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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2019)
10 // COASTWEEKEND.COM READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS BEST PIZZA BEST BUD Fultano’s Pizza Sweet Relief ASTORIA ASTORIA By KATHERINE LACAZE By EDWARD STRATTON Runner-up: Fort George Brewery, Astoria Runner-up: Five Zero Trees, Astoria Honorable mention: Inferno Lounge, Astoria Honorable mention: The Farmacy, Astoria F weet Relief, the first licensed dis- pensary to open in Astoria after legaliza- tion, has won Readers’ Choices inaugural Best Bud category for the best marijuana shop in Clat- sop and Pacific counties. Oscar Nelson, owner of Astoria Indoor Hydro and Garden, started Sweet Relief in 2014 with business partner Gary Reynolds inside the former Bent Needle crafts shop at 1444 Com- mercial St. The partners gave most of the credit to the more than 15 employees at the downtown Astoria location, part of a work- force approaching 60 at Sweet Relief’s five loca- tions across Northwest Oregon. “Our customers wouldn’t be happy with us if it wasn’t for the crew here,” Reynolds said. “Gary and I are own- ers, but we’re not really the ones who won this award,” Nelson added. “It’s the people that ultano’s Pizza in Astoria is no stranger to being recognized as the top pizza joint on the North Coast. According to proprietor Mark Cary, the restau- rant has been selected for the Readers’ Choice award numerous times in the approximately 20 years of his ownership. The recognition, Cary said, “makes you feel good, absolutely.” The various Fultano’s locations along the coast use the same dough and sauce recipes and empha- size fresh, quality ingre- dients. Another import- ant focus, according to Cary, is customer service. He believes that starts at the top and works its way down. He leads by exam- ple, encouraging his staff of about 20 employees to treat customers the way they would want to be treated. “You try to build the culture as much as you can,” he said. Another element that contributes to Fultano’s success is its comfortable, S Katherine Lacaze Mark Cary has owned the Fultano’s Pizza in Astoria for more than 20 years. The restaurant has been recognized with the Readers’ Choice awards multiple times. family friendly environ- ment and welcoming atmo- sphere, which presents an option for dining with kids and large groups. The facility includes a video arcade and a private banquet area. CW Photo by Mouth of the Columbia The Mouth of the Columbia appreciated the robust flavors and generous toppings on the pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage and olive pizza. 1493 Duane Street bluescorcher.coop 503•338•7473 Joshua Bessex Jars of marijuana sit in a display case at Sweet Relief in this October 2015 photo. touched the customers, that have created the environ- ment that has really been great for the community.” Competition among mar- ijuana stores has become fierce as their numbers mul- tiplied around the state. Astoria now includes six stores, with 15 across Clat- sop County. “I feel really excited and stoked because we have so much competition in town,” Reynolds said. “I feel great that people care about us, just like we try to care about our people here.” CW Thank you Thank you for voting for us! Local Organic Seasonal Edward Stratton Gary Reynolds, left, and Oscar Nelson are co-owners of Sweet Relief, a regional chain of marijuana stores. Thank You Readers! 348 12th Street Astoria OR 97103 503-325-4210 www.lucys-books.com queenofbooks@charter.net for recognizing us for our unique floral designs and gifts! 971 COMMERCIAL, ASTORIA | 503-325-3571 BLOOMINCRAZYFLORAL.COM