Though the pandemic canceled (and frankly ruined) many local events, it also created opportunities for new products and services. Atop our readers’ favorites were special contact-free pickup and in-person library appointments at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire). Josef’s Cheesecake Cupcakes (29 W. Spring St., Chippewa Falls) understandably boomed under COVID-19: Nothing keeps us sane quite like those delicious lil’ cakes. The Altoona Public Library (1303 Lynn Ave.) came in third for its Grab-n-Go library appointments, which encouraged locals to keep reading! We’re grateful for local businesses and organizations keeping us positive amid dark times. –Rebecca Mennecke