Shopping & Entertainment
ANTIQUE STORE Winner: Owls Nest
Browsing at either of Owls Nest two locations is always an adventure. Original local artwork is for sale, along with vintage items of all types. Antique headboards and sideboards, cobalt glass and a marble-topped table were all recent finds on the store’s Facebook page. Shopping in person is even better. “It’s large and the booths are attractively styled,” said one review. “Love the variety and quality of pieces, unique finds and very helpful staff,” said another review.
Second Place: Treasure Trove Vintage Flea Market
Third Place: The Castle
BOWLING
Winner: Holiday Entertainment Center
Holiday Entertainment Center says it is more than a place for bowling and games. “We’re all about creating an amazing culture,” the center said in a Facebook post. A friendly staff, vibrant atmosphere, and delicious food and drinks are just some of things Holiday says customers will enjoy at the center.
Second Place: College Bowl
BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR Winner: Gracyn Elizabeth Bride
Gracyn Elizabeth Bride
offers its own exclusive collection of bridal wear that includes classic silhouettes featuring on-trend necklines and gorgeous trains. “We have used Gracyn Elizabeth for my daughter’s wedding dress. They are top notch. What a treasure,” said one review. “Everyone at the salon went above and beyond to make the perfect bridal experience for our daughter,” said another review.
Second Place: Le’bells Bridal & Formal Wear
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE Winner: Madimae Boutique Madimae Boutique
sells clothing for children ages newborn to 12 years. The boutique also offers holiday-themed apparel and various notions, including specialty keychains. Second Place: Kid to Kid Third Place: Sassy Seconds
DANCE STUDIO
Winner: Judith Mccarty School of Dancing of Judith Dancing Mccarty’s has long School been a fixture in the Texarkana dance world. The school is known for its classical training and support of its young dancers. “Wonderful staff, and a classical and classy approach to dance education,” says a review of Judith Mccarty’s School of Dancing. “Our daughters are loved, nurtured and pushed to their very best.”
Second Place: All Rhythm Dance Alley
Third Place: BC Dance
EVENTS CENTER Winner: Crossties
Crossties has brought live shows, outdoor events and more overall excitement to downtown since opening its doors on Broad Street. The name is a nod to Texarkana’s railroad past. Games of cornhole can be played every week. Salsa dance lessons are often taught at the venue. The live music shows have included big name country stars, glam rock bands and up and comers of all genres. “Best venue in town…they are bringing downtown back to life,” said a review. “Very unique venue. Locally owned and operated. Great asset to the entertainment district,” said another review.
Second Place: Silvermoon on Broad
Third Place: Texarkana Convention Center
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Winner: Cinemark
Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Cinemark Holdings Inc. is a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, with more than 500 theatres and more than 5,800 screens in the U.S. and Latin America.
Second Place: Holiday Entertainment Center
Third Place: Sling Blades
FLORIST
Winner: Ruth’s Flowers Texarkana’s longest established flower shop, Ruth’s Flowers, specializes in weddings, proms, homecoming flowers and custom wreaths. “Best flower shop around. I have been using this florist for over 10 years and can vouch that they do a wonderful job and value their customers. This is a locally owned and operated business with tons of combined experience to make the perfect arrangement for an occasion,” said a review on the shop’s Facebook page. “The boutonnieres and my bridal arrangement was perfect. Thank you for the details and time you spent making them perfect,” said another review.
Second Place: The Flowerroom Florist and Gifts
Third Place: Unique Flowers & Gifts
GOLF COURSE
Winner: Texarkana Golf Ranch
Texarkana Golf Ranch sits along Bringle Lake in northern Texarkana, Texas. The course, which has 50-foot elevation changes, hosts AJGA and Tightlies tournaments. “Texarkana Golf Ranch is a golf course that will challenge the best of all touring professionals while still providing fun,” the Ranch’s website states.
Second Place: Texarkana Country Club
Third Place: Northridge Country Club
GROCERY STORE Winner: Albertsons
In 1939, Joe Albertson, a former Safeway district manager, took $5,000 he saved and $7,500 he borrowed from his wife’s Aunt Bertie, and partnered with
L.S. Skaggs to open his first Albertsons store on 16th and State Streets in Boise, Idaho,” the grocery chain states on its website. The company now operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners.
Second Place: Delaughter’s
Third Place: Cash Saver
GYMNASTICS
Winner: Joni’s Gymnastics, Dance and Cheer Centre
The motto at Joni’s Gymnastics, Dance and Cheer Centre is, “Where children flourish into athletes and artists through determination, grace and commitment.”
Second Place: North East Texas Elite Gymnastics, Dance & Cheer
Third Place: Twin City Cheer & Gymnastics
HEALTH STORE
Winner: Granary Street Health Food Store Those seeking a healthier lifestyle can find food, herbs and vitamins locally without needing to shop out of town because of Granary Street Health Food Store offering a wide variety of healthy foods that cover every need. They have a wide variety of vitamin pills, minerals, herbal pills and other needs for our bodies,” said a review. “I needed some gluten-free baking powder ASAP. I was going to have it shipped from Amazon with one day-delivery but stopped here and got the same item for half the price,” said another review.
Second Place: Summerhill Nutrition
Third Place: 5 Star Nutrition
HOTEL Winner: Hilton Garden Inn
With a stay at Hilton Garden Inn Texarkana, you’ll be just a three-minute walk from Texarkana Convention Center and 11 minutes by foot from CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.
Make yourself at home in one of the 154 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 32-inch flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations are provided. Conveniences include safes and housekeeping provided daily and cribs/infant beds (complimentary) can be requested.
Second Place: Holiday Inn
Third Place: Fairfield Inn
KIDS PARTY PLACE Winner: ijump ijump
believes Texarkana needs a primary entertainment venue for a growing city, so they put together a first-class, indoor, safe facility for all ages. They do it by providing trampolines, air bags, dodgeball courts, basketball hoops, a competitive style ninja course and much more.
Features include trampoline half-pipes for fun tricks, a state-of-the-art LED lighting and sound system, a parent lounge with free Wifi, private rooms for birthday parties and meetings and a full-service icafe featuring chips, candy and drinks.
Second Place: Chuck E Cheese
Third Place: Silvermoon Children’s Theatre
LOCAL BAND
Winner: Relentless Second Place: Modern Day Cowboys
Third Place: The Mix
MARITAL ARTS SCHOOL
Winner: Lacy’s Shotokan Karate
Lacy’s Shotokan Karate was established in 1973, making it the oldest martial arts school in the Four States area. The studio provides instruction in traditional Japanese-style karate used in self-defense.
Second Place: Texarkana Jiu Jitsu
Third Place: Texarkana Combat Sports
MUSIC STORE Winner: The Band House
The Band House offers instrument sales, rentals and repairs, as well as lessons for aspiring musicians.
The Band House is a product of musicians and band directors, and its goal is to help musicians and band directors achieve the highest levels of success. “We look forward to being part of a vital partnership with schools, band directors, and most importantly, band parents and their children for decades to come!”
Second Place: Texarkana Pro Sound sicthird Place:
Mic’d Mu
KARAOKE Winner: Fat Jack’s Oyster and Sports Bar
In nearly 40 years of business, Fat Jack’s Oyster and Sports Bar has become a Texarkana icon. Besides its Cajun cuisine and live music, Fat Jack’s also is known for its pool hall and patio.
Second Place: Arrow Bar
Third Place: Whiskey River
RESALE STORE
Winner: Haven Homes The Haven Homes vision is “to bring restoration to broken people through grace-based discipleship and to reach those in pain from addiction and through God’s grace, help these individuals receive love, joy, hope and healing.”
The resale shop supports housing and other services for men and women who have found themselves in the midst of legal issues because of their drug and alcohol use.
Second Place: Sassy Seconds
Third Place: Uptown Cheapskate
SHOE STORE
Winner: Racquet & Jog Racquet & Jog opened in Longview, Texas, in 1978. Now, more than 40 years later, they’ve opened two more stores in Rockwall and Texarkana, partnering with many other small businesses and quality brands.
They are a retail store specializing in running. Enter any of the three stores and be educated on running shoes, attire and accessories that will enhance your run. Additionally, they offer tennis equipment, tees, everyday accessories, shoes for different lifestyles and various clothing for men, women and children.
Second Place: Nelson’s Boots and Shoes
Third Place: Red Wing
SHOOTING RANGE Winner: Texarkana Gun Barn and Range
Designed with comfort of the shooter and family in mind, Texarkana Gun Barn and Range features services and amenities not currently available in the surrounding area.
“Our mission is to train quality people to be qualified to carry a firearm. We are a premier training facility, firearms dealer, indoor gun range and ammunitions manufacturer in the Ark-latex.”
Second Place: Legendary Firearms
Third Place: Rocky Creek Outdoors
WESTERN WEAR Winner: Cavender’s Cavender’s
was founded by James and Pat Cavender in 1965 in Pittsburg, Texas. Today, Cavender’s has established itself as a premier Western clothing store for the American South and Southwest. It remains a family business, run by James and Pat’s sons — Joe, Mike and Clay.
Second Place: Boot Barn Third Place: Nelson’s Boots and Shoes
WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE Winner: Sweet Caroline’s Boutique
One customer praises Sweet Caroline’s Boutique as a cut above the rest. “This boutique is seriously the best in town. Denise & her staff are super friendly, & they always are first at having the newest hot items for us to purchase. The store is so cute & really affordable. Highly recommend!
Second Place: The Rancher’s Wife
Third Place: Luna Boutique