October 3, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:

Greta Delaune, Phone: 651-266-8684 | Email: [email protected]
Nhia Vang, Phone: 651-266-8566 | Email: [email protected]

City Council Honors the 8th Annual Business Awards Winners and Runners-Up
Saint Paul City Council has concluded and announced its recipients for the 8th annual Business Awards.

SAINT PAUL, MN - Today, the Saint Paul City Council announced the eighth annual Saint Paul Business Awards winners. They will recognize the five winners and celebrate the efforts of Saint Paul business owners at the City Council Special meeting on October 9th with a reception to follow. The awards acknowledge and celebrate local businesses that offer community engagement, essential services, investments in their employees, and a commitment to Saint Paul's values of equity and diversity.

The Council President and Ward 4 Councilmember Mitra Jalali states, "Saint Paul is home to an incredibly rich and diverse business community, from the Little Africa Corridor, Selby, Grand and Downtown, to the West side and Eastside - all across the city. We are honored to host the Saint Paul Business Awards and uplift our community business leaders each year."

Businesses are selected for an award in several categories based on nominations from the community. The following are the winners of this year's Business Awards:

• Flava Cafe, 623 University Ave W (Ward 1) - Alice O'Brien Award: honoring a women-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment. (Runner Up: Whole Life Elevation LLC)
• The Curl District, 647 Smith Ave S (Ward 2) - New Kid on the Block Award: honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years. (Runner Up: Black Garnet Books)
• Tiffany's Sports Lounge, 2051 Ford Parkway #1932 (Ward 3) - Traditions Award: honoring a business active in Saint Paul for at least twenty years. (Runner Up: Keys Cafe (Raymond))
• Willie's American Guitars, 1381 N Eustis St (Ward 4) - People's Choice Award: honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents. (Runner Up: Brunson's Pub)
• Storehouse Grocers, 781 7th St E (Ward 7) - Good Neighbor Award: honoring a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. (Runner Up: Highland Popcorn)

Many Councilmembers have personal connections and pride in their award-winning businesses. Ward 3 Councilmember Saura Jost proclaims, "Anyone from our corner of the city can tell you: Tiff's is an institution. They've been the place to gather in the Village since I was a kid. After a community meeting, after a game at the Highland Ball fields, if you just need to skip making dinner and see some neighbors; you go to Tiff's."

"Small businesses are the heart of our community," said Ward Two Councilmember Rebecca Noecker. "I'm thrilled that Aubriana Jackson chose to find a home for The Curl District in Ward 2. Her vision for an inclusive, welcoming business is just what we need on our diverse West Side. Congratulations, Aubriana, on being our New Kid on the Block."

Ward 7 Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson notes, "Storehouse Grocers works hard to end food insecurity that plagues our community and creates a vital East Side neighborhood access point to hope, faith, and education. It's more than coffee and groceries, it's a village. Congratulations again Pastor & Owner Carl Johnson."

The Selection Committee, a group composed of previous award winners, reviewed the applications, and made the final decisions. The Saint Paul City Council appreciates their dedication to the process. The selection committee included:

• Benita Warns of Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles (2022 Good Neighbor Award Winner)
• DAngelos Svenkeson of NEOO Partners Inc. (2022 New Kid on the Block Award Winner)
• Kathy Sunberg of Ginkgo Coffeehouse (2021 People's Choice Award Winner)
• Kelsey Joson of InControl (2023 Alice O'Brien Award Winner)
• Matt Kenevan of Dabbler Depot (2023 Good Neighbor Award Winner)
• Tom Schroeder of Waldmann Brewery (2019 New Kids on the Block Award Winner)

After hours of discussion, Kelsey Johnson remarked, "Selecting the winners for the 2024 Saint Paul Business Awards this year was a challenge because of the variety of nominees. It was a tough decision, but incredibly rewarding to witness the outstanding leadership and innovation from our local community."

Tom Schroder, a veteran of the Selection Committee, concluded, "It's so heartening to see all the wonderful small businesses that operate in the city. It's businesses like these that make Saint Paul a great place to live and work!"

This year, the City Council is grateful to Clear Channel Outdoor for supporting the Saint Paul City Council's Business Awards program to generously offer to feature the 2024 awards winners at their six digital ad spaces throughout the city and is also thankful to them for this wonderful opportunity to continue to uplift Saint Paul businesses.

Read about past award winners and learn more about the categories and criteria for submitting a nomination at www.stpaul.gov/business-awards.

The awards winners will be recognized on Wednesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. in City Hall, 15 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN, Council Chambers - Room 300. Please join us in person to recognize these exceptional local businesses. For those who cannot join us in person, please watch this special meeting live on the City of Saint Paul - Calendar at stpaul.legistar.com. We are proud to conclude another successful year of the Saint Paul Business Awards, and we look forward to announcing our winners. Thank you for your participation and support for this program and the businesses of Saint Paul.

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Last Edited: October 3, 2024