Locally Owned Murfreesboro and Smyrna Independent Merchants Association honored 16 locally owned, independent businesses at the inaugural Light Up Local Firefly Awards on Tuesday, April 24 at The Grove.
Light Up Local was an exciting evening of local food, music and the presentation of the Firefly Awards.
The Firefly Awards, emceed by WKRN’s Larry Flowers, is a people's choice awards celebration.
“The Firefly Awards is a people's choice awards celebration of independently owned businesses in Murfreesboro and Smyrna. We envisioned this night as a way to spotlight independent businesses, the backbone of our communities,” said Gretchen Bilbro, president of Locally Owned Murfreesboro.
After the nominations were taken and the votes were tabulated, the finalists and winners (in bold) are:
Best Social Media
Murfreesboro: Garage Barre, P's and Q's Pickup, Mayday Brewery
Smyrna: In Bloom Boutique, Cali's Coffee and Creamery, HIP Smyrna
Lube Pro Best Customer Service
Murfreesboro: Just Love Coffee, Garage Barre, P's and Q's Pickup
Smyrna: Cali's Coffee and Creamery, Carpe Cafe, In Bloom Boutique
NowTech Productions Best NonProfit
Murfreesboro: Special Kids, Greenhouse Ministry, Stepping Stones
Smyrna: Carpe Artista, Lifepoint, Jeff Kuss Memorial
Best Restaurant
Murfreesboro: The Alley on Main, Demos, Marina's on the Square
Smyrna: Toot's Smyrna, Cali's Coffee and Creamery, Hickory Falls
Best New Business
Murfreesboro: Garage Barre, The Social Chair, Wild Goose Chase Events
Smyrna: Cali's Coffee and Creamery, Crossroads Boutique, Shabby 2 Chic Boutique
Best Event
Murfreesboro: Saturday Farmers Market, JazzFest, Garage Barre- Bro Barre
Smyrna: The Great Tennessee Air Show, Smyrna Depot Days, Wings of Freedom Fish Fry
Most Kid Friendly Place
Murfreesboro: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, Batey Farms, ETC Gymnastics
Smyrna: Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, Splash Pad, Smyrna Bowling Center
Best Night Out
Murfreesboro: The Alley on Main, Mayday, Garage Barre
Smyrna: Omni Hut, Cali's Coffee and Creamery, Hickory Falls
WGNS Good Neighbor of the Year
Murfreesboro: The Alley on Main, Lacey Garrett- Garage Barre, P's and Q's Pickup
Smyrna: Gil's Ace Hardware, Cali's Coffee and Creamery, Ron Alley-Carpe Cafe
Dempsey, Dilling and Associates Business of the Year Award
Murfreesboro: Batey Farms, Garage Barre, Just Love Coffee
Smyrna: Carpe Cafe, Gil's Ace Hardware, Smyrna's Divine Wine and Spirits
“Our finalists represent the best our communities have to offer. We congratulate you on your achievements,” Bilbro said. “Our communities are better places because of you.”
Locally Owned Murfreesboro President Gretchen Bilbro, left, presents the WGNS Good Nighbor of the Year Award to The Alley on Main owners Shawn and Christy Hackinson at the inaugural Light Up Local Firefly Awards on Tuesday, April 24 at The Grove in Murfreesboro. They are joined by The Alley bartender Hunter Goodwin, right.
Food was provided by Simply Pure Sweets, The Alley on Main, Tasty Table, Jo's Custom Cakes and Catering Inc., Carpe Cafe and CoreLife. Drinks were provided by Auntie Anne's Smyrna, Mayday Brewery, Short Mountain Moonshine and Concoctions Bartending. Floral arrangements were provided by Veda’s Flowers & Gifts and The Flower Pot. Music will be provided by DJ Big Bad Boogi.
Light Up Local is sponsored by Dempsey, Dilling and Associates, Clipper Magazine, WGNS Radio, DJ Big Bad Boogi, Lube Pro, Cultivate Coworking, Contract Management Services, CreativeBoro, Hagan Law Group, VIP Murfreesboro, Weddings and Events by Raina and Pale Hearts Photography.
The Grove at Williamson Place is situated off Medical Center Parkway at 3250 Wilkinson Pike in Murfreesboro.
Top image: Susan Gulley and Ron Alley accept the Business of the Year are for Smyrna at the inaugural Light Up Local Firefly Awards on Tuesday, April 24 at The Grove in Murfreesboro.
About Locally Owned Murfreesboro
An affiliate of the American Independent Business Alliance, Locally Owned Murfreesboro was formed in 2016.
The nonprofit is an organization of independent local business owners dedicated to promoting the benefits supporting independent businesses to the community and building a stronger local economy by joining together in marketing, government advocacy and networking.
Learn more at locallyownedmurfreesboro.org. Because Murfreesboro Matters.
About Smyrna Independent Merchants Association
Smyrna Independent Merchants’ Association helps independent local businesses compete successfully and reverse the trend of losing our community-based businesses that make our home special.
SiMA drives an ongoing public education campaign to inform customers fully about the benefits of doing business locally. We help shift business to our members by raising awareness of the overall value they offer, and their importance to the character and economic strength of our community.
Learn more at simatn.org.
