Watauga County Business of the Year
Presented by Carolina Mountain Title
The Annual High Country Economic Kickoff is held annually each January as a breakfast or luncheon as an opportunity to network, present the Watauga County Annual Awards and hear from renowned economists about what to expect in the year to come. The Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and the Watauga Economic Development Commission proudly served as co-hosts of this event.
Each January, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce presents its Watauga County Business of the Year Awards at the High Country Economic Kickoff Event.
Nominations are submitted by Chamber and community members with winners selected by the Chamber’s Business Development committee. Organizations are awarded based on criteria that includes:
-
Staying Power
- Growth in Sales and/or Workforce
- Innovative Products and Services
- Strong Response to Adversity, Contributions to Community-Oriented Projects, and Use of Local Resources in Business Operations.
NOMINATE A BUSINESS FOR THE 2025 AWARDS
High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon Recaps
2024 Awards
2023 Awards 2022 Awards 2021 Awards
2020 Awards 2019 Awards 2018 Awards
Small Business of the Year Award Winners
|
Year |
Award Winner |
Year |
Award Winner |
|
2010 |
Stick Boy Bakery |
2014 |
Boone Bike & Touring |
|
2015 |
Ray's Weather |
2016 |
Creekside Electronics |
|
2017 |
Vidalia Restaurant & Wine Bar |
2018 |
Peabody's Beer & Wine Merchants |
|
2019 |
Los Arcoiris |
2020 |
Local Lion |
|
2021 |
Mane Habit Hair Salon |
2022 |
Alray Tire & Automotive |
|
2023 |
Baker Forge & Tool |
2024 |
Speckled Trout Outfitters |
Large Business of the Year Award Winners
|
Year |
Award Winner |
Year |
Award Winner |
|
1987 |
Mast General Store |
1988 |
Charleston Forge |
|
1989 |
Carroll Leather Goods |
1990 |
Ribbon Textiles |
|
1991 |
Mystery Hill |
1992 |
Tree Dimensions |
|
1993 |
Appalachian Brian Estates |
1994 |
Watauga Ready-Mix |
|
1995 |
Hastings Company / Hardee's |
1996 |
WATA Radio |
|
1997 |
Appalachian Ski Mountain |
1998 |
The Mountain Times |
|
1999 |
Quality Inn & Conference Center |
2000 |
Bare Essentials Natural Market |
|
2001 |
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff |
2002 |
WJ Office City |
|
2003 |
Footsloggers |
2004 |
Pepper's Restaurant |
|
2005 |
Boone Drug |
2006 |
Makotos Japanese Steakhouse |
|
2007 |
Carefree Companies |
2008 |
Boone Mall / H.L. Libby |
|
2009 |
Chetola Resort |
2010 |
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System |
|
2011 |
Peddler Steakhouse |
2012 |
Pete & Will's Tar Heel Basement Systems |
|
2013 |
ECRS |
2014 |
US Buildings |
|
2015 |
Watauga Opportunities |
2016 |
Tweetsie Railroad |
|
2017 |
Nationwide Insurance - Chuck Eyler |
2018 |
Blue Ridge Realty & Investments |
|
2019 |
Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country |
2020 |
Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center |
|
2021 |
Mustard Seed Market |
2022 |
AMOREM |
|
2023 |
MOLTOX® |
2024 |
Tar Heel Capital/Wendy's |
Startup Business of the Year Award Winners
|
Year |
Award Winner |
Year |
Award Winner |
|
2017 |
Hatchett Coffee |
2018 |
High Country Food Hub |
|
2019 |
Foggy Pine Books |
2020 |
Mountain Vista Window Washing |
|
2021 |
Appalachian FC |
2022 |
180 Float Spa |
|
2023 |
Mountain Elite |
2024 |
Wonder Pelvic Therapy |