For the last nine 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: RUSSELL MOORE
FINALISTS: DERRICK HICKS
MANDI GRACE GASPARD
HAIR SALON
WINNER: RUMO’S
FINALISTS: HOUSE OF HAIR, THE BABE CAVE BEAUTY BAR
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: SONNY PANZICO’S GARDEN MART
FINALISTS: SLEEPY HOLLOW FURNITURE, TP OUTDOORS
HOME ACCESSORIES
WINNER: MUFFIN TIN/ THE TRENTON HOUSE
FINALISTS: WALSWORTH & COMPANY, GYPSY SOUL
HARDWARE & DESIGN
MATERIAL STORE
WINNER: TP OUTDOORS
FINALISTS: HOME HARDWARE CENTER, KIPER HARDWARE AND LUMBER
FURNITURE STORE
WINNER: IVAN SMITH FURNITURE
FINALISTS: SLEEPY HOLLOW FURNITURE, WALSWORTH & COMPANY
HOME BUILDER
WINNER: HOLYFIELD CONSTRUCTION
FINALISTS: 318 CONSTRUCTION, JONATHAN HILL CONSTRUCTION
PLUMBER
WINNER: MARK JOHNSON PLUMBING
FINALISTS: KELLY PLUMBING, ALL PLUMBING
CUSTOM CABINETS
WINNER: WEST OUACHITA CABINETS
FINALISTS: MAYO CUSTOM CABINETS, KEY MILLWORK & SUPPLY CO.
HVAC - HEATING & AIR
WINNER: GILLEY’S HEATING & COOLING
FINALISTS: MIKE SMITH’S HEATING AND AIR, SOUTHERN AIR
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.
FINALISTS: DON CHUY MEXICAN BAR AND GRILL, TACO BANDIDO
FRENCH FRIES
WINNER: VANNAH’S DRIVE-IN
FINALISTS: OKALOOSA, MAGIC GRILL MONROE
FRIED CHICKEN
WINNER: SOUTHERN CLASSIC CHICKEN
FINALISTS: MEL’S CAJUN FRIED CHICKEN
DELTA BISCUIT COMPANY
ASIAN
WINNER: RONIN STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI
FINALISTS: RAWZ CAFÉ, BASIL OF MONROE
BURGER
WINNER: VANNAH’S DRIVE-IN
FINALISTS: ENOCH’S IRISH PUB, BURGER GRIND
BREAKFAST
WINNER: DELTA BISCUIT COMPANY
FINALISTS: LEA’S OF MONROE, BELLE’S OLE SOUTH DINER
BBQ JOINT
WINNER: JAC’S CRAFT SMOKEHOUSE
FINALISTS: DANKEN TRAIL, PODNUH’S
COFFEE
WINNER: CORNER COFFEEHOUSE + PROVISIONS
FINALISTS: STANDARD COFFEE, HEBREWS COFFEE AND EATS
BEST LOADED TEA
WINNER: LIFESTYLE NUTRITION
FINALISTS: RIVER CITY NUTRITION, FIT4LIFE
ITALIAN
WINNER: GENUSA’S RESTAURANT
FINALISTS: MILANO’S ITALIAN GRILL, GENO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
BRUNCH
WINNER: DETLA BISCUIT CO.
FINALISTS: OKALOOSA , RESTAURANT COTTON
SEAFOOD
WINNER: WAREHOUSE NO 1 RESTAURANT
FINALISTS: THE FISH HOUSE, TRAPP’S
SANDWICHES
WINNER: DAILY PRESS
FINALISTS: MAGIC GRILL MONROE, NOT JUST PIE
BAKERY FOR SWEETS
WINNER: CASTOR & CHICORY
FINALISTS: ALLBRITTON’S CAKE HOUSE, CAKE
VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY
WINNER: FOR HIS TEMPLE FAMILY FOODS
FINALISTS: FIESTA ON EIGHTEENTH, BASIL OF MONROE
GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS
WINNER: BUTTER - A LOUISIANA BAKERY
FINALISTS: FOR HIS TEMPLE FAMILY FOODS, FIESTA ON EIGHTEENTH
BEST HEALTH FOOD
WINNER: FIESTA ON EIGHTEENTH
FINALISTS: DAILY HARVEST, FOR HIS TEMPLE FAMILY FOODS
FOOD TRUCK
WINNER: THE BLUE TACO
FINALISTS: HEBREWS COFFEE AND EATS, SODA JERK
DONUTS
WINNER: BESTZ DONUTS
FINALISTS: HASKELL’S, DAYLIGHT DONUTS
SNOWBALLS
WINNER: DEBBIE’S SNOWBALLS
FINALISTS: ESKAMOE’S, SNOW CONE PLACE
LOCAL STORES & SHOPS
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
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
WINNER: THE CHILDREN’S SHOPPE
FINALISTS: FIRST GLIMPSE, CARA’S BOUTIQUE
GIFT SHOP
WINNER: THE MUFFIN TIN/ THE TRENTON HOUSE
FINALISTS: SHOPPES ON THE ALLEY GYPSY SOUL
JEWELRY STORE
WINNER: MARTY & MARK’S JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR
FINALISTS: STEVE’S JEWELRY, RANDY SMITH JEWELERS
ATHLETIC WEAR
WINNER: FLEET FEET
FINALISTS: SIMMONS SPORTING GOODS BLUE LINE BOUTIQUE
WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
WINNER: CARA’S BOUTIQUE
FINALISTS: BLUE LINE BOUTIQUE, HERRINGSTONE’S
MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
WINNER: J&H BOOTS AND JEANS FINALISTS: HONEY HOLE TACKLE SHOP, RIVER OUTFITTERS
SHOE STORE
WINNER: CARA’S BOUTIQUE FINALISTS: DUSTY & COMPANY, BLUE LINE BOUTIQUE, HERRINGSTONES
ANTIQUE STORE
WINNER: COTTON PORT ANTIQUES
FINALISTS: FROGS FLEA MARKET, TRENTON STREET ANTIQUES
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 THE GOOD SHEPHERD, NORTH MONROE MOTHER’S DAY OUT
BEST STAFFING COMPANY
WINNER: WILL SOURCE STAFFING
FINALISTS: MANPOWER, STAFFMARK
FLORAL SHOP
WINNER: VEE’S FLOWERS
FINALISTS: ALL OCCASIONS, PETALS & PEARLS
TAILOR /ALTERATIONS
WINNER: CAROLYN SEWING FINALISTS: SHIRLEY’S ALTERATIONS, RON ALEXANDER CLOTHIERS
CARA’S BOUTIQUE BEST SHOE STORE
2025 BAYOU BUZZ AWARDS
LOCAL
LIVING (CONT.)
CATERER
WINNER: THURMAN’S FOOD FACTORY
FINALISTS: THE PLATTER, JAC’S CRAFT SMOKEHOUSE
CAR WASH
WINNER: CAR WASH WEST
FINALISTS: ROCKETFAST CAR WASH, TOMMY’S EXPRESS CARWASH
PET GROOMER
WINNER: DKS MOBILE DOG GROOMING
FINALISTS: CURLY’S TOP DOG, FLUFFIE PUPPIE
DRY CLEANER
WINNER: D&D CLEANERS
FINALISTS: THURMANIZE CLEANERS, DIXIE CLEANERS
VET CLINIC
WINNER: CORNER VET
FINALISTS:
ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF WEST MONROE, LITTLE VETERINARY SERVICES
AUTO DEALER
WINNER: JIM TAYLOR AUTO GROUP
FINALISTS: SPARKS NISSAN KIA, RYAN AUTOMOTIVE
BANK
WINNER: ORIGIN BANK
FINALISTS: PROGRESSIVE BANK, WINNSBORO STATE BANK
PHARMACY
WINNER: COMMUNITY PHARMACY
FINALISTS: ARON’S PHARMACY, MR. DISCOUNT DRUGS, LIVE OAK PHARMACY
ACCOUNTANT/CPA
WINNER: TASHIA HINES - CAMERON, HINES AND COMPANY
FINALISTS: DALE SOIGNIER, KEVIN EPPINETTE
LAWYER
WINNER: CUMMINS & FITTS
FINALISTS: BRUSCATO LAW FIRM CREED & CREED
INSURANCE AGENT
WINNER: KIM DUKE
FINALISTS: BLAKE WHEELIS, LAURA WOODS
FINANCIAL PLANNER
WINNER: DARREN OGLESBY, OGLESBY FINANCIAL GROUP
FINALISTS: ANDY YARBROUGH, NICHOLAS TRAPPEY
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: DOGGY DAYS
FINALISTS: LITTLE VETERINARY SERVICES/ LITTLE PAWS MONROE, SIT, STAY, & PLAY
TREE REMOVAL SERVICE
WINNER: CAJUN TREE CUTTERS
FINALISTS: KIRKLAND KUTTERS, MUNHOLLAND TREE SERVICE
FINALISTS: JOHNSON PHYSICAL THERAPY NELA REHABILITATION
MECHANIC
WINNER: CULP’S AUTOMOTIVE, RONNIE CULP
FINALISTS: MARK’S AUTOMOTIVE FRANK NETTLES AUTOMOTIVE
PLACE TO ENTERTAIN KIDS
WINNER: KIROLI PARK
FINALISTS: LA PURCHASE GARDENS & ZOO, INDIAN VILLAGE HARVEST FARM, SURGE ENTERTAINMENT
CREDIT UNION
WINNER: OUACHITA VALLEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
FINALISTS: CENTRIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, KRAFTMAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
DENTIST
WINNER: NELA DENTAL
FINALISTS: PEACH TREE DENTAL, LITTLE CASSIS DENTAL
ORTHODONTIST
WINNER: CAPLES AND ROBINSON
FINALISTS: TURPIN ORTHODONTICS, WILLIAMS ORTHODONTICS
CHIROPRACTOR
WINNER: GG GRANT / SHELL
FINALISTS: TRAXLER CHIROPRACTIC BAYOU BELLE WELLNESS
LOCAL ORIGINAL BAND
WINNER: MIKE MCKENZIE BAND
FINALISTS: JORDAN SHEPPARD AND THE CYPRESS KNEES, CLARA RAE AND THE RAMBLERS
TITLE COMPANY
WINNER: NORTH DELTA TITLE COMPANY
FINALISTS: BAYOU DESIARD TITLE COMPANY, NELA TITLE COMPANY
MORTGAGE LENDER
WINNER: OUACHITA VALLEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
FINALISTS: ORIGIN BANK, CROSS KEYS BANK - JEREMY LOWE
COUNSELOR
WINNER: TIE: JADA ALI, FAMILY SOLUTIONS
FINALISTS: LAUREN TAYLOR, DR. TERRY THOMAS
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, JO & KEMP @JOANDKEMP
ART GALLERY
WINNER: MASUR MUSEUM OF ART
FINALISTS: MOJOY ART STUDIO, REVIVAL DESIGN & CONSIGN AND AVANT GARDEN
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, INDIAN VILLAGE HARVEST FARM PRODUCE
