Made in the Shade Little Rock wins AY About You’s Best of the Best for fifth straight year

Made in the Shade Little Rock has been named Best of the Best 2026 in AY About You’s Fabrics, Draperies & Window Treatments category, marking five consecutive years at the top in Central Arkansas. The reader-voted honor underscores the company’s regional brand strength as it reports growth and broadens its window treatment business.

Why it matters: - The recognition gives Made in the Shade Little Rock a public-facing seal of approval from Central Arkansas readers, not a paid placement. - The fifth straight win helps reinforce the company’s position in a competitive local home services category. - The award can matter for consumer trust, especially for a business built on in-home design consultations and installation.

What happened: - Made in the Shade Little Rock was named “Best of the Best 2026” in the Fabrics, Draperies & Window Treatments category by AY About You magazine. - The honor marks the company’s fifth consecutive year winning the category. - Central Arkansas readers chose the winner through AY About You’s annual reader poll. - Mike Kirby, co-owner of Made in the Shade Little Rock, said the five-year run is the highest honor the company could receive.

The details: - Heather Baker, president and publisher of AY Media Group, said the magazine’s “Best Of” designation is reserved for the very top percentage of each category. - Baker said the award cannot be purchased and is earned through votes from the general public. - Baker said many winners display the badge in their businesses, advertising and on delivery and service vehicles. - Made in the Shade Little Rock earlier this year was named a Top 5 franchise location for the eighth consecutive year. - The company ranked No. 4 among 152 locations in the Made in the Shade international network. - Made in the Shade Little Rock reported 21% year-over-year sales growth. - The company also reported a 130% increase in outdoor patio shade installations. - Kirby said the company was founded in 2017 with a commitment to service and design expertise. - Kirby said the recognition reflects work by design consultants and installation professionals. - The company serves residential and commercial clients throughout Central Arkansas. - The company specializes in custom blinds, shades, shutters and draperies. - Made in the Shade Little Rock also focuses on motorized shade systems and outdoor patio solutions. - The company is a Platinum Somfy Motorized Shade Dealer and part of the Made in the Shade North American franchise network. - AY Media Group publishes AY About You magazine and runs the annual “Best Of” reader poll across categories in Arkansas. - More information is available on the company’s website.

Between the lines: - The repeated reader-voted win suggests strong local loyalty, which can be a major advantage in a service business that depends on reputation and referrals. - The combination of local awards and franchise-network rankings shows the company is leaning on both community credibility and broader performance metrics. - The emphasis on votes from the public helps separate the award from paid marketing claims, which can make the badge more persuasive to consumers.

What's next: - Made in the Shade Little Rock is likely to continue using the award in marketing, storefront displays and service vehicles. - The company will also try to build on its recent sales growth and rising demand for outdoor patio shade installations. - AY About You’s annual poll will remain a recurring opportunity for the company to defend its title.