On the blustery evening of Wed. March 5th, members of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the year’s achievements and recognize the outstanding work of seven local businesses and organizations.
“Tonight is just an enjoyable time to get together and visit with people and see them after a long, cold winter, and see who the award winners are and congratulate them,” said Mayor Dan Agnew.
Business of the Year: The Grinnell Herald-Register
In an email to The S&B, Martha Pinder, managing editor at the Herald-Register, wrote, “It’s a tremendous honor to serve our friends and neighbors in this community, so it was particularly humbling to be given an award like that in a room full of people who all do so much for Grinnell in so many ways. We hope we have been, are and will continue to be a good community partner others can rely on. We are the third generation in our family to own and operate the Herald-Register, and it’s gratifying to know people continue to place value on local news. We tip our hats to all of the evening’s other honorees – all of whom, unsurprisingly, have graced the pages of the Herald-Register. The annual meeting also presents us a reminder to thank Rachael and others at the Chamber of Commerce for all they do to keep our community vibrant.”
Restaurant/Retailer of the Year: Beckman Gallery and Gifts
“We try to keep the products on as high a level as possible, and I know we do a good job, because people keep coming back. They always tell us that. I know we’re doing something,” said owner Ryan Beckman.
Service Business of the Year: Double You Marketing Inc.
“I’ve been blown away by the amount of support that the community has shown me. In turn, it’s been nice to be able to show my support for the community as well through volunteerism, championing efforts and campaigns that are important, I believe, for the progression in sustenance of our community,” said Katy Wells, owner and brand consultant.
GRINNTogether Award
Grinnell School of Music
“So it’s really meaningful to see, something like the Grinnell School of Music couldn’t exist without community support,” said Erin Bustin, executive director. “It’s wonderful recognition of my work as the executive director and the board, but it’s also really, all about how much the community needs what we do and has come together to make it happen,” she said.
Renewed Hope Home Furnishings
“I remember thinking back then, ‘surely we’ll run out of people who want to give us furniture. Surely this won’t, you know, keep going,” said Angie Radcliffe, executive director of Renewed Hope Home Furnishings. “It has grown. We started with one little kind of a closet, size, I don’t know, not a very big storage unit. And then we graduated to one, then two, then three. Now we are in the old ambulance building.”
Grinnell Fire and Service
“For the fire department, it really shows how you know what the community thinks of our efforts to step up and take over EMS,” Fire Chief Dan Sicard said. “If it wasn’t for all the guys and gals working doing it in the trench, you know, in the job every day, we would never have gotten this done. […] We’ve asked the chamber to come and give the award at a meeting night, so all the guys and gals can be there to get it.”
Grinnell Historical Museum
“Grinnell has such a rich history. I mean this, the history of this town is so special and unique as compared to other towns around here. I think this award shows support from the community. It shows that the community thinks this [The Grinnell Historical Museum] is pretty good thing,” said Barb Lease, member of the Grinnell Historical Museum’s board of trustees.
Allison Haack, a board member, added, “Since we started the endeavor of buying the building and doing the renovation, the community has been so supportive. local businesses, individuals, oh, so many volunteers,” Haack said, “To be formally recognized is such a thrill, And I think it just kind of makes me feel like we have to do even better now.”
