Pictured from left to right are Rob Stiles, Chamber President Lacey Wilson, Wil Stiles and Lane McKowen of Flegal Insurance
The Walker County Chamber of Commerce honored the top three recipients of the 2016 Small Business of the Year Award at the Walker County Civic Center during the 2017 Annual Membership Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Southern Hanger Boutique was named the winner of this year’s award. Owner Tara Hampton opened Southern Hanger one year ago to provide Walker County residents with a convenient location to shop for the latest trends in clothing and accessories. They originally opened their store in a small portion of the Southern Bliss Bakery building, but their success led them to expand into a much larger space on North Main Street in LaFayette earlier this year.
First runner-up was awarded to Pie Slingers Pizzeria, a Chickamauga restaurant known for its homemade dough and high quality ingredients. Owners Jennifer McSpadden Welsh and Skip Welsh opened the family-friendly eatery in 2009. Since then, they have given back to the community by hosting fundraisers for schools and organizations throughout Walker County.
The award for second runner-up went to Flegal Insurance, Inc. The independent agents at Flegal have provided personal and business insurance in Chattanooga and North Georgia since 1917. The team at Flegal is proud of their long history in Walker County and they enjoy giving back to the community through participation in numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. The company recently marked its 100th anniversary and received the prestigious honor of being named a 2016 Best Practices Agency by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
Chamber President Lacey Wilson had the pleasure of announcing the winners, acknowledging their amazing contributions to the local economy. Their success, she noted, is proof that small businesses can thrive in Walker County.
The Small Business of the Year recipients are selected by the Chamber Board of Directors after going through a nominating process designed by the Business and Industry Committee. The recipients must be members of the Chamber in Good Standing as of November 12, 2016 with a minimum of one full year in business.
Pictured from left to right are Chamber President Lacey Wilson, Jennifer McSpadden and Skip Welsh of Pie Slingers