Locally Owned Murfreesboro and Smyrna Independent Merchants Association are excited to announce the finalists for the 2019 Light Up Local Firefly Awards.

Light Up Local, set for Tuesday, April 23, promises to be an exciting evening of local food, music and the presentation of the second annual Firefly Awards. 

The Firefly Awards is a people's choice awards celebration of independent businesses.

“We at SiMA are very excited for the opportunity to recognize the best of our community,” said Vanessa Johnson Haley, SiMA president. “We look forward to celebrating in conjunction with Locally Owned Murfreesboro.”

LOM and SiMA took nominations in 10 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 23 at Hollingshead Aviation Hangar at 300 Doug Warpoole Rd. in Smyrna.

Food will be provided by The Alley On Main, Simply Pure Sweets, Al Rayan, Tasty Table, The Blue Porch, Carpe Cafe, Jo's Custom Catering and Bob’s Barbecue.

Music provided by DJ Big Bad Boogie. Floral arrangements and plants provided by The Flower Pot II, 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.

And the nominees are:

• WGNS Good Neighbor of the Year

Murfreesboro: Garage Barre, The Bug Man, Float Alchemy

Smyrna: Aaron Lovett Realty, Smyrna Senior Activity, Front Street Signs and Carpe Cafe

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: Re-Invintage, P’s and Q’s Pickup, and The Bug Man

Smyrna: Senior Activity Center, Aaron Lovett, and The Flower Pot

This award is presented to a locally owned business that positively 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.

• Lube Pro's Best Customer Service Award

Murfreesboro: P’s and Q’s Pickup, Dreamingincolor, and Simply Pure Sweets

Smyrna: Carpe Cafe, Aaron Lovett, Gil’s Ace, Front Street Sign

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.

• NowTech Productions Best Nonprofit

Murfreesboro: Special Kids, Greenhouse Ministries, Kymari House, and Cold Patrol

Smyrna: Senior Activity Center, Tennessee Family Solutions, Carpe Artista

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: Dallas and Jane Restaurant, Simply Pure Sweets, and Kleer-Vu Lunchroom

Smyrna: Hickory Falls Wood-Fired Grille and Bar, La Tavola Ristorante Italiano, and Breaking Bread

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.

• Best New Business

Murfreesboro: P’s and Q’s Pickup, Blue Dot Bake Shoppe, Wand and Willow Day Spa

Smyrna: Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream, Red Wagon Nursery, Faded University Barber, The Casual Pint

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: Bro Barre, Jazzfest, The Saturday Market

Smyrna: Depot Days, Wings of Freedom Fish Fry, Simply Smyrna Celebration

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.

• Murfreesboro Pulse Best Night Out

Murfreesboro: Mayday Brewery, Premier 6 Theatre, The Center for the Arts, Locked: Escape Game

Smyrna: Smyrna Bowling Center, Carpe Artista, Springhouse Theater

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.

• Dempsey, Dilling and Associates Business of the Year Award

Murfreesboro: The Alley on Main, Garage Barre, The Bug Man

Smyrna: Front Street Signs, Gil’s Hardware, Red Wagon Nursery

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: The City Cafe, Holden’s Hardware, Haynes Hardware

Smryna: Gil’s Hardware, LubePros, Senior Activity Center

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.

About Locally Owned Murfreesboro

An affiliate of the American Independent Business Alliance, Locally Owned Murfreesboro was formed in 2016.

The nonprofit is an organization of independent local business owners dedicated to promoting the benefits supporting independent businesses to the community and building a stronger local economy by joining together in marketing, government advocacy and networking.

Learn more at locallyownedmurfreesboro.org. Because Murfreesboro Matters.

About Smyrna Independent Merchants Association

Smyrna Independent Merchants’ Association helps independent local businesses compete successfully and reverse the trend of losing our community-based businesses that make our home special.

SiMA drives an ongoing public education campaign to inform customers fully about the benefits of doing business locally. We help shift business to our members by raising awareness of the overall value they offer, and their importance to the character and economic strength of our community.

Learn more at simatn.org.