Saint Paul Business Awards

City Council's recognition of the 2023 award winners

The five categories of award winners and runners-up are:

	Conny's Creamy Cone, 1197 N Dale Street (Ward 5) – Traditions Award: honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least twenty years. (Runner-up: Nelson Cheese and Deli Como)
	Dabbler Depot, 1545 7th Street (Ward 3) – Good Neighbor Award: honoring a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. (Runner-up: Nanny's Jamaican Restaurant LLC)
	InControl, 370 Wabasha Street N (Ward 2) – Alice O’Brien Award: honoring a women-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment. (Runner-up: Hot Grainz)
	Swede Hollow Café, 725 7th Street E (Ward 7) – People’s Choice Award: honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents. (Runner-up: Papa Legba Lounge LLC)
	Wildflyer Coffee, 1362 7th Street W (Ward 2) – New Kid on the Block Award: honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years. (Runner-up: Weird Ink Society)

The Selection Committee that reviewed the applications and selected winners was made up of past winners from the Saint Paul business community. The committee included:

• Cameran Bailey of NEOO Partners Inc.,
• Jack Yang of Hoa Mei Market & Deli,
• Seanne Thomas of ABC Realty LLC, and  
• Tom Schroeder of Waldmann Brewery. 

The 2022 award winners and runners-up are:

	ABC Realty LLC, 565 Payne Avenue (Ward 5) – Alice O’Brien Award: honoring a women-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment. (Runner-up:  In Black Ink, 938 Selby Avenue)
	Hmong Village Shopping Center, 1001 Johnson Parkway (Ward 6) – People’s Choice Award: honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents. (Runner-up:  Swede Hollow Cafe, 725 7th Street E)
	Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles, 520 Prior Avenue N (Ward 4) – Good Neighbor Award: honoring a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. (Runner-up:  Vig Guitar, 595 Snelling Avenue N)
	NEOO Partners Inc., 370 Wabasha Street N (Ward 2) – New Kid on the Block Award: honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years. (Runner-up:  Just Imagine, 991 Payne Avenue)
	Selby Wines & Spirits Inc., 778 Selby Avenue (Ward 1) – Traditions Award: honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least twenty years. (Runner-up:  WestSide HairCare Salon, 450 Robert Street S)

The Selection Committee that reviewed the applications and selected winners was made up of past winners from the Saint Paul business community. The committee included:

• Abdiwali Ali, Karibu Grocery & Deli
• Choua Vang, Golden Harvest Foods
• Kathy Sundberg, GINKGO Coffeehouse
• Tameka Jones, Lip Esteem LLC

	GINKGO Coffeehouse (Ward 4), 721 Snelling Avenue - People’s Choice Award - Honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents.
	Lip Esteem LLC (Ward 4), 876 Selby Avenue - New Kid on the Block Award - Honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years.
	Golden Harvest Foods (Ward 6), 900 Maryland Avenue E - Traditions Award - Honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least 20 years.
	Hoa Mei Market & Deli (Ward 6), 860 Maryland Avenue E - Good Neighbor Award - Honors a business that shows a dedication to improving the community.

The Selection Committee is made up of past winners from the Saint Paul business community, which deliberated and determined the 2021 Business Awards winners.  They include:

• Nate Houge, Brake Bread
• Milissa Silva-Diaz, El Burrito Mercado
• Jamey Flannery, Flannery
• Abdiwali Ali, Karibu Grocery & Deli
• Brianne Hamm, Securian Financial
• Ryan Huseby, Tongue and Cheek
• Jill Pavlak, Urban Growler Brewing Company

If you are a resident, customer or interested party who would like to nominate a Saint Paul business for one of the awards categories (e.g., Alice O'Brien, Good Neighbor, Traditions, People's Choice or New Kid on the Block awards), please use the Nomination Form below. You may nominate as many Saint Paul businesses as you like.  (NOTE:  The nomination period has ended.)

NOMINATION FORM  To preview the nomination form, please click on the sample form below:

If you are a Saint Paul business who has been nominated or wish to self-nominate your business for one of the awards categories, please use the Application Form below.   (NOTE:  The application period has ended.)

APPLICATION FORM To preview the application form, please click on the sample form below:  

Response:  To be eligible for an award, a business must: 

•       must be located in Saint Paul, 
•       be committed to equity, diversity, and empowerment, provide outstanding customer service, 
•       be involved in the community or make attempts to better the community as a whole, 
•       not have been selected by the committee for an award in five years,  
•       not be a non‐profit organization, demonstrate commitment to the community through volunteer work and contributions, and 
•       be in good standing with the City of Saint Paul (i.e., no outstanding fees, abatement issues, etc.). 

Response:  No. There is no fee to (self) nominate and or apply. 

Response:  You may nominate as many Saint Paul businesses as you like if they are an eligible business.  Refer to question 1 for eligibility requirements. 

Response:  You can verify a business location by searching its address at https://rb.gy/84ft5.

Response:  A Selection Committee that is made up of past winners from the Saint Paul business community deliberate and decide on the winners. Nominators and applicants are asked to recommend the business for a specific award category, which will be useful in guiding the Committee’s final decision. 

Response:  A press release will be sent out some time in September. The 2023 winners will be posted on www.stpaul.gov/bizawards where you are encouraged to learn more about the winners’ businesses.  You may also sign up to receive ENS notice when an announcement is made at City of St. Paul (govdelivery.com). 

Response: Unfortunately, you cannot view the current list. In order to uphold a fair and equitable process, all nominations and applications are confidential during the nomination process. However, you may check out past winners at www.stpaul.gov/bizawards. 

Response: If you are nominating a business, it should take you no more than 10 minutes. However, if you are applying to be considered for an award category, it may take you between 30-50 minutes to fill out the application depending on how much information you provide.  You may want to preview the nomination or application below to give you an idea: