Half Price Books was recognized as Business of the year by the Greater East Dallas Chamber at an awards luncheon at Lakewood Country Club. Surviving and thriving in a time when many bookstores have struggled, Half Price Books’ adaptability and commitment to its core values have enabled it to expand across the U.S. while maintaining its headquarters in Dallas, where it continues to be celebrated as a cherished local and national brand.
All winners:
Business of the Year - Half Price Books
Chairman's Award - Comerica BusinessHQ
Entrepreneur Award - Strouderosa BBQ
Live Local Award - Maya's Modern Mediterranean, Mosquito Shield of North Dallas, Yard Card Queen - East Dallas
R.S. Munger Business Pioneer Award - East Dallas Arts District
People's Choice - Hello Dumpling
People’s Choice Runners Up - Christian Brothers Automotive White Rock and Dallas Piano Academy
Read about the businesses
Business of the Year - Half Price Books – Sharon Anderson Wright
Half Price Books, founded in 1972 by Pat Anderson and Ken Gjemre, celebrated 52 years of operation this year. As the largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain in the nation, it now boasts 117 retail locations across 19 states. Known for its commitment to bookselling and environmental sustainability, the company has made a lasting impact on the literary community through its eco-friendly practices and dedication to philanthropy. Today, Half Price Books is led by Sharon Anderson Wright, Pat’s daughter, and has kept its Flagship store and corporate offices in East Dallas for over 25 years.
Chairman’s Award - Comerica BusinessHQ – Kayla Nimer
Comerica BusinessHQ is Comerica Bank’s first small business resource center built for community and by community. It currently serves as the bank’s largest investment in real estate dedicated to community at $5 million and is the first real estate owned by the External Affairs department. The External Affairs team, who serves under the Corporate Responsibility department of the bank and is led by the Director of External Affairs, Brandon Q. Jones, is a dynamic team who spear-head initiatives across Comerica’s numerous markets focused on economic development, workforce development, youth education, small business education, and financial education. Comerica BusinessHQ is an initiative created to address three essential needs of small business which our institution and community focused groups determined as capital, cultivation, and connectivity. Through strategic and intentional work with nonprofits and community partners like Project Still I Rise, Empowering the Masses, The Real Estate Council, and many more, BusinessHQ stands apart by providing a complex offering of technical assistance programming. Other offerings include access to no-cost co-working, in-kind space for incubation programming, and access to capital with a more educational approach through the involvement of community development financial institutions like BCL of Texas and DreamSpring. Comerica also supports this through volunteerism by providing technical assistance through subject-matter-experts internally and securing opportunities to serve the community in a wholistic way. All these offerings are provided with no obligation or commitment of being a customer of the institution.
Entrepreneur - Stroudrosa BBQ – Trisha and Matt Stroud
Growing up, Matt's core memories come from making and canning salsa and bbq sauce with his Dad. In 2019, after his Dad passed away, Matt and Trisha Stroud carried on his legacy by forming Strouderosa LLC. Their sole purpose was to make BBQ sauce for fun and to share with friends and family. Then came the pandemic! They sold smoked meats and eventually family meals. They developed quite a following catering parties, private dinners, business lunches, participated and fed guests at school auctions, banquets, and markets, and even had our Jalapeno BBQ Sauce on the shelves in Central Market, True Value, and Rooster Hardware. In 2023 the storefront was born! They built the restaurant ourselves.
The restaurant has been recognized LH Advocate-second place Best BBQ Restaurant-2022, 2023, 2024
Dallas Observer Best BBQ Restaurant-2023
Observer Tacolandia competition 2023 Best BBQ Taco where we placed in several categories.
They have placed in many BBQ competitions, including the FOE and White Rock Que 2023
Live Local - Mosquito Shield of North Dallas – Josh & Rebecca Rider
Josh and Rebecca Rider started in Dallas Mosquito Shield of North Dallas in 2021. We provide residential and commercial mosquito control as well as outdoor tick/flea and perimeter pest control as well! We love serving our families so they can enjoy their yards during the year. We have 2 small kids and 2 dogs so we know the value and importance of providing the best service with the best products to do our best to protect your family. Our service never comes with contracts. We also provide one time event sprays as well! Check put the Chamber’s Podcast with Rebecca. Go to website – Resources – podcast.
Mosquito Shield of North Dallas has been a Top Performer ranking in the top 10 of all Mosquito Shield franchises nationwide for 2021, 2022 and 2023. We also do holiday lighting outside of Mosquito season and provide holiday lights to several customers in East Dallas. We love to light up the holidays!
Live Local - Maya’s Modern Mediterranean – Russell Birk
Maya’s Modern Mediterranean has experienced success and substantial growth since opening its doors in late 2018. With a unique concept that blends cuisine from Israel and the surrounding Mediterranean plus an unwavering commitment to quality, we have built a loyal customer base and a strong brand reputation
Live Local - Yard Card Queen - East Dallas – Elizabeth Ryan
Yard Card Queen Dallas is a Lake Highlands family run business that celebrates any and all milestones in life through out the East Dallas Area. We place custom made signs that are 25 feet in length across ones business or residence that are custom to the recipients celebration/milestone. Our signs don't just stop at celebrating individuals though, we do signs for realtors( open houses), Schools( book fairs etc.), churches( bible studies reminders and camps), Welcome Home( from new babies to Army, Navy Airforce deployment), and marriage proposals.
15% of total sales from Yard Card Queen goes back to several East Dallas Schools. Elizabeth is on the executive board of 100 Women of Lake Highlands, PTA board member for the last 5 years to an East Dallas School ( LHE, LHJH and LHHS) and serves as an officer to a local Dental Association that provides free/reduced dental care for families in the East Dallas Area. She is a member of National Charity League ( White Rock Chapter with her daughter) and a board member on the Wildcat Club for a local East Dallas area High School. She worked in the East Dallas area in the dental field for the last 20 years( full time until this last year).
R.S. Munger Business Pioneer – East Dallas Arts District - Andrea Lamarsaude
The East Dallas Arts District is the official unified support system for the East and Old East Dallas arts community (art, music, performance & creative events). Our mission is to enrich, educate, and inspire the community through the arts. Our goal is to connect with the communities in East/Old East Dallas and DFW via an annual art walk, art focused educational events, artist talks/demos, open studios, performances, and beautification projects in East/Old East Dallas, such as outdoor murals and sculptural works. The East Dallas Arts District is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit.
The East Dallas Arts District is deeply rooted in the local community, with strong ties to both the artists and board members who live and work there. This connection ensures that the initiatives reflect the authentic culture and spirit of East and Old East Dallas, and the District's mission to engage, educate, and inspire aligns perfectly with the area's creative energy. By focusing on local talent and neighborhood-based projects, the District strengthens the sense of place and identity in East Dallas, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for artistic and cultural growth.
In less than a year and initially with four board members (now nine) , the organization formed an official arts district to support creatives in East Dallas, became a nonprofit and hosted its first major Art Walk on Nov. 9 with over 60 artists and musicians participating in 15 venues across East Dallas.
People’s Choice - Hello Dumpling – June Chow
Hello Dumpling is a well-loved East Dallas restaurant that specializes in Asian comfort food, with a particular focus on hand-made dumplings, noodles, and bubble tea. Known for its cozy atmosphere and fresh, authentic flavors, Hello Dumpling offers a menu rooted in traditional Chinese cuisine, infused with modern elements that cater to local tastes. It’s especially popular for its hand-rolled dumplings, made fresh daily, and its unique variety of bubble teas. The restaurant’s aesthetic and dining experience feel personal, which has resonated with the local community, creating a loyal following.
The founder, June Chow, brings a passion for authentic Asian cuisine with a goal of making high-quality, fresh, and affordable dishes accessible to Dallas diners. Chow’s background in food and her dedication to sourcing quality ingredients reflect in Hello Dumpling’s recipes and approach. Her attention to detail, from the preparation process to the thoughtful menu selection, has helped her create a neighborhood favorite in East Dallas.
Runners up: Christian Brothers Automotive-White Rock; Dallas Piano Academy