For the last eight years, BayouLife Magazine has published the Bayou Buzz Awards, or “Buzzys” as we like to call them. Nominations were open to the public, where the top ten were selected to be voted on. We acknowledge that there are so many amazing businesses in our area, but our Bayou Buzz awards focus on those businesses that are locally owned and operated. We know that this list is not all encompassing, and we hope to continue to grow this special acknowledgment in the coming years.
The Bayou Buzz awards is our way of celebrating those business owners who took risks and were successful at developing businesses that have made an impact in our community. In the following pages, you will find the top 3 finalists in each category with the winner listed at the top. We hope that our readers will use this insert as a resource for finding some of the most endeared businesses in our region.
Thank you to all those that participated in this year’s Bayou Buzz awards and congratulations to our nominees, finalists and winners.
CASSIE LIVINGSTON Publisher, BayouLife Magazine
BODY, BEAUTY AND BRAWN
Whether you are looking for a personal trainer to help reach your fitness goals or a stylist to fix your “do,” we’ve got the best of the best listed below. This group of finalists encompass our readers’ choices for body, beauty and brawn.
HAIR STYLIST/COLORIST
WINNER: ALLIE BARTON
FINALISTS: ASHLEY ALES-BAILES, DUSTY WYATT
HAIR SALON
WINNER: RUMO’S
FINALISTS: MERAKI STUDIO, RAIN THE SALON AND DAY SPA
EYEBROW SERVICES
WINNER: BRITTANY DYE
FINALISTS: SPA BELLA, BRITTNEY SULLIVAN
EYELASH SERVICES
WINNER: BRITTANY DYE
FINALISTS: KALLIE BIBLE, DEFINE LASH CO.
SUNLESS TANNING
WINNER: CHARMÉ: A LUX BEAUTY BAR
FINALISTS: BRITTNEY SULLIVAN, AMBER BARNETTE
MANI/PEDI
WINNER: VIP NAIL BAR
FINALISTS: ALEXIS MCCOY/SPA BELLA , DYNASTY NAILS
WAXING
WINNER: BRITTANY DYE / BEAUTY AND SKIN STUDIO
FINALISTS: KALLIE BIBLE (SPA BELLA), RAIN THE SALON AND DAY SPA
DAY SPA
WINNER: SPA BELLA
FINALISTS: SPA NOUVELLE, NEW BEGINNING WELLNESS CENTER AND SPA
MEDISPA
WINNER: SPA BELLA
FINALISTS: SPA NOUVELLE, NEW BEGINNINGS WELLNESS CENTER & SPA, RESILIENT BEAUTY
Home is where the heart is and the finalists in these categories definitely have our love. From the very best in furniture options, to the guys with the green thumbs, our Bayou Bungalow winners celebrate the best in home décor and more.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
& ACCESSORIES
WINNER: SLEEPY HOLLOW FURNITURE
FINALISTS: SONNY PANZICO’S GARDEN MART, TP OUTDOORS WEST MONROE
FINALISTS: HOLYFIELD CONSTRUCTION, JONATHAN HILL CONSTRUCTION
PLUMBER
WINNER: MARK JOHNSON PLUMBING
FINALISTS: KELLY PLUMBING, ALL PLUMBING
HVAC - HEATING & AIR
WINNER: GILLEY’S HEATING & COOLING
FINALISTS: 318 HEATING & AIR, MIKE SMITH’S HEATING AND AIR
YARD CARE
WINNER: NORTHPRO LANDSCAPING AND LAWNCARE
FINALISTS: GRIFFIN’S LAWNCARE, WESTBROOKS LAWN CARE
GARDEN SHOP
WINNER: SONNY PANZICO’S GARDEN MART
FINALISTS: SAMMY’S PLANT WORLD, THOMAS NURSERY
CUSTOM CABINETS
WINNER: WEST OUACHITA CABINETS
FINALISTS: MAYO CUSTOM CABINETS, WOODLANDS CUSTOM CABINETS
COUNTERTOPS
WINNER: TWIN CITY GRANITE
FINALISTS: KIM’S FLOOR DECOR, OTWELL FLOORING
PEST CONTROL
WINNER: REDD’S PEST CONTROL
FINALISTS: BAYOU MOSQUITO AND PEST MANAGEMENT, ANDERSON PEST CONTROL, PRUITT PEST MANAGEMENT
INTERIOR DESIGNER / DECORATOR
WINNER: LAUREN ROEBUCK
FINALISTS: STRICKLAND INTERIORS BY JAN STRICKLAND, CLINTON DOWNING
PAINTER
WINNER: BROWN’S PAINTING
FINALISTS: TODD MCGUFFEE, MIKE BATEY
HOME CLEANING
WINNER: FARMHOUSE FAIRIES
FINALISTS: KELSEY KLEAN, BAILEY’S CLEANING SERVICE
ELECTRICIAN
WINNER: COPELAND ELECTRIC
FINALISTS: ZB ELECTRIC, EMS ELECTRIC
BEST FLOORING
WINNER: KIM’S FLOOR DECOR
FINALISTS: DUPUY FLOORING, FLOORWORKS
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
WINNER: LILLY ROOFING
FINALISTS: NELA ROOFING, 318 ROOFING
FAVORITE FARE
Louisiana is known for delicious food, and our Favorite Fare category recognizes the best in the industry. From your favorite mixologist to the best burger in town – we’ve got you covered when it comes to these nom, nom, nominees.
BAR TO WATCH A GAME
WINNER: FIELDHOUSE BAR & GRILL
FINALISTS: FLYING HEART BREWERY, CLAWDADDY’S CRAWFISH & OYSTER BAR
PLACE FOR A CRAFT COCKTAIL
WINNER: PARISH RESTAURANT
FINALISTS: FLYING HEART BREWERY. DELTA BISCUIT COMPANY
Our local retailers are top notch, offering Northeast Louisiana residents the best shopping around. Whether you’re looking for the latest fashion trends or something outdoors, these local stores and shops have it all.
EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE
WINNER: HAIK HUMBLE EYE CENTER
FINALISTS: DILLINGHAM CHAPMAN FAMILY EYECARE, FAMILY EYE CARE
THRIFT STORE
WINNER: ROLLING HILLS MINISTRIES
FINALISTS: FIRST WEST THRIFT STORE THRIVE ON THRIFT
Our Local Living nominees offer the best services in Northeast Louisiana. Whether you’re looking for a realtor or need a caterer for your next big party, these businesses are the cream of the crop.
DAYCARE/CHILDCARE
WINNER: CLAIBORNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
FINALISTS: JESUS GOOD SHEPHERD, FIRST WEST MOTHER’S DAY OUT
BEST STAFFING COMPANY
WINNER: WILL SOURCE STAFFING
FINALISTS: MANPOWER, SPHERION STAFFING
FLORAL SHOP
WINNER: ALL OCCASIONS FINALISTS: VEE’S FLOWERS, PETALS & PEARLS
TAILOR /ALTERATIONS
WINNER: CAROLYN SEWING FINALISTS: SHIRLEY’S ALTERATIONS, RON ALEXANDER CLOTHIERS
CATERER
WINNER: THURMAN’S FOOD FACTORY FINALISTS: THE PLATTER,
2024 BAYOU BUZZ AWARDS
LOCAL
LIVING (CONT.)
CATERER FINALISTS: JAC’S CRAFT SMOKEHOUSE
CAR WASH
WINNER: TOMMY’S EXPRESS CARWASH
FINALISTS: ROCKETFAST, CAR WASH WEST
PET GROOMER
WINNER: DKS MOBILE DOG GROOMING
FINALISTS: CURLY’S TOP DOG, DOGGY STYLE
DRY CLEANER
WINNER: D&D CLEANERS
FINALISTS: THURMANIZE CLEANERS, OGDEN CLEANERS
VET CLINIC
WINNER: COOPER VETERINARY
FINALISTS:
ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF WEST MONROE, CORNER VET - STERLINGTON
AUTO DEALER
WINNER: JIM TAYLOR AUTO GROUP
FINALISTS: SPARKS NISSAN, VAN TROW TOYOTA
BANK
WINNER: OUACHITA VALLEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
FINALISTS: ORIGIN BANK, CENTRIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
PHARMACY
WINNER: COMMUNITY PHARMACY
FINALISTS: ARON’S PHARMACY, MR. DISCOUNT DRUGS
ACCOUNTANT/CPA
WINNER: TASHIA HINES - CAMERON, HINES AND COMPANY
FINALISTS: AULDS, DUCHESNE & GRIGGS, AJ MORGAN - BENNETT, MORGAN & CO
LAWYER
WINNER: CUMMINS & FITTS
FINALISTS: BRUSCATO LAW FIRM CREED & CREED
INSURANCE AGENT
WINNER: BLAKE WHEELIS
FINALISTS: PEGGY SULLIVAN, STATE FARM, GREG MANLEY JR., STATE FARM
FINANCIAL PLANNER
WINNER: DARREN OGLESBY, OGLESBY FINANCIAL GROUP
FINALISTS: ANDY YARBROUGH, BRAD BOOTH, BOOTH WEALTH MANAGEMENT
REAL ESTATE AGENT
WINNER: HARRISON LILLY
FINALISTS: HANNAH GIVENS, BRANDY BELL
DANCE STUDIO
WINNER: LINDA LAVENDER SCHOOL OF DANCE
FINALISTS: MISSY CRAIN DANCE STUDIOS, DBK DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS
PET BOARDER
WINNER: CURLY’S TOP DOG
FINALISTS: DOGGY DAYS LLC, SIT, STAY, PLAY
TREE REMOVAL SERVICE
WINNER: CAJUN TREE CUTTERS
FINALISTS: KIRKLAND KUTTERS, MUNHOLLAND TREE SERVICE
PHOTOGRAPHER
WINNER: ALBRITTON PHOTOGRAPHY
FINALISTS: DESIRAE TRAPPEY
PHOTOGRAPHY, JANSEN NOWELL
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC
WINNER: MELANIE MASSEY PHYSICAL THERAPY
FINALISTS: NORTH LOUISIANA SPORTS MEDICINE AND ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC REHAB, NELA REHABILITATION
YOUTH SUMMER CAMP / PROGRAM
WINNER: MEDCAMPS
FINALISTS: CAMP CH-YO-CA, SEEKER SPRINGS
MECHANIC
WINNER: CULP’S AUTOMOTIVE
FINALISTS: MARK’S AUTOMOTIVE FRANK NETTLES AUTOMOTIVE
PLACE TO ENTERTAIN KIDS
WINNER: KIROLI PARK
FINALISTS: SURGE ENTERTAINMENT, INDIAN VILLAGE HARVEST FARM
CREDIT UNION
WINNER: OUACHITA VALLEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
FINALISTS: CELTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, KRAFTMAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
DENTIST
WINNER: NELA DENTAL
FINALISTS: PEACH TREE DENTAL, TURPIN/BRADLEY FAMILY DENTIST
ORTHODONTIST
WINNER: CAPLES AND ROBINSON
FINALISTS: TURPIN ORTHODONTIS, WILLIAMS ORTHODONTICS
CHIROPRACTOR
WINNER: GG GRANT / SHELL CHIROPRACTIC
FINALISTS: MAYFIELD CHIROPRACTIC, MONROE CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
LOCAL ORIGINAL BAND
WINNER: MIKE MCKENZIE BAND
FINALISTS: CODE BLUE AND THE FLATLINERS, JOSH LOVE
TITLE COMPANY
WINNER: NORTH DELTA TITLE COMPANY
FINALISTS: BAYOU DESIARD TITLE COMPANY, NELA TITLE COMPANY
MORTGAGE LENDER
WINNER: ORIGIN BANK
FINALISTS: SUSIE DALTON (EAGLE BANK MORTGAGE), OUACHITA VALLEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
COUNSELOR
WINNER: JADA ALI
FINALISTS: LAUREN TAYLOR, KASEY WITHERINGTON
LAGNIAPPE
These categories represent some of the best products and people in the area. We love following our finalists on Instagram and always look forward to visiting our local art galleries.
LOCAL INSTAGRAMMER
WINNER: SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF
@LEGITSADIEROB
FINALISTS: BLUE LINE BOUTIQUE
@THEBLUELINEBOUTIQUE THE GOOD DAZE @THAGOODDAZE
ART GALLERY
WINNER: MASUR MUSEUM OF ART
FINALISTS: SUGAR GALLERY, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA ARTS COUNCIL GALLERY
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
WINNER: MAYOR FRIDAY ELLIS
FINALISTS: US CONGRESSWOMAN JULIA LETLOW, MAYOR STACI MITCHELL
LOCAL PRODUCT
WINNER: MR. P’S TEES
FINALISTS: LANDRY’S VINEYARD WINE, INDIAN VILLAGE HARVEST FARM PRODUCE
