The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the Best of Natchitoches finalists. The awards process started in April with public nominations. A record number of nominees were submitted, with 156 member businesses and individuals being nominated for awards. Then, nominees were asked to submit a narrative on their businesses, speaking to specific criteria, including company management, community service, economic stability, ethics and integrity, growth of company, new jobs created for the community, and upward mobility for employees. The narratives were reviewed by a cross section of business professionals who then scored each nominee narrative according to the criteria, which determined the top three businesses in each category. The categorical finalists are as follows:
Best Start-up Business: Good Hope Veterinary Hospital, Lost Treasure Mining Company (Dark Woods Adventure Park), StoryBrew Coffee Café
Best Non-Profit: CASA of Central Louisiana, Inc., Legacy Café, Women’s Resource Center
Best Online Presence: Natchitoches Parish Journal, Northwestern State University, Poole Media Co.
Best of Health & Wellness: All Hours Fitness, Magnolia Spa & Wellness, Natchitoches Tans & Bronzing Boutique
Best of Medical Services: Hospice of Natchitoches, Louisiana Eye and Laser Center, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
Best of Food & Beverage: Cane River Commissary, Merci Beaucoup, The Loft @530
Best of Professional Services: Eric’s Auto Paint and Collision, HHR Equipment Rental Services, Waskom Brown & Associates
Best of Financial Services: BOM Bank, City Bank & Trust Company, Engage Federal Credit Union
Best of Public Services: Cane River Creole National Historical Park, City of Natchitoches, Natchitoches Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Best of Lodging: Church Street Inn, Sweet Cane Inn, The Cabins of Horseshoe Hills Ranch
Best of Retail: Fisher’s Sports, Ivan Smith Furniture, Simply Chic Boutique
Best of Manufacturing: Alliance Compressors, CLECO Power, LLC, RoyOMartin Plywood
Voting is now open! Voting is open to the public, and voters can cast their vote more than once. This is a time for finalists to showcase their nomination and solicit votes. The link to vote is available at BestOfNatchitoches.com. Voting will be open until midnight on Sunday, May 23rd.
The winners of the Best of Natchitoches awards will be announced via a Facebook livestream event on Thursday, June 3rd, at 5:00 PM. Follow Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at Facebook.com/NatchitochesChamber for notifications. This online event is made possible by the support of the presenting sponsor French Market Express.
The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to making the Natchitoches area a thriving business community by promoting commerce, strengthening people, and improving life.
