Shreveport, LA, October 17, 2025

News Summary

Tim and Leslie McMurray’s Happy Belly’s Italian Ice Factory has been awarded the top prize in the Frozen Treat category at the Shreveport Bossier CHOICE Awards. The event showcased over 4,400 candidates in various categories, resulting in more than 51,000 votes cast. This year’s awards celebrated local businesses and highlighted community favorites, reinforcing the importance of supporting local enterprises in the Shreveport area.

Shreveport

Tim and Leslie McMurray’s Happy Belly’s Italian Ice Factory has won the prestigious Frozen Treat category at the 2025 Shreveport Bossier CHOICE Awards, held on June 5, 2024. The awards celebrated local businesses after a rigorous voting process that occurred over several weeks, with participation from the community.

This year, there were a total of 4,400 candidates competing across 14 different categories and 234 subcategories. The voting process allowed individuals to vote for multiple categories daily, emphasizing a popularity contest framework. Over 51,000 votes were cast, marking a significant 47% increase in participation compared to the previous year.

Among the highlighted favorites in this year’s awards were various categories such as Law Firm, Black-Owned Business, and Customer Service. The participating businesses varied widely, ranging from small family-run establishments to larger corporations. Alongside Happy Belly’s Italian Ice Factory, Marilynn’s Place received accolades for their Gumbo, Lilah’s King Cakes was recognized for their King Cakes, and Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana won in multiple casino categories. Additionally, the Poljak Group Wealth Management was honored in the Wealth Management category, and Pinnacle Realty Advisors was recognized as the top Real Estate Company. The Louisiana PrizeFest also garnered attention, winning the title for Best Annual Event.

The CHOICE Awards serve as a platform to celebrate local favorites and encourage ongoing support for local businesses and nonprofits. Award certificates will be displayed at various businesses and locations throughout northwest Louisiana, allowing the community to recognize the achievements of these outstanding establishments.

Background of the CHOICE Awards

The CHOICE Awards have become a beloved tradition in the Shreveport Bossier area, bringing together community members to vote and honor their favorite places to eat, shop, and receive services. The growth in participation this year, with over 51,000 votes being cast, illustrates a vibrant and engaged community keen on supporting local enterprises. The awards aim to not only spotlight successful businesses but also foster a sense of pride and investment in the local economy.

Conclusion

The success of Tim and Leslie McMurray’s Happy Belly’s Italian Ice Factory at the CHOICE Awards embodies the spirit of hard work and dedication prevalent among local businesses. With a clear commitment to quality and community engagement, the McMurrays exemplify the essence of local ownership that the awards aim to celebrate.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Shreveport Bossier Advocate: 2025 Shreveport Bossier Choice Awards Winners
• Wikipedia: Shreveport
• Shreveport Times: Creative Compliments Wins 2025 Consumer Choice Award
• Google Search: Shreveport CHOICE Awards
• Shreveport Times: 2025 Victoria Consumer Choice Award Winners
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Business Awards
• Shreveport Times: Greatway Financial Recognised with 2025 Award
• Google News: Shreveport

Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.