D-Zines by T, a Macon florist, is one of six Missouri businesses named winners of the 2026 Most Neighborly Business Award, University of Missouri Extension announced Monday.
The award is part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week, which runs Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. The week is an MU Extension initiative and is officially recognized by the state, according to the Extension release.
D-Zines by T has served the Macon community for more than 20 years. Its nomination described years of involvement with 4-H, extension programs, churches, charities, nursing home residents, and other local businesses, the release said. The nomination also described a pattern of personally checking on and encouraging people in the community.
"Businesses help shape the daily life of a community," David Burton, the MU Extension community development specialist who founded Missouri Good Neighbor Week, said in the release. "Some simply provide goods and services. Others become places of belonging. They know people by name, show kindness when someone is struggling, support other local businesses and organizations, create places where people connect, and consistently invest in the wellbeing of their community. Those are the businesses we want to celebrate."
Nominees were evaluated on seven behaviors, according to the release: neighborhood engagement and support; ethical and responsible practices; support for the local economy; kindness in daily interactions; disaster or crisis response; sustained commitment and consistency; and community support.
The six winners came from 29 nominations, Burton said. A Sept. 2 MU Extension release said the award would recognize three businesses this year.
"Honestly, I had planned on only naming three but that was expanded due to the quality of the nominations and businesses," Burton said in Monday's release.
The six will receive a Missouri-themed award in the coming weeks, according to the release.
The other winners are Villainous Grounds, Perryville; Mama Lisa's Grille, Sweet Springs; Bolton's General Store, Walnut Grove area; Granny Barb's Pies and More, Bismarck; and Leopold Country Store, Leopold. The release named 20 more nominated businesses as worthy of mention. None of them is in Macon County.
"What stood out in these nominations was that neighborliness wasn't a special project for these businesses. It was part of how they operate," Burton said in the release.
D-Zines by T Flowers & Gifts is at 113 N. Rollins St., according to the shop's website. Tyena Bealmer is the owner and lead designer, according to the D-Zines Weddings website. On that site, Bealmer describes D-Zines by T as a full-service florist that also offers wedding rentals and management services and says she has been in business for more than 20 years. The florist site lists fresh and silk arrangements, wedding flowers, and sympathy and funeral flowers.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week was signed into law by the governor in 2022, according to the Sept. 2 release. The first year documented 12,594 acts of neighboring. Last year, Missourians reported 42,134 acts involving residents in 110 cities and 86 counties. This year's goal is 50,000, according to the release. The week is supported by MU Extension, National Good Neighbor Day, and ServMo.
Residents can report acts of neighboring at any time of year at missourigoodneighborweek.com, according to the program's website. Business nominations made after Sept. 28 roll into the nomination pool for next year.