Three Howard County business were selected as favorite places in the state by readers of Rural Missouri magazine. Fireside Bakes & Brews in Fayette and Beckett’s in Glasgow won first place in their respective categories of favorite coffee shop and favorite restaurant. The Rolling Pin Bakery in Glasgow as picked second in the favorite bakery category.

For 22 years, the readers of Rural Missouri have been sharing their favorite places in the Show-Me State with the editors of the magazine. Around 40,000 votes were cast across 18 categories in the annual Best of Rural Missouri Readers' Choice Awards. Each year the results highlight the best places to eat, shop, stay and relax throughout Missouri. Winners in the 2025 edition of the contest were recently announced in the magazine's April edition, with a first place, second place and editors' choice award presented in 18 categories.

“Our annual contest continues to showcase the incredible businesses, destinations and hidden gems that make our state special,” says Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri editor. “This year's winners reflect both longtime favorites and new honorees, and we're thrilled to celebrate the people and places that make Missouri a wonderful place to live and explore.”

The 2025 winners are spread to nearly every corner of the state and are from towns and villages both big and small.