BEST OF MISS-LOU: Winners Announced at Annual Awards Ceremony – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

NATCHEZ – Miss Lou’s best, including barbers, doctors, caterers, photographers, mechanics, restaurants, retailers and more, received their due recognition Tuesday night at the Natchez Democrat’s 2022 annual Best of Miss-Lou awards.

This event uses online voting for locals to choose their favorite businesses and people serving their community and thus raise the bar in the competition.

This year’s contest included nearly 43,000 nominations and more than 90,000 votes, said Democratic editor Kevin Warren. Of these, just over 200 winners were chosen by community voters in various categories. Everyone who was nominated was invited to the awards ceremony on Tuesday night inside the Natchez Convention Center and hundreds of people attended.

Some have won awards in multiple categories.

Justin Gregg, DVM, and his staff at Gregg Veterinary Hospital swept the pet care categories.

For others, a little recognition was enough to bring a smile.

“It’s wonderful,” Paula Morris said of the Best Bank Manager award. “I was most definitely surprised.”

Here is a full list of the Natchez Democrats’ Best of Miss-Lou 2022 winners:

The best of automotive

New Car Dealership: Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

Used Car Dealer: Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

Auto Dealer Service Department: Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

Car salesman: Jerry McJimsey

Car / Truck / 4×4 Accessories: McDonald Collision

Bodywork: McDonald Collision

Braking: Arthur’s tires

Car Wash: Car Details B&J

Chief Financial Officer: Shaun McDonald

Gas station: Go Mart

Glass/Windshield Repair: Advanced Glass

Oil change: Arthur’s tires

Powersports Dealership: Great River Honda

Sales Manager: Cass Butler

Sales Manager: Kyle Holzhaub

Service Department: Pro Automotive Specialists

Duty Manager: Bryan Mudd

Technician (Mechanic): Josh McDonald

Tire Shop: Arthur’s Tires

Towing service: McDonald Collision

Window Tint: Benji Cradle

Favorite Locals

Barber: Kayce Hinson

Bartender: Kevin Graham

Esthetician/Hairdresser: Kayce Hinson

Charity Manager: Marcus Archer

Chef: Jonathan Borum

Coach (private schools): Coach David King

Coach (public schools): Coach Jeannie Crnkovic

Firefighter: Battalion Commander Tim Vanier

Judge: Walt Brown

Local author: Greg Iles

Local politician: Sheriff David Hedrick

Local Social Media Influencer: Ronnie Calhoun

Police Officer: Captain Craig Godbold

Principal: Whest Shirley

Server: Belinda Faust

Deputy Sheriff: Lee Best

Teacher (elementary): Torri Webber

Teacher (high school): Jennifer Rutland

Best food and drink

Starters: Duck’s Nest II

Bakery: The donut shop

Bar: 100 main spirits and restaurant

Barbeque: Pig Out Inn Barbeque

Selection of beers: Natchez Brewing Company

The best-kept secret: restoring health and well-being

Best Service: Little Tokyo

Cookies: Cookies & Blues

Breakfast: The Donut Shop

Brunch: The Little Easy

Burger: The Camp

Dining: Moo’s Barn and Grill

Chicken fillets: county pie

Chinese food: Planet Thai

Cocktails: Red 61

Coffee: Natchez Coffee Co.

Coldest beer: CR’S

Crayfish: C & M Crayfish

Deli: Soda Pops

Dessert: Granny’s cupboard

Fast Food: The Malt Shop

Fries: McDonald’s

Fried Chicken: Popeye’s

Friendliest Service: Little Tokyo

Gas Station Food: Go Mart

Gumbo: Duck’s Nest II

Healthy Dinner: Nutrition 61

Ice cream: malt shop

Italian Restaurant: Pearl Street Pasta

Margarita: Tamales by Fat Mama

Mexican restaurant: La Parrilla

Milkshake: malt shop

New restaurant: Brandin Iron

Pizza: county pie

Plated Lunch: Southside Market

Po-Boy: Ginger 61

Queso: La Fiesta Grande Restaurante

Seafood restaurant: Roux 61

Steak/Steak Night: Duck’s Nest II

Sushi: Little Tokyo

Sweet tea: Mammy’s

Tacos: Camp

Takeaway: county pie

Wine/Spirits Selection: Natchez Spirits

Wings: County Pie

Best healthcare and fitness

Serviced residence: BeeHive Homes of Natchez

Dentist: Dr. Jarrod Gregg

Physician: Dr. Kellen Jex

Health and fitness club: Natchez Total Fitness

Home health care: intensive home health care

Hospital: Trinity Medical Center

Manicure/Pedicure: VIP Nails

Nurse: Lexi Christian

Nutrition Shop: Nutrition 61

Optometrist: Bridgett Milliken

Pediatrician: Dr. Jennifer Russ

Pharmacist: George Book

Pharmacy: Pharmacy of the book

Physiotherapist: Summer Milliken Thompson

Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation: Key Rehab Associates

Sports/orthopedic rehabilitation: Physiotherapy Miss-Lou

Urgent Care: SouthStar Urgent Care

Women’s Health: Dr. Frank Guedon

Best home and garden

Antique dealer: Riva Chic

Appliance Repair: Hefley Refrigeration & Appliances

Appliance Store: Brakenridge Furniture

Concrete Repair/Installation: J & J Flooring and Natural Stone

Electrical Service Company: Thorpe Sheet Metal, Inc.

Flooring Store: J & J Flooring and Natural Stone

Furniture Store: Weeks Warehouse Furniture

Hardware: Home Hardware Center

Hardwood floors: J & J Flooring and Natural Stone

Home decor store: Riva Chic

Home renovation: J & J Flooring and Natural Stone

HVAC Company: Thorpe Sheet Metal Inc

Landscaper/Landscaping Company: Upton’s Lawn and Landscape

Mattress Store: Weeks Warehouse Furniture

Shearing service: Richard McKinney

Outdoor living: J & J flooring and natural stone

Pest Control: Bug Buster’s Pest Control

Plumber/Plumbing Company: Thorpe Sheet Metal Inc

Real estate firm: Paul Green & Associates Realtors

Tile/Stone Countertop Shop: J & J Flooring and Natural Stone

Best Pet Care

Veterinary Hospital: Gregg Veterinary Hospital

Dental Care: Gregg Veterinary Hospital

Emergency Services: Gregg Veterinary Hospital

Groomer: Morgan Leigh

Pet Boarding: The Barkley Pet Hotel and Spa

Companion Animal Surgery: Gregg Veterinary Hospital

Veterinarian: Dr Justin Gregg

Best professional services

Accounting Firm: Silas Simmons LLP

Bank: United Mississippi Bank

Charity: Natchez-Adams County Humane Society

Construction Company: Huber’s Construction Co Inc

Customer Service (Large Businesses): McDonald’s Collision

Customer Service (Small Business): Stuart Heflin

Financial Planning: Forrest Johnson

Funeral Home: Young Funeral Home

Insurance Agency: Jordan Farmer State Farm Agency

Investment: Forrest Johnson

Law Firm/Office: Lipsey Law

Mortgage company: UMB

New company: Cooley & Co

New Business: Restoring Health and Wellness

Private school: Cathedral Secondary School

Public School: Natchez Early College

Tax Preparation Services: Silas Simmons LLP

Top Professionals

Accountant: Will Christian

Lawyer: Grayson Lewis

Bank manager: Paula Morris

Business Lunch: Pearl Street Pasta

Electrician: Boo Brumfield

Financial Planner: Forrest Johnson

HVAC Technician: Jonathan Thorpe

Insurance Agent: Jordan Farmer

Loan officer (commercial): Matthew Hall

Loan officer (home): Matthew Hall

Minority-Owned Business (Owner): Planet Thailand

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

Plumber: Kelly Spears

Realtor: Janice Easom

Cashier: Heather Burr

Wealth Advisor: Forrest Johnson

Woman-Owned Business: Taylor Cooley Photography

Best shopping and entertainment

Bed and Breakfast: Dunleith Historic Inn

Best Shop: Generation Lee Boutique

Children’s clothing store: one of a kind

Consignment store: bless this mess

Convenience store: Go Mart

Dance Studio: Middleton School of Dance

Meeting place: Pearl Street Pasta

Daycare: Hansel and Gretel Daycare

Eyewear store: Miss-Lou Eye Care

Florist: Jeffery’s Flower Shop

Gift shop: one of a kind

Grocery: Southside Market

Hair salon/Day spa: Mane Event

Hotel: Natchez Grand Hotel

Hunting equipment: Sports center – Rex Team Sports

Jewellery: Rise N’ Shine Studio

Women’s clothing: RRUS & Co.

Local band: Mack Daddy

Local Musician: Bryce McGlothin

Nightlife: Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge

Party Venue: Cooley & Co

Pawnbroker: Ancient Peddler Pawn and Salvage

Shoe store: running boots

Tattoo Studio/Artist: Morgan Moak

Thrift store: bless this mess

The best of weddings

Alterations/Making: Kathleen Taunton

Bridal hairstyle: Anruss & Co

Bridal makeup: Cydney Brown

Wedding Registry: Hal Garner @ Nest

Caterer: Rene’ Adams

Engagement and wedding jewelry: Rise N’ Shine Studio

Florist: Moreton’s Flowerland

Official Venue: Dunleith Historic Inn

Groomsman Outfit: Magnolia Bride Bridal Boutique

Groomsmen Gifts: Rise N Shine Studio

Historic Site: Dunleith Historic Inn

Mother’s and Grandmother’s Outfit: Magnolia Bride Bridal Boutique

Nails / Manicure: Perfect Nails

Outdoor site: Dunleith Historic Inn

Tuxedo Rental/Purchase: Magnolia Bride Bridal Boutique

Alliance: Cha Cha Boo

Wedding Cake: Edna Fisher

Wedding Dress: Magnolia Bride Bridal Boutique

Wedding Photographer: Taylor Cooley Photography

Wedding Planner: Taylor Moak

Wedding Reception: Cooley & Co

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner: Cooley & Co

Wedding Videographer: Oakwood Media