Olivette Withholds Business Award Criteria, Past Winners | The Locally Times
The nomination period for the city's third annual business awards ended March 23, but public records lack selection criteria, judging panel details, or a history of past winners.
## Nomination Deadline Passes Amid Missing Details The City of Olivette concluded the public nomination phase for its third annual Business and Restaurant of the Year Awards at 5 p.m. on March 23, 2026. According to the city record announcing the deadline, residents were asked to submit nominations for their top businesses. However, the record did not specify a submission method, such as a web form or email address. While business award programs are a common tool for municipal economic engagement in the St. Louis region, as The Locally Times has previously reported, Olivette’s public record provides minimal information. Beyond the program’s existence and its nomination deadline, the scope and process remain unclear. ## Judging Criteria and Panel Remain Secret A review of city documents shows the criteria for evaluating nominated businesses have not been made public. The record does not list factors such as community involvement, customer service, or business growth as official metrics. Furthermore, the city has not disclosed the composition of the selection body. Public records do not state whether city staff, an economic development commission, elected officials, or a combination thereof will review submissions. The absence of this information prevents public oversight of the selection process and its impartiality. ## No Public Record of Past Award Winners Although the city’s announcement identifies the program as the “third annual,” public records do not contain the names of businesses or restaurants that won the awards in the previous two years. Without a record of past honorees, the public cannot assess the program's history or identify trends in the types of businesses recognized. The city has also not defined a process for archiving this information or making it accessible to residents, which prevents analysis of the program’s alignment with broader economic development goals. ## Winner Benefits and Announcement Timeline Undisclosed The tangible benefits for award winners have not been outlined by the city. Public documents do not state whether the recognition includes a physical plaque, a formal proclamation at a city council meeting, or promotional support. The timeline for the 2026 awards cycle is also not public. City records do not indicate when winners will be chosen or how they will be announced, leaving the entire post-nomination process undefined in available documentation.