Welcome to Northeast Arkies Best

Welcome to the 2026 edition of Northeast Arkies Best, presented by CelebrateLocalBusiness.com. This publication celebrates the businesses, people, and places that Northeast Arkansas communities love most, as chosen by
local voters.

 

Community members nominated favorites across key categories including Agriculture, Eat & Drink, Education, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, Law, Motors, Real Estate, Services, Shopping, and Things to Do. More than 3,700 businesses, individuals, and organizations from 14 counties were nominated and appeared on this year’s ballot, with winners representing Baxter, Clay, Craighead, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone counties.

 

We are proud to partner with Saracen Casino Resort as the 2026 presenting sponsor. Located just 40 minutes from Little Rock, the resort features an 80,000-square-foot gaming floor, over 1,600 slot machines, 40 table games, a poker room, three restaurants, and ongoing events and promotions.

 

The Northeast Arkies Best Awards Gala, sponsored by Centennial Bank, was held April 23, 2026, at Embassy Suites by Hilton–Jonesboro Red Wolf Convention Center. The evening included dinner, an awards ceremony, and an after-party hosted by Miss Arkansas 2018, Claudia Raffo Patterson.

 

We invite you to explore this year’s winners, support local businesses, and connect with us online. Congratulations to all honorees and thank you to everyone who voted!