Locally Owned Murfreesboro and Smyrna Independent Merchants Association are excited to announce the finalists for the 2020 Light Up Local Firefly Awards.
Light Up Local promises to be an exciting evening of local food, music and the presentation of the third annual Firefly Awards. The Firefly Awards is a people’s choice awards celebration of independent businesses.
LOM and SiMA took nominations in 13 categories for independent businesses in Smyrna and Murfreesboro during February. The businesses with the most nominations win their category.
The winners will be announced at Light Up Local at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 at Oaklands Mansion at 900 N Maney Ave in Murfreesboro.
And the nominees are:
(listed in alphabetical order)
WGNS Good Neighbor of the Year
Murfreesboro: Catfeine Cat Cafe, Float Alchemy, Wand & Willow Day Spa
Smyrna: Gil’s Ace Hardware, Grace Barre, Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream
This award is presented to a locally owned business or business owner who has given of themselves to the community throughout the year. This business or business owner is known for giving back to the community, not just financially, but with time and effort and never wants recognition.
Best Social Media
Murfreesboro: Catfeine Cat Cafe, Garage Barre + Bike, Wand & Willow Day Spa
Smyrna: Aaron Lovett, Grace Barre, Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream
This award is presented to a locally owned business that postively uses social media. Whether the business posts are encouraging, positive or entertaining, this business uses social media in such a way that they get noticed.
LubePro’s Best Customer Service Award
Murfreesboro: Garage Barre + Bike, Just Love Coffee, Wand & Willow Day Spa
Smyrna: Aaron Lovett, Grace Barre, Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream
This award is presented to the locally owned business that ensures customer requirements are handled quickly and efficiently. Day after day, they are answering questions, finding information, and providing assistance. This locally owned business strives to keep their customers for life.
Best Nonprofit
Murfreesboro: Doors of Hope, Murfreesboro, Muslim Youth, Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity
Smyrna: A Soldier’s Child Foundation, Carpe Artista, Tennessee Family Solutions
This award is presented to a local nonprofit organization that strives to strengthen our community. Regardless of who the nonprofit serves, they enrich our community by giving back and making the area better through service, kindness and charitable acts throughout our county.
Best Restaurant
Murfreesboro: Primrose Table, Simply Pure Sweets, Tasty Table, The Alley on Main
Smyrna: Hickory Falls Wood-Fired Grille and Bar, La Tavola Ristorante Italiano, and Toot’s Smyrna
This award is presented to a locally owned restaurant that exceeds expectations through food quality, customer service and overall atmosphere. When you visit this restaurant, you always leave wanting to come back for more and you tell everyone you meet about it.
Cultivate Coworking’s Best New Business
Murfreesboro: Catfeine Cat Cafe, Garage Barre + Bike, Wand & Willow Day Spa
Smyrna: Azteca Bakery, Bella Vista Coffee Shop, Grace Barre
This award is presented to a locally owned business that has been around for less than 4 years. This business impresses you with either goods OR services. New to the scene, this business has impressed you in one way or another.
Best Event
Murfreesboro: Habitat for Humanity Cookin’ to Build, Main Street Murfreesboro Saturday Market, Wild Goose Chase Clue Party
Smyrna: Great Tennessee Air Show, Senior Activity Center of Smyrna Spaghetti Dinner, Wings of Freedom Fish Fry
This award is presented to a local business or organization that puts on an amazing event. Whether it is a fundraising occasion or community event, they create an event that either gives back to or creates an opportunity for community. This event gives back to the community.
Best Night Out
Murfreesboro: Hop Springs, Locked: Escape Game, Murfreesboro Axe
Smyrna: Brainiac Trivia, Game Galaxy, Janarty’s Handmade Ice Cream
This award is presented to a locally owned business that provides a fun, entertaining and inviting place for a night out. This is a place where you could go for a date and enjoy the area without leaving home. NOT A RESTAURANT, this would be a business that provides a service or experience that you want to tell your friends about.
Business of the Year Award
Murfreesboro: Batey Farms, Catfeine Cat Cafe, Garage Barre + Bike, P’s & Q’s Pickup
Smyrna: Dow Smith Company, Gil’s Hardware, Janarty’s Handmade Ice Cream
This award is presented to a locally owned business that goes above and beyond for the community. Your nomination should be known for its outstanding customer service and leadership in your area. This is the locally owned business that you think of when you think about your town, the place that you can’t imagine your neighborhood without.
Volunteer State Bank Local Legacy
Murfreesboro: Donut Country, Holden Hardware, Toot’s Restaurant
Smyrna: Bridal Country, Joe B’s Furniture, Smyrna Ready Mix
This award is presented to a locally owned business that has been at the core of writing our city’s story through the years. A staple in our community, this business has been in our town for at least 20 years and continues their legacy of providing a needed service.
NEW THIS YEAR- 3 Franchise Categories
A locally owned franchise is a business in our community that has bought into a franchise, big or small. What makes it locally owned is that all decisions are made by the franchise owner, who lives in and contributes to the local community.
Locally Owned Franchise – Best Restaurant
Murfreesboro: Chick-Fil-A, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, Red Bicycle
Smyrna: Chick-Fil-A, Jim ‘N Nicks
Locally Owned Franchise – Best Retail
Murfreesboro: Children’s Orchard, Fully Promoted, Lizard Thicket
Smyrna: Nutrition Faktory
Locally Owned Franchise – Best Service
Murfreesboro: Cyclebar, Kenzi Keene Farmers Insurance, Salons by JC
Smyrna: Camp Bow Wow, Lube Pro’s, Supercuts
Food will be provided by The Alley On Main, Simply Pure Sweets, Tasty Table, Olive Branch Bakery, Primrose Table, Jo’s Custom Cakes & Catering, Azteca Bakery, Giorgio’s Pizza and Kinfolk’s BBQ.
Music provided by Music Tree Entertainment. Floral arrangements and plants provided by Primrose Flower Truck and Red Wagon Nursery.
Dress is casual and you are encouraged to wear a shirt from your favorite local business.
To learn more, visit the event page on Facebook.
