from left to right: Bob Haschke – General Manager of East Texas Broadcasting; Carla Maxwell winner of $500 contest; Tyler Bowden – Tony’s son; Tony Bowden; Hank Betke – R3bi Director and Zeke Zander – KOYN morning show host
The winners in the Red River Region Business Incubator’s Business of the Month competition are Carla Maxwell and Tony’s Tuxes.
R3bi Executive Director Hank Betke recently presented Maxwell, who nominated the business, with a check for $500 at Tony’s Tuxes, located at 3707 Lamar Ave.
“We’re excited about this,” Betke said. “Our goal was to get people talking about the positive aspects of customer service in Lamar County. People have responded well beyond what we expected. We had over 70 businesses registered last month. This is a promotion that is gaining momentum.”
Store owner Tony Bowden said he is honored to be selected business of the month by simply doing what he loves to do.
“At Tony’s Tuxes-Clothiers for Men, we treat our customers like we want to be treated when we shop. Tony’s wants to go that extra step to provide exceptional customer service with a smile,” he said. “Thank you, Carla Maxwell, for the nomination and thank you, Red River Region Business Incubator, for offering the opportunity to be recognized for doing what I love to do and treating customers like we always do.”
In nominating the clothier, Maxwell noted that the business has been going for more than a quarter century, which is quite an accomplishment in itself.
“It is hard for any small business to make it, much less for 25 years only specializing in men’s clothing,” she said. “Tony has been very active in the community and never fails to help out with any and all benefits, programs, and/or community events. He and his staff are always pleasant and greet everyone with a smile.”
Bowden started business in 1986, now serving its second generation of brides and grooms in Lamar County, Northeast Texas and Oklahoma.
“When parents are with the bride and groom, they say, ‘He did our tuxedos so many number of years ago,’ that’s an awesome feeling,” he said. “With a full line of men’s clothing, I hope to continue another 26 years.”
In addition to helping spotlight local businesses providing such a high level of service, R3bi hopes to use the promotion to increase community awareness of the incubator, something Betke said is already paying off. He noted a recent encounter with an elderly woman at the grocery store who saw his name tag and asked where he worked as executive director.
“I told her, ‘The Red River Region Business Incubator,’” Betke said. “She said, ‘I read about your company. You do good things.’ To me, that’s what it’s all about. The community needs to know that we do do good things.”
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