What: LocalShops1 Community Awards ro honor and celebrate the local businesses, nonprofits and community activists who make Tampa Bay a better place. Event features keynote speake Mayor Rick Kriseman and event emcee Noah Pransky of 10 News
When: 4-7 pm Sunday, Aug 14. 2016
Where: Marchand’s at the Vinoy, 501 Fifth Ave NE, St Petersburg
Event website: BestInBizTampaBay.com
For more information: Ester Venouziou, 727-637-5586 or ester@localshops1.com
ST PETERSBURG, FL – Every year, LocalShops1 celebrates its birthday by honoring the people who make Tampa Bay such an awesome place!
And this year, to celebrate our eighth year, we are shaking things up with a Brunch for Dinner party at the Vinoy. The event includes four community awards, 16 Best in Biz People’s Choice awards, and special guests St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (keynote speaker) and 10 News journalist Noah Pransky (event emcee).
More than 130 of Tampa Bay’s top community leaders, business owners and local activists are expected at the sold-out event at the beautiful Vinoy Renaissance Resort in downtown St. Petersburg. Event information is available at BestInBizTampaBay.com. To be placed on a waiting list please email ester@localshops1.com.
The Community Awards recipients were selected by the Awards Committee: Andrea Farnum, Mermaid Bay Mercantile Co.; Michele Tuegel, Michele Tuegel Contemporary; and Robin King, Out of the Weeds & Three Birds Tavern. The Best in Biz finalists were selected by the committee from a list of more than 500 nominees.
Community Awards
Local Business Success Story: Sarah and Raphael Perrier, Kahwa Coffee
Business Incubator: Gail Eggeman and Mark Johnson, Saturday Morning Market
Boosting the Arts: John Collins, St Pete Arts Alliance
Watchdog Award: Features Staff, Tampa Bay Times
Best in Biz: People’s Choice Awards
Best social media presence
Brocante Market
Family Foodie
I Love the Burg
Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces
Mr Strong Foundation
Pierce Street Market
Best branding
Brooklyn South
Casita Taqueria
Kings Street Food
Red Hot Tiki Spicy Gourmet Market
Sunshine Canning
TeBella Tea Company
Staying power (10+ years)
Bayprint
Being, the art of living
Grand Kitchen & Bath
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Rick’s Home Theatre Store
Sunshine Automotive
Favorite newcomer
Cinema Squatch
Earth Day St Pete
Magnolia Lane Boutique
Mermaid Bay Mercantile Company
Purple Dot Yoga Project
Swah-rey
Most iconic style
Carla Bristol, Gallerie 909
Duncan McClellan,
Duncan McClellan Gallery
Kevin McBride, Mc B’s Men’s Clothing
Marina Williams, ARTPool Gallery
Michele Tuegel, Michele Tuegel Contemporary
Pia Goff, Pia’s Trattoria
Most dog-friendly
Dog Bar
Green Bench Brewery
Mangia Gourmet
Stella’s
Three Birds Tavern
Best kept secret
Blueberry Patch Gulfport
Historic Shed
Humane Education Connection
Pinellas Chocolate
St Pete Community Acupuncture
Tampa Coffee Club
Best hospitality staff member
Allison Nowicki, Annata
Jana Armstrong Kelly, Beach Drive Inn B&B
Justin Cabarga, Three Birds Tavern
Lisa Bailey, Fergs Sports Bar
Sam Henderson, Peninsula Inn
Tyson Savoretti, The Getaway
Area’s biggest cheerleader
Frank Wells, Venture House
Hal Freedman, Hal Freedman Real Estate
Jon Reno La Budde, Weekly Burg Blast, Reno Beach Surf Shop
St Petersburg Mayor Kriseman
Raymond, Tampa Bay Rays
Most innovative
Birthday Candles for Kids
Community Cafe
Squaremouth
Station House
Takeout Button
Time Clock Man/Time Systems
Future billionaire
Desiree Noisette,Cerulean Blu
Evan Gatscher, Evan Gatscher Studios
Jason Sulisufay, Sulisufay Property Group
Mark Ferguson, Ferg’s
Milind Bharvirkar, Priatek
Rhonda Shear, Shear Enterprises
Best 501c3 non profit
CASA
Limbo Chihuahuas
PARC
St Pete Pride
St Petersburg Preservation
Women with Purpose
Write-in candidate for president
Angeline Howell, Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Barry Rubin, Gulfport Chamber & Time Systems
Jennifer Joern, National Association of Professional Women, St. Pete chapter
Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, City of St. Petersburg
Nadine Smith, Equality Florida
Rita Lowman, C1 Bank
Power couple
Colleen & Jay Dingman, Barley Mow Brewery
Gini Carroll & Mike Fagan, Gulfport Beach Bazaar
Jackie & Todd Wilson, Furnish Me Vintage
Julie & Steve Weintraub, Gold & Diamond Source
Leslie & Marvin Gay, Painting With a Twist
Nancy & Steve Westphal, Go To Steve’s Restaurants & Catering
Best story/ future best-selling author
Alisa Savoretti, My Hope Chest
Cheryl Hollon, mystery writer
Howard Johnston, Chart 411
Kate Bradshaw, Creative Loafing
Maddy Guenther, Botiki & O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille
Susan Jacobs, Wheels of Success
Favorite mural
A Moment to Reflect, Derek Donelly and Sebastian Coolidge
Alice in Wonderland, Sarah Sheppard
Art Reflecting History, Patrick Noze
Rays Tunnel Mural, Ya La’Ford
Shine, Chad Mize
State Lines, Tes One and Pale Horse
LocalShops1’s Community Awards is made possible with the support of our friends and sponsors at Moorman Photographics, DJ MC White and Three Birds Tavern. For media inquiries or to be placed on waiting list to attend the event, please contact Ester Venouziou at ester@localshops1.com or 727-637-5586.
About LocalShops1
LocalShops1 is a coalition of hundreds of independently owned businesses and tens of thousands of energetic shoppers with the mission of advocating, promoting and offering support services to companies throughout Tampa Bay. Founded in August 2008, LocalShops1 is the region’s most active voice for small businesses.
