TOPS Magazine Named Commerce Lexington’s 2026 Small Business of the Year

Left to right: Forcht Bank Market President Houston Hall, TOPS Magazine Founder & Publisher Keith Yarber, Forcht Bank Senior Vice President Larry Forester, and WLEX-TV reporter Drew Amman. (Photo by Mahan Multimedia)

At the Commerce Lexington Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank, TOPS Magazine was named the 2026 Small Business of the Year. Other award winners included Goff Tents & Events (Achievement in Entrepreneurship), Thea’s Bass and Biddy Kitchen (Excellence in Minority Business), and Children’s Law Center (Nonprofit Community Impact). The week-long celebration featured Facebook Live segments with each award winner, a panel discussion featuring representatives of the award recipients, and an awards luncheon.

TOPS was created in 2005 when founder Keith Yarber left his career in corporate radio to start a new media concept and company from the ground up. TOPS in Lexington launched as a website format during a time when many people were still on dial-up modems and the digital landscape was in its infancy. The early years were difficult, but as the website became more popular, the business evolved into a more traditional media company with the debut of TOPS Magazine in 2007. As many local media outlets were bought by national corporate media companies, they began to cut staff and coverage of local events, greatly reducing public service announcements and assistance to nonprofits.  TOPS saw the opportunity to fill that void and focused on partnerships with community events and nonprofit organizations. 

Today, TOPS has grown into one of Central Kentucky's most recognized local media brands. According to the 2025 Media Audit report, TOPS Magazine reaches more Lexingtonians than most local media outlets. TOP Marketing Group is the parent company of TOPS Magazine and Limestone Digital Marketing Agency, which was created in 2020 to help local partners and advertisers leverage a wide range of digital products to increase business. TOPS continues to set itself apart from other media competitors by connecting more deeply with its readers, advertisers, and the community.
 
Commerce Lexington 2026 Board Chair, Nick Nicholson, said, “We are honored to celebrate local small businesses during the annual Salute to Small Business Awards. Commerce Lexington began its small business awards program back in 1986, and since that time has recognized 133 outstanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Supporting small businesses is one of cornerstones of our organization, with so many programs and initiatives geared toward small business owners and entrepreneurs.”
 
Commerce Lexington recently began a tradition of partnering with local artists in the creative community to showcase their exceptional work and enhance some of our key events. This year’s custom award presented to Small Business of the Year winner TOPS Magazine was created by glass artist Ann Klem, a Kentucky Crafted Artist who enjoys creating art with glass including coasters, clock faces, picture frames, bowls, freestanding sculptural pieces and wall art.

​Find out more about the Salute to Small Business Awards ON-LINE HERE.