Six Missouri Businesses Named 2026 Most Neighborly as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week

Six Missouri businesses have been selected to receive the 2026 Missouri Good Neighbor Week Most Neighborly Business Award, recognizing businesses that go beyond transactions to build trust, uplift people and strengthen their communities.

The 2026 honorees are:

●       D'Zines by T, Macon

●       Villainous Grounds, Perryville

●       Mama Lisa's Grille, Sweet Springs

●       Bolton's General Store, Walnut Grove area

●       Granny Barb's Pies and More LLC, Bismarck

●       Leopold Country Store, Leopold

The awards are part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week, celebrated Sept. 28-Oct. 4. Missouri Good Neighbor Week is an initiative of University of Missouri Extension and is officially recognized by the State of Missouri.

"Businesses help shape the daily life of a community," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and founder of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "Some simply provide goods and services. Others become places of belonging. They know people by name, show kindness when someone is struggling, support other local businesses and organizations, create places where people connect, and consistently invest in the wellbeing of their community. Those are the businesses we want to celebrate."

Businesses were evaluated based on seven neighborly business behaviors: neighborhood engagement and support; ethical and responsible practices; support for the local economy; kindness in daily interactions; disaster or crisis response; sustained commitment and consistency; and community support.

The six recipients rose to the top of a highly competitive group of 29 nominations. These top six will receive a Missouri themed award in the coming weeks.

D'Zines by T has served the Macon community for more than a decade. Its nomination described years of involvement with 4-H, Extension programs, churches, charities, nursing home residents and other local businesses, along with a pattern of personally checking on and encouraging people in the community.

Villainous Grounds has become much more than a Perryville coffee shop. The business provides a gathering place where people can connect without expectations, supports microbusinesses by giving entrepreneurs opportunities to sell their products, participates in downtown activities, supports community events and has developed relationships with customers over more than a decade.

Mama Lisa's Grille in Sweet Springs demonstrates neighborliness through everyday practices and extraordinary acts of care. The restaurant supports youth teams, provides fundraising opportunities for community groups, works with other local businesses and serves as a community gathering place. When a local family experienced two deaths within a matter of weeks, the business helped organize a benefit meal and silent auction to provide assistance.

Bolton's General Store received multiple nominations describing a consistent culture of neighborliness. Nominators pointed to fundraisers for families in need, support during emergencies, local hiring and purchasing, support for schools and nonprofits, friendly employees who know customers, and the store's role as a place of community fellowship.

Granny Barb's Pies and More LLC in Bismarck demonstrates how a small business can care for people in deeply personal ways. Its nomination described providing meals to people in need, helping a woman leaving a domestic violence situation obtain necessities, assisting a person experiencing homelessness, supporting schools and community events, and even hosting a monthly book club to help people connect.

Leopold Country Store has become so woven into community life that residents reportedly refer to it simply as "our store" or "THE store." With roots dating to the 1930s, it provides necessities to a rural community while also serving as a gathering place for showers, retirement celebrations, graduation parties and everyday conversations. Its support of community events and its long-standing role in Leopold illustrate the social importance a local business can have.

“The six winners were selected from a strong group of businesses nominated from across Missouri,” said Burton. “Honestly I had planned on only naming three but that was expanded due to the quality of the nominations and businesses.”

Other nominated businesses worthy of mention are TLC Properties, Springfield; Neighborhood Reads Bookstore, Washington; KY3-TV, Springfield; Marigold Cafe and Catering, Republic; Tool Town USA, Branson; Burger Bar & Dari Maid, Carrollton; Beacon Realty/Cora Boothe, Excelsior Springs; Opy's, Ellington; Axehead Beverage Company, Seymour; C&S Towing, Lebanon; Premier Dry Cleaning, Springfield; Seabaugh Furniture & Appliance Co., Fredericktown; The Chop Shop Burger, Republic; Faithful Fork, St. Robert; R.P. Lumber-Plattsburg, Plattsburg; Daddy's Coffee & Sweets, Springfield; Walkers Branson, Branson; Finley River Auto and Diesel, Ozark; Alice Irene's Cafe and Bakery, Marionville; and Midwest Press, Potosi.

Elevate Cedar County and Story Church were also nominated for their community contributions but were not considered in the final business award rankings because they do not fit the same traditional business category used for the award. Kirkwood Small Business District was likewise nominated but was removed from final consideration because the nomination represents a business district rather than an individual business.

"What stood out in these nominations was that neighborliness wasn't a special project for these businesses. It was part of how they operate. Again and again, nominators described businesses that know people, connect people, help during difficult moments and invest in their communities year after year,” said Burton.

Burton said the nominations also demonstrate an often-overlooked role of local businesses.

"A neighborly business doesn't just contribute to the local economy. It contributes to the social fabric of a community," Burton said. "It creates relationships, trust and belonging. When that happens consistently, a business becomes more than a place where people spend money. It becomes part of what makes a community home."

Missouri Good Neighbor Week is observed annually Sept. 28-Oct. 4 and encourages Missourians to perform and report acts of neighboring, gather with neighbors, nominate engaged neighbors and businesses, and strengthen relationships where they live. There is still time to perform an act of kindness for your neighbors and report it on the official website at https://missourigoodneighborweek.com/.

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WRITTEN BY

David L. Burton

For more information, visit the Engaged Neighbor website. Take our pledge and become part of a movement! Or subscribe to our newsletter. Access some of the research documents written by David Burton, the author of this blog. Or better yet, purchase one of his books off Amazon. Contact David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.