Olivette Opens Nominations for Annual Business Awards | The Locally Times
The city's third annual awards program has a March 23 deadline, though public records do not detail the selection criteria or tangible benefits for winners.
The City of Olivette is accepting nominations for its third annual Business of the Year and Restaurant of the Year awards. A March 23, 2026, city record states that residents are asked to submit their three preferred businesses by a 5 p.m. deadline on that date. ## Nomination Process Lacks Public Criteria Although the city is soliciting public input, available records do not provide a framework for how businesses will be evaluated or selected. The public notice lacks specific judging criteria and does not name the members of the selection committee. Details on the judging process itself and the qualifications required for a business to be considered are also not included. The records do not outline tangible benefits for winners, such as promotional support or financial incentives, nor do they document the impact of the awards on the previous two years' recipients. ## Creve Coeur Program Shows Similar Lack of Detail A similar awards program in Creve Coeur also omits procedural details in its public announcements. The Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee sought nominations for its 2026 Business Awards, with a period that closed March 6, per a city record. Like Olivette's program, the announcements for Creve Coeur’s awards did not specify evaluation criteria or the makeup of the selection committee. This lack of publicly available procedural information is noted in the business award programs for both municipalities. ## Webster Groves District Focuses on Business Education In contrast to city-level business recognition, the Webster Groves School District focuses on developing future business leaders through its curriculum. This educational track includes courses such as Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Marketing I with Personal Finance, and a Business Internship. The district also provides advanced courses like AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, representing an approach to economic development focused on foundational skills for students.