It may have been the salted caramel or the “Scout” mint that has had people standing in lines curling out of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream’s five locations – including its newest on the hill at 321 W. Galer St. Whatever the magic flavor or ingredient, it was enough to place Molly Moon Neitzel’s ice creamery with two other finalists for King County’s Small-Business-of-the-Year award to be announced tomorrow in Bellevue.

But winning won’t be easy. Neitzel is up against Lightel Technologies, Inc. of Renton, and the highly popular Trophy Cupcakes and Party company, which won national recognition on the Martha Stewart Show and contributed to the nation’s cupcake craze.

King County Executive Dow Constantine is hosting the ceremony which takes place from 7:15 to 9 a.m., Wednesday, at Meydenbauer Center at 11100 N.E. Sixth St. in Bellevue. For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/smallbusinessawards.