In today’s world, the word “best” is thrown around in daily conversation like popcorn in a popper. In being liberally overused, “best” has simply lost its impact in communicating its original meaning. If a child finally bends his mother’s will over going out for ice cream before dinner, he might declare, “Mom, you’re the best!” What he really means is, “I love getting my own way.”  A coffee shop might display a sign that reads, “World’s Best Coffee.” Any savvy shopper knows to interpret this meaning as quick and cheap.

Webster’s New International Dictionary, that was published in 1890, has more than 12 different definitions. Here is a sampling: “Having good qualities of the highest degree, mental, physical and moral. Most kind, desirable, excellent. Most advantageous, serviceable. To the most advantage, with the most success, ease, profit, benefit or propriety. To the fullest extent, the highest endeavor. To put one’s best foot foremost, to make a good showing. Utmost.”

In selecting this year’s winners for Columbia Metropolitan’s 24th Best of Columbia contest, readers have embraced the very intent of this original definition. Businesses listed as the 2014 winners have worked hard to offer service of the “highest degree.” They have offered the Midlands community continued efforts that are “to the fullest extent, the highest endeavor.” Success in becoming the “best” also stems from moral standards that offer customers security in being treated fairly and with the utmost degree of integrity. Any business owner will confirm that accomplishing this collective level of service is — without exception — done with grit, great sacrifice, cancelled vacations, 80-hour workweeks and many sleepless nights.

Rosewood Florist, which opened its doors in Columbia in 1978, has been selected as the Best Florist in Columbia for 22 years. Chad Ridenour, owner of Rosewood Florist, bought the business from Mary and Charles Russell in 2008, and he says that he learned the importance of service quality and the importance of keeping customers happy from Mary. “She encouraged me to give each customer the very best I had in me,” Chad says. “That always challenged me to never stick with old ideas but to keep re-creating myself through each arrangement.”

His most amazing feat was to prepare floral arrangements for a large Greek wedding that was held on the Fourth of July weekend a few years ago. “It was 105 degrees with 650 guests and with 65 tables that needed flowers. I must have lost 20 pounds that day,” Chad says with a laugh, “from the heat, from the incredible set up, plus another wedding on the same day.”

Chad also places great importance on the timeliness of each delivery. “This past December, I was asked by a loyal customer to adorn a special family gravesite with a Christmas wreath,” he says. “The day it needed to be in place, it was raining and was an extremely busy day. By the time the weather held and by the time I made it to the to cemetery, it was pitch dark. We had to use cell phones as flashlights to put the wreath on the grave. But the customer was having a party with family coming to town that night, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.”

In working to maintain the Russells’ high standard, as well as his own, of stunning floral arrangements, Chad keeps a rapid pace throughout the year, with the various holidays throwing him into a fever pitch. He works tirelessly on each project as if it’s his only one, causing him to sometimes work 84 hours in a given week. While such efforts sound overwhelming, Chad enjoys giving Rosewood Florist his level best. “When customers are pleased with the end result, then all of my hard work is worth it,” Chad says. “Buying the business was the most exciting time of my life. I was the same age in buying Rosewood as Mary Russell was when she and Charles started it together, so the hard work is just part of my dream that came true.”

Tripp’s Fine Cleaner’s has been selected as the Best Dry Cleaner every year but one since the category was added. Tripp Penninger, owner of the family business that opened in 1967, carries on the legacy established by C. B. Penninger, his grandfather, and Chet Penninger, his father. “They taught me to understand the business of cleaning clothes and to put out the best product I can,” Tripp says. “They repeatedly said that customers are always right. We’re a people business. When it all comes out in the wash, it’s the people who matter — trying to do the best for our customers.”

He relates the lessons of being taught to treat customers the way he wants to be treated, a life lesson. “I learned the meaning of service from watching my family in business since I was a young boy,” Tripp says. “It was ingrained in me since birth. I’ve been a part of our cleaning business for as long as I can remember.” Something that few people know is that his business used to be called Penninger’s One-Hour Martinizing.

In striving to maintain excellence, Tripp sends his production managers to school strictly for understanding quality in dry cleaning and in finishing clothing as well as cleaning and preserving specialty items like bridal gowns. “My business is ever changing,” Tripp says. “I have to stay on top of it by bringing experts in quarterly to teach us how to be the best we can be.” These efforts, along with some work days that last 18 straight hours, are part of his commitment in keeping his business successful in an extremely competitive market.

The dry cleaning industry, at large, faced difficulties in the 1970s when polyester became popular. Since people no longer favored wearing wools, cotton, linens and silks at the time, Tripp said their business suffered a downturn since polyester doesn’t need to be cleaned.

The payoff for persevering and enduring sacrifices is people who will go to great lengths to obtain his cleaning services. “I have a customer who moved out of state, and she still ships clothes to Columbia to be cleaned. Another customer recently sent me a bridal gown from Bermuda that I cleaned, preserved and shipped back to her.”

For eight years, Tripp’s Fine Cleaner’s has been invited to be a member of Varsity International, an industry peer group that recognizes the best dry cleaners in the world. This type of validation means a great deal to Tripp.

“I also greatly appreciate being voted as ‘the best’ by the readers of Columbia Metropolitan,” he says. “Recognition from our customers that we are providing them with exceptional service is my proudest accomplishment.” Living up to his customers’ expectations along with continuing his family legacy inspire Tripp to continue striving to be the best. “Every day I go to work, I’m not only making a difference for my immediate and extended family, but also for the future generations.”

Jeff Lawler, marketing director of 2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning, has also been a part of their family business since he was young. Mickey Lawler, his father started the business in 1985. 2nd Wind has won Best Heating & Air every year since Columbia Metropolitan added the category. Jeff explains that it was much easier to run the business in the earlier days because pricing was lower and there was only one employee: Mickey. “Dad grew the business quickly,” Jeff says. “The challenge for us came when we grew to more than 10 technicians. The management of the growth became a daily balancing act, mostly from keeping up with the paperwork internally. Because we log every single detail, it’s incredibly time consuming.”

Since Jeff and Brian, his older brother, work at 2nd Wind together, they have had the benefit of learning from both Mickey and Betty, their mother. “We had to start in the business from the ground up,” Jeff says. “Our parents made us learn how to do every job so we could better help our employees with any task and so we could understand what it takes to make each customer happy. It also makes us a better team.”

What does it take to be the best? “Going above and beyond with whatever the customer asks,” Jeff says without hesitating. “The customer is always right, and we’ll service any customer any time of day.” In implementing this philosophy, Jeff has endured 80-hour workweeks as just part of the job. 2nd Wind also built a 1,500-square-foot training facility in back of their office for training technicians to complement the national training courses that they require from their employees.

“We’ll do anything to maintain quality service,” Jeff says. “I had a lady who called one day and demanded someone come to her house within 30 minutes. I scrambled, rearranged several schedules and was determined to make that happen.” They even have one employee, John Fling, son of the late philanthropist with the same name, who has developed a relationship with many senior clients who call on him all hours of the night and day for service. “Going out on a call in the middle of a cold winter night is not unusual for us,” Mickey says. “But John takes that to a different level because he never refuses a request for service from any of his clients. He’s been with us for 27 years so he’s built quite a base.”

Rosewood Florist, Tripp’s Fine Cleaner’s and 2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning exemplify the commitment to service that comes with being voted The Best of Columbia. Congratulations to these three businesses as well as all of the 2014 winners for a job well done!

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