. The clinic’s four optometrists share the same business philosophy— to put their patients’ needs above all else.

Dr. Jeff Anastasio wants to get the word out that eye care isn’t just for people who wear glasses or contact lens. “We only get one set of eyes,” he said. “And eyes aren’t just about vision, they’re also part of your health.” Routine eye exams often uncover undiagnosed diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Overall wellness is reflected in the eyes and optometrists are trained to look for health problems as well as measure vision. Louisiana Family Eyecare practices full scope optometry, including diagnosing and treating red eyes, glaucoma and foreign body removals.

The center also employs the latest technology and stays on top of eye care trends. For instance, they offer a new procedure for dry eyes called Lipiflow. The in-office procedure uses heat to remove blockages from eye glands, allowing them to properly function and produce the oils necessary for tear film. Another innovative product is a new progressive bifocal lens that is much more forgiving and comfortable than previous versions. “In order to provide the best patient care, it’s important to stay current,” stressed Dr. Anastasio. “We’re not going to recommend products and procedures from 15 years ago if there are more effective means available.” Louisiana Family Eyecare specialists are dedicated to providing exceptional personal service to everyone who walks through their door.

Louisiana Family Eyecare is located at 1431 Ochsner Blvd, Suite A, Covington, LA 70433. For more information call 985-875-7898.


Mandeville Seafood:
Fresh and Local

Mandeville Seafood owners Jerry and Becky Caillouet recently celebrated the restaurant’s 10th anniversary under their partnership, but they’re not resting on their laurels. What started as a small 12-seat hidden gem has grown into a thriving 90-seat seafood market and restaurant. Four years ago, the Caillouet’s moved into their larger venue and they haven’t looked back since. With a reputation for fresh, well-priced seafood, the Caillouet’s constantly strive to be the best in the business and their loyal following is proof. The restaurant and market uses as many local vendors as possible and the majority of their seafood comes directly from the Gulf.

Jerry Caillouet is no stranger to seafood. An avid fisherman himself, his background in buying and selling seafood serves he and his restaurant well. He and his managers run the daily operations while his wife prefers to brainstorm menu items and make sure the lights stay on. They both appreciate their faithful Northshore customers. “I have regulars that come in once or twice a week,” she said. “They tell their family and friends about us and so on. Most of our business is word of mouth.”

Not surprisingly, the restaurant and market is especially popular during Lent. Catfish platters are the restaurant’s most popular menu item with crawfish bread a close second. The Caillouet’s recipe for success is catering to their crowd and they plan on keeping that on the menu.

Mandeville Seafood is located at 2020 Highway 59 in Mandeville. For more information, please call 985-624-8552 or visit our website: Mandevilleseafoodmarket.com.

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