March 22, 2017 —At today’s Saint Paul City Council meeting, the City Council celebrated the eight winners of its inaugural Saint Paul Business Awards, and recognized the efforts of all the nominees and other businesses who choose to operate in Saint Paul. Launched by the City Council in January, the Saint Paul Business Awards honor businesses in several categories based on nominations from the community.   

The 2017 Saint Paul Business Award Winners:

  • Captain Ken’s Foods - Traditions Award (Honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least twenty years)
  • Tongue in Cheek - New Kid on the Block Award (Honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years)
  • Securian Financial Group - Large Business Excellence Award  (Honoring a business with at least 50 employees that cares for its employees and the community)
  • Kamp’s Food Market - Small Business Excellence Award (Honoring a business with fewer than 50 employees that cares for its employees and the community)
  • Urban Growler Brewing Company - Alice O’Brien Award (Honoring a woman-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment)
  • Element Boxing and Fitness - Reflecting St. Paul Award (Honoring a business owned by a person of color that is committed to equity and empowerment)
  • Tin Cup’s Bar and Restaurant - People’s Choice Award (Honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents)
  • El Burrito Mercado - Saint Paul Open for Business Award Winner (A special award created by the Selection Committee to honor a business that exemplifies excellence across nearly all of the award categories)

“The quality of businesses that were nominated was extremely high,” said Ward 1 Councilmember Dai Thao. “I am proud to recognize these winners and equally proud that our business community is so engaged.”

As part of the Open for Business initiative that began in 2016, the awards are another step in making Saint Paul an even better place to do business. “Part of building the strongest possible business climate in Saint Paul is recognizing the amazing work already being done,” said Ward 2 Councilmember Rebecca Noecker. “The award winners – as well as the many fantastic nominees – are doing amazing work contributing to our neighborhoods.” 

“These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the best and the brightest businesses that make Saint Paul distinctive,” said Ward 7 Councilmember Jane Prince. “These winners make Saint Paul more vibrant – they’re the reason Saint Paul is a place where people want to live, work and play.”

The selection committee that reviewed applications and selected winners was made up of business advisors from across the city. The selection committee included:

  • Bee Vang, Neighborhood Development Center
  • Marie Ellis, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce
  • Kari Tierney, Highland Business Association
  • Roxanny Armendariz, Neighborhood Development Alliance
  • Anne DeJoy, East Side Neighborhood Development Company
  • Brenda Reid, Dayton’s Bluff Community Council

One award, the People’s Choice Award, which was given to Tin Cup’s, was selected based on receiving the largest number of nominations from the community.

A video highlighting the awards and winners can be found here.  

Find more information on the award criteria and process, visit www.stpaul.gov/bizawards

Last Edited: March 23, 2017