More than 40 local businesses were honored Thursday, Aug. 6 , 2015, during LocalShops1’s seventh birthday bash and annual Best in Biz Awards, presented by C1 Bank.
This year there were five categories – Most Community-Minded, Best in Grassroots Marketing, Best New Business, Best Established Business and Best Non-Porfit. Winners were chosen through an online poll, in which more than 2,500 people participated; and by a panel of independent judges including local journalists and business professionals.
The event featured keynote speaker St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and was hosted by 10 News journalist Noah Pransky.
And the winners are …
Best Established Business
Judges’ Vote: Rick’s Home Theatre Store, St. Petersburg
People’s Choice: Jessi’s Restaurant, Pinellas Park
Best New Business
Judges’ Vote: Out of the Weeds, St. Petersburg
People’s Choice: Mangia Gourmet, Gulfport
Most Community-Minded
Judges’ Vote: Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Gulfport
People’s Choice: Gold & Diamond Source, Clearwater
Best at Grassroots Marketing
Judges’ Vote: Michele Tuegel Contemporary, St. Petersburg
People’s Choice: Pipo’s Cuban Cafe, St. Petersburg & Seminole
Best Non-Profit
Judges’ Vote: The Kind Mouse Productions, St. Petersburg
People’s Choice: Paws for Friendship, Tampa
In addition to the business awards, LocalShops1 presented its annual Floppy Hat Award for Community Service to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. The annual award goes to a civic or community member who goes above and beyond to support local businesses and the Buy Local movement. Kriseman was recognized for his Small Business Tours and other pro-local business programs, and during the Best in Biz Awards he announced plans for new initiatives to make it easier for entrepreneurs to navigate through the regulations required to open up shop in St. Petersburg.
The sold-out event with an overflow standing-room crowd took place at the Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg.
Sponsors included C1 Bank, Moorman Photographics, Jessi’s Restaurant, Three Birds Tavern, Degrees of Success, Toastmasters District 48, Richter Publishing and Grand Kitchen + Bath. Event Supporters included Dr. Johanna Turner, Steve’s Gourmet Olives, Olympia Catering, Red Hot Tiki Spicy Gourmet Market, The Domino Effect, Rick’s Home Theatre Store, Time Systems, Museum of Fine Arts, Gold & Diamond Source, Bell Contracting & Design, Pipo’s Cuban Cafe and Smokin’ J’s BBQ.
The centerpieces were prepared by Dean Liston and Shannon Kelly of Central Oddities and Shannon’s Web in St. Petersburg.
The other contenders in the Best in Biz contest:
Finalists, Best Established Business
Bella Babies, Pinellas Park
Big Sea Design & Development, St. Petersburg
Grand Kitchen And Bath, St. Petersburg
Rubin Health Center, St. Petersburg
The Peaceful Warrior Massage, St. Petersburg
Finalists, Best New Business
Big T Printing, St. Petersburg
Central Oddities, St. Petersburg
Enigma, St. Petersburg
Johanna Turner, chiropractor, Clearwater
La V, St. Petersburg
Locale Market, St. Petersburg
Roadside Attraction, Largo
St. PetersBARK, St. Petersburg
Finalists, Best at Grassroots Marketing
Degrees of Success, Tampa
Richter Publishing, Tampa
Stash- a Place for Yarn, , St. Petersburg
The Fashion Movement, Tampa
Finalists, Most Community-Minded
Backyard Getaway, Bradenton
Cerulean Blu, St. Petersburg
Fresh Threads, Tampa
Gallerie 909, St. Petersburg
Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce, Gulfport
Time Systems, St. Petersburg
Best Non-Profit
Birds of Paradise, Bradenton
CASA – Community Action Stops Abuse, St. Petersburg
Creative Clay, St. Petersburg
ERA, St. Petersburg
Fulfill Your Destiny, Tampa
Grand Central District Association, St. Petersburg
Limbo Chihuahuas, Gulfport
Toastmasters District 48, Gulfport
LocalShops1 is a coalition of hundreds of independently owned businesses and tens of thousands of energetic shoppers with the mission of advocating, promoting and offering support services to companies throughout Tampa Bay. Founded in August 2008, LocalShops1 is the region’s most active voice for small businesses.