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What’s the best new thing in Salem in the past year?

Last year’s winners were The Blue Apron Restaurant and Red Rooster Bar, followed by Lowe’s and then a tie for third between the Salem House restaurant and Valley Sports Marketing.

In 2010, the top vote-getters were the Ol’ Mule Hot Dog Company, Lowe’s, and Teaberry’s.

In 2009, the top three, as judged by you, were the Salem Red Sox, Zaxby’s and Frank’s Pizza.

So what will it be this year, in this and many other categories?

You tell us!

Voting is now open in our fourth annual Best of Salem reader survey.

You can find the voting form right here (or over in the right-hand rail.)

The voting is open through midnight on Sunday, March 11; we’ll publish the results in our April 20 print edition.

A few new wrinkles: To make it easier to vote, we’ve gone ahead and listed the top six finishers last year in the business categories — although, as always, you can cast a write-in vote if your favorite isn’t already listed.

If you’ve got someone or some thing you think should be recognized, feel free to start a campaign to drum up votes.

Is there someone or something who should be recognized who doesn’t fit into a category? We always have our “best thing not on this list.”

Happy voting!

Here’s who won in 2011 and 2010 and 2009.

Got friends in other places? We also have Best Of contests underway in Botetourt County, Southwest Roanoke County and the New River Valley.