The Orlando Main Streets make sure Orlando keeps pumping out new and interesting small businesses that make us crave their menus, desire their vintage clothing and want their hand made furniture. On Tuesday July 26th, the 5th Annual 2016 Orlando Main Streets Award Ceremony took place, which is an opportunity to give praise for the hard work of Orlando Main Street Managers and volunteers.
District Awards for Best Exemplify the Main Street Four Point Approach
The District Award nominations were evaluated by an independent panel of judges including:
- Aaron Bottenhom – Orlando Health
- James Sellen – VHB
- Kevin Coulthart – Orlando City Soccer
- Lisa Warren – Retired Marketing and Public Relations Professional, Community Volunteer
- Patrick Greene – The Gallery at Avalon Island
Each of the eight Orlando Main Streets -- Audubon Park Garden District, Church Street District, College Park Partnership, Downtown South, Ivanhoe Village, Mills 50, Gateway Orlando and Thornton Park District submitted a nomination to be considered for best exemplifying the Main Street Four Point Approach. There is one award appointed for outstanding achievement in each of the four categories: Promotion, Organization, Design and Economic Vitality.
The winners of the District Awards include;
- The 2016 Promotion award was presented to College Park Partnership for Pink Out College Park. Through the sale of pink yard flamingos, and by canvassing all of College Park with pink decorations, the month-long initiative raised $5,000 toward the new Florida Hospital for Women Mammography Scholarship Fund, supporting women who cannot afford a mammogram or further diagnostic testing.
- The 2016 Organization award was presented to Thornton Park District for their 2nd ThursdayWine & Art Walk, an event created to increase foot traffic throughout the district, strengthen collaborations within the community and raise funds to support district initiatives. The event has been hugely successful, introducing hundreds of new visitors to the district, increasing business membership and raising an astounding $118,025 during this fiscal year which began in October of 2015.
- The 2016 Design award was presented to Mills 50 for their Art Drain Project, which created yet another opportunity for local artists to utilize their skills in an uncommon and unique way by painting storm drains throughout the district. Mills 50 also used the Art Drain Project as an educational tool promoting environmental sustainability. Artists were required to use the saying “Only rain down the drain” to bring awareness to the importance of clean storm runoff and its impact on our local lakes and ecosystem.
- The 2016 Economic Vitality award was presented to Downtown South for its Nom of the Month award, recognizing and promoting restaurants throughout the district that define a joyful dining experience and savory food found in Downtown South. The promotion of restaurants has allowed the Downtown South community to better celebrate the restaurants they already love, and discover new dining options.
- The 2016 Judge’s Choice award was presented to Gateway Orlando for their Connection Core Group. This year, the judging panel was so impressed with each submission for the District Awards, they felt the need to create a ‘Judge’s Choice Award,’ in order to recognize the district that created the most unique networking and growth opportunity for its businesses and professionals. Gateway Orlando’s, Connection Core Group, received this first time award for providing a platform for developing a succession of leaders, guaranteeing the long-term success of the district as a whole.
Individual Awards
The Main Street Awards Ceremony also provides an opportunity to highlight the people, places and initiatives that make our Main Streets uniquely successful. Each Main Street also nominated a Volunteer of the Year, Business or Merchant of the Year and Best Private Improvement of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to volunteers from each district who dedicated their time and effort toward helping their Main Street thrive. These winners include:
- Katie Shannon – Audubon Park Garden District
- Doug Taylor – Church Street District
- Amy Rawls – College Park Partnership
- Russell “Buck” Miller – Downtown South
- Luann Gum – Ivanhoe Village
- John Markham – Mills 50
- Tom Martinez – Gateway Orlando
- Robo Zitney Callison – Thornton Park District
Business/Merchant of the Year
The Business/Merchant of the Year award recognizes either a business overall, or an individual merchant/employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to and involvement with their district. This includes setting high standards for their business, exhibiting a positive image, and producing an overall positive impact on the district. These winners include:
- Audubon Community Market – Audubon Park Garden District
- Jersey Mike’s – Church Street District
- Keiron – College Park Partnership
- Swirlery Wine Bar – Downtown South
- Retro City Cycles – Ivanhoe Village
- Armstrong Locks – Mills 50
- Oh Que Bueno – Gateway Orlando
- Shari Sushi Lounge – Thornton Park District
Best Private Improvement of the Year
The award for Best Private District Improvement was presented to the individuals or businesses that completed the best private improvement project within each district. The winners include:
- Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream – Audubon Park Garden District
- Ferg’s Depot – Church Street District
- Jade Sushi and Asian Bistro – College Park Partnership
- Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando/Downtown South-Medical Center – Downtown South
- The Thirsty Topher – Ivanhoe Village
- The Guesthouse – Mills 50
- DNF Medical Center – Gateway Orlando
- Baoery Asian Gastropub – Thornton Park District
ABOUT ORLANDO MAIN STREETS:
Established in 2008, the Orlando Main Streets program is an economic development program that provides technical assistance, training and staff support to urban commercial districts in the City of Orlando. The program empowers neighborhood business districts within the City to maintain, strengthen and revitalize their unique physical, historical and cultural characteristics. When a district participates in the revitalization effort, the entire community experiences renewed vitality and enhanced economic performance.
